Artisan Fountain Pen in Lapis Blue Lazuli Acrylic
Designed and turned inhouse, this is a unique handmade fountain pen. Based on the simple and clean lines of a classic cigar, the pen has a gentle taper from top to bottom, the ends being rounded. The pen has been turned from a blank called lapis blue lazuli, made by the famous but now defunct british firm called conway stewart.
The london firm manufactured pens for more than a hundred years and gained a world wide reputation, both for the innovative designs and colourful materials used in the pens. This pen has been turned from an original blank from the old stock, most likely cast in the early 1970's. Lapis blue lazuli is a stunning acrylic, showing flecks of yellow and gold scattered through the dense blue background.
It is an analog of the deep blue semi precious stone (of the same name) prized by many civilisations over hundreds of years. Imported into europe towards the end of the middle ages, the rock was ground into powder and made into ultramarine, the finest and most expensive of all blue pigments used in paintings. This pen is quite small - maybe ideal for a smaller hand or perhaps a new fountain pen user.
The cap is single threaded and can be removed within 3.8 turns. Perhaps making it well suited for a handbag or laptop case - the cap will not turn off on its own.
The section has a slight centre dip, allowing a good grip for your fingers. The cap and barrel have no step. The pen uses a bock nib (180 or #5) and is shown here with a steel nib (f), which you may change on request for any other bock nib, at no further cost (save for the precious metal nibs :-). The final image above shows the various options of pen cases available at no further cost - the wood cases are turned to fit the pen, whilst the black box is pretty standard. The wooden cases have a friction fit cap, and can be turned from most hardwoods.The image shows examples of cases in walnut (darker) and olive ash (smaller), but other woods such as ash, beech or oak could be used. Finally the pen is supplied with an ink convertor, an international ink cartridge and a roll stop which will be turned from a matching or contrasting acrylic or wood.
Type - small artisan fountain pen. Blank - lapis blue lazuli acrylic. Nib - bock #5 / 180. Closed length - 130 mm. Open length - 125 mm.
Cap widest - 14 mm. Barrel widest - 14 mm. Section length - 24 mm. Section pinch - 10.1 mm.