Titanium Pen With “G2” Refills? (I need your help)

I need your help (yes, really!)

It’s about pen refills – take a look at the short video below:

What I’m basically asking in this video is…

“What exactly do you mean by a ‘G2’ refill?”

It was not clear to me from the comments in yesterday’s blog post what you (and there were many, MANY of you!) meant when you said ‘G2’.

One last thing…

I REALLY appreciate your complete honesty in your comments yesterday and that you did not hold anything back. It was brutal and I loved it …it’s that kind of no-nonsense communication that speeds things up, saves time and money …and ultimately results in better products for YOU. 🙂 Thank you.

NEW Titanium “Click” Pen

Yes, the rumors are true…

The titanium “click” pen I’ve been working on is finally launching.

Here’s a little sneak preview of the pen (before it goes live on Kickstarter in a couple of days):

Before I continue…

You need to know that this click-style pen is different to most (and possibly ALL) other click pens.

While there have been titanium click pens before — hell, I’ve bought a few in my time — this is probably the first click pen that is 100% Grade 5 Titanium. Yes, you got it, there is not a single plastic part to be found on the pen.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, “But Magnus, what about the spring, surely THAT has got to be a steel spring?”

Sorry to disappoint – but even the spring is a precision cnc-machined component that’s unlike anything you’ve seen before (I won’t reveal the spring yet …but I promise you’re going to love it).

Here’s the other cool thing…

I’ve designed this pen to look virtually identical the Titanium Mechanical Pencil I made last year – take a look:

Oh, one more thing:

The pen will use only one type of refill… Fisher Space Pen. Yes, this is the refill that can write upside down, underwater, in ultra-low temperatures and ultra-high temperatures.

In other words, this combination of the Fisher refill and the 100% Titanium pen creates a pen that is built to handle anything and everything you can throw at it. From writing at the top of Mount Everest …all the way down to bottom of the seabed …this pen going to function.

And here’s the crazy thing – it does it without looking “rugged” or “clucky”. It’s still a minimalist and ultra-elegant pen you can take to business meetings.

Any comments? I’d love to hear them.

P.S. This will be launching on Kickstarter in the next couple of days

New Prototypes: Which of THESE Do You Prefer?

Okay, so today I’d love to here YOUR opinion on something…

I’ve just finished the final prototypes of the new, larger titanium PillPots.

Here’s what they look like:

Some of the new, larger titanium PillPots (yes, they are damn BIG!)

And, as if that’s not enough, here’s a video too (skip to 4:45 to see the part about these PillPots :-)…

So, here’s the thing…

There are two sizes: 36mm (1.4″) diameter and 45mm (1.8″) diameter

The reason for making these is that I’ve been asked for larger PillPots by many people over a long period of time. So I’ve finally given in and made them.

These will be launched as a Kickstarter project in the next week or so.

(Note: If these PillPots are not your thing …no problem. They are being made and launched regardless as I’ve had so many people ask for these) 🙂

Oh, and I have no indicative prices yet because my machinist still has to get back to me with tooling-up and machining costs.

However…

I can confirm that the Kickstarter project, as always, will be the BEST DEAL before I sell them at a later date on my website.

(LEFT) 45mm version …and (RIGHT) 36mm version

Here’s my question to you:

Are you more likely to use the 36mm (1.4″) or the 45mm (1.8″) version (or both)?

NOTE: The above are just example combinations …I will, of course, be offering a range of component options – like this:

Various combinations will be available on the Kickstarter project!

Titanium Wallet (Help Wanted!)

I need YOUR help on this titanium + carbon-fiber wallet… (please watch the video below)

Okay, so you’ve watched the video above… great!

As I mentioned in the video – I’m now at a stage where I need figure out exactly what others want (because I already know what I personally want in this wallet).

I won’t be able to make everyone happy. But I’m confident this will be the wallet where a number of people go, “Finally, THIS is the wallet I’ve been looking for…”.

So, to recap on the questions from the video…

What is the minimum number of cards YOU need to carry?

How many cards do YOU ideally want “quick access” to?

