About Us

My name is Jim Hinze and I have been making pens for more than 15 years. I started out as a self taught woodworker, learning as much as I could and then sharing that knowledge with others.

At a woodworker club meeting I was attending many years ago, a fellow member demonstrated how to turn a pen. This was a fairly basic pen, utilizing a cross refill. At the end of the presentation, he offered to let anyone who was interested, to give it a try. I did, and was hooked from that moment forward. For many years, I made what is commonly referred to as a "Kit" pen. This means I would buy hardware (e.g. clips, mechanism's, plated nibs, etc) and pair them with hand turned wooden or acrylic bodies. From time to time, I would teach any who were interested in learning how to make this style of pens. (and still do today).

Around 2014/2015, I ran across a video series on YouTube documenting four Japanese master pen makers and how they went about creating some of the most beautiful fountain pens I've seen (here is the one that inspired me most: Hakase Fountain Pens. This series was a turning point in my adventure as a pen maker. I decided to commit a considerable amount of resources to learning how to make fully custom pens. My first attempt actually worked! It was functional, and wrote well. Sadly, I do not have any pictures of that pen. It was not the most beautiful pen, but it marked a milestone.

Once I proved I could make them, I began refining my techniques, experimenting with various materials, and learning all I could about nibs (the heart of the pen) Today, I have a line of standard pens I make. They are all pens that I enjoy writing with and are a good representation of my overall style. I still take on custom commissions and help my customers realize a vision that they have in their mind of a pen they have to have. I also, as earlier in my career, teach anyone and everyone who wants to learn to make a custom pen. I'm invited to various pen gatherings where I perform a live demonstration of the basics, then offer individual 1 on 1 classes to makers who want to go further.

My pens will always be hand made. I have no aspirations of mass-production or automation to grow or expand my business. Each and every pen I sell will be handmade. Each and every pen will be written with and tuned by my hands prior to shipping. I have brought on Ray and Rachel as full time apprentice to assist in the making of our pens, but they work under my direct supervision... and neither of them are robots :)

This effort is a part of a small group of efforts all wrapped under the banner of Uniscape Solutions, LLC consisting of Professional/Technical consulting services, Wood working, Custom pen making, Nib Plating and Tool manufacturing. I hope you like my pens as much as I like making them.

--Jim Hinze
October, 2021