Winter Woods at Night
When spring draws near, I often reflect back on winter and consider the things about it that are good. Among other things, it’s a very productive time of year in the shop for me. The winter also offers a series of natural snapshots that are unparalleled in beauty, at least for those of us fortunate enough to live in the rural countryside devoid of “too many street lights” or high-rise buildings that clutter the horizon.
One of those beautiful natural sights presented itself to me and has been made manifest in the “Winter Woods at Night” pen. At arm’s length, the pen reflects simple lines in black resin trimmed in nickel silver with a clip. As the pen draws nearer, though, details from the theme present themselves – a tree branch ascending from the top cap ring draws one’s eyes around to the full moon inlaid in white resin and, eventually, around to the winter constellation Orion inlaid in sterling silver. The tree branch, as well as the inner layer of each of the rings (cap, body and section), are etched to simulate the silvery bark texture that trees seem to have with moon and snow reflection on them at night. Orion the Archer will sink below our horizon here in upper New York State soon, but we’re reminded that it’s been a productive winter here for us.
The structure of the pen features a 13mm cap thread and #6 steel Jowo nib. 139 mm overall closed, 133 mm open, and 35 grams total weight.
