On the hunt

[Rod S]

Good afternoon from Winnipeg,

As winter approaches, my thoughts turn to time in my heated shop and the hope / desire / need to turn some different pens. I have some Beaufort pens awaiting and some slimline click pens (Groove) also in the wings; but are there other styles I should consider? Are there pens kits (ballpoint OR fountain) which get lost in the overwhelming presence of Turners Warehouse or Beaufort or (if you're Canadian) William Wood-Write. It's not only uniqueness I'm looking for but quality of engineering, plating and durability.

Perhaps you have a favourite, a kit you recommend above all others. If so, I would be grateful.

Rod

 

[flexi]

My first recommendation would be Beaufort for quality, but your already there. Other kits I would look at would be the Coyotee or Eagle from Laserlinz in the US, Both of these are Stainless steel, but supply is not always good.... I have done a few stopped end kits.... Normal pen kit but you enclose the tube ends instead of using a kit component (allows more scope for shaping) anything from Dayacom, usually good quality but can be overpriced after the retailers add their bit.
There is soooo much out there to choose from

 

[Penpal]

Timberbits in Australia

Peter.

 

[Curly]

Lazerlinz hasn't been making pen kits for some time. Apparently busy with other more lucrative products they make.

In the past when we ordered from Timberbits they sent the package by TNT. They arrived very quickly but a week or two latter got a letter in the mail from their collections department in the US demanding and threatening legal action if the taxes and their brokerage fees were not paid immediately. Their brokerage was 3 or 4 times what Canada Post would charge and higher than other package delivery companies. We paid of course but don't like the way they do business so after made sure we opted for delivery by mail. It takes far longer but comes without threats. Maybe it has changed since TNT is part of FedEx. The product Timberbits sends is good so no issues with the product.

Rod for click pens those with Schmidt mechanisms are reputed to be good. WWW sell the Duraclick and Luxor with them. I have a couple Luxors that I am going to try when I get all the outdoor stuff done. Same winter. :wink:

Pete

 

[Frederick]

Taylors Mirfield also have a number of quality kits. Have a look at their site. I know they post abroad.

Cheers
Frederick

 

[Rod S]

Good afternoon from Winnipeg,

Thanks for the comments. The Laserlinz looks interesting and I've never turned one of their kits. That's a possibility. Curly's experience with Timberbits is 'off-putting' and although Peter recommended them so I'm sure they provide excellent kits, I might pass on a purchase.

So, as the week ends, I'll stick with Beaufort for a while - my Christmas orders have already started.

Oh, what, you might ask, would I recommend? The answer is the Cameron Fountain Pen from Penn State with an upgraded 'stub' nib. A reasonable price and a nice design although certainly not in the Mistral category

Stay safe all,

Rod

 

[Neil]

Lazerlinz hasn't been making pen kits for some time. Apparently busy with other more lucrative products they make.

In the past when we ordered from Timberbits they sent the package by TNT. They arrived very quickly but a week or two latter got a letter in the mail from their collections department in the US demanding and threatening legal action if the taxes and their brokerage fees were not paid immediately. Their brokerage was 3 or 4 times what Canada Post would charge and higher than other package delivery companies. We paid of course but don't like the way they do business so after made sure we opted for delivery by mail. It takes far longer but comes without threats. Maybe it has changed since TNT is part of FedEx. The product Timberbits sends is good so no issues with the product.

Rod for click pens those with Schmidt mechanisms are reputed to be good. WWW sell the Duraclick and Luxor with them. I have a couple Luxors that I am going to try when I get all the outdoor stuff done. Same winter. :wink:

Pete

Pete,

TNT are masters of international consistency and unprofessional and rude conduct. I hate them and their unannounced threats, unsent invoices, refusal to send invoices, just “statements of account”, I hate them and stopped using Timberbits as a result. Their option of shipping through Singapore was great until a shipment went missing, and that was that.