Just prefer the preferable!

[Bisquitlips]

So guys....

I am very often sorry to see so many of you purchasing VERY expensive ball point, roller balls, or other types of pens.

Please allow me to submit an opinion:

Never! NEVER! Purchase a fine writing instrument that is NOT a fountain pen! Never!!!

There is a reason for this. I will not take the bandwidth to elaborate this as this is the age of the Google Search. But be assured that buyers and collectors will almost never consider any pen that is not a Fountain Pen at resale.

I will not go into the reasons why as that is a subject you can investigate on your own via the net, but just suffice it to say that anyone with $$$ is not interested in anything outside a fountain pen. Again per your net research.

I am a collector of fine writing instruments for above 38 years. I only know what I know. My submission of this post is just a suggestion to those of you who are admiring fine writing instruments, but are yet to discover what their values are upon resale.

Suffice it to say that I have collected above 200 fine writing instruments during my years of passion. Fountain pens are an art! Therefore when you sell a FP you are literally selling a piece of art!!! BPs and Fine Liners, and other types of pens are just not known as an art guys. And there is no way they could be.

Enjoy the hobby, but be aware that the resale value of any pens outside a FP will not be well received! However, if you want to purchase a fine writing instrument that is not an FP, do so! But be prepared to pass it down to your children and grand children.

What a wonderful engrossing pursuit it is! Just prefer the preferable!

[Andad]

I agree with the bulk of your text Richard but:

When my son graduated with his Mech Eng Degree I wanted to give him something that he could use every day and the choice was a MB Classique ball point pen to match his 149.

A FP is not an everyday pen to everyone.

I have never sold or traded a pen or a watch, I have only bought these items to be used and enjoyed.

[Rusty888]

Agee and disagree.
You are right that fountain pens are art and will hold their resale value. Most people start there journey with an appreciation of ball point pens. However fountain pens are something not everyone believes is practice. I'd rather right with a good ball point than a terrible one. After having my fountain pens stolen I'm starting my collection again.

My advice would be save up and buy the pen you want not the cheapest you can afford. That only leads to disappointment. I found that personally. But the next one up you can afford. If that's a Mont Blanc ball point then so be it. In actual fact a Mont Blanc ball point won't lose a great deal of its a meisterstuck but other brands will take a huge hit.

Enjoy your instrument of choice and never buy for resale but buy for the moment.

[Wing-Co]

I agree, my little collection of fountain pens....!!!!!

[Bisquitlips]

I should strongly add that my suggestion does not apply to pens that are given as a gift or that will hold sentimental value.

It only applies to those that purchase pens with the that that in the future you may want to sell what you have to obtain what you do not have. If you are going to keep them then any pen is fine.

I do have several nice ball points, fine liners, pencils, and so on but those are keepers. I am kind of a pencil freak of sorts and really enjoy writing with a nice pencil when I can.

I bought two of these and really love them.



One in black and one in brown. They are $495.00 retail, but I purchase them for $125.00 each. Which again supports the point of not putting a lot of money in pens that are not fountain pens. Someone paid full or close to full retail for these and then didn't get even 25% of their original cost back when they sold them.

Have a superb week all!

[Watchvirgin]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

I should strongly add that my suggestion does not apply to pens that are given as a gift or that will hold sentimental value.

It only applies to those that purchase pens with the that that in the future you may want to sell what you have to obtain what you do not have. If you are going to keep them then any pen is fine.

I do have several nice ball points, fine liners, pencils, and so on but those are keepers. I am kind of a pencil freak of sorts and really enjoy writing with a nice pencil when I can.

I bought two of these and really love them.



One in black and one in brown. They are $495.00 retail, but I purchase them for $125.00 each. Which again supports the point of not putting a lot of money in pens that are not fountain pens. Someone paid full or close to full retail for these and then didn't get even 25% of their original cost back when they sold them.

Have a superb week all!

great looking set! I would pick up a couple at that price as well!!!

[Andad]

I should strongly add that my suggestion does not apply to pens that are given as a gift or that will hold sentimental value.

It only applies to those that purchase pens with the that that in the future you may want to sell what you have to obtain what you do not have. If you are going to keep them then any pen is fine.

