Edison Pen - Custom Design

[Hennypenny]

I've been intrigued recently by some of the portable pens - small, simple, no fuss, easy to carry. I toyed with ordering one of the stock portables, but what's the fun in that? Instead I asked Brian Gray of Edison Pens to consider making one for me. He and I worked together and voila - my Edison Gem! (my name -- not necessarily Brian's)

 

Appearance & Design 5/5

 

I knew I wanted the entire pen made in one of the translucent materials Brian uses for his ink windows. He suggested it should be one of the darker colors, so I chose red (green or blue would have been great, too, as would clear). I wanted the pen to be short when capped, but convert to a full size pen when posted. I normally don't post pens unless they're threaded for posting, so I insisted there should be threads at the bottom of the barrel for secure posting. And I wanted the pen's girth to be comparable to Edison's full-size pens. My functional requirements pretty much dictated the styling of the pen, and I couldn't be happier with the result!

 

Note: I asked Brian to give the pen a satin finish so it would look like frosted glass. It can also have a gloss finish, and both Brian and I liked it glossy, too. Brian says he can easily return the pen to a gloss finish should I change my mind - how cool is that?!

 

Construction & Quality 5/5

 

The construction and quality is top-notch, as is to be expected in an Edison pen. Additionally, I know that Brian will stand behind his workmanship should any problems develop.

 

Weight & Dimensions 5/5

 

Capped, the Gem is 4 5/8 inches (3/8" of that is the threaded post at the bottom of the barrel). Posted, it's 6 1/8 inches. The diameter of the barrel is 5/8 inches. I don't have a scale, but this is a very light pen since there is no filling mechanism or decorative weight.

 

This pen fits my hand wonderfully - the girth, balance and length of the nib and section are perfect for me. These qualities are highly idiosyncratic, but this pen is a joy for me to hold and use.

 

Nib & Performance 5/5

 

I selected a steel, 2-tone rhodium color nib for this pen. It's an F/EF, and is smooth and a 5 or 6 out of 10 in wetness. This 2-tone dark gray/silver nib is one of my favorites to look at, and is a joy to write with. Brian has a variety of nibs to chose from, but this nib suits this pen well and helped keep the cost down.

 

Filling system & Maintenance 5/5

 

I intend to use this pen as a ED fill, so it holds a lot of ink and is easy to flush and refill. My version could also hold a small cartridge if desired, and Brian says he could make a somewhat longer version that would accommodate a regular cartridge and, possibly, a clip (while I might have liked a clip in order to keep the pen from rolling, I was not willing to sacrifice its shorter length). For a portable pen, however, ED seems to be the way to go and I'm pleased with the ease of maintenance, the large ink capacity, and the pleasure of seeing the ink in the barrel.

 

Cost & Value 4/5

 

This is not a cheap pen (hence the loss of a point), but well worth its price to me. I'm delighted to have a pen that meets my requirements in every significant way, so it will see a lot of use. Given that, I think it will ultimately be cheap on a "cost per use" scale.

 

Conclusions

 

It was a pleasure to work with Brian in designing this pen, and fun to have the opportunity to do so (I'm sure he shook his head in disbelief a few times during the process since some of my initial ideas were a little far out, but he was unfailingly courteous and kind). I gave a lot of thought to the features I had to have vs. the features I'd like to have, and think I arrived at a pen that fits me and my writing style to a tee. I'll get a lot of use and pleasure out of this Edison Gem!

 

HP (picture courtesy of Brian Gray)

[jniforat]

that's a very cute, small pen. i saw an edison in person recently at the NM Pen Collector's Club, and they are beautiful pens. Brian does such a wonderful job.

 

Congrats on your new pen.

[stevlight]

I'll say it again--I think Edison pens is quickly becoming the best pen company out there!!!

[karmakoda]

I'll say it again--I think Edison pens is quickly becoming the best pen company out there!!!

Yep.

Nice review, beautiful little pen.

I like the name "Gem". Appropriate.

Congrats!

[WillSW]

A pen that I would not believe to be very attractive if described. But it looks great. Really really great.

 

P.S.

