Next Component set to add????

[Smitty37]

I'm probably going to add a Component Set or two to my line again soon and would like opinions on what set(s) to add and why. Except for finishes my Le Roi line is about full.

Opinions on new finishes to existing lines will also be welcomed.

Also on the price range any new additions should fall into. I look at 'low' as being less than $10.00, 'medium' as $10 - $20, and high as more than $20.00. All of my current offerings are low or medium.

 

[Dan Masshardt]

2 tone hybrid cigars. Chrome and gunmetal. Or even higher quality platings if the price is right.

Keep the price as close to $10 as you can. Less would be even better.

 

[Sylvanite]

I once had a source for Gold Ti / Black Ti and Chrome / Black Ti Cigar kits, but haven't been able to get them quite for some time. Regular Cigar kits - not the hybrids. The Cigar has long been a mainstay kit except for the black enamel - which is it's Achilles' heel. I think there'd be a real niche for these kits in durable platings.

Oh, and I'm still looking for reasonably priced Ti Gold Euro kits too.

Regards,
Eric

 

[southernclay]

Gun metal on a Jr Gent II seems kind of cool. A less expensive option to the black Tn version

 

[nascrdad]

Bring back the Gun Metal Caballero Rollerball

 

[Dan Masshardt]

I once had a source for Gold Ti / Black Ti and Chrome / Black Ti Cigar kits, but haven't been able to get them quite for some time. Regular Cigar kits - not the hybrids. The Cigar has long been a mainstay kit except for the black enamel - which is it's Achilles' heel. I think there'd be a real niche for these kits in durable platings. Oh, and I'm still looking for reasonably priced Ti Gold Euro kits too. Regards, Eric

Two metals is the hybrid I believe. Ultra is the different clip and centerband.

I may be mistaken.

 

[Smitty37]

I once had a source for Gold Ti / Black Ti and Chrome / Black Ti Cigar kits, but haven't been able to get them quite for some time. Regular Cigar kits - not the hybrids. The Cigar has long been a mainstay kit except for the black enamel - which is it's Achilles' heel. I think there'd be a real niche for these kits in durable platings. Oh, and I'm still looking for reasonably priced Ti Gold Euro kits too. Regards, Eric

Two metals is the hybrid I believe. Ultra is the different clip and centerband.

I may be mistaken.

I take both people suggesting the same thing...the bands and cap be something like black TI rather than the typical enamel? How about black chrome...cheaper than black TI and about as durable.

 

[Smitty37]

Bring back the Gun Metal Caballero Rollerball

This is a definite possibility....

 

[Sylvanite]

Two metals is the hybrid I believe. Ultra is the different clip and centerband.

The "ultra" cigar is the blingy one. The "hybrid" cigar has the chrome/gold/rhodium plating on the centerband and finial with the black ti/gunmetal plating on the nib, trim ring and clip. The "regular" cigar has chrome/rhodium/gold nib, trim ring, and clip and black enamel coated centerband and finial.

I'm looking for kits just like the regular cigar (not the hybrid) except that the black enamel parts have been replaced with smoke chrome/gunmetal/black ti plated components. These have been called 2-tone cigar kits. Basically, they are just cigar kits with upgraded plating (platinum/black chrome vs chrome/black enamel and ti-gold/black chrome vs 24k-gold/black enamel). I can point you to my previous source (who has been out of stock for years) privately if you like.

Eric

 

[BSea]

How about the Jr. Retro. It's one of my favorite component sets. I also like the gunmetal caballero that's already been mentioned.

 

[southernclay]

Caballero works for me, I need to try to find some TBC bushings for it though, I think Constant only has them out for the Gent II.

 

[Smitty37]

I once had a source for Gold Ti / Black Ti and Chrome / Black Ti Cigar kits, but haven't been able to get them quite for some time. Regular Cigar kits - not the hybrids. The Cigar has long been a mainstay kit except for the black enamel - which is it's Achilles' heel. I think there'd be a real niche for these kits in durable platings.

Oh, and I'm still looking for reasonably priced Ti Gold Euro kits too.

