Eskesen Float, Floaty Pen Definitions & Anatomy

Float Pen Anatomy & Definitions

Seven Styles of Float Pens:
Always carry examples of Eskesen pens with you when you travel. Remember, in Europe and other foreign countries the metal clip is frequently unmarked or simply stamped with an 'E'. Carrying Eskesen pens with you will make it easier to eliminate copycat products and make it clear to sales staff what you are looking for.

1) Classic or Traditional Style
Sports a silver metal flat clip. Since 1989 the clip is usually stamped 'E MADE IN DENMARK'. The refill is exposed and/or retracted by twisting the corrugated tip at the bottom of the pen. A silver belly band is standard equipment on the classic style Eskesen pen. The barrels come in standard and marbled opaques plus the new translucent colors. Options: Clips and belly band could be gold colored. The tip at the top may vary in color from the bottom barrel.

2) Clicker Style
Sports a silver metal flat clip. Since 1989 the clip is usually stamped 'E MADE IN DENMARK'. The refill is exposed and/or retracted by clicking the silver tip at the top of the pen. A silver belly band is standard equipment on the clicker style Eskesen pen. The barrels were available in standard opaque colors. In June of 2006 Eskesen announced they decided to drop the clicker style.

3) Naked Twist n Click
Sports a black metal wire or shiny chrome clip. 'MADE IN DENMARK' is molded directly into the plastic on the top of the pen. The refill is exposed and/or retracted by twisting the barrel of the pen. No belly band! At this time, the barrels come in standard opaques and the new translucent colors.

4) Twist n Click with a Rounded Top
Plastic tip and clip. 'Made In Denmark' is molded into the bottom of the clip in tiny letters. The refill is exposed and/or retracted by twisting the barrel of the pen. No belly band! At this time, the barrels come in standard opaques and the new translucent colors. The colors are sometimes mixed. For example... I have seen a blue barrel, with a white clip and a red top.

5) Twist n Click with a Slanted Top
Plastic tip and clip. 'Made In Denmark' is molded into the bottom of the clip in tiny letters. The refill is exposed and/or retracted by twisting the barrel of the pen. No belly band! At this time, the barrels come in standard opaques and the new translucent colors (shown).

6) C-Top Style modified twist n click. Introduced late in 2003. Hit the streets in the spring of 2004.

7) Key Ring & Pen Combo
Plastic cap with a metal ring. This particular piece is unmarked.

Anatomy of a Float, Floaty Pen...

Barrel... the portion that houses the refill.
Window... the clear area that allows you to view the scene or object inside of the pen.
Band or Belly Band ... the metal band that separates the barrel from the window portion.
Clip... allows the pen to be clipped to a shirt pocket.
The clip could be fashioned from metal, wire or plastic.
Tip... small plastic tip positioned at the top of the pen.
Corrugated tip... found at the bottom of the Classic style pen.
A twist of this tip retracts/extends the ballpoint.
Floater... the moving object or image that actually floats within the pen.
Caption Panel... is the back panel, or outside panel of the pen
that includes a caption, a company name or message.
Picture Panel... the front panel where the artwork is displayed, or an object is viewed
Foreground... images placed on the front inside of the window.
Background... or wallpaper found behind the moving object.
Eskie(s)... nickname for float pen(s) manufactured by Eskesen of Denmark.
Neskies.... float pens manufactured by a company other than Eskesen of Denmark.
(Term first suggested by Tari Meredith 2011)
Farby... a fake, or copycat of an Eskesen pen.
A 'farby Neskie'.... refers to a really cheezy, poor quality copycat of an Eskesen float pen.
(Term first suggested by Kim Newell 2011)

Types of Graphics:

Photoramic ®... Eskesen pens traditionally feature photographic images. The moving image within the pen is made of a photo slide material. The photo is placed in a track that allows it to glide, thus making it ® photoramic!(Photoramic is a registered trademark of Eskesen) In Jan, of 2006, Eskesen abandoned the photoramic ® process and updated to digital.
Conceal/Reveal... an image is visible, but with the tip of the hand, sections... or even the entire image seems to disappear! Tip N Strips are a common example.
Object... a pen that has an object(s) floating freely inside the barrel. Confetti, beads, plastic charms, shells, and other natural materials are commonly used.
Glitter pens... usually have a clear window with glitter as the moving object. Some are very plain and simple, others include graphics, or the glitter floats over a background panel.
Combinations... Glitter isn't used exclusively in clear windows. Occasionally glitter floats over a photo background.

More Float Products:

Bottle opener... metal opener with float portion as handle
Key chains... the float portion of a pen is suspended from key chain ring
Letter opener... clear plastic blade with handle as float portion
Lighter... Scripto lighter housed with a float portion of a pen... released fall of 1998
Pen necklace ... float portion of pen suspended on neck cord
Pen & Ruler combo... float pen snaps into portion of plastic ruler
Mechanical Pencil... resurrected in the year 2000. Pencils look like Twist n Clicks
Screw drivers... metal blade with float portion utilized as handle
Tooth brushes.... handle is the float portion
Scripto lighters... share their jacket with a float component
Whistle keyrings... first released late in 1999.
Translucent frosty barrels introduced late in 2000.
Slanted tops... on the twist n clicks, introduced early in 2001.
Rounded tops... on the twist n clicks, introduced early in 2001.
C-tops... on the twist n clicks, introduced late in 2003.
Metal clip on the classic pens changed the fall of 2006. It now has an 'E' at
the top of the clip and 'MADE IN' 'DENMARK' in teeny type at the bend of the clip.
Animation float pens... with smooth 6-frame animation, by Satoshi Endo. Late 2010.