Is not having RFID-blocking a deal-breaker for YOU?

Please add any other thoughts, concern, feedback, etc. you have …and feel free to provide feedback that’s as hard and brutal as you like (I just ask that you are honest with your feedback :-).

Thank you.

BIG Titanium Containers

Before I continue…

I must mention to you that I have not forgotten about the “Man Tray” I posted last week here.

I’ve made a lot of progress on it and really took a lot from YOUR feedback. I will post an update on that project soon.

In the meantime:

I’d love it if you could provide some feedback on this (see short video below)…

So, yeah, I’m making some large, titanium containers (like the PillPots here but a LOT bigger).

I don’t plan to make them “stackable” …but if enough people wanted that then I could do it.

Actually I did a “quick and dirty” 10-minute mock-up of what I have in mind. The proportions and “grip grooves” are not how the final one would be – but these should give you an idea:

So, before I run off and have them machined next week, I’d love to hear if there is anything specific YOU would like on them …or done to them …or anything really.

I’m kind of fixed on what I’m doing – but I like to keep an open mind…

If you have no feedback, then, of course, that is cool too. 🙂

A Titanium “Man Tray” (Tell Me What YOU Want…)

Ever heard of a “Man Tray”?

Until last year I had no idea a “Man Tray” was a thing.

Someone bought a “Man Tray” for me.

But, fairly quickly, I discovered it was too small to put my daily carry into it when I come home at the end of the day.

So, after putting it off for a long time – I’m finally going to make a honest-to-goodness, no-holds-barred REAL “Man Tray”!

In fact, I just did a video on this (skip to 01:10 minutes as that where I start the “Man Tray” talk…):

If you didn’t watch the above video …then here’s what you need to know:

I’m making a “Man Tray” for holding all your stuff (wallet, phone, keys, etc.) instead of it laying around on your worktop (or bench, or desk, or whatever…).

It’s going to be carbon fiber and, either, titanium or aluminum.

I’m wonder how YOU would use such a thing?

What size would you need it to be?

Do you need separate compartments?

Are there any extra “features” you would like (i.e. a “cable tidy” or “rubber feet”, etc.)?

So, yeah, tell me your thoughts by commenting below.

I will likely start making this soon …because, damn it …I need one myself!

Weird Videos and a Titanium Tripod

It’s been a while since my last blog post…

Truthfully, I’m trying to do two or three blog posts a week (but I’m obviously failing miserably at this!).

Regardless, we’re both here now, let’s continue:

In case you’ve missed it – I’ve been doing a whole boat-load of stuff on YouTube recently.

Basically, I’ve been uploading at least one, short video a day. I’ll admit that the videos were really not that great in the beginning – but they are getting better (not my words …but the words of my Subscribers! :-D).

Click Here to check out my channel and the latest video (and subscribe so you don’t miss any more :-D).

Now, it actually gets even more interesting…

I’ve started another YouTube Channel as well …but this one if WEIRD (in a good way of course).

The other channel is called “EpicMake” and I do a whole bunch of stuff… particularly cutting random objects in half – like this:

Now, I’ve had many requests asking to see more “behind the scenes” in the workshop.

Honestly, it’s kind of difficult the way my workshop is setup. It’s a really small workshop and so a lot of stuff is tucked away in plastic tubs (which we take out when required)… and the place generally looks kind of untidy because of the lack of bench space.

Nevertheless – here’s a video for you on how the waterjet cutting machine works:

Progress in the Titanium Mechanical Pencils for the Kickstarter project Rewards in going well.

Only a few weeks away from shipping I estimate.

Here’s a couple of shots of the progress:

They look like deadly titanium spears, but they really are pencils …I promise. 🙂

Giving the pencils a rest on a soft towel in between the finishing process …only the BEST for my babies!

Because I’ve been recording so much video recently I need (yes, NEED) to make my own hand-held tripod.

I’m on my third hand-held tripod/handle and it’s just not working for me.

I’ll likely make it out of titanium and, because I’m really starting to like it, carbon fiber.

