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Statesman and Gentlemen pens?

Neil Lawton

Neil Lawton

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Anybody bought these from Turners Retreat?
Are they worth it, and is the Rhodium plating all it's cracked up to be?
Would be interested to know.
 
TaylorsMirfield.co.uk

TaylorsMirfield.co.uk

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I can't see much difference between the statesman and the kit I posted the other night. I was expecting a premium plating for that kit to be between £7-£9
 
Jim

Jim

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I have looked at them on most of my visits to T/R Neil, but never placed them in the basket as i couldn't justify paying all that money .. Especially knowing that i couldn't sell them around my neck of the woods .. I am not saying they don't look good BTW .. :thinks:
 
Phil Dart

Phil Dart

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Neil, I can't comment on the statesman, but I do buy the rhodium gents classic in both FP and RB, and yes I like them. The plating is first class as is the quality of the kit - the feel of the cap as it screws on to the nib barrel is particularly nice. I can't compare them with Dan's kits because the samples I've ordered from him are waiting to go in with a larger order I've placed with him, which he won't be able to send until he gets back from holiday. In my mind though, I've always equated Dan's Jr Gent with the Baron, and I'm not sure he's currently got a Gent equivalent, although we have talked on the matter.

As far as the TR Gents classic is concerned though, if you have a market for higher priced pens it certainly won't let you down. My customers don't get a great deal of change from a hundred quid for mine, which includes a case. The RB comes with a Schmidt though, which obviously you'll need to throw away.:bwink: You can't charge £100 for a pen and expect it to sell with a schmidty refill in it.
 
Walter

Walter

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I rarely make either the Statesman or the Gentlemen's because the barrels are enormous and in my opinion it is like trying to write with a water pipe.

Unless you have a lot of butchers and blacksmiths in your customer base I would give them a miss.

I have however made both Statesman Classic and Gentlemen's classic from TR. The quality of the plating and the fit of the components is good, it wants to be at that price, but the nibs are still just the standard Chinese IPG affairs and whether the kits are value for money or not depends upon whether you can sell them at a price that will give you a worthwhile return.
 
Neil Lawton

Neil Lawton

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Thanks for the replies all.
Unfortunately I haven't won the lottery Paul.:down:

I've had a tentative approach from a very high class and exclusive independent Jewellers about stocking my pens.
There is no great rush for them, as they will not be discussing new suppliers until the new financial year, and there are no guarantees they will stock them, at this point.
Anything retailing under £100 will be considered their budget range for people who accidentally enter the shop, but are still fair game!:funny:

They are (naturally) obsessed with the quality of platings, and would also like to see a range of pens in Sterling silver/ Rhodium, etc, for the higher end.

Not holding my breath, but thought I'd look into it!
 
T

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Feb 13, 2013
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Rhodium is allegedly a harder plating but I remain unsure it is definitely better than the plating on for example Slimline Euro and Americana pen kits..... It might just be worthwhile considering a product such as Easybright which is used to give a semi permanent finish on Copper Brass and stainless steel........ I use it for my bullet pens (made from genuine Cartridge cases not kits) Its not cheap but well worth while and easy to apply and its food safe which means there is no problem for this application.
 
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