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$1000+ Fountain Pens


Stowford

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Out of pure curiosity, I wonder, who has spent around, or more than $1000 on a single fountain pen? What did you get? Are you satisfied with it? Was it worth the money? And I'd love to see a photo If you have one.

Edited by Stowford
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Haven't gotten close to that YET. $500USD is my next plateau. I've seen and handled pens costing $1000+ at Dromgoole's in Houston. Most of them were Limited Edition which drives up the price artificially, at least to me. Not saying I wouldn't do it but I buy pens so I can write with them and not something to keep hoping it will increase in value.

Pat Barnes a.k.a. billz

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I have several pens that either I spent that amount on, or I spent less but the list is over 1k.

 

Several Dani Trios, Viscontis, Sailor KOP, etc.

 

I also have a number of pens that are right below that threshold. I have been collecting for a long time so one of the things I was able to do is sell pens that I bought years ago for more than I paid. That allowed me to purchase pens that I have lusted for for years i.e. an Arco Brown Omas.

 

The wonderful thing about collecting is that I will sometimes just use $50 pens and get enjoyment out of them. You can't say that about many hobbies. Today I have a Visconti Van Gogh Self Portrait <300, Franklin Christoph 29? approx 130, Signum Orione (from Bryant at $40), a Kickstarter Takumi RB that was about $50, and an Acme Frank Lloyd Wright drafting pencil (60).

 

Tomorrow I might be using a Joe Cali , C E Levi, a Parker 51 or a Visconti Divina. I like variety and different takes on design.

 

I have given thought to selling off some more pens and getting a Romillo, Hakase, Oldwin and Conid with the proceeds.

Edited by Doug C

the Danitrio Fellowship

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The most expensive pen I have bought is my Platinum Izumo Yagumo Nuri. It lists at $1200 (according to nibs.com) though I paid well under $1000 buying it directly from Japan.

 

When I saw it, I thought it was the most beautiful pen I had ever seen. I had become intrigued with Makie, but until this never saw one I actually wanted. This one just called my name.

 

I actually use the pen a lot. It is a great writer and I enjoy it every time I use it.

 

I have posted these pictures before, but you asked, so here you go.

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B495E92FB-77C1-46F8-8BBC-6CB040BD40BC%7D/origpict/DSCN7533.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BF6AC13E1-1DF8-4AA5-8B95-E70DDDADC2F1%7D/origpict/DSCN7534.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B3D26FC2D-0F2A-497A-AE16-DD5E850F638E%7D/origpict/DSCN7535.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B51C550B7-DB90-41DC-A50F-8D55B0DB1236%7D/origpict/DSCN7536.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BF3574F13-94D2-4B65-829C-CDC7420E4B0C%7D/origpict/DSCN7537.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B180C2737-CCAB-463D-B536-3A9DB0947660%7D/origpict/DSCN7538.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B453212E3-1233-4F3F-A200-82BE41C7E920%7D/origpict/DSCN7540.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B4E909760-A24E-4041-9B84-8B7AB0ACB45F%7D/origpict/DSCN7541.JPG

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The most expensive pen I have bought is my Platinum Izumo Yagumo Nuri. It lists at $1200 (according to nibs.com) though I paid well under $1000 buying it directly from Japan.

 

When I saw it, I thought it was the most beautiful pen I had ever seen. I had become intrigued with Makie, but until this never saw one I actually wanted. This one just called my name.

 

I actually use the pen a lot. It is a great writer and I enjoy it every time I use it.

 

I have posted these pictures before, but you asked, so here you go.

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B495E92FB-77C1-46F8-8BBC-6CB040BD40BC%7D/origpict/DSCN7533.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BF6AC13E1-1DF8-4AA5-8B95-E70DDDADC2F1%7D/origpict/DSCN7534.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B3D26FC2D-0F2A-497A-AE16-DD5E850F638E%7D/origpict/DSCN7535.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B51C550B7-DB90-41DC-A50F-8D55B0DB1236%7D/origpict/DSCN7536.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BF3574F13-94D2-4B65-829C-CDC7420E4B0C%7D/origpict/DSCN7537.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B180C2737-CCAB-463D-B536-3A9DB0947660%7D/origpict/DSCN7538.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B453212E3-1233-4F3F-A200-82BE41C7E920%7D/origpict/DSCN7540.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B4E909760-A24E-4041-9B84-8B7AB0ACB45F%7D/origpict/DSCN7541.JPG

Beautiful...

Do you have any Nakayas, and if so how does this nib compare to them? I'm wondering since I have thought about getting this pen, but my Nakaya nibs are not my favorites.

the Danitrio Fellowship

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Beautiful...

Do you have any Nakayas, and if so how does this nib compare to them? I'm wondering since I have thought about getting this pen, but my Nakaya nibs are not my favorites.

 

I have one Nakaya - and currently not-so-patiently awaiting deliver of my second. However, it would not be fair to compare the nibs. The Platinum is a B. The Nakaya is a BB ground to an Architect's Point by John Mottishaw. The nibs are so different in configuration I do not think it is a good comparison.

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Is the writing experience with a $1000 pen differen than a $100 pen? If there is a difference, is it significant? Did anyone have to tune a $1000 pen or is it "perfect" out of the box?

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I have a few pens in the $800 range and I would say that the actual writing experience, i.e. nib to paper isn't a quantum leap over say a $50 pen. But they are so pretty... so beautiful to look at, that they're worth it to me.

Here for example are two of my favorite pens, Pilot Buddha pens:

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r315/skyppere/IMG_2659.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r315/skyppere/IMG_2657.jpg

 

They make me happy every time I use them.

skyppere

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I have a few pens in the $800 range and I would say that the actual writing experience, i.e. nib to paper isn't a quantum leap over say a $50 pen. But they are so pretty... so beautiful to look at, that they're worth it to me.

