Has Anyone Heard Of Henry Simpole?

[Chris Chalmers]

I would hate for anyone to think I was average......................

[Ghost Plane]

No worries there. We already have the good taste to crave/own Simpole pens, so we're already in another league.

[Miranda]

Two points here...........

1] Yes Henry has made amongst his 'bespoke' pens, [when the client has chosen to have the pen as a Button Filler,] but it really is a case of what the modern pen user wants. Henry was keen to be very 'traditionalist' when he made his first two models of pens,[namely the Snake, and the Jasmine] both as button filling mechanisms, but the problem seems to have arisen when people bought them, [and of course nobody reads any instructions nowadays! They 'ALL' know how to fill a pen, don't they??? NO they don't it seems!] from the web-site, and then complained that they had 'somehow' broken the pen,I know that two pens had to be re-assembled because the clients hadn't read the instructions! .... Why? They don't read the instructions, and they probably bought their pens [not from a shop, but] on the internet! So to keep up with modern trends [and disregarding instructions!] pen makers have to go along with a fool-proof system. It's all a bit sad really, but there you are.

 

See y'awll.Truffle Finder.

 

So Truffle finder, you are Henry Simpole!

I had suspected as much when you posted information about my emails on the SOL forum. Why are you still writing about Henry as if he weren't you? This is very misleading as it makes it seem like you are making independent comments about the works of Henry Simpole, whereas you are really just talking about and promoting your own work.

 

On the other side to the customer who doesn't follow instructions is the penmaker who sells pens that don't work. Henry Simpole sold me one of these for £800 with a non-working feed from his old stock and then sent me a nib unit that didn't fit the pen.

 

Oh, Henry, you use the internet for sales don't you?

[esterbex]

[On the other side to the customer who doesn't follow instructions is the penmaker who sells pens that don't work. Henry Simpole sold me one of these for £800 with a non-working feed from his old stock and then sent me a nib unit that didn't fit the pen.

 

Oh, Henry, you use the internet for sales don't you?

 

It is my understanding that Mr. Simpole is more the "decorator/accessorizer" of a standard issue base pen by whichever company happened to have commissioned the artistry....Previous manufacturing complaints I've read in the Conway Stewart forum were summarily resolved by a CS representative, not Mr. Simpole. Am I incorrect in my understanding? And on this forum, though I've as yet to experience it for myself, I have heard nothing but the most exemplary of commentary regarding customer service from this man and the companies he works with.

 

I'm sure no one can be 100% in pleasing the masses, especially these days. But rudeness is unacceptable behavior under any circumstances in this community. If one has personal complaints to lodge, there are more properly fashioned ways to do so. Trolling is disdained here.

[Miranda]

[On the other side to the customer who doesn't follow instructions is the penmaker who sells pens that don't work. Henry Simpole sold me one of these for £800 with a non-working feed from his old stock and then sent me a nib unit that didn't fit the pen.

 

Oh, Henry, you use the internet for sales don't you?

 

It is my understanding that Mr. Simpole is more the "decorator/accessorizer" of a standard issue base pen by whichever company happened to have commissioned the artistry....Previous manufacturing complaints I've read in the Conway Stewart forum were summarily resolved by a CS representative, not Mr. Simpole. Am I incorrect in my understanding?

 

Yes, in this case, as Henry stated on the SOL thread, this was not a pen commissioned by Conway Stewart and was not their responsibility. Despite this, Mary Bourke of CS has resolved the problem

 

 

And on this forum, though I've as yet to experience it for myself, I have heard nothing but the most exemplary of commentary regarding customer service from this man and the companies he works with.

 

I'm sure no one can be 100% in pleasing the masses, Masses? His pens are for a pretty exclusive market. especially these days. But rudeness is unacceptable behavior under any circumstances in this community. If one has personal complaints to lodge, there are more properly fashioned ways to do so. So one can only praise and not share negative experiences? If you read back over this forum you will find that there have been a few other complaints. Trolling is disdained here.

 

I'm not wanting to go over what happened with this pen. I am pointing out that the original exchanges on the SOL forum and here were made without me, or anyone else I gather, knowing that Truffle Finder is Henry Simpole. Knowing that puts a new slant on the exchanges and, frankly, I find the use of an alias a bit disingenuous.

[esterbex]

[On the other side to the customer who doesn't follow instructions is the penmaker who sells pens that don't work. Henry Simpole sold me one of these for £800 with a non-working feed from his old stock and then sent me a nib unit that didn't fit the pen.

 

Oh, Henry, you use the internet for sales don't you?

 

It is my understanding that Mr. Simpole is more the "decorator/accessorizer" of a standard issue base pen by whichever company happened to have commissioned the artistry....Previous manufacturing complaints I've read in the Conway Stewart forum were summarily resolved by a CS representative, not Mr. Simpole. Am I incorrect in my understanding?

