Before watching this, I thought to myself "I wonder what makes some pens so expensive". Now after watching that my thought is, "I wonder why those pens aren't more expensive." Amazing amount of engineering, work, and attention to detail!
Brian, I LOVE my Menlo, and watching this video has me all-the-more appreciative of the work that you have done. The size, weight, look, finish - they all make for an excellent pen that I will use on a regular basis. Thanks for sharing this video, and may your business continue to be blessed!
Wow.. Brian that was AWESOME! Thank you so much for allowing us to see what goes into making this amazing pen that I now must acquire ASAP. I think this may end up being the Fountain Pen video of the year!
I am amazed that these aren't more costly given the amount of work involved, the materials & equipment. It makes me look forward to receiving mine even more.
That was absolutely fascinating. I grew up using tools from an early age, so many of the procedures were familiar. However, seeing them applied to the making of a fountain pen was note. Absolutely love it! thank you
Very nice,I found this to be very helpful.I remember first seeing your pens at the Ohio Pen Show,thinking that they were very well crafted.My friend Ben was excited to see your bulb filler.I have developed a greater appreciation for your craft.I wish for your continued success hope to see you once more in Ohio.
Fantastic video and of course, an incredibly beautiful pen. It's so nice to see a product that gets the attention to detail that is unfortunately lacking in almost all other products these days. I would imagine that very few people still appreciate this kind of hand-craftsmanship; especially in something like a fountain pen. I am such a fan of Edison Pens even though I do not yet own one myself (that will change as soon as humanly possible). I have been hand-writing letters for as long as I can remember and in my opinion, it is the only way to send a proper letter. Electronic communication has all but destroyed the art of conversation and has reduced our language to a series of unadorned questions, directives and abbreviations. Our method of communication has devolved to an almost telegraph-like hum from faceless counterparts. It makes me very happy to know that a company like the Edison Pen Co. is alive and flourishing - still producing wonderful products for thankful clients. The personal touches that go into creating an Edison Pen will surely be the fuel that keep the company's fire burning for years and years to come. You should know that your products are loved and admired by those of us who have slowed down long enough to notice - and I am positive that our whole world would be in a much better place if everyone made the effort to do the same; to slow down for a moment to appreciate the world around them. Again, thank you so much for taking the time to think less about pure profit and more about producing a beautiful and quality product. Your efforts are certainly appreciated! I look forward to being able to select my very own Edison Pen. And when I do it will receive the same care and attention in my hands as it did in yours and it will be one of very few tools that I gather up in the mornings to take with me wherever I go throughout the day. A proper gentleman should never be without his tools - certain necessary items of uncompromised quality - a good quality pen, a subtle yet always razor sharp pocket knife, a cigarette lighter, a wrist or pocket watch, a clean and crisp handkerchief and their billfold. An Edison will fill the slot of "good quality pen" in my list of tools.
Fantastic! I purchased my first Comet from your buddies at Goulet some time ago, and since have tried all sorts of fine pens from Japan, Germany and Italy. While 2 or 3 of them are wonderful writing instruments, I find myself gravitating back to my Comets, I have 2 now. They look great, write great out of the box, and I noticed that the swirls line up beautifully on the caps and barrels when capped. My expensive Italian pens do not. Side by side in my display box, the attention to detail on my Comets put them to shame! Love your work. I’ll be ordering pens from you soon.
I've been in the hobby for 3.5 years. In that time my preferences have changed and crystallized. I'm slowly getting to the point where I feel I can make an informed decision and buy my first bespoke pen. The Menlo, the Brockton, and the Glenmont are currently my favorites.
I used to work in a machine shop in college so I can appreciate the machining process of your pens. I don't care so much about the swirly material, but precision is something I value a lot. Now I want an Edison pen. Thanks for posting the video.
Amazing! Spectacular! Beautiful! Master craftsmanship! I use every day, at work, my Edison Nouveau Premiere LE 2013 and man you make wish for more Edison Pens. The Edison Collier in Antique Marble is in my wish list. Great work! Long live the Edison Co.