Here for example are two of my favorite pens, Pilot Buddha pens:

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r315/skyppere/IMG_2659.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r315/skyppere/IMG_2657.jpg

 

They make me happy every time I use them.

skyppere

Love the design and decoration of these pens.

 

And I am glad they make you happy :)

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The rule of diminishing returns means I probably never will. Fountain pens are all function to me, I don't care about collecting or rarity, just what works. I want it to work as well as possible, but I wont pay more if I can't tell the difference in function.

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Is the writing experience with a $1000 pen differen than a $100 pen? If there is a difference, is it significant? Did anyone have to tune a $1000 pen or is it "perfect" out of the box?

 

 

There is a difference - the look and feel in hand (not just how it writes but how it balances when you hold it. Specially when you compare a $100 western pen to a $1000 Western pen. Now say you compare a $250 Japanese pen to a $1000 western pen and you are more hard pressed to tell the difference.

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One of my Montblanc pens costed around $1000.

I love it.

-William S. Park

“My two fingers on a typewriter have never connected with my brain. My hand on a pen does. A fountain pen, of course. Ball-point pens are only good for filling out forms on a plane. - Graham Greene

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I have spent over 550USD, the most I have ever spent, for an Aurora. I can afford to spend much more, I won't. There is no pen worth that kind of money in my mind. Now remember, pens write...they are tools and instruments, translators of our thoughts to words, souls to paper. If I want to buy art, I would buy a Picasso, a Monet but I would not buy a pen. Then again, that is just me. I believe pens are tools. Beautiful, exquisite tools of the written word and they are MADE to write those words exquisitely.

Edited by FountainPages

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/606/letterji9.png

 

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.

 

Mark Twain

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Is the writing experience with a $1000 pen differen than a $100 pen? If there is a difference, is it significant? Did anyone have to tune a $1000 pen or is it "perfect" out of the box?

I have several pens that I paid over 1K for. First thing you have to get out of you mind is the cost. You are not buying a "better" writing pen, nor is a "perfect out of the box" nib guaranteed. At this price You are paying for a) craftsmanship of pen itself not the nib, B) exclusive, limited numbers etc, c) precious metals and gems. A lot of times the nib from a $3000 pen is the same nib from a $450 pen.

 

I like Halmarked Sterling Silver pens which typical cost $1500 +-, I have Two Onoto examples (Centenary & Aviator) and one Conway Stewart example (Britannia).

 

I have a Montblanc Boheme that I paid over 1K for because of the absolutely beautiful finish of the pen, the Pirouette Lilas, It is stunning.

 

I also have a Krone Special Edition Amelia Earhart Limited Edition FP, cost of 3K. Why because it is a Krone.

 

 

So is there a difference between a $100 and $1000 pen? YES, but each person will have to come to terms with that.

 

Yes you may have to tune a 5K pen, it is after all handmade and we all have different writing styles.

 

I do not regret any of my over 1K pen purchase but I do regret a bunch of my under $200 pen purchases.

 

I will continue to buy the pens I like and YES I USE MY over 1K for PENS DAILY.

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I have a Montblanc 149 and a Visconti Titanium Skeleton. The 149 is amazing, and I love writing with it in every way. The visconti is beautiful and buttery smooth, but also a bit heavier and the nib tends to dry up more, while the 149 is flawless. When compared to a Shaeffer balance, Rotring 600, and Levenger LTech3.0, I would say the MB is vastly superior, and the Visconti is a second, though the drying nib bothers me.

 

The others are fantastic still, and have the benefit of being more of 'beaters' than the other two, but man, that 149 is just so, so right.

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Is the writing experience with a $1000 pen differen than a $100 pen? If there is a difference, is it significant? Did anyone have to tune a $1000 pen or is it "perfect" out of the box?

 

I can only speak to my personal experience.

 

It all depends on what YOU are looking for and what you enjoy. Is part of the writing experience the sounds and feel of capping and uncapping the pen? How about the fit and finish at the points that don't show? Is the interior of the body as well finished as the outside? Are such things important to you and part of the experience? Is attention to even minor trivial details like the fit and finish of threading or security of snap caps something that registers? Is the feel of the clip, how it works on different fabrics, how it feels in use, how securely it positions the pen significant? What about materials? Do you like the feel of Sterling silver or of real gold?

 

Those are features that are usually found in fountain pens that cost more money, have more hand labor involved but only matter if such things interest you. If you are totally happy with hamburger why pay for steak?

 

http://www.fototime.com/BD53540DF7A062A/large.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/1684E735994F8D2/large.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/64EC09099C9280F/large.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/D63F83AD6420745/large.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/BA9E42D9CC8E748/large.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/BEAAB10C3C4DC42/large.jpg

 

My Website

 

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http://www.henrysimpole.com/photo6015489.html

I commissioned a bespoke pen from Henry Simpole featuring a verse from the Baha'i Faith in the original Arabic, calligraphy by Salman Khattak. It spoke to enough people on this board that at least 20 of us own one.

 

Sometimes the dream is worth the price. Mine is known as the Spirit of Life pen.

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I only have 15 pens, only 2 were under $500. 5 between $500 and $900, 6 were an almost flat 1k. One over 2.5k and one over 3.5k. Since I use them for work and my job is pretty much office stuff, then to me they pretty much write the same. I use them all for different ocations or my daily mood. Do I ever regret buying any of them? Absolutely not.

 

Any pen over $500. is no longer only a pen, it is also a beautiful accesory to wear.

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