its_virgil
Member
This is my first review of a new pen kit so go easy on me. I've been wondering just how much info to give about these new pens. So, I'll give what I would like to know and see how it goes.
Penn State Industries, http://www.pennstateind.com, has introduced three new pens and they are scheduled for availability on Oct. 21, 2008. Actually three pens may be a misnomer of sorts. There are three pens, a rollerball, a fountain pen, and a ballpoint. But, the designs are the same. The fountain pen and rollerball are identical except for the front section. These two are designed around the Mystic Jr.. The ballpoint is designed around the cigar pen. The pens were designed by David Broadwell, who is an accomplished pen maker, knife maker and artist. Broadwell's expertise and attention to detail is made available to use through his design of these pens for PennState Industries. David's work can be seen at http://www.david.broadwell.com The design for these pens may loosely resemble the pens done by Broadwell which he calls the "Sceptres". But, I can see elements of all of Broadwell's designs in the design of these three pens.
The one theme that jumped out at me about this design is "curves". Curves dominate the design of the pens. From the curvature of the cap starting at the center band and sweeping upward to the larger clip finial to the subtle curves of the clip itself curves are the norm. Curves also dominate the sculptured center band, the front sections and the end caps of the barrels. The nib of the ballpoint also has its share of curves.
The influence of Art Nouveau in Broadwell's work can also be seen in this new kit's design. I personally like the flowing curves of the pen cap and body and also the art nouveau influences of the sculptured metal parts. The pens are certainly different from the straight barrel kits we have available. The curves of this design naturally flow from the design so we will not need to do beads and curves and bulging barrels to get the curves wanted by some in their penmaking.
I made the ballpoint from stabilized curly koa. The rollerball had a black acrylic cap and Hondouras rosewood burl barrel and the fountain pen was made from maidou burl.
Specifications measured by me:
Weight in grams: RB 62.3 grams with converter; FP 55.0 grams; BP 62.7 grams
Finished lengths (cap on): RB 5.633 inches; 5.633 inches; BP 5.517 inches
Finished lengths (cap posted): FP and RB 6.399 inches.( My calipers only measure to 6 inches so I had to take two measurements and add them. This may not be 100% correct.)
Drill bit sizes: RB and FP .492 inches and 10.5mm; BP .492 inches and 10 mm. These sizes were a nice snug fit on all three pens. I was pleased with the bit choices. I'm not always happy with the recommended sizes we are given.
FP nib: The standard IPG nib which we know is neither I nor G. I wish Penn State had upgraded the nib, but not to worry, I have one of Lou's to swap it with. Standard converter included. I'll upgrade that also.
RB ink fill: Schmidt 5888 (the metal one…nice)
BP ink fill: The ink fill was a Parker style with no markings. It wrote at first then stopped. It started again and then continued to write. And, it actually wrote pretty good for a stock ink fill.
Platings: All three pens are available in Rhodium/22K gold or black titanium/ 22K gold
Prices for one kit: fountain pen-$31.95(Rhodium) and $36.95 (black T/N); Rollerball-$29.95 for either plating combination; Ballpoint-$24.95 (Rhodium) and $22.95 (black T/N). These prices came from the latest Penn State catalog.
The pens were easy to make with no unforeseen surprises. The ballpoint was essentially the same as making a cigar with the exception that the tubes were not the same size. The rollerball and fountain pen were essentially the same as making the Majestic Jr, the Jr. Gent or the Baron. No problems at all with the assembly and any of them. The press fit of the nib coupler on the ballpoint was a bit on the loose side but the other pressed in parts were nice and snug.
The bushing sets contained 3 bushings. The rollerball and fountain pen used one set and the ballpoint used the other set. They seemed to run true and I noticed no out of roundness in the two sets I had. I did not measure run out. I did find one strange thing about the bushings. On both sets the bushing for the finial/clip end measured .648 inches but the finial itself measured .677 inches. I'm not sure if this was on purpose or a mistake. I'm pretty sure that the bushings were some of the first made so maybe the mistake is corrected or the instructions will explain what I missed. I turned the end of the cap to the dimensions of the hardware and hope it is correct.
. I did not ink the fountain pen and write with it. These three pens will soon be owned by David Broadwell. I will let him be the first to ink and write with it. I think it will perform as well as other kit fountain pens with IPG nibs. These pens are heavy for their size but I did not tire writing with them. I attribute their weight to the amount of metal in the pens. There has been lots of (forum)discussion lately about plastic parts. These pens should quench that complaint: no plasltic. The threads were smooth and the caps seemed to seat well, stay in place, and did not loosen as I carried and used them today. The threads are triple lead and the best metal threads I've found on a kit pen. Cudos on the threads!
