Metal Plated Pens Vs Resin Or Lacquer Pens ?

[ForeverStained]

So.... i have been thinking about metal finished pens lately and i was wondering why someone would prefer them over any other finish like resin or lacquer finish.... according to how they feel in your hand when holding them.

 

i have always loved the colors of non metal plated pens or solid metal pens... like lacquer and resin

so thats why i dont own any metal plated OR solid ones.

 

what about you ?

 

do you like them or hate them? ... or ... just consider them part of your pen collection rotation.

 

thanks

Edited September 1, 2013 by ForeverStained

[usk15]

I'm the one who always prefer metallic pens over plastic, resin or lacquered. My reason is this metal version can last much longer vs. all plastic versions. Is more robust to abuse, drops, pocket carry and usually is a bit heavier. Also I like the feel, cold and clean design of metal pens.

[Opooh]

There are nice laquered, celluloid, ebonite,...., and solid silver pens.

[jar]

Fortunately things are slightly more complex than just plated metal or resin or lacquer.

 

First, not all metals are the same even in plating; platinum plating looks quite different than silver plating or rhodium or ... Plating can be thin or thick. Then there are unplated metal pens, steel or bronze or silver or gold that are more alive than plated pens and feel entirely different.

 

Second, not all lacquers are the same. Urushi on ebonite will be entirely different than urushi over metal. Then there are the enamels, high temperature hard fired or low temperature cured or painted ... each will be entirely different and unique.

 

And resin, hard and bright like Montblanc uses or deep pearlescent like Montegrappa uses, soft and smooth or textured?

 

Finally, the design and execution will have a greater impact on the experience one gets than the materials themselves.

Edited August 31, 2013 by jar

[langere]

I think variety is the spice of life. I have pens of all different materials and I love 'em all, though for different reasons...it's a little bit like your children - each one is different, but you love them all!

 

Erick

[ForeverStained]

Fortunately things are slightly more complex than just plated metal or resin or lacquer.

 

First, not all metals are the same even in plating; platinum plating looks quite different than silver plating or rhodium or ... Plating can be thin or thick. Then there are unplated metal pens, steel or bronze or silver or gold that are more alive than plated pens and feel entirely different.

 

Second, not all lacquers are the same. Urushi on ebonite will be entirely different than urushi over metal. Then there are the enamels, high temperature hard fired or low temperature cured or painted ... each will be entirely different and unique.

 

And resin, hard and bright like Montblanc uses or deep pearlescent like Montegrappa uses, soft and smooth or textured?

 

Finally, the design and execution will have a greater impact on the experience one gets than the materials themselves.

yes jar.... i am sure there are differences but i was just referring to holding metal as opposed to any other substance.

maybe i didnt make myself very clear.... but... it was the touch of metal when one is writing that i was interested in.

 

i have somehow felt that holding metal for a while might be uncomfortable for me.... just because it is a metallic surface.

maybe my fingers would get slippery on the metal.... i dont know.

thats why i was curious about how people feel about metal plated or solid metal pens.

 

i will edit my original post if i can

[jar]

yes jar.... i am sure there are differences but i was just referring to holding metal as opposed to any other substance.

maybe i didnt make myself very clear.... but... it was the touch of metal when one is writing that i was interested in.

 

i have somehow felt that holding metal for a while might be uncomfortable for me.... just because it is a metallic surface.

maybe my fingers would get slippery on the metal.... i dont know.

thats why i was curious about how people feel about metal plated or solid metal pens.

 

i will edit my original post if i can

 

 

But again, not all metals feel or behave the same. Remember the preferred material for silverware is Sterling silver, partly because it does not get slippery when wet.

 

A Sterling silver section will feel different than a Platinum plated section or a resin section. A section with inset lacquer or a pattern or a metal section with texture will feel and behave differently than a smooth high gloss plated section.

[ForeverStained]

 

 

But again, not all metals feel or behave the same. Remember the preferred material for silverware is Sterling silver, partly because it does not get slippery when wet.

 

A Sterling silver section will feel different than a Platinum plated section or a resin section. A section with inset lacquer or a pattern or a metal section with texture will feel and behave differently than a smooth high gloss plated section.

thats good to know now maybe someone will comment on this

[tomgartin]

The brushed steel section on my L2K doesn't feel uncomfortable at all. It actually improves the balance of the pen overall. Most of the time I don't notice it because the texture matches the makrolon body.

I've also got a platinum pe-500 that is metal with a plastic grip section. The texture of the metal is such that it never feels slippery. But the smooth plastic gets slippery.

One I wish I hadn't traded away was a Pilot VP. The metal body and the retraction mechanism combined made it quite a heavy pen, but I took notes with it at school all day and never got tired from it because the balance and ergonomics were comfortable and high quality.

Last of all, I used to have a Parker 45 flighter. It was fantastic. The only reason I traded it away was because it was too skinny for my bear paws.

I don't know what you're concerned about. I've had plenty of metal pens that were a pleasure to use--particularly the Pilot VP. You should try one sometime.

