Forever Inkless Pen - What?

[ethernautrix]

Just saw this in an e-mail from Farhney's, a pen that needs no ink ever.

 

Farhney's link: Napkin Forever Prima Inkless Pen

"Here's a pen we think you'll enjoy – forever! The Forever inkless pens, made in Italy, are a veritable revolution in writing. They hold a metal alloy tip made of patented Ethergraf, allowing the Forever pens to write indefinitely, with no ink and no refill. The tip writes much like pencil lead, but cannot be erased, is smudge-free, and will last forever without sharpening. The Forever Prima has a sleek tapered body in solid anodized aluminum available in four sporty colors."

 

Granted, Inky fpners likely won't be interested, but I'm intrigued. A pen that writes forever (which is a long time) and never needs ink?

 

Has anyone tried one? Anyone here curious, too?

 

My first reaction is: Cool! I'd like to try it!

My second reaction is: Looks a little too thin for me. Still - intriguing. I'd like to see what the "ink" looks like - you know, what kind of line, what color, that sort of thing.

Edited November 9, 2014 by ethernautrix

[Uncial]

It looks like a gaudy chopstick.

[proton007]

Meh. I'm an Inky Fpner.

 

To me it seems like a pencil, except that the low density graphite is replaced by a higher density (hence longer lasting) alloy.

 

Not sure how it'll maintain line thickness over use, and if they offer the pen in different line widths to begin with.

[Randal6393]

Artists have long used silver points for drawing, penmen used to use lead pens to rule their pages. Problem with both is that a faint line takes a lot of pressure to make. One reason the common pencil came into its own.

 

So now an inventor has designed a metal point that might work better. Good idea, but the same general problems a ballpoint has. But I hope that the Forever pen works out. Especially as an alternative pocket notebook, might be worthwhile.

 

Enjoy,

[Chiyoko]

wow man awesome!!!

[Chiyoko]

it does look a bit... how shall I put it... meh.

[TheRealScubaSteve]

I saw an ad somewhere not too long ago for a similar concept. I believe it was advertised as a lead pen, though. And it was significantly cheaper.

Edited November 9, 2014 by TheRealScubaSteve

[Davros]

Artists have long used silver points for drawing, penmen used to use lead pens to rule their pages. Problem with both is that a faint line takes a lot of pressure to make. One reason the common pencil came into its own.

So now an inventor has designed a metal point that might work better. Good idea, but the same general problems a ballpoint has. But I hope that the Forever pen works out. Especially as an alternative pocket notebook, might be worthwhile.

Enjoy,

It looks like it works by oxidizing paper, so shouldn't require pressure. I would be concerned about the long term effects on paper/legibility.

[NedC]

Artists have long used silver points for drawing, penmen used to use lead pens to rule their pages. Problem with both is that a faint line takes a lot of pressure to make. One reason the common pencil came into its own.

 

Enjoy,

Silver point, and other metal points do go down with a rather faint line, much like a 2H or harder pencil, but they will darken considerably as the particles oxidized, well not gold or platinum but... Anyway, it doesn't require any greater pressure to produce a line with metal point than with a graphite pencil; what is needed is a prepared ground that has receptive slightly abrasive, even micro abrasive, surface which is usually some kind of pigment in a binder or even just pigment rubbed into the dampened surface of the paper, vellum, etc.

 

 

My avatar is a very old silverpoint drawing, a self portrait from the '80s.

 

Interestingly, while most cheap notebook papers, index cards and such, papers which are very bad with fountain pens will not take silver point without a ground, most "fountain pen friendly" papers like Rhodia, Leuchtturm, etc. Moleskine too, take it okay. Which makes one wonder about the wear the good paper may be wreaking on pen nib tipping.

[TheRealScubaSteve]

Silver point, and other metal points do go down with a rather faint line, much like a 2H or harder pencil, but they will darken considerably as the particles oxidized, well not gold or platinum but... Anyway, it doesn't require any greater pressure to produce a line with metal point than with a graphite pencil; what is needed is a prepared ground that has receptive slightly abrasive, even micro abrasive, surface which is usually some kind of pigment in a binder or even just pigment rubbed into the dampened surface of the paper, vellum, etc.

