Pen Classes - Basics, Repair, Nibs, Using, Etc.

[FarmBoy]

In another thread, the idea of pen classes has been raised. I think this is an interesting idea worth looking at in some depth. (I may be the only one that thinks this.) First lets define what the class is and how it would work then lets decide what it is worth to attend.

Lets say the work shop/class is held at a pen show, perhaps a day before or on a non-public (trader pass only) day. The subject of the work shop could be anything pen related from Pens 101 to a Calligraphy class. The workshop would be ~4 hours long and is taught by a recognized expert in the subject matter.

 

Lets also say you would need to provide your own pens but the class might provide any consumables like polishing pads, ink, paper, etc. Tuition may also include a take home kit of supplies, a book, etc. as appropriate to the subject matter. Lets also say the class was limited to 8 or 10 participants.

 

The class might include lecture time on the subject, demonstrations, hands on practice with with guidance from the expert teaching the class.

 

Some topics that I have heard in back channel communications include:

 

Nibs

Repairs (basic, advanced, pen/filler specific are all possibilities)

Pen Basics

Calligraphy

 

Of course this doesn't come free but what is it worth to attend and what would one expect?

 

Lets explore.

 

Farmboy

[kkshadow]

I like the idea. Not sure of worth, but my thoughts..

 

Nibs: Basic concepts of ink flow -

• how it gets from the reservoir,
• what is capillary action and why it is important,
• the feed does more than hold the nib in place

Concepts of alignment.

• Why a decent 10x? (included or buy).
• What a good alignment looks like.
• What a broken nib looks like.
• Screwables vs press fit.

Other nib stuff

• Nib creep. Get over it.
• Look inside the cap

Repairs: (bear in mind I am a vintage kind of guy) I think everyone should know how to repair a lever filler

• basic what you need tools - and which are nice to have.
• section removal - heat, patience, pliers and due care
• cleaning the nipple
• getting all the dried guts out
• role of the J-bar, Does it need replacement?
• new sac, width and length
• shellac & talc & graphite is OK but baby powder is not.
• to knock out the nib or not
• finesse wins over force any day and every day.

Pen Basics: Not sure of your intent here, but I think..

• How it works - the controlled leak theory
• Different filler systems - and I love Brian's recent article on c/cs: after it's filled, all pens work the same way.
• How to clean (Think SBRE Brown's disassembly videos at least for moderns
• Tips to clean pens you can't take apart; vac-fills, snorkels,
• Care of different materials (again, I go vintage).

Can't really speak to calligraphy.

 

Hope this all helps.

Edited October 5, 2014 by kkshadow

[LamyOne]

Hello Farm Boy,

 

I like the general idea, but I do not like the pen show angle; I think a video series, (perhaps on YouTube, DVD or other), would be a lot better. It would provide much wider access. Limiting the program to 8-10 people at a pen show is a little too limiting; also, a lot of pen enthusiasts cannot make it to pen shows for a myriad of reasons - health, work, financial, geographic location, etc.

 

Best regards,

 

Chris

Edited October 5, 2014 by LamyOne

[Surei]

I am with LamyOne... even if he is a cat.

 

I would LOVE to attend pen classes in person but the likelihood of me getting to attend a pen show is about nil . Online videos might be more work, but they'd reach so many more people!

Edited October 5, 2014 by Surei

[ac12]

Accountant here.

 

The problem with an online video is cost recovery.

Accountants don't like doing income statements that comes up a net loss (rather than net income).

 

It cost time and $ to do a good class. Especially if you get a GOOD instructor, the instructor has to be paid or compensated for his time.

Doing an online class or DVD incurs production cost to plan, record, edit and distribute the video.

At a show or school, the tuition would go to recovering the cost.

How would you recover cost online?

 

Put it on YouTube and the producers will never recover their cost. It becomes a money loosing venture.

Maybe there is a good pay per view vehicle, I don't know. Any of you have info and leads?

A DVD is an alternative (additional cost), but subject to the issue of the video being captured and freely distributed. How many people get video and music off YouTube rather than buy the CD or DVD? Will the guys who pay, pay enough to make it worth the investment for the guys that produce it? The producers have to make money for it to be worth-while, or at the very least, not loose money.

