Just posted a similar thought on RS...

[Maja]

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.

Yep, have to agree on the price part....Even <$50 would be nice....

 

I only have one Laban--a "Mini Resin" in Oyster Yellow colour--and it too has a nice smooth steel nib. I wouldn't mind owning a Mento or Loteria

[tburke0]

Here's an idea to do the pen on the cheap:

 

- Identify interested parties. Let's set the hypothetical "buy-in" at $20

 

- Get a bunch of inexpensive identical plastic FP's

think worker-bee or sheaffer school pen or maybe "upscale" with

pelikan GO or Kwaco Sport (buy-in might need to be higher for this)

 

- Identify a talented FPN member with a dremel who can engrave these pens

 

- Engrave / sell / distribute said pens

 

- proceeds if any, go to board maintenance and/or charity(ies) as desginated by moderators.

 

The engraving (step 3) is probably the sticky wicket here. Any FPN members out there with an engraving rig want to throw their hat in the ring?

 

Tom

[Keith with a capital K]

I know this guy who can get a number of different pens at dealer cost so the hypothetical $20.00 could buy a pen that normally retailed at around $40.00 so the pen would be something much nicer than a school pen.

 

 

Once the cost of engraving was added it might raise the hypothetical cost to $25.00.

 

I think the PT LE is a Filcao Columbia in a unique resin (green marble) and with the engraving and extra nibs, it's actually a pretty good deal since it is selling close to the ordinary Columbia's price.

[tburke0]

Ok, so hypothetically, $25 would hypothetically get us:

 

Sheaffer Javelin Metal Night Azure FP (closest i think to board color scheme)

 

http://www.sheaffer.com/images/products/javelin/javelin_4.jpg

 

2 line engraving:

 

The Fountain Pen Network <<-- Block script font (?) to match logo in header

http://www.fpnet.tk <<-- arial font, smaller, centered under 1st line

 

I'm in! any other hypothetical offerings?

 

This is fun!

Tom.

[KendallJ]

I think the PT LE is a Filcao Columbia in a unique resin (green marble) and with the engraving and extra nibs, it's actually a pretty good deal since it is selling close to the ordinary Columbia's price.

If you could get your hands on one..

[KCat]

I get the feeling, though could be wrong, that many of us here on a budget. I would be much more likely to support a $30 (or even $40) price point than a $100 price point. It needs to be something within the reach of many of us rather than a few and since we are a smallish group yet, that may mean going with something of the sort that Tom created. Which is a cool idea, btb.

 

I don't want to see the sort of alienation that was felt by many on the PT LE. So much of what we want to be here, is a "community" and not just a pen site.

 

my .02 only of course.

[Keith with a capital K]

Kcat -

 

I really agree on the whole price point and budget issue, hence my comment about this "guy" I know that could get a variety of pens at dealer cost and in thinking about it, there are actually a few of us who could access some really good deals.

 

Of course, one of the guys is me and I believe that Jim M might also be able to help out.

 

If we can do this then a $30.00 pen is really a $60.00 pen, a $40.00 pen is an $80.00 pen and so on and so on.

 

Cheers!

[tburke0]

Which is why I chose the Javelin. Low(er) priced, current production Sheaffer, metal barrel & cap should take to engraving...

 

With "standard" 2 line text engraving, these could even be made 1-off although I'll admit I don't know the first thing about engraving anything...

 

A pity the NoNonsenses are out of production, what about a silk-screen printed viewpoint with F-Italic? I think the set-up charges for a small screening run may be un-economical. Even at $20 I'd say we're talking a run of ~100 here.

 

 

Tom

[Dip Head]

Since it seems that $0.02 buys an opinion here I'll cough up the dough and take one...

 

The ink only needs to be a special shade of color. It could be mixed/created by one of many folks here and offered for distribution - or even just create the formula and let us mix our own!

 

For myself, I'd love to use a custom FPN ink that was representitive of this group. It would be a great story to tell every time someone comments on the unique color. However, someone will have to take the risk/blame for picking the formula. There are simply to many variables for the whole group to vote on... <_<

 

Let us vote on the basic color: blue/black blue brown red whatever.. And then appoint whoever has the experience - and is willing - to put forth the recipe. Since we're already doing polls on favorite colors and brands, we really just need to find out who is willing to create a mix!

 

I'm looking forward to using and bragging about whatever gets created. Pen or ink. This whole discussion and concept is a fabulous idea and deserves to succeed.

[Titivillus]

Since it seems that $0.02 buys an opinion here I'll cough up the dough and take one...

 

The ink only needs to be a special shade of color. It could be mixed/created by one of many folks here and offered for distribution - or even just create the formula and let us mix our own!

 

For myself, I'd love to use a custom FPN ink that was representitive of this group. It would be a great story to tell every time someone comments on the unique color. However, someone will have to take the risk/blame for picking the formula. There are simply to many variables for the whole group to vote on... <_<

 

Let us vote on the basic color: blue/black blue brown red whatever.. And then appoint whoever has the experience - and is willing - to put forth the recipe. Since we're already doing polls on favorite colors and brands, we really just need to find out who is willing to create a mix!

 

I'm looking forward to using and bragging about whatever gets created. Pen or ink. This whole discussion and concept is a fabulous idea and deserves to succeed.

And another thought I had was do we really want to follow, lemming like, Zoss and Pen Trace with another special pen? Let's be different and do an ink

[Titivillus]

Since it seems that $0.02 buys an opinion here I'll cough up the dough and take one...

 

The ink only needs to be a special shade of color. It could be mixed/created by one of many folks here and offered for distribution - or even just create the formula and let us mix our own!

 

For myself, I'd love to use a custom FPN ink that was representitive of this group. It would be a great story to tell every time someone comments on the unique color. However, someone will have to take the risk/blame for picking the formula. There are simply to many variables for the whole group to vote on... <_<

 

Let us vote on the basic color: blue/black blue brown red whatever.. And then appoint whoever has the experience - and is willing - to put forth the recipe. Since we're already doing polls on favorite colors and brands, we really just need to find out who is willing to create a mix!

 

I'm looking forward to using and bragging about whatever gets created. Pen or ink. This whole discussion and concept is a fabulous idea and deserves to succeed.

And another thought I had was do we really want to follow, lemming like, Zoss and Pen Trace with another special pen? Let's be different and do an ink

[Keith with a capital K]

If you'd like that duplicate post removed, let me know.

 

I like both ideas of offering a nice affordable pen and a special ink.

[TheNobleSavage]

My thoughts, I would like a pen instead of ink because it can be an interesting way to gain members and conversation. If we could offer a pen with a gold plated nib that would be cool and those of us who wouldnt mind spending an extra few dollars could get one with an optional 14KT nib?

 

If we do go the ink route, I would love for it to have a crystal inkwell with an engraving of the year and FPN on it. The inkwell would be neat because you could use it over and over again after the ink is gone.

 

Just my 2 Cents

[TheNobleSavage]

Double post please ignore

Edited January 8, 2005 by The Noble Savage