Newton Pens?

[TitoThePencilPimp]

  On 11/5/2022 at 10:25 AM, Aysedasi said:

Here are my two....  That reminds me, they need a good clean out! 

 

 

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can you pm the cost and style of the pen on the right? 

[Aysedasi]

  On 11/3/2022 at 10:29 PM, Aether said:

@Seney724

 

 

 

And for what it is worth, I have a couple of custom pens in my pen drawer.  Compared to what's available in the broader commercial arena for fountain pens they do not rise above the ordinary, in my opinion (which no doubt you will wish to insult too).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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You obviously bought from the wrong maker.  I know one you could try....but I think you might have a longer wait than most.   

[Aysedasi]

  On 11/5/2022 at 10:32 AM, TitoThePencilPimp said:

can you pm the cost and style of the pen on the right? 

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  This is my pen on Shawn's site (I had to do a Google search to find the page) -

 

Majestic – Wasted Wood Orange and Burl – Large | Newton Pens (wordpress.com)

 

As to the cost, I really can't remember - and it was so long ago (more than 8 years ago) that the price has almost certainly changed now.  As I say, I did want another one made of ebonite, but can no longer stretch to it.  

 

I have a thing about bulb fillers with ink windows.  It is a sensational pen.  And as far from 'ordinary' as you could possibly imagine.   Anyone with this pen in their hands would appreciate just how good a custom made pen can be.  

[Aether]

  On 11/5/2022 at 10:34 AM, Aysedasi said:

 

You obviously bought from the wrong maker.  I know one you could try....but I think you might have a longer wait than most.   

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Why would you say that? One was from Scriptorium Pens.  So, you are suggesting a significant qualitative difference between Newton and Scriptorium, have I got that right?   What would that qualitative difference be please?  

 

Some people like customized pens (for a given definition of customization) and some don't find enough value in them.  Despite owning two from highly regarded makers, I remain in the second group. 

 

I have an additional question: how much of an off-the-shelf 'custom' pen with a Jowo steel nib is really 'custom'?    

 

 

I note Hakase has a shorter lead time. World renowned handmade pens with solid gold nibs.  Just for perspective.

 

[Seney724]

  On 11/5/2022 at 9:09 PM, Aether said:

 

Why would you say that? One was from Scriptorium Pens.  So, you are suggesting a significant qualitative difference between Newton and Scriptorium, have I got that right?   What would that qualitative difference be please?  

 

Some people like customized pens (for a given definition of customization) and some don't find enough value in them.  Despite owning two from highly regarded makers, I remain in the second group. 

 

I have an additional question: how much of an off-the-shelf 'custom' pen with a Jowo steel nib is really 'custom'?    

 

 

I note Hakase has a shorter lead time. World renowned handmade pens with solid gold nibs.  Just for perspective.

 

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Thanks for your always insightful perspective.

It really is a shame, as willing as you are to offer your perspective, that you do not take the time to offer accurate information.  It seems to be a recurring issue.

 

For the record, Shawn does offer his pens with solid gold nibs AND at a price significantly less than the cost of a "comparable" Hakase.

 

Finally, as an owner of both brands of pens, I find the Newton pen to be a far superior writing instrument.

[Aether]

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Finally, as an owner of both brands of pens, I find the Newton pen to be a far superior writing instrument.

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How so? In what way?  If I need to junk my Scriptorium and seek a Newton it would be useful to have information on why the latter is a superior writing instrument to the former. Please elaborate (think that is the right word).

[Karmachanic]

  On 11/5/2022 at 9:09 PM, Aether said:

I note Hakase has a shorter lead time. World renowned handmade pens with solid gold nibs.

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Off the shelf Pilot nibs.  Just sayin'.

 

[Seney724]

  On 11/5/2022 at 10:06 PM, Aether said:

 

How so? In what way?  If I need to junk my Scriptorium and seek a Newton it would be useful to have information on why the latter is a superior writing instrument to the former. Please elaborate (think that is the right word).

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You've asked a very reasonable question and I will offer, in turn, my best attempt at a reasonable reply.

 

First, let's be honest, preferring one vs. the other is a very personal and subjective matter.  If you had both I could never fault you for preferring one even if I preferred the other.

