What Pen(s) Do You Like But Refuse To Buy?

[elysee]

Since we discuss pens that we like, buy, and want to buy, I thought that it might be nice to ask a different type of question. To that end, here we go ... .

 

What pen(s) do you like but, to date, have refused to buy because there is something that you just do not like about the pen(s)?

Please do not include the price of the pen(s) as a consideration in why you refuse to consider buying the pen(s). Please include only attributes of the pen(s) as well as what makes you like the pen(s) and what makes you, ultimately, refuse to buy the pen(s).

[Strang]

So...we like them but we don't like them... :hmm1: ...now I am confused.

[WendyNC]

I think I get it. There have been a number of Danitrios which have interested me, but I just don't seem to do well with c//c pens.

[Speedcuber]

I really like the concept of the Pilot Vanishing Point, but much to my distaste the clip is positioned at the nib end of the pen rather than in the traditional position. Not only does this look rather unnatural, it also feels rather uncomfortable (I have briefly handled the pen at a shop). Perhaps one day in the future I will purchase one of these pens...but I would already have one if Pilot had put the clip on, in my opinion, the correct end of the pen.

[Mickey]

I really like the concept of the Pilot Vanishing Point, but much to my distaste the clip is positioned at the nib end of the pen rather than in the traditional position. Not only does this look rather unnatural, it also feels rather uncomfortable (I have briefly handled the pen at a shop). Perhaps one day in the future I will purchase one of these pens...but I would already have one if Pilot had put the clip on, in my opinion, the correct end of the pen.

 

And just think of all the fun you'd have picking out all those new shirts. (I suspect there may be a good reason for the clip being on that end of the pen.)

[Tsujigiri]

I like the pens I have now, and don't feel the need to buy another. So if I was to buy another pen, it would really have to be perfect in every possible way. Like maybe a piston-filled Sailor Pro Gear with real piston ink capacity and an urushi coating.

[WendyNC]

I really like the concept of the Pilot Vanishing Point, but much to my distaste the clip is positioned at the nib end of the pen rather than in the traditional position. Not only does this look rather unnatural, it also feels rather uncomfortable (I have briefly handled the pen at a shop). Perhaps one day in the future I will purchase one of these pens...but I would already have one if Pilot had put the clip on, in my opinion, the correct end of the pen.

 

And just think of all the fun you'd have picking out all those new shirts. (I suspect there may be a good reason for the clip being on that end of the pen.)

 

I have one, but I'd much prefer it if the clip were on the back (i.e., same end, opposite side of the barrel).

[tonybelding]

Yeah, I think it's a question about "pens that I like except for X", where X is deterring you from buying.

 

Usually X is the price tag, but not always!

 

Like Wendy, I've sometimes found myself looking at a pen and thinking, "Hmm, I like the style of that. Too bad it's a mere ordinary C/C filler."

 

With vintage pens, I sometimes find myself wary of plunger-fillers. Even though I love them when they are working right, there are only a few restorers who know how to fix them properly, and it often takes more time-and-money. I've gotten a couple of restored ones that didn't entirely work right. Thus the wariness.

[Speedcuber]

I really like the concept of the Pilot Vanishing Point, but much to my distaste the clip is positioned at the nib end of the pen rather than in the traditional position. Not only does this look rather unnatural, it also feels rather uncomfortable (I have briefly handled the pen at a shop). Perhaps one day in the future I will purchase one of these pens...but I would already have one if Pilot had put the clip on, in my opinion, the correct end of the pen.

 

And just think of all the fun you'd have picking out all those new shirts. (I suspect there may be a good reason for the clip being on that end of the pen.)

 

Indeed, yes; I do fully understand to what purpose they positioned the clip. However, to test the importance of such a purpose, I recently took my currently inked pens (Pelikan 150, Pelikan 120, and Parker 51), held them uncapped and with the nib down, and shook them in a manner that I would say most definitely exceeds the disturbances that could occur with normal movement were the pen clipped in my pocket (unless I was playing basketball or something like that). No sign of excess ink materialized. In addition, as I understand there is a "hood" that separates the aperture at the end of the pen and the nib when the nib is retracted; surely that ought stop leaking?

