What Goes Into a Handcrafted Pen (Besides Coffee and Patience)

What Goes Into a Handcrafted Pen (Besides Coffee and Patience)

Sure, it starts with caffeine. And yes, a lot of patience. But behind every handcrafted pen is a process that’s equal parts creativity, sawdust, and a whole lot of intention.

Let’s break it down — from raw blank to write-ready.

Material Selection: Where It All Begins

Every pen starts with the hunt for the right material — and no, not all blanks are created equal. We look for woods with bold grain, deep color, and a personality of their own (Cocobolo? A drama queen. Olivewood? Smooth talker. African Blackwood? Pure quiet confidence.)

For acrylics, it's all about color, depth, and that swirl factor — the kind of visual texture that keeps revealing something new the more you use it.

We don’t just want it to look good. We want it to feel good. Durable, yes. Interesting, absolutely.

Turning the Barrel: Hands, Tools, and a Little Bit of Chaos

Once the material’s picked, it heads to the lathe. This is where the blank gets shaped into the pen barrel — the part your hand actually touches.

We don’t turn the caps (those are solid metal), but we do obsess over the body. It's about balance, grip, and shape — no weird lumps or bulbous flair here. Just curves and comfort that make writing feel natural.

Sometimes the pen body is one piece. Sometimes it’s two. But every turn of the lathe is slow, intentional, and kind of mesmerizing (unless the blank explodes — that’s less magical).

Finish Work: Shine, Seal, and That Final Glow-Up

This part’s a little fussy — in the best way. We sand and polish every barrel smooth, then apply the finish that gives it that glow.

For woods, a high-gloss CA finish brings out the depth and character of the grain. It's a durable, glass-like coat that makes sure your pen stands up to daily use and still looks great doing it.

No engravings, no flashy extras — just the natural beauty of the material, shown off the way it was meant to be.

Assembly: The Puzzle Comes Together

With the barrel shaped, sanded, sealed and shined it’s time to bring everything together. This is where the pen meets its hardware — the cap, the clip, the nib or rollerball mechanism.

There’s no magic glue or shortcuts. Each piece is dry-fitted, tested, and re-fit until it feels seamless. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about precision that still feels human.

Quality Check: The “Would I Keep This?” Test

Before a pen leaves the shop, it gets the full once-over. We’re not talking lab coats and clipboards — just a real eye (and hand) for detail.

If the finish isn’t just right? Back to the bench. If it doesn’t feel great in your hand? It doesn’t leave the studio.

If we wouldn’t gift it to a friend (or keep it ourselves), it doesn’t ship.

Final Form: A Pen With a Little Bit of Soul

At the end of all this, what you’re left with isn’t just a pen. It’s a daily tool that also happens to be a little piece of craftsmanship. Made slowly, intentionally — not by assembly line, but by hand. One at a time.

Every pen has its quirks, its character, and its grain patterns that catch the light just so. And every time you pick it up, you’ll notice something new.

Even the packaging is designed to carry that same level of care — every pen is tucked into a sleek metal case with a foam insert to keep it snug and safe on its journey. Whether it’s a gift or a personal treat, it’ll arrive ready to impress.

Because once it's made, it's heading home — and we want that first impression to feel as good as the pen itself.