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

[777]

Why the heck do I have to pay 4x the price to get a pen 30% larger? Pelikan 205 vs 805

 

Seems common among pen makers that the larger pens are much more expensive.

 

I agree completely. Plastic does NOT cost that much.

[777]

More taboos for me!

 

• Noodlers ink rocks and other ink is way overpriced. Especially Iroshizuku.
• Two tone gold nibs are overpriced.
• Here's one that really bugs me: Visconti's traveling inkwell is the MOST overpriced thing on the planet. It's a cheap piece of plastic!

Now I feel even better!

 

Regards,

777

[EMM]

There's so many price elitists in this topic that I just want to slap!

 

price =/= quality

 

Also gold nibs are not for writing since they perform so mediocre compared to stainless steel.

[777]

There's so many price elitists in this topic that I just want to slap!

 

 

 

 

[777]

This is to much fun!!!

[vickiehof]

Here's one that really bugs me: Visconti's traveling inkwell is the MOST overpriced thing on the planet. It's a cheap piece of plastic!

 

Regards,

777

 

I agree. I'd like to have one but, IMO, the price is too steep for what I'm willing to pay for the product. I might pay $20 for one.

Edited July 26, 2010 by vickiehof

[AltecGreen]

 

I agree completely. Plastic does NOT cost that much.

 

 

Not always true.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/158623-precious-resin-pen/page__hl__torlon

 

 

Also, a 1" by 8" by 8" plate of Vespel sp-1 retails for around $10,000

[voop]

Why do pen makers insist on ruining a beautifully designed plastic/celluloid pen with a metal section? A metal section? Metal sections should be banned.

 

The question is: why do pen makers insist on ruining a precious metal pen (like gold, vermeil, silver) with a plastic section? A plastic section on a metal pen? Plastic sections should be banned.

 

The Waterman exception "Marks of Time" pens are examples of this - beautiful pens, with a disgrace of a section.

 

Same for nicely colored/patterned pens, where they're disgraced by a "black plastic section"?

 

Sheesh...

[777]

Here's one that really bugs me: Visconti's traveling inkwell is the MOST overpriced thing on the planet. It's a cheap piece of plastic!

 

Regards,

777

 

I agree. I'd like to have one but, IMO, the price is too steep for what I'm willing to pay for the product. I might pay $20 for one.

 

I know, really, how can they get away with charging that much...

[777]

I agree completely. Plastic does NOT cost that much.

 

 

Not always true.

 

http://www.fountainp...age__hl__torlon

 

 

Also, a 1" by 8" by 8" plate of Vespel sp-1 retails for around $10,000

 

 

All I can say is AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

That is ridiculous...

 

 

 

[777]

Not taboos but seems to fit with the thread.

2. If I like something you do not, too bad, it's mine not yours.

 

What a good attitude

[RUGMAN]

I have a number of Parker 51's and the smoothest one is a Teal 51 special. Steel nib!

Why don't you like it? Not enough cache? Not esoteric enough? Some people buy a ROLEX watch because it's a ROLEX! Supposedly a sign of "got there"...Actually I have a watch that cost less than $1000 that keeps COSC quality time.

I believe pens sometime pose the same problem. If you can afford a pricey pen, watch, or car, the ideal would be that you got it for yourself and who cares what others think. Do you know that the movement in a ROLEX President in Platinum ($80,000) is the exact movement in the Rolex Turn-o-graph ($5500). If you can really appreciate the work that goes into a quality watch or pen, you should own it. If not, you're just a poser!

 

 

 

I think the Parker '51' is the most overrated vintage pen ever, groundbreaking design, yes, None the less I don't really like it.

 

Also, modern pens are WAAYYYY over priced. Limited edition or not, too much money, ESPECIALLY ones that use cheap converters or cartridge, nibs (on the ones I've tried) seem to only go down to a medium size and up, even their fine nibs write a medium line. And don't get started on all those over the top tacky designs. Half of them look like circus pens. :blink: But that's just my spill on it.

Well, that's off my chest now.

[Pentech42]

The advertising hype surrounding some pens- it's so over the top that I'm amazed they don't provide oxygen masks for the altitude!

 

Making a big deal on how long a pen takes to manufacturer, just because a pen takes 8 months to make doesn't always make it better.

 

Gilding the gilding on the gilded lily. A pen that's nice but then comes out as a super deluxe edition with diamonds or different metal to multiply the price.

 

Having so much of yourself tied up in the choices of pen or ink that you will defend to the death that your chosen pens & ink are better than all others.

 

Stationery stores that do not sell paper that is pen friendly.

[riff raff]

So much angst!

 

:ltcapd:

[EnviroDawg]

Why do pen makers insist on ruining a beautifully designed plastic/celluloid pen with a metal section? A metal section? Metal sections should be banned.

 

The question is: why do pen makers insist on ruining a precious metal pen (like gold, vermeil, silver) with a plastic section? A plastic section on a metal pen? Plastic sections should be banned.

 

The Waterman exception "Marks of Time" pens are examples of this - beautiful pens, with a disgrace of a section.

 

Same for nicely colored/patterned pens, where they're disgraced by a "black plastic section"?

 

Sheesh...

 

Boooo! But I agree. Why put a plastic section on a metal pen? And vice versa!

[ethernautrix]

I agree. Why put a plastic section on a metal pen? And vice versa!

 

Maybe it's a weight issue: to add weight, use a metal section on a plastic pen; to minimize weight, use a plastic section on a metal pen.

 

Either that or cos pen designers secretly hate you.

[JohnM]

Great thread! My taboos:

1) Hate Montblanc's luxury image, but love the pens. Handwriting is better with them than any other pen -- don't know why exactly.

2) Want to like Parker 51's but haven't owned a great one (yet) -- Don't understand the devotion.

3) Like Pelikans very much but don't quite get why people say they're the absolute best (a little more design variation would be nice too)

4) Will never own a pen with a moon rock or piece of Lincoln's hair (or whatever it is that Krone is doing)

5) Love the old double reservoir Montblanc ink bottle (assume this is long out of production?)

6) Like the phenol smell of old Waterman South Seas Blue (bad for me, I know)

7) I miss Michael's Artist Supply in San Francisco with their 40% off sales! (I suspect this contributed to their demise, but sure was fun)

John

[79spitfire]

Either that or cos pen designers secretly hate you.

 

I know they hate me, it's no secret..

[coyotewhisper]

The allure of Mont Blanc fountain pens, why they are sought after.

How underated Chinese fountain pens are.

Reasoning behind buying $20 ink when there is great ink that is far less.

[Garageboy]

On the other hand, I can also say how overpriced Chinese pens are. For $20, I can get a nice vintage Sheaffer or Esterbrook