Wow! I am amazed at the work and craftsmanship that goes into one of these pens. I had no idea how much effort was involved. I appreciate the video. It gives me a entirely different appreciation for them. I have a Collier which I love. I have several upper end Pelikans but the Collier is my favorite. I will be in touch soon to place an order for a Menlo.
I've watched this so many times but I keep coming back to it! The pen making process is mesmerizing, and it helps that your finished products are amazing!
You know, back when I first got into pens, the idea of a pen that wasn't made of precious metals or materials costing several hundreds of dollars was a foreign one. After seeing this video, though, and after a long while of using fountain pens on a regular basis, I'm thinking differently. Excellent video, and if it weren't for the fact that I was saving up for something else, I'd probably get this exact same pen (in the same colour too, haha)! Beautiful work, and excellent craftsmanship Mr. Brian. Looking forward to more of your work, and for more excellent pens in the years to come!
Edison Pen Company Haha, I shout be thanking you for the opportunity to watch amazing videos and check out beautifully crafted pens. I was planning on buying a Sig Line last year, but then school happened :))
The crisp video, good lighting, and in-depth detail (without rambling!) helped me better appreciate all that goes into making such a beautiful Edison pen. Thanks for taking the time to share your process with us, Brian. That was fun to watch! Do you have a favorite step you particularly enjoy? (I think mine would be buffing and testing the nib.)
Thanks Paul! My favorite part is definitely filling the pen! Watching the ink spill into the reservoir is pretty darn cool! My least favorite is the internal sanding/polishing. It does get tedious! :)
Kudos, Brian, for such a gr8 video! I had no idea the amount of manual work that actually goes into each and every Edison pen. Truly made me appreciate the skill and artistry involved in your manufacturing process. Thank you so much for sharing with us. Steve :-)
I'm so glad I found this video. I always could appreciate the time and work that are put into these pens, but now after seeing this video, it makes these pens so much more special in my book. I'm loving my Menlos and of course all the other Edison Pens I have. :) That amber material is stunning! Thanks so much for sharing this.
Brian, this is a great video showing the effort behind "the birth" of each piece of art. If possible, please show us how you manage to slip that cap ring through the lip with such great precision...waiting for that in the next video!
Thanks Raghuram. I don't have a great way to demonstrat this, except to describe it. At the 10:00 minute mark, You'll see all parts. The cap lip threads into the cap, and captures the centerband. Its it then epoxied into place. Thanks!
Thank you so much for giving this much insight on how you make your pens, it's very fascinating. It's even more work than I imagined it would be, propably because you can see you really want every detail just to be perfect. Now I'll appreciate my own pen even more, once it arrives! Can't wait :)
another great piece of edutainment Brian. Your pens have some of the best threading on any pen - I still love the Huron I have from you. I hope you'll consider adding slip-on cap technology to your line-up some day. Like the smooth, sealed slip-on cap of the new Pilot Elite 95S. It would break all sales records if you combined a vac-filler w/your clear demo barrel patterns with such a sealed slip-on cap - the ultimate modern work-pen.
Thanks very much! But so you know, the Pump Filler has been discontinued. We've replaced it with the Draw Filler. The Draw Filler is basically the same system, but we're using orings rather than a latex diaphragm. The orings are proving to be much more reliable. edisonpen.com/index.cfm/2017/05/17/new-from-edison-the-draw-filler/
Oh, no! I've been a bit on the fence about buying one of these and liked a few of the solid designs but after watching this, I know I need to go the translucent route (and rather partial to this amber!) Feeding the addiction indeed. I want a job making pens (if only I had some skill)!
Thanks for the insight, Brian. This is a fascinating video. I used a lathe at my first job from school but it was nothing like this - no digital progamming in those days. It will probably be a few months before I can afford a Menlot, but I'm staggered (and grateful) that this level of craftsmanship doesn't cost more. The question is, which finish? I love them all.
Clifford Hughes Thanks Clifford! When the business started, I did everything on a manual lathe just like you did with your early job! Lots more work that way! The manual lathe still gets used a lot for custom work, but the numerically controlled lathe definitely is necessary for our scale of work now. Thanks!
Now I understand the premium price of the Menlo. It is still the coolest pen and filling system I've ever seen. I need to have one! I will be ordering shortly. Can you do a very light blue Demonstrator? I think I may have seen that in another video. And may I say, this is EXCELLENT work Brian. You are a true artist.
