Writing Device Seen In Blade Runner

[philippes]

I apologize if this has been asked in the forum before, but I couldn't find any earlier references searching through existing posts. Can anyone identify the writing device seen in the pocket of Rick Deckard/Harrison Ford in the film Blade Runner? Here are photos of it:

 

http://props.steinschneider.com/images/deckard_pen_01.jpg

 

http://props.steinschneider.com/images/deckard_pen_02.jpg

 

http://props.steinschneider.com/images/deckard_pen_03.jpg

 

http://props.steinschneider.com/images/deckard_pen_04.jpg

 

Thanks in advance to anyone who might be able to help.

 

Phil

[riff raff]

OMG! He's got TWO breast pockets! And a pen (we assume) in one! He'll NEVER land that job! :roflmho:

[gillyohan]

man...horrible shirt and tie. awesome movie though.

[FrankB]

I feel so silly. I have seen the movie a dozen times and really enjoy it. I have seen the writing device in Ford's pocket and never once even thought to question what it was. I assume that it, like the pistol he is carrying, is supposed to be a futuristic item that we do not have currently available to us. It could be a store bought item, but it is just as likely to be a hand fabricated prop. I am interested to see if anyone actually can identify it.

[Blade Runner]

I apologize if this has been asked in the forum before, but I couldn't find any earlier references searching through existing posts. Can anyone identify the writing device seen in the pocket of Rick Deckard/Harrison Ford in the film Blade Runner? Here are photos of it:

 

http://props.steinschneider.com/images/deckard_pen_01.jpg

 

http://props.steinschneider.com/images/deckard_pen_02.jpg

 

http://props.steinschneider.com/images/deckard_pen_03.jpg

 

http://props.steinschneider.com/images/deckard_pen_04.jpg

 

Thanks in advance to anyone who might be able to help.

 

Phil

 

 

man...horrible shirt and tie. awesome movie though.

 

The shirt looks "data-centric". Reminds me of my Starwalker Black Mystery.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/IMG_0071.jpg

[philippes]

In Philip K. Dick's book "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep," laser pens are the main weapons. Although the film based on the novel features the now-iconic blaster as the tool used to dispatch “replicants,” Ridley Scott appears to have kept the original theme alive with the large pen seen in Deckard's shirt pocket.

 

Although some props were custom-made for the film, the vast majority were found items. That's why I'm hoping that the pen can somehow be identified.

 

Phil

[Blade Runner]

Phillippes,

 

You might try the Blade Runner forums.

[jBeckett]

Maybe it's just me but it looks like someone painted a dollar store highlighter.

[MIHCK]

Anyone who enjoys seeing impressive pens in science fiction movies should get hold of Terry Gilliam's Brazil. Whopping big things they are, capable of making multiple carbons (this actually plays a minor role in the plot). And Gilliam's innovative retro-future aesthetic influences movies to this day. Indeed, it would be a terrific movie -- one of my short list favorites -- even without the fountain pens, or the Messerschmidt car.

[myrrhman]

I absolutely adore Blade Runner!

 

Have to agree with FrankB's assessment, though. It looks a bit futurized to me. I think it's probably just a prop.

[philippes]

Phillippes,

 

You might try the Blade Runner forums.

I'm a longtime member of the "Blade Runner community." Many people have been looking for this item for at least over a decade. But no one's ever been able to identify it.

 

Typically, I do my Blade Runner-related research very quietly. This item has stumped so many for so long, however, I thought I'd bring it here.

 

Phil

[79spitfire]

Likely it's an off the shelf item. Most all the "background" props were. It was done to give the movie a more "realistic" feel. I spotted the '60 Plymouth right off, and began looking for others each time I saw the film. To be honest It never occurred to me to look at the pen, as I was always focused on the rest of the film!

Edited June 1, 2010 by 79spitfire

[Chucke]

Someone should have taught Harrison Ford how to carry a gun though. That's a really goofy way to carry a gun - and I mean that in a left-handed way.

[ZeissIkon]

Someone should have taught Harrison Ford how to carry a gun though. That's a really goofy way to carry a gun - and I mean that in a left-handed way.

 

Actually, a cross-draw holster (which is what that's called) is very practical for a plainclothes police role. Assuming it's carried fairly high (as his is), it doesn't get in the way when riding in a car, is easily concealed by a blazer or suit coat, and is significantly faster to draw and easier to reach with the off hand (in case of restraint or injury) than a typical shoulder holster. When I carried a gun regularly, my concealment rig put the gun in just about the position his occupies (though mine wasn't identifiable as a gun).

 

Edit to add: As for the pen in his pocket, the clip reminds me a lot of an '80s vintage Pentel roller ball.

Edited June 2, 2010 by ZeissIkon