School me on high end pens

For a pen, seriously? Bic.

 

I got a Montblanc Meisterstuck Classic rollerball as a college graduation gift several many ago. I still have it and use it daily. It's not $1k, though. More like $200-400.

 

Good pens in that price category -

-Montegrappa
-Michel Perchin (might be a little high)
-Montblanc Limited Edition ones
-Cartier
-Dupont
-Krone

Those are the good major pen's in that price range. You will definitely want to go and feel them to see the weight distribution and how you like them. It is a pen, so obviously falls in that category of "want" and not "need" in terms of purchase.

 

The Bic comment is correct in that most any pen with write and most do a pretty good job. Then again, we don't drive a Yugo even though it will get us from point A to point B so the response is a bit ridiculous.

I am far from knowledgeable on this and I am sure that there is someone who will provide lots of specifics but here is my thoughts --

As you spend more on a pen you are buying exclusivity, craftsmanship, history, and materials. It is a lot like a watch in that respect. It is also like a good watch in that most people won't notice or know but those in the know will.

The real secret is to look for something that you like. You will also need to decide if you want a roller ball, fountain pen, etc. Then spend some time checking them out. You will immediately notice that the fine details are better on more expensive pens and they have very nice materials, you will find gold, silver, platinum, etc.

Pens vary in diameter, length, and weight distribution. You want something that has a good balance in your hand. Everyone's hand is a different size so the pen's size & balance is different for everyone. For example some pens have terrible balance unless you remove the top and place it on the back of the pen. As yourself, is this how I want to use a pen? If not, keep looking.

Everyone knows Monte Blanc, it is kind of the Movado of pens. Construction Nothing particularly special about them and everyone has one to show that they are special. They are about flash not style. Montegrappa on the other hand makes truly beautiful and exclusive pens. They have a long history of fine writing instruments and the craftsmanship is excellent.

Personally, I have a bunch of antique fountain pens and several roller balls, I threw away all of the cheap pens in the house. I have a very nice Waterman that was a gift but I almost never use it. I didn't like the original insert, I replaced it so it writes better now, yet somehow it just isn't a great fit for my hand so I don't use it much. Beautiful pen but not a winner for me. I have an old Cross that was a graduation gift and I use that fairly often. I also have some inexpensive pens that look good, have reasonable weight, and write nicely. They get used a fair amount too. I love fountain pens but they take a lot more work to maintain and I don't make the time so they aren't used too much.

Enjoy the search and get something that you like.

 

We used to sell Omas pens from Italy.
They were under the Richemont group but have since been sold.
Nice stuff

http://omas.com/Default.aspx

 

Um...okay. Thanks for pointing it out, as I already "knew" that. It was a joke that apparently went over your head. It's just one of those things that I personally would not care about, most I've spent on a pen was 15 bucks, and they engraved it for me, with lifetime ink refills. Even if I had the cash I would never spend 1-2k for a SINGLE pen, if you catch where I am going with this...To each his/her own, is the perfect response here.

 

Pilot Precise V7, hands down. They're a little pricey, but I think they're worth it. For your price range, you could probably get somewhere between five hundred to a thousand of them, depending on how you shop around, which should keep you set for a long time.

 

Found these online


Montegrappa Ferrari FC Collection Silver & Red Racing Lacquer Challenge Roller Ball
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Stunning Examples. Classy and understated. I particularly like the "Stradale" version.

As Skidkid mentioned, think of it like a watch. To some people, it's more than just a time piece; it's a display of their personality as well.

The Bic comment was pretty funny, but when the President is about to sign a treaty, I doubt he's being handed a Bic!

 

The difference is a nice car will make driving more enjoyable but a nice pen doesn't compel most to write more often

In my opinion, a closer parallel would be Montblanc pens and Rolex watches. Neither are even close to being the most expensive in their respective categories. However, for most people, they are the first names that come to mind when the layperson thinks of the luxury leader in the market.

