Writing Your Name On Pens.

[Arqui]

What do you think about to write your name or the first letter of your names on your pens? I only make that on my pens when they have a special space, generally on the cap, devoted to be filled with the letters, but I never make that if the pen doesn´t have it. For me, if the space is not filled, the pen looks "uncompleted". I will like to hear your opinions.

[mirosc]

I usually don't do this - because in most of the cases it looks misplaced. Even so I dislike the idea that the FPN LE pen gets an inscription. These things just make a pen uglier, or at least take away the clean look. Even on the Autographs or Signatures I don't like initials.

On the other hand I'm thinking about getting my name on my usual carry-around pen (the Myu 701 has a nice flat base) - just in case I leave the pen somewhere and forget it, so that everyone can remember whose pen it is. Still struggling...

[BrandonA]

Do you mean having it specially engraved or writting on it yourself. Personally I think the latter would look cheap/tacky and would be an act of defacing the pen. In regards to the former, personally I'd never do it as I think it would affect the resale price should I one day need to sell it.

[JimB]

Do you mean having it specially engraved or writting on it yourself. Personally I think the latter would look cheap/tacky and would be an act of defacing the pen. In regards to the former, personally I'd never do it as I think it would affect the resale price should I one day need to sell it.

+1 - I've passed (refused to buy or bid) on many pens that were engraved with former owners' names.

Edited October 12, 2011 by januaryman

[JimB]

duplicate - sorry

Edited October 12, 2011 by januaryman

[nxn96]

I can see this from both sides. Some of my more treasured pens are those which have the name or initials of a relative engraved on the barrel. On the other hand, much as others here have noted, I tend to shy away from buying a pen that has someone's name engraved on it. As it happens, the only two pens I have with my own name engraved were received as gifts; it's not something I'm interested in doing on my own initiative. In fact, to the earlier point about resale values, one of the engraved sets I would have likely sold/traded by now excepting my thought that the "hit" I'd take in resale because of the name made selling it less interesting.

 

Personally, I think the idea of engraving a pen made much more sense back in the day when more people used good writing instruments on a daily basis and there was always a chance someone would "borrow" your Sheaffer Touchdown and it looked like three to five other Touchdowns in the office.

[Delphideo]

It's a matter of opinion, but personally, I think it looks tacky and breaks any symmetry the pen has. I also think its unnecessary to have an ego boost or to reinforce that the pen belongs to a person.

Edited October 12, 2011 by Delphideo

[alexander_k]

While I don't mind an engraved name on one of my second-hand pens (in fact I like the idea of knowing the name of someone who probably took as much pleasure as I from it), I wouldn't engrave my own name or even my initials on any of my pens. It is of little practical value, as nxn96 pointed out, and above all I'm afraid that it might spoil the design. I'll never forget my wife's disappointment at the engraving on our wedding rings. It was thankfully on the inside but she was still quite upset at the result. She immediately felt that it clashed with the design of the ring (a very plain affair).

[Moppeh]

I think it depends on the pen, and personal taste. I think that anything other than a profession engraving looks tacky, and I would only ever get or buy a pen engraved if the engraving was done on metal. I don't like the look of names on plastic pens.

 

I have one pen engraved with a previous owner's name--a wahl gold-filled ringtop. It's done very prettily and I don't mind at all. I'm also attempting to find an unengraved one as a christmas present, and might well choose to engrave it with my own initials. I like how gold-fill (or sterling) pens look with initials on them.

[ethernautrix]

I don't feel strongly about it one way or the other. I've seen nice engravings, and I've seen some that I didn't like.

[FarmBoy]

Names on pens always takes me back--to this thread.

[The Royal Pen]

I don't mind if it is engraved, though I wouldn't do it voluntarily.

 

I definitely wouldn't write it on with permanent ink or a marker

[Parse Error]

you mean like this?

http://www.lamyusa.com/lamy_fountain_L110_abc.php

[Atrata]

Names on pens always takes me back--to this thread.

 

:roflmho: Thanks - I needed that!

[Bo Bo Olson]

Times change, thinking changes...if you let it.

 

In the '50-60's back when one did not have a lot of fountain pens; it was considered class to have your name or initials on a good fountain pen. Your name was put on it for rewards and retirement.

Not only that but it slowed down thieves.

 

There was no second hand fountain pen market back then. If the pen was good it was inherited by someone in the family who valued the name.

Assuming they knew it could be repaired or thought it worth repairing when the time came.

 

Well I like names and initials on a pen, I get it for 30% cheaper...and I was after writing; a nib, a good balanced make and model.

Well no big deal selling it for the 30% less if you find you don't need the pen.

 

 

If you like the pen, are going to keep it and don't want it stolen...put your initials (2 or 3) and don't worry about it being 'modern tacky'.

It was classic class, and still is, if you don't got to sell it.

 

Am I going to do that no...some day I will have to sell most of my pens. That or the state takes them away from you when they lock you up in an old folks prison...so one plans a head...and sells as many as possible come age 72 or 82 or something like that; when one is still young enough to waste the money on wine, woman and Rolling Stone tickets.

[Arqui]

Do you mean having it specially engraved or writting on it yourself. Personally I think the latter would look cheap/tacky and would be an act of defacing the pen. In regards to the former, personally I'd never do it as I think it would affect the resale price should I one day need to sell it.

 

Of course I´m talking about to send the pen to a specialized engraver. I never would make that for myself.

[Arqui]

I think it depends on the pen, and personal taste. I think that anything other than a profession engraving looks tacky, and I would only ever get or buy a pen engraved if the engraving was done on metal. I don't like the look of names on plastic pens.

 

I have one pen engraved with a previous owner's name--a wahl gold-filled ringtop. It's done very prettily and I don't mind at all. I'm also attempting to find an unengraved one as a christmas present, and might well choose to engrave it with my own initials. I like how gold-fill (or sterling) pens look with initials on them.

 

After reading your post, I remember that I didn´t say that I was talking only about silver pens. I hate engraved plastic pens.

[Arqui]

you mean like this?

http://www.lamyusa.com/lamy_fountain_L110_abc.php

 

No! It is horrible.

[Bo Bo Olson]

I see no reason why 'plastic' pens can not be as tastefully engraved as silver.

I have to admit I've seen back in the day and later more plastic engraved pens than silver.

[RMN]

Depends on the pen.

 

I don't give a hoot about the opinion of people who won't bid on such pens. I buy my pens for my personal use, not so that someone else can have fun with it later. If you dont like to see my name on a pen you use, then I don't like you to use my pen.

That said, I would not see a reason to put my name on a pen easily. Perhaps when I retire, and I will get a nice pen (just fantasising now) it could have an inscription.

I have put my name on ballpointpens before when I worked in a place where nice pens seemed to get legs.

 

But a nice monogram, just like Visconti has... My Viscontis that support that system all have a monogram.

 

Some pens simply will be ruined by an inscription (like my Cartier Roman Numerals, or my Pelican Evolution of Script. On other pens it would be no problem, if done artfully.

 

D.ick