Regards,
Eric

Define reasonably priced? They aren't hard to get, But I don't know if anybody carries them in Gold TN.

 

[Sylvanite]

Define reasonably priced? They aren't hard to get, But I don't know if anybody carries them in Gold TN.

I think within a buck or two of the 24k gold price would be reasonable. I can currently get 24k gold euro kits for $2.25-$2.95 (depending on quantity), so I'd like to see prices under $4.00 or $5.00.

 

[Dan Masshardt]

For the cigars, I'd probably buy anything that doesn't look like it has black plastic.

Personally I most want something like the hybrid. The black ti / platinum that (name removed by edit) sells is so classy looking.

However, I think that it would also retain much of the look with chrome and gunmetal or something similar.

If I was buying them anyway, I'd prob buy some of the gunmetal rollerballs as well. I like the jr 2 better than the 1, but would buy either.

Maybe some totally different rollerball / fountain than anybody else carries would be a thought as well...

 

[southernclay]

Smitty no suggestions on the high end but would love to hear your thoughts on that. I think a convertible option is always good

 

[Smitty37]

Please do not mention company names in your posts. You can use their pen names but don't name the companies.

 

[knowltoh]

As I give most of my pens away, I prefer the lower priced kits.

 

[Smitty37]

For the cigars, I'd probably buy anything that doesn't look like it has black plastic.

Personally I most want something like the hybrid. The black ti / platinum that (name removed by edit) sells is so classy looking.

However, I think that it would also retain much of the look with chrome and gunmetal or something similar.

If I was buying them anyway, I'd prob buy some of the gunmetal rollerballs as well. I like the jr 2 better than the 1, but would buy either.

Maybe some totally different rollerball / fountain than anybody else carries would be a thought as well...

I think what you're looking for is already available at one of my competitors.

 

[Smitty37]

I once had a source for Gold Ti / Black Ti and Chrome / Black Ti Cigar kits, but haven't been able to get them quite for some time. Regular Cigar kits - not the hybrids. The Cigar has long been a mainstay kit except for the black enamel - which is it's Achilles' heel. I think there'd be a real niche for these kits in durable platings.

Oh, and I'm still looking for reasonably priced Ti Gold Euro kits too.

Regards,
Eric

How about black chrome instead of black enamel?

 

[Smitty37]

Bring back the Gun Metal Caballero Rollerball

This can be done, pricing between Chrome and gold TN....I'll keep it in mind.

 

[Dan Masshardt]

I think what you're looking for is already available at one of my competitors.

Not at an attractive price point.

 

[beck3906]

Something with the same tubes used for cigars but a totally different look.

Another look for a 10.5 and 12.5 tube set.

Something on the upper end to compete with the jr statesman.

A large size tube set to compete with the statesman

The list could go on and on.

 

[Smitty37]

How about the Jr. Retro. It's one of my favorite component sets. I also like the gunmetal caballero that's already been mentioned.

I really don't see much chance for jr. Retro --- it's just a jr Gent 2 with a different cap and centerband hi end finish and a high price (which I probably could not beat).

 

[Smitty37]

I think what you're looking for is already available at one of my competitors.

Not at an attractive price point.

Chrome/Satin Chrome at less than $6.00(at my competitor's) ....might be able to do Chrome/Gun Metal in the same price range but the step to Gold Tn/Rhodium, Black To/Rhodium or Gold Tn/Black To (or visa-versa) would be steep.

 

[Smitty37]

I do have to say this....I am not really motivated by cigar kit - for about 18 months I had nice cigar kits in chrome and gold Tn for the lowest prices you could find and they did not sell.....I also offered them with a oneway transmission rather than two way but they still didn't sell. I can't think of much that would be different now. There is just a lot of competition on cigar kits and a low price does not guraranee sales.

 

[Smitty37]

Something with the same tubes used for cigars but a totally different look.

Another look for a 10.5 and 12.5 tube set.

Something on the upper end to compete with the jr statesman.

A large size tube set to compete with the statesman

The list could go on and on.

