Wahl-Eversharp Skyliner 50

[Wahlnut]

Is the ceramic coating the whole nib or only the writing corn?

I've troubles to trust that a ceramic coating on the whole nib would be durable, as steel and ceramic has very different material attributes....I would fear that a whole ceramic coating will chipping off after some time due to the bending and torsion forces during writing.

 

Assuming the writing corn is coated.

What durability do you expect?

I know ceramic is very hard but a coating is very thin (also iridium alloys wear off...but a corn is many times thicker than a coating.... so in practice this does not matter most times).

 

How would you describe the flex compared to common other pens?

Is the flex really only on the level of an Ahab?

The Ahab is quite a nail.....

 

Do you develop and manufacture the nibs by yourself?

If not, who is the manufacturer? (If this is no business secret).

 

Do you have distributors in Europe?

If not when are they expected?

[Wahlnut]

Is the ceramic coating the whole nib or only the writing corn?

I've troubles to trust that a ceramic coating on the whole nib would be durable, as steel and ceramic has very different material attributes....I would fear that a whole ceramic coating will chipping off after some time due to the bending and torsion forces during writing.

 

Assuming the writing corn is coated.

What durability do you expect?

I know ceramic is very hard but a coating is very thin (also iridium alloys wear off...but a corn is many times thicker than a coating.... so in practice this does not matter most times).

 

How would you describe the flex compared to common other pens?

Is the flex really only on the level of an Ahab?

The Ahab is quite a nail.....

 

Do you develop and manufacture the nibs by yourself?

If not, who is the manufacturer? (If this is no business secret).

 

Do you have distributors in Europe?

If not when are they expected?

 

Some answers

 

This is not your grandfathers ceramic. It's beyond what we used to call space age stuff. Ceramics today have more properties than the ones you would associate with space shuttle tiles. Ceramic knives do flex for example.

 

The coating is very durable. I believe other makers like Caran d'Ache are or were experimenting with it in their prototypes but i have not seen a production pen with it yet. We have locked up a large run and economies are possible at that scale. We like it so much that we are committed to it as our mid road nib. Replacement nib units for these pens are available from us if needed for around $50 bucks today so even if a pen wears thin a few years from now or probably well beyond that a replacement won't break the bank.

 

We have no distributors anywhere at present other than us. We are web based and show attending. Our main production facility is in Italy so we can deliver worldwide at reasonable cost. See our free shipping promo. Also see our strong warranty and repair program. All this is very visible on our customer care area on the wahleversharp.com website. We are considering sales reps to put pens in front of and in test hands of more people faster.

 

Our sources for metal parts and nibs are proprietary and custom made to meet our specs and demanding quality standards. Our feeds are custom too.

Edited March 12, 2013 by Wahlnut

[Pterodactylus]

Is the ceramic coating the whole nib or only the writing corn?

I've troubles to trust that a ceramic coating on the whole nib would be durable, as steel and ceramic has very different material attributes....I would fear that a whole ceramic coating will chipping off after some time due to the bending and torsion forces during writing.

 

Assuming the writing corn is coated.

What durability do you expect?

I know ceramic is very hard but a coating is very thin (also iridium alloys wear off...but a corn is many times thicker than a coating.... so in practice this does not matter most times).

 

How would you describe the flex compared to common other pens?

Is the flex really only on the level of an Ahab?

The Ahab is quite a nail.....

 

Do you develop and manufacture the nibs by yourself?

If not, who is the manufacturer? (If this is no business secret).

 

Do you have distributors in Europe?

If not when are they expected?

 

Some answers

 

This is not your grandfathers ceramic. It's beyond what we used to call space age stuff. Ceramics today have more properties than the ones you would associate with space shuttle tiles. Ceramic knives do flex for example.

 

The coating is very durable. I believe other makers like Caran d'Ache are or were experimenting with it in their prototypes but i have not seen a production pen with it yet. We have locked up a large run and economies are possible at that scale. We like it so much that we are committed to it as our mid road nib. Replacement nib units for these pens are available from us if needed for around $50 bucks today so even if a pen wears thin a few years from now or probably well beyond that a replacement won't break the bank.

 

We have no distributors anywhere at present other than us. We are web based and show attending. Our main production facility is in Italy so we can deliver worldwide at reasonable cost. See our free shipping promo. Also see our strong warranty and repair program. All this is very visible on our customer care area on the wahleversharp.com website. We are considering sales reps to put pens in front of and in test hands of more people faster.

