I’ve heard no shortage of belly-aching over custom wood pens. They often get dumped on for one reason or another and honestly, undeservedly so. I have always been a fan of anything one can custom-make and pens are no different. Pens like these from reader rboyett2001 are a great way to spend a little time in the shop and get a sweet-looking writing utensil out of it on the other end.
The main complaint I hear is that you buy a kit and make a pen according to plan and that’s not real woodworking. Well, yes, of course it is. Case in point: A friend of mine just started making custom wood pens and once the first few had been spun off the lathe he showed them to his buddies who proceeded to crap all over his work. Telling him “anything like that just isn’t considered real woodwork.”
Here’s a secret, folks: If you worked the wood and finished a project, it’s woodwork. If there’s any other definition I’ve never heard of it. The important part is you built something and you enjoyed the process. Perhaps it leads to other larger projects or perhaps you just start building pens like a madman. Either way it’s a great way to pass the time in the shop. These two pens make me want to give it a go myself.
Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]