Thanks! If you are thinking solid translucents, then the link below is the blue that we've used the most. However, we do have a lighter blue than this, but I don't have photos of it. In any case, email me, and we'll figure it out. brian@edisonpen.com edisonpenco.smugmug.com/Pens/The-Menlo-Pump-Filler/30870407_B5Ngwv#!i=3438415185&k=bpWtpgw&lb=1&s=A
Loved the video. As a fellow engineer, I also enjoy seeing how a pen is made. Amazed at the manual effort required for a work of art. A unique made in America product.
Brian, thank you for sharing this. This helped me understand your process. Now the next thing for me is to know what material I want for my Menlo. =) You'll hear from me soon enough!
Hi, And if I am talking to ‘Mr Edison’ thank you for without doubt the best pen making video, truly brilliant. It is the Menlo in swirled white and another in pale blue that is my favourite pen design, unfortunately I was too late in ordering and the specific pen I wanted was no longer made, but if it was possible to place an order for these please let me know. It seems you made a certain number of these and then no more which is a terrible thing for a pen lover! Take care mrbluenun
I thought I had an appreciation for all the work that goes into an Edison pen but I really did not. Your Edison pens illustrate a level of craftsmanship at an expensive price point. I just ordered my second Edison pen from Richard Binder. This one will have one of his flexible duo point nibs. Can't say enough good about your products and collaborations. After watching this video I believe my next Edison pen will be a custom Menlo pump filler but on a Herald Grande body.
Thanks for the kind words, Ken! And if you haven't tried a Richard Binder Full Flex nib yet, you'll be stunned when you get it! I'm so happy to be collaborating with him! And there's no problem with a pump filling Herald Grande. Just reach out when you want to discuss! :)
Edison Pen Company Richards wife said they are mailing in out on 4/5 so I will not get it for a few weeks. I can't wait. I took your advice and my first two buys are Colliers. I love the first one and your video on the Binder nibs sold me on the second. I do have a question. I use the converter on the Collier but I would like to try it as an eyedropper but I am afraid of staining the inside of the body. Almost all of my inks are Noodler's and I like some of the inks like Baystate Blue and Kung Te-Chin that people say stains pens or ruins sacks. I have not had any problems but I would like someone else to have the experiment risks. Should I worry?
Ken Vargo I wouldn't worry with those harsher inks when it comes to a converter pen. Probably no issues, but clean the pen more thoroughly and more often. However, we don't recommend those inks in pen that have latex sacs or diaphragms, such as the pump fillers, pneumatic fillers, and bulb fillers. I've seen those inks literally melt latex sacs.
Felicitaciones por su trabajo. Espero MUY PRONTO adquirir una de sus plumas estilográficas. ¿cuál es el modelo de mayor tamaño? Saludos desde Medellín, Colombia.
Brian I never tire of your videos, this one is a favorite because of being an engineer by trade. The other comments say much of my thoughts. One of the pens is on my must have list and my piggie bank is being slowly loaded to have one. A bit on the other side of the spectrum, I love my TWSBI pens because of the inking mechanisms, but I will get an Edison as my Grail Pen, (draw filler) it will take some time but my mind is made up not to buy any more pens. Thank you for your dedication and passion for the pen syndrome. You, your wife + employees are stars. Thank you. Best wishes to all pen people. LeZc @@
Thanks! I have this and also higher end modern Foredom tools. I still prefer to dental tool! That dental tool was used by my mother probably 30+ years ago when she did sculpture nails. I'm so happy to still have it!
Awesome video Brian, makes me appreciate my Edison's even more now! A quick question if you have a moment: Can you list a source for that tool you were using on your pump mechanism? It looks of far nicer construction than others I've seen and I believe your filler threads match that of the older Parker Vacumatics if I recall correctly?
HI Greg. Yes, that Vac tool is much much better than the typical tools with a wrench handle. It's from Laurence Oldfield in the UK. He makes them himself. You will have to buy the Bionic Wrench (loggerhead tool) to go with it, but I highly recommend this over the wrench-style tools. You'll never damage a thread with this tool. See link below. www.penpractice.com/page3.html
Hi Carlos. To clean the pen, you can repeatedly fill and empty with water. Or better yet, then section will unscrew and you can give the nib and ink reservoir a very thorough cleaning. See the video that I'll link below. It covers all maintenance involved with this pen. Thanks! New From Edison - The Menlo Pump Filler!