I do like these pens and I will be making more of them…especially the fountain pen and rollerball. They are a refreshing change….not just another pen that looks like several others. Thanks to Penn State for allowing David Broadwell to use his talents and design this pen for us. We have been wanting more higher end pens and these pens certainly satisfy that criteria.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
Pictures from left to right: ball point parts, rollerball/fountain pen parts, pens open, pens closed
Pen materials from left to right: RB cap is black acrylic and the barrell is Hon. rosewood burl; the ballpoint is stabilized curly koa, the fountain pen is maidou burl
Penn State Industries, http://www.pennstateind.com, has introduced three new pens and they are scheduled for availability on Oct. 21, 2008. Actually three pens may be a misnomer of sorts. There are three pens, a rollerball, a fountain pen, and a ballpoint. But, the designs are the same. The fountain pen and rollerball are identical except for the front section. These two are designed around the Mystic Jr.. The ballpoint is designed around the cigar pen. The pens were designed by David Broadwell, who is an accomplished pen maker, knife maker and artist. Broadwell's expertise and attention to detail is made available to use through his design of these pens for PennState Industries. David's work can be seen at http://www.david.broadwell.com The design for these pens may loosely resemble the pens done by Broadwell which he calls the "Sceptres". But, I can see elements of all of Broadwell's designs in the design of these three pens.
The one theme that jumped out at me about this design is "curves". Curves dominate the design of the pens. From the curvature of the cap starting at the center band and sweeping upward to the larger clip finial to the subtle curves of the clip itself curves are the norm. Curves also dominate the sculptured center band, the front sections and the end caps of the barrels. The nib of the ballpoint also has its share of curves.
The influence of Art Nouveau in Broadwell's work can also be seen in this new kit's design. I personally like the flowing curves of the pen cap and body and also the art nouveau influences of the sculptured metal parts. The pens are certainly different from the straight barrel kits we have available. The curves of this design naturally flow from the design so we will not need to do beads and curves and bulging barrels to get the curves wanted by some in their penmaking.
I made the ballpoint from stabilized curly koa. The rollerball had a black acrylic cap and Hondouras rosewood burl barrel and the fountain pen was made from maidou burl.
Specifications measured by me:
Weight in grams: RB 62.3 grams with converter; FP 55.0 grams; BP 62.7 grams
Finished lengths (cap on): RB 5.633 inches; 5.633 inches; BP 5.517 inches
Finished lengths (cap posted): FP and RB 6.399 inches.( My calipers only measure to 6 inches so I had to take two measurements and add them. This may not be 100% correct.)
Drill bit sizes: RB and FP .492 inches and 10.5mm; BP .492 inches and 10 mm. These sizes were a nice snug fit on all three pens. I was pleased with the bit choices. I'm not always happy with the recommended sizes we are given.
FP nib: The standard IPG nib which we know is neither I nor G. I wish Penn State had upgraded the nib, but not to worry, I have one of Lou's to swap it with. Standard converter included. I'll upgrade that also.
RB ink fill: Schmidt 5888 (the metal one…nice)
BP ink fill: The ink fill was a Parker style with no markings. It wrote at first then stopped. It started again and then continued to write. And, it actually wrote pretty good for a stock ink fill.
Platings: All three pens are available in Rhodium/22K gold or black titanium/ 22K gold
Prices for one kit: fountain pen-$31.95(Rhodium) and $36.95 (black T/N); Rollerball-$29.95 for either plating combination; Ballpoint-$24.95 (Rhodium) and $22.95 (black T/N). These prices came from the latest Penn State catalog.
The pens were easy to make with no unforeseen surprises. The ballpoint was essentially the same as making a cigar with the exception that the tubes were not the same size. The rollerball and fountain pen were essentially the same as making the Majestic Jr, the Jr. Gent or the Baron. No problems at all with the assembly and any of them. The press fit of the nib coupler on the ballpoint was a bit on the loose side but the other pressed in parts were nice and snug.
The bushing sets contained 3 bushings. The rollerball and fountain pen used one set and the ballpoint used the other set. They seemed to run true and I noticed no out of roundness in the two sets I had. I did not measure run out. I did find one strange thing about the bushings. On both sets the bushing for the finial/clip end measured .648 inches but the finial itself measured .677 inches. I'm not sure if this was on purpose or a mistake. I'm pretty sure that the bushings were some of the first made so maybe the mistake is corrected or the instructions will explain what I missed. I turned the end of the cap to the dimensions of the hardware and hope it is correct.
. I did not ink the fountain pen and write with it. These three pens will soon be owned by David Broadwell. I will let him be the first to ink and write with it. I think it will perform as well as other kit fountain pens with IPG nibs. These pens are heavy for their size but I did not tire writing with them. I attribute their weight to the amount of metal in the pens. There has been lots of (forum)discussion lately about plastic parts. These pens should quench that complaint: no plasltic. The threads were smooth and the caps seemed to seat well, stay in place, and did not loosen as I carried and used them today. The threads are triple lead and the best metal threads I've found on a kit pen. Cudos on the threads!
I do like these pens and I will be making more of them…especially the fountain pen and rollerball. They are a refreshing change….not just another pen that looks like several others. Thanks to Penn State for allowing David Broadwell to use his talents and design this pen for us. We have been wanting more higher end pens and these pens certainly satisfy that criteria.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
Pictures from left to right: ball point parts, rollerball/fountain pen parts, pens open, pens closed
Pen materials from left to right: RB cap is black acrylic and the barrell is Hon. rosewood burl; the ballpoint is stabilized curly koa, the fountain pen is maidou burl
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