Published: November 16, 2008 12:49 pm      

Artist's ingrained skill is turning out custom pens

By TOM LAVIS

TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM

Fountain pens may not be for everyone, but a custom-made writing instrument from John Sinosky expresses style.

Whether it’s a fountain pen, roller ball or refillable pencil, Sinosky makes each writing tool from a block of wood, a plank or a sheet of synthetic material.

They are cut, bored, hand turned, polished and hand fitted with components from various kits.

“No two pens are identical,” Sinosky said. “It takes me about 30 minutes to make each one.”

That may sound simple, but Sinosky has been turning wood since 1981. His Westmont home is filled with his creations, including solid and laminated bowls of every size and shape.

One Thanksgiving, his wife, Annette, wanted a special plate on which to serve a pumpkin pie.

The end result was a fashionable wooden plate mounted on top of a decorative pedestal that makes for a unique serving dish.

From his basement workshop, Sinosky produces made-to-order pens ranging from oak or walnut to an exotic wood imported from New Zealand that has been carbon-dated to be at least 30,000 years old.

He attained the rank of major in the Air Force before retiring in 1989 with 20 years of service. He moved to Johnstown and went to work for Concurrent Technologies Corp. in Richland Township for 14 years until he retired in January.

Sinosky has been turning wood since 1981, when he was stationed in Dayton, Ohio.

What started as a hobby has now been spun into a business.

Some of Sinosky’s work is on sale until Dec. 24 at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County’s Holly Bazaar in Westmont.

He also makes bottle stoppers and Christmas tree ornaments.

Rose Mary Hagadus, arts center executive director, said the pens are attracting the interest of a lot of men who have been browsing at the Holly Bazaar.

“They are responding favorable to these items,” Hagadus said. “They want their wives to consider buying the pens as a Christmas gift.”

The pens range from the basic single-twist Slimline model to higher end models such as the Emperor Junior.

The creations are ideal for those who prefer the feel of a larger, robust pen.

“I have the choicest woods from around the world as well as domestic hardwoods,” he said.

Another popular model is the traditional Parker of the 1920s.

“Refills can be found in most office-supply stores,” he said.

He also is making an assorted seven-pen collector’s set, which comes in a wooden display box.

Prices for each pen can range from $25 to $200, depending on the wood and kit.

Sinosky is intrigued by making pens of material that has historical or personal significance to an individual.

He stated that if the churches in Cambria City that are scheduled to close are not preserved, he would like to obtain a pew from each church to make pens for parishioners to have as keepsakes.

“I made pens from the confessional at St. Casimir’s Roman Catholic Church, and during the church’s 100th anniversary, I presented a pen to each person who held leadership positions there,” he said.

The grain of each wood is distinct in color and density, which makes each pen a one-of-a-kind item.

“I do not use stain on any wood,” he said. “All of the colors are natural.”

Rare woods such as pink ivory from Africa or Kauri, the world’s oldest wood, are stacked on racks or leaning against the walls of his modest workshop, which houses a lathe, drill press, band saw, hand tools, a grinder and a vacuuming system.

“If I had a microwave and a fridge down here, I probably would never leave,” he quipped.