I a question with the interior machining process of the barrel why not use a larger drill and then a hone or hones to get you finial ID of the barrel instead of a boring bar? I would think that it might be possible to get more accurate \ consistent barrel ID from pen to pen as well as better finial machined requiring less internal "hand" polishing.
A drill never creates a perfectly round hole, rarely creates a perfectly concentric hole, and also rarely follows a perfectly straight path. If you followed a drill with some kind of honing tool, it might clean the interior OK, but it will follow the non-concentricity of the drill, as well as the non-straight path. A boring bar cuts on one edge, and guarantees a very nice surface that is also perfectly concentric to the outer diameter and totally straight. This is very important to this design and how the filling mechanism aligns. What you are proposing is very similar to using a chucking reamer, which would have the same problem. In some applications this is fine, but we need dead perfection on this application.Thanks!
Thanks! Our materials certainly are durable, or we wouldn't use them. Of course, a good drop can break any pen, so just use the same care that you would any other fine pen.
Its amazing how much handwork is put into a $150 pen, the other company that puts so much work (maybe slightly more) is Nakaya. But thats like $500 cheapest
Thanks Kyle! The ink bottle is Akkerman, but the ink is Waterman Florida Blue. Akkerman makes my favorite ink bottle, and while their inks are fine, I prefer Waterman. More than a couple of times, I've bought Akkerman just for the bottle!
Kyle Ko Agreed! I found a couple at the Ohio Pen Show last year, and I snagged them up, and didn't even pay attention to the color! I just wanted the bottles! And I did see at the Chicago Pen Show that there is now a smaller sized version of these bottles, as well. If you want to google Vanness, I believe that they carry Akkerman.
Before watching this, I thought to myself "I wonder what makes some pens so expensive". Now after watching that my thought is, "I wonder why those pens aren't more expensive." Amazing amount of engineering, work, and attention to detail!
Brian,
I LOVE my Menlo, and watching this video has me all-the-more appreciative of the work that you have done. The size, weight, look, finish - they all make for an excellent pen that I will use on a regular basis. Thanks for sharing this video, and may your business continue to be blessed!
Thanks Justin!
Wow.. Brian that was AWESOME! Thank you so much for allowing us to see what goes into making this amazing pen that I now must acquire ASAP. I think this may end up being the Fountain Pen video of the year!
Thanks!
I am amazed that these aren't more costly given the amount of work involved, the materials & equipment. It makes me look forward to receiving mine even more.
Excellent video! I just got a Menlo from Wonder Pens in Toronto. A real joy to write with, and the Fingerpaints stock is great.
Thank you!
Brian compliments,technique, ability, passion equals art pens,really outstanding!!!
+Nat Images Thanks Nat!
That was absolutely fascinating. I grew up using tools from an early age, so many of the procedures were familiar. However, seeing them applied to the making of a fountain pen was note. Absolutely love it! thank you
Thanks for the kind words!
Very nice,I found this to be very helpful.I remember first seeing your pens at the Ohio Pen Show,thinking that they were very well crafted.My friend Ben was excited to see your bulb filler.I have developed a greater appreciation for your craft.I wish for your continued success hope to see you once more in Ohio.
Thanks for the great comments!
Never knew how much work went in to making just one pen, i know appreciate my pens even more. Thank u for the amazing effort and education.
Fantastic video and of course, an incredibly beautiful pen. It's so nice to see a product that gets the attention to detail that is unfortunately lacking in almost all other products these days. I would imagine that very few people still appreciate this kind of hand-craftsmanship; especially in something like a fountain pen.
I am such a fan of Edison Pens even though I do not yet own one myself (that will change as soon as humanly possible). I have been hand-writing letters for as long as I can remember and in my opinion, it is the only way to send a proper letter. Electronic communication has all but destroyed the art of conversation and has reduced our language to a series of unadorned questions, directives and abbreviations. Our method of communication has devolved to an almost telegraph-like hum from faceless counterparts.
