“Everybody needs a hobby.”
-Tony Stark/Iron Man in Iron Man 3
As for me, it was Pen spinning which is pretty cool and a not so common thing to see.
Here is brief introduction about pen spinning (you can google it or read it in wikipedia if you‘re interested):
Image retrieved from http://www.wired.com/2008/01/mastering-the-a/
Pen spinning, also called pen manipulation, is obviously the manipulation of a pen by the fingers in order to create different motions. They even use other body parts to spin the pen. Some call it art, some call it a sport and some find it a waste of time (they’re just jealous they can’t do it). No one really knows who, when or where it started. But my guess would be that it was a really bored person with plenty of time, imagination and pens.
There are 4 fundamental tricks in pen spinning namely:
1. Thumbaround
2. Charge
3. Fingerpass
4. Sonic
Woah!!! It sounds so COOL! Yeah? if the names are cool, they must be cool! Check out this pen spinning tutorial! (No it’s not me but it’s the first pen spinning tutorial I’ve learned from. Don’t miss the last part!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMPPN1WSK0A
And so from these fundamental tricks, hundreds of tricks evolved. From the reverse, inverse, inverse-reverse to hybrids, aerials, powertricks to 2pens2hands (2p2h) or 2pens1hand (2p1h) What? 2 pens and 2 hands? How is that possible?
Yeah? Well here it is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErAA-B-Nnt4
Oh? Did I forgot to mention 4pens2hands? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cetTkoCzss
Yes, it happens.
For some technicalities, 2-4 tricks combined is called a “linkage“, linkages combined is called a “combo“. Pretty much like a peptide and a protein or an oligosaccharide and polysaccharide or… ok I’ll stop. A “breakdown” of a combo, well it’s… uhm… a breakdown of the tricks in a combo. Using finger slots system and trick notations, you can make a breakdown and they use this to follow or copy someones combo. Finger slots are T,1,2,3,4 for thumb, index finger, middle, ring finger and pinky respectively. Between the index and middle finger is notated as 12, between thumb and index is T1 and so forth. And example of a breakdown:
Sonic 34-23>Pass 23-12>Reverse Sonic 12-23>Reverse Pass 23-34
“Where can I learn other tricks?”
“There are plenty of tutorials found in youtube. Search, watch, try, drop, try again, drop it again, try another one don’t be shy, drop, ok last one, drop, then miraculously, it will happen.”
“What will I do next??”
“After learning many tricks, try linking them and make a short 5-10 seconds combo.”
“Now what will I do with my combo then?”
“You film it!”
“I film it? for what?”
“Well, in pen spinning there is a competition and the whole world are participating. If you think you’re one of the best, then give it a shot. But if you just want to have fun, do something during leisure time, it’s a good time killer. And that skill will be within you forever!”
“So I’ll just upload it on youtube and other video hosting sites?”
“Yes! or you can have a Collaboration video with other spinners even in other countries. Make friends and have fun together.”
“Oh I see. It sound pretty good to me! By the way, could we stop this conversation? They said talking to yourself too much is unhealthy.”
“Ok. Bye.”
Isn’t that fun? What’s more fun? other than Irritating people? is an add-on feature called “Pen Modifying” or “Pen Modding“.
Pen modding allows spinners to make and modify their own personal pen used for spinning called ‘Pen Mod’. Usually Pen mods are made from different pen parts such as: barrel (body of the pen), tip, grips, cap, inktube, etc. There are two types of Pen mods: Single-capped (SC) and Double-capped (DC). A famous SC type is RSVP MX created by KAM, a famous penspinner, which is made from Pentel RSVP body, grip and cap; and Pentel Hybrid Gel Grip (HGG) grip and tip. 
An example of DC is Buster CYL made by PEEM, also a penspinner famous for his powertricks. Buster CYL is made from Dong-A Computer Sign Pen (ComSSa) caps, backplug; Crayola Supertips Marker body; and Zebra Airfits tip and grip.
See the difference?
You can copy and make other’s personal mod (if there is a tutorial) or create a personal mod yourself and show it to the world. If world likes it, they might request a tutorial. Now that’s flattering.
Two criterions are the basis in modding a pen: Functionality and Aesthetics. Functionality refers to the ease in using the mod during spinning. Pen mods are easier to use when it has a minimal loss of momentum that gives a “smooth” feeling which is done by placing most of the weight on both ends of the pen. It is also better to make the center of pen (COP) equals the center of gravity (COG). This will make it easier to identify and predict the center of gravity during spinning which is essential to plenty of tricks especially powertricks. Thus, a good mod would have a light body with heavy tips placed at both ends with balanced weight distribution. Of course, every spinner has his/her own preferences. Like for example, S777 and Bonkura, who are famous for their unparalleled smoothness, can even spin light weighing mods (no tips). On the other hand, Aesthetics refers to the physical beauty of the mod. Many spinners are known for their personal mod which looks too good to be dropped. For example
kuZu mod,
Fir3fly mod,
Ayatori mod,
Dr. KT,
Waterfall mod
and many more with different color schemes. Yum! Yum! Yum! There are plenty of ways to improve the beauty of the mod. But mainly, cleanliness is the best way. But if you lack creativity and focus (Yes, modifying a pen needs focus), you can order at penwish.com
Now that you know the basics and your mod is pretty balanced and nice looking, let’s SPIN!!!
For more information on Pen spinning, visit:
http://www.upsb.info/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page
forum.upsb.info
And this is my hobby. Thank you for reading a lengthy piece of information (if you did).
Now for some action!!!
JapEn 8th (Japanese Pen Spinning Collaboration)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvEoRBVmFvo
(I don’t own the video and I’m not on the video. They are masters from the Japanese Pen spinning Board, JapEn)
Pictures are from UPSB Wiki and Penwish.com
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