Edited November 14, 2010 by Speedcuber

[sumgaikid]

I don't think you can take the price of the pen out of consideration. The positive side to that

argument is that for some of us,had we the money,we would buy the pen. That doesn't mean

that the aesthetics and style of a certain brand of pen wouldn't be pleasing to some. What it

does mean is that most contemporary fountain pens made by famous brands are priced under

the guise of luxury at a level and price that most wish not to pay.

 

Another point to consider is that price is still an issue because some folks will only pay so much

and be happy with what they've bought. While there are those that long for MB's,Omases and

Maki-E Namiki's,some are just as happy with Parker Vectors,Cross Centuries and Sheaffer Targas.

They might look at and consider some of the other luxurious brands,but they're happy with a pen

that writes well,not how luxurious it looks.

 

The attributes for some might be aesthetics; for others utility.

 

 

John

 

[Joane]

I like the MB Mozart, which could be a great pen for carrying in a small purse but it only takes cartridges. I like a CC filler, for which I use a convertor 99.9% of the time and only use cartridges as a potential travel backup. But cartridge only is a no-no for me. Same thing for the small-size Duofold that was available. I would have gotten it but for the fact that there was no Parker convertor that fit it, cartridge only.

 

Edited to add the Duofold.

Edited November 14, 2010 by Joane

[murfie]

I'd just love a nice red whirl Conway Stewart Churchill with lever fill and an EF nib. The X factor preventing purchase? Just the price ...

Edited November 14, 2010 by murfie

[Blade Runner]

 

 

Like Wendy, I've sometimes found myself looking at a pen and thinking, "Hmm, I like the style of that. Too bad it's a mere ordinary C/C filler."

 

With vintage pens, I sometimes find myself wary of plunger-fillers. Even though I love them when they are working right, there are only a few restorers who know how to fix them properly, and it often takes more time-and-money. I've gotten a couple of restored ones that didn't entirely work right. Thus the wariness.

+1

 

Flagship/top tier pens that are only c/c fillers.

 

All lever fillers

 

Also have been staying away from expensive vintage due to greater difficulty of finding parts and service, hidden damage, wear, mismatched parts, although I might consider a pristine/new old stock vintage pen from a reputable source

Edited November 14, 2010 by Blade Runner

[geoduc]

Metal sections. There are a number of pens that I've liked otherwise, but I don't like the feel of a metal section.

[Martius]

MB 1xx series. I want a vintage one with the nice 14k nib, but I don't really want another black pen.

 

Summer

[mano I]

Price aside, Tamenuri and a few Kuro-Tamenuri Urushi pens speak to me like no other (and I've only seen pictures) but as none are piston filler I'd never buy one.

[Trom]

I bought a Nakaya last year, because I thought that's the pen I like most. When I got it, it was much too light and sold it.

[The Bantam Scribbler]

I already have a Lamy Vista, but I'm just not crazy about any of the other Safari colors. What would make me buy one, for sure, is if they released a special edition in teal, tortoise-shell, or burgundy. Plus, some colored demonstrators would be very nice!

[IWantThat]

I'd have to say... most Mont Blanc models I love a few of them, hate the price of all of them, and am indifferent to most of them. They are either too garish or too cigar-shaped (my least favorite shape in a pen). I know that might mark me as 'odd' in some peoples' views, but...there it is.

[Silas]

I've had, and still have, a few Parker plunger fill vacumatics.. 51's and a couple of Vacumatics. I won't buy another since I can never change inks at will....always a pain getting ALL the ink out to put a new color it. I had to dedicate each one to a proprietary ink. And, I've had to send them off for a new diaphagm once too often! (by the way, I LOVED all of the NIBS!!)

 

I've bought dozens of the Hero Parker lookalikes.....don't seem to last long enough even tho price is great. I give them to students as beginner pens, but try to upgrade to a No Nonsense quickly.

 

The Vintage Sheaffer Triumph nibbed pens....mine were prone to leaking! I can't stand inky fingers!! (They are just so ATTRACTIVE, though! Hard for me to NOT buy one!)

 

And, lastly, the "Makrolon" finish on a Lamy 2000 is a tad too pedestrian for the price!! (like the NIB on that one too!)

 

There...I believe the "rant" is over!! Thanks!