The Erasable Podcast Episode 233: The Dark Side of STEM (with special guest Ian Schon)
Jan 25, 2026
Ian Schon, Philadelphia craftsman and founder of Schon DSGN who makes handmade fountain pens and titanium nibs. He talks about building a maker business, moving from ballpoints to fountain pens, machining and anodizing challenges, inventing the Monarch titanium nib, feed engineering trouble spots, and playful side projects like dip nibs and tiny tools.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Bring Production In-House To Improve Design
- If you want product control, buy production equipment and bring manufacturing in-house.
- Working at the machine changed Ian's design choices and improved the finished product.
Manufacturing Is Recipe-Driven Craft
- Manufacturing is a craft where tool choice and sequencing create the final quality, not just the CAD model.
- Chip control, transfer strategy, and machine programming matter as much as design intent.
Anodizing Is Optical Chemistry
- Titanium anodizing creates color by growing a clear oxide layer and changing light interference.
- The effect is immediate and visually striking, making anodizing a strong design tool.