Andy native produces, sells unique pens today
Published 12:02 am Saturday, July 28, 2012
Dennis Davis is man who believes people should make their mark – preferably using one of his custom, one-of-a kind pens.
Davis is among the more than 100 vendors featured at this weekend’s Covington County Sportsman’s Expo, which is being held at the Kiwanis Building. There, one can find everything needed to complete one’s outdoor adventure, be it hunting, fishing or just enjoying life.
Davis, a 1985 graduate of Andalusia and current Midland City resident, spends his extra time creating the unique writing utensils. His company is called Asclepion Pens.
“You can make a pen out of just about anything, but these are unique,” Davis said. “The inside ‘pen’ portion is a kit, but the external portion is made to what the customer likes.
“I’ve used everything from spent 308-shell casings to water buffalo horn,” he said. “It just depends on what you like.”
On Friday, some of the most talked about styles included those made from spent bullet casings.
“These are my fun pens,” Davis said. “I also have some that are made of wood. I like to use hardwoods like black walnut; lace wood and Sidney blue gum, which come from Australia; she oak and even some cedar.
“The neat thing about the woods is they can be left natural or dyed to any color,” he said. “I saw the process done on the Internet, and really became interested. Everything I’ve done is done with self-taught skills. You drill the inside, mount on a tube, turn, sand and polish all on a lathe.”
Davis also creates one-of-a-kind executive style pens.
“Different people like different things,” he said. “I make roller ball pens, and I have a very nice one made out of stone. I also have a fountain pen, with great detail work, made out of water buffalo horn. I do have some twist style pens, too.
“There are also some for the ladies,” he said, demonstrating a small roller ball made of died leather and encased in acrylic. “The great thing about leather is you can dye it any color you like.”
Davis does take commissions, “if I can get the material that they’re requesting,” he said.
Today, vending will open at 9 a.m., with demonstrations, drawings and seminars on the schedule.
Vendors are found inside the Kiwanis Building and outside on the midway. Over the next two days, there will be activities for children, seminars, archery and turkey calling contests. The turkey calling competition registration and judges meeting will be held from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. today.
Then, the junior division turkey calling competition will be from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m.; vending closes at 6; the friction division contest in the horse arena is from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m.; and the senior open contest is from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Youth participating in the archery contest should arrive at the Covington Center Arena at 9 a.m. today, and adults, Sunday at 9 a.m.
Sunday’s activities start bright and early at 8:30 a.m. with First Baptist Church of Andalusia conducting a church service in the Kiwanis Building.
Vending opens at 9 a.m., and the final seminars, demonstrations and give away drawings will commence.
The expo wrap up and vendor closing is at 5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is $10 at the door, and children 10 and under are free with a paid adult.