I've been working with this concept with the Herald pen.

It is black ebonite with grooves.

For those of you who like the smell of ebonite, this can be a real whiffer!

The grooves are raw exposed ebonite. When black ebonite is unpolished, is actually is more brown/gold than black.

Polished ebonite seems to hold it's "ebonite smell" for a month or so. This pen has had that cool smell for a whle now!

Like I said, it's only a prototype. I'm still debating if this should go into production.

Cutting the grooves is pretty laborious.

Would you pay extra for this pen considering the grooves?

Please give any feedback, questions, etc....

Many thanks in advance.

Brian at Pencraft

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Looks really good!

When you ask if I would pay extra for grooves, I'd have to know how much extra you mean. If it is like $20 extra, then definitely worth it... if more like $100 extra, then maybe not so...

I was also thinking the overall design might be more appealing if only the barrel was grooved, and the cap was smooth.

That's a nice looking pen.

It's interesting, but I don't think I'd buy it. That red and black ebonite model, on the other hand...

I love it... you and I are going to have to have another talk soon.... LOL

It would depend on how comfortable it would be to write with the pen. The grooves do nothing for me visually. Maybe just a grouping at the cap ends would give it some extra pizzazz instead.

That's outstanding, Brian. Very "Naginata/Togi/Sailor-high-end"-esque!

I think it's amazing!

I was thinking that the price would increase by $40 with this option.

I appreciate the input here...gives me an idea as to what options are viable considering the labor, and which ones are not.

Keep em coming!

You already know my thoughts on this pen, but just think how great it would look in my rotation!

For those that don't care for the cut-out rings, consider an inlay.

Youdaman

Hi Brian!

Verrrry Nice! I really like the look of this in the black ebonite! I'm not so sure it would work as well in any material that had a pattern of any kind, like the pen I talked to you about earlier. It reminds me of the Waterman 100 year pen, or the Sailor Naginata, both of which are worthy pens to emulate! I think I would consider $40 extra for this feature, but probably not much more. Tom's off-hand suggestion of using this as a basis for an inlay has interesting possibilities! Think of this with inlays of bright yellow or red. That would be a dazzler! The colorfill material they use in laser art would work for this. Hmmmmm . . .

Scott.

I've experimented inlaying the grooves with enamel. However, enamel will not adhere to ebonite.

However, enamel will adhere to acrylics. Now this would open up a world of possibilities.

A multitude of acrylic base material colors, as well as any color enamel to infill the grooves.

Thanks again.

I don't know what the grooving adds to the cost of the pen, but it sure looks good.

I'd take the grooves one step further and add equally spaced longitudnal grooves.
make it look like a "checkered" gunstock and name your own price.

Very nice effect! I like the grooves!

Brian: I don't know the base cost but your suggested $40 add-on doesn't sound too bad. I have never held and ebonite pen that I know of but think I would like the grooves since I tend to hold pretty high on the barrel. Tberry

Thanks. I do have an indexing plate, but I'm not sure how I would navigate the curve.

An absolutely attractive pen! The labor itself warrants some kind of bump, but how much I cannot say as your standard price is near my current ceiling. But beautiful! I wonder -- would the effect hold on other-colored ebonite?

Brian,

Nice looking and will likely sell well for you. I am partial to the red/black ebonite version... absolutely beautiful!
As mentioned in my email a day or so ago, I'd like to have at least one of everything you make!

Looking forward to discussing an order with you.

Brian:

Buying a pen from you has not been "if?" but "when?"

The answer, based on this new design is: SOON.

I mean, NOW.

Is this thing availabe with no clip?

Clipless is no problem at all.

Actually, I have had a couple of clipless comissions lately,but I'm out of town. I should have the clipless pens out and pictures of them on the website within the next couple of weeks.

Beautiful pen! I'm sure it would be way out of my range but it's really beautiful.

Brian:
The pen is very striking. I think the rings make it into a pen that one either really likes or doesn't at all. Some people like random and some like order. I really like the Herold style but I'm a random type of person so the rings detract lines of the pen for me. That said, I feel you should definitely push it up to the group that really likes the form of the pen and now the order of the rings. It certainly is something you should make a few of and see what the market will bear. Price it such that it makes it worth your time and effort. If people like it, the additional price won't be that much of a deterant.

Your work appears to be very high quality and as such is worth the price.

Good luck.

Dan Symonds

Absolutely stunning.

Gets my vote, something very simple, understated, yet rich.

Nic

Hmmm,

My only reserve is cleaning the grooves. Sometimes dirt get into grooves: I had that problem with guillochet pattern pens, if the grooves are square, they will more likely be hard to clean.

I would love groove more in a wide mouth V pattern.

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Brian,

Nice looking and will likely sell well for you. I am partial to the red/black ebonite version... absolutely beautiful!
As mentioned in my email a day or so ago, I'd like to have at least one of everything you make!

Looking forward to discussing an order with you.
[/quote]

Brian

Same sentiments, your pens remind me of the best features of some of some of the best Tame-nuri pens I have seen.

Wonderful!

Guess I've just found another stunning pen that I simply must have - eventually! You will be hearing from me soon sir!