This is a new treatment of my Herald Pen.

Any and all comments appreciated.

This is just a prototype and my first shot at this concept with the red lines.

Please be honest....you won't hurt my feelings at all.

If this is a concept that does not hold interest, than I need to know that, so I don't waste time with it.

Thanks a lot!

Brian


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Click to view attachment

I was thinking 'Very smart & understated' until I saw the bi-coloured nib. The nib's flashy, a bit like an expensive black car with white tyre walls - not quite in keeping to my view.
As for the shape & banding, it does look rather special.

Regards

Richard.

I think it's a variation on a theme. I like it. It's got that look that's unique to your pens, which isn't a bad thing Brian. I think it's conservative and regarding the nib, I think it's a nice surprise.

Good job!

I think it looks great, very elegant - and the two-tone nib works fine though perhaps a plain gold nib would have a slight edge for me.

I need to have a word with you about a custom job.

- Stuart

Brian, you have done it again. Provoke pen envy in a poor man who cannot afford your lovely work. I remember not that long ago when white wall tires were a sign of quality, and not having them was a negative. Not quite the same with a bicolor nib, but the nib looks fitting with the pen (IMO).

Donnie

I love the look and having had a Cartier rolling ring (yellow, white and pink gold) for decades, I love the two-toned nib. You could offer the pen with different nibs for those who don't like the two-toned ones. It's always nice to have a choice, especially since our choices in life are so very limited.

I like it, Brian; it does a nice job of marrying two fairly unique styles (the rings from the Endura flat-top with the torpedo-shaped pen). Now if you can find some rod-stock that's got some nice color to it...like a nice blue? Oh baby...modern-day Endura-pedo! All you'd need to do before you got the Conklin patent attorneys on your case would be to incorporate an alligator clip!

Hi Brian,
this is far more cool than your previous try of parallel grooves! I also find this additional rings help you to differentiate from Sailor KOP, which I find as a designer a positive gain. Two tone nib is just creating good balance. Can you try the other clip you posted some pictures?
Very nice looking pen indeed!
I am still saving and observing positive developments in Herald line!!
Warm regards from Heart of Africa!
Abhik.

Brian,
It looks real nice...
BUT the only way I can give it a true and accurate review is by actually having it in my hands for an extended period
I will send you my address back channel to make arrangements

Some day I am going to have to get together with you and learn some machining techniques...

I like the pen -- nicely done! Also agree, somehow a 14 kt. yellow gold Bock nib would give the pen a bit more "zing" (keeping with the old time Conklin-like look you're seeking).

Those "breaks" made me wonder what your Menlo syle pen would like with a similar break on the barrel (hmmmm, how about a complimentary colored end-cap on both ends of the pen?). For example, your ebonite with black 'flat-top' ebonite end-caps).

Have a good day,

Paul

Brian,

I really like the look. As mentioned before it's elegant and understated. I especially like the idea of puting a groove on the top of the cap where the clip is mounted. It's an effective and clean way to get around any misalignment between the two parts of the cap (which otherwise may look a bit off). This type of approach is often used in industrial design.
Another idea (kind of a variation on the theme) would be to have 3 thin rings close together as opposed to just one thin ring espectially on the barrel of the pen and the open end of the cap. You can also very successfully experiment with different ring colors. I think that nice cream (off white) rings would look very sharp (kind of like a Guinness color theme).

Cheers,

Rrafal

Beautiful! I would love it even more if the clip and nib were rhodium/rhodium plated, but that's just me.

I like it a lot. A classic look.

It looks like a big time production pen.

Now if you could throw on a vintage Waterman's #2 nib or perhaps a Waterman's red or pink nib - WOW!

John

Remembering that beauty is in the eye of the beholder....

Closed the pen is nearly perfect. The blue color, the elegant curve at both ends, the contrasting colored bands which seem to be a historical reference to Conklin Enduras.

It's the open picture that loses me. The gold ring where the barrel meets the section is, to me, like the first violin hitting a clinker. The section itself doesn't look to me like it matches the barrel, either in color (a very minor thing) or in its line/shape. In other words, the 'waist' on the section is too narrow, and doesn't flow in a continous line with the graceful curve of the barrel.

Two tone or mono tone nib: you'll get as many different opinions as you get responses. Including mine: either is fine, it's the writing line that matters.

I think you need to gear up production for 2008. At the right price point you have a winner.
gary

Brian: I basically agree with Rafal: the color combinations available should make this a popular item. Tberry

Brian,

Another handsome line extension! As I've said before, you have a great eye for design. I agree with the notion that the gold band where the barrel meets the section doesn't work for a pen this elegant. You ARE on the right track. Keep up the great work!

'Looking forward to getting my pen in a few days (?)!

Best,

John

Thanks everyone.

Thankfully, the critiques can all be easily adjusted (nib choice, hardware, etc).

Keep the comments coming!

I'm still waiting for the antique gold material. I'm guessing that the holidays have the post office bogged down.

Should be out the door by the weekend. If not, I'll let you know!

Remember, I have first dibs on any reviews to be done.

Well, I like it. I think it's a great variation on the Herald. I am definitely a fan of understated class, rather than flash, and this pen pulls it off nicely.

Brian,

On my monitor the pen looks blue (right?). What's the material?

John

Yes. It's a navy blue acrylic.

