Handmade Pens in the UK by The Pen Guy

Handcrafted fountain pens, rollerball pens and ballpoint pens, individually made in Worcestershire, England, by British pen maker Guy Harvey.

 

​​​The Pen Guy creates one-of-a-kind writing instruments from

carefully selected woods, burrs, acrylics, resins and other

distinctive materials. Each pen is cut, turned on a lathe, shaped,

sanded, polished, assembled and tested by Guy Harvey rather

than mass-produced.

What is a handmade pen?

A handmade pen is a writing instrument that has been individually crafted by a maker rather than mass-produced as an identical product in a factory.

With a turned handmade pen, the maker starts with a blank of material. That might be a piece of hardwood, a spectacular burr, colourful acrylic or a combination of wood and resin.

The material is mounted on a lathe and gradually turned into the shape of the pen.

There is considerably more to it than simply making something round, though.

The blank needs to be drilled, mounted, turned accurately, sanded through progressively finer abrasives and finished before the various components are assembled. Small differences in the material, grain and turning process mean that every finished pen has its own character.

In my case, I do all of that myself.

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Where are The Pen Guy

pens made?

The Pen Guy pens are handmade in Worcestershire, England, by Guy Harvey.

I design, turn, finish and assemble the pens myself.

The business specialises in individual handmade pens rather than mass-produced writing instruments. This allows me to make pens from unusual materials and to create bespoke pens around a customer's interests, profession, hobbies, memories or ideas.

So if you're looking for a handmade pen made in the UK, rather than simply a pen sold by a UK retailer, you've come to the right place.

Types of handmade pens

I make three main types of writing instruments.

Handmade fountain pens

For people who still believe that writing should be an experience rather than merely a method of getting words onto paper.

My fountain pens can be supplied with different nib options, allowing you to choose the writing characteristics that suit you.

They can be used with a converter and bottled fountain pen ink, or with suitable ink cartridges.

Fountain pens are particularly popular as gifts, presentation pens and everyday writing instruments.

Handmade rollerball pens

Rollerballs offer a different writing experience from fountain pens while retaining the look and feel of a substantial handmade pen.

They are particularly useful if you want a smooth writing experience without having to think about bottled ink, nibs and fountain pen maintenance.

Handmade ballpoint pens

The practical member of the family.

Ballpoints are convenient, reliable and familiar, making them excellent everyday pens and popular gifts.

They also lend themselves particularly well to bespoke designs because almost anything that looks good on a lathe can potentially become part of a ballpoint pen.

Materials used to make handmade pens

One of the things I enjoy most about making pens is choosing the material.

Wood is particularly special because every piece is different. Even two pieces cut from the same tree can have completely different grain, colour and character.

Some of the woods I use include:

Ziricote

Ziricote is one of my favourites because of its dramatic dark colouring and distinctive grain patterns. Some pieces have almost landscape-like markings.

No two blanks look quite the same.

Bocote

Bocote is another spectacular wood, often displaying strong dark striping against a golden or brown background.

It can make an otherwise simple pen look anything but simple.

Amboyna Burr

Amboyna Burr is prized for its intricate grain and figure. Burrs are formed by unusual growth in the tree, creating chaotic patterns that can look almost three-dimensional when polished.

Marlee Burr

Marlee Burr produces beautifully figured pens with plenty of natural character. Burrs are particularly rewarding to turn because you never quite know what the finished piece will reveal.

African Snakewood

Snakewood is dense, heavy and strikingly figured. Its name gives away the appearance: the grain can have a wonderfully reptilian pattern.

It is also a material that demands respect from the person putting it on a lathe.

Indian Rosewood

Indian Rosewood has rich colouring and attractive grain, making it an excellent choice for a classic-looking handmade pen.

Indian Palm Wood

Palm wood is quite different from conventional hardwoods. Its distinctive structure creates an unusual spotted or dotted appearance that makes every pen immediately recognisable.

Kingwood

Kingwood is a dense, richly coloured timber with a naturally luxurious appearance.

It is one of those woods that doesn't need much help from the pen maker. Turn it, polish it and let the material do the talking.

African Blackwood

African Blackwood is exceptionally dense and fine-grained, allowing it to take a superb finish.

It produces understated pens that can look incredibly elegant without needing elaborate decoration.

And that's only a selection.

I also work with other hardwoods, burrs, acrylics, resins and unusual materials whenever I find something that makes me think:

"That would make a bloody good pen."

Why choose a handmade wooden pen?

There are plenty of perfectly good mass-produced pens in the world.

So why buy a handmade one?

Because you're buying something with character.

A manufactured pen is generally designed so that the next one coming off the production line looks exactly like it.

A handmade wooden pen doesn't work that way.

The grain might curve differently. The colour might vary. A knot or natural feature might appear in a completely different place. The maker may discover something in the material that wasn't obvious before it was turned.

That means your pen isn't simply one of thousands.

It's yours.

Are handmade pens good gifts?

Absolutely.

A handmade pen makes a particularly good gift because it sits somewhere between something practical and something personal.

It's useful enough to be used every day, but unusual enough to feel like a proper present.

I've made pens for birthdays, retirements, Father's Day, Christmas, anniversaries, professional achievements and simply because someone wanted to give another person something special.

I've also made bespoke pens based around people's hobbies, careers, pets and interests.

That's one of my favourite parts of the job.

A customer doesn't necessarily come to me saying:

"I'd like a wooden pen."

Sometimes they come with a story.

That's when things get interesting.

Can I order a bespoke handmade pen?

Yes. The Pen Guy accepts bespoke and commissioned pen enquiries. A commission can be shaped around a preferred pen type, material, colour, finish, nib or refill, personalisation, profession, hobby, memory or theme.

