And, yes, here is one I made earlier.
I was asked some months ago if I could make a calligraphy
pen set for a friend’s daughter. I didn’t think this would be a problem and so
readily said yes. It turns out, however, that there is only one maker of the
fittings for complete calligraphy sets here in the UK, and none that I could
find anywhere else on the Internet. The UK supplier showed the kit on their
website as being ‘sold out’ at the time of the original request, so I asked
when they thought they would be back in stock, the answer being the end of
February 2024. My friend was happy to wait, but although I kept checking in
with the supplier and February turned to March, which turned to April, there
was still no sign of new supplies. Eventually, I was told that there were
problems at the manufacturing end and that it was unknown when the parts would
next be available. Fair enough; there are some things that are impossible to
have control over. Unfortunately, as I write this they are still marked as
sold out.
I turned to my favourite supplier of pen kits here in the UK
and whilst they don’t supply complete kits, they were happy to put together the
various parts I would need to make up a set using one of their very fine and
trusted fountain pen kits. Shortly after, I received a box in the mail containing
everything I needed and I was able to get on with the job at last.
The pen itself is a Leveche model from Beaufort Ink of
Devon, turned in a lovely piece of pale yew. It has three additional Bock
calligraphy nibs, as well as the original standard nib.
A pen set of any type is nothing if it hasn’t got inks to go with it and something to keep everything in. I customised a wooden box with a hinged lid by adding internal compartments for three ink bottles (I included two inks from Cult Pens of Tiverton) and pen cleaner from Beaufort Ink, plus a lift out tray for the pen and alternative nibs. I finished it off with some nice wax and a chrome handle on the lid to match the latch. Finally, I personalised the lid with the new owner’s name.
It was a very satisfying project to work on and I understand through the wonder of social media that the recipient is very happy with her new pen set!
I love happy endings.
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