Turning a $10 pen into a $10,000 pen!!! Part 2

[@spazmcgillacutty]

Needs a polished platinum washer between the halves to create a separation between the halves so the pattern isn't so starkly different. Other than that it's a gorgeous piece of kit!

[@dustdrop]

Yes could have planned ahead to make the patterns match up.

[@john345ish]

agreed - would bring it together nicely - future project.....hmmm gold /platnium damascus....possible?

[@MaxiveLegend]

@@dustdrop he couldn't have, the halves screw together, so he couldn't have cut 1 cylinder in half or he couldn't have made the threads on it

[@texasrigger1316]

@@MaxiveLegend the male threads could have been a press fit or brazed in insert rather than cut directly into the barrel. I like the idea of a platinum washer though.

[@KernsJW]

I was going to suggest the same, a platinum belt. I didn't think he would have so little left.

[@crottedepingouin]

he made jewelry, he made a clicky pen, next step: make a fully functional watch from scratch from damascus.

[@themanindenemark]

Fuuu*k yees

[@marcpabel4768]

That wouled be one of thee most valuable watches in thee world. Starting at 100 000€.

[@frankgardiner5002]

crotted brilliant idea my friend, but if Alex does it you know your going to end up putting him in a home for the permanently bewildered

[@xTwisteDx]

I'm with this. I'd love to watch a watch, pun intended. PLUS! Valuable learning experience and 13 parts for sure.

[@randomvideos4073]

Oh please yes yes please

[@Schtockbrot]

With a higher quality "click mechanism" I would say yes, it is worth 10.000$ But it is like driving a Ferrari with a scooter Motor :D

[@AlecSteele]

I love this comment! 😂

[@monkeyking61]

@@AlecSteele make a gold pen with silver/Platinum Damascus?

[@epauletshark3793]

@@monkeyking61 "Welcome back to the workshop, today we will be turning this 10,000 dollar pen into a 1,000,000 dollar pen!"

[@Clements2006]

@@chadjackson4786 charity auction, would bring out some higher bids imo

[@wysestone]

Agreed

[@susan_beaver]

Interestingly enough, it might be easier from an engineering perspective to turn a $20 fountain pen (like a Pilot Metropolitan) into a $20,000 fountain pen. And the fountain pen community is definitely used to paying that kind of price for a unique pen!

[@kurtlee3198]

The delivery driver you accidently hand that pen to after signing for something is really gonna appreciate the craftmanship, probs even show it to a few of his delivery driver pals too

[@MikeT]

Would have been cool to have a small platinum ring between the 2 halves to let it have more separation where the 2 Damascus patterns meet since they don't match

[@cyberlocc]

Was thinking the same thing.

[@aisha0raor]

This, definitely. Even a nice piece of blackwood, ebony, something

[@doc_s1krr751]

That was my immediate thought when they showed the reveal

[@rorydonaldson2794]

I was really hoping the internals we're going to be spruced up. Having platinum, damascus and a diamond is all well and good but if the ink and pen mechanism aren't a cut above every other pen it's probably not a ten thousand dollar pen. An awesome and different video nonetheless!

[@DrX427]

I love when Alec's presenter mode gets turned off and he just goes full English brogue

[@LordLootus]

Presenter mode: American Normal mode: tophat monocle English

[@Photoshop3000]

@@Lockpickingblacksmith Sorry to say dude, as an Irish person I have to correct your fun fact. The word brogue being a insult is quite false, stemming from the fact that the Irish word ‘bróg’ sound very similar to the Irish word for impediment ‘Barróg’. They ‘sound’ similar but are completely different. Like ‘write’ and ‘right’ In English, Irish has a fair few homonyms. A Brogue is both a fancy shoe (Oxfords can take a hike) and perfectly acceptable word to describe and Irish or Scotts accent.

[@jabes959]

@@Lockpickingblacksmith stop being wet mate

[@Lockpickingblacksmith]

@@Photoshop3000 Huh, thanks. I'll have to check that, maybe it's a regional difference. Thanks again.

[@Lockpickingblacksmith]

@@jabes959 what?

[@cda32]

Pen value based on reality shows Storage wars: $1,000,000 Pawn stars: "I'll give ya $5"

[@cavemanvi]

im going to hitch a ride on this comment. I MISS WILL

[@Rinjel0]

“And I’m already losing money”

[@wolfhound7919]

American Pickers would buy it for 12.00 and sell it for 3000.

