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After just over a month (or less) I got my Edison Herald Grande in the mail yesterday afternoon!  I gotta say my expectations were really high, especially after seeing the photos that Brian took for me.  This pen is a ridiculous thing of beauty.  I can't help but stare at it while I write or doodle (what little I've done in one night) and my lines sort of go off in strange directions.

I couldn't get the box opened quick enough, though, and the red leather(ette?) pen case was beautiful.  And long.  But this pen takes up every bit of the space inside it.  There was also a smell of burnt plastic that I now think is quite nice (since I can associate it with this pen).

Communication with Brian was great.  I must've changed my mind 20 times about what I wanted the pen to look like and then the nib I could afford changed dramatically.  The flexy nib will come another day, maybe in another pen!  

But stunning barely describes this thing.  

Appearance and Design.
I'd call this thing a work of art, especially with the engraving on it.  I was lucky that I got to get it.  The customer in line ahead of me had a $37 credit which he told Brian to give to the next person in line, so I only needed another $13 to afford the engraving.  SWEET!  The feel of it is really nice too, and it looks kind of like cracked ice.  I really wanted a satin/matte finish.  I was expecting a little bit of texture to the whole pen, kind of like a Lamy Safari, but it's much smoother than that.  It still has a really dull finish which I just love.  I don't know how I'll ever buy another shiny pen again after this.  I suppose if I do get a 149 down the road I could send it to Brian so he could dull it for me.  Maybe even add texture!  
But since I wanted the engraving I had to choose plastic instead of ebonite which is what I kind of wanted but for no good reason really.  I suppose I'll still get an ebonite pen one of these days, though.
Barrel and Cap engraving/texture:

edison  005 by  watch_art2010, on  Flickr
I kinda wish he had a black clip for his pens though.  That would look so sick!!  Especially a matte black clip.  
Cap and Clip:

edison  003 by  watch_art2010, on  Flickr


Construction and Quality.
This is a solid pen.  The threads on this pen go together perfectly.  The section and barrel screw together better than my Pilot 742 could ever dream of.  I'd never want to drop it, but I think it'd be okay from a short fall.

Weight and Dimensions.
It's a honkin huge cigar chaped pen.  From his website:
Weight w/ Cap  26g
Weight w/o Cap 15g
Cap Diameter  .675"
Body Diametter  .575:
Length Capped  6 1/2"
Length Uncapped 5 3/8"

I didn't know what all that really meant until I put my hands on it, but this is the perfect size for me.  I can't imagine anything feeling more perfect.  I thought the 742 was a good size, but this dwarfs.  I wanted a fat section and I got it.  Straight section too.  I wouldn't post it, though.  One, it adds a few inches and my hands aren't big enough for that.  Two, it doesn't really feel secure on the back of the pen, and three, I really don't want to scratch it up.  But it fits my hand so well as it is I wouldn't want to post it anyway.
Size capped:

edison  008 by  watch_art2010, on  Flickr


Size uncapped:

edison  009 by  watch_art2010, on  Flickr


Nib and Performance.
I asked for fine and got it.  I asked for wet and really got it.  Holy cow this thing is perfect.  This nib is so smooth with just a TIIIINY bit of feedback, just how I like it.  Reminds me a bit of my old Sheaffer Balance.  The nib even has a bit of a snooty upturned nose which I didn't expect at all.  Looks cool though.
Nib:

edison  001 by  watch_art2010, on  Flickr



Filling and Maintenance.
I asked for an eyedropper and got it, but also to my surprise he included a piston converter.  It's a nice solid converter, too.  Schmidt.  I haven't inked it up like it was meant to be yet, but I will very soon.  When I got it last night that was the quickest way to put ink into it, so I went for it, of course.

Cost and Value.
I spent $295 and don't feel one bit bad about it.  It's just a beautiful pen and writes amazingly well.  I love it.  Go buy your own.