Well, it seems these 'Bamboo' style pens are just taking over all my production. This one is a special order headed for Beijing, made (as requested) out of red and black ebonite.
I actually started out making this one from a slightly different material, which the fellow commissioning the pen had picked out. That ebonite was also red and black, but more of a marbled pattern rather than the 'wood-grain' look of Cumberland. In any case, when I got to turning it on the lathe I found it to be really quite soft and surprisingly porous. In other words, it was a cheap material that doesn't polish to a shine very well. So, I made the decision to switch to a different material, the Cumberland ebonite. This stuff, which is made in Germany, is wonderful material - dense, hard, beautifully grained, and takes on a glossy shine when polished. By far and away my favourite ebonite.
So, now it's finished and tested out, the nib adjusted and smoothed, and ready to head to China. Of course, I hope the buyer likes the ebonite that I used as much as I do! ;-))
Thanks for looking. Comments welcome.
Ken
I realized, from a couple of other pen makers, that the best ebonites come from Germany, although it's also true that they cost more. I have a pen made out of black matte German ebonite. It's really awesome to feel and hold.
ReplyDeleteHi Kite! Yes, the ebonites are a bit different alright, but I find the biggest difference is in the polished finish. In a matte finish, I'm not sure it makes much difference. Now, the marbled red and black ebonite is a different story. I was quite unimpressed with the non-German stuff, and won't be buying any more of that.
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