林 — Hudson Valley, NY

Hudson Pen Works

A fountain pen made by one person, by hand, in a converted barn upstate.

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The maker, in profile, in his Hudson Valley workshop.

Origin

One pen at a time, finished by the hand that turned it.

I apprenticed in Wajima for three years — long enough to learn the ten coats of urushi a body needs and the humidity it cures in. Then another year in Hiroshima, grinding 14k nibs at Sasagawa-sensei's bench until I could feel a stub line by ear.

I came home in 2017 and set up the workshop in my grandfather's dairy barn. The lathe is small. The waiting list is short. I make one pen at a time.

Workshop · scroll

The Beacon — Materials

Real materials. Real numbers.

The Beacon — fountain pen with deep urushi-vermillion body and 14k gold nib.
  • BodyEbonite

    Turned, polished, finished in five urushi coats over ninety days.

  • Nib14k gold

    Hand-polished. Ground F, M, B, or stub. 0.6mm tine standard.

  • CapThreaded ebonite

    Single-turn unscrew. Posts deep but does not balance long.

  • FeedEbonite

    Heat-set to the section. Tuned with the nib as a pair.

Inks

Three inks, mixed by hand. Pick one to draw with.

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Reserve

The Beacon — by request.

Twelve pens a year, made to order. Delivery is roughly four months from the day we agree on a finish.

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