Decimo or no?

[ralfstc]

Well, I don't need another pen, but my facted VP filled a special place in my heart, and it's away being repaired in Japan. It'll be back in two months, but meantime, should I buy a decimo to keep me going? Or use one of the other perfectly good pens I have available, like my lovely M215? Help me out of my quandary!

 

Thanks,

 

Ralf

 

PS> I should add that I have a gas bill to pay, so this would be a truly daft purchase, and I'd have to suffer the consequences . . . =:-0

Edited August 29, 2008 by ralfstc

[Skyppere]

I had a decimo for several months until I lost it... Damn! While I had it, I loved it. I like the slightly smaller size than the traditional VP.

As soon as my ship comes in, I'm getting another.

skyppere

[Siv]

I would get a Decimo. It'll take the strain off your faceted and provide you with an alternative to use in situations where you would not want to risk your current pen (down the pub etc).

[excarnate]

I don't know if buying a high-end pen to substitute for another high-end pen for a couple months makes a lot of sense. To replace it or supplement it, maybe.

 

The Decimo is thinner and lighter (than the current VP) and though I quite like it, it just doesn't work in my hands, whereas the thicker VP fits wonderfully (but is a bit heavy :-) Otherwise I'd have gotten one for myself.

 

If you can try a Decimo you'll see if it'll work for you or not. If it works and you have a desire/need for more than 1 capless, I'd definitely recommend the pearlescent white. My wife has it and it is fabulous and very handsome.

 

Otherwise it is time to become reaquainted with your other pens (it's an opportunity to give them some good use).

[MYU]

I'd wait. If you really enjoy your faceted Capless, then the Decimo is kind of redundant, unless you're craving for a certain color/pattern.

[mjb30]

Btw, my mind said 'no' and my hand clicked 'yes'...

 

This happens all the time on ebay as well...

[ralfstc]

12 hours in, and the majority vote is not to get the decimo. There are good arguments for getting one, such as using it in situations where I would be wary of taking my classic faceted, but I'm afraid that can be countered by the point that I could just take my $1 Hero 616 into those situations (one of the most reliable pens I've ever owned!).

 

So I've decided to wait to get my decimo. I really like the dark grey, I think it's a very good looking pen that fills a great niche (the extremely portable pen that is a C/C filler, saving me from carrying bottles of ink across the world), but I don't need it right now! I was looking at regular VP as well (much cheaper) but I find the slimmer look of the decimo more appealling even though I have no fear of larger pens.

 

Anyway, thanks all for your thoughts!

 

Take care,

 

Ralf

[ralfstc]

Btw, my mind said 'no' and my hand clicked 'yes'...

 

This happens all the time on ebay as well...

 

And I even had a special category for this :-)

[ethernautrix]

Wow! Overwhelming no! And I see that you've already decided, so my vote is not only redundant but late.

 

Anyway, I see that you have a Pelikan M215. You don't need to get a Decimo "tide-you-over" when you have a gorgeous M215, duh.

[ralfstc]

Wow! Overwhelming no! And I see that you've already decided, so my vote is not only redundant but late.

 

Anyway, I see that you have a Pelikan M215. You don't need to get a Decimo "tide-you-over" when you have a gorgeous M215, duh.

 

Well, I may not be too bright, but I take advice well!

 

Thanks.

[ralfstc]

And now the votes are swinging back to a yes! This is exciting!

 

I expected that people would reflect a little on how they have pens that fill a niche, and when they don't have those pens to hand they feel strangely unsatisfied . . . At least that's my experience. So next week, for example, I have a conference- the ideal niche for the VP- and even though I love the workhorse 215 it'll still be odd not to have a clicky pen. Or is that just me? :-)

 

On the yes side, there is also the consideration that the plastic body VPs seem to be a little fragile, which a decimo definitely isn't . . . .

 

Hmmmm . . . .

[Siv]

I can't believe there are people here on FPN that are telling you NOT to buy a pen!!! What's up with that?

[Dr.Grace]

We at FPN know that the _right_ answer is not to buy a pen, but we're addicts, so we defy logic and buy one anyway.

[MYU]

On the yes side, there is also the consideration that the plastic body VPs seem to be a little fragile, which a decimo definitely isn't . . . .

 

Hmmmm . . . .

Well, "fragile" is a relative term. If you plan to toss the pen about, without concern for where it may land, then yes--the Decimo will hold up better. Otherwise, I wouldn't discriminate. The older Capless pens, like the CL-300, are more fragile. The click mechanism feels weak and disassembly of the clicker reveals little metal. The faceted and later models have more metal parts.

[ralfstc]

You know Siv, I asked myself the same question . . .

