The Pen Turner's Bible: The Art of Creating Custom Pens

I'm going start out with the reasons I don't like this book. Afterward I can gush about what I do like.First, where is the editor of this book? Were they sleeping on the job? Did this author's name just push the book past the editor? Geez! This book reads like a blog. It is casual writing with lots of exclamation points! I mean lots! Can I tell you there are a lot of exclamation points?! In! Here! Gee whiz, Wally! That is a lot! Of! Exclamation! Points! I just can't live!! Without! These! Exclamation! Points!An editor, worth his/her weight in gold, turns a novice writer into a genius. The use of boxes to reinforce ideas is better than over use of exclamation points. I don't want to read a statement that says green wood tends to crack, a statement that ends with a period, just to read the following statement which is worded a bit differently but essentially repeats the same information but now it ends with an exclamation point. I get it! The only thing missing in this book is the interrobang. The symbol that combines a question mark and exclamation point into one.Ok, enough whining. !!!!!!!This book has a lot of tips, direction and help. There are a few areas that could be improved with a good editor or a greater vision of what this book could be. The author discusses various finishes in each of the pen creations. There is discussion on lathes, tools, gluing brass tubes into blanks, cutting the blanks, being cut and time efficient. The author directs how to prevent damaged blanks, loss of pen sections and good lathe use. This book really has a lot of information in it. I want to get a digital copy to edit myself. I want this author to appear more knowledgeable and mature. I will put to use his ideas because they are good. The book is helpful and informative. The reading is slow because one must go back and re-read sections to understand what is really being presented.If you are new to turning pens I would view YouTube first. Read blogs and join the forums on pen making. Once you are familiar with some aspects then read this book. Each time you come across an ! just replace it in your mind with a . and continue reading. If that is difficult for you, as it is for me, then we should invest in Wite-Out and make the book a better read, even if it is for our own copy only.I really do like this book. I want to love it.

I have been making custom pens for 9-years. I started this hobby (as I've always done in learning anything), by buying books - before I ever buy any specialized tools. Rich (the author) and I have been friends since I first became interested in making custom pens, through a pen-making organization on the web. We have never met IN PERSON. He lives in N.Y state and I, in Texas. I purchased this book BECAUSE HE WROTE IT! He said to me, "Don't buy this book - you don't need it - it's a basic book on pen-making." Now, I have collected probably a dozen or so paper-back books on pen-making over the years, by some of the very best pen-makers in the country. I personally have life-long experiences in publishing, photography and DIY instruction on a number of arts and hobbys. I know the difference between "Junk", "Good", "Great" and "Get Outa Town". THIS BOOK IS "GET OUTA TOWN"! Hands down, the best written, the best photographed (probably did all of the shots himself), the best line diagrams and dimensional drawings and finally, crystal-clear directions through every step in the process of making your first pen to advanced pen technique. I earlier said that pen-making wasn't "rocket science"; when you get to the "Pen Gallery" and see his selection of current pen-makers' masterpieces, perhaps you'll understand that just maybe . . . . it CAN become rocket science - at least, it appears that way. . . .WOW!Don't ask, but in paper-back manuals like this (particularly when I have a working knowledge of the subject matter) I take the new book into my left hand to start my initial examination. I "leaf" from the back of the book forward! I said, "Don't Ask!" Anyway, in the last 20 or so pages, I saw exactly how to construct a half-dozen pen concepts that I was well aware of, but hadn't actually tried, because I just hadn't been able to figure out certain physical peculiarities each possessed. NOW, I CAN! And now, I'm beginning to understand why he told me NOT to buy the book! . . . because NOW I will be able to do anything he can do - and I will then write MY pen-making book - and MINE will have a FOLD-0UT CENTERFOLD OF ME!!! Seriously - GET THIS BOOK - There's nothing better out there. - Jay Pickens-

If you're new to wood turning (as I am) this is an excellent introduction. The book is particularly good at helping you identify tools and materials you'll need and working you through increasingly difficult pens. The discussion of how to use a metal lathe to turn pens at the end is interesting. If I had a use for a metal lathe other than turning pens I might have gotten one, but since I have a wood lathe and not enough space for a second lathe I won't be reading those. I did think the book could go into a bit more detail on how to use lathe chisels - there are a few points where I think the authors assumes a bit more familiarity with turning than a neophyte can be assumed to have. I'm sure more experienced turners will have issues with some of the recommendations that the author makes, since in the relatively brief period since I decided to learn more about turning I've see that opinions on certain things differ to a point where the beginner can easily be stumped.There are a lot of videos online that show the basic of turning, some better than others, and some will argue I'm sure that it's better to watch videos or take a class than read a book. I suspect for some that's true, and I don't think there's anything in this book that would dissuade someone who learns better through other means. However, even for those who don't learn well from books, this book has a lot to offer particularly in recommending materials and projects.

I bought this book as a gift for my Dad, he has been making pens for 3 years now. He couldn't put it down, and is clearly very pleased with it. A good choice for the experienced craftsman looking for design ideas and advanced tips. A novice may find it a bit advanced. The book is very well illustrated and looks great in print form. I would imagine that most people will prefer a real book over the digital version.

I have the kindle edition, great book, lot's of information. Photo's are less impressive in the electronic version - using an ipad here. Would have rated it 5 stars otherwise.

perfect

Donne de bonne ider

This book recommends pen kits, tools, materials to use, and manufacturers to contact for all things relative to pen making; this was the reason I bought it.A big disappointment as the book is written solely for the American market. All the addresses for products and contact details are in the USA.Unless you live in the USA this book is a complete waste of money.