This hand-turned wood pen is made from the skin of Agkistrodon piscivorus, a species of pit viper found in the Southeastern United States. Known by several names including Cottonmouth, this venemous snake is the World’s only semi-aquatic viper. It is a strong swimmer usually found in or near slow-moving shallow lakes, streams or marshes, but has even been seen swimming in the ocean. The name “Cottonmouth” refers to the threat display, where this species will often stand it’s ground by coiling into an “S” position, hiss and gape at an intruder, exposing the white lining of it’s mouth.
The skin was cast in polyresin and hand turned on a lathe, then wet sanded through a 9-step process. Several coats of Renaissance wax were applied and the barrel was further polished with White Diamond compound on a jeweler’s wheel.
The finished barrel was mounted on a handsome chrome and black ballpoint. This pen uses Parker refills.