The Forest At Your Finger Tips

A Unique Wedding Present

Mike T — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 11:50:06 +0000

I’ve just finished my latest project – A very special pen for a very special couple to use to sign their wedding certificates with.

Made from home grown magenta flowered Lilac wood which symbolises ‘love and passion’ This pen also has a Swarovski crystal embedded in the clip to replicate the diamond used for engagement rings.

Im really pleased with the finished pen as it showcases a number of new techniques I’m developing, including making transfers so that text and logos can be incorporated into the designs.

Click for more details

Perazzi hits the Target!

Mike T — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 12:05:45 +0000

I was recently approached by a shooter who had damaged his Perazzi shotgun stock and wanted to know if I could make pens out of the old stock.

Well, I made an initial batch of 3 bolt-action bullet pens in 22ct gold, chrome & gunmetal enamel. I’m amazed! They only lasted a week, now they’ve all gone and I have an order for a gear shift pen in Perazzi Walnut too.

New ‘Ready Made’ Stock coming soon !

Mike T — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 11:56:32 +0000

Having spent a few days in the workshop my ‘ready made’ stock level has increased. I just have to get it all on-line ….

March Madness Sale

Mike T — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 12:36:47 +0000

March Madness Sale – Thinking of a birthday gift for someone special? Graduation or Prom night gift? Take a look at our SALE ……

20% off all pre-made pens listed in my Available pens section.

Just use the coupon code SP16 at the Checkout for your Sale Price.

New range of turned Bottle Stopper

Mike T — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 17:54:24 +0000

As a change from making pens I recently decided to produce a few bottle stopper which will be exclusively available from Two Ducks in Woking.

This miniature apple was turned from a piece of Damson wood which had been growing in my garden until some two years ago so it hasn’t had to travel far …. about 5 metres from where it grew to my lathe!

More of these stopper can be seen here

Forest at your Fingertips pens now available at Two Ducks, Woking

Mike T — Thu, 07 May 2015 23:03:49 +0000

Following a chance encounter Two Ducks owner Claire Leigh is now stocking my pens in her St John’s Woking shop.

Here’s what she had to say on her Facebook page:

“Hey there, well, not so long ago, you asked for more ‘man gifts’ and what with Father’s Day coming up in June (21st), we have some corkers for you here!

The lovely Mike Topp travelled all the way down from Staffordshire this morning to show me his hand-made pens – a mixture of ink and fountain pens which he makes in his studio at the bottom of the garden!

Some are shaped from wood (including wood from his garden) and others are made with origami papers and hand-mixed acrylics. Some have special themed lids too. Each has a card attached with the details of the pen and date it was made .

The ink pens are £29.95 and the fountain pens are £49.95. Each comes with its own black sleeve but you can add a special presentation box at a small extra cost.”

I was rather pleased when a pen was snapped up by one of Claire’s customers before it had even reached the display!

Everyone tells me my pens look good in the photographs, but so much better when you can feel them. So…. if you live in the Woking area , pop in and take a look.

Two Ducks. 5 St John’s Road Woking. Surrey GU21 7SE

Looking after your pen

Mike T — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 23:17:49 +0000

I’m so pleased with the amount of positive feedback I’m getting for my pens. Its truly wonderful.

I try to use the best quality materials to create writing instruments I’m proud of. However, as with all things they do require some care and maintenance.

For this reason I’ve added a new section to the website giving hints and tips on how to care for your latest acquisition.

Click Here to find out how to care for your pen.

Coming soon – a handy refill selector chart and instructions on how to change your ink refill.

Christmas Orders Flowing In

Mike T — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 22:36:56 +0000

Its been a busy week so far. Orders are flowing in via the website, and by referral. Garlands Shooting Grounds have taken another batch for their shop too!

Stocks were looking a little low so I’ve had a day in the workshop making a variety of super pens using some pretty exotic woods.

Photos will be coming soon.

Christmas seems to have arrived

Mike T — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 23:44:34 +0000

Well it looks like the Christmas shopping spree has begun today . . . . 3 pens sold!

I need to get back on the lathe tomorrow to build up stocks.

Damson Pen Toronto bound

Mike T — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:07:25 +0000

My latest commission was this unusual fountain pen and case made from a single branch of Damson wood from my garden. It’s now residing on an office desk in Toronto, Canada!

The presentation case was cut from the same Damson tree branch as was used to make the pen. It was sliced in two and the inside routered out to allow the pen a snug fit. The cut surfaces were then sanded and polished to a high sheen to contrast with the rough exterior bark. Two sub-miniature barrel hinges were used to complete the case.

The body and cap were turned from a single blank to enable the streaking of the spalted Damson grain to follow through from body to cap.

The pen itself is made using 22ct gold plated banding and a highly polished chrome nib holder. The nib itself was made in Germany to a high quality design using and Iridium allow which not only looks gorgeous, but it is also hard wearing but smooth to write with.

If you would like to discuss a similar project for yourself or to give as a special gift for someone, please contact me through the contact page