Richard Binder Closing Down Shop, Fountain Pen Philanthropy, Keeping The Skills Alive, Vibrancy In The Next Generation..!

January 3, 2015

Just visited Richard Binder's site, and came across his statement about closing the retail side of his business down.

Seems like a true heavyweight of the pen scene is leaving us, which will be a big loss for us all, especially those of us who were yet to try one of his magic nibs.

Which led me to think if we, on this forum, should consider sponsoring or creating some kind of scholarship for members interested in learning from the great nib-meisters?!

Even if a hundred members donated $10 each, that could go a long way to creating such a scholarship. It would be a real shame if these skills don't get passed on to the next generation.

If we do manage to put something together, you can count me in with $200 as my contribution..!

Edited January 3, 2015 by Sach

January 3, 2015

I think this is a great idea. Especially if someone were to apprentice with someone who could teach them re-tipping as there are only three people in the world (as far as I know) who publicly take the work.

Edited January 4, 2015 by rpsyed

January 3, 2015

Richard told me that he did train a lady that will carry on the nib work.

January 3, 2015

I would throw a couple of dollars in and I have someone in mind that would be perfect.

January 3, 2015

Richard told me that he did train a lady that will carry on the nib work.

Probably Linda Kennedy at Indy-Pen-Dance. I just got a Bexley broad turned into a stub and it is wonderful

January 3, 2015

I think a scholarship to train the next generation of nib workers would be a lovely idea, and I would also be happy to chip in a few dollars to help that cause. There would need to be a bit of work done before donations were taken though: finding a nibmeister willing to develop a training program, structuring how the scholarship would be awarded, etc.

I wonder if we have any FPN-er with experience in this area that could make this happen? It's such a good idea!

January 3, 2015

Probably Linda Kennedy at Indy-Pen-Dance. I just got a Bexley broad turned into a stub and it is wonderful

That's good news!

January 3, 2015

- Both Tim Girdler and Linda Kennedy "apprenticed" with Richard.

- John Mottishaw "apprenticed" as a metal sculptor before turning to miniature sculpting...nibs

- I don't remember how Greg Minuskin trained, but he does superb nibs; I first heard of him as one of the people re-tipping nibs

- Mike Masuyama "apprenticed" with Sailor, meaning that he learned under the direction of the great Mr. Nagahara (the elder)

I'm probably forgetting several people, but those are five.

For all-around repairs, Ron Zorn has not hung up his skills or his jokes. There are many others.

January 3, 2015

Greg Minuskin 'trained' under John Mottishaw....Richard Binder announced

in August 2014 - Volume 13 Number 5 Nib Noise closing of retail....and

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/260329-how-does-one-learn-nib-grinding/?p=2892253

and...

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/277352-richard-binder-no-longer-sells-toledo-m700-is-something-up/

Re: Scholarship{s} send no one Any money....fuhgeddaboudit....and

Linda Kennedy and Tim Girdler train with Mr. Binder.....................

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/254785-cards-on-the-table-nibmeisters-are-far-from-infallible/?p=2810039

Fred

January 4, 2015

Hey- seems like quite a few have similar views on this which is promising!

There are two issues here. I recognise the thought processes of the current masters, in that why would you want to dilute the pool and thereby give your self a financial headache..!

On the flip side, if there were tens of nib meiseter, as opposed to the single digits that we have now that would only be good for us enthusiasts. I also think that the desire to have a bespoke nib is going to increase in the years to come, partly because of forums and networks such as these. Looking at the evidence from average turn around times etc, is also pointing to this.

I think creating a scholarship, even structuring it as a charity or some such device would be invaluable to our hobby..!

Let me know your thoughts!

Sach