 

Our sources for metal parts and nibs are proprietary and custom made to meet our specs and demanding quality standards. Our feeds are custom too.

 

Thanks for the information.

 

The reason why I'm asking for a distributor is because I want to avoid customs fees getting it from the US.

So if it's produced in Italy (within the EU), can you provide shipping also from there?

This would avoid possible customs troubles and additional costs for Europeans ( and would probably allow European shipping for less than 20$).

On your web site I got the impression it is shipped from the US.

 

Btw.

Ceramic knives are still very fragile.

If you drop it accidentally, it will break in many pieces, if you use it on a hard surface like a ceramic or glass plate it will get blunt very soon, if you cut accidentally into metal (like in a fork) the blade will most likely chip, if you are not careful (e.g. Cut into a big roast piece) and apply a (medium) torsion force it will most likely break. Finally they are not sharper than a good sharpened steel knive, and you cannot sharpen it again when it's got blunt.

So personally I stopped using ceramic knives.

 

I see an inherently disadvantage in a ceramic coated nib, you will not be able to modify it (grind) to fit your personal bias.

You have to take it as it is.

[Drone]

The reason why I'm asking for a distributor is because I want to avoid customs fees getting it from the US...

This is my problem too. Depending on how the wind is blowing on a particular day, the duty, tax, and handling fees to import a pen like this may run up to 40% of the purchase price in my country. Add to that the cost of courier shipping, and costs skyrocket. We must use couriers like DHL and FedEx, sending something here by standard Government run mail services is the same as tossing it into a black hole.

 

One way to avoid the duty, tax, and handling fees associated with bringing the pen in, is to simply NOT include an invoice with the shipment.

 

I'm not saying falsify the value on the invoice. Just don't use an invoice at all in the packaging and don't declare any value when shipping.

 

Not an ideal solution (e.g., insurance) - but IMO it's better than adding 40% to my cost.

[Pterodactylus]

As for the belief that if we skipped what might be viewed as the gizmo and gimmick of a car or the box, I fear that those who are trying to estimate how low the price the pen could be sold for if it did not have a die cast metal car and a cool graphic paper box, are pretty far off the mark on what these elements add to the cost of the ensemble.

 

I understand that you want to position and establish your brand specifically on the market using also shiny boxes and retro cars.

They should convey value, the connection to the past and a specific feeling, creating an own identity.

From marketing perspective absolutely right.

 

But personally I don't care of fancy boxes or other gimmicks, I want to have a fancy pen and don't care for the rest.

And therefor for me every buck going into these things is useless.

Just my personal opinion, probably I'm not a typical customer.

I know that image and packaging sells for many people.

 

But I would be careful, saying that the car, which is probably made from the same material as the pen has no value ;-)

I also thinks that shiny boxes are not very cheap, especially in lower piece counts.

I read several times that high quality cases are a significant part of the costs for other manufacturers (therefor sometimes let the retailer pay additionally for the boxes).

So only for me personally I would appreciate a bulk version without it, even it is only 5 or 10 percent cheaper then a retail version (with the full set of marketing accessories).

 

Don't want to question your marketing strategy or offend you. :-)

 

Your models look cool and fancy and if they will be available easier in Europe I will probably get one.

And I know how difficult It is to start up a company, even with the advantage of a great historical name.

Good luck :-)

[Scribble Monboddo]

As for the belief that if we skipped what might be viewed as the gizmo and gimmick of a car or the box, I fear that those who are trying to estimate how low the price the pen could be sold for if it did not have a die cast metal car and a cool graphic paper box, are pretty far off the mark on what these elements add to the cost of the ensemble.

 

I understand that you want to position and establish your brand specifically on the market using also shiny boxes and retro cars.

They should convey value, the connection to the past and a specific feeling, creating an own identity.

From marketing perspective absolutely right.

 

But personally I don't care of fancy boxes or other gimmicks, I want to have a fancy pen and don't care for the rest.

And therefor for me every buck going into these things is useless.

Just my personal opinion, probably I'm not a typical customer.

I know that image and packaging sells for many people.

 

But I would be careful, saying that the car, which is probably made from the same material as the pen has no value ;-)

I also thinks that shiny boxes are not very cheap, especially in lower piece counts.

