JaxPens

02/14/2026

Hello to all of my people. I have almost 3,000 5-star reviews on eBay; and I have zero on Facebook. Pls do me a solid favor and leave a review for me on my JaxPens page. If you have bought from me in the past, I know you are a happy and satisfied customer. So, please share your story and your endorsement with the World. And, if you haven't yet procured one of my coolio pens or knives, but you find the things I write about are helpful to you and those on this journey with you, please leave a reference and speak to that. Those of you who know me know that the pens are just something I use to connect with others who also find beauty in the little things in life. Thanks, Jack

02/12/2026

- Phase Two Begins

Friends,

I’ll keep this short and sweet — like me.

1. Phase Two — The Wind Down of JaxPens

Due to the advancing realities of Parkinson’s Disease, I am officially launching Phase Two of the JaxPens wind-down.

Phase One resulted in the sale of approximately 25% of inventory.
Phase Two begins today.

This afternoon I launched a Buy 1 – Get 1 Free promotion, available exclusively at:

www.jaxpens.com

This sale will NOT be offered on eBay.

After 50 years in the same industry and over 50 years in the same community, I believe I’ve earned the right to call in a favor.

You are hereby assigned a quota of purchasing at least one pen.
Overachievers will be rewarded.

Additionally, I am open to serious offers for the acquisition of:
- All remaining inventory
- Supplies and fixtures
- The JaxPens name
- Customer lists
- Associated goodwill and brand equity

If you or someone you know may have interest, reach out directly.

2. What’s Next

Recently I wrote an essay titled “The Life of Significance.”
Here it is if you missed it:

The Life of Significance
By Jack Martin

There comes a moment in every thoughtful life when the spotlight begins to dim and the applause fades. The faces that once looked to you for leadership, wisdom, or inspiration begin to look elsewhere, and the trophies that once gleamed with pride start to gather a thin layer of dust. In those moments of quiet reflection, the question arises: Was my life built on success — or on significance?

A life of success is measured by what you gain. It is driven by ambition, recognition, and the approval of others. But success, by its very nature, is fleeting. The moment it is achieved, it begins to slip away. The titles fade, the applause stops, and those who once cheered you on move forward to new heroes, new leaders, new names. Even before the end comes, the once-great deeds of a successful life are forgotten — replaced by newer
stories, shinier moments, and louder voices.

A life of significance, on the other hand, is measured not by what you accumulate but by what you contribute. It is the quiet joy of lifting others, the sacred art of leaving the world better than you found it. It is not about being remembered — it is about leaving something worth remembering. A significant life resonates far beyond the years it occupies. It survives, it propagates, and it echoes long after the name of its author is gone.

Those who choose significance live with a deeper kind of joy — the kind that doesn’t depend on applause, recognition, or wealth. It is the joy of knowing that even when no one remembers your name, the seeds you planted will continue to grow in the hearts and lives of others. Your kindness becomes their confidence. Your integrity becomes their foundation. Your love becomes their legacy.

So, my friend, pursue not the fleeting shimmer of success, but the steady, eternal glow of significance. For one day, when the noise has quieted and the curtain falls, it will not be your title, your wealth, or your fame that endures — but the love you gave, the grace you extended, and the truth you lived.

That is the life that outlives you. That is the life of significance.

3. Something You Didn’t See Coming

I’ve formed a" band".

Jack and the Cloud

Our first single, “The Measure of a Life,” is now available on all major streaming platforms.
https://music.apple.com/us/song/measure-of-a-life/1869908772

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0GHFK11JS?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_B5Mz3vD5gJKSbLR7sPAekl1oR&trackAsin=B0GHFWXHK6

https://open.spotify.com/track/544p1FbZkuU2drt4qsBYLN?si=7d62a535f4b94939

Follow us. Share it. Critique it. Encourage it.

Now…

You have a pen (or two) to buy.

Get to work.

— Jack

Jack and The Cloud · Measure of a Life · Song · 2026

01/06/2026

Amazon has now released the new book “The Return of Heaven” It’s my brother Steve’s first book.

https://a.co/d/hGSGyR8

It’s a slim book but dont let that fool you

Steve and I are both early risers. When we’re together—traveling or staying in each other’s homes—we never ask, “Are you getting up early?” We just assume it. Anytime after 4 a.m., we’re likely to bump into each other and start talking. Those conversations jump everywhere and often circle back, like a couple of rabbits on speed.

I’ve always believed my strength is seeing things before others see them. Steve’s gift is different. He sees things others never see—and then thinks deeply enough to understand what those details really mean.

