Yard-O-Led

[Nihontochicken]

Leisurely cruising the bottom on Fleabay, looking for cheap, oops, er, ah, I mean, "reasonable" deals, I've noticed a few not-too-popular brands that, for some reason, seem to go for goodly coin. One of them is Yard-O-Led. A brief research indicates the Brit company was formed in 1934, and today specializes in "hand-made" sterling writing instruments. As the name implies, the company makes mechanical pencils, but also fountain and ballpoint pens. However, the pens are fashioned much the same as the pencils, and most in the retro 1920s-30s style that, it seems to me, a majority of people do not find aesthetically pleasing. Certainly similarly shaped pencils by other manufacturers, even in sterling and from the actual period, don't seem to go for all that much. New Yard-O-Led pens (ballpoint) and pencils seem to start at about $300 a pop at retail, maybe discounted to $230 or so (less, of course, on Fleabay). So how does this company stay in biz, given that the $230 pen has maybe $15 worth of silver in it? I'm not trying to dump on the company or its products, just trying to rectify the disconnect between what these retro style pens and pencils retail for today as compared to what the similar vintage pencils seem to go for. Is Yard-O-led maybe the Mont Blanc for those few who are truly "in the know"???

[tfwall]

Leisurely cruising the bottom on Fleabay, looking for cheap, oops, er, ah, I mean, "reasonable" deals, I've noticed a few not-too-popular brands that, for some reason, seem to go for goodly coin. One of them is Yard-O-Led. A brief research indicates the Brit company was formed in 1934, and today specializes in "hand-made" sterling writing instruments. As the name implies, the company makes mechanical pencils, but also fountain and ballpoint pens. However, the pens are fashioned much the same as the pencils, and most in the retro 1920s-30s style that, it seems to me, a majority of people do not find aesthetically pleasing. Certainly similarly shaped pencils by other manufacturers, even in sterling and from the actual period, don't seem to go for all that much. New Yard-O-Led pens (ballpoint) and pencils seem to start at about $300 a pop at retail, maybe discounted to $230 or so (less, of course, on Fleabay). So how does this company stay in biz, given that the $230 pen has maybe $15 worth of silver in it? I'm not trying to dump on the company or its products, just trying to rectify the disconnect between what these retro style pens and pencils retail for today as compared to what the similar vintage pencils seem to go for. Is Yard-O-led maybe the Mont Blanc for those few who are truly "in the know"???

 

I bought a Grand Viceroy Victorian back in January because I was attracted to the classic lines of it. It is quite heavy and made almost completely of sterling silver. They have a very smooth nib and at least the Victorian models are hand stamped. I had a problem with my converter not seating properly, resulting in leaks and emailed YOL CS. They got back to me promptly and had me send it to their U.S. repair tech who swapped the section and internals out, tested it and sent it back with a nice note detailing all the work he did.

 

I'm not sure if they are promoted quietly in some high end segment that I am unaware of, though they do make the writing instruments sold under the Smythson of Old Bond Street label in London.

[playpen]

The only experience I have had with Yard-o-led is seeing one (owned by a fellow FPNer) at the Long Island show. I was amazed at its beauty and how nicely weighted it felt. I was intrigued with its remarkable craftsmanship, something I appreciate in this throwaway world. I immediately decided that I had to have one!

An email to Pam sealed the deal and I am the proud owner of a Viceroy Victorian standard. The pen is really gorgeous, as smooth as silk and a real "looker". It is a stunningly beautiful example of a fine writing instrument, one I wouldn't hesitate to take out at any function (including taking attendance in homeroom..but I am not crazy enough for that.....yet!).

I highly recommend this pen to anyone who enjoys a beautiful writing experience!

[tfwall]

The only experience I have had with Yard-o-led is seeing one (owned by a fellow FPNer) at the Long Island show. I was amazed at its beauty and how nicely weighted it felt. I was intrigued with its remarkable craftsmanship, something I appreciate in this throwaway world. I immediately decided that I had to have one!

