Hope everyone’s doing well and finding some awesome collectibles!
So, I’ve been chatting with Lindsay, the creator of IJ Instruments, about creating something special for us Knockology members. The idea? A cool, but not too wild, pencil rocking the Knockology logo. To commemorate this special year, we are also considering adding the year ‘2023’ to the design.
Before diving headfirst into this, I wanted to know how many of you guys would be on board. Would you be interested in this kind of custom piece? And importantly, would you be ok with the typical price tag that comes with Lindsay’s custom pencils?
FYI: We would discuss design options here and it would take several several months for these to be made.
Let me know what you think by clicking on the poll below.
I’m hoping for something… unique, like a capped or w-knock. Ahhh, that would triple the cost probably. But that would definitely get me setting aside my beer money!
"Design-wise, I’d prefer to stick to the Pentel P200 mechanism since that’s what I’m most familiar with.
Now, as far as styles go, I’m limited to what I can turn, and what stock is available, so that means hexagonal/cylindrical/straight conical tapers. I’d also probably want to avoid titanium (it’s doable, but does tend to be a bit of a pain to work with) and stick with stainless or brass.
I’m not much for imagination, so if you had any specific designs in mind I can see what’s possible. Most of the “other” designs I’ve done have been based on designs that people have suggested. Perhaps a particular style of grip or unique pattern? That’s probably the easiest thing to customise."
If it’s just an engraved model I think I would have to pass. Lindsay’s pens come with a justified but high price tag and right now I’m focusing my purchases in Japanese pens, before I leave the country.
If at some point he decides to make some partially custom internals (e.g. double knock or ffmatic-style advance tips) then I would want to place an order, depending on the price. But I think he isn’t looking to delve into that niche for now.
I know he’s been unable to make a Kerry-like cap. Spoke is able to fabricate a cap so we can check again with him to see if he’s made any progress on cap production.
If we are going with an Uchida style, we would probably need to use a PG5 lead reservoir, since it has a much narrower reservoir than the P200. He would need to make a lead reservoir cap probably.
I vote in favor of this, and if he could, in copper, since that is rarely seen.
I would like to see a mini-cap or mini-sleeve, akin to the Pentel PMG. You could work it such that there’s a machined lip for the friction fit, on both the front and rear.
Probably a sleeve would be most economical and conventional… and a bit of homage to vintage Pentel. I think it would be really cool.