Expensive-Looking Pen That Can Take A Beating

[ISW_Kaputnik]

 

Isn't it traditionally considered sort of nerdy to have a pen in your shirt pocket?

 

I can't find the thread right now, but I recall an anecdote from the WWII era, one point of which was that it was considered sort of lower class to have a pen in a shirt pocket, the kind of thing that a shop clerk or waiter might have to be ready to take down orders.

 

And of course there's the nerd stereotype. Apart from that, I guess some people think it's kind of uncool to be visibly prepared to write things down.

 

Fortunately, nobody around here cares about silly ideas like the above, do they? I know I don't.

Edited December 15, 2014 by ISW_Kaputnik

[Bill Broome]

If you're worried about someone seeing a pen in your shirt pocket, how do you suppose they'll react when they see you writing with a FOUNTAIN PEN?

 

I don't worry about either. When I am wearing a suit and the coat is on, my pen is in the breast pocket. Otherwise it is in the shirt pocket.

 

Whether one is regarded as a nerd, seems independent of such factors.

[katerchen]

Get a Schrade Tactical Fountain Pen. They come in copper, silver and black. They fit the awesome Jowo nibs from Goulet Pens perfectly, so buy one of those, too. Assembled, you now have a solid aluminum, ruggedly constructed fountain pen with a premium German nib and a great pocket clip that can be clipped to any pair of jeans or backpack without fear. I couldn't be happier with mine.

 

http://www.4gp.tw/b043/1418398813277.jpg

 

That thing looks wicked.

 

I would add the obligatory x750 in addition to the 159. Just don't get the frosted black finish, because it will show even the tiniest of scratches ... go for one with swirls or other visual distractions.

 

And also there is the the Kaigelu 356 in the Sonnet category, complementing the 388.

Edited December 15, 2014 by katerchen

[AZBennett]

I have worn my Karas Kustoms INK exclusively in my pants pocket since recieving it. I have the green anodized one. Several months later it still doesn't have a scratch on it. With the size of the pen its a tad bit heavy to carry in a pocket plus it just fits better in my pants. the clip is strong enough to handle any movement makke including sitting down or bending over and the pens is NOT going to break. I have also dropped it a few times, once onto my driveway, still no dents or dings. I highly recommend this pen to anyone that wants to carry a FP and has manual labor job or who doesn't wear shirts with pockets. Its a BEAST of a pen.

 

Paul

[georgeb]

I used to carry my Parker 25 in one of my front trouser pockets.

 

Never had a problem and it never looked the worse for it.

[blINK]

Do you really care if someone thinks you're nerdy? You don't need a pen for that.

Unfortunately I think if the OP is looking for an "expensive-looking" pen (that doesn't have to be expensive), he/she is probably more concerned with appearances than application.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Isn't it traditionally considered sort of nerdy to have a pen in your shirt pocket?

 

Everyone had a shirt pocket except those wearing a T-shirt with the smokes wrapped up in the sleeve. Those types only had a ball point...at home. No T-shirts allowed in schools.

 

I can't even remember seeing a shirt with out a pocket until mid-late 80's.

 

Nope, back in the day of the silver dime, it was only those who had a plastic pen protector pocket with 3-4 pens and a small slide rule who were considered 'Nerdy". The real brains had two slide rules, a big one for the heavy work. The small one for near enough for government work.

Ivory slide rule was really in if you had brains.

 

Of course it was not 3-4 fountain pens....a fountain pen, a 3-4 color ball point and a narrow lead MP........of course guys who couldn't afford shinny black electrical tape to fix his glasses using instead white medical tape were Nerds....out side of them on the Wrestling team, or playing tackle.

Glasses and frames were expensive.

 

I remember when those plastic zip lock bags came in...and the great Bic that could be shoved into the spiral of a notebook.

A wise man lent his Bic, keeping the top in his hand.

 

Nope, don't remember any one shoving a Bic in his pants pocket either. One did have a shirt, and a shirt did have a pocket....no exceptions.....perhaps Suits had shirts with no pockets, but we didn't wear suits to school but once a year, for class pictures. Those shirts also had pockets.

[hbdk]

Jinhao Century - original Parker Duofold clone

Baoer 388 flighter

 

I have both and they can take a lot of beating. Just scrub the 388 as suggested above.

[FLZapped]

Stainless Steel Parker 45

[takkun]

Isn't it traditionally considered sort of nerdy to have a pen in your shirt pocket?

