fountain pen taboos - don't enter if you're easily offended

[shrinknib]

I dislike (hate is a strong word) people who feel their pen taste is the best or that others have poorer taste.

I think this site fosters some sort of tolerance (except for those booted off) and to all those who can't tolerate MB or anything else...suck it up

:thumbup:

[Tojusi]

Surely the biggest FP taboo ever:

 

There are times (also in addition to the times when I am in a swimming pool, or jogging), when I do not have a fountain pen on me. It happens, but it's rare, but it happens.

 

So there.

 

/Tojusi

[karmakoda]

I dislike (hate is a strong word) people who feel their pen taste is the best or that others have poorer taste.

I think this site fosters some sort of tolerance (except for those booted off) and to all those who can't tolerate MB or anything else...suck it up

:thumbup:

 

Is it possible that when someone says they hate something, like, I don't know, let's say, for example Montblanc, they are really saying they hate that they don't have a Montblanc?

Is that a reverse Freudian slip?

[Scrawler]

I dislike (hate is a strong word) people who feel their pen taste is the best or that others have poorer taste.

I think this site fosters some sort of tolerance (except for those booted off) and to all those who can't tolerate MB or anything else...suck it up

:thumbup:

 

Is it possible that when someone says they hate something, like, I don't know, let's say, for example Montblanc, they are really saying they hate that they don't have a Montblanc?

Is that a reverse Freudian slip?

I intensely dislike the fact that I do not have a Montblanc 149, or any other kind of Meisterstuck. Even worse than that I hate all those Jade Radite flattop 1928 Sheaffers that I am unable to write with, because I do not have. Every one of them sucks. If anyone feels like rectifying this situation, though, I am prepared to change my mind.

[jleeper]

I dislike (hate is a strong word) people who feel their pen taste is the best or that others have poorer taste.

I think this site fosters some sort of tolerance (except for those booted off) and to all those who can't tolerate MB or anything else...suck it up

:thumbup:

 

Is it possible that when someone says they hate something, like, I don't know, let's say, for example Montblanc, they are really saying they hate that they don't have a Montblanc?

Is that a reverse Freudian slip?

 

No, sometimes a pen is just a pen, and some of us just don't like that pen. Move a classic black Montblanc 146 or 149 down to a reasonable price and give retailers the ability to advertise that price and I might buy one. But almost all of the rest of the Montblanc line I just do not find attractive or appealing.

[sombrueil]

As I have said Montblanc's are good solid pens when you ignore the image and hype. But the image is becoming too much fun. In some ways Montblanc's are a 'tool' thing to some, apparently on FPN it takes a real anarchist rebel to sport a Montblanc. Praising a Montblanc here is like wearing a suit and eating a hamburger upfront of a Santa Cruz hippie.

Please no offense; humor and obnoxiousness go together like beer n' pizza sometimes.

 

WOW I APOLOGIZE DEARLY! I MISUNDERSTOOD YOUR COMMENTS! Sorry for the response, I just realized what you meant.

Forget what I posted here before

 

Actually, I like Montblancs, I just fundamentally disagree with the whole concept of a "luxury" good. And, by opposite, I meant opposite to the OP, not to the general population.

 

No hard feelings; please. I was agreeing and disagreeing with you. I agree with the description of the pen; I find those characteristics appealing. I also am agreeing with you when you said, that complaining keeps the prize down; they are getting marked down, and thats probably why. In the beginning, it seemed that you felt criticizing Montblanc was an act of rebellion. I was disagreeing with that, because as we have seen, a lot of people really dislike MB's on FPN. I also did not mean that you, or any individual was a Santa Cruz hippie. I was making an analogy about what might be common and normal for someone, though offensive and bad to someone else.

 

I really like my 149, though I have my criticisms of Mont Blanc as well. The pens are great, though I dislike that they over-market their name and snow flake. You see the snow flake on wallets and watches and heaven knows what else. There are also some people who show off their pens too much. But I understand that; its natural in the beginning, after a few months you get over it. Also you cant resent Mont Blanc to much; they had a lot of hardship in the beginning, with poverty, two world wars, and a co-founder who turned out to be dishonest. I am also becoming fascinated with peoples animosity of the pen. I like Mont Blanc's, but I do not feel they are the end all pen.

