Codger Supply Store

09/03/2026

I got something fun today. We are big Charlie Brown fans here, and Esterbrook was Charles Schultz’s brand of choice.

09/03/2026

With the shop being overrun with rabid mosquitos, I’ll turn my attention to something else for the moment…

Have any of you ever heard of The Book of Kells? If not, it’s a fascinating subject to look into. It is what is called an “Illuminated Manuscript” of the four gospels from the New Testament. The picture is the “Chi-Rho” page. The X and “P” were the first two Greek letters (was it Greek or Latin? I can’t remember) of Christ’s name. I have a type of Chi-Rho tattoo on my left shoulder.

Monks devoted an incredible amount of time, energy, mental aptitude and love into illustrating the words of the scriptures. The detail contained in these pages is nothing short of spectacular.

It is a relic of a time when beauty meant something. The art, architecture, the regular things of life all had a certain flair that we’ve lost over the years. I look around and I see a monochromatic landscape of industrial colors on cars, industrial lines on buildings and utilitarian themes in every day objects that strip the artistic flourishes we used to take for granted.

I do my best to bring beauty back into this increasingly spartan world. My hope is that some folks enjoy the art I produce and join me in the journey to find a less efficient, but more beautiful way to express themselves.

09/02/2026

This coming Saturday is Seymour Area Farmers Market from 8-12 next to the public library in Seymour, Indiana.

As dearly as I'd love to bring some new product with me - and I do have some things in queue - these mosquitos are absolutely VICIOUS. I basically need a bee suit to be able to do anything in my shop and that's just not gonna happen. I hate to say, until these things die and go to.... well, go away, I doubt I'll get a heck of a lot done.

Send a message to learn more

08/31/2026

I get asked from time to time “why this pen?” Or “what makes this special?”

There is a lot that goes into this craft, and it isn’t easy. But, as this world goes more digital and more chaotic, writing by hand keeps me grounded and I want to enjoy it to the fullest extent.

Writing with a good ballpoint is nice. The weight, the feel in the hand and the look. Similarly a rollerball is a nice experience and they have a more premium look to them. In the case of both though, you are more or less limited ultimately by the quality of your refill. Your color choices are also limited to a few primary colors, perhaps occasionally something somewhat exotic.

The fountain pen though… your options for nib size and type, and the corresponding ink selection is dazzling to say the least.

Here is just a small taste of what is out there. My photography skills aren’t great, but if you want to see some of these in person and try them for yourself, please come visit my booth.

I have some inks that shimmer and glisten, and change color as they dry. Those do require a certain type of nib else they really make a mess. I have others that are very well behaved and work nicely in a fine nib. I have one that is waterproof and is great for lists that I have to schlep around. Some nibs flex and allow me to vary the width of the line based on pressure. Some are stiff and don’t vary at all. Some produce an italic line by default. Some are real gushers and I’ve got to be careful not to get ink everywhere, others are more temperamental and need to be babied.

All this makes writing fun again. That’s what makes this special.

08/31/2026

Some fountain pen nibs FORCE you to slow down and consider while you write. The feed simply cannot keep up with one’s runaway thought train.

You will become a more thoughtful writer, and perhaps a more thoughtful person.

08/30/2026

We are set up at Indiana Jewish Festival and ready to go.

I’ve been looking forward to this event for a while now!

Note: I have three rings left, and then no more. Get yours today for $25 (half off), or get one free with a $100 or more purchase. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

08/30/2026

We took a very much needed Sabbath rest today. I know I needed it anyway.

We are loaded up for Indiana Jewish Festival tomorrow, which is from 12:30 to 3:00 up in Carmel. The weather promises to be beautiful. Come experience the unique food, crafts and music this free event has to offer.

See you there.

08/28/2026

Practicing with a 1.5mm stub nib, because why not? I’m using “River of Fire” ink by Robert Oster in this pen. It has green, purple and red hues in it that a nib of this type really allows to shine.

All of my custom fountain pens are threaded for a Jowo No. 6 housing. I have a few of these nibs available so you can try your hand at this too! You can chose any of my available Jowo No. 6 nibs to go with your new custom fountain pen. I have an assortment of widths and colors now to choose from. Bring some flair to the mundane!

08/28/2026

This Jeep piece is coming along nicely. After a night of final shaping with heavy sandpaper and gradually increasing grits to 1500, I need to let it dry out before applying the finish. I cannot guarantee I’ll have this finished before the weekend - there’s a lot left to do.

Tunes are an early Dream Theater album I am not super familiar with.