The kind that customers are going to buy! My shop has always needed some retail items that customers can buy "off the street". Basically, I need to pick up that impulse buy from folks who are in town and just checking things out. I've found nice pens fairly quick to make and profit margins looks pretty tasty.
I passed on the slimline clickers and got something else; I'll make a new post below about that. Thank you for the advice.
www.penblanks.ca
A wealth of information there, Mal. Thank you. I'll be taking a look at those kits.@LK&T ---- Here is a listing of (most of) the pen kits that utilize the Schmidt click mechanism. . I say "most of" in case I have forgotten one.
The Schmidt click mechanism has a very distinctive look to it. . When you get to know it, you will always recognize it..
That Artisan Clicker does NOT use a Schmidt click mechanism ..... there are only six or so that do, one of which is the PSI pen called "DuraClick EDC"
The "EDC" stands for Every Day Carry, but why that's included in the name, I do not know ..... every pen could be called that !
DuraClick EDC Pen Kit in 303 Stainless Steel
This durable, well-balanced, everyday carry click pen will be sure to fit your everyday life and last for years and years. Solidly crafted from raw 303 Stainless Steel, this pen is will withstand daily wear and never chip or crack. Plus, we included an ultra-reliable, all metal Schmidt SKM-88 clickwww.pennstateind.com
Penn State also has this one in a slim style : https://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKDUSLIMCH.html
Berea Hardwoods sells two pen kits that use this same Schmidt click mechanism.
One is called the "Blade". . You can view it here :
The other is called the "Sierra Super Button Click". . You can view it here :
Sierra® Super Button Click Chrome
Check out the deal on Sierra® Super Button Click Chrome at Pen Kit Making Supplies Berea HardWoodswww.bereahardwoods.com
A Canadian company sells one called the "Luxor". . Check it out here :
Luxor push button click pen kit with Schmidt mechanism chrome
Luxor push button pen kit chrome
So, we are up to 5 kits using that particular click mechanism made by Schmidt, which is their SKM-88 mechanism.
PSI also sells two pen kits that use a different (smaller) Schmidt mechanism, with the designation SKM-192.
The one is called the "Anvil EDC Click Pen" : https://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKANVGM.html
and the other pen kit is the PSI "Groove Click Pen" : https://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKGVCLCH.html
The SKM-192 (used mostly internal to the pen body) is considerably smaller than the SKM-88 (used mostly on the outside top of the pen body).
In each case, my URL reference is to one pen kit of the specified style but each style can be bought with several different metal platings.
I think the Artisan Clickers come with an assembly tool that does the same thing. At least I think it was the Artisan Clicker- it could have been one of the other dozen or so kits I read about yesterday......
John, thanks for the thread references- that's alway super helpful.
@LK&T ---- Here is a listing of (most of) the pen kits that utilize the Schmidt click mechanism. . I say "most of" in case I have forgotten one.
The Schmidt click mechanism has a very distinctive look to it. . When you get to know it, you will always recognize it..
That Artisan Clicker does NOT use a Schmidt click mechanism ..... there are only six or so that do, one of which is the PSI pen called "DuraClick EDC"
The "EDC" stands for Every Day Carry, but why that's included in the name, I do not know ..... every pen could be called that !
DuraClick EDC Pen Kit in 303 Stainless Steel
This durable, well-balanced, everyday carry click pen will be sure to fit your everyday life and last for years and years. Solidly crafted from raw 303 Stainless Steel, this pen is will withstand daily wear and never chip or crack. Plus, we included an ultra-reliable, all metal Schmidt SKM-88 clickwww.pennstateind.com
Penn State also has this one in a slim style : https://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKDUSLIMCH.html
Berea Hardwoods sells two pen kits that use this same Schmidt click mechanism.
One is called the "Blade". . You can view it here :
The other is called the "Sierra Super Button Click". . You can view it here :
Sierra® Super Button Click Chrome
Check out the deal on Sierra® Super Button Click Chrome at Pen Kit Making Supplies Berea HardWoodswww.bereahardwoods.com
A Canadian company sells one called the "Luxor". . Check it out here :
Luxor push button click pen kit with Schmidt mechanism chrome
Luxor push button pen kit chrome
So, we are up to 5 kits using that particular click mechanism made by Schmidt, which is their SKM-88 mechanism.
PSI also sells two pen kits that use a different (smaller) Schmidt mechanism, with the designation SKM-192.
The one is called the "Anvil EDC Click Pen" : https://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKANVGM.html
and the other pen kit is the PSI "Groove Click Pen" : https://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKGVCLCH.html
The SKM-192 (used mostly internal to the pen body) is considerably smaller than the SKM-88 (used mostly on the outside top of the pen body).
In each case, my URL reference is to one pen kit of the specified style but each style can be bought with several different metal platings.
The acronym "EDC" is commonly used by knife and gun enthusiasts. Looking at that pen, I think the design is targeted to those tactically minded folks; using "EDC" in the name is totally a marketing thing.
@LK&T
www.penblanks.ca
EDC is also a term commonly used in the pen collecting community. This is one of those times, that I wish they wouldn't do this. It is taking advantage of the fact that this term is commonly used in pen searches, but it is not the intended answer.
I almost got a few of those but didn't because of the kit price. For now, I'm trying to keep the cost down on my material investment. The goal is for pen sales to support the reinvestment of capital to buy new kits. We'll see how it goes.In my post #9 above, I forgot one pen kit that utilizes a Schmidt click mechanism.
It is the "Everyday Classic" from PSI :
Everyday Classic Gun Metal Click Pen Kit
The Everyday Classic exudes a vintage, yet modern style and features smooth, clean lines and balanced weight. Practical enough to be used every day with a classic, elegant, high quality feel. The pen tip and end features vertical recesses that provide an easy grip. The pen clip is crafted from raw 3www.pennstateind.com
It utilizes the Schmidt SKM-192 clicker, which is totally internal to the pen and is considerably smaller than the SKM-88 clicker.
Both of these Schmidt click mechanisms appear to operate on the same principle. . Both click mechanisms can be bought from US vendors.
Personally, I prefer the SKM-88, partly because it is bigger and has an integral pushbutton which is very attractive.
For the SKM-192, you have to make your own pushbutton.
Re: the "Everyday Classic" pen kit, the subject of this post, it is quite attractive and very reliable. . But it has a hellishly stiff clip ... quite annoying.
Barrel is long at 3.125"and so can feature a very nice blank material, and it is probably best made with straight sides because of its length.
The two bushings are both 0.435" diameter, making the minimal pen rather slim. . The bushings are slightly undersize; better size would be 0.445".
Highly recommended except for the stiff clip.
