Tsuno Fountain Pen

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Crafted entirely from the horn of a buffalo, the Tsuno Fountain Pen has a perfectly smooth sheen, and a coloring that defies one's ability to predict a pattern of its design. The reason is because each horn is completely unique, and no single horn will ever be identical to another.

As you hold the Tsuno Fountain Pen in your hand, it may feel the same as any other pen, but the key difference will become clear after continued usage. While some pens made of acrylic or metal may cause discomfort or even allergic reactions in people, the bull horn is made out of keratin - a natural protein that every human possesses, which means it is compatible with our skin on a molecular level.

With its Dream Pen shape, the Tsuno Fountain Pen was made with three priorities: comfort, luxury, and the natural world. We find comfort in using a pen without fear of any possible allergies and a solid, durable form.

There is luxury in an item that has been handcrafted with no other identical counterpart. Finally, we honor nature by not wasting any part of the creatures in our world, and repurposing these parts into their own works of art.

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"Every business starts with a buffalo."

If this idiom is unfamiliar, then that may mean you haven't spent enough time in Vietnam. It represents the importance of a buffalo in Vietnamese culture, and highlights that before embarking on any endeavor, you should have a solid foundation beneath you, and be prepared for every outcome. We were inspired by both our source material and this idiom, because we believe that a good pen is an important tool in everyone's arsenal.

For centuries, the Vietnamese people have believed that it is more respectful to animals to maximize and utilize every part. Just like how the Vikings would use whale blubber for soap and candles, the Vietnamese would take something as simple as the horn of a buffalo, and transform it into a work of art. This takes the concept of "zero waste" to an altogether new level - elevating what would normally be

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We first encountered an example of this artwork at a Traditional Arts exhibition in Vietnam, and we were inspired by the artisans and their committment to using only the most natural of materials for their art.When we discovered that their artform was in danger of being forgotten in the modern day, we knew that it was fate for us to collaborate in creating a new collection of fountain pens crafted from genuine buffalo horn.

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The material, buffalo horn, is ethically sourced, and unlike items made from synthetic materials such as plastic, the crafting process of a pen with buffalo horn as the base material does not emit harmful or toxic chemicals. Furthermore, as buffalo horn is formed from keratin, it is 100% biodegradable, and it will not be damaging to the environment in the unlikely event that the item must be disposed.

Symbolism

Over the course of human history, man has formed various ideas about the different animals in their respective domains. Since before Vietnam's establishment as its own independent nation, the buffalo has been a significant figure for the people. This claim is supported by the 3,000 year old statues of buffaloes found at the Dong Dau archaeological site, as well as the iconic imagery of the buffalo in Vietnamese art and even in literature. The reason for this is because Vietnam, an agrarian society, has greatly relied on the buffalo for farming, sustenance, and even good fortune.

If dogs are man's best friend, then the buffalo is Vietnam's most reliable companion. In this regard, we wanted to exemplify the reliability and the importance of the buffalo in Vietnamese culture by collaborating with Vietnamese artisans to create a fountain pen that has all of that, as well as the natural beauty of the horn's unique design.

Tsuno Fountain Pen