Enjoy your pen when you get it,

Maxwell

 

I am a Santa Cruz hippie . . . or at least I used to be in the 1970's and I still live in the vicinity . . . and I do not care one way or the other about Mont Blancs (and even when I was a hippie I had no aversion for hamburgers although suits were a bit weird). They are just not my kind of pen. One really great thing about FPN is how easy it is to appreciate just how many pens there are out there that you don't feel moved to buy. All things considered, that's a blessing to me.

[WendyNC]

My pet gripes. No offence intended, people:

 

 

and, as a final contender:

 

Jean Pierre Lepine pens - seriously? What was he smoking?

 

 

*sighs in relief*

 

'Twill be a good nights' sleep tonight

 

I don't have a clue, but they are good for a laugh. I actually own one of the simple Attilas and find it a great little pen to grab for quick notes. Mine is orange and I keep green ink in it. What stinks about it is the little, itty bitty, annoying cartridge. I keep eyeballing that big, fat barrel and the long section threads and contemplating whether I want to try using it as an eyedropper.

[lovemy51]

I dislike (hate is a strong word) people who feel their pen taste is the best or that others have poorer taste.

I think this site fosters some sort of tolerance (except for those booted off) and to all those who can't tolerate MB or anything else...suck it up

:thumbup:

 

Is it possible that when someone says they hate something, like, I don't know, let's say, for example Montblanc, they are really saying they hate that they don't have a Montblanc?

Is that a reverse Freudian slip?

 

to answer shrinknib: you are right. dislike is a better word. i should have chosen my words better. if i say i hate it, i sound as if i gave it any thouhgt (to the pen) and the truth is i did not. i look at a MB and just don't care about it. i don't even try to test one when i see it at a B&M store. i did, in the past... that's why i don't care for it now. just as i don't care if everyone "hates" or dislikes P51.

 

to karmakoda: the answer is NO. my previous comment applies to your post as well.

 

 

i appologize if sounded disrespectful in my previous post!!

Edited March 16, 2010 by lovemy51

[MidnightBlue]

A Taboo.........sulking and whinging to moderators because someone has said something, you don't like, about your precious pen)(if you know what I mean)

Thanks

[jgrasty]

I have lots of inks which shade beautifully--when I print. However, when I go to monoline cursive it the same pen, no more shading. I know it's the result of the laws of physics and chemistry, but I don't want to spend my life printing just to get the ink to look pretty. [insert whiny emoticon here]

 

Yes, I quite agree. I'd like an ink that shades really nicely while writing with a cursive italic nib. If you find one, please let me know.

[Garageboy]

Here goes my list

Chinese pens are VERY inconsistent. I would not recommend one to a noobie as I worry of discouraging one forever. Skip the lattes for a week and buy something nicer.

 

Lamy Safaris and Al Stars are okay...but not the best thing since sliced bread, like some members make it be.

 

Modern Parkers and Watermans (esp. Watermans) are soooo kitschy feeling. The lacquered finishes, the over polished metal work..ugh

The nibs on the lower end Watermans aren't finished that well either. And Parker is just a reflection of its self

 

Most Deltas and Stipulas etc are soo gimmicky (lip stick shaped pens, dreidels, REALLY?)

 

The MB bashing is unwarranted, esp by those who has never owned one or even written with one.

 

Bexeley/modern Conklin/ other "Boutique brands" all feel the same to me.

 

I don't quite understand the heavy Brian Gray (Edison pens) obsession. It's a fairly off the shelf nib and feed in a different body.

 

That's my opinion for today

 

EDIT: Oh another one, pen work is NOT easy. Do not try if you think it is, you will probably ruin a pen that was other wise repairable. Don't be a hero

Edited March 16, 2010 by Garageboy

[duofoldguy]

 

 

 

 

No hard feelings; please. I was agreeing and disagreeing with you. I agree with the description of the pen; I find those characteristics appealing. I also am agreeing with you when you said, that complaining keeps the prize down; they are getting marked down, and thats probably why. In the beginning, it seemed that you felt criticizing Montblanc was an act of rebellion. I was disagreeing with that, because as we have seen, a lot of people really dislike MB's on FPN. I also did not mean that you, or any individual was a Santa Cruz hippie. I was making an analogy about what might be common and normal for someone, though offensive and bad to someone else.

