A Double-Ended Pen? Why Not?

[bgray]

Hi Pen Fans!

Without a doubt, the best aspect of manufacturing custom pens is that my customers are always coming to me with new ideas for custom creations.  If I only did pens in a production setting, I think that it would be easy to get stuck in creative ruts.

Usually when I create a completely custom pen, I don't bother with making any big announcement, but I think that this one deserves a little recognition to my customers who might appreciate the design.

A client of mine approached me with an idea for a custom double ended pen.  The idea was to have two separate ink reservoirs with two different nibs all in the same pen.  I really liked the idea, but I was worried about whether or not having two decent sized ink reserviors would make the pen really big and awkward.  After about 3-4 prototypes, we came up with what I think really nailed the design.  See below....



http://edisonpen.com/userfiles/image/DEPearl.jpg

http://edisonpen.com/userfiles/image/DEPearl2.jpg



http://edisonpen.com/userfiles/image/DEPearl3.jpg

As you can see, the pen will be an Eyedropper filler only.  With the first couple of prototypes, we tried to make it long enough for cartridges, but this extra length definitely made the pen too long.  As is, this pen comes in at a touch over 6" capped.  I didn't want to get much longer than this, so Eyedropper only was the best route.

But with a smaller design like this, how much will ink capacity suffer?  This was my real concern with this design.  It turns out to be no issue at all.  Each reservoir will hold 1.25mL,  In comparision, a converter holds a bit less than .5mL.  So even with these smaller reservoirs, the pen still holds nearly triple the capacity of a converter.  Almost 6 times the capacity if you count both reservoirs.  Not only that, but I could probably customize the interior of the reserviors to hold even a little bit more.

One might ask about the inherent issue of an Eyedropper burping.  This should be eliminated on this pen.  The phenomenon of ED burping is where an Eyedropper pen will burp a small amount of ink at the very end of a fill, due to a very large ink reservior.  When the fill gets to the very end of a very large ink reservior like most eyedroppers, the pen can lose a little vacuum due air being compressible and "elastic".  Since these reservoirs are smaller, this should never happen with this pen.

The obvious benefits of this pen (besides the "cool" factor) is that you can have two pens in one.  Two nibs of two different tip sizes, and two different inks if you like.  Also visible ink reservoirs.

Here are photos of the pen next to a standard Pearl for comparison purposes.

http://edisonpen.com/userfiles/image/DENextToPearl.jpg

http://edisonpen.com/userfiles/image/DENextToPearl2.jpg

As you can see, the pen will be a little longer that the standard Pearl when one cap is removed, but not to the point where it would be unweildy.

If anyone is interested in a pen of the same design, obviously the transparent ink reservior can be any color, and the caps/sections can be any material.  And no reason that this needs to be based on the Pearl.  I don't see why this idea couldn't be adaped to any of our designs.

Cost of this design will be $350 with two steel nibs.  $450 with one steel and one 18k nib, and $550 with two 18k nibs.  If you are interested, you can email me to inquire.

Thanks!

Brian at Edison

[quinden]

Wow, Brian, that is awesome!!! Thanks for sharing

[Lady Spencerian]

Of course I want one! Fabulous idea. Wonderful design. What will take some time is the color/material/nib selection.

[WirsPlm]

Wow, now that's creative!

[bgray]

Thanks everyone!

 

I did receive more than a couple of responses wondering how you would know which end is which.

 

There's more than a couple of solutions....

1. The Edison Engraving is on the barrel. When you read the engraving right-side-up, you'll know when end you have on each side.

2. Ink Color could do this.

3. It's possible to put a very small engraving at the base of each cap. The tip size could be engraved very small and subtle.

 

4. Once cap could have a clip, and then one does not.

[hari317]

Brian, do you recommend that this be a portable pen carried in a shirt pocket or pen pouch? or is it for desk use only? I ask, since if the pen is carried vertically, one end will be always nib down, would this be a problem or a potential ink bomb?

 

This pen is quite nostalgic, we actually used to have pens like this in India, but the pens were not of equal ink and nib size, the pen pointing down always used to have a miniscule ink capacity and a smaller nib. one example shown here link

 

BTW I am in receipt of the blue ebonite Menlo today...

 

Hari

[ethernautrix]

THIS IS SO COOL!

 

I really like this, Brian! Great job!

[bgray]

Brian, do you recommend that this be a portable pen carried in a shirt pocket or pen pouch? or is it for desk use only? I ask, since if the pen is carried vertically, one end will be always nib down, would this be a problem or a potential ink bomb?

 

This pen is quite nostalgic, we actually used to have pens like this in India, but the pens were not of equal ink and nib size, the pen pointing down always used to have a miniscule ink capacity and a smaller nib. one example shown here link

 

BTW I am in receipt of the blue ebonite Menlo today...

 

Hari

 

Yes, good thinking about the nib facing downward, I had considered that. For now, I'm recommending desk use, with vertical storage "at your own risk".

 

But I'll do some testing. Probably make one and carry it vertically in my shirt for a few days and see what happens.

 

Thanks!

[drgoretex]

A very cool pen. I love how, unlike other double-ended pens I have seen, this one is actually quite aesthetically pleasing both capped and uncapped.

 

Ken

[nakiana]

Brilliantly done, Brian.

[Jadie]

THIS IS SO COOL!

 

I really like this, Brian! Great job!

 

+1!!!

 

I love this design, and I can't believe someone didn't come up with it earlier.*

 

What are you going to name it?

 

*For modern pen users, I mean. If people carry around 5~10 pens, it'd be the next obvious step, right? Double the ink color without doubling your pen count...

Edited September 17, 2013 by Jadie

[trhall]

Love how the pen turned out. Cannot wait to get it in my hands. Thank you for your patience in the design process, Brian!

We considered several points in the design stages, including different color finials for different colors, a cap with clip, etc. In the end, this design was more simple (with the translucent body), and I'm very happy with how it turned out. Look for a review once I have a chance to use it.

 

[trhall]

Double the ink color without doubling your pen count...

 

This is exactly why I commissioned the pen! I wanted some "highlight" colors but didn't want to have to carry around multiple pens.

[bgray]

Since trhall jumped in as the owner of this pen, I'll take a minute to thank him. The design was largely his idea, and I was just guiding him through what was possible and feasible.

 

Similar to the Collier, this pen was designed more by a customer then by me! Such awesome clients to work with!

Edited September 17, 2013 by bgray

[uchinanchukg]

Wow!!!

 

What an amazing idea. That's is awesome!!

 

KG

[DrRoger]

Looks like a great idea made into a great pen. Forgive me but I can't help thinking of the FP and pencil combos and thought that would be a neat idea in this style.

[Haulien]

Absolutely love the idea of this pen. I'll definitely have to consider one in a month when I'm not short of cash!

[requiescat]

This is so cool! Sadly won't be getting one because of the size (the Pearl is the absolute largest pen I can deal with, darn these small hands), but I love the concept and am admiring the photos.

[alexander_k]

Good idea, excellent design - also aesthetically.

[whichwatch]

As soon as I saw Brian's email announcement, all I could think was "YOWZA! I want one!".

 

Oh man - Stub in one end and fine in the other. Two different inks. Oh yeah!

 

Now all I need to do is decide on a material - always a challenge with the range of beauties Brian offers.

 

Now that he has come forward, I can't wait to see trhall's review and some more pictures.