CS 100 Doctor's Pen

January 15, 2009

I know, I know, Caddeueus vs Aesculap rod... but both are used in medicine, just thought the Aesculap rod in that position may look a bit too "skinny". As to white vs. black... I wanted to get away from the stereotype, besides, white would get dirty in a jiffy... and that's face it, I have to make the pen macho enough for surgeons to use it.

As for chased ebonite vs smooth resin or chased resin... well, ebonite is stronger than precious resin, I would hate to have a clumsy doc to drop the pen and shatter the pens to pieces. The chased design also adds to tactile sensation, so less likely to drop the pen... at least I hope so. Well, that's the basic design concept. The cap band as you can see is rather wide, this gives room to put "Primum non nocere" (our oath) inscribed on the sterling silver band. I have to add that Mary was great to work with, so patient with my questions during the planning and production stages.

I tried to make these LE pens as affordable as possible, and when they first came out they were sold for around $400. Last time I saw one on ebay, one went for close to $700! Crazy, but true.

Best,

Kevin

January 15, 2009

I know, I know, Caddeueus vs Aesculap rod... but both are used in medicine, just thought the Aesculap rod in that position may look a bit too "skinny". As to white vs. black... I wanted to get away from the stereotype, besides, white would get dirty in a jiffy... and that's face it, I have to make the pen macho enough for surgeons to use it.

As for chased ebonite vs smooth resin or chased resin... well, ebonite is stronger than precious resin, I would hate to have a clumsy doc to drop the pen and shatter the pens to pieces. The chased design also adds to tactile sensation, so less likely to drop the pen... at least I hope so. Well, that's the basic design concept. The cap band as you can see is rather wide, this gives room to put "Primum non nocere" (our oath) inscribed on the sterling silver band. I have to add that Mary was great to work with, so patient with my questions during the planning and production stages.

I tried to make these LE pens as affordable as possible, and when they first came out they were sold for around $400. Last time I saw one on ebay, one went for close to $700! Crazy, but true.

Best,

Kevin

Wish I was around when you organised the Doctor pens, Kevin.

Regards,

Soki

January 15, 2009

Hey Kevin, you da man!

Of course, Mrs. KC, and the little Miss, are enjoying your success, perhaps at some classy boutiques? :roflmho:

satrap

visions of Hermes dance in my head :bunny01:

January 15, 2009

I know, I know, Caddeueus vs Aesculap rod... but both are used in medicine, just thought the Aesculap rod in that position may look a bit too "skinny". As to white vs. black... I wanted to get away from the stereotype, besides, white would get dirty in a jiffy... and that's face it, I have to make the pen macho enough for surgeons to use it.

As for chased ebonite vs smooth resin or chased resin... well, ebonite is stronger than precious resin, I would hate to have a clumsy doc to drop the pen and shatter the pens to pieces. The chased design also adds to tactile sensation, so less likely to drop the pen... at least I hope so. Well, that's the basic design concept. The cap band as you can see is rather wide, this gives room to put "Primum non nocere" (our oath) inscribed on the sterling silver band. I have to add that Mary was great to work with, so patient with my questions during the planning and production stages.

I tried to make these LE pens as affordable as possible, and when they first came out they were sold for around $400. Last time I saw one on ebay, one went for close to $700! Crazy, but true.

Best,

Kevin

Hi Kevin

Apart for the cadduceus question I very much like your design.

But the way you describe your goal to make it "clumsy doctor proof" might make people think twice before they put their lives in the hands of a surgeon

By the way, have you ever considered to use a wider clip with the Aesculap rod on it? Or is the clip a given non negotiable with CS?

D.ick

January 15, 2009

... If I'm alloud... I'm going to say just one thing... I like it as it is, would not change any detail in it's design...

Edited January 15, 2009 by Jopen

January 16, 2009

Hi Kevin

Apart for the cadduceus question I very much like your design.

But the way you describe your goal to make it "clumsy doctor proof" might make people think twice before they put their lives in the hands of a surgeon

By the way, have you ever considered to use a wider clip with the Aesculap rod on it? Or is the clip a given non negotiable with CS?

D.ick

Tongue in cheek of course on that "clumsy" comment :-) But in reality, many of us are always on the go, depends on the specialty of course. Personally, I have found using a FP forces me to slow down... slow down my handwriting, which makes it more legible and slow down my pace.

As for the design... anything is possible, but that drives up the prices if a pen is modified too much, as new clips or new shapes has to be made, and that would defeat the purpose of wanting to make these as affordable as possible.

Kevin

January 17, 2009

Agree with the above - I use a fountain pen to slow me down. I use one to sign prescriptions and for medical reports - though the quality of some of the medical report paper is distressingly awful and I can get bleed through. I have a British Doctor's Pen, a homage to the original! I have also an Appellation which, I agree with Mary, is a wonderful design as well. I suppose one could argue that this too should have a textured surface, given the clientèle involved!

