Editing The Pen Addict 465/transcript (section)

== Entry Pen Controversy ==


'''Ben Walsh:''' Yeah, I've gotten a lot of stick for the name that I've given it, the entry pen. A lot of people are saying that it's kind of a bit more advanced and much higher quality than you should expect to get for your first fountain pen. But I suppose the better way of explain it would be the entry into gravitas pens. So this is what you should expect. If you are going to get a gravitas pen, this is the minimum quality that you should expect to get. I also wanted to make a pen that was accessible for people. If you look at some of the pens that I produce, they're big, they're heavy, and some of them are quite expensive. They're not accessible. So the entry pen is accessible. So it's easy to get to. It's easy to afford. It's easy to use. So I definitely should have chosen a different name in hindsight.

'''Brad:''' I don't know. It gives me a story to tell. It gives me something to quiz you on. Now I'm not your regular customer that's going, Ben, what have you done here? I get it. I understand what you're trying to do. And the thing you said about it being the minimum you should expect, like the machining level is pristine. So now we expect all of them to be pristine, and I think they are. So let's talk about some of these other ones. Because before the entry happened, you got a little crazy. You started laser etching a lot of patterns, gothic designs, skulls, anodization, rainbows. Different materials, different finishes. Tell me what happened from our first standard smooth black anodized aluminum to something like the rainbow skulls.

'''Brad:''' Okay.

'''Ben Walsh:''' Where do I begin? So I originally got my laser to laser etch my concrete pens. I was spending so much money on laser etching. I decided it was more cost effective to buy a laser. So I bought a laser.

'''Brad:''' I'm raising my hand in agreement with that statement.

'''Ben Walsh:''' So I had this laser, and I knew it could do amazing things. But I just didn't know how to make it do what I wanted it to do. And I contacted companies and asked them, could you show me how to do this? And nobody really knew how to do it. So I kind of had to make a process myself. So I've had this laser for nearly two years now. So I've been experimenting with doing these patterns and textures for two years. And I kind of held off on putting them onto pens because I just hadn't perfected it yet. But for quite some time, Dries from the Pencil Case blog, he was bugging me and telling me that I needed to do patterns on my pens. It would be kick-ass if I did that. And I kind of held off. I was like, oh. But this is something very important. Listen to reviewers. They know what to do in this industry. They know their stuff.

'''Brad:''' He's a good one to listen to.

'''Ben Walsh:''' Yeah. So if a reviewer says they don't like something about your pen, listen to them. Just listen to them. It's very important. And if they like something about your pen and they think it's going to be really cool if you did it, listen to them and do it. Because they know their stuff. So I did it. So I just kind of did it as a test. And I got a really good reaction. So I said, okay, I'll do a few more. Once again, I got a very good reaction. So that's where the crazy laser etchings came from. Back to the coatings and the crazy PVD stuff. So I decided to do a master's in 3D design kind of around Christmas. And I wanted to focus on coatings for materials. So I started doing a lot of research into different types of coatings for pens. Originally, I was doing the research for antibacterial coatings because I wanted to make a lot of antibacterial products. But I discovered some really cool stuff. And it's not something that isn't known in the industry. But these coatings really interested me. And I wanted to put them on my pens. And the rainbow one, definitely.

'''Ben Walsh:''' So it just took... The problem with the rainbow PVD coating in the beginning is it can only be put on titanium or steel. And it makes a very heavy pen. But I wanted that coating on a pen. So that's why I went and did it. But since then, I have now figured a process out of getting that rainbow coating on an aluminium pen. So expect to see the Skittles in aluminium very soon.

'''Brad:''' I may have seen that Instagram post today, you know, on the date that we're recording. This was about a week before we send this off into the wild. And I saw that. I was like, oh, now that's cool. That is interesting.

'''Ben Walsh:''' Yeah. It's something I was working on since January. And there was a few failures in the experiments. I can't do it on polished surfaces. I have to do it on matte, bead, plastic surfaces. But it worked. And there was no failure. The failure rate for the polish was too high. And there was no failures with the matte finish. So I was very, very happy. I'm excited. I'm excited about that.

'''Brad:''' I think you're probably not the only one excited about that. So I want to talk more about making stuff. Let me chat with Myke again real quick for one of our sponsors this week. And, you know, we will get into some of the manufacturing stuff that kind of gets me going.

'''Myke:''' This episode of The Pen Addict is brought to you by Harry's. With Harry's, you don't have to choose between a great shave and a fair price. And neither should any person in your life. Father's Day is just around the corner. And there's never been a better time to try or share the Harry's experience. And right now, you can redeem a trial set for just $3. Or get $5 off any shave set when you go to harrys.com slash penaddict. Harry's gift sets make a great gift for anyone in your life year round. And their new graphite Winston razor handle is even engraveable. So you can personalize that gift. Harry's delivers a close, comfortable shave at a fair price. As low as $2 per refill. Harry's blades are designed to stay sharp. In a recent study, those who shave four times a week said their eighth shave was still as smooth as their first. Harry's bought their own blade factory in Germany. That's what allows them to make their best quality blades at fantastic prices with this precision quality. They don't waste time, money, or effort on gimmicky features. They just focus on what makes a great experience for you. They have combined a weighted ergonomic handle with their own signature blade cartridge that gives that great shave every single time. And Harry's has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. They stand behind the quality of the blades that you get from harrys.com. If you don't love your shave, just let them know and you'll get a full refund. Brad, how much do you love your shave?

'''Brad:''' So much so that I treated myself this week, Myke. I just received, I mean, let's face it. Every time I use Harry's, it's like treating myself, right? It's treating myself to the best shaving experience. And I am a believer in their shave cream. And I was running out. So as I do, I order multiple large size shave cream bottles to sit on my counter. And then Myke, I went out on a limb. I bought myself a travel size one just in case. Oh, there's a time coming soon. And I just went ahead and threw that in my travel kit. And, you know, just I'm prepared for the future. I also threw in a coffee mug, Myke. Harry's does awesome stuff for Pride Month. So I treated myself. Father's Day presents, Pride Month celebration. I got a Prouder Than Ever mug. Or excuse me. Yeah. Prouder Than Ever mug from artist Zipeng Zhu, who is the artist that Harry's is working with this month with 100% of the profits donated to the Trevor Project, which is fantastic. So I've been using my Pride razor handle for, I think, three years now. And it's the one I use every time I shave. And if that doesn't tell you anything about the quality of Harry's products, that I've been using the same razor handle for years. And no end in sight. Just got to keep getting those Gothic arch blades and that shave cream. And I'm a happy camper.

'''Myke:''' Okay. I love that Gothic arch. Harry's giving their best deal to the Pan Addict listeners. New Harry's customers can get a starter set for just $3. Plus, Harry's is doing a limited time offer for all customers. Starting now through Father's Day, you can take $5 off any shave set at harrys.com slash Pan Addict. There has never been a better time to try Harry's. So go to harrys.com slash Pan Addict to start your own Harry's journey or to save a few bucks on a special gift for a father figure in your life. Thanks to Harry's for their support of this show and Relay FM.

'''Brad:''' All right. So what does your manufacturing look like? Like day to day? Like, do you have a shop? Do you work out of the house? Like, what do people need to know about like how you're making stuff? Like, are you getting in there, getting your hands dirty, making these pens? How is all of that working for Gravitas?