A commission might involve choosing:

• The type of pen

• The wood or other material

• The colour

• The style

• The finish

• The nib or refill

• Personalisation

• A particular theme or interest

I've made pens around people's professions, hobbies, animals and personal stories.

If you have an idea for a pen that you can't find in the shop, get in touch.

It doesn't have to be a fully formed idea.

"I've got an idea for a pen involving my cat and purple wood" is a perfectly acceptable starting point.

I've heard worse.

How are handmade pens made?

The exact process varies by pen and material, but a typical turned wooden pen is made in eight stages:

1. Choose the material. Select the wood, burr, acrylic, resin or other material for the pen.

2. Cut and prepare the blank. Cut it to size and drill it for the pen components.

3. Mount the blank on the lathe. Secure it so it can be turned accurately.

4. Turn the shape. Carefully remove material until the pen reaches the intended form and proportions.

5. Sand the surface. Use progressively finer abrasives to remove tool marks.

6. Finish and polish. Bring out the material’s character and create a smooth, durable surface.

7. Assemble the pen. Press the finished parts together and fit the mechanism.

8. Test the finished pen. Check that it operates correctly and writes properly before it leaves the workshop.

How long should a handmade pen last?

A properly cared-for handmade pen can last for many years. Its lifespan depends on the material, finish, mechanism and treatment; ink cartridges, converters or refills are replaceable and do not determine the life of the pen itself.

In fact, one of the reasons I like making quality pens is that they are intended to be used, rather than put in a drawer and forgotten.

A good pen should acquire memories.

Handmade pens and luxury pens: what is the difference?

A luxury pen is usually defined by a premium brand, materials and design heritage; a handmade pen is defined primarily by the way it is individually made. A handmade pen can be luxurious, but it can also be a beautifully crafted everyday writing instrument with a direct connection to its maker.

With a handmade pen from The Pen Guy, you aren't just buying a writing instrument. You're buying something made individually by a real person.

Handmade fountain pens, rollerballs and ballpoints from The Pen Guy

Whether you prefer the traditional character of a fountain pen, the smooth writing of a rollerball or the convenience of a ballpoint, there is something rather satisfying about using a pen that was made specifically as an individual object.

My pens are designed to be:

• Used

• Enjoyed

• Given as meaningful gifts

• Kept for years

• A little bit different

Some are understated.

Some are colourful.

Some are completely bonkers.

I've made pens from beautiful hardwoods, spectacular burrs, colourful resins and materials that have made me wonder whether I've completely lost the plot.

But that's part of the fun.

Why buy a handmade pen from The Pen Guy?

When you buy from The Pen Guy, you buy directly from Guy Harvey, the British pen maker who designed, turned, finished, assembled and tested the pen. You can ask the maker directly about its material, mechanism, care or a possible bespoke variation.

And I rather like that.

Frequently asked questions about handmade pens

Are The Pen Guy pens made in the UK?

Yes. The Pen Guy is a British handmade pen business based in Worcestershire, England. The pens are individually crafted by Guy Harvey.

What types of pens does The Pen Guy make?

The Pen Guy makes handmade fountain pens, rollerball pens and ballpoint pens.

What are handmade pens made from?

Pens can be made from hardwoods, burrs, acrylics, resins and other suitable materials. Available woods vary, but include materials such as Ziricote, Bocote, Amboyna Burr, Marlee Burr, African Snakewood, Indian Rosewood, Indian Palm Wood, Kingwood and African Blackwood.

Are handmade wooden pens unique?

Yes. Natural wood varies in colour, grain and figure, so each wooden pen has its own appearance.

Can I order a bespoke pen?

Yes. Bespoke and commissioned pens can be made around particular materials, colours, hobbies, professions, interests and personal stories.

Are handmade pens suitable as gifts?

Yes. Handmade pens are popular gifts for birthdays, retirements, Father's Day, Christmas, anniversaries and professional achievements.

Do handmade fountain pens use bottled ink?

Fountain pens can be used with bottled fountain pen ink when fitted with a suitable converter. Ink cartridges may also be used where compatible.

Can I choose the nib on a fountain pen?

Nib options depend on the particular fountain pen. Where options are available, they are detailed on the individual product page.

Are the pens actually made by The Pen Guy?

Yes. The Pen Guy is the personal workshop of Guy Harvey, who designs, turns, finishes and assembles the pens.

About Guy Harvey, The Pen Guy

I'm Guy Harvey, and The Pen Guy started because I like making things.

I've always enjoyed working with materials, but there is something particularly satisfying about taking an ordinary-looking piece of wood and gradually turning it into something that someone will use every day.

I don't think handmade has to mean overly serious.

Sometimes a pen should be elegant and understated.

Sometimes it should be colourful.

Sometimes it should commemorate something important.

And occasionally it should just make someone smile.

That's what I try to put into every pen I make.

A little craftsmanship, a little personality and, hopefully, something you'll enjoy writing with.

Explore The Pen Guy

Handmade fountain pens

Traditional writing instruments individually crafted from wood, resin and other materials.

Handmade rollerball pens

Smooth-writing pens combining the feel of a substantial handmade pen with the convenience of a rollerball refill.

Handmade ballpoint pens

Practical everyday pens with the individuality of handmade materials.

Bespoke and commissioned pens

Have an idea? Tell me the story, and we'll see what we can make.

The Pen Guy blog

Articles about fountain pens, handmade pens, woods, materials, craftsmanship and the occasional opinion from the bloke covered in sawdust.

Handmade in Worcestershire. Made by Guy. Made to be used.

The Pen Guy
British Handmade Pens by Guy Harvey