 

Some of the guys doing it online are doing it as an adjunct to their business (example Goulet Pens), and it helps their business.

Some are just generous, some want to get their name out.

 

I like free information just as you guys do.

But free information is not free for the guys putting it together. It costs $$$$, in direct expenses, peoples time, lost revenue, etc.

Sorry to be a wet blanket.

 

Let's give FarmBoys idea some thought.

His project has to gel first, or it goes no-where.

[gweimer1]

I would love a hands-on type of class. I'm planning to attend the Ohio Pen Show next month, with every intention of going to at least one pen repair seminar, along with Richard Binder's nib class.

 

It's been stated here many times over that video only gives you so much information. Working with pens has as much to do with touch as it does with sight.

[MrThoth]

I like the idea of classes; some things are easier to learn with the help of a friendly instructor than on one's own.

 

I agree with LamyOne that holding classes at a show, while certainly beneficial in some respects, isn't of much use for the vast majority of potential "customers" who can't attend shows (or a particular show).

 

But ac12 has a valid point that creating a video series (on YouTube or wherever) makes it difficult to monetize the project, and it's only fair that the instructor receive compensation for his time and skill.

 

So, here are some ideas for addressing both concerns:

 

1. Hold the classes online via Google Hangouts, Skype, or some other method. Only those who pay get invited to participate.

2. Raise the money to fund a video or series of videos via Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, GoFundMe, or other crowdfunding source.

3. If someone here on FPN has good contacts at a fountain pen manufacturer (surely someone must), approach that manufacturer about funding a video or series of videos as an advertising expense -- agree only to use that manufacturer's pens and supplies in the video, etc.

[Glenn Atkins]

I have the ability to put the video(s) behind an encrypted, password protected cloud structure with a granular level down to the specific person and specific video.

 

I'd be glad to help.

 

Glenn

[rickap]

I like the pen show, in-person, idea but there are no pen shows in the Seattle area. The video is a good idea, too, but cost recovery is a concern.

 

Facing those limits I say get the books, "Pen Repair" by Marshall and Oldfield, and "Fountain Pens, the Complete Guide to Repair & Restoration," by Dubiel. Then go to YouTube and search for "fountain pen repair." Many videos show up in the search results. You can also get a basic nib smoothing kit from Richard Binder. He has some details on pen repair on his blog. There is also a master series done by Arthur Twydle here: http://www.penmuseum.co.uk/master1.htm.

 

There are multiple other resources on the web in enthusiast sites as well as the Pen Repair Q&A right here on FPN with loads of information. Look at all the pinned topics, too.

 

I am not affiliated with any repair site or repair person. Look around and see what else you can find. It's out there. Then get some beater pens and practice.

 

I do still like the in-person idea and if it came to Seattle or Tacoma, Washington, I'd probably attend.

 

Rick

[LamyOne]

Hello Everyone,

 

Just to update, a DVD format need not be expensive. If you have a quality digital camcorder that you can download the video onto your computer and burn a DVD, that is all you need to do - and that DVD can be easily duped for as many copies that are sold. We do not need Universal to come in and shoot the video, a home movie, YouTube style format would suffice - in fact, I've seen some fairly professional looking videos on YouTube that were shot using quality home video equipment - home video technology has come a long way. And this format would make the information broadly available.

 

Do seminars at a pen show with a small group of people as you originally suggested, but "video tape" it; then you'll have the best of both worlds.

 

Also, I am no tech guru, but GAtkins may also have a useful suggestion above.

 

Best regards,

 

Chris

Edited October 5, 2014 by LamyOne

[pendexter]

I think that monizitation should be the last thing on anyone's minds. If someone puts out a quality product, there are plenty of ways to make money off of it later on.

 

One simple way to do things would be to have a sponsor (i.e. Goulet pens) provide all the video production equipment (which they already have from making their own videos), and a nibmeister who could use some extra work come in and do a video series.

 

Goulet would make money off of increased web traffic to gouletpens.com and by selling a repair package that is featured on the video; the nibmeister would get tons of work from people after they realize that there's actual skill involved with adjusting and grinding nibs (or whatever the video is on).

