Isellpens New Brand Asking For Feedback?

[JeanManuel]

Pen is King. Be sure to space between the Pen & is though !

 

[JeanManuel]

These will be some very classy resin pens well under $100.00. Some manufacturing will be out of the USA and not in China.

 

That leaves a couple hundred states in the world (some of which contested).

How about making it in your hometown? If you sell it directly it eliminates quite a lot of costs.

Edited January 11, 2012 by JeanManuel

[cjabbott]

I quite like Nussbaum Pen Co. with an understated phoenix as the logo. It's classy and professional. Get cute and creative with the models and inks.

[penspouse]

iSellPens strikes me as more of a domain name than a brand name. Pen-King may not quite fit either (for me it evokes places like Mattress King, Furniture King, etc.).

 

I think The Scribbler has a good idea about linking it to the American Southwest. Mesa Pens perhaps?

 

+1 to this thought.

 

Some names sound too gimmicky. Sure you want to have fun, but you also want to be taken seriously enough to gather at least a bit of a following. Though others like it, I frankly suggest that TNT pens sounds way too 70's or 7th grade (no offense as it does have real meaning).

 

Even simply "Nussbaum" may not be as flashy, but is far more serious and mature. I do like the Southwest theme potential as long as it does not become ridiculous. Arizona has wonderful names of counties and forests (Coconino for example?) that whet the imagination something fierce!

 

Think this through. Better to be thought too serious than too childish. But shoot for perfection! BTW, we (at least I) do appreciate the respect and humility you demonstrated by offering to let this forum assist your decision.

 

 

I like the old custom of putting your name on your products like Sheaffer's, Esterbrook, etc... It meant that you took pride in your product. I like the Nussbaum Pen Company. It has a solid sound. Either way, I'm sure we all look forward to seeing your product line.

'

 

 

The other thing to consider is the cost (and trouble) associated with trademarking the name selected. The more common the word, the greater the limitations on what can be trademarked and the more precise the concomitant logo requirements.

 

I rather like using Nussbaum as the brand name and then employing the more creative suggestions as model names. Ya gotta think long-term!

 

 

Nussbaum Pen Company -- NPC

 

Some of the place names sound okay - but like you said, if you're going to do inks, then save it for inks.

 

You have a good name that would sound good attached to a product.

 

 

From what has been posted so far, my consumer side feels Nussbaum or Phoenix (or a variant spelling) are among the strongest contenders for memorability and legitimacy in that they sound like a solid product rather than a someone trying too hard. The ink lines or pen models can be more fanciful, but your main pen company should sound "grown up" to say the least. Nussbaum and/or Phoenix seem to accomplish that for me.

 

 

I quite like Nussbaum Pen Co. with an understated phoenix as the logo. It's classy and professional. Get cute and creative with the models and inks.

 

All the above (Going with Nussbaum Pen) have stated my feelings. I think Arizona Pen, or Phoenix Pen would also be classy. The saguaro or Phoenix bird would be great logos. As a Phoenician, I'm anxious to see what you will be offering. I just hope some will be shorter. There are many options for large pens, but not as many in the more diminutive sizes. They don't have to be miniature, but under 6" posted would sure be nice.

 

Best wishes with your venture.

[Tberry010]

Todd: I believe WendNC has said it pretty well. However, if for any reason you don't want to use the simple but highly individualistic Nussbaum, or Nussbaum Pen Company, or Nussbaum and Company, of some other similar name (and I like them all),Phoenix may not be too bad since it also conjures up the mythical bird that rises from its' own ashes.

The other names are very good for pen models and inks, and you could establish a pattern such as place names for pens, plant and animal names for inks, or maybe the reverse.

Maybe the reverse is better:I can see White Mountain ink, and a nice pale yellow Mt. Lemon, and a goldish Cibola, and a .... well you probably have already thought of all that.

Best of luck and I'll add my appreciation for the heads up to the FPN community.

Edited to add that I also agree with Penspouse re names ans sizes.

Edited January 12, 2012 by Tberry010

[JeanManuel]

After sleeping over it, I'd prefer:

 

"Copper State Pen Co."

 

Arizona when I visited, was pretty much copper-colored.

 

It has an American flavor to it. As a European I'd be buying it thinking of westerns/gold mining movies, with pictures of the red desert, those rolling plants carried by the wind, and the dusty ghost town where folks get hydrated on local bourbon.

 

Some ideas of scenarios for short advertising films to illustrate my point:

 

1)The sheriff writing with his fountain pen, in his dusty office with a bullet crashing somewhere now and then, his men shooting from the window. Then the finished message is taken outside on a horse running under criminal fire. A young guy comes and asks the sheriff

"Sheriff sir, d'you reckon we'll get out of this one in one piece?"

The sheriff moves his moustaches into a grin:

"I don't know son, but as my life hangs to it, I sure wouldn't have trust any other pen than a Copper State's".

And in the end display of "Copper State Pen Co.", in the blurred background the cavalry is coming and saves the day.

 

2)The young lieutenant writing in a camp to his brother fighting on the other side of the secession war. "Dear Brother, I write to you, with my good old friend, a "Copper State's" pen."

 

3)The American soldier writing in his journal after D-Day, thinking of home ("why did I leave the homestead"-song, etc...)."Wherever you go, with a Copper State's pens, take the homestead with you."

 

4)The old gold miner with an endless beard coming out hysterical, bringing the pen he found in a cloth to his wife who's teaching in these 1 building 1 room schools. "Darling darling I found something.

-Ah! It was about time. Sit down and start learning."

