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

[wykpenguin]

Here I go:

1. Anything that uses C/C sucks. It wish companies would invest in building filling systems rather than using common parts for C/C pens.
   
2. Parker should get better designers. The vac-fils have a design flaw and the rest look ugly. Then again so do Sheaffer's Vacs and snorkels.
   
3. A fat black pen with gold trim is the ugliest possible thing. When can people stop copying MB?
   
4. The nib is the most important part of the pen. Don't just focus on the body, it's the nib that writes and no flex equals uninteresting.
   

 

Enough ranting for today. Maybe I'll come back with more tomorrow.

[mwhouston]

  On 4/24/2010 at 1:54 PM, Zonnelied said:

  On 4/24/2010 at 1:44 PM, Sailor Kenshin said:

Ten dollars and under!

 

That is really cheap!

I didn't even know that fountainpens so cheap existed.

Yes they do and some write OK. So if we paid $10 for the Pen what did they cost to produce??

[bushido]

  On 4/24/2010 at 10:10 AM, Zonnelied said:

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

 

 

For what price is a fountain pen considered cheap?

 

+1

 

anything under $100 isn't worth bothering. it's synonymous with photographers; you will never see them carrying cheap cameras or equipment if they call themselves photographers.

[Feanor]

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:05 PM, bushido said:

  On 4/24/2010 at 10:10 AM, Zonnelied said:

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

 

 

For what price is a fountain pen considered cheap?

 

+1

 

anything under $100 isn't worth bothering. it's synonymous with photographers; you will never see them carrying cheap cameras or equipment if they call themselves photographers.

 

Lamy 2000?

Pelikan M200?

Pilot VP?

 

All great, durable writers from great companies.

 

Edit: just making explicit what I was trying to imply, all available under $100 new.

Edited April 24, 2010 by Feanor

[karinh]

I don't like equipment snobs. Pens, cameras, whatever; yours might cost more than mine but so what? It's talent/skill that tells, not what you spent on your equipment. So there.

 

PS: Some of those so-called 'elite' pens are fugly.

 

(running for cover)

[y_bauluck]

I don't think cheap ALWAYS equal to poor writing experience. Am very pleased with my Parker Frontier considering the price I paid.

 

But I guess some pens are worth their price considering their rarity and materials used in their production and would be more of collector's items but then does not mean it will produce a better writing experience as let us not forget that a fountain pen is meant to be used for writing and not only to be displayed

Edited April 24, 2010 by y_bauluck

[bushido]

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:26 PM, Feanor said:

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:05 PM, bushido said:

  On 4/24/2010 at 10:10 AM, Zonnelied said:

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

 

 

For what price is a fountain pen considered cheap?

 

+1

 

anything under $100 isn't worth bothering. it's synonymous with photographers; you will never see them carrying cheap cameras or equipment if they call themselves photographers.

 

Lamy 2000?

Pelikan M200?

Pilot VP?

 

All great, durable writers from great companies.

 

i'm big on pilot/namiki; you can't buy a vp for less than $100 new, especially not a good one. here's my limited edition mandarin vp (with google pen!) but good lucky obtaining one for $100:

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2747/4444752850_f0fecbb5f6_o.jpg

[Feanor]

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:37 PM, bushido said:

...

i'm big on pilot/namiki; you can't buy a vp for less than $100 new, especially not a good one. here's my limited edition mandarin vp (with google pen!) but good lucky obtaining one for $100:

 

Last I heard, Pam Braun was selling them for $99.

[bushido]

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:33 PM, karinh said:

I don't like equipment snobs. Pens, cameras, whatever; yours might cost more than mine but so what? It's talent/skill that tells, not what you spent on your equipment. So there.

 

PS: Some of those so-called 'elite' pens are fugly.

 

(running for cover)

 

it's not about being a snob. it's about getting equipment that doesn't fail. in general a $100 pen won't perform and won't last as long as more expensive pens. anyone who thinks pen companies can charge whatever they like doesn't understand economics.

[bushido]

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:39 PM, Feanor said:

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:37 PM, bushido said:

...

i'm big on pilot/namiki; you can't buy a vp for less than $100 new, especially not a good one. here's my limited edition mandarin vp (with google pen!) but good lucky obtaining one for $100:

 

Last I heard, Pam Braun was selling them for $99.

 

if you can get a le mandarin for $99 then run, don't walk, to get it!

[jar]

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:39 PM, Feanor said:

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:37 PM, bushido said:

...

i'm big on pilot/namiki; you can't buy a vp for less than $100 new, especially not a good one. here's my limited edition mandarin vp (with google pen!) but good lucky obtaining one for $100:

 

Last I heard, Pam Braun was selling them for $99.