An email to Pam sealed the deal and I am the proud owner of a Viceroy Victorian standard. The pen is really gorgeous, as smooth as silk and a real "looker". It is a stunningly beautiful example of a fine writing instrument, one I wouldn't hesitate to take out at any function (including taking attendance in homeroom..but I am not crazy enough for that.....yet!).

I highly recommend this pen to anyone who enjoys a beautiful writing experience!

 

Same here, I asked Ghostplane a few questions about the size and styling of hers, then looked at them in Fortnum & Mason before ultimately ordering from Pam Braun. I use mine everyday to sign paperwork, take notes in briefings and then at home to write letters. It gets more use by itself then all my other FPs combined.

[punch]

They are beautiful pens made of real precious metals. Probably only $20.00 worth of silver, but Oh what they do with it. One day . . .

[RLTodd]

(1) They are jewelry. People buy the sizzle, not the steak.

 

(2) I thought Yard O Led folded in the 1950s and the name was bought by someone. Then for the new owner to get the financial return on the purchase they continue with jewelry in the patterns reminiscent of the very old styles.....

 

(3) My thought on any of these jewelry items (AP, Rolex, MB, YOL, CS) is that if you have to ask, the item is definitely not right for you. That is not what most people want to hear, but I think it is good advice.

[Deirdre]

(3) My thought on any of these jewelry items (AP, Rolex, MB, YOL, CS) is that if you have to ask, the item is definitely not right for you. That is not what most people want to hear, but I think it is good advice.

A brief check on FPH shows that some of the YOL sterling pens are $400-$500 for the fountain pens. Granted, they go up from there, but I can name a number of lines with most of their pens in that price range (Stipula Etrurias come to mind).

 

Honestly, given some of the prices of other sterling lines, they seem like a reasonably good value. I paid $75 for a Cross ballpoint long enough ago that the fountain pen equivalent would be over $400 new if purchased now.

 

My usual preference is to go with a company's primary line of business, so YOL isn't really on my radar because they are primarily a maker of pencils.

Edited April 15, 2008 by Deirdre

[tfwall]

(3) My thought on any of these jewelry items (AP, Rolex, MB, YOL, CS) is that if you have to ask, the item is definitely not right for you. That is not what most people want to hear, but I think it is good advice.

A brief check on FPH shows that some of the YOL sterling pens are $400-$500 for the fountain pens. Granted, they go up from there, but I can name a number of lines with most of their pens in that price range (Stipula Etrurias come to mind).

 

Honestly, given some of the prices of other sterling lines, they seem like a reasonably good value. I paid $75 for a Cross ballpoint long enough ago that the fountain pen equivalent would be over $400 new if purchased now.

 

My usual preference is to go with a company's primary line of business, so YOL isn't really on my radar because they are primarily a maker of pencils.

 

Eh? Take another look at their line. They may have started back in the 30's as mechanical pencil makers, but their pen line outnumbers the pencils these days. Granted not all of their lines have FP models, some are only ballpoint, but they make quite a few FPs. Most of their FPs are between $250-550.

[Deirdre]

Eh? Take another look at their line. They may have started back in the 30's as mechanical pencil makers, but their pen line outnumbers the pencils these days. Granted not all of their lines have FP models, some are only ballpoint, but they make quite a few FPs. Most of their FPs are between $250-550.

Yeah, I've probably discounted them unfairly, but they do make metal pens and I'm not really a metal pen person. They look nice enough. The Viceroy Victorian looks pretty sweet, actually.

 

I don't see that their price range (or detailing) relegates them to the jewelry category, unless one does that with all pens over a certain price point. Given the costs of manufacture for smaller companies in first world countries, I don't think their prices are unreasonable.

[QM2]

Yard o Led is solid, hand-engraved sterling silver -- not silver plated and not silver overlay, the entire pen is 100% silver. They are also well known to be great writers and to have excellent customer service. As for price, I have 3 YOL instruments (2 FPs and a pencil), and each was bought from Pam Braun in the $200-300s range, depending on the item.

