Author: newtonpens

Hi Everybody!

Thanks so much for all the contributions and buying the student art postcards.  I’m already setting up times to meet with the art classes around town to get more art for new cards.

I had picked 27 last night as the winner, but turns out he’s already won once!  He could have accepted another pen, but instead sent me this:

“Wow! I can’t believe it. I’ve won twice. Folks, real people do win this and if you don’t enter, some of us end up winning twice.

I know I’m going to regret this many times, but this raffle is really about getting money to kids for schooling. So to help encourage more people to contribute by buying a raffle entry, I am going to forfeit this back and have Shawn draw another entry. Spread the pens around and make scholarship money available.”  -Ted A.

Thanks!

So that means #1 will get it!  Wohoo!  Congrats to Fernando!  I’ll send you an email and we’ll get started figuring out what your pen is going to be!

Now that August is over and September has begun, it’s time to start moving those postcards again!

So far we’ve raised $1297.67 for this year’s scholarships!

During the entire month of September, if you donate or buy a pack of student art postcards you’ll automatically be entered to win a pen.  When you purchase a set of cards or donate I’ll give you a number.  Every penny raised will go towards the scholarships and support students going to college.  Yes, you can buy as many postcard packs as you want, and for each pack, you’ll get a number.

The drawings are open for all to enter, from all parts of the world.  No restrictions at all.

The raffle itself is free.  If you want to enter the raffle without supporting the scholarship or helping graduating seniors (or getting any of those cool postcards) then all you have to do is send a note in the mail to:

Shawn Newton
PO Box 6084
Hot Springs, Ar. 71902

You have to let me know in your note that you’re entering the raffle, and you have to include an email address that I can reach you at.

Everybody who enters will be given a number in the order of postcards purchased or letters received in the mail, and at the end of the month I’ll draw a number to pick the winner of a custom pen.  I use random.org as a number picker.

Raffle pens are limited to c/c filling system, steel nib of any size with any grind you want.  If you want any extra customizations, bands or rings, special filling system, gold nib, or anything else, there will be normal charges.

I will announce income for September and the winner of the custom pen on the last day of the month.

If you have any questions please ask – [email protected]

Donate or Buy Postcards Here

Something I get asked about occasionally is about steps on the barrel.

Here are examples of both.

No step.  Smooth barrel when opened but not smooth when closed.

 

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A step on the barrel when open, and smooth when closed.

 

Hi Everybody!

Just got back from DC last night and am getting back to the daily routine.  I had a great time and met lots of great people.  I didn’t have time to walk around much and take photos, but I will share the few I had the chance to take.

I drove up with another Arkie Wednesday and we got there Thursday around lunch.  The drive to DC was great.  There’s just no better way to travel and see the beauty in this country.

Lots of captions below the photos.

There was a big pen meetup setup by Lisa Vanness and Brad Dowdy Friday night.  Lots of people showed up.  We’re trying to bridge the gap in the fountain pen community between the older and newer collectors and we had a great time.  I don’t have pics from that but they are out there somewhere.

Enjoy!  I’ve got to get back to work.  😉

For a lot of GREAT photos of the show and DC, check out @faustine2012 on Instagram.

Also check out legally_inked – mishiechau – leighpod – brooks803 – terranoir

 

Hi Everybody!  It’s time for me to get the ball rolling for August.  So far we have $930 to go to this year’s scholarships!

Starting this month my wife Elizabeth will be helping me answer emails and pack up postcards.  Yay!

During the entire month of August, if you donate or buy a pack of student art postcards you’ll automatically be entered to win a pen.  When you purchase a set of cards or donate I’ll give you a number.  Every penny raised will go towards the scholarships and support students.  Yes, you can buy as many postcard packs as you want, and for each pack, you’ll get a number.

The drawings are open for all to enter, from all parts of the world.  No restrictions at all.

The raffle itself is free.  If you want to enter the raffle without supporting the scholarship or helping graduating seniors (or getting any of those cool postcards) then all you have to do is send a note in the mail to:

Shawn Newton
PO Box 6084
Hot Springs, Ar. 71902

Everybody who enters will be given a number in the order of postcards purchased or letters received in the mail, and at the end of the month I’ll draw a number to pick the winner of a custom pen.  I use random.org as a number picker.

Raffle pens are limited to c/c filling system, steel nib of any size with any grind you want.  If you want any extra customizations, bands or rings, special filling system, gold nib, or anything else, there will be normal charges.

I will announce income for August and the winner of the custom pen on the last day of the month as close to 9 PM Central US time as I can get.

If you have any questions please ask – [email protected]

Donate or Buy Postcards Here

New set shown below.  We will ship the old set until they are gone unless you request new cards.

Thanks!

And the winner is #50!  Congrats to Matthew!

Thanks to everybody who participated.  This month we raised $658 after paypal fees.

It’s official!

Now everything is tax deductible and I can accept money from different foundations.  I’m so proud of this.

I’m hoping this will help us to reach more kids who need financial help with college.

Thank you all for your support and contributing so much over the years.

Warmest regards,
Shawn

Hi Everybody,

I just got back from the Miami pen show.  Two days driving each way from Hot Springs.  What a great way to see the country.

Here are some snaps of the trip and the show.

The show was put on by Bert Oser of Bertram’s Inkwell and man what a great guy.  He really took care of all the vendors and made sure everybody was happy.  It was a pleasure meeting him as well.

