Overpriced

[JonSzanto]

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb204/EnvoyC/resource/perp_motion.gif

[redisburning]

Im legitimately curious if some of you have never entertained the idea that MB, Montegrappa, etc. may make a good pen.

[bogiesan]

At the Denver Pen Show I saw hundreds of overpriced pens and, if I had been shopping for pens, I'd have gladly paid whatever the vendors were asking. We might have quibbled and negotiated a bit, maybe saving me 10-20%. But these were pen people! Folks who had traveled many miles to entertain, educate, and share their inventories of great writing instruments with us. They weren't there to rip us off. By "overpriced" I mean the pens were more than I needed to pay because I simply was not shopping for pens. I was there to talk and gawk and dip. And I buy pens to write. I do not buy pens that have barrels that are works of art. Not because I don't appreciate them or do not wish I could own a few but because I cannot afford them. That makes them overpriced.

[de_pen_dent]

Im legitimately curious if some of you have never entertained the idea that MB, Montegrappa, etc. may make a good pen.

 

That would involve owning and using the pen for an extended period of time, thereby making an informed judgement? Why do that when you can rely on telepathy to figure out that the other person is buying an overpriced pen to impress people?

 

Slightly OT - I recently inked up a Montegrappa Nero Uno Linea in rose gold - the nib is a little bland (lacking that last bit of extra pizzaz which would set it apart as a "special" nib) but very good for writing, but the looks, feel and balance of that pen are absolutely magnificent! My Miya comes back in a day or two, converted to a stub by John Sorowka. I think both of these 2 are getting an express ticket back to my rotation!

Edited October 22, 2014 by de_pen_dent

[de_pen_dent]

Not to pry, but wouldn't Lance Armstrong autographed drugs have been cheaper?

 

Ha, sitting at home and watching the Flyers lay an egg against the Hawks would suffice as well. Doping only works if you have some level of talent to begin with. Words cannot define the disparity between the bike's capabilities and my meager skills (or immense lack of, depending on how you look at it).

 

But this way, I can quantify my inadequacies down to 2 decimal places, thanks to a powermeter, cadence sensor, heart rate sensor, etc. etc. And I have eliminated the 0.035% chance that the bike was to blame. Nope, it is all me (or not me, more appropriately).

 

You cannot put a price on knowledge like that!

Edited October 22, 2014 by de_pen_dent

[de_pen_dent]

Let's pass these children a tissue.

 

There is no pleasing you! You wanted a "confession", I gave you a confession. What else do you need to feel better? A hug? Ok, here's a cyber-hug for you. But I suspect what will truly make you happy is a Montblanc - we could perhaps take up a collection, if you are interested.

 

Or if you actually have a point to make other than sniping at those who buy more expensive products, now would be a good time - you've had enough "warm-up" posts.

 

Btw, you may sense a great disturbance in the Force next month, which will affect your telepathy. That will be buying another 1-2 Montblancs while in Hong Kong and enjoying them. Feel free to disapprove!

 

 

Unfortunately 6 year old boys can't read so well and of course, I get blamed. So as of now, I have overpaid for that sign.

 

Heh, nice! If I ever bump into you at a pen show or something, I am buying you a beer or ten. And getting you to autograph either my LDM or my hairy chest (with a Montblanc, of course).

Edited October 22, 2014 by de_pen_dent

[Cryptos]

I'll confess. I've never personally seen a Montblanc (other than in films or on the internet), or any model of any of the following:

 

• Pelikan
• Visconti
• Danitrio
• Nakaya
• Hakase
• Stipula
• Romillo
• Waterman
• Bexley
• Caran D'ache
• Conklin
• Diplomat
• Edison
• Kaweco
• Levenger
• Noodlers
• Onoto
• Simpole
• ST Dupont
• Wearever
• Yard-O-Led
• Conway Stewart
• Cross
• Platinum
• Montegrappa
• Aurora
• Delta
• Krone
• Marlen
• Monteverde
• Omas
• TWSBI

And that's just the well known brands that I can think of.

 

What have I seen/used?

 

Parker (4 models)

Sheaffer (4 models)

Mabie Todd (1 model)

Eversharp (2 models)

Esterbrook (2 models)

Reform (1 model)

Pilot (1 model)

Italix (1 model)

Moore pen (1 model)

 

and a small bunch of cheap Chinese and Indian efforts.

 

Apart from 2 Sheaffer models (one of which I used as a child) I hadn't seen any of the second group until May this year.

 

What I do know is that I will probably never see or use any pens that belong in the first group above. Partly because I will never be able to afford any of them, and partly because I do not know anyone else who has any of them.

 

 

Just so you know how crushingly ignorant I truly am.

[de_pen_dent]

Yeah, but you arent throwing darts at MB users either, David (your initial posts had came across that way, but that was more due to the conversational nature of the tone and you clarified your position soon after). You dont like them, you dont think they are worth the money, and that is fine. I'd say that it probably is better to try the pen before dismissing it outright, but the reality is, everyone forms opinions on relatively minor things based on snap judgements or initial impressions. Were it something vitally important, this would matter, but for something as inconsequentially trivial as pens, who gives a fire truck? Focus on what matters, move on with your life.

 

It is when someone has no experience with the pens, yet seems to have some sort of obsession about dissecting the motives and values of others that this becomes a bit... jarring, let's say. I really cannot fathom any reason why someone would try to extract a "confession" from someone else on how the other person chooses to spend their own money. The way I was raised, this behavior is exceedingly gauche, bordering on crass - and I have found that it typically stem from envy or a similar ugly sentiment.

[ethernautrix]

David, of your first list, I have seen all but a Simpole and own or have owned 19. Of the second, I have seen all but an Italix and own or have owned six.

