Pen Turning Survey For College Project

[James Oliver In SugarLand]

Dear Fellow Woodturners,
I am relatively new to woodturning and really enjoy making pens. I have also recently gone back to college to finish my undergraduate degree. Currently, I am enrolled in English 1302, Persuasive Writing. Our primary writing project for the semester revolves around determining the arguments surrounding an everyday object. Part of this project requires the use of a survey to determine people’s attitudes toward each argument. I would like to thank of each of you in advance for reading this and would greatly appreciate your answers. It is a very short survey. However, feel free to write a novel if you would like. The openness among the woodturners and woodworkers in general is one of the things I have enjoyed about working with wood. Also, I am surveying both woodturners and non-woodturners, so the some of the questions may seem a bit odd for this group. Again, thank you for your time.
James Oliver

Survey Questions:
1. What is your name?
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?

[Kenneth Hertzog]

James
I will try and answer your survey questionsSurvey Questions:

1. Ken Hertzog
2. I've made many pens usually keep about 50+ on hand
3. been turning pens about 5 yrs +
4. my preference is what other people want to buy ( I have enough)
I turned about every material you could imagine
5. professionally ( if they would only sell in my neighborhood)
6. also do other aspects of wood working but really enjoy pen making
7. the feel, the quality, and the satisfaction of being mostly american made
8. life is to short to carry an ugly pen
9. no
10. the favorite pen is the current one in my pocket.
till I make one I like better

hope this answers your questions

also enjoy making boxes for the special pens

Ken

[Greg Coleman]

Survey Questions:
1. What is your name?
Greg Coleman
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
Yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
First pens I turned were about 10 years ago. I took it up again about 1 year ago.
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
I like wood. The oily exotics are my current favorite. I have had problems with acrylics because of my inexperience. I have not turned burl or bone.
I also like to use materials that have some meaning to the person I am making it for.
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
Hobby for now. My wife's coworkers have asked for me to sell them some. I would prefer to make them and give them to people I want to have them. I am teaching my wife to turn pens. Maybe she will support my other habits with her profits.
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
I do other woodworking also. I have recently moved to a dedicated lathe. The Shopsmith is now only a drill press. Pens instant gratification for me. I can wip out a pen while a glue up dries.
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
The individuality of them. No matter how many I make each is different.
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
The first pens I made when I begin turning them after a long layoff I used wood from a massive walnut that had to be taken down from the yard of my church. I made simple slimlines for the church staff. The initial reaction was "that's nice". When I told them the story of the wood the reaction changed to "I will cherish this always".
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
A fancy store bought pen yes. A fancy pen turned by me or another turner no.
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
A modified slimline turned with wood salvaged from my grandparents house.

[Bernie Weishapl]

1. What is your name?
Bernie Weishapl
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
Yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
5 yrs
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
I like doing them all
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
hobby
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
I do turn other things such as lidded boxes, ornaments, bowls, HF's, platters, etc.
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
The instant product and satisfaction
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
It was handcrafted by me or another turner.
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
A fancy store bought pen yes but a pen made by a turner yes.
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
A Sierra or a Jr. Stateman

[Matt Ranum]

1. What is your name?
Matt Ranum

2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
Yes

3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
3 months

4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
I have only done wood and acrylic and so far my preference is wood.

5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
Hobby

6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
I do all sorts of woodworking but as stated earlier, pen turning has an instant gratification to go along with it.

7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
Its unique, and truly one of a kind. No two are ever the same.

8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
See answer to #7

9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
No

10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
Cigar pen. Its very comfortable and balanced in the hand.

[Baxter Smith]

Survey Questions:
1. What is your name?
Baxter Smith
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
Made a half dozen 7 or 8 years ago
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
1 month if this applies
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
wood
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
hobby/gifts
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
something different to try
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
someone made it
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
character
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
some come close
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
one that I haven't lost and still works

Hope this helps a little.

[Steve Mawson]

1. What is your name
Steve Mawson
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
8-10 years, don't really remember when I started
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
Mostly wood although made some corion for the Freedom Pen Project-red, white and blue
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
Hobby
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
Functional and fun to make-people like them as gifts
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
They are unique, no one else has one like it
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
Refer to 7
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
NO
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
Since I live in the Cornhusker State I make quite a few pens from corncobs. I paint them red and folks really like them.

