I use only high end materials for the Hardware on all of my items, ensuring years and years of use. As I stated I use wood from all over the world, searching the internet for the most unique and highest quality. Example is that all of my Olivewood is shipped directly from a gentleman in Bethlehem, and comes with certificates of authenticity. I have used olivewood from other distributors, but none come close to the grain and beauty of the wood I get direct. I like to use wood with character, so the burls, and spalted ones are my first choice, but I have learned even the plainest looking piece of wood, makes unique and great looking pen.

One of the unique woods I use is Alaskan Diamond Willow. Diamond willow is a very hard wood from one of five of the thirty-three varieties of willows which grow in nearly all parts of Alaska. Most species grow in clumps and can be recognized by the diamond-shaped depressions which usually surround dead limbs. After the bark is removed, the reddish, mahogany- colored heartwood is exposed in these depressions, contrasting vividly with the bright white sapwood. Some experts believe that fungi, particularly Valsa sordida Nitschke, cause the branches to die and the sapwood to recede, exposing the heartwood, while others blame the condition on rabbits and other animals that feed on the branches. Diamond willow in Alaska usually grows to 3 1/2 or 4 inches in diameter but may exceed ten inches in diameter. Ages attained have been noted at 150 years plus. A trunk four inches in diameter may be 50-100 years old.

My dad is in Alaska, and has been for almost 25 years – he harvests these and creates fine walking sticks and various other items, I have also posted these on this web site (along with pens and bottle stoppers that I have turned from the wood).

We are glad you stopped, if there are any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me. If you have any special request, please let me know and I can see what I can do.