BCHR Style Desk Pen
With Natural Marble Base
About the pen:
This BCHR style desk pen has an overall length of 6″, with a barrel only length of 4″, and a maximum diameter of .50″. The Section length depends on how you want to measure it. The total length is actually a full 1″ long, but it appears shorter because of the rounded profile I added at the back as a transition. So if you discount the transition profile at the back, then the Section is only 7/8″ long. Since the pen doesn’t have any threads, the round profile on the Section creates a nice transition point. I also used it to seat the pen into the funnel, which creates a nice tight seal.
About the engraving:
The engraving pattern I used is one I found on an old un-named BCHR clipless pen. The pattern is a combination repeating rows of squares and slanted bars with every other row of bars slanted in the opposite direction. Together with the squares, they create a herringbone style pattern. So I’m calling the pattern ‘herringbone & square’.
Nib & filling system:
The nib is a #6 Jowo with a black PVD (Physical Vapor Disposition) coating. The PVD coating creates the blackest finish I’ve seen on a nib. Past black finishes were more like a black chrome than a ‘true black’ finish. The PVD coating is a nice rich black. It is also very durable.
I used a standard C/C (cartridge/converter) inking system because I didn’t want to break up the engraving pattern. However desk pens can be ordered as a lever filler. However keep in mind that I only have gold-tone levers. So keep that in mind when considering the overall look of your desk pen.
Once I decided to make a marble base, I decided I wanted the desk pen to have a monochromatic look, so the PVD coating fit in nicely. I even had a funnel swivel with a blackened finish that helped to complete the look.
About the base:
I actually had the pen finished about a week before I decided on making the marble base. I had a few idea’s: one was to make the base out of oak and then blacken it with a homemade mixture I made for a different project. I thought I could run the same engraving pattern across the base. But once I made the mockup sample, I didn’t like the look. The flat pattern looked like tire tracks, which wasn’t the look I was after.
Then I remembered I had some pieces of marble from a broken doorway threshold that was removed about 20 years ago (I knew they’d come in handy some day!). The pieces are just shy of 4″ wide (the width of the original marble threshold), so I cut one of the pieces to just under 6″ long. It’s a little larger than I usually use for a single desk pen base, but not unusual. Many vintage desk pen bases–especially marble ones are about this size.
The piece I used was an end piece, so I only had one edge to cut. The long edges already had 45 degree bevels, but were a little worn. So I ground bevels on the two ends, then cleaned up the bevels on the long edges. Working with the marble wasn’t much different than working with acrylic. For the flush cutting the broken edge I used a diamond disc in an angle grinder to cut then square the end. Then I set up a rig on my stationary disc sander to grind the 45 degree bevels. Then it was just a matter of smoothing the edges with progressive grits of sandpaper, followed up with polishing compound (just like acrylic).
Miscellaneous items:
I also offer a variety of hand-made pen-related items. Pen Props, pen cap Buttons, Pen and Ink Trays, Cufflinks, and Button Covers. Use a Pen Props to display a pen or temporarily raise the nib. Order in a pen-matching material or a wooden style in a variety of finishes. Cap Buttons are small pieces of cap jewelry you can add to a clipless pen to keep it from rolling. Use a Pen & Ink Trays to display your favorite pen and ink. Trays are available in several styles and in your choice of natural wood. Cufflinks and Button Covers are timeless favorites that dress up a shirt. Order them in pen-matching material.
To custom order any of the pens you see on my website for yourself or as a gift, please contact me at jeb<@>jebspens.com.
If you need fountain pen maintenance help (cleaning, refilling, or general issues), please visit my “Fountain Pen Help Line” page. If you’re having a problem and can’t find a solution, use the contact form or send an email.
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