I read several times that high quality cases are a significant part of the costs for other manufacturers (therefor sometimes let the retailer pay additionally for the boxes).

So only for me personally I would appreciate a bulk version without it, even it is only 5 or 10 percent cheaper then a retail version (with the full set of marketing accessories).

 

Don't want to question your marketing strategy or offend you. :-)

 

Your models look cool and fancy and if they will be available easier in Europe I will probably get one.

And I know how difficult It is to start up a company, even with the advantage of a great historical name.

Good luck :-)

 

You know, Pterodactylus is really on to something there. Even a modest saving would be appealing to those of us who are just fountain pen enthusiasts - and even as only one part of the market, getting lots of enthusiasts posting reviews and telling the world is all good publicity. Here's an idea; produce a limited run of the entry-level model in a plain barrel colour (like black or red) and sell it here as a no-frills FPN exclusive in a cardboard box. There's obviously plenty of interest, and even those who like me are usually harder budgetters may then be tempted into deciding that this is one luxury we can't do without (even more so if we can get to try that intriguing ceramic nib). 'Just a thought.

Edited March 12, 2013 by Scribble Monboddo

[Wahlnut]

Thanks for the input from the recent posters. Hmmm An FPN no frills special...hmmm, It might be worth a try. I take it that what I thought would be a pretty small concession on price for no box, and or no car would not make such a big difference to a potential buyer, but if you are advising me that a FP that sells without a car or printed cardboard box for $15 less will make a difference to people's buy/no buy decision, I would be willing to try that. So a $150 pen with box and car, would become a $135 pen pen only.

 

As an experiment, I hereby will sell the Skyliner 50's pen alone to FPN members who contact me directly via PM (and who do not go through the programmed checkout on the website), I will invoice them $135 (FP) or $110 (RB) through PayPal. Don't forget I am throwing free shipping to USA and a flat $10 to International addresses on everything for the first 90 days we are open for business (that saves another $12 over the eventual cost too). If it works, we can make it a permanent option, on line maybe. I will sit back and be pleasantly surprised when the computer chimes I have an order under this arrangement.

 

Oh, and by the way to the the point made that the pen and car are made of the same material and to say the car is inexpensive will cheapen the pen... the car IS NOT made from the same material as the pen. The pens are Plexi-Resin and the car is Die-cast metal.

 

Thanks again for the input

Lets see what happens.

Edited March 13, 2013 by Wahlnut

[johntdavis]

I was going to hold off until next month, but I can't resist any longer. I'm ordering a Menthol Skyliner 50's pen right now. So excited. I'm also really excited to get the car. I'm in love with the color as it's the same shade of mint green as an antique bicycle from the 1950s that hung in my aunt's antique shop from my earliest memories until I was about 17. One of my favorite colors.

 

I really appreciate the free shipping promo, too.

[Scribble Monboddo]

Wow, that's quite an offer Syd. I'll spread the word a little.

Edited March 13, 2013 by Scribble Monboddo

[Wahlnut]

Wow, that's quite an offer Syd. I'll spread the word a little.

 

I had to edit one part of the "offer" in my post above: The Free/Reduced shipping promo is the same as on the website: Which is free to Continental USA , Hawaii and Alaska addresses and a flat $10 to International Addresses. That still saves $12 USA and $11 of the normal $21 for international.

 

I think that is still a great offer.

Syd

[Silvermink]

HMM. Hmm. This is a definite possibility. I like the black one with the palladium cap particularly, but they're all nice.

[Scribble Monboddo]

Hi Syd. Thanks for clarifying the delivery charges. It could be an issue for potential customers across the Atlantic, due not only to the $10 delivery charge but the customs fees. To get one from the US to the UK, for instance, customers could face a fine plus a charge of 20% of the price, and that's serious money on a pen that expensive. As they are manufactured within the EU/EFTA apparently, have you considered a parallel distribution system over here? If they are posted from within the EU/EFTA, such taxes are unlikely to apply - so it should work if you use your Italian base, or possibly even from premises in Switzerland. I appreciate this would mean operating an arms-length supply chain rather than personally despatching each package, but in the absence of third-party distributors it could well be worth exploring.