Isn't that already available - I have some in my collection that I think fill that niche - don't really know what they're called

 

[Bean_Counter]

Is it possible to add another fountain pen finish in the caballero? Thinking gold ti or gun metal?

 

[Cmiles1985]

I have seen tons of interest in the magnetic cap pens. Having said that, is there a way to get a nice component set that includes a magnetic cap (RB or FP) that includes a turned barrel (read: Jr. Series)?

 

[Smitty37]

Is it possible to add another fountain pen finish in the caballero? Thinking gold ti or gun metal?

I'd have to look into that, I don't carry FP right now because the Jt Gent 1 makers tend to glue in the nibs which makes them a bear (impossible for a lot of folks) to change the nibs on...Which is really why I don't have them now.

 

[Bean_Counter]

Leroy how about a full size gent or statesman type pen

 

[Smitty37]

I had full size Ligeros which are competitive with those and they didn't move very well....but that is a consideration.

 

[Bean_Counter]

Ok last suggestion then I'm done, sorry but you are my favorite vendor... How about a caballero that doesn't post?

I didn't know you had full size ones or I would have bought

 

[Smitty37]

Ok last suggestion then I'm done, sorry but you are my favorite vendor... How about a caballero that doesn't post?

I didn't know you had full size ones or I would have bought

Hmmmm ..... That is an animal that doesn't exist anywhere at the moment....I'll give that Idea a look.

 

[Smitty37]

If there was interest, they do make a full sized Gentleman pen at one of the vendors I use so I can get them (I had a few for the birthday bash that I think I traded for blanks.).

 

[Bean_Counter]

I'd be interested in those but couldn't fulfill your moq on those by myself

 

[Smitty37]

I think what you're looking for is already available at one of my competitors.

Not at an attractive price point.

Doing Gold Tn/Black To I would probably be in the $11/$12 range ($9/$10 for Smitty's Club Members) maybe a dollar less for Chrome/ Black To' That would be with Schmidt EasyFlow 9000 refills.

Chrome/Black Chrome or Gold Tn Black Chrome in the $5/$6 range for Smitty's club members.

But the latter 2 didn't sell at a lower price when I carried them before.

 

[Smitty37]

I have seen tons of interest in the magnetic cap pens. Having said that, is there a way to get a nice component set that includes a magnetic cap (RB or FP) that includes a turned barrel (read: Jr. Series)?

Clark, PSI has the magnetic graduate that is exactly that. FB and FP 10.5mm and 12.5mm tubes and both tubes turned. Price Range is $11.95 (chrome) $12.95 (gun metal), looks like a pretty nice looking kit to me.

 

[Dan Masshardt]

Doing Gold Tn/Black To I would probably be in the $11/$12 range ($9/$10 for Smitty's Club Members) maybe a dollar less for Chrome/ Black To' That would be with Schmidt EasyFlow 9000 refills. Chrome/Black Chrome or Gold Tn Black Chrome in the $5/$6 range for Smitty's club members. But the latter 2 didn't sell at a lower price when I carried them before.

I'd be interested in the chrome / black ti in the $10 for sure would preorder some

Although nobody else has been talking much about these It just seems that a nice cigar would fit well into your lineup.

 

[Cmiles1985]

I have seen tons of interest in the magnetic cap pens. Having said that, is there a way to get a nice component set that includes a magnetic cap (RB or FP) that includes a turned barrel (read: Jr. Series)?

Clark, PSI has the magnetic graduate that is exactly that. FB and FP 10.5mm and 12.5mm tubes and both tubes turned. Price Range is $11.95 (chrome) $12.95 (gun metal), looks like a pretty nice looking kit to me.

That they do, and I did not realize it! I haven't really looked at PSI's lineup since I've become more involved in turning as I've been buying most of my component sets from you. Thanks for the heads up Mr. Smith!

 

[Sylvanite]

I once had a source for Gold Ti / Black Ti and Chrome / Black Ti Cigar kits, but haven't been able to get them quite for some time.

How about black chrome instead of black enamel?

I'd be very happy to find a regular cigar kit in TiGold and Black Chrome plating. I used to make a lot of cigar pens in that combination.