Hey Everyone.

The new prototype (I'm going to call it The Pearl), is about to be announced, but I'm in a quandry about clips.

First off, I think that the pen is fine without a clip, but I want to offer both.

I will also say that I'm not going to give my opinion quite yet.

But trust me, some of these I feel are downright awful, and some are pretty nice.

So do you want to help me design a pen?

Honesty is key here, no feelings will be hurt. And if nothing here tickles you, maybe you can describe what you envision.

First, I'll call this the "Arrow Clip". This doesn't fit perfect on this pen. The ring will be hidden on the real thing.
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Next, let's call this the "Long Clip". Ignore the poor plating. It's brass, and hasn't been sent out for plating yet. It also is not a perfect fit. This ring will be hidden.
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This one, let's call the "Ribbed Clip".
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Last is the "Roller Clip"
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Like I said, honesty is appreciated...no feelings will be hurt.

Thanks.

Brian

Brian,

I personally like clipless; however, of the choices you show, for me, it is a tossup between the "long clip" and the roller clip. I like them equally well, and don't really like either the arrow or the ribbed. I suspect it would be too costly to offer a choice of clips, other than clipless or clip chosen?

To really make an accurate choice, though, just send me a clipless, one with the roller, and one of the long clip models. I will test them thoroughly, and give you a report on the best choice.

Donnie

edited to add necessity for "test drive"

I reckon this isn't the same pen your recently introduced (double ink windows), is it?

My ranking (depending of body size):

1. No Clip at all
2. Roller
3. Long

PS: great color!
PPS: I assume that supporting you in this difficult decision will give me a 50% discount on the price

I agree...

1. No clip looks great
2. Roller
3. Long

"Roller Clip" I like the silver and the look of it. The others make me thing been there, seen it, done it blah.

Just my humble opinion.

No clip suits this Piccolo style pen best, but after that:

I would immediately eliminate the arrow and the roller (it will make it look like a Bexley copy).

I think the best look would be a smoothed out version of the ribbed clip, simplified (no ribs) to match the clean lines of the pen.

Brian,
I agree that your pen is a solid design without a clip.

That said, I think the roller clip is my favorite and works in a nice play on words with the Pearl name.

Hi Brian
I may be an exception, but I really like the ribbed clip on this pen.
Although a chromium plated version may look better.
Francis

//I reckon this isn't the same pen your recently introduced (double ink windows), is it?//

Yes, actually, it is the same. But this pen is with a different material.

Basically, the pen comes with options.

The baseline pen is clipless with no add-ons.

Then you can add an ink-window, a blind cap, or a clip.

What you see in these pictures is a baseline pen with a clip.

Thanks everyone.

I agree that no clip looks best, reminds me of a Nakaya Piccolo. If it has to have a clip the silver roller looks best to my eyes.

Bring it to TO and we can chat about it there.

Cheers,
Sean

It does look very nice without the clip, but as I always carry my pens clipped into my pocket, no clip would prevent me from using it.

I think that the smooth clip that you use on the Menlo, or the clip on the Herald would look nice.

Out of the options that you show, I would have to say that the long clip looks best (in my opinion).

Long clip.

PS-
I love your work, and I'm saving up!

I'd like one with the roller clip and a steel Taccia nib (would that be an option?), all black body (except for the windows, of course).

I prefer the simple lines of the clip that is on the Herald.

Roller or long would be what I would vote for.

//Bring it to TO and we can chat about it there. //

Willdo.

//I'd like one with the roller clip and a steel Taccia nib (would that be an option?), all black body (except for the windows, of course).//

No problem. Let me know.

No clip.

I'd like to see what the Herald clip looks like on the pen. My honest opinions of these clips here, ugly ugly ugly.

1) Clipless
2) Ribbed Clip
2) Arrow Clip
4) Roller Clip
5) Long Clip

I kinda like that the arrow clip looks like a Gaudi version of a Parker clip.
The ribbed clip is also something one doesn't see every day.
I like the roller clip, though I have that one on some other pens.

I have to agree. That might be a good look.

The Roller ball. I think it matches the design best, short of no clip at all.

I'll be honest and say I don't think any of them suits the pen.

The arrow clip looks like it's bent. Not a good look.
The long clip is too clunky. That ball end looks like it came off a Sheaffer NoNonsense flat-top lookalike.
The ribbed clip is HIDEOUS and should never be allowed within 200ft of such an elegant shape!
The roller clip is a nice idea, but almost as clunky as the long clip.

I think clipless is probably best for this design, but if a clip is absolutely required then something very simple and elegant, not too big - something more like the Herald clip, or the clip fitted to the Nakaya writers would be ideal, particularly given the design's relationship to a Nakaya Piccolo. Looking at the Edison website, the clip fitted to the cracked ice acrylic Herald looks the most appropriate - I don't know if it's any thinner than the gold clips fitted to the other Heralds in the pics, but it looks slimmer to me.

So. Simple. Slim. Elegant. Not too big. Gentle curves.

Any help?

//I'll be honest and say I don't think any of them suits the pen.//

Honestly, I feel the same!!!

I didn't want to post my opinion yet, as I wanted honesty.

But I'm glad that I got the responses that I did.

Clipless is the way to go with this pen if you ask me, but I want to be able to offer a clipped pen.

What makes this difficult is that to add a clip, you also need to add a bit more length to the cap.

This makes the cap longer, in relation to the barrel. The clip needs to be narrow, and maybe longer.

I don't actually have ANY clips that really look GREAT on this pen. Nothing that goes ZING.