[@hassuntzu6523]

This would have been “borrowed for an indefinite amount of time” by the british if they found it in another continent

[@johnrowntree5450]

@@hassuntzu6523 its "British" with capital B and so to respond to your statement. A bit like the Hellenistic, Mughals, Chinese (all of them), Aztec, Punt, Mauryan, Roman, Khanates, Timurid, German and Japanese and every other empire then? We would not have borrowed it, we would have taken it in conquest, to the victor the spoils, check what was taken by the Japanese, the Romans, Norse, Egyptians, Mongols, German, British, Persian, Indian, Cambodian, and every other single nation soldiers (including your own perhaps) that won a battle or a skirmish, men, women, children. money and valuables of every description with the intention of borrowing them for an indeterminate period of time. Iam not saying it's right, fair or just, it was how things happened back then and it's still happening ask ISIS.

[@agenthanzo]

I think having a platinum or gold band near the seam would help hide the different pattern and make it look nicer like wood pens do.

[@F_L_U_X]

I once again applaud the camera work and editing. Very satisfying.

[@NikolaHoward]

Jamie Popple is simply da bomb. (I'm also loving the interactions - I wasn't aware just how much I missed the Jamie/Alec dynamic when Alec was in Montana!) Alec's work standard is excellent for sure, and Jamie's work (and also music choices and sync) really shows off that excellence at a whole 'nother level.

[@JamiePopple]

@@NikolaHoward thanks Nikola! Always see you singing my praises! 🙏🏻👋🏻

[@F_L_U_X]

@@JamiePopple Riiight...

[@NikolaHoward]

@@JamiePopple That's cos you are simply awesome at your job :-) It's a pleasure to watch your work making Alec looking even more awesome.

[@MasonStonehenge]

I really enjoy the camera work and the editing!

[@lastnamefirstname6700]

I know this is all about blacksmithing, but that dog in glasses is so cute, The only sponsor I trust

[@no.step.on.snek.2423]

Its fun to watch him struggle thru mistakes.. it draws straight comparisons to every craftsman alive . Million and millions go to work and fight like this every day.. alec dont edit out mistakes. And its refreshing to see that when crafting something , everybody toils the same.

[@blntwzrd]

Send it to Peter Draws to make you a custom artwork and genuine review on it! The collab nobody asked for, but the one everybody deserves...

[@rienbeckers7711]

You asked for it right here

[@samueltwaites5517]

Or send it to jazza

[@oskarrein4626]

Yes.

[@Ieuan775]

No this pen is really nice I wouldn't let anyone hold it

[@doodlecaboodle9298]

@@Ieuan775 except someone who is very knowledgeable about pens like peter draws

[@the_shiny_skorupi1874]

Dude’s got the perfect name for being a blacksmith Alec Steele

[@hardshot4766]

i find it funny because his last name is Steele and my first name is Steele.

[@michaelrichman3135]

Either that or a meteorologist. Next, with the weather, it's Alec Steele.

[@boarbot7829]

I feel like he made it up, like it’s his youtuber name like some authors have a pen name.

[@sehoonkim5872]

@@hardshot4766 then marry him then you’ll be steele steele

[@bandobandit353]

You know? Actually you're right!

[@ExtractingMetals]

It’s worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

[@thefactory7221]

this entire series could be put in a playlist titled: "Reverse-Engineering, a Dramatic Theatrical"

[@Baronstone]

The entire series should be titled, "Why you don't use the guts from a $10 pen and then try to price it at $10,000."

[@lastnamefirstname6700]

Looks like a $10,000 pen, works like a 50 Cent pen

[@dack6528]

You seen many $10.000 pen's, that does not look like one of those, the Damascus does not line up. $10.000 Is way off, I'd bet a mars bar you will never get near that much but it is worth more than $3, I bet another mars bar on that.

[@il-raptor-li9687]

@@dack6528 its actually very hard to line up Damascus when you use 2 different pieces to make the pen, cause itll never be straight if you take it apart and put it back together, and depending on the price of the diamond, it adds quite a bit, especially with the platinum added ontop, it prolly wont be 10k, prolly around 500ish, (again it depends entirely on the diamond and how well the platinum was forged and how much he used of it since it can change the price if the platinum is forged badly and or the diamond gets scratched.)

[@graciouscompetentdwarfrabbit]

Sooooo, split the difference and it's worth $5,000.25?

