My Head is Spinning

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jttheclockman

jttheclockman

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Joined
Feb 22, 2005
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NJ, USA.
It has been a long time since I needed to buy pen kits. But I need quite a few of the Sierra style. But here is what got my head spinning and hope someone can make sense of this all for me. Diplomat, Aero, Sierra, Sierra Diverse, Gatsby. What is the difference between these all and is one better than another and why?? Are these all the same size or are they Sierra Vista size?? Do they all take the same bushings and tubes?? Man I have been away from this game too long.
 
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Many are the same. Generally, Sierra = diplomat = gatsby = wall street 2 = manhattan (retailer specific names).

Aero, Vista, Wall Street 1 all use different size bushings; Aero and Wall Street 1 use different tubes as well. I am not familiar with the Diverse.
 
Yep; It is like playing with a Jig saw puzzle. I found out recently that even Barons are not created equal. I got two Baron kits from different places, but I must have mixed up the parts because when assembled, the threads on the center band were recessed inside further on one pen and closer to the end on the other. On one the threads would not catch, on the other the bottomed out leaving about 3/16" between the CB and the nib end. I had to disassemble the CB on both to make both pens works correctly.
 
I am not much of a Sierra guy, but among the 4 styles I own, I notice a difference in tube length. I made the mistake of mixing up the tubes several times (thinking they were the same length because the bushings were the same) I bought a bunch of 27/64ths long tubes and use the instructions to cut them to the proper length. I am sure others can tell you more about the differences.
 
jttheclockman said:
Oh my took me over 5 minutes to download. I may have to print out some of these and save for a file or something. Have to look into this. I think this needs to be looked at because it is something people use alot here.
Click to expand...

It is a large file, but on my computer (3 year old Mac) it downloaded in about 15-20 seconds. And it is also then saved on your computer. But I also print it out and have in my shop.
 
This is one of several areas I plan to explore with our new software (it is easy enough to make a page, so I can do it myself instead of having Dawn do EVERYTHING!!!)

There are about 30 models of sierra look-alikes (each model has several plating choices, so the total number of pens would be 200+).

So, take a look at the first baby step, here

https://www.exoticblanks.com/sierra-round-top-pen-designs.html
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This shows the true "original sierra" and its knockoffs, with the round top design. I will be making more tables like this (based on your feedback) to show the flat top (elegant) designs, then probably the designs that do NOT use the original diameter (.40-.41") tubes.

Please give your comments!
 
ed4copies said:
This is one of several areas I plan to explore with our new software (it is easy enough to make a page, so I can do it myself instead of having Dawn do EVERYTHING!!!)

There are about 30 models of sierra look-alikes (each model has several plating choices, so the total number of pens would be 200+).

So, take a look at the first baby step, here

https://www.exoticblanks.com/sierra-round-top-pen-designs.html
spacer.gif

This shows the true "original sierra" and its knockoffs, with the round top design. I will be making more tables like this (based on your feedback) to show the flat top (elegant) designs, then probably the designs that do NOT use the original diameter (.40-.41") tubes.

Please give your comments!
Click to expand...


Hurry up Ed. That would be helpful. I had no idea there is that many knockoffs. i thought this plan was going to be easy. I may just make my prototypes from the Sierras I still have and go from there. I know the charts in the library will have alot of info but the photo along side is a tremendous help too. Especially when trying to compare kits. So many kits on the market these days and still growing.

My computer is old like me. It runs on DSL and has an outdated system so that is why 5minutes is a long time. At some time I will download it and print it out or have a seperate file for it. I wish some young buck here from all these socalled Newbies would step up and help update the file for these and include a photo along side the kit info. Now probably need permission to use photos but what the heck. Ed could be onto something that can be expanded even further. I do not have the computer skills nor the computer to do so so hold all the comments about me stepping up. I am on my way out so this would help the younger generation.
 
There is a big advantage to having all the kits in my possession!! Just realize (everyone) that measurements are plus or minus a few hundredths of an inch. Most of the measuring is done without opening the kit's baggie.

Also bear in mind that a Chinese manufacturer "knocks off" many of these kits and markets them with the same name as the original. So, ExoticBlanks will attempt to remember to put the maker's name with the pen kit name. Yes, some of the kits we have are also made in China. We do not use the name used by the originating company (except cigars, which has become a generic term). This is all pretty confusing if you don't do it all day, every day.
 
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Here are the "elegant" designs that use the same tubes:

Sierra "elegant" pen designs

Name Brass tube Outside diameter Brass tube length Style Notes Berea Elegant Beauty Sierra (8502) .40" 2.22" body twist Flat top and better plating choices Titanium gold, platinum, black titanium, satin chrome and chrome EB Diamond Knurl .40" 2.22" body twist Also Awareness Ribbon, Ellipse...
www.exoticblanks.com www.exoticblanks.com
 
ed4copies said:
Here are the "elegant" designs that use the same tubes:

Sierra "elegant" pen designs

Name Brass tube Outside diameter Brass tube length Style Notes Berea Elegant Beauty Sierra (8502) .40" 2.22" body twist Flat top and better plating choices Titanium gold, platinum, black titanium, satin chrome and chrome EB Diamond Knurl .40" 2.22" body twist Also Awareness Ribbon, Ellipse...
www.exoticblanks.com www.exoticblanks.com
Click to expand...


Ok when you do all that make the photos blow up so you get a better view. Expect this all done next week.:)
 
There are also a few designs that evolved from the sierra: the virage from Berea and several from other vendors. I will add those in another table in the next few days. For now, "Good night"!!
 
jttheclockman said:
Ok when you do all that make the photos blow up so you get a better view. Expect this all done next week.:)
Click to expand...
All of those pens are on our site. At some point we will have each one hot-linked. Meanwhile, use the search engine to find them on ExoticBlanks. All of the product pictures DO have the ZOOM feature.
 
ed4copies said:
All of those pens are on our site. At some point we will have each one hot-linked. Meanwhile, use the search engine to find them on ExoticBlanks. All of the product pictures DO have the ZOOM feature.
Click to expand...


Just joking with you Ed. I will do as I said and use what I have for now and will see how things go. There is too many factors to deal with in all those pens. Just to change a few designs in center bands and tops is not worth the effort. people making these kits are thinking way too much and looking for the $$$ I have a few Majestics Sierras too that I like so may use them too.
 
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