 

This price range is normal for contemporary sterling pens, and you get more for the money. I have a Sheaffer Sterling Silver Heritage Legacy Victorian, and it is machine engraved, only part silver, and cost more than either of my YOLs. I have a Conway Stewart silver overlay limited edition where the silver overlay is also hand engraved, and it cost more than twice of either of my YOLs. I have a Sailor 1911 Sterling, an entirely factory made, unembellished ordinary pen with a resin section, and it cost just slightly less than my YOLs. A resin Conway Stewart, Pelikan M600+, Parker Duofold, etc., which are factory made and are resin/plastic, all cost more than my YOLs. So... to call Yard o Led "MB-like", meaning that they are not worth the price, is not accurate. Neither are they jewerly-like, in the sense that they are just looked at and not used. YOLs are famous for their durability and longevity. You can hammer nails and dig to China with these things, if necessary.

 

Yard o Led is a small, niche brand (you have to like heavy silver for instance), but it is not by any means unpopular and has a reputation for being a quality item, rather than overpriced or ostentatious. Here are some threads, including a review of my Corinthian:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=45942

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=59255

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=40919

 

 

Best,

QM2

Edited April 15, 2008 by QM2

[Excoriar]

I love my Yard O Led Viceroy Grand Victorian, it is a very smooth writer that I feel comfortable bringing with me everywhere. I did have an issue with the converter, and after repeated tests, I figured that it was faulty and decided to throw in this Danitrio converter which looks about the same and the pen has performed flawlessly since. It is actually one of my cheaper pens, but compared to the MB149 and such, I feel that it is well worth the money and is actually worth more in my eyes and I can see where all the workmanship went and you know that it's pure sterling silver, not plated as in some other "silver" pens. Because the pen is handcrafted, I noticed that my clip is just so slightly off center (not straight), but I love this little imperfection which to me, means that the pen is handmade (as if I needed anymore proof). Great pen. Highly recommended.

 

I just realized that I sound like Ghostplane raving about the pen... :ltcapd:

[ilubiano]

I never really considered getting a YOL, but since i saw a review of the Corinthian in the reviews board, i can't get over that pen. I might have to end up buying one, I absolutely love the way it looks. I already have a few sterling pens, but nothing on that scale, just tiny vintage sterling ringtops. I like the way metal pens look as opposed to the more common plastics of today. YOL definitely has a way with sterling silver, the pens are astounding, and from what i've read, they are also magnificent writers. Is it 'pen jewelry'? Sure, but since when has that been a bad thing? Like a good watch, it will look great AND do what it's meant to, and that's a-ok with me.

[encremental]

I'm sure this is an old question, but do YOL platinum plate their silver?

 

John

[twdpens]

I'm sure this is an old question, but do YOL platinum plate their silver?

 

John

 

No. No plating or lacquer of any kind is applied. Therefore, the silver will tarnish. But this is no different to other silver items (trophies, cutlery etc) and can be considered a gentle patina that gives a warmth to the colour of the metal and makes it identify itself as sterling silver.

 

Martin

 

Disclaimer: The Writing Desk is an authorised Yard-O-Led retailer.

[encremental]

That's what I hoped. I really can't see the point of having a silver pen if you platinum plate it. Apart from anything else, the colour is completely different. It's what puts me off a lot of silver pens.

John

[George Drummond]

Leisurely cruising the bottom on Fleabay, looking for cheap, oops, er, ah, I mean, "reasonable" deals, I've noticed a few not-too-popular brands that, for some reason, seem to go for goodly coin. One of them is Yard-O-Led. A brief research indicates the Brit company was formed in 1934, and today specializes in "hand-made" sterling writing instruments. As the name implies, the company makes mechanical pencils, but also fountain and ballpoint pens. However, the pens are fashioned much the same as the pencils, and most in the retro 1920s-30s style that, it seems to me, a majority of people do not find aesthetically pleasing. Certainly similarly shaped pencils by other manufacturers, even in sterling and from the actual period, don't seem to go for all that much. New Yard-O-Led pens (ballpoint) and pencils seem to start at about $300 a pop at retail, maybe discounted to $230 or so (less, of course, on Fleabay). So how does this company stay in biz, given that the $230 pen has maybe $15 worth of silver in it? I'm not trying to dump on the company or its products, just trying to rectify the disconnect between what these retro style pens and pencils retail for today as compared to what the similar vintage pencils seem to go for. Is Yard-O-led maybe the Mont Blanc for those few who are truly "in the know"???

