I think the pen you are referencing was Smitty's creation. He made the Schmidt 9000 "standard" on at least one of his pens.
The idea of making a 9000 refill part of the "kit" would raise the price--exotics offers it as an option because our sales records still show that "economical" is the primary motivator of penmakers. (We sell more chrome than any other plating, by far). Far more $6 kits than $12.
It would be great to believe that I could "sell the benefits" and change this trend. But, I doubt it.
Ed I saw a 888 type refill, maybe not an 888 exactly, but the style.
Well my Friend you just introduced a new variable into the equation, cost. I make a living by turning pens, and I need to keep my cost as low as possible, unfortunately I don't have a working capital that will allow me to purchase a big inventory in order save on quantity. Also my market requires that I carry low, middle and high end pens, so that means an ample selection of styles, woods and acrylics. I also make kitless pens in wood and acrylics, ergo all the sections I buy from you. So in order to keep my costs low I have to shop around, wait for sales or taunt PSI shopping cart until they sent a 10 or 20 % discount.
This brings back to Medium and high end pens, as someone said before high end pen would be a roller ball or fountain pen with a cap and a good plaiting, Rhodium, Black or gold Titanium, or 10Kt, although there are very few 10 Kt kits available that are actually good(CUSA Americana). As a Medium kit I use most anything with a Parker refill that will allow me to upgrade to a 9000 or similar. But my work horse is the slimline, I turn over 1000 of these a year and use segmenting and wood spices to range the price between $20 - $50, wouldn't it be nice to have a slimline pro 8mm Twist pen with a 9000 refill that could be included in the medium end pens or maybe in the high end pens with a good plating?
Maybe you guys already have a solution, just let me in on it, my daughters tuition will appreciate it a lot!