 

Huh. I finally know what I have done with my life. [Captain Kirk's voice to Khan] "PENS!"

[Cryptos]

Thing about the first list though is that having seen pictures of many models for each of those manufacturers, very few of them appeal to me on visual aesthetics. Of course they sometimes look different in the flesh I guess.

 

In the second list there is nothing that should cost over $100 today. Many half that or less.

 

I did admit much earlier that I was using MB as the whipping boy out of convenience and that everyone was familiar with them and their prices. That doesn't excuse some of the excesses in this thread, of which I am the author of more than a few.

 

Out of the pens I have tried nothing has really set my world on fire yet. I don't think throwing tons of money at the issue is the way to solve it either, as for me it is the writing experience alone - the feel of the nib on the paper - that interests me primarily. So, poor house aside, it is unlikely I would buy any of the first list just to try it out. That would be foolish. I have pens that write nicely but I would like something that settles in the hand as if it belongs there. The closest thing I have is a decidedly user grade Parker Vacumatic. The nib is just so smooth and precise.

 

I think I'd like to try a Pelikan 140 with a fine stub or fine italic nib (if such a thing exists). That's a pen that may just be achievable by mid next year if I save really hard. Or if I could divest myself of around 4 or 5 current pens - unfortunately nobody seems interested in fully restored Skylines and such.

 

Ah well, such is life. Not bitter, just wistful.

[mrchan]

 

Btw, you may sense a great disturbance in the Force next month, which will affect your telepathy. That will be buying another 1-2 Montblancs while in Hong Kong and enjoying them. Feel free to disapprove!

 

+9999999999999999999999

[de_pen_dent]

Out of the pens I have tried nothing has really set my world on fire yet. I don't think throwing tons of money at the issue is the way to solve it either, as for me it is the writing experience alone - the feel of the nib on the paper - that interests me primarily. So, poor house aside, it is unlikely I would buy any of the first list just to try it out. That would be foolish. I have pens that write nicely but I would like something that settles in the hand as if it belongs there. The closest thing I have is a decidedly user grade Parker Vacumatic. The nib is just so smooth and precise.

 

Have you considered getting a custom ground pen? I like broader nibs but broad+round is boring. However, a stub or CI nib from someone like Richard Binder is absolutely the shiznit and really, really makes the writing very enjoyable.

 

 

Ah well, such is life. Not bitter, just wistful.

 

I am putting 2 of our staff on a superyacht in a few days to act as guides. There is a crew of god-knows-how many people, including 3 or 4 different teams that are going to be shooting a video and sending it back so that the owner can take a look and decide if he wants to visit. They are paying figures for 2 dive instructors that are not that far off from what I used to charge as my daily rates when I was a management consultant.

 

Wistful? Yeah, that's one way to describe it, i guess How did Mel Brooks put it? It's good to be king. Or better, to quote Obiwan - there is always a bigger fish.

Edited October 22, 2014 by de_pen_dent

[Cryptos]

 

Have you considered getting a custom ground pen? I like broader nibs but broad+round is boring. However, a stub or CI nib from someone like Richard Binder is absolutely the shiznit and really, really makes the writing very enjoyable.

 

It's a nice idea. I can afford the pen or the grind but not both.

 

From 1st Dec. I have to adopt a monastic style of life out of necessity. Kind of looking forward to it really, and the lack of ability to purchase, well, anything really should be instructive. One year.

 

Oh, yes, the avatar is actually me!

[de_pen_dent]

They are re-making Kung Fu the series?

[kazoolaw]

Words cannot define the disparity between the bike's capabilities and my meager skills (or immense lack of, depending on how you look at it.)

A perfect analogy to my use of nice pens and my penmanship.

 

gary

[jmeldorf]

May I add a thought? To me, a pen is overpriced if it really doesn't write well, or leaks, or breaks more easily than I would expect. So that's a very subjective statement. But if someone wants to pay that price, it's none of my business.

[Blade Runner]

May I add a thought? To me, a pen is overpriced if it really doesn't write well, or leaks, or breaks more easily than I would expect. So that's a very subjective statement. But if someone wants to pay that price, it's none of my business.

As for functional issues, some brands have better QC than others. But no brand can be perfect all the time. I personally would choose a beautiful pen that I always wanted with a minor issue that can be readily fixed than a functional pen that doesn't really interest me. Once fixed, I would always prefer the former to the latter. So customer service/support comes into play. Some brands have excellent service and service in one's country. Others don't. Some companies can provide service for models that stretch back decades, and others can't. Regarding breaks, that usually isn't a problem unless you drop a plastic pen with sufficient force onto a hard surface, but that's usually user error, not a design flaw. There are a few well known exceptions such as the thin, crack prone cap lips of vintage Sheaffer Balances, the barrels of the Parker 21 and the Parker 51 special edition.

Edited October 24, 2014 by Blade Runner

[lsmith42]

Submitted for scrutiny here is a friend's custom Nakaya Naka-ai in Kanshitsu Togikiri technique with Bokashi gradation from Dark Blue to Botan-Iro.

 

 

[Redbarchettayyz]

Submitted for scrutiny here is a friend's custom Nakaya Naka-ai in Kanshitsu Togikiri technique with Bokashi gradation from Dark Blue to Botan-Iro.

 

 

 

That is jaw droppingly gorgeous.

[FarmBoy]

Submitted for scrutiny here is a friend's custom Nakaya Naka-ai in Kanshitsu Togikiri technique with Bokashi gradation from Dark Blue to Botan-Iro.

 

 

Question: Sir is that a pen in your pocket?

 

Answer: NO. It is art. Who really cares if that writes. (I'm not a fan but even a tractor pilot knows quality.)