What Pen Won't You Buy?

[Stylo_dOr]

 

If I kept a list of not-to-buy pens, this is a rough draft and thus a work-in-progress of what it would look like:

 

GENERAL NOTES

• counterfeit
• wooden
• metal grip
• same name as a car (if Delta ever makes an 88, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it)
• same name as a clothing company
• ridiculous name
• ornate/gawdy/makes my eyes smart
• cute (except A Christmas Story leg lamp design, maybe, if it's out there)
• cap doesn't post
• rose gold
• full retail price
• pink
• pink-ish
• "mid-size" c/c version if the full-size is piston-fill

​

SPECIFICS

• Michael's Fat Boy (all models)
• Napkin Forever (all models)
• David Oscarson (all models)
• Hugo Boss (all models)
• Bugati/Porsche/Ferrari (all models)
• Aurora 88 medium
• Montblanc Starwalker
• Parker Ingenuity
• Pelikan Stola
• Shaw Creations (all models)
• TF est. 1968 (all models)
• Urso Luxury (all models)

 

 

That's a pretty damn accurate list. Kudos to Bookman for nailing it on the money.

[sidthecat]

I will observe that I do have this very eccentric Reform ringtop that also sports the characteristic snake clip (belt with suspenders, if you ask me). It may be from the Twenties, but the design is one that persisted until the postwar period. It's a nice, sturdy thing that I have ambiguous thoughts about.

[MHBru]

nothing that comes in boxes of 20...

something that will out live me so if it may break after a couple of years use it's generally off the list

and I agree with rafapa.... no metal sections which is why no to the new Pineiders and that LAMY studio... even tho it looks so cool

[Polanova]

In general I prefer vintage pens (pre 1950) but I do have a few

modern pens : 7 Sailors, 3 Omas, 2 Viscontis, 1 Delta and 1 Pilot

 

Regarding modern pens, I wouldn`t buy any German pens, simply because they don`t appeal to me. Which basically leaves me mostly with Japanese & Italian pens.

 

I also wouldn`t buy ...

 

_any metal pens, precious or otherwise

_pens with metal sections

_pens with a gold ring at the end of the section

_clear demonstrators (colored ones is another matter)

_cheap pens in general

_clipless pens (allow for exceptions) - can`t have my pens rolling around on my desktop; that`s what clips are made for, right?)

_wooden pens

_Maki-E pens (if I could afford them)

_Limited Editions (exception would be my Omas Ercelossi)

_Acryl-Pens with swirly patterns

_Pens with hooded or fingernail nibs (exception is my MB 24 which is actually quite nice)

_Seriously oversized pens (15 cm +)

_Seriously undersized pens (-11 cm)

_Slim pens (me likes some girth)

_Rigid M - B nibs

 

All statements made above only reflect my personal taste and are in no way indicative of any real problems I might have had with pens exhibiting any of the aspects mentioned above.

Edited June 6, 2018 by Polanova

[artart]

pens engraved with the name of previous owner

[carlos.q]

pens engraved with the name of previous owner

Ohhhh... I like engraved pens a lot! Makes me wonder about the history of the pen, where it has been and what it was used for. But that's just me: I'm strange like that.

[raggs]

I'm a newbie still but I've already ruled out a LOT of pens due to arthritis. So I won't buy metal body pens (though I already have a couple from experimenting), heavy pens, pens that are very large/long (tiny hands). I also have a latex allergy, so no ebonite for me. No pens over $200 (well, I'm going to buy one around $150, and that will be it probably for me . After that it will be nothing over $100).

 

I guess I'm in the minority - I adore clear demonstrators! They are so beautiful filled with all different shades of ink!

[LazarusShort]

There's just no future with a pen that won't write when you take the cap off. I filled three pens the other day, two Schaeffer's and a Waterman. I tried writing with them this afternoon, and only the newer Schaeffer wrote right off. I think it was because it had a good seal between cap and barrel. I think I made a good decision in making it my "daily driver." BTW, it's engraved with the previous owner's name and the date of a previous Christmas.

[pararis]

I wouldn't by most fountain pens today. I've bought a lot of junk in the past; I have a bag full of pens, some quite expensive, that I wouldn't touch or even give to an enemy. We seem to have created a marketplace of poor quality and often inexperienced manufacturers and distributors selling to people who mostly have no idea what a fountain pens is supposed to do or how to use one.