[Jon Lanier]

Survey Questions:
1. What is your name?
Jon Lanier
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
Yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
First pens I turned were about 4 years ago.
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
I like wood.
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
A little of both.
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
I do other woodworking also.
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
Each one is different.
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
Weight, character, feel and personalization.
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
A fancy store bought pen yes. A fancy pen turned by me or another turner no.
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
Jr. Statesmen II. Curly Spalted Mango.

[David E Keller]

[QUOTE=

Survey Questions:
1. What is your name?
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?[/QUOTE]

Here you go:
1. David Keller
2. yes
3. 2 or 3 years
4. natural wood burl or highly figured
5. hobby, but I sell quite a few and give even more away
6. It's how I started in woodturning. I often have very limited shop time which is frequently interrupted. Pens make for fairly quick projects that are easy to start and stop. I use a pen all day as well, so it allows me to carry a little of my hobby with me at all times.
7. They are generally better made than what I would be willing to purchase. They are also much more personalized, and I pick a different pen on a given day to carry depending on what looks good to me at the time. Also, the ones I make are generally pretty hefty which feels better in my hand.
8. What makes a corvette more fun to drive than a pinto?(they both do exactly the same job) Handmade pens "drive" better IMO.
9. Some of the kits are a little bit too ornate for my tastes but to each his/her own. I generally am drawn to the wood/material more than the kit, and simpler kits allow the material to shine I think.
10. I've got several favorites. One is made from a piece of chinaberry burl that came from a friend's land... It's got a simple wax finish that gets softer and more comfortable with time. Another is a really wild piece of stabilized spalted maple full of curl and burl... I find myself staring at it sometimes just because it's a gorgeous piece of wood. Next week it may be something else.

[Philip Duffy]

Happy to help an old student!
1. Philip Duffy
2.yes
3. 6 years
4. hardwoods
5. hobby, but they do sell
6 as a diversion; turn lots of other things
7. the way they feel to the hand when writing
8. I like quality goods of all kinds
9. Not at all
10. First one turned with Koa - - it reminds me of the Aloha

[Clint Baxter]

Clint B
Penmaker
7-8 years
Many flavors of wood
Both professionally and hobby?
Continue to do all aspects of woodworking?
Uniqueness of a handcrafted object that can be completed in a very short time
Appearance, heft (using quality hardware) and "not mass produced"
Not ostentatious?
Favorite pen is a Woodcraft Wall Street II Black Titanium Click Pen of very late spalted Maple. I like the pen because of it's unique appearance and that most people can't believe it's even made from wood.

[Aaron Wingert]

Survey Questions:
1. What is your name?
Aaron Wingert
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
Yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
A little over a year
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
Figured and exotic woods, corian
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
As a hobby, but I do sell them
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
I turn lots of other things
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
Peoples' reactions. They can't believe that a pen can be a hand crafted work of art.
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
What makes driving a Ferrari more interesting than driving a Kia? Get my point?
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
Wonderfully ostentatious!
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
Anything with a postable cap. I'm not such a fan of the twist pens and slimlines.

Hope this helps!

[bob svoboda]

Survey Questions:
1. What is your name?Bob Svoboda
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?Yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?1 year
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?Wood
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?Sell some at craft fairs
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?Instant gratification
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?The look and feel of the wood
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?Each one is unique
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?If you like it, it's not ostentatious
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite? I have one made from a tree in my yard http://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/buttons/quote.gif (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=1381324)

[Brian Brown]

Survey Questions:
1. What is your name? Brian Brown
2. Do you make pens? Yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens? 2 Years
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)? Exotic wood and burls
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby? Hobby
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking? I do pens and other woodworking.
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen? The look of a unique one of a kind piece.
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job? See Q 7
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious? Not really. Depends on how fancy. I once saw $250,000 platinum and diamond encrusted pen. That's ostentatious.
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?Yes. Because the wood is amazingly beautiful, and I made it, and it actually turned out well.

[Thom Sturgill]

Here's my answers:
1. Thom Sturgill
2. Yes, probably about 50 so far
3. 2 years
4. So far I've only turned wood and acrylic, prefer wood. About to turn a stabilized burl.
5. hobby only
6. as opposed to other aspects of woodworking? bad question - in addition to...
7. a) it unique, one of a kind b) its WOOD. c) great gifts.
8. see above.
9. No
10. Not yet. I've turned many different styles, DON'T like the slimline particularly, mostly turn fountain pens now.

[steven carter]

1. What is your name?
Steve Carter
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
Yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
3 years
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
wood
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
hobby
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
I turn pens, bowls, boxes, christmas ornaments
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
it is unique
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper
Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
It ends up with personality fro the maker
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
Depends on what you are using it for, if I used it to keep my golf score probably, but on my desk or at home certainly not.

