GLEAMING NUANCES
With long experience a craftsman can influence the results but never predict them precisely, so no two case-hardened items are identical. The effect is rounded off by elaborate gold damascene work. Nowadays there are only very few traditional workshops that can carry out these two ancient skills in the way that the Pen of the Year 2010 demonstrates. Before the case hardening, the engraver cuts a groove with a dovetail cross-section, which the 24-carat gold inlay work is later set into and then polished. A perfect result requires great skill and precision.
THE BEAUTY OF TESTURES
The material of the barrel of the pen fully matches up to the claim of exclusivity: precious Caucasian walnut wood. Stored for many years, walnut wood is tough and not particularly elastic yet it does not warp or splinter. It also better withstands compression and flexing forces than oak. In short, it is the ideal wood for the stock of a gun – and for very special writing implements. It possesses a beautiful figuring, with fine but marked patterns. The hand-carved ‘fish scales’ pattern rounds off the overall impression of the barrel.