 

Next, since I do not own a Scriptorium, I cannot make any comment whatsoever about them, period.

 

So, let's answer your question, instead, in terms of why I prefer my Newton(s) over my Hakase.

1) When choosing the specific components for the cap and barrel, my choices for the Newton were infinite.  I'm not kidding, Shawn must have sent me examples of well more than 100 materials & colors I could choose from before we settled on the one I wanted.  The choices with Hakase were far fewer.

2) For every conceivable component and/or feature which could be customized Shawn again offered infinite possibilities.  Far more than a check sheet where I could plug in one of 2-3 responses (Hakase) Shawn and I went back and forth on each until we were sure we were both on exactly the same page.  There were some things with the Hakase which I did not think were either accurately communicated and/or understood.   Well, in the end, they were not........... and yet I was repeatedly reassured all was "ok."

3), Once finished and received I decided that the Newton pen needed a couple more tweaks which Shawn accomplished quickly, completely and kindly.  At this point I was delighted with everything... except that the nib was not quite right.  That resulted in my meeting up with Shawn at a Show about 2 months later and he took a lot of time to get the nib adjusted to what was, for me, perfection.

4) Fast Forward: Nine years later..........a component of the Newton pen was not wearing well and needed replacement.  Shawn took care of it for me.  Turn over time, 1 week.  No charge.

 

The story with my second Newton is not nearly as involved.  It was easy every step of the way and one reason why was because Shawn knew me and my likes which made the production process much easier for both of us.

 

Now, all this is nice but what good would it all be if the pen were not a great writer?  Fortunately, that's a non-issue.  As I have said before, my Newton (actually both of them) are the best writing pens I own.  And, trust me, I own a lot of pens which have far more prestigious logos on them and cost a helluva lot more money.

 

Now, back to Hakase.  Given that this post is not intended (nor should be interpreted to be) to be a complaint or a negative review of them, suffice it to say that my experience with the resolution of issues and/or needed post production "tweaks" was not nearly as positive.  But, let's face it, I am comparing them to what I consider to have been a "best practice" experience with Shawn and that is a very high bar for them to have matched.  Given this is a public forum I would like to leave it at that.........I hope you understand and are ok with my approach.

 

I hope this helps.  Please let me know if you need anything more or different.

 

 

[Aether]

Fair points, thank you, and a good explanation of differences.  Coming back to Scriptorium vs Newton though I don't imagine there would be any significant differences in quality or service, at least from what I've experienced of one and heard of another.  Preference would be as you say for one or the other, or perhaps no preference at all.

 

Please see that I am not critiquing service, just talking about the relative value we place on various aspects of pens from different factories.  To qualify I suppose I should say that I have not yet experienced sufficiently better value from independent makers to warrant (? guarantee?) buying over factories like Pilot or Sailor, for example.  Maybe one day I will have that experience, change my perspective on values?  

 

 

Sorry, English is not my very first language.  While I feel confident speaking and writing I am sure that at times I use the incorrect expression or phrase or miss clearness in expression.  Please make a small allowance for those things.

 

 

 

[Seney724]

  On 11/5/2022 at 11:19 PM, Aether said:

Fair points, thank you, and a good explanation of differences.  Coming back to Scriptorium vs Newton though I don't imagine there would be any significant differences in quality or service, at least from what I've experienced of one and heard of another.  Preference would be as you say for one or the other, or perhaps no preference at all.

 

Please see that I am not critiquing service, just talking about the relative value we place on various aspects of pens from different factories.  To qualify I suppose I should say that I have not yet experienced sufficiently better value from independent makers to warrant (? guarantee?) buying over factories like Pilot or Sailor, for example.  Maybe one day I will have that experience, change my perspective on values?  

 

 

Sorry, English is not my very first language.  While I feel confident speaking and writing I am sure that at times I use the incorrect expression or phrase or miss clearness in expression.  Please make a small allowance for those things.

 

 

 

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Thanks for the insight about English not being your first language.  

 

Quite honestly, I do not think that either of us are in a position to comment about significant differences between Scriptorium vs Newton since neither of us have made a purchase from both.

 

Your comment makes me realize I did spend a lot of time discussing "service" related items and that may have diluted my point(s) attesting to the quality of the Newton pen.

