Edison Herald - New Style (Aug 2008)

[Opus104]

Just received my new style Edison Herald. I chose a classic Black ebonite with Rhodium clip.

 

Pictures are courtesy Brian at Edison (also displayed on the Edison website).

 

1. Styling/Craftsmanship. Wow. A fantasic and retro torpedo shape. Think a slightly narrower Danitrio Ebonite or Sailor KOP. The finish is a medium gloss. It has a vintage feel. The pen is all ebonite, including the section. This is a complete custom pen, with all threads integral to the ebonite. Brian has done a classy restyling of his popular Herald model.
2. Filling sytem. I currently have it configured as a cartridge converter. It can be configured as an eyedropper, and Brian will completely seal the section for you. In my case, he has offered to provide instructions on his sealing process if I decide to take the eyedropper plunge.
3. Nib. I chose a steel Taccia nib (in siver tone). I love Taccia steel nibs, and when tweaked by Brian it is fantastic. A medium/medium-fine line with the right amount of wetness and oh so smooth. Brian has offered to readjust the nib as I might desire - but it is perfect.

A great gem, and highly recommended. I'll check back in as I accumulate use and pocket wear.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 1, 2008 by Opus104

[jmkeuning]

Super sweet. I just love the look of this new Herald. It is so far beyond any other hand-made pen that I have seen.

 

I have that same nib, also tuned by Brian. I do not know what he does to those things, but it is one of my favorites.

[FrankB]

The pen looks great. I am interested in your further impressions as you use the pen. I am building up to an Edison pen and I think it will be my birthday pen this year.

[cfpen]

A beautiful pen.

Thanks.

[Johnson]

What a great looking pen, thanks for the impressions and the pictures. Brian has made a great pen better. I sold my first Herald because I wanted to post it so badly and I couldn't. Now that Brian has fixed that issue, I might end up buying another one. Maybe one exactly like the one above.

Edited September 3, 2008 by Johnson

[Gawain]

My God, there's nothing there.... but it's GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dhlr14454]

It is a _very_ handsome pen. Here's a question: why doesn't Brian seal the section & provide the converter--give a buyer both options? (Apparently Edison doesn't do that according to the website.) Would it make the converter (or cartridge) not work? How could it do that (prevent the converter) and still function as an eyedropper?

[bgray]

It is a _very_ handsome pen. Here's a question: why doesn't Brian seal the section & provide the converter--give a buyer both options? (Apparently Edison doesn't do that according to the website.) Would it make the converter (or cartridge) not work? How could it do that (prevent the converter) and still function as an eyedropper?

 

The bottom line with this is that I have a style of section that I make that is easily repeatable for me, and I don't want to alter it yet.

 

These pens absolutely CAN be used as either an eyedropper or an CC in the same pen (my daily user is like this and I've sold a few like this).

 

But here's the rub...when I make these sections, I use 26 TPI threads. These are not the ideal TPI for threads that will seal up a section and be ink-proof. Something in the 40's would be better, and with an O Ring.

 

However, if you maintain the pen properly, and use silicon grease every time that you fill the pen, then there's no problem. At least there's no problems that I've found yet. Keep in mind that these pens are still only about 8 weeks past prototype, and 2 weeks past production!

 

BUT - Do I want to have 75 of these pens out there sold when I start having people send me emails saying that they just ruined a $500 dollar suit with my pen? My first reaction would be that they did not properly maintain the pen with silicon grease. But how can I give good customer service and basically "accuse" someone of ruining their own suit??

 

So I could sell the pens with the disclaimer that I can't guarantee against leaks if grease is not used, but I think that makes the product seem unreliable.

 

So I made a decision that the customer needs to decide between an eyedropper or a CC.

 

So an eyedropper gets the section sealed with epoxy. Then the pen gets filled by removing the nib housing assembly. The threads that seal up this assembly are 44 TPI, remove with about 10 complete rotations, and will not leak with or without grease.

 

Now - am I willing to sell the pens where the customer can use both? Yeah, sure...but I won't guarantee against leaks, and you'll need to use silicon grease every time you fill the pen.

 

If you want this option, and later find that you want the pen sealed up, I can do that.

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

[ojars]

I keep looking at Edison for my next pen; not that I need another pen!

[fatehbajwa]

It is a _very_ handsome pen. Here's a question: why doesn't Brian seal the section & provide the converter--give a buyer both options? (Apparently Edison doesn't do that according to the website.) Would it make the converter (or cartridge) not work? How could it do that (prevent the converter) and still function as an eyedropper?