It makes me very happy to know that a company like the Edison Pen Co. is alive and flourishing - still producing wonderful products for thankful clients. The personal touches that go into creating an Edison Pen will surely be the fuel that keep the company's fire burning for years and years to come. You should know that your products are loved and admired by those of us who have slowed down long enough to notice - and I am positive that our whole world would be in a much better place if everyone made the effort to do the same; to slow down for a moment to appreciate the world around them.
Again, thank you so much for taking the time to think less about pure profit and more about producing a beautiful and quality product. Your efforts are certainly appreciated!
I look forward to being able to select my very own Edison Pen. And when I do it will receive the same care and attention in my hands as it did in yours and it will be one of very few tools that I gather up in the mornings to take with me wherever I go throughout the day. A proper gentleman should never be without his tools - certain necessary items of uncompromised quality - a good quality pen, a subtle yet always razor sharp pocket knife, a cigarette lighter, a wrist or pocket watch, a clean and crisp handkerchief and their billfold. An Edison will fill the slot of "good quality pen" in my list of tools.
+J. Kane Isaacs Thanks!
Fantastic! I purchased my first Comet from your buddies at Goulet some time ago, and since have tried all sorts of fine pens from Japan, Germany and Italy. While 2 or 3 of them are wonderful writing instruments, I find myself gravitating back to my Comets, I have 2 now. They look great, write great out of the box, and I noticed that the swirls line up beautifully on the caps and barrels when capped. My expensive Italian pens do not. Side by side in my display box, the attention to detail on my Comets put them to shame! Love your work. I’ll be ordering pens from you soon.
Thanks so much for the kind words! Please reach out if you'd like to speak about another pen in the future. :)
I've been in the hobby for 3.5 years. In that time my preferences have changed and crystallized. I'm slowly getting to the point where I feel I can make an informed decision and buy my first bespoke pen. The Menlo, the Brockton, and the Glenmont are currently my favorites.
Sounds good! If you need any help in narrowing details, just reach out! brian@edisonpen.com
Thinks for the video. Considering the amount of hands on work required the pen doesn't seem as expensive as I first felt.
That is truly amazing. I look forward to purchasing one of these pens and keeping it in my family forever.
Thanks!
I think this is going to be my second Edison pen!!! Thank you so much for this video and your craftmanship!!!
Thanks!
I used to work in a machine shop in college so I can appreciate the machining process of your pens. I don't care so much about the swirly material, but precision is something I value a lot. Now I want an Edison pen. Thanks for posting the video.
Thanks for the kind words, Gordon!
Amazing! Spectacular! Beautiful! Master craftsmanship!
I use every day, at work, my Edison Nouveau Premiere LE 2013 and man you make wish for more Edison Pens.
The Edison Collier in Antique Marble is in my wish list.
Great work! Long live the Edison Co.
Thanks for the kind words, Miguel!
Wow! I am amazed at the work and craftsmanship that goes into one of these pens. I had no idea how much effort was involved. I appreciate the video. It gives me a entirely different appreciation for them. I have a Collier which I love. I have several upper end Pelikans but the Collier is my favorite. I will be in touch soon to place an order for a Menlo.
Sounds good! Thanks for the kind words!
I've watched this so many times but I keep coming back to it! The pen making process is mesmerizing, and it helps that your finished products are amazing!
Thanks a lot!
You know, back when I first got into pens, the idea of a pen that wasn't made of precious metals or materials costing several hundreds of dollars was a foreign one. After seeing this video, though, and after a long while of using fountain pens on a regular basis, I'm thinking differently.
Excellent video, and if it weren't for the fact that I was saving up for something else, I'd probably get this exact same pen (in the same colour too, haha)! Beautiful work, and excellent craftsmanship Mr. Brian.
Looking forward to more of your work, and for more excellent pens in the years to come!
Thank YOU Mr. Kevin! :)
Edison Pen Company Haha, I shout be thanking you for the opportunity to watch amazing videos and check out beautifully crafted pens. I was planning on buying a Sig Line last year, but then school happened :))
The crisp video, good lighting, and in-depth detail (without rambling!) helped me better appreciate all that goes into making such a beautiful Edison pen. Thanks for taking the time to share your process with us, Brian. That was fun to watch! Do you have a favorite step you particularly enjoy? (I think mine would be buffing and testing the nib.)