 

That's just one random way to make money with a video. Others include ad revenue on YouTube or a website, affiliate sales on Amazon, etc. Or have an eBay power seller come in and talk about repairing vintage pens. (He'd make money by linking to his eBay storefront, where he sells vintage pens that need repair work.

 

In terms of classes... Local brick and mortar's would be great places to run a pen repair clinic. The classes would help bring people in the stores, and while I can't speak for anyone else, I'd rather buy pens in person than online if the prices are reasonable. The class could be run by the proprietor of the store (if he's a repair guy) or someone local.

 

The main goal is to provide value to everyone involved. People who are into fountain pens and want to go to classes typically have disposable income to spend on pens and repairs. There are plenty of people and businesses that would like nothing more than to get their names out to the consumers.

 

I've only been in the hobby for a couple of months and have no contacts in this field yet. But there are plenty of people on this forum that have contacts. Heck, maybe we can get either Brian Gray of Edison or Speedy of TWSBi in on this. I've seen both of them on this forum...

Edited October 5, 2014 by pendexter

[Orrell Post]

I did a pen repair course with WES in the UK. We did a follow up over webair (or some such thing). I would like to be a part of internet classes - go to Glen!

[lsmith42]

Thinking about it another way... if a person really wanted to learn, you could schedule time with a professional, pay for travel and associated expenses, and spend much more in a day, than what you might pay for a class. Also, the price tends to draw out those who feel it is a worthwhile investment.

 

Additionally, you could look at it as a money saving strategy, as you could now buy unrestored pens and do that work yourself. Certainly a wise investment!

[FarmBoy]

Interesting ideas and comments.

 

Lets continue.

 

For what it is worth, there was a set of DVDs about pen repair that was produced and sold on eBay and various pen boards for a number of years. Most likely I've been around long enough to remember it and most haven't. It wasn't wildly successful but there were a number of reasons for this.

 

Lets address the tuition charge and venue choice.

 

I suggested a pen show because the show already has rooms, an audience, staff, pen people, and pen experts in attendance. If one were to try and duplicate the venue it would far to expensive to justify. I suppose it could be done at a club meeting or just organized to happen but a show venue seems to be an easy place to host this to me.

I didn't raise the issue of making money, but why should it cost? Lets assume a well known nib or repair person agreed to teach the class. That means they wouldn't be sitting at a table while the show is in progress making money to pay their expenses because they were teaching a class. The bulk of the tuition would be to compensate the expert that wasn't on the floor doing commerce. Why would an expert do this might be a valid question that gets quickly asked but the guarantee of income from a sold out class would be appealing to most.

 

Why not videos? I'm not saying NO to video format, just that in this case, I don't care. I want live instruction and interaction which is why I started the thread to expand on the idea proposed elsewhere.

 

lmsmith42 has a good point about the cost of the class. For fun, lets set the tuition at 175.00 that includes admission to the show on the non-public day, which we will say is 50 to keep the math simple. The show starts at 8 AM and the class is from 1-5 in the afternoon. Your assignment pre-class is to go buy the pen or pens you want at the show and then bring them to the class to repair. Lets say one is a Vac and the other is a Snorkel. With shipping and such it would easily cost you 50 each to have these pens repaired. So we quickly get to 150 of tuition in 'value'. Just a guess but there might be some take away handouts or a manual or something as well as a kit of basic repair items/supplies.

 

Same could go for a calligraphy class but lets keep going.

 

Farmboy

[ac12]

How would the class handle the different types of pens; vacs, aerometric, lever fill, piston, cartridge?

I bring a cartridge pen, lsmith42 brings a piston, kkshadow brings a lever fill, pendexter a Sheaffer vac, and LamyOne a Parker vac.

Might need teachers assistants to help with the diffferent types of pens?

Or maybe lever fill pens might be provided (or student's homework is to buy a lever pen to repair), so all the students are working on the same type of pen for pen #1, just for the sake of instruction. Then maybe for pen #2, their own choice of pen.

 

I would really like a calligraphy class.

"Calligraphy for Dummies" only takes me so far, and there no one to help me when I get stuck or can't figure out why I'm doing something wrong, which happens often.