[@il-raptor-li9687]

@@graciouscompetentdwarfrabbit i kind of wish he said the price or around the price of the diamond he put in it, its a small one but those still are worth a bunch, and itd help guesstimate the price of the pen.

[@jazzyjay1150]

@@il-raptor-li9687 Being very difficult to line up is certainly understandable, but is that not what makes the value? The difficulty

[@miastobojstwo]

@4:20 "something is no yes" damn, the polonization of britain goes really well

[@AndiNewtonian]

"Who knew making a pen would be so difficult?!" Every fountain pen user in the world: **raises hand**

[@jessric5947]

HAHAHAAHAHAHAHA

[@LashanR]

*raises blue hand

[@AndiNewtonian]

@@LashanR But is it Noodler's Bay State Blue? 😉🤣

[@ninety9monkeys416]

There is only one type of pen... ball point users are weird

[@vinceearl4240]

Also every woodturner who makes pens.

[@colinmcclain549]

Everyone: wow Alec is so professional and mature for his age and just brilliant! Guy in the back : *that’s what she said😏* Alec: HHHAEEEEEEUUUHHHHHHHHHH

[@xylerkajiyama7544]

That’s Jamie, his editor and cameraman in the UK

[@MeMelon4u]

69 likes me likey likely

[@ronin1915]

People are usually mature, up until that joke is put in.

[@SLU2MOVIES]

@@ronin1915 That's what she said

[@deevexneekcraft]

@@SLU2MOVIES HHUUUUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@funkyspacecow]

Has anyone had the heart to tell Alec that you can buy high quality pen components from woodturning catalogs?

[@gothnate]

The pattern on the barrel doesn't line up, but I think the biggest thing for me would be the lack of mirror finish on all the platinum parts, and the large scratches around the diamond. Edit: I think the best way to line up the grain of the barrel would have been to turn it as one piece, cut it in two, and used press-fit or soldered in threads. A little extra work, but would have made it a lot nicer looking.

[@NikolaHoward]

Yep, I looked at the clicker and clip and thought "Gods, that looks as rough as dog nuts" (Very British saying) ETA: Guessing that Alec was rushing to get content up - this really isn't to his usual sanding standards. That, and he's been used to other people doing his hand sanding ;-)

[@jerram3685]

Where are your pens?

[@gothnate]

@@jerram3685 dude, it's not about making pens. It's about creating anything. People learn from watching others and think of how they can improve the manufacturing process. It's not mean to critique someone's work.

[@carola7893]

Having a gold inlay either on the platinum or having it inlayed on the damascus would make it quite a bit more towards the 10k mark. Although you have about $2500 worth of platinum in the pen, it doesn't "pop". You've created amazing swords with outstanding craftsmanship, you could inlay small gems in the platinum and it would be gorgeous.

[@adrianmurphy619]

I’m just glad that this guy can make his hobby so entertaining and interesting

[@calebwilliams3055]

pretty sure it's not just a hobby....

[@RichardHubbuck]

You mean business...

[@dave618034]

And profitable

[@Son_of_Mandalore]

Your boundless enthusiasm and upbeat personality make everyone of your videos a moral boost, especially during these last difficult 12 months or so. For those of us who live alone and feel even more isolated you have become a welcome part of the week and almost a family member. You have no idea how much your upbeat, happy, smiling and positive exuberance makes a difference to those of us who feel completely cut off from the world and a little lost. From all of us: Than you. So much

[@ahhellnahhhh6007]

🆙️ I absolutely 2nd this. 👍👏🍺🍻 cheers, good on ya Alec

[@DevildogWillbur]

😎

[@DiamondiumJones]

The casing for the pen is stunning, but the internals sell it short.

[@jongoff7829]

Not really. The internals are nothing spectacular in any pen, whether it's the one of a kind Fulgar Nocturnus ($8,000,000), or a 20 dollar fountain pen at Office Max, they're going to be using the same basic internals, because the mechanics are the same. It's not the ink delivery system that matters, but the ink itself, as inks vary in quality, viscosity, acidity, durability, richness, absorption, etc. Because of the way ball point pens work, you need a more viscous ink, but the mechanics are the same for all ball point pens. Now, when it comes to fountain pens, the material the nib is made of can make a difference in flow and application. Don't sell the pen short because the internals are generic. The Stars of Egypt, by Scheaffer, uses a standard ink cartridge for the ball point, and fountain pens use the same cartridge that less expensive fountain pens use. Older fountain pens use a bladder system, drawing the ink up into a bladder through the nib. The real craftsmanship goes into the barrel and accoutrements. You're not paying for the ink delivery system, but the artistry that goes into crafting the barrel and embellishments.

