I’ve been a fan of the Pilot TIMELINE series with its very satisfying double-twist mechanism for a very long time. Sadly, Pilot has stopped producing the mechanical pencils, but now and then they continue to release special editions for their ballpoints.
On the pen body is inscribed the latin phrase “Verba volant, scripta manent”, meaning “Speech may fade but the written word endures.” Pretty eloquent and aptly tied to the longevity of Books Kinokuniya as a literary institution.
I had been looking forward to it but it really took until now for the Evergreen to show up in Singapore’s own Kino. Perhaps shipments have been affected by world events? Once I saw the display I knew it would make a handsome partner for my KT Wood.
This has me spoiled. Otherwise, I’d definitely want to buy that Timeline. And actually… not just the wood, but that color. I have to say, it’s truly handsome. Probably quite difficult to buy now, eh?
What is this process like? How do executives and designers at companies like Pentel decide which proposals will go into production? Is there any anecdote or account of this? Well, we’ve all seen the photo of the Pentel team holding that giant Orenznero over their heads, accompanied by a brief explanation, but beyond that, I haven’t been able to find out the details of these meetings.
I’ve often speculated on these collaborations. I believe it begins within the ‘client’ organization: there is a need to mark a special occasion and the marketing head thinks a pen (more likely than a mechanical pencil) is ideal. Then they reach out to potential/preferred manufacturers like Pilot, Pentel, Mitsubishi etc. I believe each brand has a certain brand positioning for their higher end offerings, and this perceived prestige, together with the negotiated price point, seals the deal. In Japan, I feel Pentel is currently at a disadvantage with regards to corporate collaborations—they don’t seem to have any visible high-end pens compared to Pilot, Platinum and Sailor, who still produce respectable fountain pens. Even Kokuyo now has their ‘WP’ line up. Mitsubishi has (had?) their ‘Steward’ line, which seems to be a successor of sorts to their EXCEED line. Their PURE MALT line has also been updated recently. Pentel only has Lancelot, I think?
I did a quick check - theoretically possible althought the Kayou cartridge is roughly 4mm longer than a Pilot BRFN-30. Cutting down the one-way end plug will be key, and I’m not sure I’m ready to do that! If I manage to trim the auto cartridge down I will also need to use shorter leads…
My bigger challenge with a Kayou-converted pencil is restraining myself from fiddling with the tip and inadvertently triggering the lead advancement. It is basically impossible to retract the lead short of pulling out the whole stick and re-inserting it.
The end-plug is a specially shaped piece that extends into the cartridge and pushes against the auto clutch. I almost ruined one to find out how the parts push against each other. Can’t shorten the inner part, only can shorten the exterior of the end-plug.
Once again, the original diameter of the Kayou auto part is juuuuussst a hair too thick and needs to be ‘shaved down’. I really don’t have the patience so I’m going to cut the end-plug and transplant it onto the one I made for the Craft Lab 009. In the end, I just prefer the 009 as a pen, not a pencil.
If I can get the Kayou to work with the TIMELINE, it can probably also work with the Fumi Raku.
If I manage to trim the auto cartridge down I will also need to use shorter leads…