[steb]

Interesting seeing the price critique. The ordinal skyline models went from '$3.50 (solid colour demi) and $75.00 (solid platinum), in modern terms from about $47.00 up to $1,690' http://dirck.delint.ca/beta/?page_id=3174

 

I think the current pricing is quite reasonable especially when one considers this is made in a developed country with a minimum wage you can live on. Gold back then was also less than half the price in 2013$ than it is now to boot.

 

That basic model original skyline was also pretty basic--the level of trim on the current base model far exceeds it.

[kronos77]

$150 is my limit right now. The problem is that I need an extra fine and a regrind would cost 50. extra. If you make an extra fine or the price drops 50.00, I'll be there.

 

Also, how about an Ivory colored pen?

Edited March 14, 2013 by kronos77

[kpfeifle]

Well I was tired of reading about this pen and placed an order for one! Green Skyliner 50 is inbound to me...let the waiting begin.

[johntdavis]

Well I was tired of reading about this pen and placed an order for one! Green Skyliner 50 is inbound to me...let the waiting begin.

 

Congratulations! Mine arrived today--order number 35, apparently. Order placed the afternoon of March 12. Arrived today, the afternoon of March 15. Great speed.

 

Haven't had a chance to open the box yet. Will probably not until late next week. Will report back with a review. Is there a standard template we can use for those? I want to do more than my standard writing sample.

 

EDIT: You know what would be cool either on the W-E site or included in the box (or just linked to in this thread)? A guide to writing with a semi-flex. That is, when you're supposed to press the nib (upstroke? downstroke? both?). I'm sure I could find this on the internet with googling, but something tells me for a lot of people like myself this will be the first nib they buy with any flex. It's the first modern flex I've seen that isn't insanely priced.

Edited March 16, 2013 by johntdavis

[raging.dragon]

Well I was tired of reading about this pen and placed an order for one! Green Skyliner 50 is inbound to me...let the waiting begin.

 

Congratulations! Mine arrived today--order number 35, apparently. Order placed the afternoon of March 12. Arrived today, the afternoon of March 15. Great speed.

 

Haven't had a chance to open the box yet. Will probably not until late next week. Will report back with a review. Is there a standard template we can use for those? I want to do more than my standard writing sample.

 

EDIT: You know what would be cool either on the W-E site or included in the box (or just linked to in this thread)? A guide to writing with a semi-flex. That is, when you're supposed to press the nib (upstroke? downstroke? both?). I'm sure I could find this on the internet with googling, but something tells me for a lot of people like myself this will be the first nib they buy with any flex. It's the first modern flex I've seen that isn't insanely priced.

 

Downstroke.

[Drone]

 

...EDIT: You know what would be cool either on the W-E site or included in the box (or just linked to in this thread)? A guide to writing with a semi-flex...

Look here for some inspiring flex videos. Yes these use dip pens; you're typically not going to get that kind of flex from a FP unless it's a vintage wet noodle. But with practice, you can get fairly close with a good fine semi-flex modern as long as you don't push it.

 

http://www.iampeth.com/videos.php

 

Downstroke.

That one word summarizes the whole flex thing - doesn't it?

[Wahlnut]

Well I was tired of reading about this pen and placed an order for one! Green Skyliner 50 is inbound to me...let the waiting begin.

 

Congratulations! Mine arrived today--order number 35, apparently. Order placed the afternoon of March 12. Arrived today, the afternoon of March 15. Great speed.

 

Haven't had a chance to open the box yet. Will probably not until late next week. Will report back with a review. Is there a standard template we can use for those? I want to do more than my standard writing sample.

 

EDIT: You know what would be cool either on the W-E site or included in the box (or just linked to in this thread)? A guide to writing with a semi-flex. That is, when you're supposed to press the nib (upstroke? downstroke? both?). I'm sure I could find this on the internet with googling, but something tells me for a lot of people like myself this will be the first nib they buy with any flex. It's the first modern flex I've seen that isn't insanely priced.

 

Thanks, for becoming another happy owner. I hope you will like it even better when you ink it up! Ours are sem-flex of course but if you look at the review video I plastered on my home page recently and watch closely what the reviewer does with the pressure and the pen, you may not only pick up some good pointers there about flex, but also exactly how the very WAHL-EVERSHARP pen you will soon use flex(ed) for the him.

[Drone]

...if you look at the review video I plastered on my home page recently and watch closely...

Link to the video please? I looked on the W.E. site and Pensbury Manor and did not find the above referenced review. Thanks... David