[@stefthorman8548]

@@jongoff7829 i think he just meant that the inside of the pen isn't that decorated.

[@balazsfoldes4700]

@@stefthorman8548 Sure, but did you see how hard it was to make the fine parts fit? Imagine custom-making those high-precision injection-moulded parts... It would be a nightmare. Those parts would probably have to be precision-cast, if you were to make them with any hope of being functional.

[@_BLANK_BLANK]

@@balazsfoldes4700 I mean, for a 10000 dollar pen, that doesn't seem unreasonable. I mean, I know the video is just for fun, and this isn't a real product for sale, but a pen with a better mechanism would definitely help out. I think maybe going with a bolt action style pen would have been a better choice for him to do himself, and get a nice deployment of the pen.

[@mr.turtle2565]

Yogo with glasses has go to be one of the cutest things I have ever seen in my life (Sorry if I spelled Yogo wrong)

[@7head7metal7]

I just thought "Remember, when Alec learned stone setting and put them virtually everywhere?". And lo and behold, he actually did it again 😁

[@dennishein2812]

You have quite the temperament for doing this kind of work. I would have had to stop and go beat some steel every time something didn’t go according to plan. I never had the fancy toys you have or the skill set. Great work. I don’t know the value of the pen but whoever buys it should get a copy of all you went thru to build it. Great job. I’m impressed.

[@trdsf]

Next project: forging a fountain pen, including the nib and feed! :D

[@AndiNewtonian]

YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! Seriously, I've been mentally projecting that thought at Alec from the moment he chose to remake a Parker BP instead of an FP. I mean, could you imagine a Damascus steel nib? Sure, it'd be a nail, but it'd be a GORGEOUS nail!

[@MisterRorschach90]

@@AndiNewtonian Damascus steel at that thickness would probably not work. A nib is substantially more complex and thinner in certain areas than a razor blade. And when he made a razor blade he wasn’t able to get it as thin as a real razor blade. I might be remembering it wrong but I believe he was the smith who made a Damascus safety razor blade. He would be better off trying to forge the nib from gold or platinum. I think if he experimented and found out a way to make good gold flex nibs it would be more profitable than anything he’s done thus far. People salivate at the thought of new vintage feeling flex nibs. I do too. Not even the big companies have remastered it. Everything they put out is just an okay attempt.

[@AndiNewtonian]

@@MisterRorschach90 Yeah, that's why I said it would be a nail. No way to get it thin enough to be flexy, or even have some spring. And definitely not a wet noodle. You really have to go vintage for one of those.

[@nathanaellockett896]

And the stop after that is firing a quill

[@spinal676]

For $10000 I'd expect the pattern in the steel to match at the junction between the upper and lower half

[@MV-lr5jv]

Thats kinda difficult to do since the two parts can spin independently. They do match if you turn the two parts correctly. Pretty much impossible unless the Damascus pattern is super straight

[@JustDeniz]

@@MV-lr5jv i dont need reasons why its hard to do. its a fair point and totally something someone willing to spend 10k on a pen would look for.

[@luzitano]

@@JustDeniz Exactly, that's the kind of thing you pay for when you're spending 10k for a pen. That kind of detail and extra work.

[@lucasmundy2807]

If I were spending anywhere near $10,000 for an ink pen, I would want better internals than ones made from Injection molded and cheap metals. Great job however Alec, huge improvement over the $10 alternative!

[@scottlowe5961]

I’m not willing to spend $10000 on a pen, even if it sang and danced.

[@Thisismycomment.]

The "Thats what she said" joke was fantastic

[@outcast5505]

I agree

[@garyhost354]

I like Jamie’s editing a lot but I don’t really find him interesting on camera at all.

[@samuelyoung2671]

@@garyhost354 Hes almost never on camera lol why u must complain

[@aaronmackay6123]

Right. Screw cancel culture. That joke was funny because it was out of the blue while really focusing on the objective.

[@outcast5505]

@@aaronmackay6123 indeed screw culture

[@Rocky-oq9cy]

1:39 This is the only sponsor break that has EVER gotten me to smile in my entire life.

[@Commhun]

Nice job, appreciate you did not edit out the failures. It has been more fun to watch this way.