 

Yes, in this case, as Henry stated on the SOL thread, this was not a pen commissioned by Conway Stewart and was not their responsibility. Despite this, Mary Bourke of CS has resolved the problem

 

 

And on this forum, though I've as yet to experience it for myself, I have heard nothing but the most exemplary of commentary regarding customer service from this man and the companies he works with.

 

I'm sure no one can be 100% in pleasing the masses, Masses? His pens are for a pretty exclusive market. especially these days. But rudeness is unacceptable behavior under any circumstances in this community. If one has personal complaints to lodge, there are more properly fashioned ways to do so. So one can only praise and not share negative experiences? If you read back over this forum you will find that there have been a few other complaints. Trolling is disdained here.

 

I'm not wanting to go over what happened with this pen. I am pointing out that the original exchanges on the SOL forum and here were made without me, or anyone else I gather, knowing that Truffle Finder is Henry Simpole. Knowing that puts a new slant on the exchanges and, frankly, I find the use of an alias a bit disingenuous.

 

Wow! Remind me not to get on your bad side....

 

I see no problem with sharing negative experiences....saves some from getting burned. But the bulldozer is a bit much. Your own thread with the obviously tantilizing details would have been a better venue and given you a larger audience. Thread-hijacking is annoying and rude at best....even if the information is valid.

 

And if it's true....I now see why....I, frankly, find it hilarious....though I'm sure the humor is lost on you....I am a bit twisted.

I pray that 2011 is a better year for you.....

Now where's that list of aliases....

[troglokev]

I expect I'll see a moderator's warning in this thread soon, sad to say.

 

I'm aware of Miranda's problems with the pen, and she would have done much better to allow Henry and Conway Stewart to fix the problem, as they offered to do after the problem with the replacement nib. Far better than slandering them on the net.

 

As far as I'm aware, Truffle Finder is a friend and supporter of Henry's, and takes photographs for his web page. He is not the man himself.

 

Just for the record, I am not Henry Simpole, either.

[Truffle Finder]

OK, Miranda, it's a fair 'cop', you got me 'Bang to Rights' I am Henry Simpole.

 

When, I first met GeorgeWP at the pen show over a year ago,I was genuinely amazed when he informed me that there were a number of people who knew about me, and my overlaid pens. During our conversation at my stand at the show, he mentioned the FPN several times, and just before he left me, I said to him something like:-" Next time you go on FPN, tell them that you met me!' to which he seemed surprised that I wasn't aware about the Network!

After the Pen show, I came and had a look around this FPN 'thing', [bearing in mind that I had only just got a computer, and was still learning how to use it at that point!] A friend of mine told me that I ought to use another name if I wanted to participate, so I chose the name Truffle Finder as my avatar. [i should say at this point that I was following my friend's advice, not to deceive anyone, but because my friend seemed to know what he was talking about.]

I have been making my pens because I enjoy doing it, I think that it is unlikely that I will make huge amounts of money from doing it, and any money that I do make is usually swallowed up by the purchasing of base pens, nib units, boxes and printing etc which allows me to continue doing what has become my passion in life, namely making my overlaid pens. I cannot deny that I enjoy hearing what people say about my pens here on FPN, and I think that the Spirit of Life pen illustrates how this whole process has 'evolved' over time, Ghost Plane commissioned me to design it through her instructions, and some considerable help from the calligrapher, and then people followed on from there.

If anyone feels that they have been deceived by me, and have bought a pen from me because of my desire to remain anonymous on this network, I am more than happy to give them a full refund for the pen which they have bought from me, this includes Miranda, [although I am still waiting to hear from you with regard to my last E-mail to you asking for the nib units to be returned to me so that I can sort the problem out, but if you would prefer it, to send the pen back to me then I would be quite happy to refund all the costs to you including the shipping.]

Once again, I would like to apologise sincerely, to anyone who feels that I have been deceitful in the manner of my conduct on the Fountain Pen Network.

 

Henry Simpole.[AKA Truffle Finder.]

[esterbex]

There is never a dull day here, I can vouch for that. Nice to meet you Mr. Simpole. Thanks for all of the information and insights. The masquerade was fun. Too bad it was blown in this way, though. Still have your overlays on my wishlist, regardless.

 

May 2011 be blessed and fruitful.

[Ghost Plane]

I didn't know about the masquerade until cats were let out of bags, so it's been fascinating to learn who I've been down at the end of the garden with, helping dig for worms.

 

To the best of my knowledge, Conway Stewart stepped forward, even tho' this wasn't an official CS pen, and made arrangements for any nib problems to be dealt with at their expense, if buyers were willing to take them up on it. I accepted and got a lovely Masuyama [MikeItWork] tweaked nib for my pains.

 

I am now blissful with my Spirit and, God willing, will be using it for the rest of my life. Considering it took a year of my life and the help of lots of lovely people to achieve the pen of my dreams, I am more than content.

[Miranda]

OK, Miranda, it's a fair 'cop', you got me 'Bang to Rights' I am Henry Simpole.

