kit-less???

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alphageek

alphageek

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Ok - I have a question. I have an answer in my head, but I'm curious to see how it lines up with others.

This is really a question for those of you who make kit-less pens (that term taken verbatim from the Advance Penmaking board description by the way)...

I know that "kit" pens are a sore point for some people (and I do avoid using that term around customers) so many of us call them components. If "kits" is a bad term, then why do we use "kit-less" or is kit-less a bad word too? Does anyone have a good, easy to say term for pens that were created with out kits?

(Ok, so I had 2 questions)... I will reply a little later with my thought of the answer, but I didn't want to influence the early replies. :wink:
 
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I always use the same comparaison when someone talk to me about kit.
A Mont-blanc is made with 2 tubes, a clib, a nib, a center band, a transmisison and a refil. I use the same kind of component, just not the same brand or same material.
 
I have always said that I make pens. Although most of mine are now "kit-less" I still do use some kits. Still call them all pens made by me. I do see a reason on places like this forum to distinguish bewteen the two, but for the most part have never had to explain the difference to non penmakers. If someone askes me which parts I make, I tell them but don't recall if anyone ever asked if it was a kit or not.
 
alphageek said:
Ok - I have a question. I have an answer in my head, but I'm curious to see how it lines up with others.

This is really a question for those of you who make kit-less pens (that term taken verbatim from the Advance Penmaking board description by the way)...

I know that "kit" pens are a sore point for some people (and I do avoid using that term around customers) so many of us call them components. If "kits" is a bad term, then why do we use "kit-less" or is kit-less a bad word too? Does anyone have a good, easy to say term for pens that were created with out kits?

(Ok, so I had 2 questions)... I will reply a little later with my thought of the answer, but I didn't want to influence the early replies. :wink:
Click to expand...

Well, since I started the "advanced pen making" forum and if memory serves, used the term "kit-less" in the first post, perhaps I can give you my description.

The vast majority of members here turn 3/4" square pen blanks round, drill holes in them then open a plastic bag containing a few brass tubes and a few metal parts, which when all assembled properly produce a pen. The next pen is asembled identically, as is the next and the next and so on... and so on....and so on.... until it actually gets boring and not enjoyable anymore!

NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT WHATSOEVER, no one ever said it was...... BUT..... I, like several others became bored with the whole process and looked for something different. Note I said "DIFFERENT" not better!

I (we) found an alternative way of producing a pen. A way that allowed us to try different ideas, different sizes, different materials and attaching methods, doing things that caused us to think and use creative ideas rather than dump six parts out of a bag.

So, my definition (which was never meant to be condescending) was, and is pretty clear and simple... a kitless pen is a pen made without grabbing for a plastic bag full of tubes and metal end pieces or "kit".

I've never figured out why some people insist on making a big deal over the phrase! I can remember when we first got the advanced forum underway, several members got all upset, some were dead set against the idea of a new forum and sent nasty little pm's venting their anger, accusing me and others of thinking we were better than others and all sorts of nonsense. I sure hope that doesn't get started up again now!

As far as talking to customers, other than commenting that one pen is totally hand crafted in my shop, I make no distinction between the two styles of pen, there is no need to!
 
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At one time I tried to get a definition of "Kitless" from the membership and was told "There is no reason to define the word !" so I created my own . I was also told that "I shouldn't waste my time making kitless ballpoints" but since then they have become my most requested and best selling pens , not my highest profit pens but they sell quite well .
To the general public I don't use the words "Kit" or "Kitless" when describing my pens , I use "Manufactured Hardware" to describe kit pens and "Totally Custom made" to describe my kitless work .
 
I havent gone totally kitless, but when I heavily mod a kit, I've called it "My own custom design".

I have a woman at work here who has bought plenty of pens from someone else before I got started, so she knows the what the "manufactured" components look like. When I show a pen to someone like that and they say "I've never seen anything like that", I think its appropriate for me to claim the design as my own :D (assuming I didnt copy it from someone here lol).
 
Thanks for the replies... I think I have some answers (and history too).

The reason that I asked this was because it came up a couple of times in recent threads about kits->components. So then I wondered about unique pieces"..

I think i'm going to be calling them components, modified components, and then eventually custom components. (partially based on the replies gotten here). I'm hoping to try a couple of the Jr modifications (replace the ends, modify center bands). Eventually I would love to go completely custom, but I'm not ready for that yet.

The reason is that I already market my pens as "custom", "unique" and one-of a kind often. I was thinking about how to distinguish the extra uniqueness of moving away from the "kits".

BTW - I put this in a different thread, but when talking WITH pen makers I don't think kit or kit-less is a bad wording... A component is a piece, components are multiple pieces, and a kit is a specific arrangement of a specified number of components. (manufacturing terminology)
 
When you are totally ready to take that plunge, come on over Dean. We'll knock out something pretty much from nothing in a couple hours flat. Making a pen without all the components does not have to be a week long process, nor does it even have to take all day. It just depends how crazy a mood your in.
 
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