UPSB v3

Tutorials Pending Approval / BICtory SF

Bictory Soft Feel Mod.

CudOfCow
Date: Sun, May 18 2008 01:38:32

NAME: BICtory SF
COG:COP
LENGTH:20.5cm
WEIGHT:Slightly Heavier than a Bictory or ComSSA
STYLE: Double Sided

PENS NEEDED:
x1 Bic Soft Feel Stick Pen - Tube
x2 Bic Round Stick - Ink Tubes, and Caps
x2 Bic Grip Round Stick - plastic grip pieces
x1 Bic Velocity Mech Pencil(or pen if you can find one!) - Grip Only

INSTRUCTIONS:
1.) Break the twigs off of the Bic stick caps. I like to hold them next to the edge of a desk, if you hit the clip against the edge of the desk just right you can snap off the clip and it will go flying. Wear goggles. Also pull out the ink tubes and keep the ink, throw out the tubes. Cut the ends of the ink tubes so that there is about 2mm of plastic past the actual ink. It helps to use fresh unused Bic's because you want there to be an even amount of ink in the tubes, this adds weight. Cut both ink tubes so they are an exact match in length, if one of them is off...your pen will spin off balance.

2.) Bite off the plug from the end of the Soft Feel stick pen and pull out the plastic grip and ink. Keep the tube, toss the rest.

3.) Pull out the Plastic grip ends from the Grip Round Sticks. Toss the ink and the tube and the clear caps(cause they are ugly).

4.) Insert the Bic Round Stick ink tubes into the Bic Grip plastic grip ends and stick them into the Bic Soft Feel tube.

5.) put the caps on and cut the Velocity Mech Pencil grip in half. Stick the grips on both ends.

PROS+
Non-Slip.
Evenly distributed weight.
Symetrical body.
Large equicenter due to overlapping ink tubes, for great spins.
No cutting, sawing, glueing or tapeing.
Relatively cheap cost.

CONS-
Not the prettiest mod.
no inserts or outserts (why would you want to get rid of the grippy soft feel of the pen anyways?)
Not too customizable.
Takes 6 pens to make 1.
Grips from the mech pencils only come in 1 color.

INFO:
This is a BiCtory but modded to perfection. SF stands for Soft Feel because the tube is a Bic Soft Feel tube which helps to keep the pen from slipping around between your fingers. You cant tell from the pictures but the tubes on these pens are coated with a grippy soft exterior that will create enough friction to keep from sliding around between your fingers.

There is no cutting(other than the grip and the ink tubes),also no glueing, tapeing, sanding or barbecue skewers involved. Just the way i like it.

One of the great things about BiCtories is that the ink tubes put weight in the center of the pen where they overlap, this creates a good central amount of weight which keeps the pen from falling when you do spin tricks like thumbspins. Lots of people try to achieve this by using a grip in the middle of the pen, this eliminates the need for that. In comparison to a regular BiCtory, this one weights a bit more and is a little longer.

Spoiler:

Q: Why in the world would you use so many pens in order to make a freakin BiCtory?
A: Because i chose these parts with the intentions of making the most perfectly balanced pen for spin tricks. Normally BiCtories are
considered Noob pens, they are cheap to make but arent that great to spin. This version is quite the opposite. There is a lot of weight in the tube so that it spins on a greater equicenter and just enough weight on the ends to give it momentum without being too much. I
chose those grips because G2 Grips are not as heavy, the difference is slight but i've been spinning these for a long time, there IS a
difference. The velocity grips are also really great for infinities. Plus, if i used G2 Grips it wouldnt be as Bic. This mod was built for functionality not cost, or visual appeal(although i like the way it looks).

Fingerless tricks are cake with this pen.

Q: Where do i get Bic Soft Feel Stick pens?
A: I had a hard time finding them. I found one of them in a drawer and was really interested in seeing how it would spin, i was amazed how much easier it was to hold on to. Compared to regular slippery bic tubes, the SF tubes are much better. They remind me of the grippy tape wrapped around Devil Sticks.

I ended up finding a 12 pack of these pens from Staples. I had to go to customer service and have them mail order them for me, i did get them to waive the shipping charge though. Total Cost: about 8 bucks for 12 pens.