[Keyless Works]

If you want a blanket statement: I do not prefer the feel of metal pens.

[Bo Bo Olson]

A P-75 is a pen to have....real light sterling silver....section is not silver.

I had 5 or six metal pens....keeping only my P-75 which until I got my Lamy CPM-1 an aluminum, my lightest.

I have a silver plated Diplomat....and I regret selling an other some sort of painted brass Diplomat ...a real good balanced pen...but I had more than enough nails.

 

The couple of Parkers I might still have, will be sent to my god kid....for the pocket bend test.

 

 

Parker Penography info.

In 1979 the French Parker subsidiary in Meru introduced an attractive Parker "75" line called the Lacquer collection inspired by the eastern laquer-painting techniques with layers on layers on layers...

The laquer collection consisted of:
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Tortoiseshell (red and brown)
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Woodgrain
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Lapis Lazulii (blue)
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Red Quartz (red on dark red)
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Malachite (green)

 

In 1981 the lacquer collection consisted of:
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Thuya (brown and black) Want one of them.
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Lapis Lazulii (blue)
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Red Quartz (red on dark red)
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Malachite (green)

And in 1983:
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Thuya (brown and black)
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Lapis Lazulii (blue)
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Red Quartz (red on dark red)
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Malachite (green)
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Blue
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Burgundy
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Black
http://www.parkerpens.net/images/romb.gif Matte black

 

 

Standard sized pens, balance well posted. The French ones have round sections not the triangle ones of the US silver one.

[The Blue Knight]

It's quite funny how normally low cost pens are plastic, Mid cost are metal or metal lacquer, high cost are precious resin (plain old acrylic with some silly wording trying to make it sound special), Very high cost pens are precious metal e.g. silver, gold etc

 

Personally I don't really mind too much. At the moment I'm buying more mid range pens and so generally prefer a nice green or blue or black lacquer over plain metal.

 

However When can I eventually can justify the price of a Duofold It won't bother me its made out of plastic.

 

What I'm basically trying to say is why should it matter what material your pen is made out of as long as the design is appealing to you.

[ForeverStained]

yes i agree about the design. unfortunately... the design i like most now is the Dupont Montparnasse. LOL

thats a bad choice too because of the expense. but i love it.

 

for some reason that design feels really good to me.

 

i will try a metal pen to see how they feel. i guess if i dont like it.... i can always sell it. lol

 

thanks everyone for your comments.

[Tom Aquinas]

Plastic or resin are OK. The only lacquered pens that stand up I find are really top shelf one like my first Man 100 purchased when Lord nelson was a midshipman. I prefer sold silver or metal plated pens over time they gain authority and not get chips like lacquered pens get. Resin and plastic pens I find durable.

 

I suppose to each his own.

Edited September 1, 2013 by Tom Aquinas

[fpconverted]

So.... i have been thinking about metal finished pens lately and i was wondering why someone would prefer them over any other finish like resin or lacquer finish.... according to how they feel in your hand when holding them.

 

i have always loved the colors of non metal plated pens or solid metal pens... like lacquer and resin

so thats why i dont own any metal plated OR solid ones.

 

what about you ?

 

do you like them or hate them? ... or ... just consider them part of your pen collection rotation.

 

thanks

My original fountain pens that I ever purchased for myself have always been silver, chrome, or silver looking pens. I have always been a fan of cool lustrous chrome looking pens and my first purchase ever of a fp was a Cross Century II med nib in lustrous chrome and that pen is absolutely beautiful with the black top classic cross pen tip. Most of my collection is silver, or chrome pens. I am the opposite and really not a fan of laquer or plastic pens but the only ones I think are nice is one i have in my collection. A Lamy vista clear demo. Otherwise my main pens are chrome or silver. Even the nib has to be silver looking. Gold is not my preference either.

[fpconverted]

To add another metal pen I have my eye on is a Mont Blanc Le grande Solitaire II in stainless steel.

 

Eventhough the nib has gold finishing, this pen will be my next purchase.

[Blade Runner]

While I love my metal pens, for everyday carry in my shirt pocket, metal is too heavy. So I carry a resin fp and resin bp. And if I should accidently break them, they're much cheaper to fix than trying to replace a dented metal pen part.

[legume]

In terms of feel, I have no preference. I don't find any materials to be unpleasant to the touch and I don't have oily fingers so I don't have issues with slipperiness. My concerns would be more along the lines of durability, tarnish, cracking, etc. Weight is a concern though. I prefer lighter pens.

 

One material I do have a problem with is unlacquered wood. Ink or other stains would never come off. I don't have such a pen, and I would never get one. There aren't that many around anyway so it's not a problem.

[proton007]

AFAIK, lacquer works well if you have sweaty hands. It'll increase the grip with moisture rather than make the pen slippery.

 

The choice of the material is important, but the balance of the pen is even more important. If you find the writing fatiguing it doesn't matter what material the pen is made of.

[arni]

It is purely subjective but I find metal barrels unattractive. Brushes steel is worst.

And I don't like the feel of mirror finish metal sections.