What Is The Most Ridiculous Pen Gimmick Ever From A Major Pen Company?

[speerbob]

Here is an idea for discussion. What is the most ridiculous pen gimmick ever from a major pen company? I don't mean the fish shaped pens they sell at Wal-Mart or novelty pens. I mean something made by one of the big quality pen companies.

 

Here's mine! Last weekend the Parker sales rep showed me the new Parker Ingenuity "fake" fountain pen. If you haven't seen this pen it's a rollerball with a fake nib covering it. Very silly. I told her I don't get it and she just said, yes, it's a gimmick. So I'm not so sure she was taking it all the seriously either. Oh and remember the Cross Morph or a Krone with Abe Lincolns DNA? Gimmick and goofy. So what do you think??? Cheers, BOB

[FLJeepGuy]

I was going to say the Parker Ingenuity fiber tip disguised as a high line (read: 3 figure price) fountain pen. But since you've already put that one out there, how about Liquid Lead, Parker's attempt to make graphite (?) into a liquid (paste?). And don't even get me started on the Krone LE abominations. What about accordion and twist fillers? Designs that seem to place premature sac failure high on the objectives list.

[Markk]

I was going to say the Parker Ingenuity fiber tip disguised as a high line (read: 3 figure price) fountain pen. But since you've already put that one out there, how about Liquid Lead, Parker's attempt to make graphite (?) into a liquid (paste?). And don't even get me started on the Krone LE abominations. What about accordion and twist fillers? Designs that seem to place premature sac failure high on the objectives list.

 

Exactly my thought too. They immediately came to mind, and I also happened to try one out the other day. Looks nice and all but wasn't much different than a normal Stabilo Point 88 felt-tip.

 

But I admit, it looks nice.

[raigne]

I don't know that it's a gimmick since I can't imagine many people falling for it, but the diamond encrusted Montblancs were pretty ridiculous.

[BrandonA]

I don't know that it's a gimmick since I can't imagine many people falling for it, but the diamond encrusted Montblancs were pretty ridiculous.

 

ST DUPONT TOURNAIRE 3 PEN SET: CHINA, PARIS, MOSCOW

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ST-DUPONT-TOURNAIRE-3-PEN-SET-CHINA-PARIS-MOSCOW-/370422808216?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item563eeb7e98

 

The St Dupont pens look as if they'd be impossible to use due to their weird shape.

 

The MB pens although not liked by all at least have the basic shape of the pen correct which makes the pens functional should you wish to use them.

[Truffle Finder]

FLJeepguy!

Are you aware [you probably are because you use the name which includes the name 'JEEP'!] that the expression 'JEEP' was stenciled on the crates that were transported to foreign places [during the last World War I think, to indicate that the vehicles had "Just Enough Essential Parts"?

That's true BTW!

Sorry to interject, but when I saw your avatar I just couldn't stop myself!

Truffle Finder. :embarrassed_smile:

[raigne]

The St Dupont pens look as if they'd be impossible to use due to their weird shape.

 

The MB pens although not liked by all at least have the basic shape of the pen correct which makes the pens functional should you wish to use them.

 

I forgot about those! And, I have nothing against Montblanc or their users, but you have to admit the completely jewel encrusted ones provoke some head-scratching.

[phrenzy]

For those of us new to the complex ballof wax that is pen marketing, what is the story with these krone pens?

[OldGriz]

FLJeepguy!

Are you aware [you probably are because you use the name which includes the name 'JEEP'!] that the expression 'JEEP' was stenciled on the crates that were transported to foreign places [during the last World War I think, to indicate that the vehicles had "Just Enough Essential Parts"?

That's true BTW!

Sorry to interject, but when I saw your avatar I just couldn't stop myself!

Truffle Finder. :embarrassed_smile:

 

Sorry Henry, I have to disagree..... I have seen the following answer about the name in numerous articles, especially in WWII history magazines.

"The most widely held theory is that the military designation of GP begat the term Jeep and holds that the vehicle bore the designation GP (for Government Purposes or General Purpose), which was phonetically slurred into the word jeep."