 

Everyone had a shirt pocket except those wearing a T-shirt with the smokes wrapped up in the sleeve. Those types only had a ball point...at home. No T-shirts allowed in schools.

 

I can't even remember seeing a shirt with out a pocket until mid-late 80's.

 

Nope, back in the day of the silver dime, it was only those who had a plastic pen protector pocket with 3-4 pens and a small slide rule who were considered 'Nerdy". The real brains had two slide rules, a big one for the heavy work. The small one for near enough for government work.

Ivory slide rule was really in if you had brains.

 

Of course it was not 3-4 fountain pens....a fountain pen, a 3-4 color ball point and a narrow lead MP........of course guys who couldn't afford shinny black electrical tape to fix his glasses using instead white medical tape were Nerds....out side of them on the Wrestling team, or playing tackle.

Glasses and frames were expensive.

 

I remember when those plastic zip lock bags came in...and the great Bic that could be shoved into the spiral of a notebook.

A wise man lent his Bic, keeping the top in his hand.

 

Nope, don't remember any one shoving a Bic in his pants pocket either. One did have a shirt, and a shirt did have a pocket....no exceptions.....perhaps Suits had shirts with no pockets, but we didn't wear suits to school but once a year, for class pictures. Those shirts also had pockets.

 

Beat me to it! I was going to say, the 'nerd' stereotype I always thought was the engineer look--pocket protector, half a dozen pens and other assorted detritus sticking out. I'm often found wearing flannel with two pens, a lead holder, and a mini architects' scale in my pockets, so maybe that's the modern evolution of the look.

 

 

Anyway. I'm interested to see what the OP means by expensive looking. Are we talking MB-lookalike, or just something that doesn't look like a disposable ballpoint?

Because if its the latter, I'd avoid anything brightly or multicolored, as much as I love Safaris. My vote is the Pilot Metro and Lamy CP1. The latter is brass, I think. And apparently the Lamy 2000 is far more indestructible than I would have guessed, based on that report. I would have assumed the plastic would be brittle enough to crack after being dropped out a third story window, but who knew?

[Sasha Royale]

+1 for the Jinhao 159. It is a dressy-looking pen. It writes well. The finish is virtually

indestructible. It is a real "war club". If by chance you manage to destroy it, $8 will

replace it.

[ScienceChick]

 

Isn't it traditionally considered sort of nerdy to have a pen in your shirt pocket?

And exactly what's wrong with being nerdy??

[ac12]

BTW, I would not put a full length pen in my pants pocket.

The only pen I carry in my pants pocket is a short pocket pen (Ohto Tasche). A long pen is easier to damage than a short pen, by the fact of its length. Even some/many of the stainless steel pens have a plastic section, which is the weak spot for cracking when bent, and that would be a MESS. So all full length pens go into my shirt pocket.

 

That is why pens have clips...to clip onto the shirt pocket.

I think less of a person who is more concerned with how they look than having the tool (pen) to do their job.

If you need to carry a pen to do your job, then carry one.

Who cares what others think about a pen in your shirt pocket.

 

And if that bothers you, put a MB into your shirt pocket.

No one would call a MB a nerdy pen.

Edited December 19, 2014 by ac12

[benbot517]

Alternatively the raw aluminium finish leaves the factory shiny, but from what I understand will scuff up quick and wear its scratches with pride.

 

I can attest to this. Fantastic pen, and the scratches add character. They show that your pen has been places. It's one of my favorite pens and I cannot recommend it enough.

[Ambrose Bierce]

I dont really know wether or not it can take a beating, but it is so inexpensive you probably wont care if it get messed up. It is the Hero 616 here is a FPN review https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/14011-hero-616-review/

[Sasha Royale]

 

Isn't it traditionally considered sort of nerdy to have a pen in your shirt pocket?

 

Mr. X has a fountain pen in his shirt pocket. What else would he have to do to overcome the pen stigma,

and qualify as one of the "cool kids" ? Please post a list. I think you will be surprised who is here.

[hbdk]

Nerdy - isn't that some kind of hallmark?

 

Yes, I do carry a pen in my shirt pocket and yes, I do have a Firefox logo as wall paper on my Linux powered PC (which made a young hipster call this middle-aged guy a nerd - I took that as a compliment, but maybe I am just being naive ).

[______Zaphod_Beeblebrox]

Only using pocket protectors make you nerdy, pens are okay.