Eversharp Fountain Desk Pen Set
In Copper and snowball acrylics.
If you’ve peruse my website often, then you may have seen the pair of Eversharp style desk pens I made last year. Those pens were made with some 60’s era Mazzucchelli acrylic, so they look just like the pens of the 50’s or early 60’s.
This more updated version was made using modern acrylics in color and patterns that are available today. The play between light and dark are striking.
The acrylic used is sold under the brand name ‘Rhino Plastic’. The middle of the pen is a color called Copper Lightning. The section and rear tip color is called Snowball. See below for the pen’s dimensions.
Painting the section:
One issue I had with the pen was with an effect called ghosting with the section. Ghosting is where the material was transparent enough that the parts insider would show. This is a fairly common issue when making kit pens when the material has a transparency. Kit pens are made by gluing brass tubes inside the acrylic, so if the material is too transparent, then you paint the tubes before gluing them into the acrylic.
So I followed that same guidance here, but I painted the inside of the section. The paint easily hides the nib housing so it doesn’t show through. The photo at right shows a before and after comparison (top before painting; bottom after painting).
One issue I had with the pen was with an effect called ghosting with the section. Ghosting is where the material was transparent enough that the parts insider would show. This is a fairly common issue when making kit pens when the material has a transparency. Kit pens are made by gluing brass tubes inside the acrylic, so if the material is too transparent, then you paint the tubes before gluing them into the acrylic.
So I followed that same guidance here, but I painted the inside of the section. The paint easily hides the nib housing so it doesn’t show through. The photo at right shows a before and after comparison (top before painting; bottom after painting).
Matching the base:
Originally, the order was only for the pen. But while I was in the process of making the pen, the customer emailed a photo of an old base he had, and ask if it was possible to make something similar. It was a small base about 3″ square x 1″ tall. A very simple shape–BUT, it had a checkered pattern made with two squares each of black and white marble.
Still, I thought, it might not be too difficult. But the issue would be making the blocks. Since the base was only 3″ square, it meant the blocks were only 1 1/2″ square. So I’d have to find material that was at least 1 1/2″ square, plus in a color that would compliment the copper and white I was using for the pen.
After doing a little research, and digging through my material inventory, I ran across a piece from a large turning blank that looked like it was the same color as the Copper. I normally use what are referred to as ‘pen’ blanks for making pens. Most pen blanks are about 3/4″ square, so those wouldn’t do. However some suppliers also offer the ‘turning’ blanks, which are larger at about 1 1/2″ square blanks.
When I looked up the color of the turning blank I had, I also saw they had another off white color that I thought might work for the light color blocks. So I placed an order, and waited.
Once the blanks arrived, I compared them to the pen and the copper match was spot on. The ‘white’ I ordered though was a little darker (a dirtier white, so the name ‘snowball’ they used for it was quite accurate). But I thought it would be close enough for the base, and after informing the customer he agreed. See the bottom of the page for the base’s dimensions.
Eversharp funnel:
When I was working on the first two Eversharp desk pens that I mentioned at the beginning, the customer sent an original (vintage) Eversharp desk pen so I could take accurate measurements from it. He also sent along a vintage Eversharp funnel to use to make sure the new pens would fit the funnel. It turns out this was a funnel that I had admired for a long time and always wanted to try making one. So while I had it I took careful measurements of the funnel in hopes I could make one sometime in the future.
I relayed my interest in making one of those funnels to my customer, and he said if I could make one in the same colors as the pen, he’d buy it to complete the set with the pen and base.
About the funnel: Wahl (the company that sold the Eversharp line of pens), offered quite a few different styles of pen funnels over the years. This one was very unique because it had a very wide top that flared backwards. It also has a pair of metal bands at the top, along with unique wide band at the bottom. So the style would present several manufacturing challenges.
Making the funnel: I had visited this funnel several times over the years, working on a layout to figure out how to build it. So I already had an idea of how I could make it. The sample the custom sent me also allowed me to recognize the unique band that was on the bottom. Turns out it wasn’t so unique and I already had some! It was a near match to center band used on a kit pen.
So I got to work making parts. And after a few samples, I was able to figure out how to make the parts. I made in several pieces to make it easier to install the top bands.
See the bottom of the page for the funnel’s dimensions.
Specifications:
Desk Set Specifications:
Pen dimensions: | Base dimensions: | Funnel dimensions: |
Total length: 8.50″. | Length & width: | Height: 2.875″. |
Center length: 3.25″. | 3″ x 3″. | Top diameter: .875″. |
Section length: 67″. | Height: | Flare diameter: 1.0″. |
Rear tip length: 3.67″. | 1.0″. | Bottom diameter: .50″. |
Material Used:
Pen material: | Base material: |
Primary (center): Copper Lightning Rhino Acrylic. | Primary: Crushed Mud Inlace Acrylester Acrylic. |
Secondary (Section/Tip): Snowball Rhino Acrylic. | Secondary: Red Pearl Inlace Acrylester Acrylic. |
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.
To custom order any of the pens you see on my website for yourself or as a gift, please contact me at jeb<@>jebspens.com.
If you need fountain pen maintenance help (cleaning, refilling, or general issues), please visit my “Fountain Pen Help Line” page. If you’re having a problem and can’t find a solution, use the contact form or send an email.
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