Just posted a similar thought on RS...

[RSVP]

Would it be possible for FPN to create a pen, of our own choosing which could be sold to fund / maintain the site?

 

Much like PT, but not PT.

 

James

Edited January 2, 2005 by rimmerjar

[Titivillus]

Would it be possible for FPN to create a pen, of our own choosing which could be sold to fund / maintain the site?

 

Much like PT, but not PT.

 

James

Let's stir up the pot bigtime here.

 

 

Actually you have to look at the Zoss list that has done it twice and not had as much problems as Pentrace. Both with Bexley and Laban. Then again the PCA did their pen and are still trying to sell them!

 

I think firstly if FPN was to do something like this then knowing how much of the pen's price was being donated would help the decision for many people. Having it as a reasonably priced gold nib pen would be another. And going C/C would probably reduce the price even more.

 

 

Maybe a FPN ink! Go to Noodler or Private reserve and see what a short run of ink would cost. I know that pen shows have done that. Granted there would have to be some polling on the colors. But that could be solved by doing an annual ink. Or maybe something with a pen-rest or holder. Put out a request for colors then poll people and then do some prepayment.

 

 

K H

[Stompy]

I'd certainly be more interested in a special ink than in a pen, although the return to the website is bound to be less.

[RSVP]

A crystal inkwell perhaps...universal to all FP collectors. I'm sure a small glass company could do a small edition.

 

J

[dava]

These all sound like good ideas to me although I would like to see a good old fashioned lever filler or eyedropper. The inkwell, in my opinion, would have to come with a dip pen constructed in some marvelous acrylic and have a good assortment of nibs to complete it.

 

dava

[Titivillus]

I'd certainly be more interested in a special ink than in a pen, although the return to the website is bound to be less.

That's the point I guess, this would be something for the people of FPN rather than strictly being a money maker.

 

I feel that if you want to support a site then donate to the site don't wait for a fund raiser! So everyone who wanted to could buy the ink and then donate more if they felt like it.

 

K H

[Leslie J.]

Just speaking for myself, I like the ink idea actually. However, FPN is not a commercially sponsored site, and has no bills to pay as far as I know. So we don't require funding.

 

If something like this was ever undertaken, I would want any profit to go to an agreed upon charity I think.

[Titivillus]

Just speaking for myself, I like the ink idea actually. However, FPN is not a commercially sponsored site, and has no bills to pay as far as I know. So we don't require funding.

 

If something like this was ever undertaken, I would want any profit to go to an agreed upon charity I think.

Or maybe sell the thing with no profits involved! I could just imagine the fuss over which charity to donate to.

 

Just give a good deal on a token of participation on this board!

 

I'd pull for maybe an annual ink. Maybe the first year something wild then maybe work backwards through the spectrum

 

dark purple or indigo, blue, green, yellow or orange then red. Stick a brown and a grey in there and you've got a few years almost an ink of the year club!

 

 

 

 

Kurt H

[RSVP]

One thing, is everyone here interested to that extent in ink? Are there not enough choices for ink as it is? Some people say they are too many already.

 

Just a thought

[Titivillus]

One thing, is everyone here interested to that extent in ink? Are there not enough choices for ink as it is? Some people say they are too many already.

 

Just a thought

Are there not enough choices for pens ?

 

Ink is something that everyone could use. Both FP and dip pen people could use the ink while a fountain pen might get used once and put away (especially if you don't like the filler or size). And like wine the enjoyment would be in the use not just the collecting.

 

k h

[Stompy]

How about a Glass pen, ink and bottle combination?

 

Don't know how to go about it, just a suggestion.

[Keith with a capital K]

I like the idea of an LE ink for FPN...

 

Seeing how much that the LE pens cost I know that they aren't something that your average person could afford and they are a bit of an elite item.

 

On the other hand, a bottle of ink should be affordable for most and a small batch could probably be produced at a reasonable cost.

 

If there was a profit then we'd have to deal with what to do with that.

[KCat]

James, et. al.

