Gold or silver furniture (trim)

[Gere1]

I guess if its a black colored pen (the color which I mostly prefer), I would like to have silver furniture on that because of the contrasting colors. But with other colored pens I would prefer gold. In India, you say you have gold on your pen ppl would be like . With having silver the reaction is usually like

 

-Rao

[Dan Carmell]

Unfair, Richard! The examples you used for the poll, that is. I do prefer white metal trim by and large, but on warm colors like a MHR Ripple pen, I think gold trim is called for. Likewise, I've seen the Omas Brown Arco in rhodium trim and it's just wrong--clearly that amazing celluloid calls out for gold trim (and that's what mine has!).

 

But silver trim works with both dark and light solid colors for the most part and that's my preference. Also, with most modern pens, the gold plating is very "yellowy" (I'm thinking specifically of Parkers, but is applies generally, IMO) and rather unattractive. The old RG/GF trim was much warmer colored. So certainly if it was a choice between that yellowy GP and a white metal, I'd go for it.

 

As a side note, it's interesting to consider how prevelant rhodium plating is. I'd like to know if rhodium is plentiful and thus cheap, or very easy to work with, or why else rhodium plating has replaced chrome plating on all but the cheapest of pens. It does seem very robust and takes a shine very nicely.

 

Dan

[yoyology]

Given the images above, I chose gold, but I have to agree with many other posters that the pen dictates the choice. When I dress in the morning, I'll wear a gold tie clip if my clothes are brown or other earthtones. If I'm wearing blacks or greys, I'll reach for silver. Blues are a toss-up, and I'd probably go with silver much of the time.

 

Pen furniture is the same. I chose gold to go with the rich brown of the cap and barrel, but if the pen were black, I'd go for silver. Matching the nib is less of a concern for me.

[wspohn]

This one I always play by ear...er, eye.

 

I don't make rules about silver with black, gold with red etc., because just as surely as you do that a pen will come along that proves the exception.

 

I have a couple of modern Duofold Internationals for instance, and figured that the standard gold furniture was best - until I picked up one of the platinum versions, and that also worked very well.

 

Even with metal bodied pens, particularly silver coloured, you can get furniture in either colour, and both have their fans.

 

I seem to be into gold today - carrying:

 

Parker 75 Ecorce BP in gold w. gold clip

Parker 75 gold barleycorn w. gold clip

Waterman Carene in Sapphire with SE vermeil cap

 

Tomorrow it might well be an all silver day

[Richard]

Stainless and gold doesn't work for me.

What a pity.

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/flighter2.jpg

[amh210]

I prefer gold trim with most pens, main colors being browns, reds, greens, etc. I prefer silver with black pens. I swing both ways on blue pens.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

I take silver trim, but that ripple looks best with gold trim.

 

Dillon

[Richard]

Since I happen to have both an M250 clear demonstrator (among the pens we take to shows for clients to play with) and several M205s, here are photos of the two versions. The M250 image here is a Photoshop composite because my M250 is full of Waterman Blue-Black and I want to present the two color schemes as identically as possible.

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/sales/pelikan/zoomed/M205_demo.jpg

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/sales/pelikan/zoomed/M200_demo.jpg

 

I've always had a preference for gold-colored furniture, so long as it's not in crappy condition. OTOH, crappy chrome or nickel plating can look pretty horrific, too.

[KCat]

basically echo some of what other say. It does depend on the pen. However, I find that I usually choose pens with gold trim. To me, gold is "warm" and most of the colors of pen I like are warm colors (browns, rich greens, and certain shades of blue can be warm)

 

I do like the *look* of the combo Richard put up - the sterling with gold accents. I originally wanted a watch with alternating gold and silver links but ended up with just gold because of my skin tone ("sickly"). Silver on my arm made it look like something pulled out of a grave.

 

I stress "look" because I can't use metal pens comfortably. Or more, accurately, pens with metal sections that are hard to grip. My VPs are metal but laquered. I don't think I would like them without the lacquer in terms of comfort.

 

I do like the black 215 with silver rings.

[Doogy]

For moden pens, I much prefer silver colored trim.

 

On vintage pens, I like the classicism of the gold trim; this was all the rage then, and it "feels" more vintage to me.

 

 

Doug

[yarek]

I don't have any pen with gold trim... Should I say more?

 

I find silver trim more sophiticated and professional... Gold brings (don't know if it is how you say it in English) too much attention. Would you agree?

[Elaine]

Ditto on the "it depends on the pen". The pens in this poll look better in gold to me. The 205 on the other hand screams "silver".

[Ogrebait]

I don't have any pen with gold trim... Should I say more?

 

I find silver trim more sophiticated and professional... Gold brings (don't know if it is how you say it in English) too much attention. Would you agree?

 

I agree with Yarek on this one. IMHO silver is understated but sophisticated. Gold, in general, cries out "egocentric". It's just not me.

 

Rick

[HDoug]

I voted silver, but from an esthetic and completely non-functional but logical perspective, I think the trim should match your watch and buckle. Especially your watch because you can see both while at desk. Both should be "bling balanced" too. A silver (or stainless or white gold or platinum) watch on black strap should go with a black pen with a few rings. A blingy silver watch on a bracelet needs a blingier pen. Picture yourself at a desk writing with the pen and balance the accoutrements on both arms/hands.

 

I'm not trying to promolgate these arbitrary rules and I don't myself really follow them, but just trying to introduce a logical method of answering the original question. So don't flame me, but you can take the advice if you find yourself trying to decide which pen (or which watch) to use (or wear).

 

Okay, I'm through rambling.

 

Doug

[Nihontochicken]

What a pity.

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/flighter2.jpg

 

[dwmatteson]

I voted silver, but from an esthetic and completely non-functional but logical perspective, I think the trim should match your watch and buckle.

I tend to agree with Doug's perspective. I try to match my belt buckle, tie chain, watch, and pen whenever I can. Perhaps it's a bit, er, fussy but I like the consistency.

 

Don

[umenohana]

Gold just seems softer and warmer, so I chose gold.

 

-Hana

[Headache Corporation (TM)]

I definitely prefer silver in all but the most formal circumstances. I have a Pelikan 200 green demonstrator that has gold trim, but I really wish it was silver. Gold seems too flashy on a colored plastic pen like that; it's a good writer though.

 

I should mention that I am a man of little adornment - I never wear jewelery except for a silver watch. I guess for that reason I don't like flashy pens, either.

 

One of the few pens I WOULD like gold furniture on is the Parker 51 (flighter or otherwise). For some reason it just looks right!

 

-Dave,

Headache Corporation

[dinkydoodler]

Richard

In the pen you have pictured, I like the gold....but by far I am more interested in acquiring pens with silver appointments. It seems they're harder to find though.

Melinda

[Taki]

I generally prefer silver-tone metal. My wedding ring is platinum and most of my jewelry is either platinum or white gold. However I voted for gold in this poll because gold trim looks better on that particular pen color/pattern, so I would say it depends on the pen.

Edited October 12, 2006 by Taki