New Pen Styles

[kent4Him]

If you could direct CSUSA to design and deliver a new style of pen, what would it be?

I personally would like to see more click pens. I've had a number of customers that really like the click pen, but there is very little variation available. I'd like to see Satin Nickle, Father Sing Click, thin european click. Something else would be great.

So, what types would you like to see? What variations from what is available now.

 

[thewishman]

Nice, quality click pens would be great! Especially if they were offered in chrome, Tn gold and other durable finishes.

 

[woodpens]

I get a lot of requests for click pens, but I am really embarassed to sell them the click pens I have in stock. I haven't ordered any in a long time, but I think they are PSI kits. Pretty sad pens.

 

[Johnathan]

Like I've said before, high-end pens are what I'm looking for and it would be nice to see a little more of a variety with them. I'd love to see some classic styles that do not have the Asian inspired flair, something along the lines of the Statesman. I love the look of the "Asian" pens, (Emperor, Lotus, Imperial) but not everyone does. To make clients happy I would love to see a nice variety of the high-end kits.

It would also be nice to have the great finishes to go with the smaller pens. Not everyone likes the "big" pens but the slimlines and Euros are not "high-end". Again, a nice variety to go with almost everyones tastes.[]

 

[thetalbott4]

I would have to say the click pen would be a good one. I made one kit and was disappointed. I would like one personally and am sure many others would as well. A well made mech pencil would be nice as well. The gent pencil is an embarassment. It rattles and works like a $.50 plastic thing.

 

[Draken]

I would (and have!) request letter openers which match the higher end pens. This would make for some high end desk sets that executives would be all over. If you'd like to see high end letter openers as well, be sure to let Nils know!

Cheers,
Draken

 

[Fangar]

Originally posted by Draken
<br />I would (and have!) request letter openers which match the higher end pens. This would make for some high end desk sets that executives would be all over. If you'd like to see high end letter openers as well, be sure to let Nils know!

Cheers,
Draken

Wait a minute... They do make letter openers to go with the Statesman...

[]

Fangar

 

[Draken]

Fangar,

Your custom job is one of the reasons why I think CSUSA should add letter openers like this to their product line. I haven't yet investigated how much work that conversion took, but it still looks great.

Draken

 

[chigdon]

I would, and have, asked them to redesign the slimline pen. I don't mean these 'improved' versions but totally start over and make a slim pen that is comporable with the Gentlemen's or even comparable with the Emperor, etc. It would have to be a little bigger possibly but I get a lot of requests for smaller 'ladies' pens and I just can't sell a slimline and feel good about it.

 

[Ligget]

A good looking click pen made from quality components, approx size of comfort pen![]

 

[nilsatcraft]

Feel free to keep it coming. We're listening.

 

[kent4Him]

How about Artisan bands for the Titanium European's and Americana'a.

 

[vick]

Chrome plating would be one of the things I would love for them to offer. Cheap with good wear properties.

My dream pen would be a gents style nib but have a single piece straight shank threaded insert for the cap (like el toro so I could leave off centerband without modification if desired) with a clip style that is condusive to Russ's invisible clip method (hole smaller than inside diameter of the cap.

I get goose bumps just thinking about it.

 

[airrat]

Some questions. Do not most of these pens come from manufactuers in foreign countries or is it just the bag was made in Taiwan? Does CSUSA design their own and make them in Utah or contract them with an Asain supplier? Does any of the major suppliers (PSI, CSUSA or Berea) make their own pens?

If they are all made by foreign companies that would explain part of Johnathans complaint.

 

[DCBluesman]

Tom - the kits are made in Taiwan. None are manufactured in the US. The designs for the new pens are typically being done by each company here in the US. I think the reason for the Asian designs is that 1) they are distinctive and 2) they are in vogue. Interestingly enough, these last few kits are really the first of the Asian motif. The other strongly represented motif is the US Southwest. Look at MANY of the centerbands. Also, about a year and a half ago we had nothing in an Asian motif. The new pens back then were all Euro-centric (Baron, Gentleman, Statesman, Olympia, etc.) The tide will turn again, I'm sure.

 

[Rifleman1776]

ANYTHING that uses standard drill sizes. [)]

 

[MarkRyan]

I'd like to see something like the Americana Rhodium in a gel pen. Also a larger diameter Americana Rhodium that would be between the sizes of the Gent and the Jr. Gent. I like the ability to positively post the cap, but not have threads showing. Friction tops just go flying when I start to write.