[@marcelschurgers8164]

I wish the Damascus pattern in the lower part would continue in the upper part.

[@D2Relived]

Or even a thin platinum band between the two halves so the transition isn't so stark.

[@jackwriter1908]

Alec: Who knew this thing would be so difficult. Alec a week prior: This is very complicated and complex engeneering.

[@magnusmikkelsen3757]

a zebra is just a damascus horse

[@trentspidell3468]

I swear the production level of the videos and the camera work is better and cooler than what professional film studios do. Amazing job!

[@Toasty_ERD]

One of the things when Planning out a nice pen is the matching of a continuous pattern when the pen is together. Its a small detail that makes a huge difference.

[@doggopotato8452]

Your dogs are adorable

[@julyoon]

1:00 "HÖŌËEÊE"

[@cavemanvi]

upvote if you miss will.

[@abaronofchivalry5176]

"Grandpa, that pen looks so cool!" Let me tell you about the magical powers of the lathe.

[@craftycanadian8282]

My grandfather was a wood worker, he loves making pens for gifts. turn a $3 basic pen into something people cherish. I was only 6 when he gave me mine and it was still a very special gift.

[@thatdrewmoore]

Alec, I'm not sure if you discovered annular cutters yet for any projects, but just in case you haven't, you should totally invest in a set! If you ever need to drill a large hole, an annular cutter will allow you to do it easily and with less stress on your tooling and the metal you're cutting.

[@Outdoorman4624]

I almost cried when I saw that the platinum wasn’t finely polished

[@Ellie-oo2pp]

same

[@hamburgerjung4373]

I would say 2400$ Would be near 5k if the Damaskus would be seamless throughout the shaft

[@gordonfischer8484]

Correction: Damascus. Also I agree

[@abaguettewithacomputer415]

@@gordonfischer8484 Don’t be that guy

[@1981rhino]

“That’s what she said”

[@ignispurgatorius5297]

Gotta agree. For 10k I would expect the pattern to match, and the platinum to be more polished. In general the platinum seems kinda pointless when you also have steel parts, so it doesn't really shine. I like the rustic look of the damascus, but I think it works a bit against the 10k luxury feel which was the goal. Gold and a more ornate clip would have probably worked more towards that. At the end of the day the materials are 500-1k? The rest would be whatever the time invested (if proficient) would amount to + a bit of profit.

[@Mike-Home-Cook]

Seam could have been remedied also by having a platinum band separating the two pieces

[@team3boyhamster246]

Love the vid you are the reason I became a blacksmith and will always be excited for the next video

[@deezybe9489]

I am not a blacksmith but I would say that it would have looked better with a platinum ring between the 2 halves and would have left some meat on the whole pen to file the whole body of the pen down as a whole to make the pen look seamless......would have made it looked way better and in my opinion worth way more. But looks awesome either way

[@albratgaming2348]

I used to drill holes in D3 (Co, V, C, Tg as far as I remember... I used to produce parts in my spare time at work. Main job was maintenance. But I did specialized training for tool making.) steel that were 1.3 mm and 50 mm long. We had a set of drills as it was common to break them. Had to plunge drill in 3 mm steps and use lots of coolant.

[@swankscabinet1625]

What if you made a little platinum collar for in between the two Damascus parts of the pen? It would bring it all together and make the transition between them a little nicer

[@UnderfundedScientist]

Alec is like Midas, everything he touches becomes solid gold

[@yash.mankragod]

*platinum

[@samuel.0.235]

Alec’s like king midas as i was told, everything the touched turned to gold

[@meirbookatz8304]

Agreed, he even that $10 pen he bought is not worth its weight in gold.

[@bobrobert6277]

im pretty sure it's a curse....

[@benben9794]

I thought everything he touched turned to Damascus

[@TheSkoobiSnax]

I'd say it's realistically worth around $2k-$4k depending on the quality of the diamond.

[@Gottenhimfella]

I personally consider the quality, fit and finish of the machining, particularly of the protruding button (and of course the clicker) is not at the standard of the forging and the rest of the hand work.

[@helpmaboab7]

Your woodturning father would have told you that pen internals can be bought on the interweb. They come with the internal dimensions required. He would also have told you that when two pieces with prominent grain pattens are brought together the grains must align (impossible with damascus) or the join disguised with some grooves, a bead etc, or a contrasting collar (as others have suggested).