 

I really like my 149, though I have my criticisms of Mont Blanc as well. The pens are great, though I dislike that they over-market their name and snow flake. You see the snow flake on wallets and watches and heaven knows what else. There are also some people who show off their pens too much. But I understand that; its natural in the beginning, after a few months you get over it. Also you cant resent Mont Blanc to much; they had a lot of hardship in the beginning, with poverty, two world wars, and a co-founder who turned out to be dishonest. I am also becoming fascinated with peoples animosity of the pen. I like Mont Blanc's, but I do not feel they are the end all pen.

Enjoy your pen when you get it,

Maxwell

 

I am a Santa Cruz hippie . . . or at least I used to be in the 1970's and I still live in the vicinity . . . and I do not care one way or the other about Mont Blancs (and even when I was a hippie I had no aversion for hamburgers although suits were a bit weird). They are just not my kind of pen. One really great thing about FPN is how easy it is to appreciate just how many pens there are out there that you don't feel moved to buy. All things considered, that's a blessing to me.

 

Please don't be angry at me, I live in Monterey and have to rag on Santa Cruzers a little.

[MidnightBlue]

Where do you buy an Edison nib and feed "OFF THE SHELF".!???????!!!!!!!!.also, there is much speak of not commenting on pens that people don't own or have never used??????????

Thanks

[karmakoda]

 

to answer shrinknib: you are right. dislike is a better word. i should have chosen my words better. if i say i hate it, i sound as if i gave it any thouhgt (to the pen) and the truth is i did not. i look at a MB and just don't care about it. i don't even try to test one when i see it at a B&M store. i did, in the past... that's why i don't care for it now. just as i don't care if everyone "hates" or dislikes P51.

 

to karmakoda: the answer is NO. my previous comment applies to your post as well.

 

i appologize if sounded disrespectful in my previous post!!

No offense was taken on my part, or anywhere else that I noticed. I assumed we're allowed to be a little disrespectful here, and it feels good. I mean who doesn't hate Montblanc a little bit . Shhhh, I've got a whack of 'em. Don't anybody get their knickers in a knot, nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

Bushido started this post for healthy venting and his experiment has succeeded.

Can't imagine hating my P51 though. A P51 was also the first pen I gave my son, and he loves it.

Taboo ooh, ooh, I don't understand the appeal of a pen like the Montegrappa Dragon. Reminds me of the jewelry on the back of biker's magazines (I read them for the articles).

There was a time when I thought Pelikan Pens were ugly. I now own six and consider them classics.

[Robert Hughes]

Touch it with your EYES

So many great opinions and comments here - but this one takes the cake!

 

Taboos?

- I really like all the Parker Sonnets I have owned - after a bit of fussing and fiddling they've all worked perfectly. I've got one filled with Lamy Blue Black iron gall/battery acid, and I don't even worry about it. If it eventually fails, so what? In the past year of use with iron gall it's gotten consistently better.

- The Jinhao/Hero "shrimp" pens are the coolest pens ever - if you're 10 years old.

- I regularly embarrass myself by bringing one of my perfectly functioning pens to a meeting, only to have it blorp all over me in front of the boss.

- Springy nibs make no difference to me, as I'm a leftie overwriter.

- 149? I can't even spell 149! But that Hemingway was pretty nice...

[lovemy51]

 

to answer shrinknib: you are right. dislike is a better word. i should have chosen my words better. if i say i hate it, i sound as if i gave it any thouhgt (to the pen) and the truth is i did not. i look at a MB and just don't care about it. i don't even try to test one when i see it at a B&M store. i did, in the past... that's why i don't care for it now. just as i don't care if everyone "hates" or dislikes P51.

 

to karmakoda: the answer is NO. my previous comment applies to your post as well.

 

i appologize if sounded disrespectful in my previous post!!

No offense was taken on my part, or anywhere else that I noticed. I assumed we're allowed to be a little disrespectful here, and it feels good. I mean who doesn't hate Montblanc a little bit . Shhhh, I've got a whack of 'em. Don't anybody get their knickers in a knot, nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

Bushido started this post for healthy venting and his experiment has succeeded.

