Optima 1 Pen Styles

Pictured below are the styles of pen bodies that we sell, (actual size when viewed at 800 x 600). The top one is the "Heavy Duty Style" pen (Standard Skew shown). Its tip wire is also heavier duty, and can stand up to more stress. I recommend that you also get the new Heavy Duty Super-Flex cord for this pen, as it will give you rock steady tip temperatures.

The bottom pen is our "Original Style" pen, using the smallest tip wire on the market. Its tips can do ultra fine detailing, (Small Skew, w/ rounded heel shown), and is not meant for extremely high heat situations. Both pen bodies are made out of extremely durable composite materials, and have a soft foam cushion grip.

Below are "representative" drawings of each tip style, it's order number, name, and a short description. Any one of these tips can be made in an "extended length" version, where the brass is about an inch longer. For example, many people like to get the #5 Spear Point in extended length, so they can get under wings and such.

Drawing	Order Number	Name and description
	1	Standard Skew (a.k.a. Large Skew).Good for running quill lines, and burning larger feathers.
	2	Small Round. Good for concave areas such as under necks. Good for not leaving a depression from the point.
	3	Large Round. Same as small round, but for larger areas.
	4	Flat Skew, Same as Standard Skew, but at a lesser angle.
	5	Spear Point, Good for getting into tight places like under wings, and for under cutting.
	6	Chisel Point, some carvers prefer this for running quill lines.
	7	Round Skew. A variation of the Medium Skew, tip is rounded at both the point and heel.
	8	Burnishing Tip, (Not Sharpened). Just what is says.
	9	Writing Tip, (Not Sharpened). Used for writing your name on your carvings.
	10	Small Skew. Great for the miniature carver or anyone that needs to do small fine detailed work.
	11	Medium Skew. A little smaller than the Standard Skew, has many of the same uses.
	12	Small Skew, (Rounded Heel). Like the the small skew, but can turn a corner real easily. It's the most popular pen that we sell.
Top and side view	S13 M13	Fish Scale or Relief carving pen. What originally started out as a Cheryl Dow design for flat carving, was changed slightly via Scott Clinton to become a fish scale pen. Has advantages over the Pat Kennedy system in that you can make your fish body curved without any troubles. Another advantage is that you need only one tip, not 9 or 15, and it cost the same as our other pens. No price hike here! I recommend getting this one in the Heavy Duty Style, as it will stand up to the rigors of burnishing with a pen of this design. This tip is available in small, or medium sizes.
Top and Side views	14	Feather Edgier. This pen design is from Bob Guge. Anyone who has taken a class from him has probably made one. Great for burning in primary's, or anywhere you would otherwise use a pen to burnish or depress wood. Instead of depressing and moving the pen for each area along a line "like you would do with other pens", this pen is designed to act like a ski. Just put it at the start of your line, and follow it. Saves you allot of time. I recommend getting this one in the Heavy Duty Style, as it will stand up to the rigors of burnishing with a pen of this design.
Top and Side views	15	Feather Edgier. Same as 14, except this one is bent the other way for lefties. Tip for #14 & #15: This pen is does not have a sharp edge. To eliminate any metal that has rolled over the edge from polishing, place the edge perpendicular to a fine stone and move over surface once. Remember this pen's edge acts like a ski, and like a ski, its edge has to be square in order to work properly. Example:
	16	Calligraphy Writing Pen. Basically looks like a small 1/8" chisel tip. Could be used for purposes other than calligraphy.

Tip Care

We do not recommend heating tips way up to "condition" them or burn off carbon, this will only shorten it's life span. Nor do we recommend using any type of sandpaper. To keep tips in factory new condition, use a white rouge polishing compound with either a leather strop or a cloth polishing wheel. For cleaning off of carbon build-up daily without wear and tear on tips, you can use Diablo Carbon Kleen (can be found in restraunt supply stores) or a similar product. Actual sharpening of the edge can usually be done every six months to a year, depending on use. Use a very fine stone to sharpen at a 30 to 35 degree angle, (depends on your preference), then polish. See Customer Support & FAQ for more details on this.

Custom Tips

As always, you can have custom tips made. There is a $5.00 extra charge for this service, this includes "extended length" pens, where the brass is about an inch longer than on normal pens.

Replaceable Tip Pens

Tip Replacement and repair

If you break or wear out a tip, it can be easily replaced by sending your pen body directly to SMC Enterprises for fastest service. Cost for tip replacement is only $5.00, include $1.00 for return shipping charges. Remember to tell them what style of tip you want, your return address, and phone number.

Pen Tips

Tip Care

Custom Tips

Replaceable Tip Pens

Tip Replacement and repair