The idea of a "portable pen" makes me think I'm missing something. Should I be leaving my pens at home?

[Chris Chalmers]

One Delicious looking Portable Gem!!! Congratulations!

[jde]

What a scathingly brilliant idea!

[kazoolaw]

 

 

P.S.

The idea of a "portable pen" makes me think I'm missing something. Should I be leaving my pens at home?

 

No, take them out for a stroll, and take them to places where there are other FPs to socialize them.

gary

[WendyNC]

What a spectacular design! Well done, both of you.

[Hennypenny]

 

The idea of a "portable pen" makes me think I'm missing something. Should I be leaving my pens at home?

 

Hehehe -- I had to say something to catch the attention of this FPN "we've-seen-it-all" crowd. Seriously though, this pen fits in the little pockets in my purse better than longer pens, so I'm less afraid of it slipping out as I sling my purse around during the day (the ladies know what I mean) -- so I can just reach in and access it - don't have to take out my pen roll and undo it. Therefore, far more "portable". HP

Edited July 28, 2010 by Hennypenny

[ethernautrix]

That is a sweet little pen. Sheesh, everytime I think I'm close to deciding on an Edison, I see something new.... Like Ricky's torlon Morgan? A work of art!

 

Aaaaagh! (Waiting for the Nakaya Negoro has put my pen acquisition into suspended animation. The "ooh, want, buy!" part of my brain has shut down. I suppose that's not a negative thing, she said tentatively.)

 

Hennypenny, the Gem is well-named. Thank you for sharing your Edison vision. Something to think about when the spell is broken and I can put together an Edison of my own. (Rock on, Brian!)

[dizzypen]

Oh! I do like that one quite a bit!

 

Are you concerned at all about damaging the threading at the back? I'd imagine having it banging around in a purse or pocket might cause some problems.

 

Have you inked it yet? If so, with what?

[Hennypenny]

 

Are you concerned at all about damaging the threading at the back? I'd imagine having it banging around in a purse or pocket might cause some problems.

 

Have you inked it yet? If so, with what?

 

No, I'm not worried about damaging the threads (at least I wasn't - thanks for giving me something else to obsess about!) -- as I said, I slip it into a side pocket in my purse, so it isn't banging against anything else - the pocket protects it somewhat. And the threads are pretty sturdy. Also, I selected the satin finish because I thought it would hide any micro-scratching.

 

It's inked with "Rena's New Suede" - Rena's recipe that includes PR Blue Suede, Pelikan Turquoise and, in my case, Cosmic Cobalt (is that PR or Noodler's?). It's become a favorite blue of mine - thanks, Rena!

 

The ink really fills the barrel - it's fun to watch it slosh around!

 

HP

[tonybelding]

It's not often that something comes along to make me rethink my own preferences and approaches to fountain pens. This is one of them. It's that cool!

[Hennypenny]

A pen that I would not believe to be very attractive if described. But it looks great.

 

Thanks to all for the good comments! I believe Brian had this same reaction as I outlined what I was thinking of, so kudos to him for being willing to work with me. He took the risk of making this "prototype" so we both could see what it looked like. I don't mean to put words in his mouth, but I think he's considering making this a new Edison model -- I'm sure he'll appreciate your input.

 

I can only hope that my ruby Gem is the first in a long line of little emerald, ruby, sapphire and diamond Gems!!! HP

[ailleurs]

 

I can only hope that my ruby Gem is the first in a long line of little emerald, ruby, sapphire and diamond Gems!!! HP

 

Oh my. :blink: A sapphire Gem would be a fantastic take-to-work pen. Really, really want!

 

This one's a beauty. Let us know how it ends up working for you.

[karmakoda]

It's not often that something comes along to make me rethink my own preferences and approaches to fountain pens. This is one of them. It's that cool!

Well said.

Same thoughts were in my head but you articulated them perfectly.

I keep coming back to look at this charming Gem.

[777]

Very nice pen! What more is there to say except... NICE VERY NICE...

[Hennypenny]

Since you like it, here's a little more pen porn (again, pics are Brian's):

[Hennypenny]

And the glossy version: