I have been deeply afraid of working with gold nibs as a base for stacking projects. The spectre of melting holes in nibs that cost so much money haunts me. But, you know, you have to do things that scare you or you’ll never move beyond it.
What you’re looking at here is my first 18k Kissaki 2 with an expanded Naginata Togi grind.
I won’t lie and say that I wasn’t tense while I welded it together, but I did it. It is nearly perfect. I am incredibly proud of my work on this beauty.
People are already asking me when I’ll start taking orders, and I have to say that I am not planning on that. The economic risk is still high. At best, I’ll make them when I feel like it and offer them on a first come, first served, basis.
There’s also the issue of pricing. They won’t be inexpensive: $360 each.
I have one more planned for sure, one for me. The nib in the photo was created for a trade with another craftsman who does traditional Japanese-style lacquer on pens. His work is amazing, really amazing, and I lust after a pen he embellished.
There you go, the newest tough thing.
Get out there and do something that scares you.