[@gryphonking133]

Hey Alex, I've been watching your stuff since you were in your tiny forge in London, keep up the good work man

[@shailabhshah988]

Gasp! Alec, you clearly used Blue Dykem and we weren't graced with the Blue Dykem song .... 😭

[@oscarpeters5309]

the blue dykem song?

[@TheVarzoth]

Blue, DYYYKEEEEEM

[@Taunus-Tim]

That was black paint to prevent the thread to get etched by the ferric chloride

[@SamTheBalerMan]

Surely this is part 3 🤔

[@davidurdahl6656]

He didn't include the platinum forging as a pen video. But yeah, technically.

[@srfhdx5584]

0:58 welcome back to England Alec, we’ve missed you

[@KevinMalliaTheMaker]

$10,000 - go for it. I love the editing and music in your videos as well.

[@Sleepy_spartan717]

Found your channel about 6 months ago and I’m hooked. Something about them is so satisfying. I love the trial and error involved in everything you make. Thanks for continually putting out great content. Is the pen going to be a giveaway thing? Please say yes lol

[@lbarttelt]

As pops would say, “I’d buy that for a dollar.” True story.

[@captd80]

You mean robocop?

[@jakemiller4089]

I want that pen SO BADLY. I literally have a drawer full of those pens... They're my favorite! And yours is the ultimate version of them!

[@Andy-jq5yw]

Meanwhile, every singd woodturner whose ever made a pen is just sitting here wondering how he could make something so simple so hard.

[@travis7500]

Sure, if you use kit parts. But this is basically a kitless pen, and those are not simple at all.

[@XxIcedecknightxX]

Most wood turners only turn the wood to dimensions, everything else is already pre made to fit.

[@epauletshark3793]

@@travis7500 I made a pen from a branch I found in my backyard, my pocket knife, and a drill. It can be pretty simple.

[@andreimocian5695]

@@epauletshark3793 i made a pen ftom a walnut branch with only a knife. Not very hard. I didn't need a drill because the branch already had a hole (I don't really know why)

[@Andy-jq5yw]

@@travis7500 except he HAD a kit. The only thing he didn't have that's included in woodworking kits would be a brass insert, and those are only included for woodworking kits because wood isn't strong enough on its own.

[@patw999]

Glad you are having so much fun in the UK Alec, of course everything is sold out in the store but what the hell, as long as your having fun, right?

[@Bonksy42]

You shouldve carved the whole casing out of one continous piece of damascus so that the pattern would continue throughout the pen seamlessly. Either way its super sexy looking

[@TVSbro]

Alex, it would be interesting to see you take this pen to a jeweler and have it appraised!

[@ajcooper3284]

That's the type of pen someone would keep in a case for fear of screwing something up

[@lordjoemott1683]

Not at all, I’d use it all the time.

[@sir.spliffalot_mobile4968]

well it certainly is the only pen that i would trust to kill a man if i had screwed smth up... having said that I'd better be nice to ppl.. my pens are whack.

[@sir_plesious]

If be worried about running out of ink since it's glued shut

[@erikblarg5498]

@@sir_plesious yeah that was a mistake in my opinion

[@kevreeduk222]

@@sir_plesious He didn't glue it shut, he glued the click mechanism in. He threaded the two barrel halves and screwed them together in the same way that the donor pen worked.

[@eleccctriccc]

9:14 I'd buy it for $3

[@joshrepik]

I ordered from glassesusa and got the Erich and some Oakley prescription shades! Excited to receive them!

[@logancausier]

With the amount of work put in, the materials, and the fact that it’s one of one I’d say $10,000 to the right buyer. If someone’s buying a $10,000 pen it’s 0.5% for the pen and 99.5% to say they bought a $10,000 pen

[@kylefeste3]

do nail clippers next?

[@AlecSteele]

Thank you for the amazing suggestion!

[@andreasnijenhuis5735]

Awesome idea! Ku-mai twist with 15n20 for the clippy bits?? Just for the fun of it

[@thomasf6549]

@@AlecSteele what about a pair of damascus glasses ? or another material ?

[@benheinrich4306]

According to the internet, platinum per ounce is about $1,130, so let’s give the pen the benefit of the doubt and say that’s $500. The Damascus let’s assume is another $500. For labor and time machining let’s add in $750-$800, assuming 1 work week (~40 hrs) at $15-20 per hour. The max price I can see for the pen is maybe $2,000. But still GOOD LORD THATS A NICE PEN!✨✒️✨

[@HelenaOfDetroit]

Skilled labor is more like $40/hour

[@emilie1848]

You have to consider Alec's involvement and add a celebrity value. Not to mention the provenience of the pen is well documented which could add to the value. As well as supply and demand. Custom, one-of-a-kind, things easily surprass market price for similar, commonly acquired, items.