I think it would look amazing in deep black, with rhodium trim. I'm not fond of it with the gold trim and metal ring.

Brian,

You already know what I think of your workmanship so I know you'll take this as intended -

1. Lovely shape. The curves are super.
2. Looks (a quick rough measurement in PS) like the cap/barrel join is just about bang on the Golden Mean when posted - nice touch
3. Finish etc. are what we've become used to from you - flawless
4. I think I'd lose the purple(?) ring on the barrel nearest the cap/barrel join.
5. The black(?) ring could also go, with the purple ring being moved to about halfway between they are at the moment.

4 & 5 simply reflect my own preferences in pens - others will no doubt differ

Regards,
Ruaidhrí

Brian -

As usual, very elegant. I actually like the nib being two tone.

Cheers,
John

Brian, I think it's spectacular, but I have to go with the crowd on the nib. I think a simple Bock gold nib would lend itself well to the classic design.

I only wish you made a pen like this that I could post!!! Anything in the works?

Hi Brian,

The pen is quite a looker! It looks classy and elegant. I have to agree with those before me who have commented on the gold ring at the section/barrel joint: it looks out of place imho and the pen would maintain the class and elegance it has closed in the open position better without it. As to the nib being two-toned or single, I prefer two-toned, but it shouldn't be a big deal to have both (if you don't already).

Quite a winner! No doubt you're going to have to increase your production capabilities if you keep this up.

Take care,
southpaw

I like it very much. Clean and sleek, might be even better with one red ring, or "rotring" in german

cheers,
Nenad

This is exactly the look without clip that i want. we will talk in Jan.

Great classic look.

Joi

Sorry nothing now.

However, I will soon be investing in some new equipment that will allow me to expand designs more.

When this happens, I will be considering posting caps, but no promises.

In the upper right-hand side of my site, you will see a spot where you can insert your email to subscribe to my blog.

If you decide to subscribe, you will automatically get updates on new designs, materials, etc...

I won't share your email, spam you, etc...and you can always unsubscribe.

Thanks.

Brian

JOINED!!! And come a couple of months from now, I may be picking your brain at a custom job... Thanks for the info

Lovely new design. However, I prefer the version of the Herald I just bought. Hee.

That is one neat pen If it is piston filler and has a nib which has as much as flex as a söveran 800 or 1000 then I would be tempted to buy it.

Very nice indeed. I like the clean simple lines and the red accents

Well done my Friend,

Looks like a winner and also a few others who would love to take it out for a spin and get some feel for it's handling....

Beautiful work as always.

Beautiful. I agree with one poster that I would get rid of the red line inlay near the nib. I think it makes it look better both opened and closed.

VERY nice looking pen! I like everything about it visually. Would sure like to have a go writing with it.

Most wonderful looker thanks for sharing.
How does one purchase your turned works of art !
regards,
henri

I think it would look better without that red ring so close to the nib.

Brian, gotta ask a question that's near and dear to my heart: any chance you'll have ebonite sections in the near future? A Herald in blue/black ebonite (I know you're working on getting this material) with a matching ebonite section would just be too much to resist.

TIA, southpaw

I've been working on it, and it's been a slower process that what I had thought to get into produciton mode.

Also, the holidays have been more about family than pens, so I've taken it easy the last two weeks or so.

If you would like to, you can subscribe to my blog.

http://pencraftonline.com/

Go to my site, and in the upper-right hand side of the page, you will see a spot where you can insert your email to subscribe.

This way, you'll automatically get updated on when new designs, materials, and ebonite sections happen.

I won't share your email, spam you, etc...and you can always unsubscribe.

Thanks.

I like the black with the little red stripes A LOT. It reminds me of the old Raleigh DL-1 bicycles or the old Model Ts with the mini pinstripe trim- very nice. I will say though I think it would go best with a simple gold colored nib with understated engraving- maybe something like a Waterman #2 style. I think it would really be a great package.

Hello,

congratulations on your work. For me this is your nicest pen, looks very elegant and comfortable. I guess the color of the stripes could be changed as an option (Could it? maybe green, yellow, blue?) but I like how it looks in red. I think the number and positions of the stripes is right.
As a personal preference, I prefer silver to gold, for the clip. Also, I am not fully sure if I like that metal ring near the section.
And about colors on the nib...well, I don't know, I should see the pictures with different nibs but I think that is also an option.

Again, my congratulations.

I like it but I hope to buy one similar to the one AJP reviewed recently - that one knocks my sox off!

I love everything about it.

Congratulations Brian!
Very sophisticated in design & details & surely also an example of excellent craftmanship !

Classic and Streamlined. Only ornate where it needs to be. Very nice!

Brian, I don't know if you're still checking, but if I were you, I'd rethink the gold band close to the red one that you can see when the pen is not capped. I suggest you lose the red ring close to where the cap and the pen body meet.

The nib's color doesn't matter, right? After all, we get to choose which one we want, right?

I'm looking forward to ordering one of your pens - as soon as I get a royalty check or something like that - your pens are incredibly beautiful!

Keep up the good work -

Erick

FWIW, the gold on the section will not be there is you order the ebonite section which Brian recently developed.

Is an amazing prototype. For some reason reminds me of some Japanese manufacturers Fpn's. Very classy and just love the nib. I even like the color combination and the gloss.

I think it's lovely.