How XiaoZhuo Is Made

How XiaoZhuo Is Made

XiaoZhuo is a compact pen made from natural material and precision-machined parts. The process is simple in idea, but demanding in execution: choose stable material, cut it carefully, machine it accurately, finish it by hand, and test the writing before the pen leaves us.

At SIMEICHU, we often return to the phrase behind our name: “四美具，二难并” — bringing together qualities that are not easy to hold at the same time. For XiaoZhuo, that means natural warmth, compact size, clean fit, and dependable everyday writing.

Material Selection and Drying

Every XiaoZhuo begins with selected wood. We look for blanks with suitable density, grain direction, and overall character.

Before machining, the wood is left to air-dry and settle. This does not make natural wood immune to climate, but it helps reduce movement during later processing and daily use.

Cutting and Preparing the Blanks

The wood is cut into smaller rods and bars for the cap, barrel, and other parts. At this stage, we check for cracks, weak areas, and unsuitable grain direction.

For woods with stronger figure or contrast, we may adjust the orientation by hand so the finished pen keeps the material’s visual character.

CNC Shaping

Prepared blanks are shaped with CNC machining. The goal is practical: consistent dimensions, clean fitting parts, and a cap fit suitable for a pocket-size pen.

On a small pen like XiaoZhuo, small errors are easy to feel. The capped length, posted length, inner structure, and sealing surfaces all need to work together.

Hand Finishing and Assembly

After machining, each part is sanded, polished, and assembled by hand. The final feel still depends on human judgment: how the cap fits, how the pen feels when posted, and whether the surface finish feels smooth in the hand.

This stage is where machined parts become a finished writing tool.

Writing Test and Final Check

For fountain pen versions, the Schmidt #5 stainless steel nib is checked for alignment, ink flow, and writing feel. We do not claim every user prefers the same nib feel, but each pen should be ready for daily writing before it leaves us.

Before shipping, we check the fit, finish, writing function, and overall condition of the pen.

Because natural wood is used, small variations in color, grain, and texture are normal. The goal is not to make every pen identical, but to make every finished XiaoZhuo feel reliable, carefully made, and pleasant to use.