 

Hello, MYU. My "fragile" comment was based on the fact that my faceted cracked at the threads (as did "Sharonspens"') without any particular force being applied. I remember when I got the pen thinking that having a plastic female thread AROUND a metal male one was a strange design choice. I don't know how many other owners have suffered this kind of damage. I must admit I was really surprised when mine actually cracked! I'm not as confident as I was that the faceted can be popped into a backpack and used as a workhorse . . . and that's what I want it for!

 

I also want to add that the Pilot company could not have been more helpful in terms of getting the damage fixed. Massive kudos to them!

 

Thanks,

 

R.

[ethernautrix]

I expected that people would reflect a little on how they have pens that fill a niche, and when they don't have those pens to hand they feel strangely unsatisfied . . . At least that's my experience. So next week, for example, I have a conference- the ideal niche for the VP- and even though I love the workhorse 215 it'll still be odd not to have a clicky pen. Or is that just me? :-)

I agree that it feels odd not to have that pen on hand (or "in"), but the truth is, what you miss is that pen. Not some other pen.

 

What's going to happen if you get a substitute pen? What if you like that pen better than the pen that's temporarily unavailable? How do you think that pen is going to feel when it comes back to find that it has been knocked out of most-favored-pen status while it's been out having surgery?* Hmm? Is that fair? And what if you then have TWO favorite clicky pens? How will you decide between them? Can you? CAN YOU?!

 

Well, you could always sell the other one (the loyal one that got sent away) in the marketplace. Heh.

 

Doesn't the anticipation of getting your pen back make you... sortv giddy? Isn't that part of the pleasure of its return? Can you not hold on until then?!

 

 

Listen, ralfstc (which I'm pronouncing "ralph stick"), you just think long and hard about it, especially long... decide after your pen has returned whether or not a substitute would have been necessary.

 

Maybe what you REALLY want is something completely different but complementary. Eh? See? Not saying "don't buy another pen." Saying "don't try to replace one pen temporarily with another." There's a difference. No, seriously, there is.

 

 

*Pens don't have feelings. I know that.

 

_{BTW, I need a six-slot pen case. My four-slotter no longer suffices. Do you want this to happen to you?!}

Edited August 31, 2008 by ethernautrix

[MYU]

Hello, MYU. My "fragile" comment was based on the fact that my faceted cracked at the threads (as did "Sharonspens"') without any particular force being applied. I remember when I got the pen thinking that having a plastic female thread AROUND a metal male one was a strange design choice. I don't know how many other owners have suffered this kind of damage. I must admit I was really surprised when mine actually cracked! I'm not as confident as I was that the faceted can be popped into a backpack and used as a workhorse . . . and that's what I want it for!

:embarrassed_smile: Well, I retract my nib and bow in shame. Of course--you're waiting to get your faceted Capless pen fixed! I guess I had my own experience rather strong on the brain. I do wonder how common an issue it is, as in years past I've not heard of this problem. I've used a nice blue faceted VP fairly often enough without cracking... either the plastic is strong enough in mine or I'm holding it in a way that hasn't triggered the crack. In any case, if the repair seems solid enough, then you should be in good shape to continue using it.

 

The Decimo is a nice looking pen and comes in a really nice array of colors. If you see one that stands out, then I'd say why not pick one up. The great thing about experiencing a variety of pens is that it helps you get closer to the ones that work best for you. And you can always sell pens in the marketplace or eBay. If you lose a little $$, I chalk that up to "rent" of the pen for a while.

[ralfstc]

Thanks "Eternotricks" (like a time lord!) for the very funny post containing some very profound thoughts about the nature of things, possessions and desire. Very cool.

 

And MYU, no shame necessary! I do really like the look of the decimo and can make a rationalisation but all things considered, there's something about the Federation uniform badge look of the faceted that seems rather special.

 

And I think Ether (may I call you that?) is right in the end. I miss THAT PEN and just look forward to its return from the wee Pilot/Namiki repair shed in Japan, fixed and burnished to a high sheen!

 

I am enjoying getting such good advice in such a friendly and thoughtful fashion. Thanks!

 

(Now I need to start a poll to see who can pick up the three pop culture references in THIS post. Sheesh!)

[ralfstc]

*Pens don't have feelings. I know that.

 

Of course they do. We just need to remember that they're OUR feelings.

[ralfstc]

And the votes are in! The official opinion of this list (and my girlfreind, who also decided to vote but is denying it) is that I should wait. BUT then my girlfriend saw a picture of a Decimo and would like one. Now, if she gets one, and I don't . . . isn't that wrong, somehow????

 

On a more serious note, I've now got three recorded instances of faceted VPs cracking at the threads. Has anybody else experienced this? It isn't necessarily a design fault, but may be a weak point . . . .?

 

Take care,

 

Ralf

Edited September 2, 2008 by ralfstc