Harry rocks.

[Tripler]

Some time ago, I acquired a few boxes of random pen inserts that worked fine, but just . . . inserts. Refill cartridges, really. I liked how the ball-point rolled, and it wrote across a variety of papers, so I kept the boxes. Fast forward to last year, and I unpacked some stationery stuff in our new house, and came across the aforementioned boxes. I wanted to use them, but didn't even know where to begin to find a pen for them. Someone suggested that I contact Harry, so I did.

I asked him if he had any recommendations on where to find pens to fit the inserts; he emailed me back "Send an insert to me." I mailed it off, and after a few weeks, I was greeted with a fantastic surpise I didn't expect--he hauled off and sent me a whole pen that fit the inserts.

It's kind of cheesy, and I'm a little sentimental, but I happily took this pen to work, and it has been my 'Office Pen' for signing formal paperwork. When you're signing reenlistments, extensions, pay & allowance reports, inspection reports, ammunition account inventories, and the whole gamut of stuff I have to deal with on a daily basis, it's kind of awesome to have a sturdy, formal pen to be signing stuff with. And honestly, there's a subtle sense of formality when you handoff that pen to someone for a countersignature--they feel the heft, the style, and know that when they ink their John Hancock, it's got a little more gravity than just signing it with a cheezy Bic blue special. Once I found a broken set of 'crabs' (the EOD badge), I mounted it to the pen, and it's become just a plain awesome tool for work.

I never did thank Harry for such an awesome gift. But I wanted to thank him openly, and let him know that I appreciate his help. Like I said, I'm a little sentimental; that pen's actually proven itself far mightier than the sword in the short time I've had it, and I'm going to continue to carry it like my own personal sidearm.

Thank you, Harry.

Tripler
Proud wielder of a fine piece of art.

[stormie]

Harry does rock. This is a confirmed truth.

[Jaglavak]

He is one happening dude, no doubt about it.

[Caerie]

Aw, that is awesome. I'm sentimental, too, so stories like this fill me with joy.

[SmartAleq]

That's an awesome pen and Harry is indeed one kewl d00d!

[Tug]

Agreed. An angel.

[Salambo]

I love Harry. He is pretty genuinely sweet and thoughtful; a ridiculously hard trait to come by these days.

[Harry]

Thank you, Sir. That EOD badge and pen go together like they were made for each other. I took the liberty of adding your pictures to my portfolio.

[taters]

Beautiful work, Harry. You are indeed a very thoughtful person.

[Radical Edward]

When I grow up I want to be like Harry. Except, you know, with boobs.

[Wolf Larsen]

That pen totally rocks.

Harry you rule!

[Dragonlady]

Originally Posted by Radical Edward

When I grow up I want to be like Harry. Except, you know, with boobs.

A goal worth aspiring to.

And we all know how fond he is of boobs.

[Harry]

I've never denied it...some of my best friends have boobs.

[Dragonlady]

Originally Posted by Harry

I've never denied it...some of my best friends have are boobs.

Here, let me..

[Harry]

Originally Posted by Dragonlady

Here, let me..

I knew someone would do it.

[bufftabby]

Harry's awesome. He sent some gorgeous pens to my boyfriend and I when all this heart trouble hospitally stuff started.

[Dragonlady]

Originally Posted by Harry

I knew someone would do it.

I live to serve!

[mothedrine]

As someone with a bit of a stationery fetish, Harry, are you a collector, someone involved in the business, both, neither?

[Wolf Larsen]

Harry is the Grand Poobah of the Royal and Ancient Order of Pen Turners. He uses a lathe to turn cool pens out of wood, acrylic and other interesting materials.

[Chacoguy]

Class Act.

[Dragonlady]

And he's some other stuff, too!

[wring]

very cool!

[Carolia]

Harry is indeed awesomeness personified. Talent and kindness are a rare combination!

[HongKongFooey]

Harry is awesome and Tripler's use of the pen is quite awesome as well. Cheers to you both!

[Random Precision]

Harry is one hoopy frood. No one would ever deny it.

[Rebo]

Harry is very awesome! That is a beautiful pen.

[Harry]

Originally Posted by mothedrine

As someone with a bit of a stationery fetish, Harry, are you a collector, someone involved in the business, both, neither?

I make the pens. I prefer to donate them for various charities to use for fundraising, but sometimes I give them away for reasons known only to a particular whim of the moment. Last Christmas I gave away one to whichever Raffer met the qualifying requirements and guessed closest to a predetermined number. I will probably do the same for Christmas this year. Rarely, I sell them. I might sell more, but I'm afraid that would take a lot of the fun out of it, besides putting me even farther behind on the pens I've promised to make.

[Tripler]

Originally Posted by Harry

Thank you, Sir. That EOD badge and pen go together like they were made for each other. I took the liberty of adding your pictures to my portfolio.

No, thank you!. The badge (a miniature one) had the pins bent off, and I didn't want it to go to waste. Your satin silver trim worked awesome with it.

Thanks again, man!
Tripler
(And yes, take whatever liberties you want with those pictures.)

[Colonel Plink]

People like Harry make it easier to endure the complete jackasses the world throws at us daily.

A toast to Harry!