I do have several nice ball points, fine liners, pencils, and so on but those are keepers. I am kind of a pencil freak of sorts and really enjoy writing with a nice pencil when I can.

I bought two of these and really love them.

My apologies Richard - I didn't read that into your original post.

Never! NEVER! Purchase a fine writing instrument that is NOT a fountain pen! Never!!!

[2careless]

Agreed. Expensive ballpens, rollerpens, pencils do not hold value. So if unless one wants to buy these for sentimental reasons or for self satisfaction, then by all means. Otherwise one most likely will lose > 50% if not more on these pens.
That said, even for fountain pens, most of the models will depreciate by 50% easy, except for some "winners", such as Montblanc Hemingway, or their vintage pens such as silver ring 149, those pens do appreciate in value.

[Lion]

I agree with Kai and Richard with not spending a lot of money on Ballpoint and Rollerball pens. Save your money to buy Fountain pens to have and enjoy writing with...but with that said if in your profession you need a BP or RB for say signing of documents and such by all means you can find nice pens in the $50.00 to $100.00(or even less it just depends on whether you have to look good in front of clients and such).....

[jimbones43]

What if a chap doesn't like fps or rbs? Buy what u like and spend what u like I say!
I have a mb ballpoint I spent 300 on and I love it.
** each his own! Just my 2 pennies!

[srvrf]

I tend to agree but there are times like travel when I'd prefer to have say a cheaper Montblanc rollerball instead of my LeGrand FP. Nicer than a Bic, but I wouldn't have to worry about the ink, loss or theft.

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by jimbones43

What if a chap doesn't like fps or rbs? Buy what u like and spend what u like I say!
I have a mb ballpoint I spent 300 on and I love it.
** each his own! Just my 2 pennies!

Hey Jim!

You are certainly correct in your acquisition of a MB Ballpoint at any price as it appears that will be a pen that you enjoy for life. And there are times when a BP is the pen to use. An example would be when you need to sign documents that require a certain amount of pressure to produce duplicates or triplicates, etc. Or just because you prefer a BP for any reason.

I was addressing those that go out and purchase an expensive ball point or a roller ball for several hundreds of dollars and then find that they no longer want it and put it on the Pen Classifieds for sale at a great loss.

I genuinely hurt for these folks that find they have lost 50% or more of their original investment and then turn away from the passion of writing instruments forever.

My humble advice is to purchase a NICE BP or RB pre-owned on Ebay, Fountain Pen Network, Pen Trace Green Board, or here on TRF and give it a try. That way you can't get hurt too badly.

I have about 10 ball points and roller balls and even some premium pencils that I have collected over the years and have a lot of $$$ invested in them, but like Jim, I know I am keeping them for life or will gift them at some point in time.

My only point was that when investing a lot of money in a writing instrument, please consider putting that investment in a pen that will not lose 50% or more of its value if you are not happy with it. A FP will keep its value as a BP or RB will not. At least this is typical. Don't experiment with $$$ on a brand new ball point or roller ball, but give a pre-owned pen a try.

I was on a trip to Bavaria (my family's homeland) a few years back and purchased a Montblanc Doue BP to commemorate my trip. (I have purchased a writing instrument many times over the years to commemorate my travels. It's just a quirk as I deeply enjoy keeping extensive travel journals). That BP cost me about $450.00 US, but it was in my pocket today and I used it joyfully! It always takes me back to that lovely time and brings back very fond memories. It has been worth many times that initial cost. Very much so!

My Best Wishes!

Montblanc Doue BP

[srvrf]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

Hey Jim!

You are certainly correct in your acquisition of a MB Ballpoint at any price as it appears that will be a pen that you enjoy for life. And there are times when a BP is the pen to use. An example would be when you need to sign documents that require a certain amount of pressure to produce duplicates or triplicates, etc. Or just because you prefer a BP for any reason.

I was addressing those that go out and purchase an expensive ball point or a roller ball for several hundreds of dollars and then find that they no longer want it and put it on the Pen Classifieds for sale at a great loss.

