Tell me I am dreaming.

[Grump]

And somebody will init?

Years ago I sold a cheap fountain pen to a schoolteacher friend who loved it and still uses it all day everyday.
Today he dropped it and bent the nib, so gimme a call to ask if I could straighten it, UP YOURS I said, best I will do is swap it for one from another kit.
He accepted this and duly turned up with the offender, can't swap it different size but while it was out I did straighten it enuf to get it writing again.

While it was here I grabbed a quick couple of pics so I can show some proof in evidence of the way this kit has changed over the years.
I have long campaigned for better quality kits with metal threads etc, so much that I gave up cos most of you don't want quality you want cheap and quick.
I have been told till I stopped listening that metal threads in caps is a nono cos of wear to parts and poor tightening, I have always that is bollocks.

Poor pics cos done on phone under the best available poor light but just look at these and have a good look, see metal threads in cap, look at the platings etc.
I am not by any means saying this is a good quality kit, far from it but for what was a couple of quid kit in its day it outshines the crap we're offered now.
I tried to date it but the nearest I can get is he made my daughter spill her tea when he slid a pile of paper across the table, my daughter hasn't lived here for at least 8 years.
For a working pen that gets lid on and off all the time and carried in pockets I reckon it has worn well.

While I appreciate the efforts a few are making to give us better quality don't tell me I can't have metal threads and don't give me any more excuses or supposed reasons why not.
This pen works well to this day and still screws on and off better than a plastic hat.

 

[Walter]

Common sense tells you metal to metal threads have to wear better.

 

[GeordieB]

Still a cracking pen after all that time Brian Vic will be proud that you did a carpet shot

 

[Grump]

Still a cracking pen after all that time Brian Vic will be proud that you did a carpet shot

That carpet is a carpet tile skiver on me bureau My grandson got his fingers under the leather and pulled the old on to pieces when he was a toddler, a cheap and cheerful replacement that still functions.

 

[Neil Lawton]

You're dreaming!
Well you did ask

Metal to metal is the norm everywhere else, so why should it be different for pens?
Could it be "our plating is so good it should be treated with extreme care", or "our plating is so thin two twists will wear through"?
Answers on a postcard!!!

 

[Woody]

Well Brian if that dont prove a point nothing will mate

 

[EStreet]

The class of fit makes a *HUGE* difference in wear factor.

 

[Penpal]

Looks good for the in use time.

Peter

 

[Grump]

Don't make excuses for the decline in our kits, we have all watched it happen, we have all complained to each other about it.
I think I am one of the few that stopped buying them.

I will try to get this pen back for some better pics, it can be seen to have worn as the finish of the wood has it's own patina and inky grain, it's my ca that has worn not the rest of the pen.
The platings / threads show little or no signs of wear, the odd small scratch through use, he obviously cares for the pen cos he has put a 14 carat gold nib in it (now bent init?) but no more than a normal user should.

Mating faces and worn ferral's should not thin with proper handling.

 

[bassethound]

Great post!

 

[yorkshireman]

What's the wood Brian, looks like cherry to me.

 

[Vic Perrin]

Very interesting thread

Get the Photo background sorted Brian

 

[Grump]

What's the wood Brian, looks like cherry to me.

Spot on Keith, that's another sign of the pens age, I planted that tree when my first son was born 43 years ago and chopped it down when it outgrew the garden about 10 years ago.
The pen was made from the pruning's while still growing.

 

[paulm]

Yup, you're right yet again Brian.

 

[Bill Mooney]

 

[chas_41_uk]

Very nice pen that has aged well
I can't comment on older kit as I have only been turning for less than 2 years.
But some of the kits out there are better than others

 

[Grump]

Very nice pen that has aged well
I can't comment on older kit as I have only been turning for less than 2 years.
But some of the kits out there are better than others

This proves a point to me Chas, that I wasn't dreaming when I rant on about metal threads and where have they gone.
As for older kit, it's a Jnr Gent which are still made and bought today but they are half the kit for twice the price.

I get told I am the one at fault, that they never had a metal thread and get fobbed off with crap.
When someone doesn't know what they are talking about they should just shut up instead of trying to baffle with bullshit.

People can learn a lot by listening and nothing by gobbing off.
Brass is more expensive than plastic to process into a manufactured part so lets find a cheaper alternative and a reason to increase the price.

I had enuf long ago and gave up trying but seeing this pen again got my wild up init?

I have been in shed today and started making my Christmas giveaway's, among the the crappy slimline kits I have found two stunning examples of good old fashioned better quality.
First thing to notice was the packaging, instead of the seal top bags we are given now each piece was individually wrapped in soft paper and put in its own little bag with a folded top and stapled.
The clip is so much stronger with a solid ball at the end, the transmission smooth as silk, the refill has a seal on the ball, the plating looks and feels thicker with no burrs to be removed.
Unfortunately the bags weren't marked with a maker, just a price tag of 40P, in a picture they all look the same but in the hand feel so different.
If it could be done then why is not done now, greed is the answer bigger profits and mug the punter init?

 

[EStreet]

First some history may be in order for many of you.

This kit, the gent jr, was first created by Dayacom in Taiwan. The company then decided to make some upgrades and changes to the design to improve upon it.

It was shamelessly copied and taken to China, the original version was.

The upgrades, changes was called "gent Jr II", meanwhile China produced clones and later named 'baron' and 'sedona', while the upgrades from Dayacom were called "gent jr 2"

Today there are a number of Chinese companies making low quality products named "gent jr", not to be confused with the vastly superior quality from Dayacom. When you hold both side by side you can very quickly see the difference. Also worth pointing out that yes 'SOME' kits have declined in quality while others have increased. Mileage does vary according to the manufacturing company but always I suggest if you are looking for something of quality then look at the manufactures and only get the higher quality ones.

 

[Walter]

Thank you Ed, I have long agreed with Brian that the quality of many pen kits has declined, but always with the caveat that decent quality is available if you are prepared to pay the price for original products from the likes of Dayacom and not the cheap Chinese copies that are foisted upon us by the majority of UK suppliers and some over-rated antipodean sources. It is good to see that I am not alone in holding this view.

This doesn't just apply to pen kits. Try watching some daytime TV such as "Fake Britain" and you will see that if anything can be faked it will be. I have even seen brake pads in what appears to be genuine Ferodo packaging but made out of what can only be described as shite. If it looks too good to be true then have no doubt it is too good to be true.

 

[Grump]

I don't see changing brass to plastic as an upgrade or improvement and as for the Jnr Gent2 the changes made it might as well be a different pen, I agree it is vastly better.
I hadn't mentioned names but since you do, it was Dayacom that swapped from brass to plastic or someone is using their labels.
Thanks for the history lesson but you ain't telling us anything we didn't know and mentioned many times before.

I am talking in general, I don't see any improvement for the price increases from any of them.

SAVE OUR STEELWORKS BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED FROM INFERIOR GOODS