Choosing the Right Pen
Since 1987 when we first introduced pen kits to woodturners in the U.S.A., Craft Supplies USA has continued to supply the world’s finest quality pen kits to woodturners everywhere. In addition to our premium Artisan® range of pens and accessories, we now offer Apprentice™ pen kits which are comparable to other pens in the market and are perfect for those where price is the primary concern. All pen kits are backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee and come with our unsurpassed customer service at no extra charge.
Artisan® or Apprentice™ Kits?
Look closely at the fit and finish of an Artisan® pen kit and you’ll see that only premium grade components finished with a jewelry-grade precious metal plating are used. Artisan® pen kits are the highest quality pen kits in the market today. Our Apprentice™ line of pen kits are comparable to pen kits offered by our competitors. Apprentice™ pen kits are perfect for beginners and students as they offer exceptional value at the lowest prices anywhere.
Choosing the Right Plating
With so many available platings to choose from, choosing the one that’s right for you can be confusing. For this reason we have listed the various plating types with a description of each along with a wear rating. Be sure to review the plating information thoroughly so that the plating you choose will be right for you.
Wear Resistant Ratings
Each type of plating has a wear resistance rating that indicates the durability and longevity of the plating. A 1-1/2″ star rating represents the majority of 24k value priced twist pens in the marketplace today. 24k pens are “flash” plated, or in other words the plating is extremely thin and in most cases is protected by a thin layer of epoxy. 24k pen kits are ideal for beginners and those who require the lowest price possible. A Five star rating indicates the plating thickness and durability is such that it will not wear off at any time for any reason. This grade of plating is typically used on “high-end” pens that may sell for hundreds of dollars. For more information on pens and plating, call us at 1-800-551-8876
Rhodium-Platinum Series
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Possibly nature’s most brilliant and durable precious metal, Rhodium is used by the worlds premier pen manufacturers to plate their very finest pens. A member of the Platinum precious metals family, Rhodium sells for as much as $1,800.00 per troy ounce and is unmatched in brilliance and durability. We guarantee the Rhodium plating on our Platinum series pens to last a lifetime or your money back.
Titanium – Gold & Black
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Titanium plating is very popular among seasoned pen turners as it offers superior wear resistance yet is less expensive than other precious metal platings. Available in gold and black, we guarantee our Titanium plating to last a lifetime or your money back.
Chrome & Gun Metal
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Chrome and Gun Metal are extremely long-wearing platings capable of resisting everyday wear and tear. Highly recommended for key rings, pens and other projects, chrome gives you a shiny, rich look at an economy price.
10k Gold
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This popular plating blends hard nickel and the beauty of gold together to form a brilliant plating that is durable and affordable.
Satin Series
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Satin series pens undergo a special plating process that produces a matte finish that features a slight texture that looks and feels great. This popular plating offers a unique alternative to traditional plating.
Black Chrome
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Black Chrome offers a unique alternative to traditional platings that works extremely well with lighter color woods. The soft sheen and depth of color make Black Chrome a favorite.
24k Gold
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Artisan® pen kits feature a thicker layer of 24k gold plating than other 24k pens, including our Apprentice™ range. This significantly increases the average “life” of an Artisan® 24k pen versus other 24k pens. As 24k gold is naturally soft and wears quickly, both our Artisan® and Apprentice™ range of pens feature a durable epoxy layer on top of the gold plating to increase wear resistance. Value price 24k pens are ideal for those on a budget or who want to explore pen making with minimal investment.
What is the Wear Rating for the new antique finishes?
We don’t have a specific wear rating on those as of yet, but the ones we’ve used for testing have seen regular use over a few months and we haven’t noticed any visible wear yet.