 

I'd say that the Pilot VP is a fun gimmick pen, maybe even useful in a very limited situation, but that's about it.

 

The Lamy 2000 is also an okay pen, boring but like a wood pencil, meets minimum standards.

 

The Pelikan 200 is a great entry level or school pen and like the Sheaffer cartridge pens sold in the blister pack, a good introductory level fountain pen.

[Feanor]

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:41 PM, bushido said:

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:33 PM, karinh said:

I don't like equipment snobs. Pens, cameras, whatever; yours might cost more than mine but so what? It's talent/skill that tells, not what you spent on your equipment. So there.

 

PS: Some of those so-called 'elite' pens are fugly.

 

(running for cover)

 

it's not about being a snob. it's about getting equipment that doesn't fail. in general a $100 pen won't perform and won't last as long as more expensive pens. anyone who thinks pen companies can charge whatever they like doesn't understand economics.

 

I refer you again to the pens I pointed out above, as well as the Parker "51", how much more reliable can you get than those?

 

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:42 PM, bushido said:

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:39 PM, Feanor said:

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:37 PM, bushido said:

...

i'm big on pilot/namiki; you can't buy a vp for less than $100 new, especially not a good one. here's my limited edition mandarin vp (with google pen!) but good lucky obtaining one for $100:

 

Last I heard, Pam Braun was selling them for $99.

 

if you can get a le mandarin for $99 then run, don't walk, to get it!

 

I meant VPs in general, I hadn't read close enough to notice your reference to a particular LE.

 

I believe that generally, LEs are not of significantly higher quality than similar pens of a particular brand, especially when the LE part is just a different color.

[pgmarin]

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:41 PM, bushido said:

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:33 PM, karinh said:

I don't like equipment snobs. Pens, cameras, whatever; yours might cost more than mine but so what? It's talent/skill that tells, not what you spent on your equipment. So there.

 

PS: Some of those so-called 'elite' pens are fugly.

 

(running for cover)

 

it's not about being a snob. it's about getting equipment that doesn't fail. in general a $100 pen won't perform and won't last as long as more expensive pens. anyone who thinks pen companies can charge whatever they like doesn't understand economics.

 

Unfortunately, alot of people believe that "expensive" means quality. Which, unfortunately, unless you are in manufacturing, is wrong to believe. As a mechanical designer, once you have costed up an item after extensive designing, testing and verification of a product, "sales" decide on a markup cost that the general public, or most accurately, "paying public" are willing to pay for an item. Take plasma and LCD tv's. Most are made in China and one company manufactures Sony, Philips and another brand, which all come from the same factory. I'm Italian and not everything that comes from Italy is of best quality. They make rubbish and cheap things there too you know.

Get to know an item, hows its made, why its good and you will buy it, whether its $10, $100 or $1000. The rest is personal choice.

Edited April 25, 2010 by pgmarin

[79spitfire]

  On 4/24/2010 at 1:54 PM, Zonnelied said:

  On 4/24/2010 at 1:44 PM, Sailor Kenshin said:

Ten dollars and under!

 

That is really cheap!

I didn't even know that fountainpens so cheap existed.

 

Platinum preppys are $3 I've got 2 and they write fine. As an added bonus, I don't have to worry about being out the $$ if I loose or damage one!

 

I hate equipment snobs too. I'll pay for quality, but not for "Status", period.

[Bing Bing]

What really gets me off the bike is the discontinuation of the Rotring 600 range. They were one of the best writing instruments mankind knew of. Beauty and reliability - in one thing.

[ImolaS3]

My personal thoughts that might offend

 

Don't like most old pens i've seen - generally they look tatty and worn which I find very unattractive and I don't like the idea of someone else using them before me. There are a few exceptions.

 

Don't like cheap pens - I have tried a few and been disappointed (except for the Lamy Al Star I tried, which was ugly, but wrote very nicely)

 

I find it odd when people have a preference for only one manufacturer or one pen model - I buy whatever I find beautiful regardless of make etc. (and can afford of course)

 

I love Montblancs, Parker Duofolds (new ones) and Pelikans!

 

I find the Parker 51 shockingly vile, especially the hooded nib There, I've said it!!

 

 

Finally, I wish I could find a good condition, second hand Graf Von Faber Castell Guilloche Fountain Pen in Cognac (a sort of violet colour)

[jsroe]

Without naming specific brands, I think a lot of "precious resin" fountain pens costing several hundreds or thousands of dollar are way over priced. I can see paying a few hundred dollars or whatever a fair cost is for a solid gold nib and reliable ink fill system, but the plastic body (precious resin) cost all of $15 to produce. A $600 plastic fountain pen sounds over priced. Maybe if the body was made of a precious metal, durable alloy, glossy lacquer finish, or some other beaautiful material I can see paying extra for.

