Branded!

[Karmachanic]

Just in case we forgot, or didn't get around to reading this section of the forum.

 

B. Overall Rules and Guidelines

 

Politeness and civility to others is expected from all members. Please refrain from personal attacks, profanity, and discriminatory comments.

Edited August 31, 2019 by Karmachanic

[Inky.Fingers]

[dms525]

Such positive and negative energy discharges!

 

i have to wonder whether there would have been the same reaction if _InkyFingers had shared that having a ... Oh, say a ... Tibaldi, Pelikan, DaniTrio or Nakaya in his pocket made him "proud" or even "giddy."

 

David

[Inky.Fingers]

It takes a lot to create a successful brand. It does not however means every product is a good product and certainly is not for everyone.

MB is a brand name. So is Pilot, a brand name with trusted products, as are Sailor, Lamy, Aurora etc... Every brand also offers a luxury item, i.e. Pilot does offer Namiki.

 

I like to know what is it about MB that arouse both positive and negative tones. Certainly, as David have pointed out

that other brands including Sailor, Pilot, Lamy etc.. have a flag ship product that commands more Euro/dollars to obtain.

 

Please note that the pen that made me giddy is the design of a pen that is before most of us that is reading this were born. So why the

resentment?

Edited September 1, 2019 by _InkyFingers

[kazoolaw]

Not sure which I like best: the pen, the penmanship, or swinging with Ella.

 

gary

[chromantic]

I wouldn't say I'm "proud" to use Pelikan (or Parker or any of the other brands I use), I simply enjoy using them and the bill clip (or the arrow) visible on the shirt pocket is more of a signal that other members of a secret society will recognize, like a special handshake or "Hail, Hydra".

 

I *do* take pride in choosing to use fountain pens over other writing instruments.

[peroride]

As someone early on this journey, I like all brands much to the exasperation of my spouse. It's all over the place, kinda diluting the concept of being branded.

 

Of late, I have dwelled /gathered onto certain ones, but in general I have been learning through each to hone toward a distinct preference. Sadly this hobby does not make it easy for each brand has aspects that shine or attempt to across competition and history.

 

Is there a brand that affords a balance of form and function, so wholly satisfying that all others fall off the radar?

 

Material, ink delivery, manual balance, historical/limited significance, writing expression, maintenance, modularity, the list goes on and on. Each user will apply their own subjective weight or slobber on emotional impulse. Different strokes for different folks!

 

I've read some that have sold their vast collections after being struck by Andreas Lambrou LB5 Carville bonded acrylic or finding a home in Conids of @Fountainbel fame Maybe a few Dantrios and you're set?

 

I'm not there yet though chatting with Mr Lambrou and salivating on his not-for-sale magic heirlooms I could understand the notion of single brand contentment.

 

For me, a brand is an identifier of consistency if the models carry the same quality throughout. This is not always true, but it helps with the acquisition decision. Brand X is known for... Brand Z is great at ...

 

My first luxury pen that I thought would be the end all be all-BIFL was a gifted Pilot Custom 823 from Andersons Pen Chicago (nice store btw)

 

Several months of researching, YouTubing and pouring over reviews got me to that conclusion. My wife thought she could nip the puppy whining in the bud, but little did we know, it opened the flood gates for more dog treats!

 

The former MB sales rep working that shift had a lovely one pen story about his 149, the basic, this-is-all-you-need-fable.

I did admire the flourish with which he deftly withdrew the giant cigar from his pocket after telling us its history of traveled companionship. It was like seeing his old dog. Made me wish I had one!

 

Fun tidbit: he claimed MB had a special group of old longtime employees, grannies if you will, who are/were responsible for specific single tasks on pen parts and that they often would work on them in open air fields at headquarters (can anyone back this up?)

 

Anyway, he nudged us to his former loyalty though it seemed more of an upsell. We tried the MB nib/feeds and found them dry/scratchy not as pleasurable as the smooth Pilot. I wrote the lifestyle brand off and was content with the Pilot though I eyed the Aurora Optima eye candy there as well. But little did I know of my writing palate back then... feedback, softness, flexibility.. what's that?

 

I'm still learning many $$$ later and I have brands that I swore off now are in the fold. I didn't like Pelikan, cuz well they look so pedestrian almost utilitarian, consistently, boring. Now I prize the brand after learning of heritage, longevity and craft having discovered the balanced M101N form among my top pens.

 

Other brands that I enjoy: Pilot (823, Custom Urushi, VP), Sailor (KOP), Waterman (vintage), Sheaffer (snorkel c'mon everyone has to get a snork or vac-fill), Parker (Duofold, 51, 75), Aurora(88), Modern resin independents (FC Jonathon Brooks, etc same nib, different body), Lamy (L2K, Safari), Pelikan (vintage, M101N, my wife adores her M400 meaning you must like the brand that your pen enabler agrees with ), MB(vintage), more Asia (Wing Sung 601 (P51 knockoff), Opus 88 (modern eyedropper monopoly),TWSBI (good value)) ... there are a few more but it is becoming shameful.

 

But then I discovered grinds and ink affect performance. The pen is not everything. The pen is not everything. The pen is not everything. (had to repeat that for myself)

 

Today Pilot 823 is sitting in the box (really large ink capacity!) and I'm daily carrying a 1980s ebonite monotone MB 146 wet stub.

 

Go figure?!

 

The journey continues...

[Inky.Fingers]

@Peroride My journey still. I am not settle yet. Perhaps one day. Schaeffer is still love for me.

 

Per "branded"....

I must admit that my post came out unexpected... What I really wanted to say was that little star, it twinkles me to use it as opposed to another pen. As can be said of other pens, the arrow clips on a Parker, the pelican beaks on a Pelikan, or the golden acrylic of the Delta Dolcevitae, and the Arco acrylic of the Omas etc... Of course any pen can be made a great writer via a nibmeister or by the DIY user. And the usual preference of each user.

 

I have many pens more than I can use: Sailor KOP, Sailor realo etc., Pilot, Lamy Persona, Pelikan 200...1000, Aurora 88, Optima Parker Big Red, vintage and modern...Etc...

 

So I am not branded ...Just a giddy person with the preference for the twinkling stars..

[peroride]

 

>Just a giddy person with the preference for the twinkling stars..

 

@_InkyFingers lovely sentiment and pen, I could not agree more.

 

Sometimes I wake up from this madness (what the bleep have I done!?) where reason is trying to resolve the equation of value for fashioned metals and polymers. Does not compute.

 

then I write and the experience, the "feeling", giddy if you will, suspends rationale.

 

Embrace the giddy

[Pensei]

Not to the exclusion of other brands with which I have less experience, but Pilot and Sailor have been for me so consistently attractive, reliable, and good on paper that I have positive feelings toward those two companies.