Here’s a couple of initial sketches of what I was thinking for this camera handle (remember, the main function of it is for pointing the camera at myself and talking into the lens).

P.S. I’m also working on a titanium (and possibly carbon fiber) clipboard …the office-type thing that holds paper.

Got any other “wild dreams” of things you’d like to see be made?

I’m listening…

Going Viral (…Sort Of)

I was hoping to have some more progress on another product for you this week…

But, unfortunately, I’m still working on the fulfillment of the Titanium Mechanical Pencil and Titanium Tweezers V2.0 for Kickstarter projects.

So instead I thought I’d share some cool photos and videos I’ve been posting to Instagram and my YouTube Channel throughout this last week.

I’ll do this in a “Question and Answer” style:

“Magnus, What Does Your Desk Setup Look Like?”

Well, I usually work from the cafe in the morning. And that looks something like this…

The usual cafe I work in. Two laptops and a coffee …and I’m set for a full day in there.

And, later in the afternoon (and into the evening), I continue to work from home with this setup…

Doing more and more video recently (hence the NEED for a Apple MacBook). And recently becoming obsessed with camera lenses too.

“Magnus, Are You Still Making A Knife?”

The short answer is:

Yes!

The long answer is:

I’ve not been able to make further progress without a manual/cnc milling machine to prototype.

Here’s the thing…

I quickly found out that I can’t get very far with just a water-jet cutter and hand-tools (well, not for the sort of knife I want to make!).

So, yeah, it’s on hold right now unfortunately.

In the meantime I’ve been “researching” (which is my guilt-free word for buying :-P) other knives. Here’s a nice little example:

I used to see people posting photos of coffee and knifes. I used not get it …until I bought this very cool knife (I think it’s a Marfione Sigil – can’t remember).

“Magnus, What Was That ‘Magic Mouse’ Thing On Instagram All About?”

Okay, so I’ll start right at the beginning (in case you’ve missed the action)…

I post on Instagram at least once a day. If you’re not familiar with Instagram (and I know a lot of people reading this are not aware what it is) …it’s basically an App on your phone where you can upload photos and videos quickly and easily.

People can comment and ‘like’ it and easily share it with others. I stayed away from it for a long time because I’m not into social media type stuff really …but, boy, was that a mistake. It’s so much more than that.

Here’s a screenshot of my profile on Instagram:

Even if, like me, you are not into “social media” …Instagram is something I recommend you take a look at anyway.

Anyway, I got bored last Saturday and decided to chop my Apple ‘Magic Mouse’ in half (that’s the computer mouse for my Apple computer).

I took a video of it being cut and showed the “internals” of the mouse. And, well, it went kind of semi-viral (certainly compared to anything I’ve posted before).

Actually, here a better explanation for you:

So, yeah, I’ve started cutting some other stuff now as well.

More on this later…

World’s Most Dangerous iPhone Stand

It’s been a week since my last blog update – and a few things have happened…

First up… (Titanium Wallet progress)

Progress on the titanium wallet is going well.

It’s going to be launched on Kickstarter (but this won’t happen until the Titanium Mechanical Pencil Rewards are shipped to Backers of that project) …but that’s a good few weeks away.

I do know, at this stage, that it’s not going to be a cheap wallet …and this is because I have not compromised on anything (which is the same for all my products actually).

I’m still not ready to show the full thing (as there is still a bit more development to go) – but here’s a “sneaky side shot” for you:

It’s going a little slower than I said (you think I would have learned by now!) …but the titanium wallet is still progressing well.

Next up… (YouTube Shenanigans)

I’ve been continuing to post to YouTube every single day (not missed a day yet).

I recently did a video called “A Day In The Life…” where show you what a typical day looks like for me.

Here it is here:

Something Fun…

I made “The World’s Most Dangerous iPhone Stand” the other day.

It is not something I’ll be making – but thought you might like to see it:

So, yeah, that’s really it for this week.

I’ve been looking into a couple of new pieces of machinery. They’re not cheap and so I’m talking to the bank and such. I’ll talk more about this at a later date.