Thanks Paul! My favorite part is definitely filling the pen! Watching the ink spill into the reservoir is pretty darn cool! My least favorite is the internal sanding/polishing. It does get tedious! :)
Amazing engineering and craftsmanship! You have become quite an engineer, machinist, toolmaker and artistan!
Thanks Tony!
Damn man....you are an artist!!! Great video, well narrated. You're the man!
Thanks Pedro!
Kudos, Brian, for such a gr8 video! I had no idea the amount of manual work that actually goes into each and every Edison pen. Truly made me appreciate the skill and artistry involved in your manufacturing process. Thank you so much for sharing with us. Steve :-)
Thanks!
I'm so glad I found this video. I always could appreciate the time and work that are put into these pens, but now after seeing this video, it makes these pens so much more special in my book. I'm loving my Menlos and of course all the other Edison Pens I have. :) That amber material is stunning! Thanks so much for sharing this.
+sweetnightingale1973 Many thanks!
Brian, this is a great video showing the effort behind "the birth" of each piece of art. If possible, please show us how you manage to slip that cap ring through the lip with such great precision...waiting for that in the next video!
Thanks Raghuram. I don't have a great way to demonstrat this, except to describe it. At the 10:00 minute mark, You'll see all parts. The cap lip threads into the cap, and captures the centerband. Its it then epoxied into place. Thanks!
Thanks for taking your time to share the process of your work product.
Wow thank you for this video, I own two of your pens and this will be my third. Keep up the great pen work.
Thanks Ron!
Thank you so much for giving this much insight on how you make your pens, it's very fascinating. It's even more work than I imagined it would be, propably because you can see you really want every detail just to be perfect. Now I'll appreciate my own pen even more, once it arrives! Can't wait :)
Thanks!
another great piece of edutainment Brian. Your pens have some of the best threading on any pen - I still love the Huron I have from you. I hope you'll consider adding slip-on cap technology to your line-up some day. Like the smooth, sealed slip-on cap of the new Pilot Elite 95S. It would break all sales records if you combined a vac-filler w/your clear demo barrel patterns with such a sealed slip-on cap - the ultimate modern work-pen.
Thanks for the kind words! There are no plans for a slip cap right now, but maybe someday.
Eight years… definitely in my grail pen list. You know what would be great? A pen that could easily be disassembled by the owner.
wow very involved process, well explained and a beautiful pen too. Thanks
Excellent informative video Brian - you've now helped decide what my next Edison is almost certainly gonna be :-)
Thanks very much! But so you know, the Pump Filler has been discontinued. We've replaced it with the Draw Filler. The Draw Filler is basically the same system, but we're using orings rather than a latex diaphragm. The orings are proving to be much more reliable. edisonpen.com/index.cfm/2017/05/17/new-from-edison-the-draw-filler/
Oh, no! I've been a bit on the fence about buying one of these and liked a few of the solid designs but after watching this, I know I need to go the translucent route (and rather partial to this amber!) Feeding the addiction indeed. I want a job making pens (if only I had some skill)!
Very instructive, Brian!! A great insight into polishing acrylics---THANK YOU!! Ed
Thanks for the insight, Brian. This is a fascinating video. I used a lathe at my first job from school but it was nothing like this - no digital progamming in those days. It will probably be a few months before I can afford a Menlot, but I'm staggered (and grateful) that this level of craftsmanship doesn't cost more. The question is, which finish? I love them all.
Clifford Hughes Thanks Clifford! When the business started, I did everything on a manual lathe just like you did with your early job! Lots more work that way! The manual lathe still gets used a lot for custom work, but the numerically controlled lathe definitely is necessary for our scale of work now. Thanks!
Now I understand the premium price of the Menlo. It is still the coolest pen and filling system I've ever seen. I need to have one! I will be ordering shortly. Can you do a very light blue Demonstrator? I think I may have seen that in another video. And may I say, this is EXCELLENT work Brian. You are a true artist.
