I'm sorry if anyone is annoyed by my sharing of some of his stuff. I just think some of his lesser-seen curiosities are worth sharing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Parker-61-Fountain-Pen...1742.m153.l1262

thats kinda cool.

Sorry if I'm stomping on your butterfly, but I'd really hoped to see better craftsmanship. The clip is downright crude. As much as I respect what Kullock is trying to do, I see a lamentable lack of precision in much of his work. His "51" demonstrators are sometimes almost opaque because the inside is so rough, shells leak because they don't fit properly on barrel threads, Vac fillers leak because the seat inside the barrel is a separate piece screwed in rather than an integrally machined feature.

Note, I'm not saying I can do better. I can't. But there are people who can, e.g., Ralph Prather and Lynn Sorgatz.

You're definitely right about the clip on this one. I certainly wasn't saying that this was a masterpiece of craftsmanship. I just thought it was something different. As for Ariel's usual line (demo's, etc.) I only have one Magnum so far, so I can only say that I like it very much and have had no problems. I've ordered two more, though, so we'll see if my good fortune holds out.

I would have thought that was artistic license on the clip-purposefully exaggerated-but perhaps I'm giving too much credit.

Agree about Prathers pens. They're the only high priced pens I've seen that I'd be willing to spend that kind of money for.

Look more closely. In addition to the "artistic license," you'll notice tha the fletching is asymmetrical. That's just clumsy.

There are some things you just cannot scale up.

I don't think the scale is right, even if the pen doesn't work, and the workmanship is poor.
In the UK there was a sucessful car, called the 'Morris 1100' in the '60's. British Leyland thought you couldn't have too much of a good thing and scaled the small car up with an increase in its engine size - from 1100cc to 1800cc. The net result was a car referred to as the 'Land Crab'. It was a shape that didn't work when scaled up.

So, 'Interesting, but YUK!'.

Regards

Richard.

Ariel, whom I have not met, and Jesy, who I do know, don't need me to defend them, but I think folks may be missing the point: what Ariel has created here and with others is a work of art. They need not be perfectly anything - they are the creations of an artist who works in a medium we all supposedly enjoy. I currently own six Pelikan RBs that I have turned into what some of you would call "frankenpens," because I have mixed and matched caps and blind caps, believing that my artistic eye is better than Pelikan's designers. I am constantly pleased by the Kullocks' creations - not for their technical superiority, where there are plenty of folks to do that - but for the imagination shown by a precious few. Try using the right side of your brain, folks, and have some fun!

I agree with Richard. I've heard mixed reports about Kullock's work. The main issue is that he apparently does not thoroughly test his pens and so they're not as reliable as the OEM Parker pens. He also remains intentionally vague about some details on this pens that can later surprise you. Caveat emptor.

I did notice that, but I've always thought that Kullock was emulating mesoAmerican jewelry/artwork with his pens, and that was the reason they looked somewhat crude. Kind of his theme.

I guess it boils down to whether he made the arrow that way on purpose-"to be artistic"- or because of the reasons you cite. I freely admit you may be correct in your assessment, all I know is what I've assumed about Kullock's work from the pictures I've seen.

For those who complain without knowing, I have just received two new pens from Ariel and Jesy: a 51 RB and a 51 "bambu" aluminum BP. Both are imaginative, attractive and well-made. They cost me less than, say, a new Sonnet RB and BP would, and are unique. I like that unique part.

I have talked with people who have bought pens from Ariel Kullock, and they say the same kind of thing that Richard said. For instance, one pen purchased was a Parker 51 Cisele. Now that pattern only came out on the 75, so it's novel to see it in 51 form. But the line spacing is not symmetrical. This is fine from a distance, but when you pick it up you're like--yeah, this was someone's project pen.

The Snail, Palm, Pizza, and Bambu treatments are much easier to make, because of the basic lathing. So I'm not surprised those look fine. Also, keep in mind you got a RB and BP, not a FP. I've also been told that "Parker original parts" might be claimed, but I've heard that FP feeds can be non-Parker and that parts are not NOS. One person I spoke with said their nib was horribly scratchy, as if all Ariel does is lathing and then just slaps together the other parts he has lying around in boxes. Again, all 3rd party info... but it makes me a little hesitant to buy.

My second Magnum 51 arrived yesterday (black w/ standard chrome cap, matching blue diamond clip, and...neatest part...double-jeweled aero). The nib is the standard 51 fine nib. It has an impressive amount of tipping and, although a bit scratchy to me because I live broad nibs, is smooth and wet enough that it just may stick around for a while.

I'm still eagerly awaiting a standard sized 51 from him with Aztec cap. That may push this Magnum to the Marketplace!

Just thought I'd chime in with a bit more feedback about an actual pen of his.

What I find most interesting is that the two of us who have done business with Ariel (and Jesy) are more than satisfied. It seems to me, before disparaging an artist - not an engineer - that you visit with Jesy at one of the shows she attends and see what things look like, or even, perish the thought, actually buy one of his pens and see it for yourself, rather than having your mind made up for you by a so-called expert. Second-hand character assasination is hardly becoming.

Here I sit...satisfied again! The standard-sized, Aztec cap 51 arrived today and I'm totally thrilled with it. Another wet, fine nib that functions beautifully and has an awesome cap! Is it perfect? Not quite, but I'm very happy with it!

That's three wonderful pens. Also, I don't think I'll be selling that other Magnum. I like it too much!