Textured Ultem Modal Special Release

Description

We’ve made some minor surface changes to the Ultem Modal, specifically adding a very light texture of rings to the surface of the pen. This texture provides better grip to the pen while also making the surface more resistant to showing marks and wear. We have used this machining technique on the Render K grips and the caps and bodies of a limited number of Vertex pens. 

The Ultem Modal features a body machined from polyetherimide or PEI (Ultem is a brand name of PEI). Polyetherimide is an amber-to-transparent industrial thermoplastic that has a high temperature resistance and as such is used in certain applications requiring plastics that withstand heat and steam. It has a greater tensile strength than ABS and polycarbonate, making it a great option for lightweight applications that require temperature resistance and strength. We’ve elected to use a machined Ultem slider combination along with a specially sourced clear o-ring to make the body of this pen completely uniform in appearance. For the Textured Ultem Modal we’ve paired these pens with Natural (Type III) anodize. This anodize provides the most protection and durability available in anodize. The color is a tan-grey that complements the amber in the Ultem. The clips and buttons have been anodized in this color for uniformity. The semi-transparent nature of the material allows the user to see the internal actuation of the refill with spring compression and refill movement. Select from a variety of refills.

The long wait is over, our latest pen is here. The Modal is our latest everyday carry, retractable pen that features several new design and functionality elements. This pen has been the most requested design in the history of our company. From the day our Bolt Kickstarter launched, we were asked if we would ever add a traditional side-actuated bolt-style pen. Our response was always, “Only if we can find a reason to make one in our style because the market is saturated with that style of pen.” It’s been over ten years since the Bolt was released, and we finally found our reasons. Initially, we wanted to create a pen that was roughly the length of the EDK but accepted the Pilot G2 or other 110mm refills. A five-inch length pen is about the shortest pen that is comfortable to the average pen user. Our second reason was that most bolt-style pens on the market use a side button that sticks pretty far out from the body of the pen. The button is uncomfortable and often gets caught on clothing or jabs into your hip if you’re pocket-carrying the pen. Also, for some reason, most of the current bolt-style pens feature a backward J-slot, requiring the user’s thumb to move in a weird motion bringing the button down and back towards the heel of the palm. We designed a button that is oval shaped, with a slightly convex face that is raised just enough off of the body of the pen to be functional but doesn’t interfere with clothing and won’t jab you in the hip. Our J-slot is more of a modified checkmark, and requires the user to simply push their thumb down in a swift motion before the action “catches”. The button is easily retracted with a swift upward motion of the thumb, but the catch on the slot is positive enough that the refill won’t retract during use. Finally, we developed a deep pocket carry clip somewhat resembling the INK clip but fastens via an internal thread that isn’t visible. The internal slider mechanism is machined from a variety of materials depending on the specific configuration, each providing durable and smooth operation. The body, clip, slider, and button are designed and manufactured in our facility in Mesa, Arizona. Choose from a variety of refills from Pilot and Schmidt.

Limited Availability

“Many G codes and M codes cause the machine to change from one mode to another, and the mode stays active until some other command changes it implicitly or explicitly. Such commands are called “modal”.” – Dynomotion.com

The Modal is made from Ultem thermoplastics on our CNC lathes and Swiss machining centers, in Mesa, Arizona. Pilot refills are manufactured in Japan. Schmidt refills are manufactured in Germany.