Greetings All,

I was just browsing the Pelikan forum and one of the topics was about the materials that are used to make the body of the M800 series pens. Someone got to mentioning how different materials have identifiable scents and that made me think of my Henry Simpole Silver and Centenary Vermeil Overlay fountian pens.

When I first got the pens and opened the boxes, there was a distinct aroma that came out of the box. This scent has lingered with each of the pens to the point that, whenever I open the storage drawer in which they are kept, the scent waifs out very distinctively. It even stays with the pens. When I take them out of the house to use for work and open the leather carrying case, that same smell is the first thing I notice.

Now the scent is not pleasant, but it isn't off-putting - it just is. So my questions about this are:

1. What materials were used to make the bodies of these pens?
2. Are the pens made of celluloid acetate, which, I think, lets out a camphor type oder?
3. Is this just the result of the overlay and the adhiesive used to affix the overlay to the pen?

I'm curious about this now so if anyone has any knowledge about the materials used to make these pens, I'd really like to know what it is.

Peace,

Phroneo

Hi Phroneo,

I have both of these pens, and I've not noticed an aroma. If you detect a smell, it could be the adhesive.

Mary Burke will enlighten us on the materials, but I think they are resin (plastic). I'm pretty sure it's not celluloid because celluloid indeed has a distinctive camphor aroma.

Here are links to both pens:
http://www.mvburke.com/limitededitions/cententaryoverlay.htm
http://www.mvburke.com/limitededitions/simpole.htm

Best,
Kate

Hi,

The Simpole overlays are mounted on acrylic caps and barrels. We choose to use acrylic rather than celluloid because of stability -- we offer a 100 year warranty and guarantee on our pens.

I don't know if you noticing the smell of acrylic or glue as I do not have your pens here. If you are planning to visit the DC pen show, please stop by the Conway Stewart table so I can look at your pens which will help me to give you additional information.

With kind regards,

Mary Burke

Thank you for your response, Mary.

It's good to know what materials were used to make the bodies and caps of these pens. I would venture that I'm smelling the acrylic as it contiues to cure - these pens are young in the scheme of things. I don't think that the glue would leave much of an oder behind after it had dried.

I wish I could get to the DC show but my body just won't let me get around the way I used to. It sounds as if it's going to be a wonderful show, so have a great time.

Peace,

Phroneo

Could it be the polish that's used for the overlays? I'm not sure acrylic smells of very much (never been a smell attached to any acrylic pens - or anything else - that I've had).


Greg

Interesting...I had been wondering why my postmodern Nozac (the swirly orange one, I can never remember whether it's called Lava or Tiger) had a strong aroma. I'm familiar with camphor and think the pen smells different than that.