pencils - Latos Drums

Utilic - MOKUME GANE EDITION

photo: bright new Mokume Gane ready to be machined, etched, and contrasted.<br><br>Mokume Gane, or “woodgrained metal,” is an ancient Japanese process where layers of contrasting metal are forged into one, then deformed and re-forged again and again until intricate, twisted, swirling “woodgrain” effects appear in the metal. Mokume can also be chemically etched, creating a lovely, organic texture that accentuates the swirling material.<br><br>As the material ages and patinas, the color differences between the alloys increase significantly.<br><br>I am taking orders for a limited number of Utilic pens made of a brass/copper/nickel silver Mokume Gane. <br><br>These pens are nearly identical to the standard Utilic, with the small alteration that they will be ever so slightly larger to start (.032”/.8mm larger in diameter in all components), giving room to etch texture into them<br><br>Mokume Gane Edition pens are available in two variants: <br><br>+Heirloom: Mokume Gane barrel with brass cap and section <br>+Compleat: Mokume for the section, barrel, and cap, all machined from the same bar.<br><br>Both versions come in special heirloom wooden container, made in shop.

$375.00 - $500.00

Utilic Pencil

Each pencil is completely hand-machined from solid bar stock, on manual metalworking equipment, in Newburgh, NY, USA. <br><br>Colorways are listed as: [Barrel] / [Section+cap]. ie, the examples in these photographs are Bronze/brass and Stainless/brass<br><br>I plan to build stock, but especially if you're an early adopter, there is a good chance that I'll be building yours to order, and will take me a few days to ship. Grateful for the support... please be patient, I'll hustle and get it to you asap. ;) <br><br><br>NOTES:<br>As an invariant tinkerer (and making these literally one-at-a-time), I'm on v0.2 of this, which includes a superfine knurl on the “stub” end. I’ll update pictures ASAP, but in the meantime, let me know in the order notes if you’d rather pass on the knurl and have the pencil precisely as depicted above.<br><br>Consumables- globally sourced (until I can find it domestic!)

Supply Tube

Backpacking? Long important meeting? Coffee shop brainstorm session? <br><br>For those that appreciate the grace of preparedness, this tube will keep tips and erasers close at hand in your bag.<br><br>Machined out of the same materials, in the same shop, to the same standards as the Utilic pencil.<br><br>Fits approximately 4 total pieces (erasers, tips of either type).<br><br>Drop your favorite metal combination in the “order notes” in the following format: Body/Cap.<br><br>If left blank, I’ll default to the good old standby of brass/stainless.<br><br>To get you started, it will come preloaded with erasers and one Everlasting tip. <br>

'Everlasting' Tips (3x)

Same tips as included with pencils.<br><br>These tips last for a long time… but look at the news. Societal collapse could happen at any moment. Why not stock up?<br><br>These use a special graphite-metal alloy and break down very slowly: I've yet to dull one more than I want to keep using it (!), but I've heard suggested from my partner company who makes these that one is expected to last as long as 10 or so full #2 pencils (that's full pencils, not sharpenings).<br><br>These tips are capable of shading and leave a dark mark I find indistinguishable from a quality, firm graphite pencil. They erase cleanly, don't leave dust. For lefties like me... they don't smudge!<br><br>When the tips eventually wear down (or for people with particular tastes), these are quickly reshapable to taste with a small piece of extremely fine sandpaper (included).<br><br>This basic tip style is starting to become more widely available. Order from elsewhere if you prefer; I've just found one supplier whose product I particularly like (darker lines than most).<br><br>

'Eterna' All-Metal Tip

Even for fans of fine writing utensils, these tips are likely unlike anything you've used before.<br><br>Made of an all-metal alloy, they work by leaving behind an oxide, and while, technically, they "do" wear down... it is on a microscopic level after years of use.<br><br>Cared for to a basic degree, one of these could last multiple lifetimes... and probably be used as a utility survival tool a few times along the way.<br><br>Eterna tips leave behind a lighter line than the Everlast tips, with long-lasting precision that brings to mind silverpoint or hard graphite technical pencils.<br><br>These are versatile- great for technical drawing, fine art sketching before paint, outdoor journaling, or just bulletproof to-do listing. It doesn't get much more EDC than this!<br><br>Sold per individual tip.<br><br>CURRENTLY ON ORDER. Current est ship date from me is June 15. Orders containing these will ship all together when everything is ready.

Erasers (8x)

W123 sedan rear speaker retrofit adapter (pair)

Adapter rings to mount modern 5.25" speakers to the rear "shelf" position in a W123 sedan without modification to the speakers OR the car itself. <br><br>This is sized for Rockford Fosgate Prime RX1525x2 speakers. It will likely fit other speakers with a 4-hole mounting pattern that can accommodate 135.5mm center-to-center mounting. If in doubt, reach out: if it doesn't fit, there's a good chance I can make you a custom one.<br><br>Included:<br>(2x) Adapter Rings (white in photos for visibility: currently making them in black. you won't see it after installation)<br>(2x) sets new mounting screws for the speakers<br>(2x) sets new mounting screws for the grille<br><br>NOT INCLUDED, you'll need to provide:<br>Grilles: you will need to provide your own, original-specification ones. They're available on eBay.<br>Speakers: as mentioned, these are sized to fit Rockford Fosgate RX1525x2<br> <br>Possible fits for:<br>W123 coupe<br>R107<br>W116<br>I haven't tried it, but they seem to use the same outer grille, so I suspect they would work? Feel free to reach out and we can figure it out together. :) <br><br>MADE TO ORDER, so please be patient and give me a few days. Aiming to have a first batch shipping around April 14.