 

 

My avatar is a very old silverpoint drawing, a self portrait from the '80s.

 

Interestingly, while most cheap notebook papers, index cards and such, papers which are very bad with fountain pens will not take silver point without a ground, most "fountain pen friendly" papers like Rhodia, Leuchtturm, etc. Moleskine too, take it okay. Which makes one wonder about the wear the good paper may be wreaking on pen nib tipping.

 

Do you have a link to a large sized avatar photo? I'd be interested to see what a silverpoint drawing looks like.

[ChrisPaul]

Hi,

 

There's an article here about these pens:

 

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/inkless-pen-lets-you-write-forever-180949737/

 

It says they work by oxidizing the paper on contact. Wonder how dark the line is?

 

I'm very tempted to get one. The container that both the cheaper version and the wood/aluminum version comes in doubles as a case and a desk stand. Many times at work I have to make a quick note -- of a phone number, a quick idea, person's name, etc. Something like this would be perfect; always ready, no moment or two to uncap/recap.

 

It would never replace my fountain pens, though. I definitely "need" those for longer writing sessions. But these inkless pens would make a good desktop supplement for a quick jot.

 

If I get one, I'll let you know what I think about it.

 

Best Wishes,

Chris

[Doug C]

I have one on the way. I have used this kind of pen before and it is not something I would use all the time, but for a desk pen that my wife will use when she is making a quick note, it is just the thing.

 

It is faint and resembles pencil marks.

 

 

(just now saw ChrisPaul's notes). We are on the same page.

Edited November 10, 2014 by Doug C

[Ernst Bitterman]

From that Smithsonian article:

You can think of oxidization as the same process that turns newspapers yellow over time. Contact between the pen and paper alters the writing surface, but not the tool.

 

This makes me think it would probably be a bad idea to touch the tip of the thing, and moreso to touch it and then rub your eye. I'd like to hear some more about the actual chemisty of it-- what element or compound will induce rapid oxidation in paper without leaving bits of itself behind?

[LeonW]

I tried this "invention" at my Stationery and Pen shop. Two seconds flat and I replaced the "invention" in the display.

 

Although I am a sucker for stationary it left me cold. The line produced is fainter than the line an unused blunt pencil (new) will produce.

 

It is a gimmick - rather get a pencil for quick note taking and a decent pair of chop sticks for the Sushi. YMMV, but it is definitely not intended for eating Sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣 🍣 🍣 🍣 .

Edited November 10, 2014 by LeonW

[yannori]

Personally, I don't understand the utility of this item. I choose a pencil when I want to erase my lines and choose a fountain pen when I want a permanent (and smooth) writing experience. What would I do with an "inkless" pen that looks like a pencil line but can't be erased?

 

This is one stationary product that isn't for me.

[ethernautrix]

Interesting comments about this pen. Feeling a bit less intrigued. I loves me my inked-up pens. I have a couple that feel a bit pencil-ish, especially one with Faber Castell Stone Grey, that I love. I love a bit of feedback.

 

This inkless pen seems like it'd be fun to try, but I don't know if it could sustain my interest. I'd have to try it.

[Doug C]

My wife comes into the office and wants to know why so many pens don't write. I rarely use the few BP/RB's that are there so they tend to dry up. This is one where she can make a quick note and not worry about refills, or sharpening anything.

 

It will become a desk pen, nothing else. I use my other 250 pens for writing enjoyment.

 

That is my motivation...nothing else.

[RNHC]

To me it seems like a pencil, except that the low density graphite is replaced by a higher density (hence longer lasting) alloy.

 

The review I read said the same thing. It wrote like light pencil marks. Doesn't sound like appealing writing experience.

[them700project]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1817932181/damastylus-damascus-steel-and-titanium-stylus-inkl?ref=nav_search this kind of explains inkless but i remember seeing another one that was actually attractive on kickstarter

[Larry Barrieau]

" allowing the Forever pens to write indefinitely, with no ink and no refill." Nonsense!