Buyers Guide > Pen Finishes
Sterling Silver
Solid silver pens make a special gift because they are made from a precious metal. They use 925 silver, the same type of silver as most jewellery. In order to bear a hallmark, the cap, barrel and trim must be made from solid silver. The clip is a functional part of the pen and silver would be impractical. The clip is therefore manufactured from a highly durable metal and then plated. When silver pens are engraved, they produce a clear and elegant mark. Laban have an excellent value solid silver pen range.
Laquer
A laquer finish gives the pen a deep gloss, and is used to create rich colours. The pen is sandblasted to give a key base and up to three coats of paint are applied. The pen is then baked and buffed in a rotary polisher. When engraved the laquer is worn away to reveal the base component, which is usually brass.
Matte
A matte finish gives the pen a sophisticated look, which is remarkably hard wearing. The pen is sandblasted to provide a key base before being sprayed with a coloured epoxy resin powder. This is then heat cured in a graduated temperature tunnel.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel gives a satin chrome finish that is elegant but also very hard wearing. A fourteen stage process draws high grade stainless steel into its final shape. A tumbling operation removes any sharp edges and a high speed abrasive wheel applies the satin finish.
Hand-turned Resin
Resin pens have a varnished and transparent quality, very similar to amber. Different colours can be swirled together giving a marble effect that is unique to each pen. The resin used is synthetic, which has similar properties to natural resins – viscous liquids capable of hardening. Resin pens are not recommended for engraving because it would clash with their patterned surface. Laban have a beautiful compact resin pen for her, as well as a chunky resin pen for him.
Wood
A wood finish gives the pen a wonderfully naturalistic look and feel. Certain types of wood are particularly well suited to pens because they are very strong e.g. pearwood, granadilla wood and rosewood. Faber-Castell have a range of wooden pens called the E-Motion.
Leather
Leather pens have a luxurious look and feel. Coles Deluxe have a range of leather pens in black and dark brown. A German brand called Online have a range of compact sized leather pens for her.