Kakishibu Birch Snare Drum

Birch is present and crisp. With the right bearing edges and hardware treatment, however, it gains a solid low-mid "heftiness," resulting in a lovely tone that is complex, warm, full, and present. <br><br>SHELL<br>Solid, steambent birch<br>30-degree & roundover batter, 45-degree snare side edge<br>Floating, undersized shell geometry for feel & tunability, and a "tympanic" low end that doesn't go away at higher tunings <br><br>HARDWARE<br>Lovingly handmade-in-shop brazed solid brass hoops and lugs<br>Special version of my (now patented!) throw off, combining brass and stainless steel<br>New, patent-pending key-holder butt plate (as seen on the Zildjian snare drum)<br>Latos designed machined solid-stainless tension rods and thick washers<br><br>KAKISHIBU<br>A 1000-year-old Japanese finishing process that involves repeated application of 'kakishibu,' a liquid fermented from bitter persimmon fruit, often grown on century-old trees. Without wading too deep into the chemistry, the tannins involved form almost a "natural polyurethane" as they dry.<br><br>Vermilion red when new, these drums will age to dark red and rich brown over the months and years, akin to traditional Japanese temple architecture.

Your Favorite Drum Key

CURRENTLY OUT OF STOCK- making a new batch top of 2025. To pre-reserve, send a message via contact form! <br><br>Hand-machined one at a time out of solid brass, this useful heirloom is designed to be the "one" that lives in your pocket, stick bag, or studio snare drum.<br><br>All-brass construction is gentle on patina'd and nickel-plated vintage rods.<br><br>Available plain or with etched monogram (+$25), and in polished "Bright Brass" or "Honest Brass," our signature house finish. Both will show handling and wear truthfully and develop a beautiful, rich look in time. <br><br>If ordering monogram, please specify 2-letter monogram in order notes.<br><br>

$43.00 - $68.00

Nickel Silver "Standard"

Snare drum with Latos Drums' Nickel Silver shell, and solid brass hardware, including brass hoops, hand-machined lugs, and patent-pending throwoff. 14" drums are 8 lug; 15" features 10. <br><br>Ships with Remo Coated Ambassador batter, Remo Hazy snare side heads, and particularly nice snare wires. <br><br>Standard sizes listed; others occasionally avail. by request, use "contact." <br><br>Approximate lead time is 9-12 months: contact for current update if required. Shipping in contiguous 48 states included; worldwide receives a $70 credit, with remainder due before shipping.

Nickel Silver "Art Nouveau"

With an Art Nouveau design that pays tribute to the beautiful instruments of the early 20th century while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic, the Art Nouveau has the same heart and soul as the Standard, but with a painstakingly crafted etching. Repeating every other panel, this edition stands uncompromisingly as the centerpiece of any player's collection.<br><br>Ships with Remo Coated Ambassador batter, Remo Hazy snare side heads, and particularly nice snare wires. <br><br>Approximate lead time is 9-12 months: contact for current update if required. Shipping in contiguous 48 states included; worldwide receives a $70 credit, with remainder due before shipping.

M8 to 1/4-20 Cymbal Thread Adapter

As included with Zildjian's 400th Anniversary Vault Cymbals: https://zildjian.com/pages/400th-anniversary-vault-cymbals<br><br>Many old cymbals have smaller cymbal holes that won’t fit a modern cymbal stand. And some players feel that even modern cymbals benefit from the freer breathing movement of the smaller rod size on older stands.<br><br>Here’s my answer. This adapter screws onto the top of a modern M8 stand, and gives you a 1/4"-20 thread, just like older American-made stands. <br><br>A couple of these in your bag, and your old cymbals work with any modern cymbal stand that comes your way... or enjoy the practicality of a heavy modern stand with the thread size of an old stand… OR just have a quick, convenient solution when the backline is missing felt+sleeves.    <br><br>Handcrafted in the Latos Drums workshop with:<br><br>+Solid brass or stainless body that will patina and age gracefully<br>+Long-life sleeve<br>+1/4-20 threaded post is unthreaded in cymbal area for extra strength and safety: even if you wear through the sleeve, cymbal won't be rubbing on thread!<br>+Vintage-pattern wingnut<br>+NEW: Vintage-style cupped washers, custom-made of long-life stainless steel to Latos' specifications

$45.00 - $75.00

Slotted Rod "Quick Change" Drill-Bit Drumkey

TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK- send a note via the "contact" form and you'll get first dibs when I machine the next batch! <br><br>Note: this part fits SLOTTED German-style tension rods, not square-headed standard rods like those used on Latos (and most manufacturers') drums.<br><br>Hand-machined, these are designed to speed head changes up significantly, and are made out of stainless steel, brass, copper for a lifetime of service.<br><br>These feature a 3/8" round shaft to reduce the risk of an unexpected jam of some sort damaging a lug, insert, or tension rod: in event of binding, the round shaft is more likely to spin in the drill's chuck than a hex shaft. Of course, always set your drill's clutch to its lowest setting for a little extra insurance. <br><br>These fit 1960s vintage through modern slotted rods, including:<br>Teardrop, Champion / Super Champion, Phonic, Lite, Signature, Designer, etc<br><br>Left to right: <br>stainless/stainless<br>brass/stainless<br>copper/stainless (limited run)<br><br>NOTE: these are a product of Latos Drums, in no way associated with SONOR, other than the fact that I appreciate their craftsmanship. "Sonor" and "Sonor Drums" are registered trademarks of Sonor GmbH & Co.