Your version of the name come from " During the jeep's service in Korea, the name was referred to as "Just Enough Essential Parts" by the troops due to the very basic design." Which would be consistent with the dark humor of the American service man referring to the tools he is given to work with...

I won't go into what we called the M16 and said about it parentage during Viet Nam this is a family forum

Edited November 10, 2011 by OldGriz

[DrPJM1]

How about: "designed by Sylvester Stallone".

[dnayakan]

I find the InkVues beguiling pens and very beautiful, but that filling mechanism... Frank Dubiel was being charitable when he referred to it as representative of the mad scientist approach to pen design of that era. The funny thing is a part of me wistfully wishes there were more mad scientists around...

 

Also, wasn't Jeep phonetically derived from GP (from General Purpose)?

 

Cheers, DJ

[FLJeepGuy]

FLJeepguy!

Are you aware [you probably are because you use the name which includes the name 'JEEP'!] that the expression 'JEEP' was stenciled on the crates that were transported to foreign places [during the last World War I think, to indicate that the vehicles had "Just Enough Essential Parts"?

That's true BTW!

Sorry to interject, but when I saw your avatar I just couldn't stop myself!

Truffle Finder. :embarrassed_smile:

 

Sorry Henry, I have to disagree..... I have seen the following answer about the name in numerous articles, especially in WWII history magazines.

"The most widely held theory is that the military designation of GP begat the term Jeep and holds that the vehicle bore the designation GP (for Government Purposes or General Purpose), which was phonetically slurred into the word jeep."

Your version of the name come from " During the jeep's service in Korea, the name was referred to as "Just Enough Essential Parts" by the troops due to the very basic design." Which would be consistent with the dark humor of the American service man referring to the tools he is given to work with...

I won't go into what we called the M16 and said about it parentage during Viet Nam this is a family forum

Not to hijack the thread, but OldGriz posted pretty much what I just sent in a PM:

 

The phrase "Just Enough Essential Parts" supposedly came into use as a translation of the Jeep acronym during the Korean War and there have been tons of other translations used over the years.

 

The origin of the Jeep name has never actually been confirmed. The most frequently accepted origins are the slurring of the G.P. (General Purpose) or Ford GPW designations and/or the adoption of the nickname Jeep from the Popeye cartoon character Eugene the Jeep (who could travel anywhere at will). No one knows for sure.

[christof]

Well, in my opinion are all this blinky, heavy, chunky, and overpriced pens called LE’s or SE’s from any major pen maker (but especially Montblanc) wich are designed only for collecting and not for use quite ridiculous.

 

…but that’s just me.

[dickydotcom]

The phrase "Just Enough Essential Parts" supposedly came into use as a translation of the Jeep acronym during the Korean War and there have been tons of other translations used over the years.

At least thats better than Lotus. Lots of trouble usually serious.

Incidentally I've sold the Jaguar and now have....a Jeep. love it.

 

Dick D

[StyloBug33]

The Parker Ingenuity is the first thing that came to my mind, but the pen designed by Sylvester Stalone for $65,000 may have to trump that.

[FLJeepGuy]

Incidentally I've sold the Jaguar and now have....a Jeep. love it.

 

I'm just about to hit 180,000 miles on my '99 Wrangler Sahara. Best vehicle I've ever owned.

[Truffle Finder]

Presumably that's something akin to a JEEP!!!

Truffle Finder.

[JefferyS]

Didn't MB have a limited edition Lincoln pen that had mitochondrial DNA (replicated from hair taken from his corpse) embedded in resin in the cap?

[DrPJM1]

Didn't MB have a limited edition Lincoln pen that had mitochondrial DNA (replicated from hair taken from his corpse) embedded in resin in the cap?

 

I think that was Krone, another garish marque. They also had a T.Rex pen with some kind of gimmick.

[JefferyS]

Didn't MB have a limited edition Lincoln pen that had mitochondrial DNA (replicated from hair taken from his corpse) embedded in resin in the cap?

 

I think that was Krone, another garish marque. They also had a T.Rex pen with some kind of gimmick.

 

Correct! And a steal at over $6,000!

 

http://www.penboutique.com/images/Product/large/555.jpg