YAFA tops my list of bad suppliers. They're a company built on mass produced junk and heavy marketing.

Would never buy a Mont Blanc. From what I hear, their pens are good quality, and that does not surprise me. They know what they're doing in the fountain pen world and they've been doing it a long time. But their overpriced pretentiousness offends me, and frankly, I'd be embarrassed to be seen with one of their pens.

Visconti is another I would never buy. Too many horror stories of pens that simply can't write. Why would anyone pay $500 or more for a pen that can't perform the primary function? Better to take the money to Las Vegas and try your luck. Maybe win enough to buy one of Mr. Lambrou's genuine marvels.

I reserve most of my vitriol for the companies not primarily in the pen business but who see a way of expanding what they do. Companies, like Tactile Turn and others who run machine shops and decide they can use their equipment to make fountain pens. They know absolutely nothing about the ergonomics of fountain pens and their products generally look and feel like things that came out of machine shops. Companies like Pilot and Sailor (and even Mont Blanc) have a hundred years experience, and their products show it. Bottom line, if you don't have the capability of making your own nibs, I don't consider you a pen manufacturer. And I'm not buying what you're selling -- I have enough of your stuff in my bad bag already.

[vicpen123]

I won't buy any pen that is not unique or interesting as an example of fountain pen design or manufacture.

 

Many on this site insist that how a pen writes is the main consideration. But not me.

 

Although all of my pens write satisfactorily some are more valuable to me than others simply because they represent progress in fountain pen design eg Sheaffer snorkel, Parker "51", TWSBI or are classic designs eg Parker 75 cisele, Sailor 21k nib, Parker Duofold Centennial pearl and black.

 

My guess is that those who accumulate watches, guns, china plates, cameras etc don't always expect to use them. So why should fountain pens be held to a different standard?

 

If a pen meets my test as being unique and interesting, then I must have it. If it is only stylish, then who needs it?

[hot cocoa]

Clipless pens, unless I can add a clip.

 

Heavy, metal pens. Too fatguing.

 

Just a counterpoint to all the lack of loving on Noodler's in this thread...have bought 3 Konrad acrylics and they all write like dreams. Sorry your experiences weren't positive.

[SchaumburgSwan]

Hi,

 

Lamy Safari, the wire clip is so ugly.

 

Best

Jens

[WarrenB]

Lamy pens. They have their reasons for snubbing online-only retailers, but it's not the first time in one of my hobbies where I've seen a big company push online sellers around, and it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

 

That, and the designs leave me cold, anyway.

 

Another one here shrugging at clear demonstrators, but not at coloured ones. I can see how people would appreciate them, but I think they remind me too much of fat crystal bics.

 

Thin sections, slippery metal sections generally. Sometimes I can get a thumbhold on the barrel, but not enough for more than short notes.

[Tseg]

I suppose Im lucky in that every pen in my collection writes really well, but Ive had to be actively engaged in that result with about 40% of my pens (ie, nib adjustments)... but that is part of the hobby for me. I like a comfortable pen and have identified most but not al of my pens with steps between section and barrel are less comfortable to me. As a result, I have stopped buying pens with steps.

Edited June 10, 2018 by Tseg

[Stylo_dOr]

pens engraved with the name of previous owner

 

That's some funny stuff, unless, of course, it's your father or mother's name.

Edited June 10, 2018 by Stylo_dOr

[Stylo_dOr]

Hi,

 

Lamy Safari, the wire clip is so ugly.

 

Best

Jens

 

Hideous wire clip.

Edited June 10, 2018 by Stylo_dOr

[sansenri]

 

I'm a great believer in transforming the psychological stigma ("vibe" if you will) of inanimate objects. Supposing you do wind up with a pen that makes you think of Nazis. Take it and write an uncomfortably fat check to the Jewish Anti-Defamation League (or something). That object will now acquire the stronger association of an act of generosity and a gesture to right a wrong. Here in Connecticut, after the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, they razed the (perfectly sound) building and erected a new one - an understandable reaction to the horrors the families involved suffered there. I submit that a more powerful response would be to gather the community and tap into their creativity for things to be done to and in that building to promote healing and good acts, which would have enduring value to the community. (Newtown's a wealthy town, however, which can well afford to throw money at the problem.) We're surrounded by things that remind us of the negative aspects of humanity; unless we do something, when we can, to create new, positive associations, life will become an obstacle course of things to avoid.

