Making A Pen Case

September 18, 2021

I have never seen them, totally new to me!

September 25, 2021

I am sure there are many projects you have never seen although to be fair in the previous 82 pages there is a record of of almost everything I have ever made. Even the items that did not work or sadly did not sell.

Back to present day. these are the outer covers for the two pen cases I am making.

2021-09-19_10-44-38 by my0771, on Flickr

As the leather is shaped it stretches, I try to pre stretch the leather before applying dye in the hope I will get an even colour. All of that does not apply here as I am not looking for an even colour, this colour I refer to as black cherry as the original boots I was asked to match were black cherry.

2021-09-19_10-45-07 by my0771, on Flickr

Once I was happy with the base colour I could apply the black.

2021-09-22_07-19-33 by my0771, on Flickr

Forming the leather has to be done before the leather dries out fully, The drawback is you cannot see the final colour until the leather is dry. Tricky The outer cover for the insert will be glued in place stitched and trimmed before the top can be formed. This takes time.

2021-09-22_07-20-39 by my0771, on Flickr

2021-09-22_07-21-15 by my0771, on Flickr

Forming the upper sections of the cases, The lower parts are protected during the process.

2021-09-23_06-19-52 by my0771, on Flickr

More to follow

September 26, 2021

Gorgeous!

September 30, 2021

I was saving this post for my pre surgery isolation period unfortunately one of the surgical team is isolating after a positive test ( I hope they are ok) so my surgery is postponed.

Business as usual then so here are the final stages and the finished cases,

Trimmed and stitched ready for the final assembly.

2021-09-25_08-29-20 by my0771, on Flickr

Toggles / pen rests I made these from Indian Ebony they look a lot lighter in the pictures this is a very dark wood.

2021-09-25_08-31-25 by my0771, on Flickr

This is the finished case they are both similar the smaller of the two is now looking for a home, It can hold pens up to 18mm diameter and up to 130mm long. Message me if you are interested.

September 30, 2021

Definitely bumping the post because, it is very rare for you to have a case ready made that someone can grab, without waiting, as you usually have a long waiting list.

Between the predicted future rise of shipping costs, the wait for your operation, then your need to take time to recover before doing pen case work, people should run to get the offerings from your website.

So sorry about the surgery postponement.

Your post just showed up as a notification as I was about to move away from the computer, the two paragraphs above, might have grammars and style errors, it is 230 am.

I just wanted to show admiration for your work and offer encouragements for having to deal with, yet, another covid related, setback.

September 30, 2021

Thanks Anne-Sophie I appreciate you staying up to post I really appreciate it.

I was going to use the down time to work on leather covered boxes so I guess I will continue with that as well as trying to reduce my 8 week waiting time.

September 30, 2021

As long as you have a waiting list, I am happy.

I think, people who go the bespoke way, to acquire an object, would rather wait and have something exactly to their specifications, with impeccable craftsmanship, than a run of a mill item.

September 30, 2021

You are exactly right I have arranged to send it to my friend John @stjohnspens he is going to put it on his table at the London pen show on the 10th October.

I do appreciate your support.

September 30, 2021

I edited my post above your, for punctuation.

Having your work on display at the London Autumn Pen Show is a great idea, I think this show will be attended more than the one in the Spring.

First, many European are already vaccinated; second, people in the hobby are in a hurry to resume international trade.

It might also be the last chance for non U.K or, Commonwealth citizen to be able acquire their favorite vintage and modern brand from the land of Shakespeare, at a reasonable price or, most importantly, minus the taxes, duties and various adds on and restrictions on exports, which seems to be looming about.

Note that it is what I gather from French and a number of other European news, you know, real news with no ads in between, that are a nice change of pace from the ones here, who blab about the very same point, from one ad to another.

It is so irritating that I can hear myself scream at the TV: "I got it the first time".

This is not good for anyone's blood pressure, so, I skip everything but public channels, where the announcements of sponsorship are between programs and the content is worth viewing.

Now, French tv has soaps and reality tv, as if it was not enough to have to navigate the same in the U.S.

The news are sometimes, annoying me with tabloid stuff, like reporting acts of violence, which could be remedied by better local social programs and civil servants in office, instead of politicians, always in a hurry to get a gourmet meal on the lobbyist dime, at the expense of his constituents' well being.

October 6, 2021

Thanks Anne-Sophie I appreciate your comments. My surgery has been rescheduled for the 24th December, I have checked I dont need to wear fancy dress or party outfit.

