The Price of Craftsmanship: Lau Lau Woodworks Pens
So, there I was, sitting in my garage with the faint buzz of cicadas droning in the summer air, feeling like the grand architect of my own little woodsy kingdom. You know, the kind of place where sawdust settles like a fine dusting of snow over everything, including my trusty old workbench. I’ve always had a bit of an obsession—okay, maybe more than a bit—with crafting my own things, especially pens. There’s just something satisfying about turning a raw piece of wood into a functional piece of art. But let me tell you, not all wood projects come out the way you hope.
I remember a few months back, I stumbled upon this local brand called Lau Lau Woodworks. Now, I’m no connoisseur, but when I saw their pens online, I thought, “Wow, those are some pretty slick-looking pieces!” I’ve always been a sucker for pens that have a story, you know? Those unique grains and finishes that make each pen feel like it has a personality of its own—almost like it’s waiting for you to write something magnificent.
The Cost of Beauty
First off, let’s talk about price. I mean, it’s wood, right? How much could it really cost? My first thought was, “Maybe I can whip one of those up myself; how hard can it be?” Well, let me tell you, it’s a little more complicated than just slapping a couple of pieces together. Lau Lau’s pens range anywhere from about $25 to upwards of $100 depending on the materials and craftsmanship. And honestly, I can see why. The woods they use are stunning—hardwoods like walnut, oak, and sometimes even exotic woods like zebrawood. Each has its distinctive grain and smell; let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like the aroma of polished wood wafting through the air.
But, just to clarify, I found a few of their simpler pieces in the more affordable range, and you can tell they put just as much love into those. I almost swung for a couple just to see what the fuss was about. I thought, “Hey, it’s better than my usual Bic, right?”
Then Comes the Reality Check
So, after scoping out Lau Lau’s offerings and realizing I’d almost dropped a cool hundred bucks on a pen, I quickly switched gears. I went to my local lumber yard, grabbed a block of maple (simple but beautiful), and thought, “How hard could this really be?”
I fired up my lathe, and let me just say, that thing is a beast. You ever heard that whirring sound when it first gets going? It’s like a jet engine revving up. That sound always gets me pumped. But then there’s the finer details—the bit where you start to shape the pen. I’ve been at this long enough to know that you can get caught in the fine print, so to speak.
First mistake: I got eager and knocked off way too much wood too quickly. One slip of the chisel and—oops—there went the beautiful grain I was so excited about. I laughed it off, thinking, “Well, there goes that piece; I guess it’s going to be a keychain now.”
Finding My Groove
Eventually, I calmed down and realized I needed to respect the wood a bit more. After several tries and more than a few scratches and scuffs later, I finally got a shape I was happy with. You just find that groove, feel the rhythm with each turn of the lathe. It’s a weird kind of meditation—one moment you’re just a person holding a tool, and the next, you’re crafting something meaningful.
Remembering the way Lau Lau Woodworks puts their finishing touches on their pens, I decided to try my hand at that as well. I coated it in some mineral oil and beeswax. The smell of the beeswax melted and mingling with the wood was heavenly. It’s crazy how those little extra steps—the love and effort—transform it from just a piece of wood into something special.
The Unexpected Outcome
And wouldn’t you know it, after all that trial and error, I ended up with this beautiful pen that had its own character. The wood grain was unique, and even with my novice mistakes, it felt like something I could be proud of. I whipped it out to write a letter to my grandma, and I just felt this swell of triumph. “Take that, Lau Lau,” I thought. But when I actually used it to write, it glided like a dream.
Now, here’s the kicker—I’d saved a few bucks trying to make my own, but I realized something important along the way. The time, the effort, the heart—it’s worth something. I get it now. When I picked up that Lau Lau pen again after my little crafting adventure, I appreciated it in a way I hadn’t before. It’s not just a pen; it’s a piece of work, a product of someone’s dedication.
The Takeaway
So, if you’re sitting there debating whether to go the DIY route or splurge on a handcrafted item, my advice? Try both. You may find that making your own leads to understanding just how much goes into those beautiful pens, or you’ll come to appreciate the craftsmanship of Lau Lau even more.
We often overlook the story behind the object, but it’s there, holding just as much beauty as the item itself. Sometimes it takes a few mistakes and twists in the workshop to finally get there. So grab your wood, your tools, or heck, just buy that fancy pen. If you’re thinking about diving into this world of wood, just go for it. You won’t regret it, and you might even surprise yourself.