So anyways, had a great time.  Can’t wait for DC!  Come see us in the front lobby area under the huge skylight.  We’ll be there next to Vanness.

Hi Everybody!

I hope you’re having a great summer so far.

I just received the newest set of postcards to start the fundraising off.

The old set is in the top row, and I still have 25 sets for sale.  The new set is on the bottom and contains art from two local schools.  As the new school year gets going I plan to collect art from all of the local schools.  I have 50 sets of the new cards for sale.

During the entire month of July, if you buy a pack of student art postcards you’ll automatically be entered to win a pen,  just send $10 via PayPal to  and I’ll give you a number AND you’ll get a pack of postcards in the mail (so be sure to include your mailing address in the PayPal note, use commas to separate parts of your address).  Every penny raised will go towards the scholarships and support students.  Yes, you can buy as many postcard packs as you want, and for each pack, you’ll get a number.

The raffle itself is free.  If you want to enter the raffle without supporting the scholarship or helping graduating seniors (or getting any of those cool postcards) then all you have to do is send a note in the mail to:

Shawn Newton
PO Box 6084
Hot Springs, Ar. 71902

Everybody who enters will be given a number in the order of postcards purchased and letters in the mail, and at the end of the month I’ll draw a number to pick the winner of a custom pen.  I use random.org as a number picker.

Raffle pens are limited to c/c filling system, steel nib of any size with any grind you want.  If you want any extra customizations, bands or rings, special filling system, gold nib, or anything else, there will be normal charges.

I will announce income for July and the winner of the custom pen on the last day of the month as close to 9 PM Central US time as I can get.

The drawings are free for all to enter, from all parts of the world.  No restrictions at all.

If you have any questions please ask – [email protected]

Donate or Buy Postcards Here

Thanks!

The question I’m asked the most is regarding the size of my pens.

Here is a guide with lots of comparison photos.

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Diameter – Measured at the barrel threads.
Slim – .45″/11.5 mm thick at threads with .427″/10.8 mm thick section.
Small – .50″/12.5 mm thick at threads with .477″/12.1 mm thick section.
Medium – .55″/14 mm thick at threads with .527″/13.4 mm thick section.

Note: Most materials aren’t big enough for Large and Oversize pens to be made.
Large – .60″/15.25 mm thick at threads with . 577″/14.7 mm thick section.
Oversize – .65″/16.5 mm thick at threads with .627″/15.9 mm thick section.

Lengths – Measured with the cap off, from point of nib to end of barrel.
Measurements with cap on may vary depending on style of pen or if it will have a clip.
Short – 5″ or 127 mm open – long enough to house a converter or other filling system, but no longer than that.
Standard – 5.25″ or 133 mm open.
Long – 5.5″ or 139.7 mm open.
Extra – 5.7″ or 146 mm open.
Longer?  – You tell me what you want.

The pens shown are a slim Orville, small Gibby, medium Gibby, and oversize Gibby.

Here is an oversize Gibby next to an Esterbrook J:

Some of the pens I compared them to: Gray Parker 51, Red Sheaffer Snorkel, Pink Lamy Safari, Lamy 2000, Montblanc 149, and a  Green Pelikan M800.

By request here are pictures of a standard size and length Shinobi next to several well known brands.
Size is usually 5 1/4″ closed, 5″ open, with 1/2″ barrel threads, and 19/32″ (.60″) barrel and cap diameter.

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Measurements of some popular pens.

Esterbrook J is .45″/11.4mm at the threads.
Montblanc 146 is .48″12.2mm at the threads.
Montblanc 149 is .562″/14.3mm at the threads.
1935 Parker Duofold Sr. is .49″/12.5 at the threads.
Parker 51 about .47″/12mm at the ring.
Pelikan 200/400/600 all about .43″/11mm at the threads.
Pelikan M800 is .49″/12.5mm at the threads.
Pelikan M1000 is about .53″/13.5mm at the threads.
1930 Sheaffer OS Balance .49″/12.5mm at threads.
Sheaffer PFM/Legacy about .49″/12.5mm at section/barrel join.

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If you want something really big – just remember not all materials will work for pens this big:
Large – .60″/15.25mm thick at threads with .57″/14.5mm thick section.
Oversize – .65″/16.5mm thick at threads with .62″/15.75mm thick section.
Jumbo – .70″/17.75mm thick at threads with .67″/17mm thick section.
Giant – .75″/19mm thick at threads with .72″/18.25mm thick section.

Shown here are small, medium, oversize, and jumbo.

Shown below:Thin, Slim, Medium, Medium, Medium

This last year in school I had been talking with one of my students about making pens and he had been working in Vo-Tech class (machine shop?) to make his own pen.  He had a few barrels and caps and one good section, but was never able to get a whole finished pen.  I wrote down instructions with step by step drawings, but it just didn’t happen.  They didn’t have time and his instructor wasn’t sure how to help.

Towards the end of the year I told him that he should have his mom bring him by the house this summer so he could make a pen.  I would order a bunch of brass and just walk him through the process.  He’s the first person besides me to ever use my lathe!  I was a little nervous, but that didn’t last long.  He’s a smart kid, and very conscious of his safety.  There were no lost fingers that day.  What a relief.

We started out with a quick sketch and some measurements and went right to it.  I had never made a brass pen so this would be a first for me, too.

Here he is working, and his pen.