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Pen experiment turned into side hustle


A COUPLE of years ago, pens were a lucrative business.

With technology, this commodity is slowly fading away as workplaces are moving towards a paperless world.

This does not deter Neville Smith of Oranjemund, who took up pen-making as a hobby a few years ago.

“Yes, you have your computers, but you will find a pen. On every desk, you will find a pen. You still need to write. It doesn’t matter how many computers and laptops you have, you always have to sign something,” he said.

Pen-making was meant to be an experiment that has now turned into a side gig for Smith.

It all started when he and a friend came across a tutorial flier on how to make pens four years ago in Cape Town.

That was the start of the Little Rare Wood Pens.

“One long weekend we started doing it. I only wanted to work with wood because wood is special. If you give someone a wooden pen, it’s very special,” he said.

Smith used material from rose, dolf and cherry wood.

Over time he started experimenting with other materials like resin and labels.

He said a lot of research went into perfecting the craft.

Today, he makes gift Parker and Schmith types of pens tailormade to the buyer’s needs from his home workshop.

Smith says his pens can be found on every continent.

“There is still a group of people that believes and loves pens. There is an elite group that still believes in the fountain pen. What is also popular are wedding pens used by couples, which they treasure,” he said.

Apart from corporate and gift pens, Smith has made customised pens for rugby and soccer fans.





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