[SnowLeopard]

I think you can use "tabu" as an... adjective or... verb-t......so I'd like to place a tabu on >

.... those manufacturers, or that manufacturer,... saying they have a "lifetime" repair policy for your now, discontinued color, collectable, still very much in service, vintage pen, & then find a way not to honor it.They will however charge you ,an outrageous/relative to the cost of a new pen, service fee... $$ ...+ you need to ship it insured.. your cost... rendering it most irritating, and " taboo"... to suggest they honor their pledge. Or they outright "perhaps" refuse service entirely,..by, telling u it can't be repaired when u know there is a simple solution,... for a reason that doesn't put them on the hook for it..... or ignoring your e-mails for parts/service for your pen that you'd gladly pay the material cost to keep your pen functionally original... or they make it so complicated that you totally give up trying. Interesting that "they " would suggest for u to substitute an entirely "new" section...at your cost... ..you then $$ a new over priced part... when the nib need only be reset in the section, &/or a sealant( Tolley's is it ?) be applied to the section to seal & prevent future leakage... like thru a seam... for example, in order to keep the pen in it's original vintage form...as desired. They also replace without authorization...is that right? This is a result of the replace rather than repair policy/ attitude they've adopted. The one repair person , they probably have, is most likely buried under a pile of pens....not my problem there.

 

Next....a tabu on advertising "NOS" pens....by those who would have you believe this practice of creating "frankenpens" is worthy of jacking up the price for vintage art. In fact... many parts out there ... origins ..whatever... unverifiable? ..." might" come from similar "junker pens"- aka... parts from pens purchased in bulk lot(s)..for the parts... or to create other pens...too.. not NOS ...but, parts in" vintage condition",...that is with the suitable wear marks as if they might have been handled, over a period of time, from/ in a display case....R now NOS? You'd never know....they just might. Like a feed that isn't the exact original type used in/for that issue, but looks like it might be a variant , and is functional. I think of NOS instruments this way.They were lying around going nowhere in a store, or factory, or somewhere where they have not seen service, and purchased for resale.Mind you "some" pens actually have that pedigree. Most of these pens cost < $25 when new... now 200%+ more...in most cases, much more, for the most rare... desired issues. Gotta love those chalk marks. Some sellers have even mastered the exact formulary and font style....producing much thinner wallets. Some are less skillful...at this practice, and present easily spotted counterfeit markings.....perish the thought.

 

....and my fav-o-rite of all time , saved for last. A tabu on those pen show folks that don't allow the "public" in there.. for two hrs. before show time... until all of the really important stuff is traded , and or purchased,... by the very people that are selling you their cast offs as NOS....see how it works....lol. You just might find a fabulous user or three, as I have....on rare occasion. However, I wouldn't be building any significant earth shattering vintage collections based on show pens. They are already spoken for. The real collector level items are in the personal collections of the vendors at these shows. They've been at it lifetimes longer than you will ever ... The milieu has been poisoned, by the LE's , and other pen related stuff... with the sole purpose of building client bases....to sell to.

Just a parting thought here. To those seeking to join the ranks of pen enthusiasts , for whatever reason(s) you might have ...AWTTW.... NEVER PURCHASE A SHINY NEW LOOKING VINTAGE PEN THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN "RESTORED" ! I want to know when, by whom, and the quality of the rubber that's going "into" my find. If I can't do the repair, I , at least, want the best to do it for me. There are super specialists, you know, for different company's pens too! Why have those sutures put in by an internist, when you can have a " plastic surgeon" do it...at a price.....lol. No sense ruining really fine new/vintage clothing in the bargain! ...aye?

[Sailor Kenshin]

  On 4/24/2010 at 1:54 PM, Zonnelied said:

  On 4/24/2010 at 1:44 PM, Sailor Kenshin said:

Ten dollars and under!

 

That is really cheap!

I didn't even know that fountainpens so cheap existed.

 

 

And some of those are my all-time faves: Hero 366 and 616 (in bulk), Pilot Petit 1 and Pumix, and Platinum Preppy.

[mwhouston]

  On 4/24/2010 at 11:33 PM, karinh said:

I don't like equipment snobs. Pens, cameras, whatever; yours might cost more than mine but so what? It's talent/skill that tells, not what you spent on your equipment. So there.

 

PS: Some of those so-called 'elite' pens are fugly.

 

(running for cover)

I think this is particularly true when inexpensive Pens write so well. And for me a $1,000,000 Pen could never make my writing better. May as well stay with nice affordable Pens and pocket the difference.