Doctor Theme BCHR Pen

About the pen:

This doctor theme BCHR pen is a nice example of how I can use laser engraving to create a theme pen. Here, I applied simple straight-line bars to both the cap and barrel. I then carried the bar pattern up to the final with a knurling design. And the two white marble bands on the barrel frame the bars on the barrel.

The pen is titled Doctor because it carries a Rod of Asclepius image on the barrel. Another feature exclusive to this pen is the custom surface-mount clip. This clip is in the original silver casting, but I plan to have them available in both gold and rhodium plating.

About the engraving: As you look closely at the engravings, you may think they’re a bit rough. But consider what you are seeing. The pen is small, and the images are close-up, so you can see the detail. The laser’s engraving DOT is only about .06mm, and the laser creates the lines by melting the acrylic. So what appears to be a rough surface is only light reflecting off those engraved edges.

What can be rough, though, is the bottom of the indented lines. And because the engraving is black on black, I had to throw a lot of light on the pen in order to capture the engravings in the photo’s. So the edges appear gray and rough because the acrylic is reflecting all that light.

Usually, after the engraving is completed, there is fine debris left in the groves. So the parts have to be cleaned with a soft bristle brush to remove the loose debris. But because the material is polished before the engraving, I can’t brush too firmly, or it will scratch the surface. But again, the lines are quite thin so you won’t see with the naked eye what you see in the photo’s unless you use a magnifying glass. The barrel diameter is 13 mm, and the Asclepius rod pattern is only about 1/4″ wide. So you’re looking at very small images.

Highlighting patterns: Just like the original BCHR patterns, the visibility of an engraved pattern will depend on the complexity of the pattern. The more complex the pattern, the more visible it can be. However, you can also highlight a pattern with color so it stands out if you prefer it to be more visible.

This pen’s specifications are:

• Color & Material:
  >Primary: Solid black acrylic acetate.
  >Bands: White marble acrylic acetate.
• Length: Capped 5.30″; Uncapped 5.0″.
• Diameter: Barrel .515″; Cap .60″.
• Nib: Smooth-face polished steel #6 Jowo.
• Clip: Cast silver.
• Inking system: C/C.

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