 

 

You clearly need to learn more about pens. Y-o-L is a very well established company in the UK, and has a long tradition of producing quality writing instruments at the higher end of the market. It is now owned by Filofax, the well known upmarket personal diary company.

 

Your comment about $15 of silver in the pens is plainly ignorant - MB and other so-called 'luxury' brands produce very expensive pens with a thin layer of silver worth probably no more than $12-15, whereas Y-o-L produces pens like the Viceroy Grand, which has aorund $40-50 worth of silver. And the cost of workmanship and manufacturing adds signficantly to this. I'm sorry, but asking how this company stays in business is simply insulting. In that vein, I could reasonably ask how someone like you manages to keep a job.

 

I'm not a particular fan of Y-o-L pens; if I had to choose between British pens I would go for Conway Sewart without any hesitation. I don't like the uncoated silver on Y-o-L pens. Unlike some others here I find silver tarnish extremely annoying; I would prefer it to be plated with platinum to preserve the shine. I also like vermeil, and noticed, to my great irritation, that Y-o-L no longer makes vermeil pens. I also agree with you about the Victorian/Edwardian retro styling - I find it very old fashioned and somewhat pretentious, but bearing in mind the target buyers it doesn't surprise me.

Edited April 15, 2008 by George Drummond

[richardandtracy]

.... Asking how this company stays in business is simply insulting. How does someone like you keep a job?

Just a little fierce surely?

 

Regards

 

Richard.

 

[George Drummond]

.... Asking how this company stays in business is simply insulting. How does someone like you keep a job?

Just a little fierce surely?

 

Regards

 

Richard.

 

No offence intended - the remark was meant to be ironic.

[Ghost Plane]

I have 3 at present and will acquire more the day I have the money and can hit Pam Braun for a style I don't have. A Grand Victorian, Grand Barley and standard Viceroy, also in Barley. The standard was my first experience with their wonderful, no problem, we-said-lifetime-we-meant-it warranties. My Grand Victorian has sprung a section leak at under a year old, but the nib is so wonderful and the pen fits my hand so perfectly I barely mind. I finally have time to pop it in the mail and know I'll get back an overhauled pen with a nice note saying what they did.

 

These pens have nibs I adore [see my rantings in other threads about the perfect B nib] and are so perfectly proportioned and lusciously heavy that they're also the only pens I don't post or even want to.

 

Unlike my Visconti pens I fear to dent, or my Delta Profili that's such thin silver I can't throw it in my purse, these babies are heavy, sturdy, come with their own leather sleeves for portability and will take decades of abuse.

 

I'm glad they're not more popular or writer types like me who want lifetime pens that're just gorgeous would never be able to scrape together enough money to own one. Unlike the MB I'm afraid to leave the house with in case it doesn't survive a drop, I take these beauties out by the pool, over concrete, wherever I want to go. They're tough, they're gorgeous and I'm not afraid to whip out the silver polish if they go from "loved" to dingy dark.

[Titivillus]

So how does this company stay in biz, given that the $230 pen has maybe $15 worth of silver in it? I'm not trying to dump on the company or its products, just trying to rectify the disconnect between what these retro style pens and pencils retail for today as compared to what the similar vintage pencils seem to go for. Is Yard-O-led maybe the Mont Blanc for those few who are truly "in the know"???

 

How does MB stay in business with $2.35 in plastic in a pen :ltcapd: Calling them jewelery isn't fair as the working end of the pen is taken care of too. I think there are some non-metal pens out there that I would consider pocket jewelery before these.

 

It comes down to what is done with the raw materials, isn't a person about $23 in chemicals? The craftmanship is wonderful, the pens have a heft that isn't found in other pens and the writing experience is great.

 

The best thing I can say about them is that I would buy another one.

 

Kurt

Edited April 15, 2008 by Titivillus