What is a kitless pen and should we keep it to roller ball and fountain pen or should any type pen made without a kit be accepted?
Kitless pen contest discussion
- Thread starter mredburn
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Ed McDonnell
Member
I would like to see us open it up to ballpoints as well as rollers and fountains.
If we were to define kitless as a pen where the maker had to fabricate everything, the participation would likely be pretty low. If we were to limit commercially available parts (from kits or other sources) to clips, metal tubing and ink delivery components (nib / feed / housing (but not section), refill, converter / cartridge, springs, click mechanism) there should be a large pool of competitors.
It would be interesting if the pen body material had to be "created" by the maker, but that would eliminate some talented pen makers who seem to prefer using commercially available materials like ebonite, or vintage resins. But what about restricting the use of purchased art blanks where the only input required from the maker is turning it round, or polishing? Maybe those blanks would be better in the kit contest?
Just some thoughts.
Ed
If we were to define kitless as a pen where the maker had to fabricate everything, the participation would likely be pretty low. If we were to limit commercially available parts (from kits or other sources) to clips, metal tubing and ink delivery components (nib / feed / housing (but not section), refill, converter / cartridge, springs, click mechanism) there should be a large pool of competitors.
It would be interesting if the pen body material had to be "created" by the maker, but that would eliminate some talented pen makers who seem to prefer using commercially available materials like ebonite, or vintage resins. But what about restricting the use of purchased art blanks where the only input required from the maker is turning it round, or polishing? Maybe those blanks would be better in the kit contest?
Just some thoughts.
Ed
Last edited:
Brooks803
Member
There are several parts that most of us can't make ourselves like nibs and feeds. In the most basic kitless FP the maker will most like make everything except the nib, feed, housing, converter, and clip. All else is hand made, which in the grand scheme of things isn't much.
Personally I would exclude purchased clips. Make those that want to use one go that extra mile and make it however they want. With that being said would be make using a clip mandatory?
I do say allow all forms of pens. BP, FP, RB, even Pencils. I don't see any reason to really make any exclusions here.
As far as blanks/materials go I don't think there's a clean cut way to say what's usable and not. I don't think there's enough people out there that make their own materials to make that exclusion.
Personally I would exclude purchased clips. Make those that want to use one go that extra mile and make it however they want. With that being said would be make using a clip mandatory?
I do say allow all forms of pens. BP, FP, RB, even Pencils. I don't see any reason to really make any exclusions here.
As far as blanks/materials go I don't think there's a clean cut way to say what's usable and not. I don't think there's enough people out there that make their own materials to make that exclusion.
Kitless pen contest rules
The general Rules apply.
You must have made the pen you submitted. It may not have been shown before August 1st 2014.
IT may be any style pen/pencil you wish to make. Laser, cnc, handwork all are permissible.
You may use a commercially made clip if you hide the ring, or you may eliminate the clip or make one yourself.
Feed and nib assemblies, refills and transmissions, lead and pen mechanisms are allowed. Nose cones will be allowed but center bands will not. No commercial kit finials are allowed.
You will judged by
1- creativity
2-scope of original work in making the parts
3-looks, we all like a pretty pen!
3 pictures of your pen will be emailed to me @ssp by 8-17-14 etc
Judging by your peers 2 polls etc.
The general Rules apply.
You must have made the pen you submitted. It may not have been shown before August 1st 2014.
IT may be any style pen/pencil you wish to make. Laser, cnc, handwork all are permissible.
You may use a commercially made clip if you hide the ring, or you may eliminate the clip or make one yourself.
Feed and nib assemblies, refills and transmissions, lead and pen mechanisms are allowed. Nose cones will be allowed but center bands will not. No commercial kit finials are allowed.
You will judged by
1- creativity
2-scope of original work in making the parts
3-looks, we all like a pretty pen!
3 pictures of your pen will be emailed to me @ssp by 8-17-14 etc
Judging by your peers 2 polls etc.