Q: Why did you use Bic Grip plastic grips instead of the Bic Soft Feel Plastic grips?
A: The Bic Grip Round Sticks have a shorter grip piece, i think the soft feel plastic thing is just a little too long. Plus i like
the spiral look.

Q: Why did you use the Bic Round Stick ink tubes rather than just keep the Grip Stick ink tubes?
A: The Round Stick has slightly heavier ink tips and they are just a little bit longer. This doesnt seem like much at first but if you have
one of each you will notice a slight weight difference. The Bic Round Stick ink is a little bit longer which also adds weight. They are also darker and dont show through the barrel as much as those white ink tubes. Functionality and Visual Appeal.

Q: I got Bic Soft Feel retractables from the store and they look different than the SF Stick pen. Can i still use them?
A: This is the wrong pen. The Soft Feel retractable pencils wont work either, the tube is too short. Although it would be cool if someone made a retractable version of this mod. Feasibly it could be done.

Q: I'm having difficulty getting the ink into the barrel from both sides.
A: Twist.

Q: Now that i got the caps on, i am having a hard time taking them off in order to write with the pen.
A: yes. an unfortunate symptom. Use a different pen to write with, these arent made for writing...

Q: HOLY WRITE A FREAKIN BOOK!
A: Yeah i guess i did write a lot...

Q: What a stupid mod for an already existing pen.
A: Dont knock it till you try it. IMHO it is the best pen there is to spin with hands down.

Q: This is a truely BiCtorious pen isnt it!!!
A: YEAZ x 6.

SHOUT OUTS:
Mwahaha91 for the original BiCtory mod on penspinning.wordpress.com
Even though i dont like the original mod, it was inspiration for this one.

If anyone makes this pen, please let me know what you think. Feel free to flame away, i dont expect good initial reviews because this isnt a very attractive pen, but then again, its not designed to be good looking its designed for function. Try it out and see what i mean.

----
hid the Q&A section, it's almost as long as the tutorial.
sketching
Lonefang
Date: Sun, May 18 2008 02:01:24

i guess that could be good... ill wait to see the pictures
Gunblakes
Date: Sun, May 18 2008 02:04:30

WHere can we find these Soft Feel Bics? : ( it sounds good, but wouldn't the barrel be as skinny as ever? Just a thought.
4GO57O
Date: Sun, May 18 2008 02:04:52

pretty cool i tihnk...is this a bictory but with softfeel body? want to try to bad we dont have it here
Lonefang
Date: Sun, May 18 2008 02:24:21

and how did u get the BIC round stic grips?
sketching
Date: Sun, May 18 2008 02:24:50

*cracks knuckles*...

QUOTE
This is a BiCtory but modded to perfection.
The BICtory was made as cheap and balance mod similar in weight to the Zebra 3000*F, this goes in the other direction.

QUOTE
SF stands for Soft Feel because the tube is a Bic Soft Feel tube which helps to keep the pen from slipping around between your fingers.
I'm not a fan of the Soft Feel texture. I'd rather just have a softer-plastic body.

QUOTE
Infact it is a perfect length.
I would like it more if it were a bit smaller, closer to 18cm.

QUOTE
Normally BiCtories are considered Noob pens
Why? I've never thought they were noob pens. Since they are not heavy, I'd assume most would not think they are noob pens (compare to thoughts about the Dr. KT).

QUOTE
Trust me when i say there are no good substitutes.
For me, there are plenty: BICtory, Comssa mod, Tombow mod, Roseart Comssa-like mod, Comssa Metallic, S360 Color Pen Mod...

QUOTE
Q: What a stupid mod for an already existing pen.
A: Dont knock it till you try it. This is a far superior mod compared to the BiCtory and IMHO it is the best pen there is to spin with hands down.
Which all depends on what you want in a pen mod and what your own preferences are for pen mods in general.

....with that all said, it's probably another decent double-sided mod. I'll have to replace the Soft Feel body with something else though if I ever try this out. No point in saying that any pen mod is perfect, because what is perfect for you may not work for everyone.