 

[ken69912001]

I too have requests for click pens but I dont want to sell them something cheap.

 

[bonefish]

Recently, I made a cartridge pen, using a .308 Winchester case, for the bottom barrel.

I made it for a novelty, butI have been carrying and using this pen for the past few days, and the way it feels when you hold it and write with it, it is the most comfortable pen I have ever used.

Although at first glance, it looks like it would be awkward, the shape of the .308 case is what makes it so user friendly and easy to hold.

I would like to see a kit made to utilize cartridges, instead of having to fabricate parts from other pens.

I plan to make a wooden pen, turned in the shape of the .308 case for the bottom barrel.

Bonefish

 

[bonefish]

P.S.

I would also like to see the above mentioned kit designed to take the Parker type insert, instead of the Cross style.

I think the Parker gel type writes smoother.

Bonefish

 

[gerryr]

Originally posted by bonefish
<br />
I would like to see a kit made to utilize cartridges, instead of having to fabricate parts from other pens.

Bonefish

Fabricate parts? I've made a few dozen cartridge pens and haven't had to fabricate anything. What did you have to make?

 

[Daniel]

I'm with Chris, the selecton in the large pen catagory is looking really good. I would like to see the small and medium size pens get upgrades as well. the finish selection has gotten good over the last couple of years. but a whole revamp of the look of the smaller pens makes a lot of room to explore.
low cost but strong finishes, like chrome, are also a good idea in my mind.
having said that I am already pleased with what I have been seeing. I know it can be a shock to see pen kits that rival new tool sets in cost. I could live without that myself. but given the choice of high prices or les selection, I will take the high priced kits

 

[mrcook4570]

Add my name to the list of those wanting a good quality click pen. Also, perhaps a gent, jr gent, jr gent BP, executive, and a redesigned (see below) Americana RB/FP in chrome.

And several good quality posting pens that use a friction fit AND look good when posted. That flimsy little plastic piece in the Americana RB/FP is too unreliable. I've never made a Ligero, so maybe it is different, but the El Grandes just don't look right when posted.

Maybe a cigar that has something more durable (black titanium or rhodium) in place of the black (enamel?) parts.

 

[kent4Him]

How about a european kit that is similar to Montblanc's Voltaire collection?

http://www.bittner.com/pensDetail.aspx?Brand=montblanc&id=319&title=Mont%20Blanc&penType=Ball%20Pen

 

[kent4Him]

Maybe Sterling Silver or Stainless Steel finishes.

 

[kent4Him]

Originally posted by mrcook4570
<br />

Maybe a cigar that has something more durable (black titanium or rhodium) in place of the black (enamel?) parts.

I agree. Find a better material than the enamel. It scratches way too easily. I’ve had to replace parts of some Americana Rollerball before it got much use.

 

[arioux]

Hi,

For your info, Wood pen pro already has 2 cigar pen kit (platinum and to gold) with black chrome instead of black enamel.

 

[Glenn McCullough]

I like the fittings and size of the classic Parker style pen. If fittings could be made to have choices of centerbands and or cap finnials or to make your own centerband, that would be terrific.If you could make a pressure fitting without the external centerband....oh the possibilities! Look at how versatile the slimline pen is....just by having choices of centerbands or to move them up or down or delete them. Not to mention the versatile fittings on the El Grande, Churchill and Ligero. You canchange the shape of the cap and post finnials and submerge the centerband to make a completely different lokg instrument.

 

[arjudy]

I would like to see CSUSA come up with a european style pen that looks exactly like their current one but utilizing a parker refill. I know PSI has kits like this but they do not come in any high end platings.

 

[kent4Him]

I would like to move to the TN Gold for the european and americana, but I don't like the center band. How about producing the artisan or other decorative center bands for the TN Gold and black titanium.

 

[broitblat]

There are a number of things I think I'd like (some of these we can probably already do with existing kits):

A pen the size and quality of the Jr Statesman but with simpler "graphics" (e.g. basic geometric shape) for the gold portions.