[@theradioweyr]

@@HelenaOfDetroit $60 minimum skilled labour, so let's say $2,400 labour, $700 platinum & steele (includes shavings loss), $400 expenses (tooling, fuel, etc.) plus 20%/$700 celebrity factor = $4,200. I still wished all components were remade/machined.

[@fourdoorsmorehoes]

forgot the diamond, however we don't know the size and the quality, say between $100-$500

[@newoldfashionedwoodworks6584]

Regardless of actual value, after watching his bottle opener marathon video, I’m pretty sure this channel can sell anything for as much as it wants.

[@bendingsands87]

There could have been some great irony to this build had you made a platinum, jewel-encrusted gold Bic pen. The world's most expensive version of the cheapest pen😁. Still happy with this though.

[@420burezuitto]

@AlecSteele i love watching you make luxury pieces! You should definitely try making a wristwatch sometime. 🤘🏻

[@JLneonhug]

Thats very impressive that you hand made a pen, its quite high precision engineering if you've ever seen pen making factory. I'm not too sure about the transition from the pen to the nib though, the taper looks a bit off.. Not a pen person but I know minor details like that would be a big issue. Saying that I do have a few fancy fountain pens...

[@HarrySparshott]

I’m turning 14 soon and finally getting the tools to start blacksmithing! (You’re the one who inspired me)

[@brettblack9610]

Same

[@abrahamnarvaez1730]

If you still have hex nuts left over you should try to make them into a Damascus bar

[@CapOfXav]

Depending on what he wants to do with it, hex nuts are typically made from alloyed steel or low to medium carbon steel :/ Not gonna be able to keep an edge if you want a knife from it, unless you sandwich some high carbon steel for the edge :o

[@ndgrover]

Replace the plastic bits with steel or bronze, the Damascus not matching up needs a separator (platinum washer). As a one-off with the provenance it may reach $10k but you would need to have a name in the pen circles. I would love to see a fountain pen version... that's where the collector $$$ are. Could you forge a platinum nib?

[@Rocky-oq9cy]

Alec: You ALWAYS need to keep safety in mind. Safety is number 1! Also Alec: WE'RE BREAKING ALL THE RULES

[@sallyk9298]

that break in the middle of the Damascus pattern would drive me nuts, solid 1piece or bust.

[@Huakfy]

Alec steele be like "Sorry my hands are dirty, I've got platinum dust everywhere"

[@nathantafoya5713]

I wasn't expecting to smile and then yogo with glasses appears

[@jakethehulk]

Hi Alec, I would value your pen in the £2-3000 range for the craftsmanship and materials but its not quite a £10000 pen only because the damascus pattern doesn't continue seamless from the front section to the back section and the internals are still only injection moulded plastic.

[@C-M]

Just thought you should know Alec, you can buy retractable pen innards that are a lot easier to work with instead of trying to cram a Parker pen into yours. Loved watching you do it though.

[@MawoDuffer]

When you had to put the pen end back in to trim it, you could have super glued a rod into it and held the rod then gotten it out by heating the rod when you’re done. I haven’t done any lathe work but that’s a way to hold it I think. Ultimately, when you gotta hold something but there’s no good way you just choose the least worst way

[@davekavanagh7599]

I loved the 69m views on the "can you forge platinum" thumbnail 😂😂👌👌

[@jackkuehneman9300]

Had a double take and stop the video to check lol

[@edmaxwardwell]

@@jackkuehneman9300 haha same

[@WilliamMoser]

@@jackkuehneman9300 me too

[@edgars_jonaitis]

Worked out perfectly to attract people watching it. But still, amazing quality!

[@InfinityWorkshop]

A new challenge for Alec... Make a Damascus Play Button..... I made one from concrete.... Not it's your turn 😂

[@IrisCorven]

Why does this not have more likes? This is right up his alley. Linus from LTT just made a computer that fits inside his Play Button. It's such a nifty platform for creatives to use as a milestone project for their channels.

[@nikotameyer1322]

“I’ve never seen one that thin and that long” - out of context Alec

[@jandastroy]

If you could swap the $10 part seamlessly into the pen it'd be more valuable, but for your first pen that is super sweet!