Actually, if you really want to stay ahead of everyone else …then my videos are where it’s all happening right now. Click Here to check out my YouTube Channel.

Mistakes, New Machines and YouTube

It’s been so long since I showed you any new designs or such.

And, truthfully, I’ve not really been working on designs for a month or two (yes, that really is the simple and elegant reason for not having any new designs! :-D).

I am starting to design more again and so I’ll be bringing you some “sneak previews” soon.

But, in the meantime, I thought I’d cover a little of what I’ve been doing for the last few months.

YouTube Videos

If you’re not already subscribed to my YouTube Channel, then I urge you to jump on board before “the masses” join in and you end up feel like just another “me too” like every one else.

Here’s the thing:

I upload a short video to YouTube every day (yes, EVERY day!).

Here’s the sort of stuff I’m putting up there:

I’m slowly-but-surely getting better at these videos (seriously, I am).

I’m going to start doing the “making of” and other stuff soon. So, yeah, click here to subscribe so you don’t miss out.

Higher Levels Of Quality?

For the last 5 or 6 weeks I’ve been working on the surface finishing of a project that was not mine (but I was part of the design process and the Kickstarter campaign for it).

I’ve mentioned the Titanium Cheese Slicer a couple of times in the past.

Oh, actually, before I continue…

I should point out that my father (William) is over here in New Zealand from Scotland. He helps me out a LOT in the workshop. In fact, that’s not quite true, he actually does a power of work (he’s “the bearded man” you occasionally see in the background in some of my YouTube videos …he doesn’t like the camera …but he will one day :-D).

Now… these Titanium Cheese Slicers… we did the pre-processing of the titanium plate and the water-jet cutting. My machinist (it was his project) did the mind-blowing machining of them. And we did the horribly-involved finishing processes.

Now, I’m not going to lie to you:

This finishing of these Titanium Cheese Slicers was the toughest finishing job we’ve ever done. And that’s by a long shot!

It was meant to take a week or two. It took nearly 6 weeks (and those were not 40-hour weeks …more like 80+).

Here’s what the process looked like towards the end:

The most challenging finishing work we’ve ever had to do on any product. These Titanium Cheese Slicers were absolutely brutal …but more than worth it!

There was a lot of work, stress, unexpected-costs and finally relief delivering these Titanium Cheese Slicers.

And here’s the cool thing…

This project forced us to take our various finishing processes to new levels of quality. Sanding. Tumbling. Grinding. Everything!

Even the final quality control we do just got even stricter. If there was even the slightest hint of a hair-line scratch on a Titanium Cheese Slicer …we went all the way back to the beginning on that one (yes, we really did have to go back to the start and spend another 4 hours on it!).

While I was knee-deep in this stressful project …it was tough …yet, looking back on it, it’s been an incredible boost for the quality and workmanship in all future products.

New Machine

I posted a couple of videos on YouTube recently about this machine:

New machine for sanding titanium …all the way from the USA.

It’s a big sander for getting a better surface finish on titanium.

Now, truthfully, I’m not as excited about this machine as you might think.

And here’s why:

I bought this machine used from the USA around 9 or so months ago.

Since then — and after various discussions with various people who have each been in business longer than I’ve been alive — I’ve come to appreciate the benefits it buying NEW.

The only benefit of buying used is price. Nothing else. And, as one wise fellow said to me the other day, “If you can’t afford a good, new machine …then there’s something wrong with your business”.

“If you can’t afford a good, new machine
…then there’s something wrong with your business.”

I don’t think he realised how much of an effect that statement had on me.

This machine, by the time I paid to have it shipped here, was around half the price of a new one.

BUT, there are parts of it that will not function again (such as the pump that sprays water on the sand-paper to keep the almost-certain-to-go-on-fire titanium dust down!). So I already have to buy new parts.

It’s fine. I’m just dealing with the “fall out” of a decision I made last year.

We’re going to get it fired-up and tested later this week.

I’ll let you know how it goes (most likely on YouTube first :-D).