Can't imagine hating my P51 though. A P51 was also the first pen I gave my son, and he loves it.

Taboo ooh, ooh, I don't understand the appeal of a pen like the Montegrappa Dragon. Reminds me of the jewelry on the back of biker's magazines (I read them for the articles).

There was a time when I thought Pelikan Pens were ugly. I now own six and consider them classics.

mighty sporting of you.thanx!

http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n419/peterpaul_rguez/coupthechapeau.gif (we should have an emoticon for this)

 

see'ya round.

[haziz]

A bit off topic since this appears to be a pen thread, but the cult of Noodler's gets on my nerves. I have five of Nathan's inks, and have even tried to show some local interest, residing as I do in the same state as the manufacturer, but sorry I just don't get it.

I love my Lamy 2000 and Pelikan M400 and Pilot Myu M90. I just don't "get" larger pens. A Pelikan M600 feels too big, let alone anything bigger or heavier.

Overdecorated pens are ugly. Sorry, but a color Pelikan M400 is about as far as I would go.

Sincerely,

Hany.

[lovemy51]

A bit off topic since this appears to be a pen thread, but the cult of Noodler's gets on my nerves. I have five of Nathan's inks, and have even tried to show some local interest, residing as I do in the same state as the manufacturer, but sorry I just don't get it.

I love my Lamy 2000 and Pelikan M400 and Pilot Myu M90. I just don't "get" larger pens. A Pelikan M600 feels too big, let alone anything bigger or heavier.

Overdecorated pens are ugly. Sorry, but a color Pelikan M400 is about as far as I would go.

Sincerely,

Hany.

hi hany. do you have Apache Sunset from Noodlers? that's a winner for me. it's the only one i have and love it! have the boottle sitting on my desk in front of me right now... if you can handle light orange with a lot, and i mean, a lot of shading... by all means try this one.

[Vladimir]

From a personal point of view:

 

1) I see no point collecting lots of cheap pens. Instead of owning x10 $50 pens you could get yourself one very nice pen.

 

2) I see no point in people buying multiple copies of the same pen. There are 1,000s of pens out there, no one will own them all. Why restrict the number of different pens you will own by buying duplicates of ones you already have?

 

I buy multiples of the same pen because I like to use all my different inks for note making at the same time, as I like to change colour if the topic changes (roughly every half page for me).

 

Because of this, I need about 25-30 pens operational at the same time and seeing as I like to use Safaris, Vectors, Frontiers, and 45s, I don't see the point in buying anything else for a new ink. Also, I can't afford a pen that costs over £25 and I certainly couldn't afford to buy 25 pens that cost over £25 (that's over £625). As each pen I own has cost me roughly £7 on average, that's only £175 in total.

 

In a way, I guess you could say that I collect inks, and not pens. The pens are just a vehicle for the inks.

 

This, in my mind, is a valid reason for owning many cheap pens incl duplicates.

[Vladimir]

Myth: Using fountain pens makes you special or eccentric or noteworthy.

 

 

No, no, no, using expensive fountain pens makes you special.

No, using cheap fountain pens is the noteworthy part.

Nope, using only vintage fountain pens proves your superior aesthetics and VALUES.

What? No way, the more it costs, the more special you are!

Make sure everyone notices that you're using CHEAP fountain pens! That way they'll think you're cool and not a status seeker.

Carrying Montblanc pens means you can't think for yourself.

Black is stupid and boring. Who's going to notice you're using a FOUNTAIN PEN if it's a boring black one?

And using really vibrant inks means you're fascinating. No, it does. Watch: [writes in spectacular non-black ink color] "I am fascinating." See how that works?

Hey! Notice me trying to be not noticed for using a fountain pen! Hey! Heyheyhey! I'm using a FOUNTAIN PEN! How come nobody cares that I'm using a fountain pen? No! You can't borrow it. Touch with your EYES!

Why would you spend your money on that? How come you don't think like me? How come you don't think like me? How come you don't think like me? Let me show you how to live....

 

AWESOME POST!!!

HA HA HA!!!