Monsoon Reviewers Chosen

Wow.

Just wow.

We never expected this level of interest and participation when we hatched the idea to ask the community to participate in this exercise. With over 60(!) essays, several artwork and photo submissions, we quickly realized we underestimated the talent and enthusiasm of those who have supported us in our endeavors. Dozens and dozens of stories, some several pages long, kept pouring into our inbox over the short time we allowed for entries. We read every single one. Poems, memories, and philosophy on the merit of work were among the focus of the essays. It was a very difficult decision to choose such a small group of people to send pens to for review. In fact, we added two extra spots in the essay category because of the sheer number of entries. We wish we could choose everyone, but had to pick a select few. As stated in the rules, this wasn't a contest of skill, or of who was the "best", but to see what resonated with us the most when we reviewed the entries. If we can figure out a way to share more of the entries in the future, we will do so, but until then, here are the entries that we chose:

ART ENTRIES

Eric Schunk (@schunky_monkey on Instagram)

"What 'Made in America' means to me. I sketched the idea out in pencil and inked it with my copper Fountain K."

Phillip Barlow (@pensandgaming on Instagram)

Phillip submitted this original design for a custom desk for consideration. Not all artwork hangs on walls.

Jeff Butler (JB2)

"So here is my "Made In America" "artwork". Not all art has to be on canvas. Everything you see here is Made in America! Everything used to build this was Made in America. I had a request to build a holster and saddle bag so that a cowboy could carry his Bond Arms Derringer "Snake Slayer" (made in Granbury, Texas) with him out on the range to combat his rattler problems. I designed and hand made this to fit his needs and I only use materials made to last and Made HERE! I ask you What's more American than a old west style derringer custom leather holster and saddlebag, fit for a cowboy to use?"

PHOTO ENTRIES

Using some tools made in the US to create other stuff in the US. Cool concept @karaskustoms @karaspenco thanks for the #monsoonreview opportunity #fieldnotes #bluechippicks #renderk #collingsguitars #mandolin

A photo posted by @left2write on Aug 11, 2016 at 1:05pm PDT

Made in America: this set of murals by Diego Rivera at the Detroit Institute of Arts honors the industrial heyday of American made pride. Those two little girls and I sat in this hall for quite some time looking and sketching last month. (They were Made in America too!) 😉 #monsoonreview #madeinamerica @karaskustoms #karaspenco

A photo posted by Keith M. (@randomthinks) on Aug 11, 2016 at 12:02pm PDT

Founded in 1917, the Halsam Products Co. made a variety of toys that have no doubt entertained generations of children and their adults. My parents are moving from the home I grew up in, and my mother pulled these vintage checkers out of the closet this morning while packing. I don't remember the game pieces from my childhood, but I do have fond memories of playing games with my family. My childhood was Made in America, and I'm going to miss coming "home". #madeinusa #monsoonreview @karaskustoms @karaspenco

A photo posted by Christopher (@vintagebrain) on Aug 14, 2016 at 12:55pm PDT

See the essays after the jump...

Project Monsoon- A New Way To Interact With Our Customers

UPDATE: ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED.

We hope everyone is having a great summer so far. Here in Arizona we are on the cusp of the monsoon season where we have hot, sunny temperatures mixed with dark clouds, and lightning filled thunderstorms. You can be getting sunburned one minute, and drenched in rain the next. It makes for some beautiful scenery and once you experience it, you will never forget it.

This yearly seasonal weather pattern has inspired our latest experiment in pen-making. We have been experimenting for a while with different materials and finishes and have come up with some pretty cool results. This new pen represents the Arizona monsoon season, but in pen form. The orange body represents the heat/sun, the grey cap represent the storm clouds and silver grip sections represent the lightning that so often comes during our monsoon season. So, to celebrate some of the success we have had with some of the new finishes, we are going to try something new. Instead of our usual method of product testing, we are going to include more community members to give us feedback on our latest endeavors. 

Here is how it works. We are going to, through different means, give (yes, give) away a small number of this pen to gain feedback on materials and finishes. We want to hear it all. The good, and even the bad. The point of this is to be more in touch with our customer base and their wants and needs. So, if you are interested in getting your hands on one of these “Monsoon” pens to review, here is how to do it:

Choose from the following options:

• Write us a short original essay on the topic “Made in America” and email it to us with the subject line “Monsoon Essay”. You don’t have to be a great writer, just tell us a story.
•  Create original artwork inspired by “Made in America” and share it with us via email (subject line “Monsoon Artwork”) or Instagram (#monsoonreview). Please create something new, nobody says it has to be fancy, but don’t reuse old artwork. Artwork from all ages, including children, is encouraged.
• Take an original photo or video depicting what “Made in America” means to you and post it on Instagram with the hashtag #monsoonreview and tag @karaskustoms and @karaspenco. We can’t wait to see what you come up with.

