tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389939380931638432023-11-15T10:19:13.762-08:00The Pen BinA pen blog devoted to working class pens.EJ Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110338759748530076noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338993938093163843.post-57837354601045385392011-02-12T03:43:00.000-08:002011-02-12T03:43:28.339-08:00Pen Review: The Generipen<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8775722@N03/5438453084/" title="Generipen by sapphicat, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5438453084_648de605a6.jpg" width="250" height="323" alt="Generipen" /></a><br />
Peace comes from writing in the early morning hours. The air is chilly, yet not intolerable, and the stars are twinkling brightly in the heavens. Remove a pen from the bin, retrieve a few sheets of printer paper and start scribbling. The world is removed and becomes focused upon the experience of writing. Images of the <a href="http://www.stardancer.org">great</a> <a href="http://www.seananmcguire.com">writers</a> of the present day come to mind, and the knowledge that one is sharing similar experiences with them. The words don't matter. The paper doesn't matter. The sensation comes with writing about the pen itself. <br />
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The generipen is the true working class pen. It doesn't have a name tattooed on its solid white barrel. It doesn't have anything more than the promise that words, hopefully good words, will eke their way onto the page. The tools of the great writers don't matter, just their words and the places to which they will guide. There is a comfort in that, a comfort in the generic pen that hurts the hand after writing for a long time, a comfort in the knowledge that the pen will always be there... right up until it runs out of ink or explodes in the hand. <br />
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Non pen enthusiasts see every other pen like they see the generipen. They will look upon the Pilot G2, the Energel, the Pilot Precise v5 and claim that it is just a pen. This is the same way that non car enthusiasts see cars - they will see color, they will see gas mileage, though they will not understand the joy of driving one. <a href="http://blog.shopwritersbloc.com/fountain_pens/if_fountain_pens_were_cars.html">Driving the pen</a> has no meaning, because it is utilitarian. This offering is the ultimate in generic - one expects to see the word 'PEN' put on the side, like the generics of old. <br />
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Having a solid white barrel, one will never know when the ink will run out. This is akin to not having a gas gauge in a vehicle. With that being the case, the generipen is relegated to everyday writing activities - signing checks, making personal lists, scribbling a note to a loved one. I'd love to think that the generipen will make it to other uses, like penning the greatest works of our time. It is the essence of versatility with a chewable black cap. <br><br />
We take these pens for granted because they do not write as well as the name brand pens. But, the ink is a solid black, the grip is comfortable enough for several pages, and it is aerodynamic (and drummable). We take these pens for granted because they are the truly ubiquitous ones, the pens that are used when the ink runs out... and they keep going. They keep striving. Will the demand for these working class stick pens diminish? No, as long as there are writers who appreciate them. <br><br />
While the average writer may not have an <a href="http://edisonpen.com/page.cfm/Mina-Main-Page">Edison Mina</a> in their pocket, they are sure to have one of these generipens sitting in the drawer, waiting to write at their beck and call. The generipen is beautiful, just like the cold starry night, just like the simple vehicle that gets drivers from here to there. Take a few moments to write a letter to a loved one with the generipen in your own drawer.EJ Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110338759748530076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338993938093163843.post-6865085809399296122011-02-10T07:09:00.000-08:002011-02-10T07:10:59.332-08:00Preaching to the Pen ChoirYesterday, I talked about going to a fashionable diamond retailer to find some <a href="http://thepenbin.blogspot.com/2011/02/montblanc-ballpoints-empty-gesture.html">decorative pens</a>, and I mentioned that I went to the <a href="http://thepenbin.blogspot.com/2011/02/pens-and-business-101.html">pretentiapen store</a> after that. I was hoping to find a little salvation after the phone encounter. <br />
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There were glass jewelry cases protecting the pens from the public, with the Cartier display being the first shrine that customers encounter. I immediately got the feeling that I wasn't welcome there because I didn't fit the 'fine writing instrument' type. I was putting out the vibe that I was just shopping, and, well, there are many business models which strive for the immediate sale. I was greeted by the only sales representative on the floor. <br />
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I asked the gentleman whether his store offered any apprenticeship programs. I immediately found out that this store only sold fine writing instruments, no service department for nibs. I nodded and asked him the same question that I'd asked before, about the difference between a Pilot Precise and a fountain pen. He explained to me that he was merely a salesman and could not provide me any real 'why' for the product that he sold. I then asked him about the difference between a Pilot Varsity and a <a href="http://www.jetpens.com/index.php/product/view/products_id/1931">Lamy Safari</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8775722@N03/5433101475/" title="Pilot Varsity"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5216/5433101475_bee2745f66.jpg" width="100" height="313" align="left" alt="Pilot Varsity" /></a>I was taken over to the demonstration model of the Safari, and picked it up. A lot lighter than I had expected it, but the pen itself was out of ink. There was no true way that I was going to test it. I've been wanting to give the Varsity another chance, so I bought one for $3.21. I also apologized to the sales representative for such a small purchase. When I walked out, I vowed never to return. <br />
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This particular place has been in business for a number of years, though I believe that there is a reliance on web sales rather than on walk-ins. Their sales are down, and people who look at things merely aggravate the situation. The business model fails to accept any types of customers who would fall outside of the realm of 'people who want expensive products.' By removing the accessibility, they are also removing a possible client base. This is troubling, because more clients mean more money, right? <br />
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Think about this like going to church. Many churches focus on gaining members from a very small pool of individuals. This group of individuals is made up of people who are more likely to be going to church. The church's competition is made of the other churches within the surrounding area, all of them searching for people who are within the target niche. They will also advertise to those who are newly arrived in the city. While there are exceptions, churches generally do not try to advertise for those who are not within their niche. They do not tend to seek out individuals who are not likely to go to church, nor are they likely to seek out individuals who are of different faiths. In other words, they want to preach to the choir. <br />