 

I really don't get this nazi pen thing

 

in my opinion events and inanimate objects are totally unrelated

even when objects are involved in events, they are faultless

 

if you believe the pen may (as you have no evidence) have had any fault, then as suggested by Manalto you could retrain it to good deeds...in expiation...

personally I don't think it's necessary

 

in this respect, what would you do if you suspect your vintage US pen has been used by some gangster to sign a blood money deed, or by a crocked administrator to corrupt someone, etc.?

 

come on, do we need to open a pandora's box of this kind, on a pen?

[minddance]

Platinum 3776, Lamy2000, TWSBI (all of them), Sailor Medium and Broad nibs, Pilot (many of them unless I can test), Jinhao, Baoer, Hero, Delike, many chinese pens - for different reasons.

 

The reasons are mostly either nib, and/or overall quality, flow, preservation of inks, girth (size)/weight/balance problems.

Edited June 30, 2018 by minddance

[sansenri]

the disliking reasons are nonetheless fascinating as much as the liking

 

I was fascinated by these three

• same name as a car (if Delta ever makes an 88, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it)
• same name as a clothing company
• ridiculous name

which pens have a car name?

oh, I see, you mean brands like Ferrari, etc?

(by the way Delta, besides it's much more obvious greek origin as a word, is a famous Lancia car model of the 70s, how is that an obstacle?)

 

same name as a clothing company
ok, that's marketing, but you may reconsider that

(personally I'm in the never say never league)
ever seen this Gucci? (it's made by Stipula) it's in ebonite and silver, I fell in love with it...

ridiculous names, which pen name you find ridiculous enough no to buy the pen?

 

despite my never say never attitude, I tend to dislike (collected some suggestions in this thread)

 

Cross pens, I don't like the style, never tried one
Monteverde, same as above

Noodlers, same as above, look cheap

Lamy safari, I dont' like the style, I love my 2000 though

Heavy metal pens, I have a few, they don't get any use

overly blingy (subjective)

skull pens (would never buy)

badly threaded (mostly chinese - I have some, dislike that gritty feeling)

skinny (I have a few, particularly vintage, but I try to avoid them unless they are really must haves)

shocking pink (ughh)

big step down barrel/section (I have a few, they hurt!)

sharp threaded section (TWSBI, stopped me from purchase)

obscenely expensive (very subjective)

maki-e, I don't like the style

hard start, if only I could try all bought pens...

 

cheap and nasty, I have quite a few, most of them were free though, they serve some purpose at times

 

 

 

 

[inkstainedruth]

Clipless pens, unless I can add a clip.

 

Heavy, metal pens. Too fatguing.

 

Just a counterpoint to all the lack of loving on Noodler's in this thread...have bought 3 Konrad acrylics and they all write like dreams. Sorry your experiences weren't positive.

 

I'm with you on the Noodler's. I have 3 resin Konrads and 1 of the ebonite ones, as well as 3 of the FPCs, a bunch of freebie Charlie pens, and a Boston Safety. And bought 2 other Konrads which I lost.

I've had issues with one of the Charlies, but that may be because I was trying a sample of ink and there wasn't enough to fill the barrel (therefore I had a lot of burping into the cap); one of the resin Konrads writes very dry, and for some reason will not post (some sort of obstruction in the cap); and the Safety is a bit finicky about ink (didn't really like Kung Te Cheng, but has done fine with Luck of the Draw LE), and also does the "burping into the cap" thing that most eyedroppers do anyway. That's 3 out of 13 pens (15 if you count the two Konrads I lost) and I haven't had the issues people complain about. I haven't even had the "OMG the vegetal resin smells AWFUL" issue -- and I always was pretty sensitive about odors.... Would I buy another Konrad? Sure, if I found a color I liked -- and definitely if Nathan made more colors of the ebonite ones (some of the ebonite colors for the Neponsets, for instance, because those pens are too large for me).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth