Here is the story of how the first series of my Damascus steel pens was created. A story about how everything began and how it continues today.

Before I could introduce a limited series of the most luxurious writing instruments ever created in my workshop, almost two years had passed. Why pens made from Damascus steel, and why did it take such a long time? I offered my friend Vladimír Kovář, the owner of a successful IT company, my “wooden pens”, which I was producing at that time, as gifts for employees or clients. Vladimír loves high-quality writing instruments, collects pieces from a well-known global brand and also gives them as gifts to his managers. These are gifts from a higher price category, a category my pens did not belong to yet at that time. Back then, I only offered wooden pens combined with metal components. Vladimír appreciated my craftsmanship with wood very much and could clearly see the value of it. However, he gently suggested that the metal components on my pens seemed rather ordinary from a collector’s point of view – especially compared to the quality of the woodworking I was doing.

Vladimír then showed me several handmade knives made from Damascus steel and said that this was perfect craftsmanship with metal. It truly was impressive work. Not long after that, I asked him for the contact of the knifemaker and whether Damascus steel could be turned on a lathe. Vladimír was just as excited about the idea as I was and immediately asked for the very first piece to be made. However, he had to wait a little while for it.

After several months I finally had the design of the luxury writing instrument and the 3D modeling prepared. I studied technical drawings and searched for someone who could help me turn the individual components. During meetings with manufacturing companies, however, I often heard that they did not produce anything like this or that they did not know anyone who could. Those who had the necessary machinery were not familiar with Damascus steel. After all, it is mostly used in knifemaking and is not a common material in standard mechanical engineering. Many people also could not understand why I wanted to manufacture components for a Damascus steel fountain pen or a Damascus steel pen. Nevertheless, we eventually managed to find a way to cooperate. I was once again a step closer to my goal.

After about half a year I began researching materials from the company Damasteel. Their steel is truly exceptional, but it is also very expensive, so I initially explored other materials as well. I purchased samples and tested them, but I encountered problems with corrosion, insufficient quality, poor bonding of the layered steel structure, or even the layers separating. In the end I decided to use Damasteel, the same steel that a knifemaker — whose knives I admired at Vladimír’s place — used to create incredible pieces ranging from knives to watches and other artistic works.

0.7 – 1.4 years

Finally, I had a great material and could begin cooperating with a manufacturing company. I refined technical drawings and production processes, discussed everything with the manufacturer and looked forward to the first prototype that would match my expectations. The prototype had to be perfected before I could start producing writing instruments made from stainless steel, bronze and eventually from highly valued Damascus steel.

1.4 – 1.8 years

The material had to be hardened, so I searched for professionals who could harden the components according to special requirements without altering the precise dimensions and fine threads of the metal parts due to high temperatures. I had my first successful test! Around that time I also designed the clip for the pen and produced the first piece. I found the correct way to cut the clip and selected the appropriate thickness of the material. I produced the first samples and adjusted the dimensions. I also had to solve problems with bending and cracking clips made from Damascus steel as well as other construction details.

Finally, it was necessary to perfect the grinding, surface finishing, acid etching, subsequent polishing and final surface treatment. At this stage I encountered unexpected chemical reactions and was worried that I might have to throw away all the manufactured components for my luxury Damascus steel fountain pens and writing instruments. Fortunately, I eventually discovered how to solve the issue. Everything finally came together and the very first piece was born.

1.8 – 2 years

It would not be my work if I did not come up with something extra. For these pens I had originally prepared special wooden boxes made from American walnut, similar in size to the boxes in which I package my other pens. In the end I decided to redesign the box completely.

I wanted to present the pen to my customers as a complete set. That is why I created a large box made from solid oak that contains everything belonging to a luxury Damascus steel writing instrument from my workshop. What you receive is therefore an exceptional product behind which stands a long story, a lot of work and my personal satisfaction with the final result. Only at that moment could I finally consider the project complete.

 

Finished – and also prepared for Vladimír, the person who inspired the idea of creating luxury Damascus steel pens from such an extraordinary material. The question now is: who will the next ones be for?