As above, A good/high end pen in a smaller size than the Jr Gent/Statesman

A pencil with a good sized eraser

A good quality round top roller ball/fountain pen. I kind of like the PSI Designer RB/FP and the Churchill, but the Churchill looks cheap and the PSI is made cheap.

A round top version of a slimline that is not quite as slim. You could also think of this as a slimmer version of the euro with 7mm tubes, a narrow band, and upper and lower barrels of the same diameter, or a less slim presidential...

Other narrow and textured band options for the Euro.

More two-tone metal options (e.g. I like the combination of rhodium w/black ti) for other kits (can a less expensive version also be done with, say, chrome and gun-metal?).

How about some more clip options (not more themes, necessarily, but other shapes, patterns, etc.)

Is there such a thing a brushed/satin finish in black ti (or similar grey)?

Also, how about something done in black ti with gold accents

I suppose I could go on...

 

[emackrell]

My vote is hands down for a classier slender pen kit, preferably with a Parker gel refill. Like the improved slimlines, but more so. I like being able to customize the CB and play with the pen shape but the Cross refills do not inspire me. I'd like to be able to make slender pens as good looking and pleasing to write with as the Barons and Jr Gents.
As for the click pens, all the ones I've tried have pretty insubstantial (read: chintzy) click mechanisms. Are there any kits with good click mechanisms? Perhaps a good metal click mechanism would make the pen too heavy or the kit too expensive -- I don't know. But I haven't found the plastic click mechanisms to be very reliable.

cheers Eileen [8D]

 

[arjudy]

I would like to see a click pen that actually works every time it is clicked.

 

[mick]

Originally posted by woodpens
<br />I get a lot of requests for click pens, but I am really embarassed to sell them the click pens I have in stock. I haven't ordered any in a long time, but I think they are PSI kits. Pretty sad pens.

Jim, have`you tried the new improved Flat Top American from Berea?
I've made several and they seem well made and feel more solid when clicking than some others I'VE seen.

 

[johncrane]

Everyone asks for click pens.It would be great if we cold buy a good quality click pen with highend platings in european and s/line style most off the click pens are pencils with not a big demand.just my 2cents worth.[]

 

[tdmiller10]

Is this a sticky and therefore open to suggestions?
If so, my dad mentioned wanting a Fountain Pen that could be refilled from the back end by screwing off the end and turning the pump. He wanted me to try to use two kits to do this, but perhaps someone else knows of a kit that can be made or perhaps has yet to be made. He told me that the WC American FP I made him was the first one he'd seen where you had to screw off the nib in order to refill the pump.

 

[EeyorIs21]

OK, lots of things I would like to see:

A slim (not the current slim line) pen that takes a Parker style refill.

A BETTER CLICK

MORE PENCILS, maybe letter openers to, would allow option to offer great gift set(s)

More high-end plating options other than gold(like Stainless Steel or Rhodium) on more kits

More NIB choices(two-tone and solid 1 piece, not just gold, think Rhodium)

More clip shapes on more kits
Look at this Monteverde, I want to buy 1 just to pull it apart and see how much it compares to a Sierra: http://www.monteverdepens.com/jewelria_brown.html

More FOUTAIN PENS, especially if we could get something in a vanishing point, we can start with a twist action. Some current vanishing point fountains:
http://coloradopen.com/product/Pilot_Vanishing_Point_Kit_Black_with_Gold_Trim/Pilot_Vanishing_Point_Kit# OR http://www.penseller.com/pages/stipula.htm (the DAVINCI....VERY NICE)

Can we make a pen, or at least a mechanism that will take a Fisher Space Pen refill(the thick one that looks almost like a parker without the little plastic bit on the end,they already make a Cross type). Maybe some sort of click or something where you just post the cap on the end.

 

[Snazzypens]

I would love to see the higher quality pens in sterling silver

I concur on a better click pens they are pathetic what I have tried


bye Toni

 

[hughbie]

my turn.........
click pens a must
more selection of middle of the road kits. the people i deal with and sell too.....aren't $100 or more pen people. pen kits in the $20 - $30 range.

i don't mind and kinda like turning slimlines except the centerbands. to make any designs or showing off the woods...requires making a pen that looks like a wasp. could we get more choices of center bands? like some larger diameter ones.....in all plating choices?

 

[rtrimyer]

I would like to see a 7mm sized click pen, my wife like click pens, but does not like the ones that are 8mm and larger.