Reflections On The Marketplace

[Kataphract]

Pens are tools to me - if they look nice, that's a bonus, but I'm not going to spend a lot of money on pens that are intended as more decorative than functional. I'll still admire them, though, even without particularly needing them.

 

But if I won the lottery, yeah, I'd probably buy a steampunk fountain pen. I'm a sucker for steampunk.

[Matt.Nethery]

That review from Amazon is hilarious, I think this world needs more humor and sarcasm. In my life I do my best to only take the most necessary things seriously.

[flipper_gv]

Companies will produce what sells. Simple as that.

 

But honestly, there is more than enough models out there doing what you want.

[marcelo]

That review from Amazon is hilarious, I think this world needs more humor and sarcasm. In my life I do my best to only take the most necessary things seriously.

I could not agree more.

[pajaro]

Interesting. I prefer less as being more exciting, and the Parker 51 is to me the epitome of pen design. Streamlined, and of useful size, and it's as good and durable a pen as there is. I prefer the midnight blue aerometric with Lustraloy cap, but the Flighter is beautiful also.

 

I like the Waterman Phileas, which is a tad bit gaudy, especially with a Carene section and nib. Also the Laureat II, the Montblanc Generation and red version of the 144. Not too gaudy.

 

Usually I use the midnight blue 51. Every other pen is just a gadget for play.

[amk]

My gaudiest pen is probably Jinhao 'pearl windows'. Rarely used, because I need the Charles Atlas School for Fountain Pen Related Body-Building before I can take it out of the box.

 

However, I love gaudy celluloids and acrylics. The understated elegance of the black pen... sure, it's wonderful, but one is enough (or three, if we're talking Lamy 2000s) :-) Edison acrylics, Merlin and Bayard celluloids, can be really stunning. I don't collect Italians, due to budget restrictions, but some of those celluloids are gorgeous (and that, to my mind, is the real own goal of the Chaos pen, since there's actually a rather lovely material underneath all that bling, but the bling means you can hardly see it!)

 

I also love ornate nibs. The MB Copernicus, for instance, with its wavy-flamed sun.

 

In neither case does the ornamental value get in the way of the primary function of the pen.

[23Larsen]

I too would have appreciated pictures. I don't know that I necessarily agree or disagree with you. I just enjoy living vicariously through those who have the good fortune of attending pen shows.

 

Same here. In much the same way i enjoy reading reviews of uber-expensive pens i´ll never own myself, its just enjoyable to read others experience and i´m happy that they take the time out of their lives to share that experience.

[wspohn]

If you hate overly decorated pens, you should take a look at many cars.

 

My old simple (and I think elegant) car:

 

http://classicmotorsports.com/media/img/readerrides/islero.jpg.249x186_q85_crop.jpg

 

What they did to the subsequent models:

 

http://www.classicdriver.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_full/public/lamborghini_countach_lm002_14.jpg?itok=225eo2gx

 

I also vote for a Parker 51 Flighter as a great example of a good looking and great writing pen. You don't need flairs, scoops or glaring colours.

[marcelo]

If you hate overly decorated pens, you should take a look at many cars.

 

My old simple (and I think elegant) car:

 

http://classicmotorsports.com/media/img/readerrides/islero.jpg.249x186_q85_crop.jpg

 

What they did to the subsequent models:

 

http://www.classicdriver.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_full/public/lamborghini_countach_lm002_14.jpg?itok=225eo2gx

 

I also vote for a Parker 51 Flighter as a great example of a good looking and great writing pen. You don't need flairs, scoops or glaring colours.

WOW! Which Lambo is that (yours)?

Edited April 22, 2015 by marcelo

[wspohn]

WOW! Which Lambo is yours?

 

Mine is the 'Parker 51 Flighter'.

 

The later one is the automotive equivalent of that Bathyscaphe abortion.

[marcelo]

 

Mine is the 'Parker 51 Flighter'.

 

The later one is the automotive equivalent of that Bathyscaphe abortion.

I understood when you first posted but my question was not clear. Which model/year is yours, the elegant one ?

[wspohn]

Sorry, misunderstood you.

 

That is a 1969 Islero S. can't fault you if you've never heard of it - they only made 100 of them.

 

The other one is a Countach.

[marcelo]

Sorry, misunderstood you.

 

That is a 1969 Islero S. can't fault you if you've never heard of it - they only made 100 of them.

 

The other one is a Countach.

No. The fault was mine.

 

If they made 100 of them I wonder how many are left after 46 years. I assume you know. :-)

[wspohn]

If they made 100 of them I wonder how many are left after 46 years. I assume you know. :-)

 

They were very expensive for the time. one cost $20,000.00 US. that would have bought you 3 Jag XKEs, or 4 of the special 427 Corvettes. They tended to get only occasional use - mine has 47,000 km on it (~30,000 miles in 46 years).

 

We expect at least 60% survival rate - many are still unkown as to fate.

[marcelo]

 

They were very expensive for the time. one cost $20,000.00 US. that would have bought you 3 Jag XKEs, or 4 of the special 427 Corvettes. They tended to get only occasional use - mine has 47,000 km on it (~30,000 miles in 46 years).

 

We expect at least 60% survival rate - many are still unkown as to fate.

Thank you for the info. I will forward it to a couple of friends who will enjoy reading it. :-)

 

And your gorgeous Lambo reminded me of my own opinion, that the nicest, most good-looking cars were made in the fifties and sixties, while the worst, most bad-looking were made in the eighties.

Edited April 29, 2015 by marcelo