("copper state pen Co.", simply American tradition)

 

5)The settlers in their cart, the mother dictating e.g. a part of the constitution or something fundamental ("Copper state pen Co., give your children the best of American heritage")

 

6)If you don't go for e.g Web-movie spots (btw they are much cheaper to make in Finland: let me know if you need spots e.g. for youtube etc and I'll give you some addresses to get an evaluation. I also know an American director living in Helsinki who'd likely take the job) (I'm a physicist I have no affiliations but I really would like to see those ad spots on youtube ).

then there is again the "Copper State Pen Co. - Pen model 1884 - Wanted 30$" or smth of the likes.

 

 

I think Nussbaum does not have the same massively international appeal.

Then again it's your company.

I hope it helped !

 

Yeehaaaaa!!! Blam blam blam !!! (me riding to the sun shooting my pistols to the sky with a bottle of bourbon hanging from my recently domesticated horse).

 

P.S. edit: Actually I don't drink much alcohol

Edited January 13, 2012 by JeanManuel

[SueEllen]

How exciting!

 

Nussbaum Pen Company.

 

It's a name that stands out. As in:

"Are you related to the Nussbaums of Nussbaum Pens?"

"Why, yes. He was my great great grandfather."

 

New_Falcon mentioned the value of having gravitas in a name choice. The name, "Nussbaum Pen Company" provides that aura of timelessness. As in:

"Did you realize that the Nussbaum Pen Company is only 30 years old?"

 

It would google (or any other search engine) easily.

 

The initials for Nussbaum pen company flow easily in conversation: "Is that pen an NPC?!"

"Why, yes. But even though this older model goes for $1200 now, my mother was able to get this particular pen while the design was still in production. I have the newest model, too. Fabulous pens."

 

And as WendyNC said, all of the other suggestions can still be used as model names. It allows the Classic Nussbaum Line which includes the (name of pen) that the President uses to be complemented with some wonderfully quirky pens for famous artists.

[kareth]

Hello Todd & Theresa,

 

a humble feedback:

 

 

narayam

 

its an ancient writing tool or writing instrument which was used from very early age till the middle of 20th century. it is a sharp writing instrument made of iron, used to write in dry coconut leaves. the writings with narayam is still preserved and is still read today.

 

OK, the word narayam is malayalam meaning the writing instrument.

[ethernautrix]

I'm late to this thread and haven't skimmed more than the first page or so of suggestions, but wanted to chime in with best wishes. How exciting! Good luck, Todd!

[JeanManuel]

I'm late to this thread and haven't skimmed more than the first page or so of suggestions, but wanted to chime in with best wishes. How exciting! Good luck, Todd!

 

Yep. Thanks for underlining the essential

 

Best wishes of success and prosperity !!!!

Edited January 13, 2012 by JeanManuel

[SueEllen]

Oops! And I know better!

 

"Are you related to the Nussbaums of Nussbaum Pens?"

"Why, yes. He was my great great grandfather."

 

Second line should read, "Why yes. They were my great great grandparents."

 

A problem with "Phoenix". The mythical bird's cycle of complete annihilation followed by rebirth seems not positive for a pen. We had a small theater company that we cobbled together from a dead theater company-- in honor of that process we called ourselves "Phoenix Players". We died after one production and another group cobbled together what they could from our stuff, therefore also deserving the name "Phoenix Players". They died after one production also.

 

I do not want this to happen to the Nussbaum Pen Company.

 

Like WendyNC said: "Ya gotta think long-term!"

[Lloyd]

The Anachronic Pen Company.

[Tberry010]

Hey Todd: Why not take the few suggestions you like best and any you thought about no one here mentioned an open a poll? Might be interesting, just as this thread has been.

[Jimmy James]

Todd possibly isn't going to be able to move as quickly on this as we'd hope because it may be necessary to get legal advice, begin the trademark process, etc before he can make a choice. I will admit I'd love a poll or to hear some of his thoughts on all these ideas, though.

[Rutha73]

How about Red Rock Pens or Red Rocks Pen Co. I know you aren't in Sedona, but I think about everyone has seen pictures of the red rock formations up there.

[Trillium]

"T2" .... oh how I wish I could invoke superscripted numerals. T squared would pay homage to "Todd & Theresa" while avoiding whimsical appearance. A nice nib with the T2 logo on it would seem perfect to me. When will these be available?

[JeanManuel]

How about Red Rock Pens or Red Rocks Pen Co.

 

Sounds excellent !!!

Edited January 15, 2012 by JeanManuel

[JeanManuel]

I'd love a poll

 

So would I

[basterma]

Cactus pens and a Sahuaro cactus engraved on the nib.

[scribblescrabble]

I can't wait to see these pens! I've bought a few pens from Todd and he runs his business first-rate 100% of the time.

 

I wanted to chime in with something, perhaps goofy, that might work really well.

 

One thing that is prevalent in Arizona (so I am told) is the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. The snake is known as Crotalus atrox. "Crotalus" is the genus, referring to any venomous pit viper and "Atrox"is the species, referring to the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.

 

So...Why not use "Crotalus Pen Company?" The logo can be a rattlesnake coiled around a fountain pen.

 

Also, for the name of the ink you could use Venenum, which is Latin for "Venom." Of course, the Italian word for "Venom" is Veleno which would be much nicer to roll off the tongue.

 

I don't mean this to be terribly strange. It's catchy and I think the logo, if done right, would be very eye-catching.

 

Just my $.02.

 

Blessings,

 

ScribbleScrabble

 

PS. I HATE snakes, by the way. But I'd write with a pen with a snake on the logo--the only snake I'd ever handle.