I’ve long been intrigued by the beautiful handmade dip pens used by many of my favorite calligraphers. These pens can feature exotic wood, reclaimed wood, semi-precious stone, and/or acrylics. They’re absolutely stunning!
I recently decided to order my own, and after some research, ended up at FarrellWoods, where Jason made me a gorgeous dip pen.
A work-in-progress shot from Jason at Farrell Woods.
Thinking of having your own pen made? Here are some things to consider:
1) How thick do you want the barrel or grip to be? After hundreds of hours of handlettering with a fat Sumo Grip mechanical pencil, I’ve come to prefer a thick barrel.
2) What materials would you like? This is mostly a matter of aesthetic preference, as all of the materials are high-quality. I leaned towards the high-contrast woods, and wanted a green or turquoise accent to match my Marzi Bird logo.
3) What shape do you prefer? Some pens feature highly detailed carving, while others are contoured to fit your natural grip. Beware of pens that have intricate tooling on the area you grip, as this may be uncomfortable and lead to fatigue.
Brian at Unique Obliques does stunning work.
4) Do you like an oblique pen or a straight pen? My personal preference is straight, but both types are available.
5) Is engraving important to you? Not every pen maker offers this, but it can be a useful option, especially if you go to calligraphy workshops and don’t want your pen to get “misplaced.”
My finished pen, featuring crushed turquoise and a “Marzi” engraving.
Here’s a list of several shops that offer custom handmade dip pens:
Roundhouse Woodworking on Etsy
Scriptorium Dip Nib Holders in Mineral Sea & Green Teal Mist
A gorgeous, handmade dip pen can make the art of calligraphy even more enjoyable!
