Business Spotlight: John Albert

As a true craftsman, John is driven by a desire to create. With his interest in the fine details and mechanical workings of fountain pens, as well as his background in furniture design and metalsmithing, it was only natural that John started making his own fountain pens.

Currently, most of John’s pens are made from plastics and acrylics with metal hardware and overlays. Among the various blanks John has at his disposal are vintage blanks he was able to buy from old pen manufacturers, a huge draw for many fountain pen collectors and enthusiasts. Additionally, these vintage blanks have unique patterns not found in those more recently produced.

Always looking to improve, John is regularly experimenting with new techniques, materials, and filling systems. He strives to make as many of the components as he can himself; each pen is not only hand assembled, but largely handcrafted as well. He is work on making his own metal hardware, which includes the nib units, clips, and barrel overlays. He also cuts and machines the blanks himself. You can find more of his work on Instagram at @jalbertlawrence.