Twsbi Diamond 530 With Gold Nib

[speedy]

Not hear from me for some days right?

Oh, I am working hard everyday, no messing around!

 

Yesterday I got quotation from Bock the 14K gold nib for TWSBI Diamond 530. one in single gold color another in two tone colors.

My cost plus the distribution profit... the end user price will be clost to US$110 per nib for single color and US$130 per nib for two tone model.

Will this price ok? I need to collect at least 300 orders to buy the nibs from Bock.

 

I am thinking, since the gold nib will bring up the pen price, why not just make an high value version of the pen to make it complete. how about

1. pen with 14k gold nib (single color or two tone?)

2. pen with HIGH VOLUME ink capacity, about 40% more ink

3. pen with aluminium piston mechanism

4. pen with solid brass clip (not the existing stamping parts)

5. pen with improved cap thread for smooth thread in and out

6. pen with metal parts plated with 14K gold or rose gold

Due to the increase in cost, the retail price will go up to about US$280. I don't know if this be fine. I need your comments.

 

To proceed with the project, I need to collect at least 300 orders. please leave comments in the thread.

If you like to pre-order, write me at speedy@twsbi.com. leave me your name, email, address, want nib (size) or complete pen.

you don't need to pay me anything until pen comes out.

 

Let me have your comment, see if we can keep the ball rolling.

 

speedy

[Apotheosis]

Hi Speedy,

You have my vote ! I'm in !!

Let me be customer number #001 for a complete pen with a dual tone B nib !

 

Leo

Edited November 12, 2010 by Apotheosis

[hari317]

Speedy, the cost of gold nibs is too high IMHO. Is the cost high due to the custom logo on the nib?

[speedy]

Speedy, the cost of gold nibs is too high IMHO. Is the cost high due to the custom logo on the nib?

 

 

Not the custom logo, but the distribution profit. you know I have to give money to web store, payment system, and also possible distribution physical store....

 

How much is the proper price for this gold nib?

Edited November 12, 2010 by speedy

[sinisterguy]

i think you would be better off to create a separate model. I think many people would look at the version with the gold nib and think its just a version with a gold nib and a few "extras," making it hard to justify the over $200 price difference.

[opus7600]

I don't know. For me, it spoils the image as a "pen of the people". I say do it in five years as an anniversary LE.

[significantpass]

i think you would be better off to create a separate model. I think many people would look at the version with the gold nib and think its just a version with a gold nib and a few "extras," making it hard to justify the over $200 price difference.

I agree. The premium of the gold nib over the normal version is too steep. There should be a different model, which means... another TWSBI to look forward to!

[davidjs]

Speedy, the cost of gold nibs is too high IMHO. Is the cost high due to the custom logo on the nib?

 

dunno, that seems reasonable: A new M250 14k nib is $75 from Richard Binder, a gold nib is a $75 option from Edison Pens.

 

So at a ... $70... option this seems about right! :hmm1:

Edited November 12, 2010 by davidjs

[pelicanachic]

at $280, you could get Mont 146 and m800 sailor realo. I really like your pen but when the price goes up that high, I don't think it has competitiveness against 146 and m800

 

at that price, I would rather choose m800 and sailor Realo, Aurora Optima.

 

 

[davidjs]

Also - I would agree it may make sense to make it a "different" model somehow (like the Pelikan line, where they have other differentiators beyond the nib/parts), either with limited colors, or some slight design changes...

 

With Pelikan as the clearest example, you might also want to think about a "mid"-line pen, either just with the gold nib or a few other pieces in the $100-$150 range, so that you can allow buyers to proceed in steps (buying all 3!), and more clearly show the steps.

Edited November 12, 2010 by davidjs

[Hellmark]

Yeah, I am kinda in the boat with the others. An extra $200 for a dressed up model would be hard to justify (especially when the final price works out to be over a week's pay for me). I'd be all over a dressier 530 though, if it wasn't such a big difference in price. The idea of an aluminum piston mechanism, solid clip, more ink and improved cap does sound great though. I'd buy one of those, even if it was with the regular steel nib.

 

Any news on the titanium nib?

Edited November 12, 2010 by Hellmark

[pelicanachic]

and you also have to put pilot 92 demonstrator into consideration.

 

it's just $150 with 14k gold nib.

[Yaniel]

Speedy, the cost of gold nibs is too high IMHO. Is the cost high due to the custom logo on the nib?

 

dunno, that seems reasonable: A new M250 14k nib is $75 from Richard Binder, a gold nib is a $75 option from Edison Pens.

 

So at a ... $70... option this seems about right! :hmm1:

 

I might be reading the original post wrong, but it seems to suggest that just the nib will cost 110 to 130. Which is substantially higher than the Pelikan nib.

[hari317]

How much is the proper price for this gold nib?

 

If you ask me, I would say 60USD for the plain 14K nib. What is the size of your nib? smaller than the Bock size 250?

[wpb]

Just so I understand...

 

Diamond 530 with single color 14k gold nib: $110

Diamond 530 with two tone 14k gold nib: $130

Luxury pen (options #1 - #6): $280

 

Correct?

[Hellmark]

Just so I understand...

 

Diamond 530 with single color 14k gold nib: $110

Diamond 530 with two tone 14k gold nib: $130

Luxury pen (options #1 - #6): $280

 

Correct?

 

I took it as the nib alone would cost $110-130, bringing the total pen price to $150-170, unless you went with the fancy luxury version.

[davidjs]

Speedy, the cost of gold nibs is too high IMHO. Is the cost high due to the custom logo on the nib?

 

dunno, that seems reasonable: A new M250 14k nib is $75 from Richard Binder, a gold nib is a $75 option from Edison Pens.

 

So at a ... $70... option this seems about right! :hmm1:

 

I might be reading the original post wrong, but it seems to suggest that just the nib will cost 110 to 130. Which is substantially higher than the Pelikan nib.

 

Hmmmm, agreed, I read it as a per-pen price, and it's a pretty big distinction.

 

Oh, and speedy i think we all figured you were working hard on the vacuum pen, right

Edited November 12, 2010 by davidjs

[nicholasyeo]

Always more affordable to make a new pen than to create another nib which is to be interchanged!

:thumbup:

[millerb7]

I'm not really interested in gold nibs much myself, and couldn't justify paying that price. I'm more interested in the titanium nibs (lower price I'd assume?).

 

I mean at $150+ you WOULD NOT be able to have any of the mishaps the first run had (ie leaking seals) people would be furious.

 

I try to keep all my purchases below $100 and occasionally drift up to $150 but never above that. I've even nabbed my M90 and vanishing point for less than that.

 

Just my opinion anyways.

[millerb7]

Just so I understand...

 

Diamond 530 with single color 14k gold nib: $110

Diamond 530 with two tone 14k gold nib: $130

Luxury pen (options #1 - #6): $280

 

Correct?

 

I took it as the nib alone would cost $110-130, bringing the total pen price to $150-170, unless you went with the fancy luxury version.

I agree. I believe he is saying that the NIB UNIT alone would be $110 or $130. You would then be able to attach that nib to the current pen unit you have. Or he could do an ENTIRELY NEW pen and make it in the $280 range.