Do You Ever Just 'binge' Sometimes?

[gweimer1]

I've been binging this week. Currently waiting for:

9 Esterbrook J

3 Esterbrook desk pens

2 Esterbrook pencils

2 Sheaffer

 

The 13 Esties should be waiting for me when I get home. And...I *really* can't afford to be doing this.

[MusterMark]

Yes. Pen shows. I go in thinking, "just one cool vintage pen," and as soon as I get in the turn that turns into, "oooh! Look at all of the ink! I probably need another pen to go with that new bottle of ink, too!"

[Koyote]

I used to binge quite a bit...Then one day I woke up on a park bench wearing just my underwear and a feather boa, so I quit.

[Lou Erickson]

I don't know if I'd describe what I do as "binges".... I do tend to buy things in clumps, though. I save up pen money, then buy several things. While I'm experimenting with the new things, I save up more money... then again.

 

I seem to be slowing down, as I have all the things I'm interested in, I think.

[Icywolfe]

I wonder does anybody else ever had ebay accidents where they are bidding on multiple bidding hoping to at least get 1 but end up with two or more?

[Behike54]

 

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/carminebalance/uncapped.jpg

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/eversharp_skyline_demi/uncapped.jpg

 

 

Uh, er, yeah................those pens are GORGEOUS! Sheesh!

[zchen]

I wonder does anybody else ever had ebay accidents where they are bidding on multiple bidding hoping to at least get 1 but end up with two or more?

Yes.

 

That's how I ended up with 2 of my MB146s and 2 of my Visconti Van Gogh Maxi(at least those 2 are different color.....)

 

Also I binged on ebay last week thanks to you know who *cough*Taizo*cough* with the great price for Japanese pens, ended up with 3 pilots and 1 platinum.

 

Am slowing down though, there are only a few pens that I still feel the desire for but haven't acquired due to not finding them at a comfortable price point. Those are Pilot Custom 845 or Custom Enju, Pelikan 1000, Sheaffer PFM II or IV, Sailor KOP, and Visconti Opera.

Edited September 17, 2014 by zchen

[cancoi]

I've been fighting the binge urge since rediscovering my pens (put up for a few years due to small children using them as darts). Need ink, oh, yes, 3 bottles of Noodler's would be a delight plus some cartridges thrown in for good measure. A Binder CI replacement for my old VP, you say...should bite given Richard's inventory decreasing. Hey, what's this cute little mint pocket pen -- gotta try that one! TWIZBEE? With a Butter Line Stub? Why, yes, thank you! And, now I've just seen the MB Daniel Dafoe ink, which would be the perfect companion for the TWSBI...sigh. I thought knitting was an expensive hobby!

[gweimer1]

I wonder does anybody else ever had ebay accidents where they are bidding on multiple bidding hoping to at least get 1 but end up with two or more?

 

No, but I have had the reverse. I've done a "drive-by" bid, thinking I might not really get it, and then find that I'm the only bidder. The Esterbrook Dollar pen I just got was something I stumbled on with 7 minutes left, and no bidders. I figured, "what the heck?" I got it.

 

[inkstainedruth]

I did a fair amount of binging on pens (vintage ones) and inks (mostly samples) last year.

Trying to cut back this year, but not entirely succeeding....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[miwishi63]

Thanks for the chuckle. However, I don't recognize this word "binge."

[Baric]

I don't "binge", I buy enthusiastically. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[KBeezie]

Well these two arrived today:

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/jitterbug/capped.jpg

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/jitterbug/uncapped.jpg

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/pilotelite/lady/capped.jpg

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/pilotelite/lady/uncapped.jpg

 

4 more incoming...

[Polanova]

I`ve binged (if you wanna call it that) on - mostly - vintage pens for the better part of a year until I got so many pens, that even favorite ones stay uninked for months.

Now every new acquisition means that those favorite pens see even less action. So nowadays I think long & hard before I buy another one.

After all I`m not a collector, but a user. My emotional (?) side would love to continue to expect a new pen every week, but I resist for that reason.

[Elyptic]

Well these two arrived today:

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/jitterbug/capped.jpg

I am really interested in the Jitterbug, but am very curious how durable they really are. I mean, next to my Kaweco Al Sport, most things don't seem overly durable.

[KBeezie]

I am really interested in the Jitterbug, but am very curious how durable they really are. I mean, next to my Kaweco Al Sport, most things don't seem overly durable.

 

Well first impression using it at class tonight was pretty good, they're not "Solid" feeling like an AL Sport, but despite the body being smaller than an AL Sport, it's much more comfortable to write with. Feels nice in the hand, the celluloid or whatever material is used does feel thick as if it's not going to crack or something, but it's probably equivalent to say the Classic Sport.

 

It doesn't post quite as well as the AL Sport, since as you may know the AL Sport, the cap posts snugly/firmly to the back, there's absolutely no movement once it's posted. On the Jitterbug! if you try to post it perfectly straight, you may occasionally feel the cap creak or shift depending on how heavy your hand is, or potentially risk the cap slipping off in a combination of having a heavy hand, and a loose posting. I found what works well is to post it somewhat (bleep)-eyed so that the cap is leaning more towards the top, in that way it's already tilted/shifted against the curve of my hand.

