Did you know you have to use a fountain pen when signing a marriage license? It’s all about permanence. Fountain pen ink is archival-quality and can’t be erased or altered over time, which helps protect the legal integrity of the document. It might feel a bit old-school, but it’s a beautiful tradition that adds a little extra ceremony to the moment you make it official!
We had the pleasure of speaking to Neil from Knightpens. He is a local wood turner who specialises in wood turned pens, including beautiful unique fountain pens. We asked him some questions to find out more about his experiences.
“The most popular pen I sell for weddings is the Northumbrian Fountain Pen followed by the Kelso Model. They are normally supplied in white Kinrite with random highlight black swirls. They come with cartridges but also a separate ink pump so any special ink can be used in them. This is sometimes needed when signing legal and NHS documents. I can supply these in a nice leather presentation case (at a small extra cost) or in a leather embossed travelling pen pouch. If you intend as a group to buy a reasonable amount I will give a good discount on the stated price in the shop.“
Neil answered our burning questions:
1. What got you into woodturning, especially pens?
My grandfather was a wood turner (spindles bowls etc) and when I left school back in the mid 60s I was dragged into the business. This lasted about 4 years till he died. There was just me left and as a young man I wanted to see more of the world not just a workshop so I got what I call a proper job. At the age of retirement I was cleaning out one of the sheds and came across the old lathe and decided to see if I could still turn wood. Seems it was like riding a bike you never forget. Tried to make a few pens, liked it and made more. Got to the stage every family member and friends got a pen for Xmas too many pens so found there was a market for them. Start to sell them on line and attend craft fairs where I meet a lot of nice people. Been doing this for about 10 years now. I’m 75 this year and the thought of retiring is looming but I will hope to get a few more years in before I end it all.
2. What’s your favourite type of wood to work with?
All wood is different both in texture and appearance, some hard some soft and some brittle. You can get wood from the same tree and it will feel and look different.
I have built up stock of a lot of rare wood over the years, some which are no longer available. Common woods such as walnut or oak with a blank costing £2-3 takes just as much work to make a pen as say snake wood costing over £100 for a blank. One of my favourites is oak burl which when polished gives a beautiful swirl finish.
Kinrite resin is also very popular with various blended colours polished to a glass finish. This is harder to turn and blunts the tools quickly.
3. What’s the most challenging part of pen turning?
You are working to small tolerances and all pens consist of an internal brass tube with a very thin layer of outer material. Turning this without digging in or cracking it off is a challenge and if you make a mistake, you will see a couple of hours work go out of the window.
4. Do you make custom pens for weddings or special occasions?
Yes I make custom pens but they are all based on the models I have. Clients can choose the material, colour and the metal finish.
5. Where will your pens be popping up this year? Any events?
Apart from repeat orders, and webshop sales I will only be a Paxton House craft fairs every week during the season from end of May till end of September. I am away on holiday the first 3 weeks of May.
6. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start woodturning?
Its not for everyone: Dont spend a fortune on equipment, find someone who has a lathe and ask if you can have a go, see if you like it first. It can be difficult but like all skills the more you do the better you