10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
the first one I made just because it was the first on e I made

[Roger Bullock]

1. What is your name?
Roger Bullock

2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
no I make memories that are disguised as pens

3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
about 4 years

4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
My favorite material for turning pens is history, memories, or just a plane old good story. A plain oak pen takes on special meaning and allows you to hold a piece of history in your hands if it came from a live oak tree from the LSU campus that was damaged by Hurricane Gustav or from the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. A pen crafted out of Grandmas old broken rocker or cutting board will have you remembering how she would rock you as a small child or baking your favorite apple pie. A pen made from a worn out old tool handle that was used by a man to make his living for the last 30 years and now retired will have special meaning. The deer antler pen from the young hunters first buck will bring back memories of the hunt for years to come. This pen was crafted from our old church, old school, our first house, old historical building, tree limb where history was made, wood from the holy land, or any other wood that holds a special interest or memory of the recipient will be treasured. Hand crafted pens can also tell a funny story. Remember when Bubba said "Hold my beer and watch this."

5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
hobby and by special request

6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
We live in an instant society today, I want it right now. Turning a pen fills this need as you can complete one in a short amount of time.

7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
everything

8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
the story behind the handcrafted pen
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
manufactured pens...yes handcrafted pens...no

10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
All of them but the first nice pen for my wife rates pretty close to the top.

[Karl Card]

1. What is your name?
Karl Card
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
Yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
almost a year
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
burled wood, imported wood
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
I would like to say professionally, have sold them on ebay and as far away as switzerland but still trying to reach that 150 dollar pen to sell
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
I do some of the other aspects also but pen turning is a very good stress reducer, unless they all break while turning
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
When people say "WOW you really make them"
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
You dont find a papermate that writes as good as mine, you dont find papermate made of wood from Brazil, Africa, Honduras, etc..
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
Very much so, if it wasnt then I would be doing something wrong.
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
The one that I gave my mother. Made of redheart.

[Greg Just]

1. What is your name?
Greg Just
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
4 plus years
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
wood
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
hobby - I do sell a few
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
I turn lots of things including pens
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
The fact it is handcrafted
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
That someone took the time to make it and that they look nicer and get noticed
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
No
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
Don't really have a favorite

[Mark Hix]

Survey Questions:
1. What is your name?
Mark Hix
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
Yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
almost 3 years
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
wood
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
hobby that self sustains
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
the pens support the rest of my turning
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
the feel of the pen, knowing I assembled it and recently, made some of the parts.
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
they write better, the fit is better in my hand
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
no
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
ambonya burl sedona/ maple burl sedona: they look great, they fit my hand, they write great.

[Tim Hughes37]

Glad to answer these!

1. What is your name? Tim Hughes
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6? Yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens? Just shy of 3 years.
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)? I've turned several different materials, but my favorite would have to be Red Mallee Burl from Australia. My other favorite is Olivewood from Bethlehem. It is special to me because of its origin and that it is probably the type of wood that Christ would have used as a carpenter in Nazareth. Both have very pretty character and finish nice. I have to say that my least favorite to turn is deer antler or river buffalo horn because of the smell. LOL
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby? both
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking? I do other forms of woodworking too, but pens offer an additional chance for creativity.
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen? The weight and style.
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job? It's an everyday object with meaning when it has been made by hand. It has been made with feeling and the craftsman has put some of himself into it.
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious? NO
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite? The one I just made or the next one yet to be made.

[Nick Fournier]

1. What is your name? Nicholas Fournier
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6? Not yet
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking? Mostly bowls, but lately I've had a fascination with turning tops
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen? There's something warmer to a hand crafted pen, and I can appreciate the work behind it
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job? The uniqueness and the simple fact that it doesn't look the same as all the others.
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious? Not at all
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite? A custom made black and red ebonite Edison Glenmont which is hand made by a true artisan

[Dave Haughs]

Survey Questions:
1. What is your name?
Dave Haughs
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
Yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
3 Weeks
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
Wood - but have only tried wood and acrylic
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
Hobby
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
Fun, Quick, Can do it while people are sleeping
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
Unique
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
Unique, conversation piece
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
No, I don't think most people pay enough attention
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
Yes, but I didn't make it, it was a grad school graduation gift

[Scott Lux]

Survey Questions:
1. What is your name? Scott Lux
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6? Yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens? 4 years
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)? Wood
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby? Hobby, but I've sold a lot
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking? People like to get and give pens. They're useful
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen? It's different
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job? A wooden pen has a feel that is different than plastic. Much superior in my mind.
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious? Yes, all of my pens are fairly simple.
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?Yes, a honeylocust Euro. I didn't intend to make a pen for myself, but this one fits my hand like no other I've ever held.