 

Shawn can and will acquire the finest components money can buy and provide it in your custom pen for a very reasonable price.  And he will then back it up with a lifetime (his) guarantee.

Show me a factory that can do better than that........ (There are plenty who charge more and offer far less!)

 

My Newton pen is the closest thing I own which serves as an extension of my hand as it interfaces with the paper upon which I write my words.  I do not know how to properly express that in terms of added value; all I can say is I have a lot of "factory" pens, some from some pretty prestigious places, and none of them come even close.

 

So, with all due respect, I disagree.  There is, at least for me, a very significant difference in quality, service and performance (aka "value") in my pen from Shawn as a representative of the "independent makers." 

 

My recommendation is you and I both speak for ourselves and not make any broad sweeping pronouncements about this as though our own personal opinions and preferences do, or should, apply to other members in a similar situation. 

 

 

[Aether]

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My recommendation is you and I both speak for ourselves and not make any broad sweeping pronouncements about this as though our own personal opinions and preferences do, or should, apply to other members in a similar situation. 

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This was my thought in commenting originally in this discussion.  Perhaps that wasn't obvious with the words I chose.  My apology.

[Runnin_Ute]

I bought my first Newton - a Townsend (small-where size refers to the section diameter) in a dark purple ripple ebonite in the summer of 2020. It is almost always inked and currently with Levenger Amethyst. A year later, I bought my second. A small Elizabethan with Bob Dupras Black Velvet Hibiscus. Currently it is uninked. Both are beautiful pens, I just needed to rotate some other pens in For nibs, the Townsend has a Fine, the Elizabethan a Broad. I try to keep no more than twelve pens inked, I believe it is currently ten. With Christmas coming, I may look at another soon.

[Aether]

It may be tempting me to try one with the reviews here, but the wait time is too long. Life is too short. 

[Aysedasi]

  On 11/6/2022 at 3:58 AM, Aether said:

It may be tempting me to try one with the reviews here, but the wait time is too long. Life is too short. 

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This much is very true.  4 years is just too long for me, and the wait basically cost me a third Newton as the funds I earmarked for it were used elsewhere.    I have a Scriptorium pen too, made for me about 3-4 years ago.  I like it a lot and the quality is almost certainly as good as my Newtons.  My comment about buying from the wrong maker was largely tongue-in-cheek.    I think it was terminology that caused the difficulty here when you described Shawn's pens as 'ordinary'.  I own about 70-80 fountain pens and to be honest, my MB149s and Pelikan M800 (for example) are more 'ordinary' than the two Newtons.  They are pens that anyone can buy off the shelf or second-hand from eBay if they have the money.  None of those write as well as the steel oblique that I have in my Newton Majestic - probably the best oblique nib in my collection.  I guess you just know when you have something that you consider special.  But it is 'horses for courses' and you're entitled to your opinion.  

[katerchen]

I really don't get your end goal here. Someone came here to ask about Newton pens specifically and you continue to (bleep) all over the thread, how custom pens are not worth the money. That was not the question.

[Runnin_Ute]

Just ordered a Majestic in Brown Tortoise from Shawn's inventory today.

[Seney724]

  On 11/18/2022 at 12:42 AM, Runnin_Ute said:

Just ordered a Majestic in Brown Tortoise from Shawn's inventory today.

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Congrats!

Both the shape and the color you have selected are personal favorites.

Please share some photos and then, after you have had some time with it, your thoughts.

[Runnin_Ute]

  On 11/18/2022 at 1:06 AM, Seney724 said:

Congrats!

Both the shape and the color you have selected are personal favorites.

Please share some photos and then, after you have had some time with it, your thoughts.

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I should have it Monday sometime according to current tracking. I have always purchased from the options he has in inventory. True, I have fewer options than if I bought custom, but that's ok. Plus I typically have my pen within a few days. 

[Aysedasi]

  On 11/18/2022 at 12:42 AM, Runnin_Ute said:

Just ordered a Majestic in Brown Tortoise from Shawn's inventory today.

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Well done.  My Majestic is large and is made as a bulb-filler, a system which I really like and think looks terrific.  

[Newton Pens]

  On 11/5/2022 at 10:25 AM, Aysedasi said:

 

 

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Wow!  Long time since I've seen these!