About Brad Herrington
Bespoke Pen Review focuses on celebrating local British craftsmanship, highlighting the work of Brad Herrington and his workshop, Gilbert House Pens. Located in the historic town of Cambridge, England, the workshop specializes in turning raw woods, resins, and acrylics into collectible, high-performance writing instruments.
Brad's turning process blends traditional carpentry methods with modern high-tolerance engineering. Every item starts as a blank, selected for its visual story. Hardwoods are sourced from responsible suppliers, including olive orchards in Bethlehem, and recycled whisky distilleries in Scotland. Resins are hand-cast in the studio, using metallic powders, liquid dyes, and unique objects to create stunning three-dimensional patterns.
The Lathe Turning Process
Turning a pen blank requires precision at every step:
- Material Selection: Selecting wood blanks with high burl density or casting unique custom resins.
- Boring and Insertion: Drilling the center axis and bonding a solid brass tube inside to provide stability.
- Lathe Work: Shaving down the blank at speeds up to 3,000 RPM using specialized steel gouges.
- Sanding & Polishing: Progression through twelve grits of Micro-mesh paper to a high gloss.
- Assembly & Testing: Pressing German-engineered Bock mechanisms and tuning the nib for seamless capillary flow.
Acquiring a Piece of History
Because these writing instruments are made one by one, production numbers are small. Each pen is built to last decades, serving as a signature tool or a display item on your desk. You can find active stock and customization inquiries directly through Brad Herrington's main shop website.