Phil’s Diary - [Blog @ http://www.philsdiary.net/]
Back when John Dominik started out making wooden pens I decided I should get myself a few (I’ve always liked writing with nice pens). So ordered a small selection.
You can get yours from John’s website, here.
In general the pens are fantastic, each has a lovely natural wood feel that you just won’t get with cheap plastic. They’re also very well made, and finished beautifully. If you appreciate a good pen, or like writing then I’d really recommend you treat yourself to one of these. They’d also make a lovely present, especially as they ship in a nice black velvet presentation case.
Anyway, I said I’d get some pictures up here, so I’ve been experimenting all evening trying to get the best balance of light and background to get a decent picture to really show you what I mean. I hope the following do that. Click the images for a larger picture.
First up is my personal favourite a Dyed Grey Maple Burl Fountain Pen. First of all the wood, it’s got an amazing swirly pattern to it, a little like marble. As it’s handmade and natural you also realise that it’s a one off, unique, pen. No mass produced rubbish, this pen is totally unique. The pen as a whole has a lovely solid weight feel to it. The pen parts are brass and black, contrasting nicely. The tip of the fountain nib is silver which just sets of nicely the rest of the pen. This is a real beauty of a pen, both to look at, to hold and to write with.
Next we have the Cigar Pen. This is made from Dymondwood and is superbly striking with it’s alternating colour bands. Unlike fake plastics though, if you get the light right on this, the fibres of the wood give of a lovely iridescent glow. As with the Fountain Pen this pen has a lovely heavy and solid feel to it. It’s definitely the heaviest of the bunch. You can tell it’s been lovingly hand crafted too, as the finish and attention to detail is superb.
If big and chunky isn’t really your thing then there’s the Slimline range. This is a Cocobolo Slimline Pen. Rather than the big, bold and striking Dymondwood Cigar Pen above, this is the complete opposite. The pen is slim and light, and the wood rather than striking is a lovely smooth subtle material. A mix of orange and chocolate coloured make it look really smooth.
Last up is the Slimline Pencil. It’s the same Cocobolo wood as the pen above, and the same slim, light feel to it. Just as before the wood is a far less striking than the two larger pens, instead being smooth and subtle. As with all the pens it has gold pen parts, which seem to blend with the orange of the wood just right.
Posted by Phil on May 18, 2004 09:11 PM | Categories: Gadgets
All nice pens.
But a bit too expensive knowing that I tend to lose pens as fast as hair.
I keep them in mind for presents.
Posted by: sjon at May 19, 2004 7:35 AM