Brian Gray; husband, father, musician, woodworker, photographer, and Mr. Edison Pen Company himself, sits down for a virtual tête-à-tête with Fountain Pen Geeks. Make some popcorn and dim the lights, then sit back and enjoy getting acquainted with one of the great penmakers of our time.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:43:33 — 94.7MB)
As with all past Geek of the Week interviews, the audio-only version is available above and via iTunes.
For Brian’s interview, video has been added.
The video is available below and also via the FPGeeks Channel at YouTube.
Related Links:
Edison Pen Company
Meisternibs
Brian Gray Woodworking
Silas Kopf Woodworking
Ernest Shin of Hakumin Urushi
Bexley Pens
Dan Furlano
Interview Timeline:
0:00:27 You say tomato, I say Milan.
0:01:18 We’re shooting video.
0:02:14 How’s the weather?
0:02:28 Who is Brian Gray?
0:04:10 How many stop lights in Milan?
0:05:47 Family
0:07:11 Brian’s Focus on Photography
0:19:00 Pen Show Talk (LA and Philly)
0:20:40 Life prior to Edison Pen Co
0:24:00 Marquetry Furniture
0:26:17 The seeds of Edison Pen Co
0:31:48 What is an acrylic?
0:33:20 Wood Lathe vs Metal Lathe
0:36:00 Acrylic vs Wood
0:37:55 Woodworking Skills vs Machining Skills
0:38:05 Threads 101
0:39:11 Manual Lathe vs Computer Numerical Controlled Lathe
0:40:42 Spreading the Virtual Word
0:45:50 How many pens have you made?
0:47:00 Edison Owners Reunion in Milan =)
0:47:25 Let’s theorize about mass production techniques…
0:50:00 Edison Pen Co Shop Size
0:50:45 How do you design a pen?
0:54:58 The Mina and Ernest Shin of Hakumin Urushi Kobo
0:58:34 Edison Pen Co and Ernest Shin of Hakumin Urushi Kobo
1:03:00 Pen Models and Materials Paletter
1:09:37 Does Brian collect pens?
1:11:47 Brian’s ink preferences.
1:14:14 Steel Nibs vs Gold Nibs
1:16:45 vs Silver Nibs
1:18:13 Meisternibs
1:20:23 The Pearlette
1:21:18 Size comparison to The Mina
1:21:40 Size comparison to The Huron Grande
1:22:20 The Del Coronado
1:25:48 What’s coming in 2012?
1:28:28 Did he say piston filler?!?
1:30:55 A Huge Number 8 Nib?
1:32:22 And beyond 2012?
1:34:10 What improves Brian’s penmaking skills?
1:37:42 Which pens shows do you attend each year?
1:38:45 Which pen show is the largest?
1:41:10 Thank you! Thank you!
1:42:54 Let’s do dinner!
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Brian Gray