[James Oliver In SugarLand]

Thank you to all who have replied. This will be a very useful tool in finishing my research paper. I have always been amazed at how helpful woodworkers are with sharing their experience and knowledge.

Happy Turning!

James Oliver

[David Drickhamer]

1. What is your name?
David Drickhamer
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
Yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
3+ years
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
I turn it all but prefer a figured wood or burl
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
This is a hobby
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
I do turn other things. Bowls, lidded boxes and threaded boxes and more
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
Knowing it's hand made and not mass produced
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
They both do the same thing but a handcrafted pen feels better in the hand and each one is unique in it's own way
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
Some productions yes but most handcrafted pens no
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
My favorite pen is usually the last one I made. Favorite material - wood. Styles - Sierra, Baron, Jr Gent. I like the weight and balance of a pen with a cap plus like making closed end.

Dave

[Wayne Kuhn]

Dear Fellow Woodturners,
I am relatively new to woodturning and really enjoy making pens. I have also recently gone back to college to finish my undergraduate degree. Currently, I am enrolled in English 1302, Persuasive Writing. Our primary writing project for the semester revolves around determining the arguments surrounding an everyday object. Part of this project requires the use of a survey to determine people’s attitudes toward each argument. I would like to thank of each of you in advance for reading this and would greatly appreciate your answers. It is a very short survey. However, feel free to write a novel if you would like. The openness among the woodturners and woodworkers in general is one of the things I have enjoyed about working with wood. Also, I am surveying both woodturners and non-woodturners, so the some of the questions may seem a bit odd for this group. Again, thank you for your time.
James Oliver

Survey Questions:
1. What is your name?
Wayne kuhn
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
Yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
5 years
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
Unusual materials, but mostly wood & Acrylics
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
Hobby
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
Quick and easy gratification. Easy to show other people the fruits of my labor.
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
I Made it.
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
Handcrafted, one of a kind, unusual materials etc. etc.
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
No
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
Cigar pen made from prairie rattlesnake skin cast in clear resin.
Uniqueness of material.

[Chris Stolicky]

Survey Questions:
1. What is your name?
Chris Stolicky
2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
Yes
3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
2.5 years
4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl,
bone, etc.)?
I love turning nice figured wood and burls, but nothing shines up as nice as acrylic. You can, however, get some very nice chatoyance (sp?) in wood that adds a lot of depth (i.e. desert ironwood).
5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
Hobby, but sales do come along.
6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
I have expanded into other turnings. I always like nice pens so that is what get me into this addiction. Pens are also faster projects than many flat boarding projects I have tackled; most turning are.
7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
Unique, and usually better quality than your average Bic.
8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
Quality, feel, uniqueness, maybe more sentimental value. Actually, a quality pen writes much better and easier than a paper mate. It can slide across the paper and not have to be pressed, gouged, and dragged across the paper.
9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
Nope, but I think it might also depends on the person using it.
10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
Actually my favorites change often. I have two that I turned over a year ago that bounce in between most often. A sap wood and heart wood bubinga Jr. Statesman rollerball, and a Jr. Emperor fountain in blue Lucite (acrylic). Why? - how they write and what/where I am using it.

[this is added text because I wrote in the "quote."]

[Rick Gibson]

1. What is your name?
Rick Gibson

2. Do you make pens (if no, please skip to question 6?
Yes

3. If so, how long have you been turning pens?
2 years

4. Do you have a preference of material (wood, acrylic, stabilized burl, bone, etc.)?
I prefer wood but also like acrylic and antler. I consider burl as wood.

5. Do you make pens professionally or as a hobby?
Hobby

6. Why turn pens as opposed to other aspects of woodworking?
I do all kinds of woodworking but with pens you get to see what you are making quickly and as it takes shape. Many of my pens get sent to our military personnel along with letters of support from myself and others.

7. What do you most enjoy about a handcrafted pen?
Each one is different no two are ever exactly alike.

8. What makes a handcrafted pen more interesting than a simple Paper Mate pen as they both do the exact same job?
One of a kind no one else has one exactly like it.

9. Do you consider a “fancy” pen to be ostentatious?
Not really just different

10. Do you have a favorite pen and why is it your favorite?
I have 3, I like the feel, the weight and the way they write.