Thanks! If you are thinking solid translucents, then the link below is the blue that we've used the most. However, we do have a lighter blue than this, but I don't have photos of it. In any case, email me, and we'll figure it out. brian@edisonpen.com
edisonpenco.smugmug.com/Pens/The-Menlo-Pump-Filler/30870407_B5Ngwv#!i=3438415185&k=bpWtpgw&lb=1&s=A
Loved the video. As a fellow engineer, I also enjoy seeing how a pen is made. Amazed at the manual effort required for a work of art. A unique made in America product.
Thanks Chrisrap52!
Very cool. I would love to see how they make that pen blank material with the swirls in it.
Brian, thank you for sharing this. This helped me understand your process. Now the next thing for me is to know what material I want for my Menlo. =) You'll hear from me soon enough!
Sounds good! Thanks for the kind words!
Hi,
And if I am talking to ‘Mr Edison’ thank you for without doubt the best pen making video, truly brilliant.
It is the Menlo in swirled white and another in pale blue that is my favourite pen design, unfortunately I was too late in ordering and the specific pen I wanted was no longer made, but if it was possible to place an order for these please let me know. It seems you made a certain number of these and then no more which is a terrible thing for a pen lover!
Take care
mrbluenun
This is how you enable an addiction
I thought I had an appreciation for all the work that goes into an Edison pen but I really did not. Your Edison pens illustrate a level of craftsmanship at an expensive price point. I just ordered my second Edison pen from Richard Binder. This one will have one of his flexible duo point nibs. Can't say enough good about your products and collaborations. After watching this video I believe my next Edison pen will be a custom Menlo pump filler but on a Herald Grande body.
Thanks for the kind words, Ken! And if you haven't tried a Richard Binder Full Flex nib yet, you'll be stunned when you get it! I'm so happy to be collaborating with him! And there's no problem with a pump filling Herald Grande. Just reach out when you want to discuss! :)
Edison Pen Company Richards wife said they are mailing in out on 4/5 so I will not get it for a few weeks. I can't wait. I took your advice and my first two buys are Colliers. I love the first one and your video on the Binder nibs sold me on the second. I do have a question. I use the converter on the Collier but I would like to try it as an eyedropper but I am afraid of staining the inside of the body. Almost all of my inks are Noodler's and I like some of the inks like Baystate Blue and Kung Te-Chin that people say stains pens or ruins sacks. I have not had any problems but I would like someone else to have the experiment risks. Should I worry?
Ken Vargo I wouldn't worry with those harsher inks when it comes to a converter pen. Probably no issues, but clean the pen more thoroughly and more often. However, we don't recommend those inks in pen that have latex sacs or diaphragms, such as the pump fillers, pneumatic fillers, and bulb fillers. I've seen those inks literally melt latex sacs.
Behind the Scenes at Edison: Making a Menlo Pump Filler!
Making a Menlo Pump Filler: Edison Pen Co Behind the Scenes
Felicitaciones por su trabajo. Espero MUY PRONTO adquirir una de sus plumas estilográficas. ¿cuál es el modelo de mayor tamaño? Saludos desde Medellín, Colombia.
Brian I never tire of your videos, this one is a favorite because of being an engineer by trade. The other comments say much of my thoughts. One of the pens is on my must have list and my piggie bank is being slowly loaded to have one.
A bit on the other side of the spectrum, I love my TWSBI pens because of the inking mechanisms, but I will get an Edison as my Grail Pen, (draw filler) it will take some time but my mind is made up not to buy any more pens.
Thank you for your dedication and passion for the pen syndrome. You, your wife + employees are stars.
Thank you.
Best wishes to all pen people.
LeZc
@@
Thanks for the awesome comments Lez!
Fascinating look into the making of a pen body. I assume that the metal pieces come from other places? The clip, the nib? Wonderful video.
We don't manufacture the Menlo clips, but some clips we do. We manufacture the band, and the nib comes from Germany. Thanks!
I love the old dental handpiece. I use one myself for work that is too delicate for the dremel.
Thanks! I have this and also higher end modern Foredom tools. I still prefer to dental tool! That dental tool was used by my mother probably 30+ years ago when she did sculpture nails. I'm so happy to still have it!