So I will probably offer the long clip, or nothing at all. I'll also look into the clip that goes on the Herald. Maybe that's the way to go.

Thanks...and keep the opinions coming.

I think the clip will spoil the line. However, if someone must have it then roller clip will be best in my eye.

Brian,

Without sounding arrogant, I feel the clips in the pics don't match well with your pen. The pen, though, is a winner.

Why not just use the same style of clip as Nakaya does? Personally, I think their choice of clip is excellent.

Kind Regards,

James

Of the options you provide here:

1. No clip
2. Roller clip
3. Long clip

Very nice pen!

Of course no clip.

But if I had to have a clip, I would prefer the one from the Glenmont or even the Menlo... in Rhodium or black Actually, the more I think black, the more appealing a clip would be.

The least favourite of the ones you have shown is the arrow... doesn't suit the zen like nature of the pen. Simpler is better...

I like the Roller clip.

Honestly I don't think any of these clips suite the pen.

I would consider the clip that is on the Beaumont to suite the elegant design of your pen.

I like the look of the roller clip.

My vote (similar to others received):

1. No clip
2. Long clip
3. Roller clip

Personally, I'm not comfortable (used to?) carrying a pen without a clip during my work-week. Weekends, I stuff a Kaweco Sport in my pants/shorts pocket. If I was to purchase a pen at this price-point (although I love the clipless design), I know it will be tough to forgo the clip.

My best Brian. Great work as always!

Paul

The long clip is the best one regarding length. It matches the pen's overall shape the best. The ribbed one and the arrow are pretty ugly. I like the roller, but it's obviously the same one on the Bexley 56, or at least a good copy.

Do you have any other options besides those pictured??

Clipless looks best, but it's not practical for everyday use.

Have you considered having a clip designed for your pens?

I do have to add that when I had a prototype of this pen it was clipless (obviously). All I did was toss it in my pants/jeans pocket. I did that for 2 weeks, with great results. The pen held up very well.

Of course, I'm a user of pens and don't care a whole lot if they see normal usage wear.

Brian: I'm with Francis. I like the ribbed clip. It has a retro look that matches the lines of the pen, IMNSHO

You know me Brian, no clip is the best. But the long straight is nice if you have to have a clip. how about a long straight with a pearl at the end? Just a thought!

I would vote for:
no clip
roller clip
long clip

Brian,

After a second review of the clips, if that is allowed, I have to modify my vote a bit.

I believe with my first response I got caught up with the question,
Which clip do you like?

as opposed to the question,
Which clip looks best with the Pearl?

In terms of clip design, my previous response of the roller clip still holds. But in terms of which clip matches the lines and style of the Pearl, I would have to say the ribbed clip comes closest to achieving this. I think others have hit the mark when they refer to a clip with simple straight lines as well as a longer clip length, hence the call for the Herald's clip.

Maybe a long, straight, roller clip is what is needed?

Either way you go, it's a great looking pen!
Nicely done.

For me, it would be roller, in gold plate, or long as second choice. Don't like the others. I don't care for pens without clips. Your work is beautiful.

Brian,

Can we see a pic without any clip for comparison?

HP

Brian, clipless pens look incomplete to me. Of the clips you have exhibited I like the roller-clip and the long clip, either of which would look good on any of your pens. I also think the clip on the Bexley Poseidon and Americana would look good on your pens if you could get the clip without the "B" stamped on it.

Brian -

Beautiful pens, as always. Without seeing the clipless version, I would have to say the roller. The idea of a black clip sounds very intriguing. I cannot recall ever seeing a pen with a black clip before, at least not one I would buy. Are you going to be bringing any of these to the pen club meeting?

John

Yep. See you there!

I like the "Ribbed Clip" the best. They are all cool but the"Ribbed Clip" I like best. I also think it looks better with a clip rather than without one. So!!!! There is my two cents


......Stani

Roller clip. Definitely.

Brian,
For your consideration, attached a rough sketch of a clip which - at least in my opinion- might suit your Pearl pen.
You could make the clip in hard brass and alternatively chromium / gold plate it, or make it in stainless steel
Only my 2 cents !
Francis


http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/foun...psuggestion.jpg

Wow, Francis...

Thanks for taking the time to do that.

My Herald clip is not too different from that.

I'll be trying that next.

(I really wish that I had your drafting skills!)

Brian,

I like the roller clip best out of the four. But have you considered a clip that resembles the clip on CS pens? I think that would look much better than the ball on the long clip.

Brian,

What a wonderful-looking pen!

I vote only for the ribbed -- the other clips do nothing for me.

I would have to agree with those members who love the Nakaya-style clip, and I look forward to any other ideas you might have.

I've mocked up the pen with the clip that goes on the Herald.

It looks sharp.

This is the clip that I will use.

I'll post pics when I get back home, probably Tuesday.

(I'm still stranded at my brother's house...waiting for my radiator to arrive!)

I was going to vote for the clip from the Herald too! I don't think any of your original proposed clips are equal to the looks of this pen.

And I've added one of these (black ebonite, both ink windows, clip) to my List of Pens to Buy from Edison...

P. S. This might be a bad idea, but I'm thinking the black pen with ink windows might look good with a clear cap top over the clip instead of a black top. It wouldn't be functional like the real ink windows but it would make it match the pen body.

Maybe a little late now, but of the clips you posted I'd vote for none.

If you went a clip - silver not gold (even with the black which, incidentally, is a stunning looking pen).

I agree with you, the Herald clip is the go. With the Rhodium trim! Beautiful.