 

The bottom line with this is that I have a style of section that I make that is easily repeatable for me, and I don't want to alter it yet.

 

These pens absolutely CAN be used as either an eyedropper or an CC in the same pen (my daily user is like this and I've sold a few like this).

 

But here's the rub...when I make these sections, I use 26 TPI threads. These are not the ideal TPI for threads that will seal up a section and be ink-proof. Something in the 40's would be better, and with an O Ring.

 

However, if you maintain the pen properly, and use silicon grease every time that you fill the pen, then there's no problem. At least there's no problems that I've found yet. Keep in mind that these pens are still only about 8 weeks past prototype, and 2 weeks past production!

 

BUT - Do I want to have 75 of these pens out there sold when I start having people send me emails saying that they just ruined a $500 dollar suit with my pen? My first reaction would be that they did not properly maintain the pen with silicon grease. But how can I give good customer service and basically "accuse" someone of ruining their own suit??

 

So I could sell the pens with the disclaimer that I can't guarantee against leaks if grease is not used, but I think that makes the product seem unreliable.

 

So I made a decision that the customer needs to decide between an eyedropper or a CC.

 

So an eyedropper gets the section sealed with epoxy. Then the pen gets filled by removing the nib housing assembly. The threads that seal up this assembly are 44 TPI, remove with about 10 complete rotations, and will not leak with or without grease.

 

Now - am I willing to sell the pens where the customer can use both? Yeah, sure...but I won't guarantee against leaks, and you'll need to use silicon grease every time you fill the pen.

 

If you want this option, and later find that you want the pen sealed up, I can do that.

 

Thanks.

 

 

Brian,

Cab the sealed section "unsealed"?

 

[bgray]

It is a _very_ handsome pen. Here's a question: why doesn't Brian seal the section & provide the converter--give a buyer both options? (Apparently Edison doesn't do that according to the website.) Would it make the converter (or cartridge) not work? How could it do that (prevent the converter) and still function as an eyedropper?

 

The bottom line with this is that I have a style of section that I make that is easily repeatable for me, and I don't want to alter it yet.

 

These pens absolutely CAN be used as either an eyedropper or an CC in the same pen (my daily user is like this and I've sold a few like this).

 

But here's the rub...when I make these sections, I use 26 TPI threads. These are not the ideal TPI for threads that will seal up a section and be ink-proof. Something in the 40's would be better, and with an O Ring.

 

However, if you maintain the pen properly, and use silicon grease every time that you fill the pen, then there's no problem. At least there's no problems that I've found yet. Keep in mind that these pens are still only about 8 weeks past prototype, and 2 weeks past production!

 

BUT - Do I want to have 75 of these pens out there sold when I start having people send me emails saying that they just ruined a $500 dollar suit with my pen? My first reaction would be that they did not properly maintain the pen with silicon grease. But how can I give good customer service and basically "accuse" someone of ruining their own suit??

 

So I could sell the pens with the disclaimer that I can't guarantee against leaks if grease is not used, but I think that makes the product seem unreliable.

 

So I made a decision that the customer needs to decide between an eyedropper or a CC.

 

So an eyedropper gets the section sealed with epoxy. Then the pen gets filled by removing the nib housing assembly. The threads that seal up this assembly are 44 TPI, remove with about 10 complete rotations, and will not leak with or without grease.

 

Now - am I willing to sell the pens where the customer can use both? Yeah, sure...but I won't guarantee against leaks, and you'll need to use silicon grease every time you fill the pen.

 

If you want this option, and later find that you want the pen sealed up, I can do that.

 

Thanks.

 

 

Brian,

Cab the sealed section "unsealed"?

 

I'm not sure I understand the question.

 

Are you asking me if a sealed up section can be reversed and removed later?

 

No. I use epoxy to seal the sections. Once that is done, it's irreversible.

 

Thanks.

 

 

[KCat]

how's the ED been so far?

 

Has there been any issue with flow increasing due to warming while writing?

 

I am months away from this - which is good because I'm looking at the Pearl and thinking this may be even nicer. Can't wait to see something beyond the prototype. Materials used and all that.

 

 

 

 

[Opus104]

KCat -

 

The eyedropper works amazingly well - desk or pocket. Now it holds a good 4 ml if my eyedropper is correct, and I haven't gotten to that last bit of ink that may rush a bit (any day now). I am using Aurora Blue and it is flowing famously. The Taccia nib is outstanding!

