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Lamy Al-Star With Metal Grip?

BergerDM

By BergerDM
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BergerDM Near Mint

BergerDM

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Is there such a thing (thread title)?

 

I like the format of the Safari body, but I loathe transparent grips/ink chambers/sections. Really, really don't like them. If there was an AL-Star with a metal grip, I'd buy some in a heartbeat.

 

As a follow-up, do we know WHY they aren't made iwth a metal grip? Would it be too heavy a pen? Is the shape too complex?

 

Thanks in advance!

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BaronWulfraed Collectors Item

BaronWulfraed

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Probably economy of scale... The section of the Al-Star, Safari, and Joy all appear to be compatible -- so just one manufacturing line needed for all three.

 

Shape would be a problem too -- the plastic can be cast/blown in molds. Metal might require CNC machining to drill out cylinders, followed by milling the outside. Probably knock the cost from <$40 to >$140 (the Al-Star body is really just anodized tubing with plastic end fittings).

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BergerDM Near Mint

BergerDM

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Maybe the section of a safari could be used with a maching color of Al-Star body, then?

 

That would already help tremendously, not cost much and leave enough for a "frankenpen" to be built with minimal effort, if so.

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1nkulus Collectors Item

1nkulus

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IMO, the price bracket would change and so would the segment.

Engineer :

Someone who does precision guesswork based on unreliable data provided by those of questionable knowledge.

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BergerDM Near Mint

BergerDM

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Yeah, I get the idea in general, the machinery and process would make it more expensive.

 

But I don't have an Al-Star to test if the parts (Al-Star body and Safari section) would fit so I could have a Al-Star with an opaque section. Does anyone have a couple they would mind unscrewing and try to mingle the parts for a few minutes to see if it works?

 

Specially the Al-Star cap with a Safari section since that's where it seems to snap the cap. If so I can work towards accruing the parts to make a pen that I enjoy!

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BergerDM Near Mint

BergerDM

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Well, Goulet confirmed it can not be done - it's in the questions section of the Al-Star page. A sad day for me.

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BaronWulfraed Collectors Item

BaronWulfraed

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Well, I just tried Al-Star with section from a Joy. Had to pop the "clutch ring" off the Joy's section (the Al-Star plastic barrel insert has its clutch ring).

 

Went on, with correct nib alignment to the flats of the barrel, and the cap did snap onto it.

 

Putting the Joy's clutch ring onto the Al-Star section appears to also be viable (I didn't test putting the cap on it).

 

Couldn't find that Goulet page...

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