How Long Should a Handmade Pen Last?

One of the questions I'm asked surprisingly often, whether I'm chatting to people at craft fairs or replying to emails through my website, is:

"How long will one of your pens last?"

It's a fair question.

After all, we live in a world where so many things seem to come with an invisible expiry date. Mobile phones are out of date before you've finished paying for them, printers mysteriously stop working the day after the warranty runs out, and don't even get me started on headphones that seem to disappear into another dimension.

A well-made handmade pen is different.

Built to Be Used

I don't make pens to sit in a drawer looking pretty.

I make them to be used.

Whether you're writing shopping lists, signing important documents, keeping a journal or simply scribbling down the next million-pound idea before you forget it, a handmade pen should become part of your everyday life.

With normal care, there's no reason a quality handmade pen shouldn't last for decades.

In fact, I like to think some of the pens I make today will still be writing long after I'm gone. Hopefully they'll also be writing more neatly than I do.

It's Not Just About the Materials

People sometimes assume that the lifespan of a pen depends entirely on whether it's made from wood, resin or acrylic.

In reality, that's only part of the story.

The quality of the components matters just as much.

A reliable nib, a well-made mechanism, quality fittings and careful assembly all play their part in creating a pen that stands the test of time.

When I'm making a pen, I take my time because I'd much rather know it's going to give someone years of enjoyment than rush it out of the workshop.

There's an old saying that if a job's worth doing, it's worth doing properly. Whoever came up with that clearly never had a deadline—but they weren't wrong.

Handmade Doesn't Mean Delicate

Occasionally someone picks up a wooden pen at a craft fair, looks at it rather suspiciously and asks, "Won't it break?"

The answer is no.

Wooden pens are carefully finished to protect them from everyday use, while resin and acrylic are remarkably durable materials.

That said, they're pens, not tent pegs. I wouldn't recommend using one to stir paint, open tins of beans or settle an argument with next door's cat.

Treat it with reasonable care, and it'll look after you in return.

A Pen That Ages With You

One of the things I love about handmade pens is that they develop character over time.

A wooden pen may become a little richer in colour as it's handled over the years.

The finish may soften very slightly through regular use.

None of that spoils the pen.

If anything, it makes it even more personal because it reflects the years you've spent using it.

Rather like a favourite leather wallet, a comfortable old armchair or that jumper your family keeps threatening to throw away, the signs of use become part of its story.

Looking After Your Pen

You don't need to do anything complicated.

A few simple habits will keep your handmade pen in excellent condition.

• Keep it somewhere safe when you're not using it.

• If it's a fountain pen, give it an occasional clean.

• Avoid leaving it in extreme heat or prolonged direct sunlight.

• Try not to lend it to people who have a habit of "forgetting" to give things back.

That's about it.

From My Workbench

Every pen I finish leaves my workshop with the hope that it'll become someone's favourite pen.

I often wonder where they'll end up.

Will they sign a first job contract? Write Christmas cards every year? Record family memories in a journal? Or perhaps spend most of their life hidden in a kitchen drawer, waiting patiently until someone says, "Has anyone seen a decent pen?"

Whatever their future holds, I know one thing.

When I make a pen, I'm not thinking about how long it'll sit on a shelf.

I'm thinking about how many years of writing it has ahead of it.

Final Thoughts

So, how long should a handmade pen last?

My honest answer is this:

If it's well made, looked after and regularly used, it should last for decades.

In fact, there's a fair chance you'll misplace it long before you wear it out.

And if, years from now, someone picks it up and enjoys writing with it as much as you did, then I think it's done exactly what it was made to do.