About this Product
Twisted Koa™ and Golden Galaxy Pen in red leatherette gift box.
Twisted Koa™ pens are exceptional examples of what is possible through effort and unique design. Starting off as a solid square piece of koa wood and a block of acrylic, each blank is painstakingly shaped into a dynamic creation that exemplifies movement. Hawaiian Curly Koa is most commonly the base resource, beautiful in its own right with amber tones and tiger-eye curl that is gorgeous and highly sought after and these days increasingly expensive if not impossible to find. Other beautiful woods are also available in the Twisted Pen Series to cover a more diverse spectrum of color. The gorgeous HONU (Sea Turtle) petroglyph design adorns both bands. Anyone that has been to the islands will appreciate the design. The listing is for one of the two pens in the picture I made this year. Returns are generally not accepted unless the product is defective and then returns will be paid for by the buyer and refunded only if items are in original resalable condition. I don't ship defective product so what you will receive is an heirloom quality set worthy as an addition to any collection but on occasion I do see someone misplace a spring or something similar so feel free to reach and I can help resolve the occasional ooops.
Jimmy Pens
Meet the Maker
I have been a woodworking fanatic for as long as I can remember, from using Popsicle sticks as a kid to modify car models to accept 18-wheeler tires, to putting an actual wood insert in my car dash to accommodate a stereo as a teen, I have always enjoyed working with wood. As I developed my passion for art, I started to include metal work and glass blowing, (check the photo for my self portrait in glass, metal and wood) but always gravitate back to wood. I developed a love for color and mixed-media by combining wood and acrylic and have become a bit of a pen making connoisseur. A few decades of plying my craft have resulted in some very dynamic and unique creations that I hope you will enjoy. Developing my own pen components allows me to make these even more special with designs rooted in Hawaiian history.
How it’s Made
First I have to combine a block of Koa with the desired block of colorful acrylic or Alumilite. I then must cut to length and drill the blank to glue in a brass barrel. I spin the blank at 3000 rpm and shape with carbide tipped turning tools before sanding and applying clear-coat. Components are then pressed together.
Shop Policies
Returns of completed pens and necklaces are generally not accepted unless the product is defective and then returns will be paid for by the buyer and refunded only if items are in original resalable condition. I don't ship defective pens but occasionally somebody misplaces a spring after taking a pen apart so contact me and I will help in these rare cases.
Custom pen blanks are not returnable...blowing up a blank at 3000 rpm on the lathe is not a defect, its something that happens to all of us pen turners, so here are some tips to help get your skills in order.
Ensure blank is secure while drilling as mixed media and different hardness of material may cause blank to move if not secured. I also like to put my blanks on mandrel and use a band saw set at 45 degrees and cut down the edges...the stop sign shape means less cutting, tools stay sharper longer and less chance of blowout. I also like using the carbide tip cutting inserts as they are easy to sharpen. Recommend using Polyurethane glue on the brass tube insert. I have had really good luck with these on the lathe but stuff happens, as all pen turners know, sooner or later you will blow out a blank...not responsible for blowouts or any machining action in your process. Keep tools sharp and pressure low. Listing is for one blank.
