| Throughout our web site you will see mention of many different types
of finishes both on the pen and on the metal components. This is
meant as a general guide as durability can mean different things to
different people. You may only use your writing instrument at your
desk signing checks. Most often people carry them in their purse
or pocket which can be harder on the finish and plating.
The Pen
Body:
All of our wood pen bodies have a highly polished cyanoacrylate finish
unless otherwise noted. Very early on we discovered that the oil
in your hands have an adverse affect to most normal finishes.
Unlike a piece of furniture you hand remains in constant contact with
your writing instrument. Dirt and oils from your hands will wear
through a typical finish and begin to darken the wood giving it a dirty
dingy look. The cyanoacrylate essentially seals the wood and
protects it from contamination. One of our customers had placed
his fountain pen is his pant pocket. The cap unscrewed and the ink
reservoir wicked into his pocket. While his pants were ruined and
his thigh looked like a bad bruise for a while, his writing instrument
looked as good as the day he bought it.
The Pen Components:
All of the pen components have some type of plating. We
generally use the most durable plating on all of our writing
instruments. On occasion we will use a less durable plating when
is accents the pen aesthetically. Below is a list of various
platings that we use. They are listed in order of most durable to
least.
Rhodium:
One of the most durable and brightest precious metal. As a
member of the platinum family of metals it is also one of the more
expensive at over $1200 a troy once.
Titanium (Gold & Black):
Superior wear resistance while maintaining a beautiful shine.
Chrome:
A long wearing plating resistant to everyday wear.
10K Gold:
A combination of hard nickel and gold for a brilliant plating.
Satin or Brushed Finish:
This special plating process produces a matte finish that features a
light texture.
Black Chrome:
This finish offers a nice contrasting look when used with lighter
colored woods.
Tactile:
Finished with a special non-slip coating that give it a slight
rubber like feel that is easy to hold and is warm to the touch.
Copper:
Soft by nature copper can offer a very unique and stunning days of
yesteryear look.
24K Gold:
One of the softest of the precious metals. Rarely will we ever
use any parts that are plated in 24k. A few of our finer quality
writing instruments will have a 22k accents which have a heavy epoxy
coating to protect it from wear.
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