Nancy Olson, the editor of Stylus Magazine, recently began a new blog that I’ve found quite enjoyable.
Click here to view… Nancy Olson, Ink
…and you will see the other reason for this post. Nancy put together a nice entry regarding a couple of Edison pens that I recently sent her to evaluate and critique.
I recommend bookmarking and/or following Nancy’s blog. She’s only been blogging since February, but I’ve found every entry to be a great read, and I always look forward to the next one.
The Edison Pen Company is proud to announce a collaborative project with Ernest Shin, of Hakumin Urushi Kobo.
Most of you know enough about the Edison Pen Company. Here’s an introduction to Hakumin Urushi….
Hakumin Urushi, run by Ernest Shin, is a US-based studio devoted to working with the Japanese tradition of lacquerware and exposing it within the United States as well as the western world. Although Urushi is not unknown outside of Japan, many have only been exposed to a relatively small range of what is possible when using lacquer. While these techniques including the famed Maki-e are certainly praiseworthy works of art, they only touch on a small fraction of everything that is Urushi.
Japanese lacquerware (or Urushi, as it is also known by its Japanese name) has a history spanning over several millennia. Over that time, lacquer production has reached a level of complexity that is rarely seen in the world of arts and crafts. Between the versatility of the lacquer itself and ingenuity of the craftsman, there have developed hundreds of different techniques to create exquisite works of art from the perfectly polished deep black so closely associated with Urushi, to meticulous paintings with sprinkled gold and silver, to the exquisite patterns created as much through the whim of chance as the mastery of the craftsman.
Urushi works particularly well with fountain pens because of it’s closeness to the user. As much as it is beautiful in its appearance, a piece of lacquerware is meant to be touched–to be physically experienced. Urushi has always been used for utilitarian goods in Japan, and specifically for those that are meant to be picked up or held in the hand–small soup bowls, inro and tea caddies to name only a few. It only makes sense that something as close to the user as a writing instrument be finished with lacquer.
So what is the collaboration with Edison and Hakumin Urushi?
Edison and Hakumin Urushi will create a Tsugaru-nuri version of the Pearl. This will be a limited edition. The plan is for ten pens, but if demand is high enough, this may be increased to a limited edition of twenty.
Tsugaru-nuri is one of the regional forms of lacquerware produced in Japan and is named for Tsugaru, Aomori Prefecture in Japan. The range of techniques uniquely derives its patterns using serendipitous means. A textured surface is created through the use of various materials such as seeds or burnt rice husks, or mixtures of various substances with Urushi, such as egg whites or tofu. This layer is then lacquered over with contrasting colors and after curing, the whole piece is then sanded smooth finally revealing the distinctive patterns of Tsugaru-nuri.
The particular technique to be used for these pens is called Karanuri, one of several techniques considered Tsugaru-nuri. After the meticulous application of the first layers of lacquer, the same used for standard unadorned Urushi pieces, an uneven layer of lacquer is applied using a mixture of urushi and egg whites, a sticky, gel-like mixture that resists running and dripping prior to curing. The mixture is carefully applied ensuring that the texture is pronounced enough to create the desired patterns while not too thick to avoid the wrinkles typically caused by curing an overly thick layer of lacquer.
After a slow and extensive curing process, the uneven layer covered over with multiple layers in contrasting colors, in this case, 23 karat gold powder and translucent Urushi. Once these layers are fully cured the piece is sanded smooth, just enough to reveal the intricate patterns of Karanuri. Afterwards, the piece is finally polished meticulously to bring the surface to the deep shine so distinctive of Urushi.
I have had my webcam running since the beginning of my company, and it’s been a big success.
There, customers can see me making pens live in real time and chat with me as their pen is being made. I have one camera set up to show a close-up of the work on the lathe, and also an overhead camera showing my shop in general.
This has been a great way for my customers to see their pens made, make real-time alterations to custom pens, and also get a better understanding of how penmaking occurs.
However, a limitation has been my time schedule. I’m out there Monday through Friday, 9-5 EDT.
I have developed a regular crowd, and most of these people are folks who have a computer at their workplace, and can tune in off-and-on during the day.
But I realize that I’m missing a large crowd of people. These include people who do not have a computer at their workplace, and also people on the West Coast or international regions where my time schedule just doesn’t work out.
So next week, I’m going to do a late-night penmaking session.
On Tuesday, March 30th, I will do a penmaking session at 7:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time.
This is a good time slot for people who’s job will not allow viewing and also for people who’s time zones do not coincide.
I’m proud to introduce my newest model, The Morgan.
(if you cannot see the slide show above, click here)
I’d like to discuss a little about its design.
I have a lot of clients who love the Pearl, but prefer a pen that is longer, and posts more secure. This has been made evident by the number of custom Pearls that I’ve made to be extended in length.
This pen is one of my longer offerings, at 6" capped. The extra length allows me to create a very elegant profile that allows for secure posting.
This pen is offered standard as a cartridge/converter, but can be made into a bulb filler, and also a rollerball.
Obviously, the pen is available in the materials shown on the Morgan Main Page, but any custom material that you and I can dream up is available.
I have two new additions to the website, both of which are on the left-hand column.
First is Current Inventory, which you can see here. Current inventory is exactly that. Most of my orders are custom made, and go to a backlog that usually takes 2-3 weeks depending upon how busy I am.
All of the pens on this page are finished, and can ship immediately, if someone would rather not wait. This page will be constantly changing, so be sure to check in from time to time, if you have interest.
Next is a Model Comparison, which can be seen here.
I have received requests from many clients that they would love to see a side-by-side comparison of all my pen models.
Here is the photo….
(…and consider this a sneak peek of a new model that will be officially launched right after the LA Pen Show…more to come…)
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