While at the DC Super Show just a couple of weeks ago Eric and Stephen ran into Ernest Shin, who was our latest Geek of the Week. Ernest is the artist behind Hakumin Urushi Kobo with a website that you must go check out if you haven’t. Go now, we’ll wait.
Ernest’s latest creation that he’s been working on and even mentioned in his GotW episode is the Meichiku line of bamboo fountain pens. The pens will be made from specific types of bamboo, such as susutake and shiratake, some of which is more than 150 years old and others that Ernest has actually grown himself.
Some of you may remember the Special Edition Sailor Susutake fountain pen that looks a lot like this one, but Ernest says there are several key differences. The Hakumin Urushi fountain pens have an ebonite internal structure and the non-bamboo portions i.e., section, threads, cap and barrel bands are lacquered. Also, the way Ernest has closed off the ends of the bamboo is different from Sailor’s method.
We’ll definitely be bringing you more information about these pens in the coming weeks as Ernest prepares to start accepting orders.
