Sophro Copperline

[qquake]

This is a PSI Sophro rollerball, in aluminum. To say it's unusual would be an understatement. They consider it a capless rollerball, but I call it upside down. You can assemble it with the clip at the other end, but I like it this way. It's unusual like me. The blank is a DiamondCast called Copperline. DiamondCast blanks never disappoint. It's a birthday gift for my good friend Olga. She loves my pens and likes unusual things. This is the pen that was going to have the Color Grain blank, but it didn't work out. I like the DiamondCast blank much better.

 

[magpens]

@qquake

Very nice, Jim !!! . . I love the blank ! ! ! . . . . Seems this is a quite new pen design from PSI.

So with this pen, can the so-called cap be actually used to cover the front tip ?
I know that, unlike other rollerball designs, the refill can be retracted . . . but . . .
I think some covering may be necessary to prevent the LIKELY possibility of getting ink on my best Sunday shirt !!!
(( Yeah . . even if I do build it like you did with the clip holding the pen inverted in the pocket !!! . . . ))

 

[qquake]

No, there's no provision for capping the writing tip. Plus, the clip end is larger than the finial end, 0.507" vs. 0.471".

https://www.pennstateind.com/library/PKSOPHxx_INS.pdf

 

[KenB259]

The blank and you're tuning of it is great. I started a thread when this pen kit came out saying how weird it is, I still stand by my original thoughts. I'm just not a fan of it, only my personal opinion. For me, one other downside is it doesn't take your standard Parker refill.

 

[TonyL]

Nice pen. Love all the pics.

 

[qquake]

The blank and you're tuning of it is great. I started a thread when this pen kit came out saying how weird it is, I still stand by my original thoughts. I'm just not a fan of it, only my personal opinion. For me, one other downside is it doesn't take your standard Parker refill.

Yes, your post is the reason I ordered one. I do like it. The refill doesn't bother me, I've turned other pens that take the same refill - the Magnetic Attraction from Woodcraft. I got some refills from Amazon.

 

[KenB259]

Yes, your post is the reason I ordered one. I do like it. The refill doesn't bother me, I've turned other pens that take the same refill - the Magnetic Attraction from Woodcraft. I got some refills from Amazon.

I always worry about the end user not understanding or totally forgetting about needing a special refill at the time they need to refill. Or forgetting about that little refill extender on certain pens.

 

[mark james]

Wonderful blank and turning. Not a real fan of the kit, but I appreciate the discussion.

 

[jttheclockman]

The blank looks terrific but as others not a fan. I would guess the kit would look better the traditional way with the clip at the top. Not sure the refill would be that much a problem. There are so many refill sizes and shapes out there and if you go to a Staples or store like that I am sure you will find. Just not sure I trust a rollerball from not leaking and drying out if not used within the year life span.

 

[egnald]

Hi Jim,
I whole heartedly agree with you, this made a much more attractive pen than the finished purple one. - Dave

 

[qquake]

I always worry about the end user not understanding or totally forgetting about needing a special refill at the time they need to refill. Or forgetting about that little refill extender on certain pens.

In my case, it doesn't matter. I don't sell pens, so don't have to worry about it. I have a feeling the people I give pens to rarely use them. The few times they've run out of ink, I replace the refill for them.

 

[egnald]

Hi Jim, I am in the very same camp. I don't sell pens either. I don't think many of the people I have given pens to use them very often either. It always makes me feel good when I see one of them writing with something that I made though. It doesn't happen very often any more since I retired because most of my gifted pens went to folks at work. So far the only person that has run out of ink in one of my pens has been my wife (and myself of course). - Dave

 

[KMCloonan]

Nice blank. Kit is odd. What problem was PSI (or the pen designer) trying to solve by moving the clip to the other end? It seems to me that the clip would get in the way of gripping the pen to actually write. It would irritate me to no end. But, as mentioned by others, nicely finished! And a great conversation starter.

 

[qquake]

I will say, several people at work use my pens regularly. At least I see them out on their desks. One is my boss, she loves my pens and always uses them. Another is a coworker in my department, a paramedic. I gave him an engraved Tec Pen for Christmas, and he was overjoyed. Makes me feel good. I love making people happy with my pens.

I host email bingo games sometimes for some of the people at work, with one of my pens as the prize. The games are very popular. For Christmas, I always make pens for the girls in Customer Service. Been doing it for several years. This year I hosted a bingo game for them, but I cheated. I printed out the same bingo card for all of them, so they would all win. They caught on about 3/4 of the way through the game. Apparently some of them compare cards as the game progresses. Busted! But it was a lot of fun and they all got a pen. This year I chose Marchesa pens from Crooked Mill, with Roman olive from Woodcraft. They were very well received.

 

[qquake]

Nice blank. Kit is odd. What problem was PSI (or the pen designer) trying to solve by moving the clip to the other end? It seems to me that the clip would get in the way of gripping the pen to actually write. It would irritate me to no end. But, as mentioned by others, nicely finished! And a great conversation starter.

You're right on all counts. But its oddity is what appeals to me.