 

A friend of mine told me that I ought to use another name if I wanted to participate, so I chose the name Truffle Finder as my avatar. [i should say at this point that I was following my friend's advice, not to deceive anyone, but because my friend seemed to know what he was talking about.]

 

If anyone feels that they have been deceived by me, and have bought a pen from me because of my desire to remain anonymous on this network,

Once again, I would like to apologise sincerely, to anyone who feels that I have been deceitful in the manner of my conduct on the Fountain Pen Network.

 

Henry Simpole.[AKA Truffle Finder.]

 

One last post about this ... until next time.

 

Henry, of course I bought the pen because of your deservedly high reputation as a craftsman. Unfortunately, it didn't work, but, as I have said elsewhere, the silver overlay is beautiful.

 

What I object to is being led to believe that I was communicating via a [more or less] independent third party, Truffle Finder on FPN, only to find out it was you.

 

And, yes, I haven't replied to your email, not out of rudeness but simply been too busy in those few hours a day I am well enough to do stuff. I am on oxygen with end-stage lung disease, you know.

 

Please don't shut the thread. I don't want to be a spoilsport like that.

 

As I said before, what happened happened and I don't want to revisit that. 'Slander' is a strong word, Trog, and I don't think that this

Conway Stewart and was not their responsibility. Despite this, Mary Bourke of CS has resolved the problem

is in any way negative.

 

For the record, the replacement nib unit that Henry sent was the wrong size for the pen. If it had been the correct nib I'd be a happy camper. Can't see how that error happened. There is an arrangement for me to send it to the Melbourne branch of Conway Stewart which I shall get around to doing soon. I had hoped to get to the Melbourne Pen Show to do this, but the transformer on my portable oxygen concentrator had broken and a tank is such hard work, so I didn't make it. And then there all that busy Christmas mail and a few chest infections, so more delays. So, soon. Nib replacement and hopefully I can wax lyrical about the pen

 

Sorry if I have been a bulldozer. I can only say that it must show how hurt I am by all that has happened with the SOL which was supposed to be something special. I apologise if I have lost some perspective on being nice

 

edited to add that I didn't expose Henry. He exposed himself by this:

I just thought I would jump in here, and wish everybody a very happy New Year!!!

No Eric Clapton concert this year for me anyway.

Truffle Finder.

because last year TF reported on HS's activities, and the next two posts by GP and CC call him 'Henry'

 

and also add that the emails between HS and me or lack of reply or whatever should not be part of a public discussion.

Edited January 5, 2011 by Miranda

[troglokev]

Your apology is accepted, for my part, Miranda.

 

I'm actually happy to see that you're recovered enough to participate again, and I hope that you get a chance to sort it all out soon. I'm sorry to find that you haven't already done so, and the reasons why not.

Edited January 5, 2011 by troglokev

[esterbex]

I'm wondering if the Royal Family has sought to commission a special pen for the upcoming nuptials.....It would need to be very large and exquisitely intricate....

Or maybe Mr. Simpole could proffer one as a wedding gift and make smaller copies for the peasants.....:clap1:

[jniforat]

well, i'm sorry to say i'm not interested in the little forum verbal match above, but i am interested in seeing one of these pens. can anyone post a pic of the pen GP designed?

[esterbex]

well, i'm sorry to say i'm not interested in the little forum verbal match above, but i am interested in seeing one of these pens. can anyone post a pic of the pen GP designed?

 

Spirit of Life

[Truffle Finder]

Just got back from the stand at Portobello Road antiques Market,where not one but two separate FPN members announced their connection with this 'organisation' [i can't think of a better word for it! Is there a better one?]

One of the people told me he was from Melbourne, the other one didn't say, but they were both very pleasant, and they both appeared to have enjoyed looking at the pens I had on display.

The one chap from Melbourne got his friend to take a photograph of the two of us in the booth, so I suspect he will be posting it here when he returns to Australia.

Of the various people who stopped to look at my overlaid pens, the Onoto does seem to be drawing quite a bit of attention.

STYS, Truffle Finder.[AKA HS!]

[Chris Chalmers]

Hi Henry!

Please take a book and get it signed by people who come to say they met you on FPN! It would soon fill up, I bet!

[esterbex]

Boy, am I late to the show...I've just now read the entire SOL thread. It was hard to find the thread, but it's there....old news....And I'm in awe of the painstaking efforts that occurred during the whole creative period. Such care and devotion to that project produced such a masterpiece. I'm sorry for ever snarking at the C/C filler system GP....if I'd been up on my current affairs I'd have seen the transition from button filler and why....and how Chris C' s eyedroppers became manifest.....Ignorance is not always bliss....:embarrassed_smile:

[Ghost Plane]

Actually it is NOT old news and I need to resurrect it. There is still a waiting list of people hoping for a future iteration of the pen. When critical mass is reached...well, one hopes and there are some back channel negotiations.

[Chris Chalmers]

Yep! If I didn't have one already I'd be adding me to the list !