[KCat]

KCat -

 

The eyedropper works amazingly well - desk or pocket. Now it holds a good 4 ml if my eyedropper is correct, and I haven't gotten to that last bit of ink that may rush a bit (any day now). I am using Aurora Blue and it is flowing famously. The Taccia nib is outstanding!

 

thanks much. I was looking at the nibs. Seems a shame not to but a 14K nib on this pen but gotta admit, convincing hubby on this one will be easier with steel. The Taccia is the $25 upgrade nib?

[bgray]

KCat -

 

The eyedropper works amazingly well - desk or pocket. Now it holds a good 4 ml if my eyedropper is correct, and I haven't gotten to that last bit of ink that may rush a bit (any day now). I am using Aurora Blue and it is flowing famously. The Taccia nib is outstanding!

 

thanks much. I was looking at the nibs. Seems a shame not to but a 14K nib on this pen but gotta admit, convincing hubby on this one will be easier with steel. The Taccia is the $25 upgrade nib?

 

Hi KCat.

 

I usually tell my customers to not even bother with a gold nib to start, if money is the issue.

 

Try the free Chinese one first. You might be surprised at how well I can get even the cheapest nib to write.

 

I will admit that the Taccia's LOOK better than the Chinese nibs. The Taccia's are sleeker. But there won't be any difference in how they write. I make sure of that. The quality control of the Chinese nibs aren't great, but I throw out the bad ones.

 

Then if you want to upgrade to the Taccia or gold, I just send you a new nib to screw in whenever you like.

 

You'd be surprised how many people buy the cheapo freebie nib, with all intentions of buying a gold one later when there's more money to do so.

 

Then I either never hear from them about a gold nib, or they email me to say don't bother!

Edited October 13, 2008 by bgray

[DRP]

Definitely a "drool pen." This thing is gorgeous. After I buy the one I'm currently saving up for, this one may be the next.

 

Just for curiosity, what about using Teflon tape rather than silicon grease to make the pen convertible between cartridge and eyedropper? Has anyone tried that?

 

I certainly understand the concern about ruining an expensive suit because the grease was not applied evenly enough to seal the threads.

[inkypete]

I keep looking at Edison for my next pen; not that I need another pen!

 

 

You always need another pen!

[bgray]

Definitely a "drool pen." This thing is gorgeous. After I buy the one I'm currently saving up for, this one may be the next.

 

Just for curiosity, what about using Teflon tape rather than silicon grease to make the pen convertible between cartridge and eyedropper? Has anyone tried that?

 

I certainly understand the concern about ruining an expensive suit because the grease was not applied evenly enough to seal the threads.

 

Not a bad idea. I might try that.

 

But on a mass production scale, I really can't expect customers to go out and buy teflon tape.

 

And don't get me wrong...the section will currently seal up just fine with grease. My daily user is in this configuration, and I've had no issues whatsoever.

 

But I don't want to have 100 pens out there, and then realize that I have to do a "recall" due to improper thread TPI.

 

I will sell pens without the section sealed and epoxied. Just as long as the customer knows that grease is necessary, and I will assume no risk of good suit being ruined, just in case they forgot grease!

 

So my current filling method is the safe road for me.

 

I am eventually going to redesign the sections to 40 or so TPI, with about 8-10 revolutions to remove it. This will make the pen a CC and an eyedropper in the same pen.

 

This will seal the pen without any grease, but adding it is good insurance.

 

In the meantime, the current way of filling the pen is working fine. Just make sure to not bump the tines when removing the housing.

Edited October 13, 2008 by bgray

[Amberviv]

Brian,

 

For te eye droppers, are the nibs very simple to remove for filling? I was hoping it would just be a screw out job like the Pelikan nibs but your mentioning "bumping the tines" made me think the nibs may require a bit more skill to remove than that.

 

Rgds

[bgray]

Brian,

 

For te eye droppers, are the nibs very simple to remove for filling? I was hoping it would just be a screw out job like the Pelikan nibs but your mentioning "bumping the tines" made me think the nibs may require a bit more skill to remove than that.

 

Rgds

 

Yes, it's a screw-out job.

 

I'll email you a PDF that helps you understanding my eyedroppers now.

 

You'll see. It's very simple.

 

Rather than unscrewing a section, you unscrew a housing.

 

If anyone else wants to see this, email me at

 

brian@edisonpen.com

 

I'll send it out.