 

I like the idea of an ink and even can imagine a dip pen provided. It isn't that difficult to do something "at cost" though of course you have to get agreement from folks on just what they want. For a pen, it's a bit more difficult because one has to realize that there are design issues to be sorted out and so on. It did take what, at least a year? for the PT pen to come to fruition.

 

Another method that has been used for commemorative pens has been to choose an existing pen and have it engraved. The "Katie Hill Pen" comes to mind. I believe the Pelikan 150 was chosen in a particular color (black?) and engraved with a quote of hers and "in Memorium." Sorry, I don't recall the particulars because I came in on the project after the fact.

 

So, buying a quantity of a particular pen and having it engraved is another route. Ink is probably easier. As far as a dip pen - glass dip pens are nice to look at and if that's all you want then that's fine. But to get one that really works well (IMO) requires a significant investment. But that just depends on the purpose of this little set-up and if folks just want one for looks and the occasional note, then the less pricey glass pens would be fine. Isellpens folks have some gorgeous and reasonably priced glass pens. An acrylic or wooden dip pen of course means more variability in nibs. Perhaps there is a pen turner who makes these and would consider it good business to produce a large quantity at a reasonable price. that is something again that can be engraved I believe.

 

there are so many ways to do something like this and this is partly why the PT pen had some issues I think. But their ultimate goal was to make a profit for running the board. If I were doing something like this at cost such as I did with the vials, i would want to be assured in as much as possible of the number of people sincerely interested so I didn't end up with a large inventory of pens labeled "Fountain Pen Network: 2005" and a stash of bottles of ink.

 

p.s. i still have some vials but am out of pipets.

[Guest Denis Richard]

All those ideas are interesting. I think it could be an opportunity to design products based on the community wishes, more than creating an "FPN product" per se.

 

If we were to all of us define for example an ink color that we think is not available, and find a manufacturer to produce it, it would be interesting. FPN would not need to get involved in the financial aspects, but be simply a tool to link the community and a manufacturer. The product could be sold through their usual network, but be designed through FPN members input.

 

More than an FPN LE ink, it could be an "FPN members design" ink.

 

Denis.

Edited January 3, 2005 by Denis Richard

[KCat]

All those ideas are interesting. I think it could be an opportunity to design products based on the community wishes, more than creating an "FPN product" per se.

I want a new ink that is *exactly* the color of Penman Emerald that has the flow properties of Penman Emerald and the depth, and doesn't require condensing or mixing to get it to that color. Noodler's Emerald quick-dry is close, but is still lighter and because of the quick-dry aspect, does not have the lubricating qualites of Penman. The color would have to be determined properly (using whatever technology is used these days) and not solely on one person's visual perception.

 

 

oh... well. i can dream.

[Guest Denis Richard]

but dreams and reality feed each other, don't they

 

I'm guessing ink makers must have equipment to measure the exact color of an ink, and should be able to determine how close their creations are to the original stuff.

 

It seems like there are many people longing for Penman Emeral... may be an FPN Emerald is not that big of a dream.

 

Denis.

[RSVP]

I think some metallic inks would be quite cool. I found some gold in a local bookstore. I think it must be dip-pen ink (although it didn't say so!).

 

It congealed and solidified in a M200. Water wouldn't budge it, had to use more ink.

 

PS Could I suggest a "Creativity" part of the website where ideas could be shared on ink colours / designs and ideas etc? I would very much like to be part of that.

 

J

[Titivillus]

How about a Glass pen, ink and bottle combination?

 

Don't know how to go about it, just a suggestion.

Only problem with that is not everyone is into dip pens while ink could be used for either.

 

k h

[mchristi]

I rather like the idea of a special FPN ink, even if there is no fundraising aspects involved. The trouble would be to figure out what kind of ink color to work on.....

 

Mark C.

[KendallJ]

I like the idea of a pen, although there is no budget on FPNet so nothing really to fund. However, seeing the hubub that the LE caused on PT, I would vote for something <$100, and preordered run of pens so EVERYONE got one if they wanted it.

 

I tried out a Laban at the detroit penshow and was impressed as hell with the smoothness of the nib. Great steel-nibbed writer, and some great resins available for 50-70$. I particularly like the Mento, or Loteria, or Resin pens.