Working Pen Necklace?

[clericreborn]

Greetings,

 

Today as I sit down with my collection of pens to write my journal, I realize how important to me my writing has become. It is an anchor for my personal growth, and something I want to pay more attention to, not less. However I find myself not giving my journal the focus it deserves on the weekends or holidays, if for no other reason then having no motivation to get out of my pajamas and grab my everyday carry. Out of sight, out of mind...

 

I remembered a friend who owned a necklace with a working ballpoint pen, so as to always have a tool on hand. It struck me that this might be a worthwhile product to search for, especially if I could find one with which I can use my beloved inks. I remembered you all, and figured I'd inquire who might know of any, or, better yet, have worked with them personally!

 

I would be most grateful for any thoughts, suggestions, or comments.

 

Regards,

-Mark

 

P.S. - I've got some non-posters that could work for the task, but they'd look rather ungainly simply clipped onto a chord. If anyone has done any creative conversions, I'd love to hear about those as well!

[JollyCynic]

Apologies for not having any idea for a necklace pen, but I had a different thought. As you always need (at the very least) your journal in order to write in your journal, had you considered buying it a pen loop so it always its own writing implement attached?

 

If your journal is nice and unblemished, I can understand not wanting to stick cheap bits to it. I always buy ugly journals, as Fran Healy once warned that buying something beautiful to put your thoughts in runs the risks of only having beautiful thoughts put in it. Anyway, mine is never out of reach, so it's the logical place for me to keep my pen. The pen loop can look a bit silly, though.

 

Kind regards,

-Also Mark

[ENewton]

An internet search for "ringtop pen" will lead you to listings for fountain pens that are meant to be worn on a ribbon or chain around the neck.

 

Also try "ring-top pen" and "ring top pen."

[jar]

http://www.fototime.com/A3822476E16ED79/xlarge.jpg

[Astronymus]

There are people who offer leather pouches which can be hanged around the neck. One would just put his or her favourite pen into it.

[CraigR]

I have several ring top pens in my collection. They are vintage from the 1920s or 1930s, are smaller than most pens, and are able to have a necklace or ribbon through the ring. As an option, I have seen women use a ribbon around their neck and a regular pen clipped to the ribbon.

[sidthecat]

Ringtops are my speciality, and I use them as functional jewelry. Waterman tried to revive the style in the Eighties, and their rarity gives an indication of the success of that venture.

[peterg]

Also known as Chatelaine pens, but I would not recommend wearing one in bed.

[sanphoemo]

You could look for something like that

 

https://www.fasttech.com/products/3022/10004052/1293102-e-cigarette-lanyard-leather-carrying-pouch-bag

 

They come in different looks and sizes and don't cost much

[graystranger]

Here is a high quality, modern made pen with a ring top, much like the vintage pens of yore.

 

This pen gets very high reviews, is a robust brass pocket pen but posts to a good length. Price is very reasonable, made in Japan, quality German steel nib (I think it is Jowo). You'll find great photos, tech specs, reviews, and description at this link.

 

https://www.gouletpens.com/collections/travelers-company-fountain-pens/products/travelers-company-brass-fountain-pen?variant=12020964327467

[chunya]

There are some beautiful examples available of 1920s - 30s ring top pens, and the good thing is that they tend to be a lot more affordable than their larger cousins..... Parkers, Watermans, Swans etc .... and just think of those flexi nibs.

[clericreborn]

@enewton, @peterg thank you for the lesson in terminology! I've found some promising experiments on ebay, though it seems hard to find moderately priced ones elsewhere through google searches

 

@sanphoemo nice thought, that! not sure if most of my pens are narrow enough for this specific thing, but that would work well.

 

@JollyCynic when I have my journal with me, it's all bound up in a lovely leather pouch. The issue is more of an "I'm not dressed for the day" or "I'm wearing something exotic/fancy but don't wish to forget"

 

@graystranger this is a WONDERFUL idea. I'll add it to my amazon list for now, as it's a little pricier than ebay options...

[knarflj]

A ringtop is a lovely idea, but you could also look for a lanyard that would hold most any pen. I use this one:

https://andersonpens.com/franklin-christoph-1-pen-neck-loop-case-blue/

(or maybe the other colour, I'm not sure which!) mostly at work with a gel pen (too much writing on thermal paper), but occasionally around the house with my fountain pens, too, and it's great.

 

Jenny

 

edited to add: no affiliation with Anderson Pens, just happened to buy my own from them, so knew where to find a photo.

Edited July 5, 2018 by knarflj

[JotterAddict62]

Didn't Parker make something called the Swinger back in the 80's?

[pen2paper]

If clipped to a shirt would work for you Safari is quite reliable.

The traveler pen is interesting too. Thanks Jenny :-)

I have a small collection of early ringtops, lovely to write with, but unsure if I'd trust them on valued garments.

[clericreborn]

Thanks all. Found myself a nice ring-top, and bought a bonus Sheaffer to boot. eBay is dangerous, but beautiful. Pics below the fold.

 

[Honeybadgers]

I have a vintage, tiny golf pen/pencil set that is complete with a little cigar shaped, lever fill 14k semiflex pen about 1.5-2 inches long capped in really good jade celluloid. If it were a ringtop, it'd be perfect.

 

That said, just look for a ringtop fountain pen. They were made to be kept on a chain or ribbon and worn around the neck, albeit by ladies.

[JotterAddict62]

Didn't Parker make something called the Swinger back in the 80's?

Sorry, pen was called Slinger by Parker.

[JotterAddict62]

I have two U.S. Fountain Pen Company pens [ about 1919 ] that are ring tops that are 4 inches long compacted then when cap is removed

you can pull the pen to 6 inches long [ telescopic 3 sections ]. They are in the process of being restored as there were issues with both sections.

I dropped them off at the Chicago Pen Show back in May 2018 to Main Street Pens. It will be worth the wait as I have had the pens since Aug 2016.

[sidthecat]

I have been told that men also wore ringtop pens, often as watch fobs. The fancy-pants lanyard they used was called a sautoir, and I've made a few myself. The hardware is harder to find than the pens themselves, but a good alternative is the kind of lanyard you can attach to flash drives.