February 5, 2009

I'll try and locate one for myself when I get a perfect score on my step 1 :roflmho: Probably never but absolutely beautiful pen.

Why is the name CS100 when only 50 was made? My brother just got matched for residency and he scoffed at my fascination with fountain pens, saying "surgeons don't use fancy fountain pens." I'm deeply hurt. :embarrassed_smile:

Yes, I agree with you. The profession needs formation of both, the scientific and the personal aspects, both very extensively. I'm already a 4th generation in this art, I was lucky to breath every day at home the meaning of it... that's an advantage indeed. Thanks for your input... but may I use the pen at the office? I promise not to use it in the infectious ward!!!
BTW, it is black hard rubber, not acrylics like the British one... with its cons and pros

Pepin,

Take heart! I'm a surgeon and am a happy user of fountain pens. Granted, I did not use them during residency, mainly for fear of them growing legs, but also because I didn't know about waterproof inks (of any brand). Now that I am staff, and I've learned about spill-resistant ink, it's a bit safer to carry one about. I've also noticed a few surgical colleagues indulging in fountain pen usage.

From what I've seen of this Doctor's pen, it is certainly worth saving for so that you can celebrate passing STEP 1 (or 2 or 3).

Good luck! Don't give up on the FP.

Cheers,

C-C

February 5, 2009

How did I miss this thread?

J., your photographs are amazing!

And I like your avatar: cute pooch, nice photo!

February 5, 2009

How did I miss this thread?

J., your photographs are amazing!

And I like your avatar: cute pooch, nice photo!

Helooooo... yooouuuu..... inside ur heaaaad......

Thanks L. for your input, I'm trying to learn from you, but you put the level very high...

And I told my pooch too and he is happy in knowing that you like his cuteness (?) well, YOU understand what I want to say eh? :roflmho:

February 22, 2009

superb pen thanks for sharing the pics

February 22, 2009

I find that the cadduceus is not the proper sign for a doctor. This should be the rod of Asklepios, or Aesculap rod/staff (single snake curling around a staff)
The cadduceus is actually the sign of mercurius that somehow started to get used, improperlu, as a medical sign.

Many members here on FPN are doctors and enjoy fountainpens and writing with them. Writing with a good fountainpen helps you focus your thoughts on the writing. That can never be wrong when you are dealing with the health and lives of other people.

I agree with RMN on both counts.

The proper symbol for medicine should be the Rod of Aesculapius (rod + one serpent). Aesculapius was the son of Apollo, and was venerated by the Ancient Romans and Greeks as their god of medicine. Two of his daughters were Panakeia (i.e. panacea) and Hygieia (i.e. hygiene). The Caduceus (winged rod + two serpents) is actually the symbol of Mercury (Roman) or Hermes (Greek) who doubled as messenger of the gods as well as god of commerce. For this reason, the Caduceus symbol is often associated with postal services and commercial enterprises. In North America, the Caduceus is often associated with medicine but, I suspect, only because it has been confused with the Rod of Aesculapius.

The claim that real surgeons (and other doctors) do not use fountain pens is utter nonsense.

February 27, 2009

Is there any interest in having a go at another Dr's pen? This time with the Rod of Aesculapius and any other modifications necessary? If enough of us are interested, we could commission one.

February 27, 2009

Is there any interest in having a go at another Dr's pen? This time with the Rod of Aesculapius and any other modifications necessary? If enough of us are interested, we could commission one.

FYI, they're rebuilding the Aesclepion at the foot of the Acropolis. It was really cool to see the workmen putting it back together.

February 27, 2009

Is there any interest in having a go at another Dr's pen? This time with the Rod of Aesculapius and any other modifications necessary? If enough of us are interested, we could commission one.

Hi Peter,

If you're looking for numbers, count me in.

Regards,

Soki

February 28, 2009

If the rest of the design and the price is right, I'm game....

D.ick

February 28, 2009

If the rest of the design and the price is right, I'm game....

I'd be interested too...as long as I can afford it, of course.

March 2, 2009

I have been thinking about this more and I do wonder if this is quite the right thing to do. Kevin produced a superb Doctors' pen with the aid of Mary and Conway Stewart and I just wonder whether anything done in much the same vein will actually be seen as a lesser model - I have the Writing Desk Doctors' Pen, and I really like it, but it is not the original. I am therefore thinking of another angle to this - I have an iron in the fire so will report back!

March 3, 2009

Is there any interest in having a go at another Dr's pen? This time with the Rod of Aesculapius and any other modifications necessary? If enough of us are interested, we could commission one.

Whoa... if this idea ever comes to fruition you can certainly count me in on one

I have a Gaston's LE based on Bexley's 10th anniversary pen in orange ebonite, with the Rod of Aesculapius made of 10K gold as its clip, and you wouldn't believe the amount of attention it gets from both my patients and fellow doctors