Oh bummer. Have you tried comparing the parts/components between the two black pieces to see if you can see any differences?
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I can check the fine print, but I’m 99% sure it would be the standard 14 day right-of-return, which we are a few weeks past 
We could of course do another shipment, but it seems like a bit of a crap shoot - maybe the journey overseas jolts them a little too much (they all worked 100% before I sent them).
Sorry it hasn‘t worked out for everybody 
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I took out the internals and swapped (b1 [fault], b2 [ok]). The failure continued to happen in the b1 body. I examined inside as I pressed on the release button. There’s a slightly different appearance to the lever catch. It’s hard to see exactly what, as I cannot shift perspective (it’s down a tube).
I did find a solution though. I rotated the mechanism in the body, then sealed back up. There’s just one small arc of position where the mechanism fails to catch on the lever properly. It does seem that while using there’s no rotation. So, once in proper place, it won’t shift and then fail. I pressed and released 50 times and it’s fine.
Anyway, if I have time later I’ll try to do a more close examination with a loupe to see if I can tell what’s actually different.
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Just revisiting this thread for fun.
This was such an enjoyable experience and journey with y’all. I wish there was something else we could do this again with.
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I wonder… since we have a number of people here with object modeling talent… if we might do some kind of collaboration with Spoke Design. If Brian can spare the bandwidth. Ideally, it would be something that has enough appeal for him to sell on the site purely under the Spoke Design banner. And then there would be a “limited edition” run with the knockology logo printed on it in place of the SPOKE labeling.
Or… a simpler route…
Maybe we could have Brian run a limited edition of something like a Spoke 4, but with a colorway conceived of by the Knockology community. And as part of that, have the “knockology” logo imprinted.
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I would actually just push to have a production shop in China just make them for us.
If we have STEP files we can have them produced. It’s a pretty straight forward process.
I know some of the suppliers who make the bodies for some of the boutique brands.
Here’s a body I’ve considered producing…
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Determining which components/mechanisms to use is crucial. It’s essential to ensure they are readily accessible, dependable, and not a subpar Schmidt insert.
That’s why many opt for the P200 mechanism.
We could offer several designs for public purchase. I’d be open to fronting that venture and providing the designer with commissions for each sale.
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Sorry… heh, I completely forgot to consider the fact that you’ve produced your own pens & pencils. I take it the production shops in CHINA are talented and economical enough that it makes sense to just provide the modeled parts for production?
Has 3D printing gotten so advanced now that metal can be produced and with smooth surfaces? Or fine enough that with a sanding/polishing step, look indistinguishable from wrought metal?
Part of my thought about Spoke Design is getting an American outfit involved. If it’s only a little more expensive for the finished product, I’d be willing to pay more for fully USA made.
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Can anyone here positively confirm that Spoke doesn’t have their bodies produced in China? 
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The fun thing about Spoke is that a limited edition run would be so much fun to own.
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I have a vague memory of Brian actually using machinery in a studio making pen prototypes. And I assume that they have continued to make their writing instruments parts in-house. Maybe I’m wrong? I’ve recently been in touch with Brian and will see if I can tickle an answer out of him. 
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Such a great idea! I unfortunately don’t have much experience with 3D software, but I would happily volunteer to make some technical line drawings in Adobe Illustrator.
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P200 is obviously the best choice for an internal mechanism, but man—the P200 tip is like 3mm too long for me to use comfortably. No matter what, my index finger slips on that too-long nose cone, and I can’t really use the pencils effectively 
Up to this point, I’ve relied on the Graph ROCK stepped tips to make P200-style pencils usable to me. But I don’t have an endless supply of these, so I don’t really have a solution to the grippability issue.
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What about the standard Pentel Orenz nose cone?
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Requires a piece from Lindsay Wilson to work on Spokes.
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Yes, it does. I was just wondering if the Orenz nose cone is more suited for you than the P20x. It has a nice contour that looks fingertip friendly.
It’s better, but this is about EASE. Sick of every new + exciting pencil having the horseshit P20X grip.
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That’s Mr. I’m not here to make friends Pearsonified for ya.
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They look great!
I’ve not yet ordered an IJ Instruments pencil directly from Lindsay. I lucked out on a deal for a used one (pretty much 55% off), that has the banded knurled grip. One of these days I intend to order his PG5 inspiration. Will definitely have him send Orenz adapters and if possible, those lead indicators. I take it they’ll fit any pencil using a P205 mechanism? He doesn’t list them on his website, so I imagine they’re back-door custom order. He has more orders than he can handle right now so he has actually turned off the shopping cart on EyeJayInstruments!
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