Unfortunately the last op site is still causing some issues, the swelling on the tendon is continuing to grow casuing pain and stiffness. Hopefully that can be sorted soon.

I have decided to continue as best as I can, I started three cases last week, One single Emperor and two smaller cigar style cases.

Emperor first, starting with the flat sheet kydex I heated and molded it into the shape. Before wrapping it in suede.

2021-10-05_09-27-26 by my0771, on Flickr

After wrapping the kydex in suede I started forming the outer cover.

2021-10-05_09-27-44 by my0771, on Flickr

Next was the application of black dye.

2021-10-05_09-28-03 by my0771, on Flickr

Dry fit before gluing.

2021-10-05_09-28-49 by my0771, on Flickr

Stitching in progress.

2021-10-05_09-29-02 by my0771, on Flickr

October 6, 2021

My answer is immediate which is rare as it means I have trouble sleeping.

The timing of your next surgery is splendid, far from any holiday.

I am sorry you are hurting, good people and great artisans should be exempted from those inconveniences.

Your surgeon seems to be able to find solutions when setbacks appear, the latest should be no different.

As usual your work is first class, which is all too remarkable, considering the circumstances.

October 12, 2021

Anne-Sophie I am sorry to hear you have trouble sleeping.

Here is the finished picture of the Emperor pen case. It is now on its way to its new home.

2021-10-12_11-54-56 by my0771, on Flickr

Many of you may know I am a little obsessed with briefcases, In particular Pendragon briefcases made by Papworth industries who are now part of Swaine Adeney Brigg in London. I usually buy old ones that need help.

Not this time this case is amlost mint condition. the takeover by SWB was 1997 so this was made before then as it still has the Pendragon name.

2021-10-12_11-56-07 by my0771, on Flickr

2021-10-12_11-56-20 by my0771, on Flickr

The lock and buckles are not the usual brass I think they are nickle or chrome plated.

2021-10-12_11-55-46 by my0771, on Flickr

Going by the attached label it has had one lady owner Normally I would be removing all of the stitching and lining it in suede but I am not so sure of this one. There are one or two marks but nothing to worry about.

October 12, 2021

Thank you for your concern about the temporary insomnia, which was caused by the grief, that ensued, the unconstitutional murder of a mentally disabled prisoner, by my U.S state "authority".

The person of "authority", who took the vaccine as soon as he could, has done such a dismal job at enacting policies to protect the inhabitants of the state, against the epidemic, that we will soon have as many casualties as a small country.

I am fortunate to live in one of the few county where the person in charge has taken common sense precautions against the epidemic, but idiotic business owners, franchisees, paid anti masks and vax actors are fighting him all the way.

Many paid anti masks and vax people come from exurbs, devoid of services or entertainment.

Those new developments are typically old farms bought cheap from a farmer, whose family doesn't want to continue, or, unfortunately, a person who worked his parent's land until debts, solitude and illness took his life away.

The developer then destroys the wild areas of the land, set up roads, put together pre-fabricated macmansion and sell them to newly married couples or older ones with a high salary. Who want to get away from the yukky urban area, just like their parents did in the 50's and 60's, besides they can't afford the amount of land and the cost of the building, in old suburban neighborhoods.

Those "houses" are made of plywood which will be reduced to sticks in a tornado, they might have concrete basement, if it is the law or the buyer demands it.

Those stay at home mothers are bored out of their minds, during school hours so, come maskless, loud and rude, in my county, to demand that we place our children and elderly at risk because masking bother them.

Inevitably, some get sick and clog our hospitals, I live in an area with a good number of teaching hospitals affiliated with universities and county as well as veterans ones.

The people of my in-laws family need to be able to get the care they might need.

I don't want to pay the millions of dollars hospitals bills, those unvaxed and unmasked imbeciles, are throwing at my county's hospitals, via bigger bills for everyone.

Sorry for the tangent, I think you should leave the new case, as is, it is relatively new and a great example of classic craftsmanship.

You might want to keep it for yourself.

The Emperor case is gorgeous, I really like your traditionally shaped cases, the ones with a flap, it is so difficult to make simple designs to work well, it looks so simple and straight forward, like the case makes itself, thanks to your work in progress pictures, I and everyone else can see your first class, master leather worker, craftsmanship.

I am always in awe at the fact that you can do so much, despite the setbacks with your hands that have to be remedied with surgery.

PS: I apologize for the talk about my U.S state, I am just very annoyed that I cannot enjoy sunny autumn days, with fewer restrictions, because of idiots.

