Perusing the www and looking at turning projects, and within our own community here, it appears the pen turning craze has subsided? I remember when we fired up our community here folks were turning pens like crazy, and that led to other craft items such as bottle stoppers, scoops and such.

 

 

I loved seeing the pens and crafts folks were turning, was this a fad that has faded? Or do folks still turn pens and just not talk too much about it?

I think pens are a lot like printed newspapers.  They are still around but not used like they once were.  My father's Mont Blanc was given to me after his passing.  It sits in it's case on the desk and I write the occasional check with it but that's about it.  

 

 

 

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Once upon a time, I kept a detailed hand written business journal detailing my daily activities in a book like this.  I have them going back to 1999 on a shelf in my office in downtown Houston.  I went digital in 2018 or so.  I went through several note taking apps and have been using Joplin the last couple of years. 

 

 

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Edited January 13, 20233 yr by forty_caliber

I turn pens and keep them around and usually give them away.  I make my pens from scratch and never buy kits.

Judging from the number of kits available from various suppliers and the membership in https://www.penturners.org/ there is probably a lot being done but just not as much hoopla around the Interweb. 

I have turned pens and have all the supplies , just not a thing for me. maybe when things get slow. Pens  are the beginners fodder because they are easy to start and then advance to special woods  and types. The thing about turning is there are many directions to go but some basic skills and tools used in all those directions.