About
Twist Bullet Pencil. Vintage Meets Modern with a Twist.
$14,500
289
The Product:
Welcome to our Kickstarter page for the Twist Bullet Pencil. Why the "Twist?" Well, because our modern take on the bullet pencil has a twist. Traditional bullet pencils use friction for both inserting the pencil into the bullet and inserting the bullet into the tube. That process often times can become difficult when trying to replace your pencil nub that has worn down. We solved that problem by making all components with threads. So instead of just pushing things in, you give it a "Twist." The Twist Bullet Pencil is CNC machined from 6061 aluminum and comes with either an aluminum bullet tip or a brass bullet tip. You can also choose our #308 bullet (pointed) or our #9 bullet (round). Better yet, check out the reward levels and get both. Each reward level includes one pencil and eraser pre-inserted as well as 2 extra pencil nubs and one extra eraser. Some reward levels include additional quantities of pencils nubs and erasers. Like the color options shown below? Check out our stretch goals and help us make all the colors.
We believe the Twist Bullet Pencil is by far the best carry option for most brands of pencil and our modern take on it makes it a practical tool suitable for today.
Add-Ons Available!!!
The cap & clip system is now available to existing backers. Check the updates page for images and info.
We now have a pen attachment available to make the Twist a dual threat! So you can decide, is it a pencil or pen kind of day. The pen attachment fits in the existing bullet provided and accepts D1 mini pen refills. To add on the pen attachment you will have to increase you pledge amount. Kickstarter does not allow you to choose a second reward. The instructions are as follows:
1) To add just the pen attachment, increase your pledge by $15 (this is for backers who either have 2 bullets in their original reward level or will switch out the pencil and pen.
2) To add the pen attachment with a new aluminum bullet, increase your pledge by $20. This will give you a bullet for the pen and for a pencil.
3) To add the pen attachment with a new brass bullet, increase your pledge by $22.
We are also offering a reward level with both the pen and pencil option for new backers.
Who and Why? The Twist Bullet Pencil is a collaboration of two small maker brands that met through Instagram. As the founder of Metal Shop, I was looking for unique men's products to sell along side my work at various pop up and craft markets. The notion was to have a one stop shop for all sorts of "guy stuff." I first noticed Huckleberry Woodchuck about eight months ago and purchased some vintage bullets pencils and hand sewn handkerchiefs. The bullet pencils conveyed this sense of Americana and I knew I had to find a way to put a modern twist on them. One call to Jay from Huckleberry Woodchuck and we knew we had something on our hands. The result is a product we are extremely proud of and we hope you like it too.
The Specs:
Material - CNC machined 6061 aluminum with either a brass or aluminum bullet tip
Pencil - Blackwing Palomino (We will supply each reward level with the Blackwing Palomino though the threaded design of the bullet will accept almost any pencil on the market, including round pencils like the Field Notes Brand)
Weight (with pencil) - .6oz (all aluminum) .8oz (brass bullet)
Length closed - 4 1/4 "
Length open - 5 3/4"
Pencil nub - 2 5/16"
Measurements may vary slightly.
Pre-cut and sharpened pencil nubs and eraser refill packs will be made available for sale at either www.metalshopct.com or www.huckleberrywoodchuck.com
And the most important part, The Twist is Made in America!
The History:
First some words from the Twist Bullet Pencil designer, Jay, aka Huckleberry Woodchuck.
"For a design to last several decades it has to be highly functional and aesthetically sound. Beyond that, there is only need to improve as the technology around the design evolves."
For a little history lesson on the bullet pencil, please check out this great blog entry.
http://thejungleisneutral.wordpress.com/2013/10/27/the-bullet-pencil/
Note on Reward Levels:
You do not need to select your bullet style or color at this point. Once the project is successful we will contact backers to confirm bullet style and color. Please take note regarding colors: our stretch goals (detailed below) will determine color options. The funding goal will allow for an initial run of matte black and raw aluminum with a clear anodize coat.
See who is Talking about us:
Stay the Course (Great review from a tactical perspective from a veteran owned company):
http://staythecourseind.com/blogs/news/15711088-metalshop-bullet-pencil
The Erasable Podcast featuring Jon and Jay:
http://erasable.us/17 (starts around 48:30)
http://mypencilsdrawworlds.wordpress.com/2014/10/02/kickstarter-twist-bullet-pencil/(begins around 2:30)
http://woodclinched.com/2014/10/07/twist-bullet-pencil/
Crafted Magazine:
GourmetPens.com:
http://www.gourmetpens.com/2014/10/kickstarter-twist-bullet-pencil-home.html#.VFFLuxYnzWY
Muted.com:
http://muted.com/the-twist-bullet-pencil/
Product Photos:
Let's talk colors:
While we love the raw aluminum and matte black let's face it, colors pop! There is something about a sharp color anodized aluminum piece that is really cool. The issues is the "dreaded" minimums we must meet of 150 pieces of each color. We have identified that quantity level as our "stretch goal" and hopefully with your help we will exceed those goals and be able to produce all three of our vibrant color options.
Stretch goal #1 - $8,000: 1 additional color - REACHED!
Stretch goal #2 - $11,000: 2 additional colors
Stretch goal #3 - $14,000: All 3 additional colors
If we do not meet stretch goal #3, color selection will be done by polling backers.
Please follow us on Instagram at @metalshopct and @huckleberrywoodchuck for even more product development updates.
Risks and challenges
Risks for the project are minimal. We have a long-standing relationship with the fabrication and anodizing shop, both of whom have extensive experience in their respective fields. All programming for the CNC is complete.
The challenge we face with this project is being able to produce the minimums on the anodizing runs. Therefore we have decided to kickoff the project offering the pencil tube in either matte black or raw aluminum (with a clear coat anodize for protection). As noted above, we have established stretch goals that will allow us to include the three additional colors shown in the photos.
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Funding period
- (30 days)