 

Because the nib is so wet (sometimes too wet, like with mead notebook paper), next to no contact is needed for it to write, so the posted cap mainly offers balance and stability to the writing (without the cap posted , the rear of the barrel doesn't even reach the palm of my hand).

 

The AL Sport's Grip is a little on the small side for me, and also being aluminum, it's going to be interesting to see how well it goes with the cold weather coming, especially given that the pen itself changes temperature very easily. Took a walk with it the other night when it was 45 degrees out (F), the Texas Pecan still flowed and all, but it wasn't comfortable to whip out and use when coming in from outside.

 

I do know that if the Jitterbug is too small, they have the Admiral which is a little larger and it's more streamlined.

 

For absolute durability the AL Sport is most likely going to win out. The Jitterbug! mainly wins out for comfort in my opinion, unless you're a little heavy on how you hold the pen (thus casing the cap to shift in posting). Both are equally good for size, but you least have the option to go clipless with the AL Sport. Also the AL Sport of the two is the only one I would throw into a pocket with a bunch of sharp companions (it's also Raw Aluminum... so it's a masochist).

 

Edit: a Sheet of some quick class notes with the Jitterbug today. It seems to sometimes pool in the nib if I'm just holding it in my hands in between note taking, which can be noted by the darker/thicker starts in certain places.

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/jitterbug/class-notes.jpg

Edited September 18, 2014 by KBeezie

[Elyptic]

Well first impression using it at class tonight was pretty good, they're not "Solid" feeling like an AL Sport, but despite the body being smaller than an AL Sport, it's much more comfortable to write with. Feels nice in the hand, the celluloid or whatever material is used does feel thick as if it's not going to crack or something, but it's probably equivalent to say the Classic Sport.

 

It doesn't post quite as well as the AL Sport, since as you may know the AL Sport, the cap posts snugly/firmly to the back, there's absolutely no movement once it's posted. On the Jitterbug! if you try to post it perfectly straight, you may occasionally feel the cap creak or shift depending on how heavy your hand is, or potentially risk the cap slipping off in a combination of having a heavy hand, and a loose posting. I found what works well is to post it somewhat (bleep)-eyed so that the cap is leaning more towards the top, in that way it's already tilted/shifted against the curve of my hand.

 

Because the nib is so wet (sometimes too wet, like with mead notebook paper), next to no contact is needed for it to write, so the posted cap mainly offers balance and stability to the writing (without the cap posted , the rear of the barrel doesn't even reach the palm of my hand).

 

The AL Sport's Grip is a little on the small side for me, and also being aluminum, it's going to be interesting to see how well it goes with the cold weather coming, especially given that the pen itself changes temperature very easily. Took a walk with it the other night when it was 45 degrees out (F), the Texas Pecan still flowed and all, but it wasn't comfortable to whip out and use when coming in from outside.

 

I do know that if the Jitterbug is too small, they have the Admiral which is a little larger and it's more streamlined.

 

For absolute durability the AL Sport is most likely going to win out. The Jitterbug! mainly wins out for comfort in my opinion, unless you're a little heavy on how you hold the pen (thus casing the cap to shift in posting). Both are equally good for size, but you least have the option to go clipless with the AL Sport. Also the AL Sport of the two is the only one I would throw into a pocket with a bunch of sharp companions (it's also Raw Aluminum... so it's a masochist).

 

Edit: a Sheet of some quick class notes with the Jitterbug today. It seems to sometimes pool in the nib if I'm just holding it in my hands in between note taking, which can be noted by the darker/thicker starts in certain places.

Thanks so much for the detailed explanation. I'm really curious about Bexley as a brand, but am having a hard time finding one of their pens that calls to me.

 

In looking at the Jitterbug!, I thought perhaps it might be a good pen to rotate with my Al Sport. I don't have a clip on mine and just throw it in my pocket with my phone (phone has a good case, so no risk of scratching either way). I probably couldn't do this with the Jitterbug! which is somewhat a check in the minus column for me.

 

Perhaps I'll look at more of the Bexley line and see what else they have!

 

Thanks again!

[KBeezie]

Perhaps I'll look at more of the Bexley line and see what else they have!

 

Thanks again!

Seems like if you don't care for the exact size or shape of the Jitterbug! the Admiral is slightly larger and seems more streamline, might be easier to hold. Close to the same price, all the other Bexley seems to be over $100 new.

Edited September 18, 2014 by KBeezie

[Surei]

Well these two arrived today:

 

 

 

 

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/pilotelite/lady/capped.jpg

 

 

 

4 more incoming...

Why why WHY did you post pictures?! I am now completely in love with this pen. You are a menace!

[KBeezie]

Why why WHY did you post pictures?! I am now completely in love with this pen. You are a menace!

It feels as purdy as it looks...