Elegant American Ball Point Pen

A new one to me, probably an old design which faded into obscurity some years ago, but what goes around comes around.

Good things
Cheap
Parker Refill
Profiled top so that the upper barrell flows into the metalwork so it looks designed
Sturdy clip

Bad things
None really, although with all pens of this type such as the sierra and the cigar, a thorough but short clean of the inside of the upper tube prior to installation will make a much smoother operation.
not alot else really

Odd things
Plating choice currently Silver, chrome and gold????

Its a good pen and is almost a parker streamline, or a good alternative for someone who wants a cheaper parker refill pen.


If this picture is not the right way up and uncropped it is because the person who wrote the photonucket is a complete arse. It might resolve itself and appear the right way up in time when Photobucket decides its the right time of the month. Yes I know Flickr is better, but its taken me two years to get this far with photobucket so for the meantime it'll have to do. (Click on the photo and it takes you to photobucket and its the right way up!)

The woods used are, from the left,
Bird eye maple
Pau Rosa
Laburnum
Texas Ebony
Cocobolo x 2
Wenge x2
Yew
Padauk
Oak
Cocobolo
Yew
Olive
Cocobolo x 2
Bamboo
Birds Eye Maple
Padauk
Laburnum

Nice, I like the look of that kit.

Where did you get it from ?

Nicely turned and finished as we'd expect from you.

They look nice, Neil. What's the diameter at cap and barrel? (If you have time to check ...)

Nice work, Neil. And thanks for the description of the pen style.

Bob.

Been around for ages, possibly aeons, TR sell them and always have for as long as I can remember although they currently only appear to have them in chrome:

Chrome Elegant Pen - Specialist Collection - Pen & Pencil Kits - Pen Making

I agree Neil they are a decent quality kit and I don't know why I don't make more of them. that is a fine selection you have shown. i am sure they will sell well.

Walter said:

Been around for ages, possibly aeons, TR sell them and always have for as long as I can remember although they currently only appear to have them in chrome:

Chrome Elegant Pen - Specialist Collection - Pen & Pencil Kits - Pen Making

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Thanks Walter, knew that was probably the case but hadnt gone so far as trying to find out who was still selling them.

One thing I forgot to mention in the original post is that the drill size for the tubes is a Drill Size O, which for those who are unaware is 8.02mm. Yup an 8mm is too small and for those of you who want to try it with an 8mm drill bit and CA, just go ahead! It will stick before you can get it in properly! A 21/64 drill bit, in the absence of Size O is the nearest we can get hold of and it works well (with epoxy!).

Thanks Neil, they do look good, like a Streamline with a different cb but with a better refill. Gotta get some.

Yiur right Neil it is the old elegant kit and it was quite expensive first time around I think from T/R or the old Craft supplies that's probably why it never took off and yes Neil I have to agree they are a very nice kit in fact I still have some in my collection about 10 to 15 years old not quite sure

Jimjam66 said:

They look nice, Neil. What's the diameter at cap and barrel? (If you have time to check ...)

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An unusual question David???

Nib bottom at wood 9.15
Centreband metalwork 11.96
Top at wood 10.31

A nice kit indeed. I like the profile of it, and the plating looks good. A fine selection of different timbers you have shown too Neil.

Plenty of choice there Neil. Are these an addition to your range or coming in as a replacement ?

One set of beautiful pens there Neil well finished as usual.

A very nice collection indeed Neil, and a kit that i have never made, for now ..

Neil your necessity to produce in quantity must make these pens old hat to you but I appreciate the time you take to show them to us a valuable addition is the naming of the body material especially the timber ones as the rest are made up names. I followed up the Turners rest site their instructions are fulsome more complete than some firms.What pricing follows the outlay on pens like this mate in other words not necessarily your retail but how does it compare with Streamline pens since the initial outlay for these kits is so many times greater.

Thank you for the time you spend on the forum.

Peter.

A nice selection there Neil And a nice looking kit

Penpal said:

Neil your necessity to produce in quantity must make these pens old hat to you but I appreciate the time you take to show them to us a valuable addition is the naming of the body material especially the timber ones as the rest are made up names. I followed up the Turners rest site their instructions are fulsome more complete than some firms.What pricing follows the outlay on pens like this mate in other words not necessarily your retail but how does it compare with Streamline pens since the initial outlay for these kits is so many times greater.

Thank you for the time you spend on the forum.

Peter.

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Peter,

Thanks for your comments. Turners Retreat part of the Robert Sorby empire, sadly and ultimately owned I believe by a Chinese corporation from Hong Kong! The outcome is that they are corporate profit driven whereas many of the smaller woodturning businesses have relatively lower overheads and generally are cheaper but less reliable on their stock levels. The cost that TR are charging for this kit is ridiculous. I buy them in quantity from the manufacturer direct and pay much less. Whilst it isnt as little as the streamline, its nowhere near what TR are charging!

Treeesa said:

Plenty of choice there Neil. Are these an addition to your range or coming in as a replacement ?

Click to expand...

Andy,

See how they sell, but there is no other small pen that has a parker refill, the nearest being a PSI Executive pen (which is a bit of a misnomer as it is everything that an executive would not, should he or she be image conscious, want). So I guess the answer to your question is that I'll add it to those I already sell.

Great looking set of pens Neil well done.

Neil said:

Peter,

Thanks for your comments. Turners Retreat part of the Robert Sorby empire, sadly and ultimately owned I believe by a Chinese corporation from Hong Kong! The outcome is that they are corporate profit driven whereas many of the smaller woodturning businesses have relatively lower overheads and generally are cheaper but less reliable on their stock levels. The cost that TR are charging for this kit is ridiculous. I buy them in quantity from the manufacturer direct and pay much less. Whilst it isnt as little as the streamline, its nowhere near what TR are charging!

Click to expand...

It's only about 40p dearer than a streamline. Dan should be able to sell them much cheaper than TR and make a handsome profit.

Peter

Buckeye said:

It's only about 40p dearer than a streamline. Dan should be able to sell them much cheaper than TR and make a handsome profit.

Peter

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Peter, I was deliberately non committal on the price as there are several factors that affect it. The pen kit is around 50% heavier than the streamline and this will affect the price as the shipping is essentially by the kilo. Applicable levels of retro discounts, wholesale or retail price list etc will all affect it so whilst it's 40p more expensive off the list I suspect that it'll turn out a bit more than that but it still, and I agree with you wholeheartedly, should allow a reseller to make a reasonable profit and still be under that of TR.