I have been having a think on this one. The normal and rational person in me screams that the person that bought it is completely of thier rocker.
Then there is this, not all of Ray's students get one of these, this is very much a carrot to a collector. Then think Ray's 2 day courses cost £250, add to that the cost of fuel or transport and if you are really really lucky you may walk away with one of these pencils. So now having paid for your course and paid for the travelling you walk away with a pencil that not many people can say they have (it's cost you in excess of £250 to get it).
What happens if Ray decides to stop instructing???
The same thing that happened with the Wilkinson Woodlore, your pencil now has a very large value (it is infinitely rarer than a WS Woodlore).
The point being, yes it is a pencil, but as with anything else it is only worth what people are willing to pay for it, the person that bought it for £46 would of had to of paid a minimum of £250 if he had done a course with Ray and even then there is still a chance that they may not of been issued with one.
You could even say that £46 is a bargain, it all depends on perspective and from mine I still think they are nuts, but there you go
Then there is this, not all of Ray's students get one of these, this is very much a carrot to a collector. Then think Ray's 2 day courses cost £250, add to that the cost of fuel or transport and if you are really really lucky you may walk away with one of these pencils. So now having paid for your course and paid for the travelling you walk away with a pencil that not many people can say they have (it's cost you in excess of £250 to get it).
What happens if Ray decides to stop instructing???
The same thing that happened with the Wilkinson Woodlore, your pencil now has a very large value (it is infinitely rarer than a WS Woodlore).
The point being, yes it is a pencil, but as with anything else it is only worth what people are willing to pay for it, the person that bought it for £46 would of had to of paid a minimum of £250 if he had done a course with Ray and even then there is still a chance that they may not of been issued with one.
You could even say that £46 is a bargain, it all depends on perspective and from mine I still think they are nuts, but there you go