Your pens are lovely by the way.
I think I might go for the green kryptonite one...
Gorgeous pen!
This video is amazing thanks for the inside look
The rough acrylic at 10:36 looks amazing. Do you sell any pens with that "frosty" type of look?
We can certainly do a frosty look to the interior and/or exterior. Thanks!
Thank you. God's willing, one day I will order one of your pen.
Well done and thank you for sharing, Would you mind telling ups what grits SP are used to polish the inside of the barrel? Thank you.
great video just wonderful thankyou
Awesome video Brian, makes me appreciate my Edison's even more now!
A quick question if you have a moment: Can you list a source for that tool you were using on your pump mechanism? It looks of far nicer construction than others I've seen and I believe your filler threads match that of the older Parker Vacumatics if I recall correctly?
HI Greg. Yes, that Vac tool is much much better than the typical tools with a wrench handle. It's from Laurence Oldfield in the UK. He makes them himself. You will have to buy the Bionic Wrench (loggerhead tool) to go with it, but I highly recommend this over the wrench-style tools. You'll never damage a thread with this tool. See link below.
www.penpractice.com/page3.html
Great video!
Extremely cool... But how do you clean this pen?? It is beautiful!!!
Hi Carlos. To clean the pen, you can repeatedly fill and empty with water. Or better yet, then section will unscrew and you can give the nib and ink reservoir a very thorough cleaning. See the video that I'll link below. It covers all maintenance involved with this pen. Thanks!
New From Edison - The Menlo Pump Filler!
Hello, Can you tell us what cnc turning center is used for making pens? thank you
I a question with the interior machining process of the barrel why not use a larger drill and then a hone or hones to get you finial ID of the barrel instead of a boring bar? I would think that it might be possible to get more accurate \ consistent barrel ID from pen to pen as well as better finial machined requiring less internal "hand" polishing.
A drill never creates a perfectly round hole, rarely creates a perfectly concentric hole, and also rarely follows a perfectly straight path. If you followed a drill with some kind of honing tool, it might clean the interior OK, but it will follow the non-concentricity of the drill, as well as the non-straight path. A boring bar cuts on one edge, and guarantees a very nice surface that is also perfectly concentric to the outer diameter and totally straight. This is very important to this design and how the filling mechanism aligns. What you are proposing is very similar to using a chucking reamer, which would have the same problem. In some applications this is fine, but we need dead perfection on this application.Thanks!
Thank you for a very interesting and informative video, Brian. How durable is the material?
Thanks! Our materials certainly are durable, or we wouldn't use them. Of course, a good drop can break any pen, so just use the same care that you would any other fine pen.
Very interesting video!
Excelent video. Thank you very much.
Thank you!
MESMERIZING!
Its amazing how much handwork is put into a $150 pen, the other company that puts so much work (maybe slightly more) is Nakaya. But thats like $500 cheapest
+The Pen Show Thanks for the comment, but these aren't $150. The Menlo Pump Filler will range from $350-450 depending on the nib. Thanks!
+Edison Pen Company I was talking about the cheapest pens from both companies
+The Pen Show Ah, understood, thanks!
Love that pen... Love that pen.
Nice to see Henry Rollins is keeping busy! 🙂
This is so satisfying
Which ink are you using to test the pen? Looks like an Akkerman of some sorts?
Thanks Kyle! The ink bottle is Akkerman, but the ink is Waterman Florida Blue. Akkerman makes my favorite ink bottle, and while their inks are fine, I prefer Waterman. More than a couple of times, I've bought Akkerman just for the bottle!
The Akkerman bottles are great, too bad they're so hard to get in the USA!
Kyle Ko Agreed! I found a couple at the Ohio Pen Show last year, and I snagged them up, and didn't even pay attention to the color! I just wanted the bottles! And I did see at the Chicago Pen Show that there is now a smaller sized version of these bottles, as well. If you want to google Vanness, I believe that they carry Akkerman.
I'm soon to buy an Edison pen :)
I like to do this type of work on a watchmaker's lathe.
Dam now I need to buy one
it works sort of like the con-70 from pilot...:p
Lovely!
awesome!
Wow!
Shut up and take my money!
machines are nothing without the brain behind