This book is the first of several he’s planned for a long time. Steve isn’t offering “new truths.” In fact, he does the opposite—he helps you see why there really is nothing new under the sun. What is new is how clearly he helps you notice the details… and the implications that come with truly seeing them.

I know that might sound a little soft or fuzzy. All I can say is this: whatever you think this book is about—you’re probably wrong.

After you read it, I’d really appreciate it if you’d leave a review on Amazon. Your reviews matter more than you know in helping others discover the book.

See overview below:

Book overview
Why does life feel both beautiful and heavy—like we’re close to something real, but never quite there?

We try achievement, distraction, relationships, even belief systems. But somehow, the ache doesn’t leave.

What if that ache isn’t a failure… but a clue?

The Return of Heaven explores that question—not with religious language, but through history, human longing, and a story that’s been quietly echoing across every culture since the beginning.

As the pages turn, you’ll explore:

Why life feels almost right—yet never fully whole
The ancient thread connecting all of us — across time and culture
Why we long for meaning, purpose, and belonging
A surprising ending that sounds less like an ending… and more like home
This isn’t a church book. It’s a search book—for anyone who’s ever wondered if there might be more to this life than what we see.

What if this isn’t the end of the story?

What if it’s the beginning?

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

10/21/2025

I hope tgis gives you sometging to think aboit.

08/06/2025

t: A Personal Message from Jack – The Next Chapter for JaxPens

Please see the note that I sent out yestaerday to friends and my largest customers. I am sharing this with the PEN community via the Facebook groups. The rest of this note is pretty straightforward.

Subject: A Personal Message from Jack – The Next Chapter for JaxPens

Dear Friends and Valued Clients,
After heartfelt conversations with my wife and thoughtful input from our three daughters and their husbands, I’ve come to a difficult but necessary decision:

I will be bringing JaxPens to a close.

I share this news with a heavy heart—but also with confidence that it’s the right thing to do.

This past month has been a season of reflection. I’ve watched my mother-in-law pass away from Alzheimer’s. And I’ve mourned the loss of two close friends and mentors—both from Parkinson’s Disease. One of them was Johnny Miller, a man second only to my father in shaping my life. He was my pastor during my teenage years and later became president of Columbia International University. On August 8th, Cheryl and I will celebrate 51 years of marriage—Johnny was on the platform and participated in our marriage ceremony.

Johnny instilled in me the principles I’ve used to guide every aspect of my life. Those principles helped me achieve what the world calls “success”—and ultimately taught me that success pales in comparison to significance.

Success ends before you do. But a life of significance echoes far beyond your final breath.

I’m grateful to have mentored many along the way—some of whom are now mentoring others. That’s how you know a life of significance has taken root.

What moved me to act now is this sobering truth: All three of the people I mentioned were here one day... and mentally gone the next. With Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s in the mix, you often don’t know exactly when you “lose” someone. I saw it with my mother. And the hard facts are the people with Parkinson’s Disease are at a much higher risk than the population at large to develop dementia.

I am now in my 12th year of this journey and i now am tested for cognitive decline at least twice a year. At this time I am still intact and testing well. But my energy is fading. I walk slower. Typing is a chore. I fatigue easily. And this business, which I once loved, is taking more out of me than I want to give.
I’ve also am reminded of one of my long standing traits.

I love building railroads, not running them.

Running JaxPens now means managing details that no longer inspire me. And if I’m honest, I don’t want to wake up one day and find I missed my chance to finish the things I believe God still wants me to do.

It’s time to prioritize my faith, my family, and the few remaining big dreams that won’t wait.

Here’s What Happens Next:
I’ll be rolling out a Farewell Sale over the next few days, and because you've been among my very best clients—and, in many cases, friends—you’re getting first access.

📅 August 8 is not just Cheryl’s and my anniversary—it’s also my 70th birthday.
To celebrate, and to say thank you, I’ll be offering a 70% discount storewide.

🔓 Use code: JAXBUDS at checkout
🌐 Only at: JaxPens.com
The sale will open to:
You (my inner circle) – starting today
Retro 51 Facebook groups – Wednesday
The general public – Thursday

⚠️ I’ll be adding new listings throughout the week. I have more than just ACME and R51—be sure to explore it all.

Thank you for being part of this remarkable journey. You’ve helped make JaxPens more than a business—you made it a community. I’m grateful beyond words.
Sincerely,
Jack Martin
📞 281-469-7800
📧 [email protected]
🌐 JaxPens.com

Rollerball pens, fountain pens, ballpoint pens and more from top brands like ACME, Retro 51, Lamy and more!

