Picking From A Pair

[whichwatch]

Have you ever bought two similar or somehow related pens, realized you should really only keep one, and had trouble deciding which to keep and which to let go? Seems like I have stumbled into that quagmire twice in the last couple of weeks.

 

First is a pair of special edition Sailor King of Pens. Or is it Kings of Pen? Kings of Pens? Whatever. Anyway, here they are.

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B1247D24B-F5C2-4FBD-8E24-5784D5EE230D%7D/origpict/k1.jpg

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B4F047CE4-3CB7-40A5-86EC-2E496CB586AD%7D/origpict/k2.jpg

 

As you can see, both have a lovely deep blue body with contrasting finials. On the left is a King of Pen in the Pro Gear format that was a special edition for one Japanese pen shop, though I can't remember which one. On the right is the 1911 shaped "Asian Way".

 

The ProGear shape is dark blue with contrasting black finials. The blue has a bit of a grainy looking sparkly finish. The Asian Way with its clear finials is a more solid color without the sparkliness and has some purple tone in the blue whereas the other pen is pure blue.

 

Originally I thought the decision was easy - I'd just pick the one with the nib I like best. But then I realized that the nibs are interchangeable. I think I know which way I'm leaning, but not 100% sure quite yet.

 

And then it gets harder..... as here come the big 'uns.

 

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B4A293001-80F1-4FB8-B63A-A4D1A3ED3CEB%7D/origpict/r3.jpg

 

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BEF816BAA-9733-4373-B2BB-F3FF1418422B%7D/origpict/r4.jpg

 

 

On the left is the Pilot Custom Urushi and on the right the Namiki Emperor in Vermillion. I thought this would be easy as for me the more dramatic color combination of the Pilot wins the day. But then I picked up the Emperor and wrote with it. There is just something about the feel of that pen in my hand, and the lush way it writes.

 

Such decisions! I worked (and saved) my entire career to be able to reach this point and now I can't decide. Sigh.

[da vinci]

Its nice to have to make choices. Personally I think the KOP's are actually different pens, given the significantly different design, ltd editions etc. I'd keep them both

 

The same logic applies to the Pilot and the Namiki. I have both the black and the vermillion custom urushi pens in my collection, but I don't have an Emperor. I would go Emperor every time on that choice.

[silverlifter]

I can't say I have ever found myself in a position as demanding as this one, but if I did, I'd be in no hurry to decide.

 

Over a several months, I would see which one of the pair I naturally reached for. After waiting so long for such beautiful pens, a little longer won't hurt!

[whichwatch]

I can't say I have ever found myself in a position as demanding as this one, but if I did, I'd be in no hurry to decide.

 

Over a several months, I would see which one of the pair I naturally reached for. After waiting so long for such beautiful pens, a little longer won't hurt!

Such logic! And having it introduced into what seems such an emotional decision. I’m an engineer. I’m supposed to think like that! But in this case I couldn’t. Or at least didn’t. Pretty good approach. Thanks!

[FOUR X FOUR]

getting rid of any of my pens is foreign to me.

[LeakyInk]

Take a coin pick one pen assign it to heads and the other to tails. Flip the coin, are you happy with the result or a little disappointed?

[Noihvo]

[sirgilbert357]

Of the Sailors, the choice is easy for me: I'd keep the one with the contrasting black finials. I don't like the clear finials of the other one.

 

The other choice is a little more difficult. Visually, I think the Pilot appeals to me more with the black contrasting bits, but since you can't swap nibs around with this one like with the Sailors, I would have to keep whichever pen writes the best.

[sidthecat]

I have a handful of little brown Waterman ringtops, some of which write better than others. I suppose I should start culling them.

[A Smug Dill]

getting rid of any of my pens is foreign to me.

 

That's not entirely the case for me. Not counting what became presents for people I know (and even one I didn't know), and what passed from my fleet into my fiancée fleet one way or another, I have given away a Nemosine Singularity and several Hero 395 pens, and of course binned a few other pens too. Surely that counts as getting rid of one's pens, at least as much as (if not more so than) selling them, bartering with them or otherwise try to recoup some cost or value in the process of parting with them?

 

Have you ever bought two similar or somehow related pens, realized you should really only keep one,

But why?

 

and had trouble deciding which to keep and which to let go?

Such logic! And having it introduced into what seems such an emotional decision. I’m an engineer. I’m supposed to think like that! But in this case I couldn’t. Or at least didn’t.

What is the true primary objective of the exercise, if it isn't just reducing the number of pens in your collection? If it's to recoup the cost of acquisition or perhaps even make a profit, then the price you paid and the price you can get for each pen now certainly should take centre stage, especially if you don't seem to be set on which pen gives you more satisfaction to own and use.

[Freddy]

'Tis about the Op...Not.....You You You or dude that wants to sleep sleep eat eat play complain and sleep again...

Fred..

I just keep 'em all.....until time to move a hundred here and there.........

[Scylax]

I cant help you decide really - I tend to like my pens in matching pairs. But I cant resist commenting on that Asian Way Sailor with the clear finials - I just love it!

[essayfaire]

As you can see, both have a lovely deep blue body with contrasting finials. On the left is a King of Pen in the Pro Gear format that was a special edition for one Japanese pen shop, though I can't remember which one. On the right is the 1911 shaped "Asian Way".

 

The ProGear shape is dark blue with contrasting black finials.

 

I prefer the Sailor on the left, but that's a personal preference for the particular shade of blue and how it looks paired with the black.

 

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B4A293001-80F1-4FB8-B63A-A4D1A3ED3CEB%7D/origpict/r3.jpg

 

But then I picked up the Emperor and wrote with it. There is just something about the feel of that pen in my hand, and the lush way it writes.

 

 

I always vote for keeping the one that gives you the best experience when you write... unless your plan is to display the pen more than use it. Form follows function and all that.

[miwishi63]

getting rid of any of my pens is foreign to me.

 

That was my first thought...

[samasry]

If it is up to me, I would keep the Emperor, but in case you decide against keeping the Emperor, I am sure several people would take it of your hand in no time

[Pensei]

I don't think the pairs are really pairs. They have some resemblances, but are quite different. Which raises the question of what you mean by "should." If you need money for food, you need to pick. But if you are just bothered by having pens that are sort of alike, I would say don't worry about it.

[vicpen123]

Unless you need the money, keep them all. That way you can have four measures of pleasure, not two, without the remorse that comes from making a (wrong?) choice.

[jchch1950]

the Emperor will be my choice.But maybe is not best pen to carry around an office or field work.

[Says]

Take a coin pick one pen assign it to heads and the other to tails. Flip the coin, are you happy with the result or a little disappointed?

Love this approach, do it all the time. Once the coin is flipped, you know where you stand

[como]

Of course this is very personal: instead of deciding which to get rid of, I would pick which one(s) to keep. My choice would be the Namiki Emperor. It's an awesome pen in material, design, and filling system. It's unmistakable. From time to time, I sell pens that I use less. The result is that I really enjoy what's left much more.