I'm curious what experiences people are having selling bullet action pens.  The kits from Penn State look nice and living where hunting is very popular, I'm pretty sure they would sell here.  The only concern is what to sell them for.  I have a bunch of antler that would go nicely with them.  Of course, antler takes more work to turn and the antler wasn't free either.  Then there is the kits which are around $15 each after shipping and bushings, etc.

What are you selling them for???

I started making the bolt action pens and my price point is $50.00. they have been well received by a niche market of outdoor enthusiasts. I have used antler, rosewood, and camo acrylic blanks. The antler pens are most popular. Also have made some 50 Cal desk pens with antler on orders, same price point.

Jim, wouldn't you agree that to start at $45 or $50 and let the market tell you what it wants to pay is a good idea? 

Jenny Trice wrote on Mar 16^th, 2013 at 5:34pm:



Jenny --  I grew up in a "sales family" and was the odd guy out (introvert) and did not pursue sales.   Learned it was a lot harder raising prices than slipping down.    The value will be in your sales presentation and the perceived value. 

Antler is the best demand, and locally significant woods work.  Camo blanks sound better than they work -- most I have worked with tend towards the soft and do not polish as well as acrylics or polyester resins.

Best antler pens have a bit of the natural "bark" on the outside, and a good polish --   Those will sell for $75+ with a description of the species and such.   The more "marrow" antler are a bit less desirable in some peoples eyes, but if I can note where the antler was from, it is a push with the "bark" sides ones.

Nickel plates rifle cases make good pens with slim line or cigar hardware and some prep work.   Drilling copper allow bullets is bit of a hassle though.   Those are $50 and $75 with antler tops.   308 or 30-06 built on slimline hardware and nibs are $40.

I am presuming that your finish and fit are excellent --

Custom 300 Win Mag with a parker inside and a barnes copper alloy bullet with that special case that dropped a moose, and a moose bone top -- $100, and that was too little for the time it took to do a one-of rather than a production run.

I know there was a discussion around here of selling antler products. Some states do not allow selling of game parts, antler being a big no no. Seems like it was East coast. Glenn J.

Maryland is one eastern state that regulates game parts.

Kevin, I get $35 for a wood slimline and the prices go up from there.