Oh, this one is very different from the Ziricote. The Spalted Beech has a much lighter, almost ivory/honey background, but the black spalting creates those fantastic wandering lines and bands. With the ornate silver-tone hardware, it has a rather luxurious, almost antique feel.
I think this one deserves something with a little more character and flare.
Ivory Tempest
The name fits the contrast beautifully — the pale Beech is almost calm and elegant, while the dark spalting looks like a storm moving through the grain.
Ivory Tempest
What makes this pen special?
At first glance, Ivory Tempest looks wonderfully refined. Look a little closer, though, and the wood tells a much more interesting story.
This pen is turned from genuine Spalted Beech, chosen for its beautiful pale honey and ivory tones and, most importantly, the dramatic dark lines created naturally during the spalting process.
Those dark markings twist, wander and cross the wood in completely unpredictable ways. Some look almost like ink strokes, while others form sweeping bands around the barrel and cap. No artist could draw them quite the same way — and that's precisely what makes using naturally spalted timber so special.
I've paired the warm, light wood with ornate chrome-tone hardware, creating a lovely contrast between the organic character of the timber and the precision of the metalwork.
The result is a pen that manages to be both elegant and wonderfully unconventional.
And, of course, there is only one Ivory Tempest.
Who is this pen for?
The Ivory Tempest is for someone who likes their luxury with a little individuality.
It's perfect for anyone who appreciates natural wood, handmade craftsmanship and the fact that nature doesn't believe in making two pieces exactly alike.
It would make a beautiful personal writing instrument, an impressive desk pen or a memorable gift for someone who appreciates something genuinely different.
It's also the sort of pen that tends to attract the inevitable:
"Where did you get that?"
Which, conveniently, gives you an excellent opportunity to tell them.
Features / Specifications
Pen name: Ivory Tempest
Wood: Genuine Spalted Beech
Colour: Natural ivory, cream and warm honey tones with dramatic dark spalting
Finish: High-gloss polished finish
Hardware: Ornate chrome-tone metal fittings
Writing style: Fountain pen configuration shown
Natural grain: Every piece of Spalted Beech has its own unique spalting pattern
Handmade: Individually turned, shaped, sanded and finished by The Pen Guy
Uniqueness: The pen pictured is the actual pen you will receive
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the exact pen I will receive?
Yes. This is a one-of-a-kind handmade pen, so the photographs show the actual pen you will receive. The spalting pattern is completely unique to this piece of wood.
What is Spalted Beech?
Spalting is a natural process that occurs in wood, creating the distinctive dark lines and markings you can see throughout this pen. It gives the timber an appearance that simply cannot be reproduced by ordinary colouring or staining.
Are the dark lines painted onto the wood?
No. The dramatic dark markings are naturally occurring spalting within the Beech. That's what gives this pen its individual character.
Will the wood look exactly the same in every light?
Not quite. The warm honey tones and dark spalting can appear subtly different depending on the lighting and viewing angle. The high-gloss finish also brings out the depth of the grain.
Is this really handmade?
Yes. I turn, shape, sand and finish the wooden components myself before assembling the pen with its fittings.
Can the pen be refilled?
Yes. It's designed to be used again and again, with the appropriate replacement ink/refill for the supplied writing configuration.
A little tagline for the product page
"Calm at first glance. Wild beneath the surface."
I think Ivory Tempest is a particularly good fit for this one. It gives you a name that sounds like a premium pen rather than simply "Spalted Beech Pen" — while the tagline gives the customer a reason to stop and look at the grain.