Need a pen kit suggestion

[Barry Lyndon]

I'm plannning on making a couple pens for some artists that have helped me out with some work and I'd like them to be really nice. I was hoping I could get some ideas of what you all think are the nicest, fanciest, elegant pen kits with the biggest wow factor. I'm willing to spend some money but let's keep it reasonable. No solid gold kits with diamond nibs. Maybe around $40 or $50 each at most. Doesn't *need* to be expensive, just needs to look nice. And yes, I know, the blank and turning quality will have a lot to do with it.

Since they are artists, some pencil kits would also be interesting. I'm may do a pen and a pencil for each.

Thanks for the help!

[Jim Burr]

Big can-o-worms Barry!! The kit is only 1/3 of the decision. Wood or Resin or a mix, laser cut? Ti, Rh, gold, chrome finish, FP or Rollerball. 2 piece or more of a Sierra style. Berea hardwoods and CSUSA are my go to suppliers, but there are others; Penn State, Woodturningz, Beartooth so on & so on. This question is better posted on IAP.

[Thom Sturgill]

I'll let others chime in on which kits, but Berea has some of the nicest. For Artists, I would recommend the Artist pencil style kits rather than a normal thin lead pencil.

[Barry Lyndon]

I'll let others chime in on which kits, but Berea has some of the nicest. For Artists, I would recommend the Artist pencil style kits rather than a normal thin lead pencil.

I assume you're talking about here - http://www.bereahardwoods.com/
I browsed around and even did a search for "artist" looking for the Artist Pencil Style kit that you're referring to but can't find it. Is there one in particular you're talking about?

[Barry Lyndon]

Big can-o-worms Barry!! The kit is only 1/3 of the decision. Wood or Resin or a mix, laser cut? Ti, Rh, gold, chrome finish, FP or Rollerball. 2 piece or more of a Sierra style. Berea hardwoods and CSUSA are my go to suppliers, but there are others; Penn State, Woodturningz, Beartooth so on & so on. This question is better posted on IAP.

That's why I said I was looking for what you think looks like a nice elegant pen. I'm just looking for ideas here - not looking or someone to make the whole decision for me. Like I said, I know the kit is just part of it but it's the part I'm most interested in getting people's thoughts on. No real preference on style, finish, etc... - just looking for what you think is a really nice pen kit.

[Montgomery Scott]

The emperor and the lotus kits are the fanciest I've ever made. I don't think you can get the lotus any more. You can still get the emperor or the jr emperor. Best place to enquire about kits is penturners.org. Both of there kits were more than $50. You can still find the statesman kit from CSUSA for less than $40.

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[Jason Ritchie]

I think the artist pencil is called artist sketch pencil or just sketch pencil. I have made a few of these myself and like them a lot. They have really thick lead and have a sharpener built into the cap. The kits I have made were available in gold, black titanium or gun metal, black enamel, and chrome. They did at one time also have colored leads available seperately.

[Barry Lyndon]

I think the artist pencil is called artist sketch pencil or just sketch pencil. I have made a few of these myself and like them a lot. They have really thick lead and have a sharpener built into the cap. The kits I have made were available in gold, black titanium or gun metal, black enamel, and chrome. They did at one time also have colored leads available seperately.

This one? http://www.bereahardwoods.com/pen-kit/sets/Sketch_Pencil_Black_Chrome.html

[Barry Lyndon]

The emperor and the lotus kits are the fanciest I've ever made. I don't think you can get the lotus any more. You can still get the emperor or the jr emperor. Best place to enquire about kits is penturners.org. Both of there kits were more than $50. You can still find the statesman kit from CSUSA for less than $40.

Nice. Great looking pen. Thanks!

[Thom Sturgill]

I assume you're talking about here - http://www.bereahardwoods.com/
I browsed around and even did a search for "artist" looking for the Artist Pencil Style kit that you're referring to but can't find it. Is there one in particular you're talking about?

Actually, I was looking at Craft Supply. http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/1/-/1/4/-/729/Artisan-Artist%2527s-Sketch-Pencil-Kit (http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/1/-/1/4/-/729/Artisan-Artist%2527s-Sketch-Pencil-Kit)

Others may have similar kits, I was thinking of the functionality not looks, though I have made one with a burl that turned out well.

[James Combs]

This one? http://www.bereahardwoods.com/pen-kit/sets/Sketch_Pencil_Black_Chrome.html


Actually, I was looking at Craft Supply. http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/1/-/1/4/-/729/Artisan-Artist%2527s-Sketch-Pencil-Kit (http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/1/-/1/4/-/729/Artisan-Artist%2527s-Sketch-Pencil-Kit)

Others may have similar kits, I was thinking of the functionality not looks, though I have made one with a burl that turned out well.

If I am not mistaking both of these are from the same hardware manufacturer and you couldn't go wrong with either as far as quality.

[Paul Williams]

PennState has a mini sketch pencil that I think looks and feels a lot better. The regular sketch pencil looks and feels clunky to me. I have made several and people who draw really seem to like them. I made one with cherry burl that might have been what you are looking for.

[Jim Sebring]

Junior Gent rollerball and accompanying pencil in black titanium and Amboyna burl. CA finish. Durable, functional and beautifully elegant without being ostentatious.

[Jason Ritchie]

This one? http://www.bereahardwoods.com/pen-kit/sets/Sketch_Pencil_Black_Chrome.html
Yep, that's the one.

[Ronald Fox]

Here are a few of the nicer pens I have made. Any of these would be well recieved:

Art Deco:
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKARTFREE.html

Majestic Junior:
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKMAJGPJR.html

Or the fullsize Majest:
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKMAJGP.html

Ron