[@EarthPoweredHippie]

The fingerprint like pattern fits this pen so well

[@BR-go2eb]

Most people: Why would you want a $10,000 pen? Alec: I need a $10,000 pen!

[@xotocnemo9997]

HaHaHa

[@carsandstuff365]

I was Harrods London one Christmas , they had a pen on sale at £80,000

[@jasepoag8930]

"My maths has clearly failed me" As an American, this sentence just about broke me.

[@Son_of_Mandalore]

As an Englishman I'm curious: Why?

[@jasepoag8930]

@@Son_of_Mandalore Well, we call it 'math' over here for one, but I was prepared for that. It was more the use of 'has' with maths that threw me. Is maths singular?

[@DaCheat100]

@@Son_of_Mandalore I’m an Australian, but I believe it’s because they never add the ‘s’. So for them it would be “My math has clearly failed me”.

[@DaCheat100]

@@jasepoag8930 The word “mathematics” can be considered as a singular and as a plural noun. Both the Oxford and the Merriam-Webster dictionaries say the word is plural - hence the s on the end - but also that it is usually used as if it was a singular noun. So, most people would say “mathematics is my best subject” and not “mathematics are my best subject”. So in Alex’s case the maths is treated as a singular noun and consequently “has” is an appropriate use.

[@Son_of_Mandalore]

@@jasepoag8930 hi Jase, great question and one that is contentious. I think when Americans talk about Math they mean Arithmetic. When Brits say Maths we include arithmetic, geometry, algebra and all other mathematical functions. I suppose it is an issue of semantics but Brits say Maths because it represents plurality. Hope this helps you understand our perspective a little 😁👍

[@SimJackson]

"We're coming into spring" He says when we literally had snow yesterday...

[@THESLlCK]

I assume your springs begin with warm weather and get progressively colder? Smh

[@SimJackson]

@@THESLlCK seems to be this year, should be getting warmer and yet, no

[@Thisismycomment.]

It is spring.

[@simeonvonlepel2618]

@@SimJackson well here in munich it snowed today hahaha, nice name btw

[@UkrainianBazooka]

@@SimJackson 80 degrees in New York State last Thursday.

[@MisterRorschach90]

Alec I’m telling you. If you can figure out how to make a good vintage feeling flex nib for fountain pens it would be more profitable than anything you’ve ever done or imagined. Make a video series forging a fountain pen nib. If you can do it it’s $$$ if not it’s video content. Plus I’ll buy one. Lol

[@Black_noir_mw3]

With time and skill and material I'd say it's easily at 10k, and in my own opinion as your work becomes more recognized it only has the potential to go up

[@woofy1988]

So if you made another 14 versions, would that make the last one the "Meaty Pen 15"? XD

[@Poizdrc]

Most under rated yet most genius comment of 2021

[@coltoncyr2283]

With extra heft!!

[@piefingers1369]

This comment gonna make me chuckle to myself all day long.

[@jcota2003]

I was just waiting for part 15 to bring up that joke... we just need 13 more parts to this series... I'm sure Alec can manage it... a few more variations of the click or twist mechanism and the inevitable restart of the whole project when he forgets that he's put his 2nd barrel in the acid etch for too long... :-P No, getting the underwear in a twist Alec, most of us are here because we love seeing a true craftsmen try and fail until it's perfect. Too much of KZbin is creators doing things 50 times off camera and show the 1 perfect time and claiming its their first time doing something.

[@marcomarcos5533]

Me: Wondering how these two pieces of damascus and a little bit of platinum are worth $10000 Alec: Adds a humungous diamond Me: That’s how

[@alecrenwick8851]

Tis alec my guy... I had to, I get this all the time too

[@jackus217]

Lol the diamond is the part of least worth, its probably $200 bucks for the diamond, it's about $500 worth of platinum if it was in a raw state, plus 2 days work on the steel coming in at a few hundred per day coming to at least another 400. It's not really at 10k pen maybe like 3k if he goes and gets proper metal internals, still beautiful though

[@cadit002]

Did you think we would miss the 69Million views at 0:19 ? 😂

[@woodturningalvaro4507]

Excellent job. Great machine and tools. Beautiful idea. Well done.😊😊

[@karlklein2966]

There is no way you could put a price on that pen. It is yours and it's not for sale. Some things are priceless.