@Lonefang: you don't really need pictures for this mod. Just imagine one of every part shown on each end of the body.
Lonefang
Date: Sun, May 18 2008 02:38:08

lol sketching... nice
t3h anarchist
Date: Sun, May 18 2008 03:22:16

i love it how your weight differences mean absolutely nothing since its between a dr. kt and skewer, while a dr. kt weighs like 100 times more than a skewer
ChinesePandaMan8
Date: Sun, May 18 2008 03:29:22

The feel of the soft feel body while spinning is really horrible... I mean, it creates so much friction that doing shadows and such are just much more difficult.

Edit: Also, from the parts in your picture, it seems like it almost has a comssa spinning effect (black body, white grips at end) with a little blue mixed in...
iMatt
Date: Sun, May 18 2008 03:43:25

Its because of tutorials like this I'm writing up a tutorial guideline page.
CudOfCow
Date: Sun, May 18 2008 08:24:33

QUOTE (iMatt @ May 17 2008, 10:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Its because of tutorials like this I'm writing up a tutorial guideline page.

IMatt, i'm not done yet. I read your mod post guideline rules, and i worked pretty hard to follow them. I apolagize for not posting pics earlier, i ended up getting sucked into going to a big party and wasnt able to post them asap. I expected to get a lot of criticism for this post, i made a lot of big claims. I dont see any of you trying the mod out though.

The soft feel body is VERY good for spinning. You would think at first it would be difficult to do shadows and thumbspins, etc. But the exact opposite is what i've found. Its perfect. I dare you to try this out and tell me what you think, AFTER putting the mod together.

Sketching...

I knew you'd be the first one to flame me to pieces, hahahaha

ok. here goes.

QUOTE
i love it how your weight differences mean absolutely nothing since its between a dr. kt and skewer, while a dr. kt weighs like 100 times more than a skewer

Sorry i didnt have a scale to weight it on. Its heavier than a normal BICtory. Its about the weight of an RSVP MX, maybe even a little heavier. I dont know.

QUOTE
The BICtory was made as cheap and balance mod similar in weight to the Zebra 3000*F, this goes in the other direction.

This does go in a different direction. This is a heavier mod, its also longer. I like the bictory mod, infact is what i started spinning with. But the more i used it, the more i realized i would need something with more weight, and only a little bit longer. I urge you to try this mod out before flaming me, it really is worth it. You bring up a lot of points that i expected to hear, but if you havent at least given it a try. When i said that the BICtory is a noob pen, i meant that it is a cheap and inexpensive way to get into pen spinning. BIC sticks are all over the place, but the BICtory is not nearly as nice a mod as this one.

QUOTE
because what is perfect for you may not work for everyone.
@Lonefang: you don't really need pictures for this mod. Just imagine one of every part shown on each end of the body.

Agreed, what is perfect for me is not perfect for everyone. This is tailored to my needs. But i think that this is a very different mod from the BICtory and should be tried out. and [email protected] like he said...a pretty simple put together mod. I'll post pics so theres no confusion, again i'm sorry for not posting them sooner.

QUOTE
WHere can we find these Soft Feel Bics? : ( it sounds good, but wouldn't the barrel be as skinny as ever? Just a thought.

Check my QnA. yeah the barrel is quite skinny, but thats what i personally liked about the bictory.

QUOTE
it creates so much friction that doing shadows and such are just much more difficult.

Try some fingerless tricks! they are cake. and i do lots of shadows and thumbspins, it doesnt effect them at all, other than keeping it ON your hand. You gotta try it. it will change your world, hahahaha
sketching
Date: Sun, May 18 2008 09:01:16

Not flaming, I just get annoyed when anyone says that a pen mod is simply perfect. If it's perfect for you, awesome. It may not be perfect for me though.

I might try this pen mod out if I ever find a Soft Feel laying around somewhere. I already know I don't that body for everyday spinning, so it would just be to try out the overall weight and weight distribution.

Also, in regard to iMatt's comment, I believe he is talking about the lack of photos (which I don't think are needed in this case) and the extremely longer Q&A section with a lot of filler content.
CudOfCow
Date: Sun, May 18 2008 18:01:10

QUOTE
Not flaming, I just get annoyed when anyone says that a pen mod is simply perfect. If it's perfect for you, awesome. It may not be perfect for me though.

I might try this pen mod out if I ever find a Soft Feel laying around somewhere. I already know I don't that body for everyday spinning, so it would just be to try out the overall weight and weight distribution.

