Mayan Theme Nazca Fountain Pen

About this pen…

This Mayan theme Nazca fountain pen is a another example of the capabilities of my engraver. On the last engraving project I posted (the Dragon pen), I wrapped an image around the cap and wrapped a repeating scale pattern around the barrel. I did something similar here, but with a bit of a twist, then took it one step further.

The ‘twist’ was using multiple images on the cap. There are a total of 20 Mayan Glyph’s wrapped around the cap in a 4 x 5 layout (4 around the circumference and 5 high). The ‘one step further’ I added was engraving the ends of both cap AND barrel (I’m calling them “end cap” images). I engraved a Mayan emblem on the cap, and JEB’s Pens on the end of the barrel.

It’s all in the planning…

The engravings require a good bit of planning in order to get the image(s) to fit the engraving area. When working with a single image you just have to make sure the image fits the width and circumference of the engraving area. But when you use multiple images as I did on this cap, you have one more variable to deal with. You have to work out the size of the individual images so that together they’ll fit within the engraving area. AND without getting too small.

The same holds true for repeatable patterns like the one used on the barrel. But those can be a little more forgiving. You can stretch or shrink the pattern until it fits and no one will know that it was altered from it’s original dimensions.

End cap images…

This is the first pen where I added what I’m calling ‘end cap’ engravings. Since the engraver’s dot is so small, I wanted to see how small I could engrave an image before it began to get too ‘pixilated’. It also gave me the opportunity to tackle the challsnge of centering a small image onto a small area. It was something I’d been anxious to try, and I think the results came out pretty well.

The centering of the parts under the laser has to be done ‘by eye’, so I’m sure you can understand the challenge. While you can tell the laser exactly where to go in its engraving field, you then have to eye ball lining up the parts under it. You can ‘fire’ the laser to help you with the alignment, but it’s still up to how close you can manually get the part.

Since this wasn’t going to be a 1-off job (I wanted to do it again in the future), I made a jig to hold the pen parts vertically in the center of the bed. So now next time it’s just a matter of centering the jig.

Camera’s don’t like reflective surfaces…

The biggest problem I have with the end cap images is taking the photo’s. Camera’s don’t like reflective surfaces. Add in that you’re trying to photograph black on black images that are less than 5/8″ in diameter and you’re giving the camera a tough assignment. If I try and block the light, the engraving just disappears and fades into the background.

I’ve always had to deal with reflection on my pens when taking photo’s, but now the engravings add an additional challenge. I’ve tried diffushers and light boxes, and even different camera’s. But you have to block the light to elimilate the glare. But in order to capture the engravings, it seems I have to put up with the glare. At least for now anyway.

Removing glare manually…

I can remove the glare manually with photo editing software, but it’s very time consuming!

NOTE: The photo of the cap is an animated GIF. So if you click it to stay on the photo, you’ll be able to see it rotate around the circumference and show all 20 of the Mayan Glyph’s (it will repeat 3 times).

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Miscellaneous items:
I also offer a variety of hand-made pen-related items. Pen Props, pen cap Buttons, Pen and Ink Trays, Cufflinks, and Button Covers. Use a Pen Props to display a pen or temporarily raise the nib. Order in a pen-matching material or a wooden style in a variety of finishes. Cap Buttons are small pieces of cap jewelry you can add to a clipless pen to keep it from rolling. Use a Pen & Ink Trays to display your favorite pen and ink. Trays are available in several styles and in your choice of natural wood. Cufflinks and Button Covers are timeless favorites that dress up a shirt. Order them in pen-matching material.

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