Retro 1951 Se On Massdrop

[rockydoggy]

I've been following this new posting on Massdrop that features a "custom edition" Retro 1951 Tornado:

 

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/retro-1951-tornado-herringbone?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Community%20-%20Writing%20-%20MAU%20%28Active%29&utm_campaign=Writing%20Active%20Product%20Announcement%202015-04-22&mode=guest_open

 

I've bought stuff on Massdrop before (no connex), but I'm not sure I'll jump on this one given that I already have a couple of Retro Toronado pens. (The fact that this model takes the longer standard carts and thus a convertor makes it tempting tho.) What stands out is that the pen is a special order from Retro 1951 that resulted from folks voting on what the color and finish would be. Should this approach work, I can imagine a slew of similar group custom-orders that might be appealing. High on my personal wish-list would be approaching Rotring about issuing a fountain pen to match their Rotring 800 pencil that's part of their regular line (shades of the old Rotring 600 fp?) . . . unfortunately, it'd probably not be cost-effective for them unless they're committed to diving into that segment of the market.

[strictlyobiter]

8 days seems like a very short amount of time to me. I'd like to be proven wrong of course but given the divisive colour choice it might not be enough time. I was really hoping the pewter would win but alas. It will be interesting to see if it develops into more custom runs though.

[shahrincamille]

I voted for this herringbone design and it's the one that "won" the poll.

 

Right now it's already reached the half-way line, with 93 purchases and 57 commitments, out of the 300 required for the drop. I'm in at number 109.

 

Not bad considering the drop only started 2 days ago. I believe this drop is entirely do-able considering there's another 6 more days to go.

 

 

Shahrin

[R. N. Dominick]

I'm not sure I'd call the design "divisive" since it was the clear winner of the poll -- it wasn't even really a close thing. The herringbone is what I voted for in first place, so I'm pleased to see it there. I certainly do hope that enough people buy in to make it happen.

[strictlyobiter]

I called the design divisive in the sense that it is a very bold design to begin with and its not something that would have effortless appeal. I understand that over 1,000 votes were cast (mine was one of them) in total and the winner was fairly selected. It just doesn't have the same broad appeal a generic looking pen would have for this first drop of its kind.

 

I hope it's successful because I would like to see what else massdrop could do on the basis of a successful custom pen.

[Jamerelbe]

I'm still trying to decide whether to jump on this one - I've gotten some very mixed feedback about the Retro 51 fountain pens, with a number of reviewers complaining that the grip section is cheap-feeling and slippery. Can anyone tell me: is that a problem with earlier models that's subsequently been fixed, or is it still a live issue?

[langere]

I just finished using my Retro 51 Tornado. I can tell you for sure that the grip section feels fine. In my opinion, Retro 51s are undervalued pens. They write really well - never, never had a problem with the nib - and are good looking and durable. I think what has held them back until recently is that they used cartridges only. Now that they have an extended body and you can use converters, the company might make more of an impact.

 

I also voted for the Herringbone, but I am really looking to buy the new copper Tornado...

 

Erick

[Jamerelbe]

I just finished using my Retro 51 Tornado. I can tell you for sure that the grip section feels fine. In my opinion, Retro 51s are undervalued pens. They write really well - never, never had a problem with the nib - and are good looking and durable. I think what has held them back until recently is that they used cartridges only. Now that they have an extended body and you can use converters, the company might make more of an impact.

 

I also voted for the Herringbone, but I am really looking to buy the new copper Tornado...

 

Erick

Thanks for the input - much appreciated! In some of the pictures from older reviews, the grip section looks like it's made of shinier plastic - whereas more recent shots (including the mock-up on Massdrop) look like there's a matte finish - so this may be a problem they've addressed?

 

I didn't vote for the herringbone finish - didn't like the look of it - but am starting to warm up to it. Still in two minds though: I'd really like to grab a TWSBI Vac Mini when they finally come out, and don't want to blow my budget! Decisions, decisions...

[jordanjay29]

Looks interesting, but that pen and design doesn't excite me enough to spend $55, especially when there's little chance of getting 100+ people in the next two days to spend the same.

[delano]

I pulled the trigger. I like the herringbone, and the cost is right around what I would pay for it (not more, though).

[Ernst Bitterman]

I climbed on as well; it's an attractive finish.