Pen assembly

[martin.pearson]

This has probably been discussed but since I am not very good at forum searches thought it best to just ask.

When you assemble twist pens that have a grain pattern that you are trying to match between the top & bottom sections of the pen how do you align the 2 parts? With the nib out as the pen would be used for writing or with the nib in as it would be when not in use? I guess you could always put a small note in with the pen explaining to the customer how to change it so they can decide for themselves lol

 

[alan morrison]

I am nib in.

 

[flexi]

I always assemble nib in as I would a capped pen too

 

[Bill Mooney]

I’m a nib out man. I was always told to photograph my pens with the nib out & if you’re using the photos to promote your pens then the grain should match to show your pens at their best.

 

[martin.pearson]

I’m a nib out man. I was always told to photograph my pens with the nib out & if you’re using the photos to promote your pens then the grain should match to show your pens at their best.

Was there a reason for photographing with the nib out? I have assembled all the pens I have made with the nib in as a couple of others have said & I photograph them with the nib in so the grain matches.
Maybe I should try photographing with the nib out & see if I can get any sales doing it that way, of course it could simply just be that they aren't very good lol

 

[flexi]

Slimline and streamline pens always look better with the nib out, it shows you have the correct length, that may be the reason Bill photographs them that way

 

[Phil Dart]

Nib in for me - on the basis that the pen spends far more time at rest than it does being written with. It tends to get studied and admired (and bought) in a retracted state, but when extended, it's being written with and judged for its ergonomics and writing ability, not for its aesthetics. I agree though, that for photos, it presents a bit of a paradox. Even so though, nib in for me.

 

[Terry Q]

I've done both but prefer nib in.

 

[Penpal]

Always nib out for me for forty years my preference I always extend the nib when giving or showing.

 

[martin.pearson]

Always nib out for me for forty years my preference I always extend the nib when giving or showing.

If I am sending a pen out to a customer I generally send it with the Nib in rather than out which is probably why I tend to align them Nib in so their first impression when they view it is with it showing the grain at it's best.

 

[TVS]

Simple explanation personal choice what ever floats your boat we don't all have to be the same but put your bloody nib in LOL

 

[CraftyNick]

I always photograph with matching grain. I don’t have a nib out or in preference but always grain match for presentation.