 

I have a $2k Krone Mt. Everest pen that I LOVE! I don't actually write with it as I am left handed and fountain pens and lefthandedness do NOT go well together. I got it for its Mt. Everest connection and I just love to look at it. The thing craftsmanship is amazing on these fine pens. As to expensive pens, I have seen a couple that were over $250,000!!! Yea, for a single pen! They have many carets of fine diamonds and other gems adorning them, but still...that seems like a lot of money to me for a PEN! In fact ONE of those could pay off my house or buy a used Ferrari 599! OMG!

 

I have a few nice pens including Mont Blancs and a Porsche Design Aero made by Faber-Castell. These are "expensive" compared to Bics but each is probably ~ $200 at most.

If I had a couple grand to spend on a pen I'd probably consider one of Faber-Castell's "Pen of the Year": http://www.graf-von-faber-castell.com/35989/Pen-of-the-Year/Pen-of-the-Year-2009/GvFC_index.aspx

Interesting collection of materials used each year, e.g. amber, stingray leather, horsehair...

 

HA!!! I WIN!!!
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Mine's bigger!
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I like Pelikan fountain pens, they have many nib options. Also Namiki fountain pens.

My daily pen, that I have to let others use, is a Mont Blanc Le Grande Rollerball. I won't hand anyone a fountain pen to use. I learned that lesson years ago when a bent nib was handed back to me.

 

I have modest collection of pens..maybe 10 of them. They arent more than $200 each. I really like how a good pen lays down ink. smooth flow and balanced in the hand. No need for gold or diamonds just a fine feel of a writing instrument is all the pleasure in a pen I need. If you have never had a nice pen you dont know the difference so a cross pen and a bic pen are all the same. Dont try them if you dont want to proceed down the slippery slope!!Jon in Delaware

 

Love those "Pen of the year" pens! NEAT! There are many pen magazines out there as well as some mail order catalogs out there for the pen afficianado's too, so look into that, but be warned (again) it is a VERY slippery slope you are on with high end pens!

James

PS. Here is a link to my one REALLY, REALLY nice pen:

http://airlineintl.com/krone/krone_mounteverest.htm

 

Very cool.

For 360 fans: http://omas.com/EN/Prodotti/Collezioni/360.html

For Maserati fans: http://omas.com/EN/Prodotti/Edizioni_Limitate/OMAS_for_MASERATI.html

For Wine fans: http://www.omas.com/EN/Prodotti/Edizioni_Limitate/Château_Lafite_Rothschild_by_Omas.html

 

Check out this Montblanc: "Cartridge fountain pen, retractable platinum-plated 18 K gold nib, 18 K white gold barrel and cap set with 1,430 white & treated black brilliant-cut diamonds, Montblanc star made of 19 diamonds, 18 k. white gold rings and clip set with a treated black paramount-cut diamond."

Yours for only $200K+

http://www.montblanc.com/products/precious_metals_diamonds_royal_black_white.36011.php?searchresult
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You have a very "cool" pen!

I came across the "Pen of the Year" collection when I had to send my Porsche Design in for a "major".

I like this pen, also by Faber-Castell, "Made from historic, naturally fallen ash wood from the famous Walden Woods, Faber-Castell is pleased to present the Limited Edition Walden Woods Rollerball Pen..."
http://www.graf-von-faber-castell.com/26929/Limited-Edition/Limited-Edition-Walden-Woods/GvFC_index.aspx
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First post. Meaning..I WIN!!!

 

I was a collector of fine fountain pens for some time and amassed a small but pricey collection. Unfortunately, the prices continued off the charts, and I lost interest in going even further up the scale. While I have sold much of my collection, I still own many Montblanc limited editions, Montegrappas, Michel Perchins, Omas (several each of the 348 Challenge and 456gts), Watermans and Cartiers. In my opinion, there is nothing more satisfying than signing my name to documents with a fine pen. However, as mentioned elsewhere. It's a luxury and not a necessity.

CW

 

Same. Got one a few months ago and LOVE it. Its weighted perfectly and is so smooth