Also, in regard to iMatt's comment, I believe he is talking about the lack of photos (which I don't think are needed in this case) and the extremely longer Q&A section with a lot of filler content.

Good point, i went back through and edited all the "perfect"'s out of it. That annoys me too... I think you should try it though, its very much different from your average pen, the soft feel aspect of it is pretty great. These are the only pens i spin with and i like them a lot. I guess i cant prove that until someone gets on here and says "HOT DAMN I MADE THIS AND IT RULZ!!!" oh well.

I posted photos. They really arent needed, its fairly straight forward. Click the links on the required pens to see the differences.
ThePenSpinGuy
Date: Sun, May 18 2008 20:42:17

How do u get the soft feel body off? I mean like the barrel becuase it's hard
CudOfCow
Date: Sun, May 18 2008 20:58:36

QUOTE (ThePenSpinGuy @ May 18 2008, 03:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
How do u get the soft feel body off? I mean like the barrel becuase it's hard

yeah it can be kinda tough to get the grip part off of it. Use pliers. The plug on the end you can bite off, or use pliers.

QUOTE (sketching @ May 17 2008, 10:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'll have to replace the Soft Feel body with something else though if I ever try this out.

Sketching, this mod is based off of the soft feel body. I needed to put something together to work with that body. it is quite different from other pens. There IS a lot of friction, but that is not such a bad thing once you start using it. Shadows, thumbspins, and fingerless tricks are CAKE with this mod. If you do try it, dont use the other barrels or it is just another bictory with more weight. I urge you to try it with the soft feel barrel.

I'm not even going to say that it will take some getting used to. I think right away you will see the difference. You gain a lot of control over the direction of spin. Using a different barrel would defeat the entire purpose of this mod. I've tried using the regular Bic Grip barrels...and they are no good, the pen slips all over the place. I HATE those barrels, hahahahaha.

Seriously though, try it with a soft feel barrel. I did say, "dont knock it till you try it."
Ryx_Spinz
Date: Wed, May 28 2008 20:42:39

woow... this is a good mod.
I actually already made it before i read this topic.
At first for me. The grip on the pen was hard to get used to.
when i did thumbaround reverse or fingerless reverse. the pen got struck at this one place.
but after a while. i got used to it.
i actually prefer this than the normal bictory. I jus like the body alot cuz it give me alot of room.
also control.
It even more heavier than the bictory. but depends on the grips u used.
Depend how heavy it is.
i guess ppl got their own opinion on this mod.
ToastyRage
Date: Sun, Jun 1 2008 22:46:46

I like it. It has potential, maybe some metal tips?
Makoto
Date: Mon, Jun 2 2008 12:00:48

I agree with what Sketching said in one of those many quotes, I just perfer the regular body instead of the soft, it feels more natural to me.
CudOfCow
Date: Tue, Jun 3 2008 18:29:26

QUOTE (Ryx_Spinz @ May 28 2008, 04:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
woow... this is a good mod.
I actually already made it before i read this topic.
At first for me. The grip on the pen was hard to get used to.
when i did thumbaround reverse or fingerless reverse. the pen got struck at this one place.
but after a while. i got used to it.
i actually prefer this than the normal bictory. I jus like the body alot cuz it give me alot of room.
also control.
It even more heavier than the bictory. but depends on the grips u used.
Depend how heavy it is.
i guess ppl got their own opinion on this mod.

It is definatly not a conventional mod. It expermiental and daring. Ive tried metal tips but i dont really like the extra weight and length. Metal tips are good for regular bictories because they are so short and are way too lightweight IMHO. This takes care of that issue. "I jus like the body alot cuz it give me alot of room. also control." this is something i didnt even think about. Most mods out there have long caps on the ends or are uneven bodies (ie. MX) with a cap on one end. This mod is very symmetrical and the weight distribution is pretty even all throughout with a little extra at the tips.
onestruecolors
Date: Tue, Nov 11 2008 22:26:20

I've been using pretty much the same mod (except I have profile grips on my caps) before I saw this, and I have to say I like it. I find it very similar to the Grip Aviaire except that it is a little bit shorter, there is no middle grip, and the barrel is a little bit thinner.