Would the calligraphy class be italic or spencerian or gothic or a combination?

Maybe a 1-1/2 or 2hr class for each; italic, spencerian/copperplate.

[FarmBoy]

How would the class handle the different types of pens; vacs, aerometric, lever fill, piston, cartridge?

I bring a cartridge pen, lsmith42 brings a piston, kkshadow brings a lever fill, pendexter a Sheaffer vac, and LamyOne a Parker vac.

Might need teachers assistants to help with the diffferent types of pens?

Or maybe lever fill pens might be provided (or student's homework is to buy a lever pen to repair), so all the students are working on the same type of pen for pen #1, just for the sake of instruction. Then maybe for pen #2, their own choice of pen.

Hold on cowboy, lets not over think this and make it complicated, I'm just talking concept, not pen duels between Dexter and a Shadow.

 

I would really like a calligraphy class.

"Calligraphy for Dummies" only takes me so far, and there no one to help me when I get stuck or can't figure out why I'm doing something wrong, which happens often.

Would the calligraphy class be italic or spencerian or gothic or a combination?

Maybe a 1-1/2 or 2hr class for each; italic, spencerian/copperplate.

Now this is hay in the barn but what is the hay worth?

[ac12]

Sorry, I got excited.

 

 

I don't know what other charge, but for a 2 hr class, $40 or 50 seems reasonable, maybe more.

My old Calligraphy for Dummies is a $20 book, so at least 2x that for a starting class ($40) + cost of materials that might be part of the class. If $20 of materials, then $60.

Push out to 4 hrs, $75 or $80. But for a beginner class, there is a diminishng curve, because the brain sponge can only absorb so much before it needs to do homework to understand it. So maybe 4hrs for a beginner class is too long?

But having not taken any calligraphy class, I don't know how long it makes sense to go for a beginner class for 1 style. I say 1 style because someone may be interested in italic and not specerian, and another person in spencerian and not italic. I have to yield to people who have taken or given calligraphy classes.

 

I can see an advanced calligraphy class going for more time and cost, because the students know the value of the class, especially from a GOOD instructor.

 

I found some price and class references. Caution, some are multi-day classes.

http://www.friendsofcalligraphy.org/pages/classes.html

Of course I can't find any info, but I remember seeing a class by a White House calligrapher that was more pricy. So getting special instructors, drive higher fees, because of the cost of getting those instructors.

The class size is limited to 16 students. Don't know if that is a facility limit or a teaching limit.

On that link are also teachers.

Edited October 6, 2014 by ac12

[ac12]

A handwriting improvement class would be worth while.

I did it the hard way, by myself.

But I can see people as frustrated as I was 2 years ago wanting help.

I can't see that being 4 hours, a 2 hour class makes sense. It is one of those subjects that needs homework to continue, especially if muscle memory has to be changed, as it was for me.

Maybe $40 fee + $10 for materials, so maybe total $50 for a 2 hr session. (caution this pricing is just a WAG (Wild Ass Guess))

Edited October 6, 2014 by ac12

[LamyOne]

Hello Everyone,

 

Well, I can see which direction this is going... so as they say on Shark Tank... "I'm out!"

 

Take care and good luck with the concept.

 

Best regards,

 

Chris

[FarmBoy]

Hello Everyone,

 

Well, I can see which direction this is going... so as they say on Shark Tank... "I'm out!"

 

Take care and good luck with the concept.

 

Best regards,

 

Chris

Why would you be "out"? Because it would require travel? You don't like pen shows? The final exam might be impossible to pass?

 

I do know of similar events happening in pen clubs. I believe brother Brown (Pendelton) was hosted by a pen club or two and did something similar so it could go that way if someone wanted. I recall Richard Binder also giving classes in his pen shop in the not so distant past. I chose a pen show because it is an obvious venue to do something such as this. It seems like a good way of getting more people to attend a show and isn't that what the hobby needs, more involvement?

 

I don't actually have an end game in mind and I have no plans to give classes (which assumes someone would want to hear what I had to say), I just want to explore the concept and everyone's opinion is valid.

Farmboy

Edited October 6, 2014 by FarmBoy