06/29/2025

Rollerball pens, fountain pens, ballpoint pens and more from top brands like ACME, Retro 51, Lamy and more!

06/23/2025

06/10/2025

Don’t panic. I’m here to save your bacon.

This Sunday is Father’s Day — and whether you’re shopping for your dad, your father-in-law, or the father of your children, let’s aim for more than the usual forced smile and a polite, “Thanks.” You know the one. That response hiding the internal scream:
“Do you even know me?”
or
“If you cared, you wouldn’t have waited until the last minute and grabbed something from the grocery store gift aisle!”

Let’s stop the madness.

At www.JaxPens.com, I’ve curated an extraordinary collection of pens — many of them themed, all of them cool, and most of them limited editions that are no longer in production. That means the gift you choose is not only personal, it’s one-of-a-kind. The kind of gift that makes the recipient say:
“Wow… you really get me.”
(Not: “Yay, another pair of socks.”)

In the coming weeks, I’ll be publishing a piece explaining — using actual science — why the right pen resonates so deeply with people. It’s about identity, values, and how we unintentionally communicate so much about ourselves with the objects we use and the gifts we give. And how the wrong pen? It can actually backfire.

But for now, trust me.

🎁 Run, don’t walk to JaxPens.com. These pens are in stock and ready to ship. Let’s get ahead of the last-minute gift scramble — and deliver something that’s truly meaningful.

⸻

Here’s what I can do for you:

1. If you’re unsure which pen is the right fit, message me. I’d love to help you pick one out that will make someone’s Father’s Day unforgettable.
2. I can ship to you or directly to your dad. I’ll even wrap it in tissue paper and include your message as a handwritten note.
3. Just tell me a little about the recipient — interests, personality, style — and I’ll guide you to the pen. One so perfectly suited that when it’s unwrapped, you’ll hear:
“It’s perfect. It’s like I picked it out myself!”

But you need to act now — Father’s Day is almost here.

Let’s get this done the right way. ❤️✒️

Rollerball pens, fountain pens, ballpoint pens and more from top brands like ACME, Retro 51, Lamy and more!

04/11/2025

JaxPens Annual Spring Cleaning, Easter, Tax Day Sale

This is your chance to nab the perfect accessory for that new spring outfit!

I'm excited to announce my annual whopper sale, running through midnight on April 21st. Visit my storefront at jaxpens.com, where you can find the coolest pens at unbeatable prices. Thanks to my lower fees, I’m offering my items for 5% less than I charge on eBay.
Here are the discounts for this sale:

- ACME items: 50% off
- All Retro 51 items: 30% off
- Everything else: 35% off

Please don’t wait until the last minute, as I’m running low on some of the best pens. If you have any suggestions on adjustments I should make, feel free to drop me a note—I have a lot of pens to keep track of!

Lastly, check out the attached flyer featuring my Pen Dog, Mazie May Martin. Yes, that’s her real email; you can send her questions, compliments, etc. I thought you’d enjoy seeing how she spends her day keeping watch over me and her typical pose when we leave the Official JaxPens Office/Cave. It's a tough life!

01/03/2025

Your image may need a new look for `2025. A pen that you love sends a message to others about what you value and, what you want to project.
Or, you may need to send a message to your spouse, kid, siblings, team, or boss. I can help you pick out the just right pen which will tell them what you see as their potential.
Trust me, pens are powerful and important tools because when you hold a pen in your hand, your mind and heart are connected in ways that our keyboards are not able to touch.

Rollerball pens, fountain pens, ballpoint pens and more from top brands like ACME, Retro 51, Lamy and more!

01/01/2025

12/09/2024

Is there someone on your list who is impossible to buy for?

I have a solution for you!

If your "Difficult Giftee" is a serious collector or fan of unique items, please check out my storefront and the new page I am currently populating with very cool limited edition pens. Each of these pens has been manufactured in very limited quantities, and this page features my pens that are Serial #1. These are the most highly sought-after and coveted pens a collector could ever want. I have 40 of these pens available, so please check back throughout the day and the rest of the week as I add more. I will be listing Serial #1 Retro 51 pens from the USPS Series, Rocketeer Series, The Metropolitan Museum of Fine Art Series, The Smithsonian Se,ries The National Zoo Series, The Pan Am Series, and various Retro 51 "Poppers."

Now is the perfect time to buy, as I am running a "Buy 1 - Get 1" special.

These pens are limited edition pens with the engraved serial # 1, or 01, or 001, 0001