Thanks as always for your interest and support!
Best Regards,
Brian & Brad @Spoke
]]>Hello!
Happy New Year from us (Brian & Brad @ Spoke)! While we're not big into resolutions, we have nevertheless resolved to send out a monthly email to provide some insight into what's going on here at Spoke. So here we go...
Right at the end of the year, we released the model 2 version of our Spoke Pen. The model 2 has some design refinements to refresh it a bit... it's hard to believe that it is coming up on 4 years since we released our original Spoke Pen.
In mid January, we followed suit by offering a model 2 version of our Roady pen. Again, some adjustments were made to refresh the design... no worries, we kept the funky vibe and colorways!
We have fun plans for Spoke in 2023... plenty of new colorways and new products. We also resolved to be more active on our @spokedesign Instagram with daily posts, so keep an eye out for further updates. As always, we super appreciate your interest and support!
Very Best Regards,
Brad & Brian @Spoke
I say looking on the bright side of life never killed anybody - Jenny Han
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First up, Spoke Icon is our classic styled fountain pen. It may look like a classic configuration, but we went one step further in making a unique barrel that allows the interchange of an internal color sleeve to allow a multitude of color combinations. At launch, there will be 32 different colorways available.
Our second model, Spoke Axle, is a streamlined 'nose cap' configuration with a unique Spoke-y vibe. We made 2 different barrel lengths (Axle & Axle S) on this post-able pen and plan to expand color and material options on this product as we go along.
We hope you like what we've done. Thanks for stopping by and as always we appreciate your support!
Best/Brian&Brad
]]>Roady is a fun little pen that's great for on the go use. We upped the fun factor with 10 color ways right out of the gate... from mild to wild. We've got funky color pairings, cool new rainbow clips, and mesmerizing fade anodized Titanium grips.
Like the original Spoke Pen, Roady has a magnetic cap... and the Roady cap 'posts' (fits on the back of the pen when uncapped) and is held in place magnetically.
Roady is compatible with any of the many 'Parker style' refills on the market, and we ship Roady with a premium 0.7mm black Jetstream refill.
Thanks again for your interest in Spoke!
Best/ Brian & Brad @Spoke
1-the Inverse Grip
The Inverse grip is a reverse tapered grip that transitions from 9.2mm to 7.3mm from the tip end to the barrel side. It's unique configuration for those who like to try something beyond a typical cylinder.
Initially available in Titanium, with 2 finish options... a shiny as machined finish and a sandblasted matte finish for an extra bit of grip.
2-Cyan Barrel
With the addition of cyan, the Spoke Model 4 has another bright color option that really stands out for those who'd like a nice pop of color. Options, options, options... we're all about options!
As always, thanks for stopping by!
Best/Brian & Brad
]]>The Spoke model 5 releases 9/7 with two initial designs... the model 5-2 and 5-3.
The designs feature six barrel length signature slotted sides... comprised of multiple slots... two slots on the 5-2 and 3 slots on the 5-3. The goal was to provide some new visual interest while keeping the 'Spoke-i-ness' intact. The barrel is cylindrical with shallow scallop features at the beginning and ends of the slots. There are very slight grooves at the tip end to provide some slight tactile enhancement.
Out of the gate, the pencils will be available in...
If the initial models are well received, I'll likely explore...
Specs:
With every order... your 'kit' includes...
Thanks for your interest!
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The Model 4 is going to be a 'standard'... meaning that I intend to keep the Model 4 around for the forseeable future. With all of the configurable options, the Model 4 is a pencil where hopefully there is 'something for everybody'.
As for what's next... I do have a few new things in the works... and the Model 5 is certainly one of those things. I'm toying around with 3 'versions' of the 5... a 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3. Those designations will make more sense when it's unveiled... hopefully in May.
Thanks for stopping by and I appreciate your interest and support!
Brian
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I get a lot of questions about the Spoke Model 3... with so many configuration possibilities, some people just can't decide what to order. When people reach out to me, I tell them the solution is simple... order several different ones;)
But seriously, the whole goal with the model 3 was to give people a chance to customize a pencil to their liking...
Lead Size... this is pretty straightforward... if you like thin lines and aren't overly heavy handed... go with the .5mm. If you on the other end... go .9mm. If you're not sure... then go right in the middle with the .7mm. Overall, orders are pretty evenly split between the 3 sizes... there's really no 'most popular' selection.
Grip Diameter... I provide 2 options with the diameter of the grips. The 8.3 diameter is slightly more popular. This size is about the same diameter as a standard Bic stick pen... so go find one of those and see if you like that size... or would like something a bit larger. The larger size is 9.2mm... and while 0.9mm on a diameter sounds like a minimal difference... it's actually quite noticeable. Both sizes have machined lines to give a bit more tactile grip. The grip size works in combination with...
Grip Material... there are multiple choices here. Beyond the obvious appearance differences, the grip material plays a huge role in how the pencil feels from a balance standpoint. From light to heavy...
(Lighter) Aluminum Grip ->Titanium Grip-> Stainless Steel Grip-> Brass Grip (Heavier)
If you like the lightest overall weight... go with an aluminum grip. If you like a 'tip heavy' pencil... go brass or Stainless. Additionally the grip diameter comes into play with weighting/balance... a 8.3mm Titanium Grip is lighter than the 9.2 Titanium grip. The 'feel' difference between a pencil with a 8.3mm aluminum grip and a pencil with a 9.2mm brass grip is very, very apparent. Which combo is best? It all just really comes down to personal preference.
Barrel Color... the back barrel is currently only available in aluminum.... but does come in several anodized colors... so you can pick a cool color combination you like!
Thanks for stopping by... feel free to shoot me a note if you have any further question!
Best/Brian@Spoke
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The Spoke model 3 has ended up being a limited edition... they're just to much of a pain for the shop to machine. Most Titanium pens and pencils start with Titanium tube... but I wanted to machine the model 3 from Titanium rod. I made the stepped shape to make it obvious that this pencil is not simply from a turned tube. The depth of drilling the rod has caused issues with yield... so only ~100 were made.
No worries... on to the model 4!
Best/Brian
]]>Spoke Pencil was my first Kickstarter project way back in 2012. It lead me on an interesting path of serial Kickstarter projects going in several different fun directions. I'm still exploring and creating... but it seems like now is a good time to revisit Spoke Pencil.
I tired to do it with a model 3... but the design in titanium is just too problematic to reasonably produce. I have a limited number on the site now... and won't be making any more of those.
With model 3 'retired'... that leaves Model 4 to lead the Spoke Pencil resurgence. I have a new design in the works that will provide a lot of options. I'm currently planning on doing it on Kickstarter... probably a September launch (yes September 2017;)
Keep and eye out for it and thanks for stopping by!
Best/Brian
]]>So, 2015 came and went without much happening on the Spoke Pencil front. Those who know me from my Kickstarter projects know I've been quite busy developing my STRONG LIKE BULL Magnets brand.
For 2016, among my many resolutions is the release of the Spoke Triple Dot pencil. The original single dot Spoke was my first entry into the mechanical pencil space. The Spoke Double dot was a refinement... slimming and sleeking the design. The triple dot is a major departure... keeping the Spoke flavor, but with some dramatic geometric alterations. If all goes per plan, the initial pencils will show up on the site in January, 2016.
Thanks for stopping by & Happy New Year!
Best,
Brian
]]>I'll be more active on this blog as I plan more custom offerings going forward. Thanks for visiting!
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