Bullet Bolt Action Pen
The perfect gift under R500 š
Art of Fidevita
Home of the original St. Paul Fountain & Rollerball Pen.
Custom Watches
My custom watches are made in partnership with my mother and father. They have their own little business called Stainless Charm. With all of us combined, we can make you something extraordinary. Click below to view some models and pricing.
About Us & FAQ
About St. Paul South Africa: Where Craftsmanship Meets Passion
The Genesis
In 2015, a journey beganāled by a passion for craftsmanship, instilled by a father’s teachings, and a creative thumb. Welcome to St. Paul South Africa, not merely a company but an individual craftsman committed to making something truly unique and special.
The Material
Crafted from a blend of premium wood or custom mixed resin, each pen stands out with its own distinctive charm.
The Hardware
You may have seen, “The art of Bespoke”, or similar. These design have a very special meaning. They are designed, and manufactured by hand, with fine stainless steel or other appropriate artistic materials. These designs are intended to be profesional, and a class above the “Novel” designs. Novel designs are intended to be just that, plain cool! The focus is on the novelty aspect of the article, and it’s cost effectiveness for the customer.
The Craft
Craftsmanship extends beyond the pen itself. Every pen is nestled in a handcrafted mocha-colored wooden box with gold hinges and a royal suede interior. The level of attention to detail is so intricate that the clips holding the pen are 3D modeled and printed individually, based on each pen’s unique dimensions.
The Personal Touch
The art of personalization is expressed through fiber laser engraving on the metal components of each pen. The boxes are not just a casing but a piece of art, complete with an antique gold clasp and 3D printed mounts. A certificate of authenticity, finished in beautiful antique gold with white engraving, accompanies each piece, making it not just a pen but a storyāa legacy.
The Artist
I’m Anthony, the artisan behind each pen. Crafting diligently from my atelier in George, along the beautiful Garden Route in South Africa, I follow in the footsteps of my father, who taught me the art of pen-making. What began as a shared hobby has evolved into a burning passion. But don’t mistake St. Paul South Africa for a mere small business; it is the manifestation of my unwavering devotion to creating beautiful, unique, and spectacular articles.
The Story
The brand’s name originates from my dad, whose name is Paul. During his childhood, his father, a pastor, used to playfully tease him by calling him St. Paul.
In 2018, my dad left his medical career due to unfavorable workplace conditions. Before leaving, he indulged in making pens as a hobby. In 2015, he made the decision to establish a personal brand named ‘St. Paul’ to brand his creations.
In 2018, following my dad’s departure from his career, we packed our belongings and relocated from Bloemfontein to George in the Western Cape, embarking on a journey to pursue a new life.
My dad’s art never really took hold of my heart. At that point in 2018, I was about 20 years old, and art, woodworking, pens, and such didn’t move me in the way it does today. I remember my dad would often march into my room, eager to show me what he had just finished. I looked, shared some niceties, and went back to whatever I was doing.
When we moved down to George, finances were stretched, and I had no choice but to start helping out, assisting my dad in making and selling his custom pens. He taught me all there was to pen making, wood turning, tools & machinery, and the like.
Two years later, in the middle of 2020, a significant turning point unfolded in my life. But I’ll delve into that shortly.
By this time, I had already crafted hundreds of pens, yet circumstances showed no signs of improvement. Every day was characterized by hard labor, and relationships were strained, including financial challenges.
At this juncture, I was about 22 years old, navigating through the challenges of my age, including its inherent foolishness and other age-related attributes.
One day, I made a spontaneous decision to plunge into the depths of life. I hopped on my motorcycle and rode off into the literal sunset, armed with only my bike, meager savings, and a few valuables stuffed into my backpackālaptop, camera, smartphone, etc.
Reflecting on it now, I realize I had reached a point of hopelessness, thinking, ‘anything will be better than this.’ The destination or the gravity of my actions didn’t fully register at that moment.
So, there I was, on the road, contemplating my next steps. The initial plan was to utilize my savings to rent a storage container for a month, big enough to accommodate me, my bike, and an inflatable bed. During that month, my goal was to secure a basic job to sustain my living.
After finding a storage place, I proceeded with my plan, keeping my intentions to myself. However, the inevitable occurred, and I was ‘kindly’ informed that I had to leave.
By this point, I had depleted all my cash, sold most of my belongings, and struggled to secure even basic employment. This challenging episode unfolded over about seven days.
Eventually, the prodigal child that I had become returned to Georgeāscared silly and shaken to the core.
The three years following this point are a blur in my head. I wholeheartedly immersed myself in pen making, fine arts, business building, marketing, and more. My week of tribulation left an indelible mark on my humanity, serving as the fuel for immense motivation, determination, and creative inspiration. I was tested by fire, and like fire, it challenged my foolish heart. Broken as a stallion, I surrendered all of myself. Looking back, I recall the intense effort I invested, likely enough for an entire lifetime.
During this time, my dad slowly re-entered the medical profession, where his irreplaceable talents found a home. With a joyful heart, he handed over his brand to me, recognizing the profound love and passion that had developed within me. I sense his watchful presence every day, carefully inspecting my craftsmanship. I am immensely grateful for his profound impact on my life.
Fast forward to 2024, and St. Paul Pens has gracefully settled into its nest. The brand is now propelled by love and passion, rather than fear and uncertainty.
Now that the dust has settled, I can finally take a breather and focus on taking care of my customers. This entails crafting custom articles, ranging from wristwatches, display cases, trophies, keychains, church scepters, rings, and the list goes on. Any platform for art and expression is where I’ll be found. While I continue to primarily craft pens, the name “St. Paul Pens” will always hold a special place in my heart, as it marks the roots of where everything began, a true term of endearment.
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