Ugly Fountain Pens

[Drcollector]

Not all fountain pens are made equal. While I find most pens either attractive or bland, I consider a select few as aesthetically challenged. When I hear the words "ugly" and "pen" in the same sentence, these examples come to mind:

 

 

 

I believe Visconti produces innovative and beautiful pens. This, however, is not one of them.

Behold, the OMAS Doctor's Pen LE. Though I am studying to become a physician, I have yet to understand the concept behind this pen. I have also never met a doctor that uses one - or would want to use one.

 

Available in several colors, the Rotring Core can appeal to children and hipsters alike.

 

 

 

 

I should note that this post should be taken lightheartedly as attractiveness is subjective. In the words of Hungerford, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Now, what are some of the ugliest pens you've ever seen?

[rwilsonedn]

I seem to remember that in a previous thread on this subject, the Montegrappa Chaos won going away. (At least many of us wished it would go away.)

ron

[Bluey]

The Lamy Safari

[rwilsonedn]

The Lamy Safari

 

(Ducks, scurries for the back door ...)

[Guardy]

The pelikan twist, especially in "silver" is a fugly, clunky abomination with the cheapest-looking nib I've ever seen.

 

I, of course, bought one immediately.

The usual reaction of people seeing the thing is "what the everliving heck is that?" and I think it's absolutely hilarious.

[FromTheNetherlands]

 

(Ducks, scurries for the back door ...)

 

:P

[Cyber6]

I seem to remember that in a previous thread on this subject, the Montegrappa Chaos won going away. (At least many of us wished it would go away.)

ron

 

 

Dude.. only Sylvester can pull that look... and the matching watch....

 

 

 

C.

[benbot517]

It has to be the montegrappa chaos for me as well. At least the Core, the Safari, and the Twist are designed the way they are for ergonomics. The Chaos appears to be just a heavy, expensive pain to use. It wins my ugly fountain pen vote.

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

I consider the uncapped / unposted Parker 25 to be 'so ugly its cute', which deters would-be thieves.

 

Bye,

S1

[Renly]

I find most fountain pens ugly. Especially big or clear body pens. I like sleek like Pilot pens .

[Old_Inkyhand]

Well, everything is a matter of taste, but I strongly dislike this one:

http://luxurymena.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Montblanc-Monte-Celio-Limited-Edition-1of-1-piece.jpgThis is Montblanc Monte Celio LE, which was available for a short time in several places in the Middle East. Cost? 3 260 000 $

Edited April 4, 2016 by Old_Inkyhand

[77kath]

The Visconti Divina with rhinestones along the ribs.

[Kelly G]

Not all fountain pens are made equal. While I find most pens either attractive or bland, I consider a select few as aesthetically challenged. When I hear the words "ugly" and "pen" in the same sentence, these examples come to mind:

 

 

 

visconti rainbow pen.jpg

I believe Visconti produces innovative and beautiful pens. This, however, is not one of them.

omas dr pen.jpg

Behold, the OMAS Doctor's Pen LE. Though I am studying to become a physician, I have yet to understand the concept behind this pen. I have also never met a doctor that uses one - or would want to use one.

 

rotring core pen.jpg

Available in several colors, the Rotring Core can appeal to children and hipsters alike.

 

 

 

 

But at least the Rotring Core can be used in self defense!

[inkstainedruth]

A friend of mine bought one of those "snake" pens that is, I believe, a Chinese knockoff of some old Parker pen. That was truly god-awful looking. And the thing was probably close to an inch in diameter, and super heavy on top of that. I said "What possessed you?" and he said "Uh, it, seemed like a good idea at the time...."

I'll put in another vote for the Chaos pen, as well. But one of the absolutely ugliest pens I've ever seen pictures of is some diamond-studded monstrosity that is shaped like London's Millennium Tower -- so not only is it ugly, it seems completely non-ergonomic and top heavy (not to mention a complete lack of post-ability). And IIRC, its price was in the six figure range....

@ Old_Inkyhand -- I'm not sure I'd call that MB pen ugly. Tacky, though, certainly....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[sakayume]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, de gustibus non est disputandum, etc etc. That being said, I find lots of pens, including the ones in the OP and mentioned in previous posts, ugly.

Edited April 4, 2016 by candide

[Bluey]

 

(Ducks, scurries for the back door ...)

You mean there are people that think that the Safari is attractive

Edited April 4, 2016 by Bluey

[mmg122]

Behold, the OMAS Doctor's Pen LE. Though I am studying to become a physician, I have yet to understand the concept behind this pen. I have also never met a doctor that uses one - or would want to use one.

 

Guitarist...you've finally met a doctor who purchased one. I'm not sure what I was thinking but purchased it in one of those rash moments that are inexplicable. The shape is unwieldly and I really don't ever use it. I keep it to remind me that some thought should go into expensive pen purchases. In my defense, I was quite young (and foolish) at the time.

[82Greg]

Add another vote for the Chaos, which I consider in a class all its own.

 

On the other hand, I understand that the pen (both fountain and rollerball) sold exceptionally well. Which is either and indictment of the consumer's tastes, or more likely and indication of how out of sync I am with the rest of humanity.

 

Nope, that can't be it. The pen was butt ugly.

[Drcollector]

Behold, the OMAS Doctor's Pen LE. Though I am studying to become a physician, I have yet to understand the concept behind this pen. I have also never met a doctor that uses one - or would want to use one.

 

Guitarist...you've finally met a doctor who purchased one. I'm not sure what I was thinking but purchased it in one of those rash moments that are inexplicable. The shape is unwieldly and I really don't ever use it. I keep it to remind me that some thought should go into expensive pen purchases. In my defense, I was quite young (and foolish) at the time.

I never thought I'd see the day...

I guess we can chalk this one up as learning experience.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Montegrappa ...there are some that are "Art"....well let me recommend Paul Picasso, he's lots cheaper than his dead great uncle and you can't tell the difference between the cubes.

It is of course a completely legal Kubotan.

It's so ugly, showing it to a mugger, would make him flinch like a vampire threatened with Holy Water.

 

There are Montegrappa Art pens that cost new some $5-7,000 or even more. I saw and handled one at a live auction. A twisted dragon was strangling the pen.

A149 or 1000 are such delicate small light pens.

It's a pen that one hopes falls off the table when one's basic 300 foot yacht runs into heavy weather.

In the new rich are known for a lack of taste...I don't even think Ozzie Osborn would own it, even if it does come with it's own wooden 'display' temple.

 

They had a start bid of some 2,000+ Euro...it didn't sell the first time. The second time they wanted 1,800+ as a start bid. Didn't sell.

It's so thick, long and clunky, one would have to have a real short name, to ever use it. It's the type of pen you give to the lawyer, you lost too.

 

What those kids who put it in the auction should do, is buy a brazier, take it out to Gramps grave, and make a burnt offering....including the wooden Temple that is almost as ugly as that pen.

That would really be doing something for posterity.

Edited April 5, 2016 by Bo Bo Olson