PSI Finish Durability

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beck3906

Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2005
Messages
2,166
Location
Belton, TX 76513
PSI is releasing several of their kits with the antique finish, either brass, pewter, etc. What are your thoughts on the durability of these platings? I'm curious as I am thinking of getting a few kits with some of the platings.
 
Hey Rick!!

I am an eternal skeptic---I would ask the same question!

Since these are NEW, I don't think anyone KNOWS an answer. So, if you buy them you are relying on Penn State to know what they are selling. Is that a good move?

You need to answer this for yourself. As I review my "show days", I used a whole lot of low-end Penn State kits---even 24 kt gold in the mid 90's. I saw other guys' pens that had "worn off" prematurely (I have no way of knowing where they bought them)----but my personal experience was favorable.

Ed Levy (Penn State's head) has been in this industry at least 3 decades--is he going to make a bad decision on plating? NOT likely.

Review all the "bad" things people say about Penn State. Nearly all revolve around slow to fill orders. I don't think I have ever seen a "plating failed" for PSI.

If I were still selling at shows, I would be honest: "These are new, innovative introductions to the pen market. PSI is going where no pen "company" has gone before. So, yes, Mr Prospect, there is a slight risk. If you want greater certainty, choose one of my "more established" designs. If you want "cutting edge", there is a remote possibility you will bleed a little.---Which did you prefer?"

FWIW,
Ed
 
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Not a very scientific method to test the finish, but you can use an old buffing wheel. load it with Tripoli and see how long it takes to strip off some of the plating of a known good quality plating you like. Buy one of each of the new plating pens and do the same.

Just remember the variables, your load of Tripoli must be the same, the pressure you use must be the same, and you should be close enough to make a SWAG.
 
Are the Pewter items even plated---I have a number of things made of pewter but I don't think any of them claim to be plated with pewter....I see lots of things talking about plating pewter with gold, silver, copper, etc....but nothing talking about plating anything with pewter....pewter is a cheap metal.
 
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