I genuinely hurt for these folks that find they have lost 50% or more of their original investment and then turn away from the passion of writing instruments forever.

My humble advice is to purchase a NICE BP or RB pre-owned on Ebay, Fountain Pen Network, Pen Trace Green Board, or here on TRF and give it a try. That way you can't get hurt too badly.

I have about 10 ball points and roller balls and even some premium pencils that I have collected over the years and have a lot of $$$ invested in them, but like Jim, I know I am keeping them for life or will gift them at some point in time.

My only point was that when investing a lot of money in a writing instrument, please consider putting that investment in a pen that will not lose 50% or more of its value if you are not happy with it. A FP will keep its value as a BP or RB will not. At least this is typical. Don't experiment with $$$ on a brand new ball point or roller ball, but give a pre-owned pen a try.

I was on a trip to Bavaria (my family's homeland) a few years back and purchased a Montblanc Doue BP to commemorate my trip. (I have purchased a writing instrument many times over the years to commemorate my travels. It's just a quirk as I deeply enjoy keeping extensive travel journals). That BP cost me about $450.00 US, but it was in my pocket today and I used it joyfully! It always takes me back to that lovely time and brings back very fond memories. It has been worth many times that initial cost. Very much so!

My Best Wishes!

Montblanc Doue BP

This is similar to watches really. People do buy watches from boutiques at MSRP or ADs at a discount and but then sell at a loss [look at the sales threads here]. So I agree that the prudent thing is to buy pre-owned, especially early on, and then if you flip, you won't take as big of a loss.

[vman]

Bisquitlips--you're right on the mark. Essentially, ballpoint pens should be obtained for free at trade shows, hotels and other places where they are given to you in return for nothing more but two seconds of your attention.

One more thing--do not forget about the importance of the nib selection. A good nib is like a good lens on a camera!

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by vman

Bisquitlips--you're right on the mark. Essentially, ballpoint pens should be obtained for free at trade shows, hotels and other places where they are given to you in return for nothing more but two seconds of your attention.

One more thing--do not forget about the importance of the nib selection. A good nib is like a good lens on a camera!

Absolutely and a good point about nibs.

I am a chap that loves Italics or Obliques. The line variations along with the color shadings of the inks make writing with a nice Oblique or Italic nib just that much more satisfying. Not to mention that an Italic nib can take mediocre handwriting and make it look so much better.

Here is a good example. (Enlarged)

[Bisquitlips]

Here is an example of a Cursive Italic Nakaya in Burl with a simple blue ink.

[IMG]IMG_1930 by bisquitlips, on Flickr[/IMG]


[IMG]IMG_1939 by bisquitlips, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]IMG_1941 by bisquitlips, on Flickr[/IMG]

[locutus49]

I have a Cartier Pasha BP and used it frequently. In my job, fountains were not usable. Yes I spent $700 for it, silver top, sapphire cap, and gorgeous blue lacquer barrel. And enjoy it every time I look at it. So it just depends on why one buys a pen. I bought it to use, and for my own enjoyment, not for re-sale.

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by locutus49

I have a Cartier Pasha BP and used it frequently. In my job, fountains were not usable. Yes I spent $700 for it, silver top, sapphire cap, and gorgeous blue lacquer barrel. And enjoy it every time I look at it. So it just depends on why one buys a pen. I bought it to use, and for my own enjoyment, not for re-sale.

And that is the perfect point Locutus!

Enjoy it!

[vman]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

Here is an example of a Cursive Italic Nakaya in Burl with a simple blue ink.

That was stunning. Nakaya is on my to-buy list. Hopefully sooner than later.

Just out of curiosity, how long did it take you to perfect your cursive as shown in the first picture? Your precision is at the machine level

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by vman

That was stunning. Nakaya is on my to-buy list. Hopefully sooner than later.

Just out of curiosity, how long did it take you to perfect your cursive as shown in the first picture? Your precision is at the machine level

Don't know how I missed this question. My apologies.

I should have been plain that the first photo was only posted as an example of what italics and flex nibs can produce when it comes to line variations and ink shading. It was not my writing. I only wish it was!

Like this! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7J-yADVRY0