We will be choosing 3 people per category in a completely biased method based on our tastes and preferences. This is not a contest, we will pick our favorites in each category and that is who will win. Each category will be judged by a different employee, so you can enter each category to increase your chances of winning. Enter as many times as you want, but each entry must be unique. We will post the winners and their entries on this blog (http://blog.karaskustoms.com/). We will announce the winners on August 12^th, 2016 Tuesday, August 16th . You will have 48 hours to respond before we choose another winner. 

We are asking all winners of this giveaway to provide us with a review of the Monsoon pen. This can be as simple or as complicated as you wish, we just want to hear your thoughts. Good and bad, it doesn’t matter, but we want to hear from you. We obviously can’t make you review this pen if you are chosen, but it would be awesome if you did.

Once again, we will choose the winners on Friday, August 12th Monday, August 15th. Good luck!

Special RENDER K Versions.

When we started production on the RENDER K, we experimented with a few variations on the original, including various materials and finishes. We only made a few of each type and most likely will not be making them again (unless we get many requests to do so). So we are offering these low run versions of the RENDER K for sale to those who may be interested. These are limited in number so when they are gone, they are gone.

 

This is a black Delrin version of the RENDER K. The only metal parts on the pen are the clip and screws. There may be slight imperfections on the barrel and cap from the machining process. This makes every one a little different. If this bothers you, please don't purchase this pen and expect it to be perfect. Refills in the photo are for illustrative purposes and do not come with the pen. Works with the Pilot Hi-Tec-C and Parker ballpoint compatible refills. 

SOLD OUT

 

This is a white (natural) Delrin version of the RENDER K. The thinner sections of the pen are slightly transparent. If you put a brightly colored refill into the pen, you will be able to slightly see the color. The only metal parts on the pen are the clip and screws and an aluminum pen tip. There may be slight imperfections on the barrel and cap from the machining process. This makes every one a little different. If this bothers you, please don't purchase this pen and expect it to be perfect. Refills in the photo are for illustrative purposes and do not come with the pen. Works with the Pilot Hi-Tec-C and Parker ballpoint compatible refills. 

SOLD OUT

 

 This is a raw bar-stock version of the RENDER K. The only machined areas of the pen are the ends and the area forward of the threads on the pen body. The raw bar stock will have imperfections, scuffs and dings. There are going to be imperfections on the barrel and cap from the machining process where the material was held in the lathe. This makes every one a little different. If this bothers you, please don't purchase this pen and expect it to be perfect. Refills in the photo are for illustrative purposes and do not come with the pen. Works with the Pilot Hi-Tec-C and Parker ballpoint compatible refills.  

This version is now available on our website. Click here.

 

 This is a variation on the raw bar-stock version of the RENDER K. Instead of the clip being installed on the pen cap, the clip is installed on the body of the pen. This way the weight of the pen is supported by the body of the pen, instead of the cap, which can unscrew more easily with the extra weight. The only machined areas of the pen are the ends and the area forward of the threads on the pen body. The raw bar stock will have imperfections, scuffs and dings. There are going to be imperfections on the barrel and cap from the machining process where the material was held in the lathe. This makes every one a little different. If this bothers you, please don't purchase this pen and expect it to be perfect. Refills in the photo are for illustrative purposes and do not come with the pen. Works with the Pilot Hi-Tec-C and Parker ballpoint compatible refills.

SOLD OUT

This is Bill’s 1962 Ford unibody truck. It was previously used by a local handyman who stenciled “HOME REPAIRS” on the doors with black spray paint. While removing the letters, we stepped back and it read “HOME R” as the other letters were gone. That, and the fact that the truck is yellow, is how Homer got his name. Look for more posts on this project in the future. Plans include an engine upgrade and a suspension swap.

Here is an interior shot of the cab. Notice the copper on the transmission tunnel? That is patching a hole that the PO made to install a floor shifter, presumably, after some problem with the column shift mechanism. The column shift functionality has been restored and works fine. Oh, and there are plans to replace those sweet floor mats as well.

Model A

This is our buddy Mike’s Model A truck. Right now it pretty much sits as he got it. No wiring, no working brakes, no glass, and no seats! But, it won’t stay in that condition for long. When it was purchased, it already had some work done by local rod shop Squeeg’s Kustoms. The chopped top had already been started and the body was channeled over the chassis. Additional chassis work was handled by Terry Palmer before it came to rest in the shop, where it now waits.