October 12, 2021

Anne-Sophie I dont mind at all, I believe in healthcare for all. we are very fortunate to have the NHS.

I might keep the case, I would like to know if it was a special order as black with silver or if they made a number of them. It is more likely I will clean it and offer it for sale.

My hands are not very good however there are many people in a worse situation than I am, The July surgery may require a revision as there are some issues. I have an appointment in November then we can decide where Decembrs surgery will be.

I have some boxes to make in the next few weeks some hardwood but mainly leather covered which i am looking forward to.

October 12, 2021

3 hours ago, my63 said:

Anne-Sophie I dont mind at all, I believe in healthcare for all. we are very fortunate to have the NHS.

I might keep the case, I would like to know if it was a special order as black with silver or if they made a number of them. It is more likely I will clean it and offer it for sale.

My hands are not very good however there are many people in a worse situation than I am, The July surgery may require a revision as there are some issues. I have an appointment in November then we can decide where Decembrs surgery will be.

I have some boxes to make in the next few weeks some hardwood but mainly leather covered which i am looking forward to.

It has been an uphill battle, here in the states, to educate people about the dis-information that is given about Universal Healthcare.

Anyone who has spend a little time in other democracies, gets it, luckily, more and more people are seeing that health related purveyors have been using them as replaceable golden goose.

And that they pay for politicians Universal Healthcare while denied the privilege.

You are extremely lucky to have a surgeon who listen to you and try to be as conservative as possible with each operation and doesn't seem to use you as an experiment, which is common in the States.

Unfortunately, in France, in some private clinics, quality of care have declined precipitously, their unethical practices need to be nipped in the bud.

I had a feeling that there was something different about this case and this is the silver hardware.

I am looking forward to see the new boxes!

October 15, 2021

Thanks Anne-Sophie.

There are a number of projects on the go currently, A 5 pen Emperor case which needs new molds and forms which takes time, a small three pen case which also needs new molds and forms more work. and another black over red Emperor case.

I am pretty sure I have not shared this recently other than Instagram, This picture shows the inside of the suede liner, the sides will be glued in place but not the bottom. You might have noticed that the end of the suede has been stitched but the end has been left flaired. This forms a little cushion at the bottom of the case.

I did experiment with a cushion at the top but this actually makes the case air tight seal and the case will not open, the trial one had to be cut apart.

2021-10-15_09-04-33 by my0771, on Flickr

October 15, 2021

Thank you so much for sharing, I had never seen the inside of the suede liner and wondered how it worked.

You have inspired me, some time ago, I cam upon hard plastic tubes that fit all my fountain pens, I am thinking of lining them with synthetic suede, the fabric that is used to make to glasses cleaning cloth.

October 15, 2021

A suggestion if I may Anne- Sophie.

I suggest that you use the glasses cleaning cloth, and sew it into sleeves that will fit your pens. It will much easier to slip a pen into a sleeve, and then drop that into the tubes than trying to line the inside of the tubes.

October 16, 2021

8 hours ago, ParramattaPaul said:

A suggestion if I may Anne- Sophie.

I suggest that you use the glasses cleaning cloth, and sew it into sleeves that will fit your pens. It will much easier to slip a pen into a sleeve, and then drop that into the tubes than trying to line the inside of the tubes.

It would be a great idea, if I had any sewing ability.

I was planning to drop a square or rectangle of fabric in the tube then place the pen, in it, both would be secured inside a plain zippered case.

November 5, 2021

I have messed around with boxes for some years now, most of the previous efforts have been veneered.

I was comissioned to make an Ostrich covered box a few years ago which really started me thinking, I could make leather covered boxes rather than wood veneer.

Like lots of things sounds simple, I made the first one for a neighbour's daughter it was white and pink.

Boxes start with an MDF core this is very stable and will not expand or contract.

2021-10-25_09-22-15 by my0771, on Flickr

My first plan was for flat tops But I decided to shape the top as with previous versions.

2021-11-05_07-22-34 by my0771, on Flickr

Once the boxes were made I could start thinking about the insides which were made from gray board wrapped in suede.

2021-11-05_07-24-27 by my0771, on Flickr

2021-11-05_07-24-42 by my0771, on Flickr

2021-11-05_07-25-30 by my0771, on Flickr

Slots were cut on a router table for the hinges which were supplied by Ian at Fine Box Hardware.

2021-11-05_07-26-29 by my0771, on Flickr

Test fitting the interior panels.