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Preaching to the choir is exactly what this pen business is doing. They are not making the effort to get 'outsiders' interested in their products, to create a larger client base. They are not taking the initiative to educate their salespeople (or hiring ones who can talk about pens) about the products which they sell. They are staying within the narrow parameters which have been set for the client base.<br />
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Why does this trouble me? <br />
<h1>Companies can do better</h1>The price of advertising in print publications is not cheap. The price of advertising in radio or on television is high. The price of training employees, getting web sites together, tossing marketing 'noodles' against the wall, and other marketing activities is paid for mostly in sweat equity. There are outlets like Twitter and Facebook, where a company can forge their own niche. If this company made itself more accessible and spent time with the larger category of 'everybody who writes,' they would definitely have more business. By focusing on the small niche, they can lose sight of the larger picture.<br />
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If you're a business owner, don't you want to make everyone feel comfortable?EJ Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110338759748530076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338993938093163843.post-27864742551950163072011-02-09T16:25:00.000-08:002011-02-09T16:27:01.217-08:00Montblanc Ballpoints: An Empty GestureI am a work at home freelance writer, and I love the job. I rarely get out of the house, because I gave my car to <a href="http://theunlikelymage.blogspot.com">The Unlikely Mage</a>. After all, there's no need for a car when your job is internet based, right? Yesterday, he didn't want to drive, so I took him to work and got the car. Where was my first trip? You guessed it, the pretentiapen store. <br />
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Well, not really. The FIRST stop was to a diamond store that advertised MontBlanc pens. I thought that the store I was looking for was attached. It wasn't. <br />
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I walked in, and the salesperson was on the phone. There were diamond rings, necklaces, earrings, and a bunch of other pretty things inside. After waiting for a few minutes, the saleslady was free and she took me over to see the 'decorative' pens. I told her point blank that I was looking, and hoped to be able to get one of them one day. She didn't hold that against me. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8775722@N03/5432359536/" title="Montblanc Meisterstuck Black Resin and Platinum Ball Point by sapphicat, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5432359536_7de083414c_m.jpg" width="350" height="100" alt="Montblanc Meisterstuck Black Resin and Platinum Ball Point" /></a><br />
I was first treated to the Montblanc Meisterstuck Black Resin and Platinum Ball Point. It didn't have the weight that I'd expected, and the most exceptional thing about it was that it wrote like a ballpoint. I enjoyed the smooth barrel, and the ink didn't skip, but I've received darker lines from the generipens that I've used. The price on this pen was around $250, something which I was assured was a modest price. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8775722@N03/5431729867/" title="Montblanc Meisterstuck Silver Barley Ballpoint"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5431729867_5f92d6bc21_m.jpg" width="350" height="100" alt="Montblanc Meisterstuck Silver Barley Ballpoint" /></a><br />
The second pen that I touched was a Meisterstuck Silver Barley Ballpoint. I was attracted to it because it looked like a pen that had some weight to it. The grooves on the barrel were absolutely beautiful, it felt wonderful in my hand. I wrote with it, and the magic just wasn't there. It should have been there for the price of the pen. Even something declared as 'decorative.' <br />
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Sometimes, it baffles me why someone would purchase a pen (or any item, for that matter) simply for the name on the box. I have been surrounded by working class pens all my life, so maybe I do not have the palate for the upper class pens. Perhaps my tastes need to be more refined to even appreciate these two particular ballpoints. Yes, the money was in the barrel. But, shouldn't the people at Montblanc have devoted more of their time to making sure that the writing experience was more special? <br />
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Montblanc Ballpoints are pens that are given as gestures. Give them to the lawyer, give them to the graduate. This is a gesture of worth, something to say that the giver cares. The recipient then becomes paranoid about losing the pen, because it costs so much. Essentially, it needs to become decorative so that it can be protected. <br />
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These pens are not made for people who write. They are made for people who want to maintain a certain status. For me, if you're going to spend $250 and more on writing instruments, the gesture would be much better appreciated if you just went crazy at <a href="http://www.jetpens.com">Jet Pens</a> instead.EJ Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110338759748530076noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338993938093163843.post-39709558196272545982011-02-04T14:43:00.000-08:002011-02-05T00:25:24.737-08:00What One Pen Company Forgot<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/usnationalarchives/4727559500/" title="Members of the Donald Dannheim Family Who Operate a Dairy and Ice Cream Store... by The U.S. National Archives, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1325/4727559500_7e567d40ec_m.jpg" width="162" height="240" hspace="5" vspace="5" align="left" alt="Members of the Donald Dannheim Family Who Operate a Dairy and Ice Cream Store..." /></a>There is a business in Smyrna which sells fine writing instruments. The pictures of the store show large jewelry cases of pens that are well out of my price range. Their website has the sensation that it was created sometime in early 2001 or 2002, because the background is black, and it uses quite a lot of the PLR article font. Their focus is on specialty, limited edition and luxury pens. <br />
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I called them today to see if they were hiring, because I thought that it would be interesting to be surrounded by my passion. I work at another business right now, in customer service, and I wanted to get a perspective of the job market. The person on the phone told me that there were no positions available and that business was slow. Well, that's not particularly surprising, since very few people want to run out and buy a $100+ pen when they could be purchasing groceries. <br />
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Knowing that I wasn't applying for a job, I asked the gentleman who answered the phone why I should get a $50 pen, when my Pilot Precise v5 works well. What's the motivation for someone like me to switch to a fountain pen and learn another form of writing? Even though I own none of these pens, I can come up with a few reasons off the top of my head for purchasing a higher quality writing instrument. <br />
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I asked the person whether he used a fountain pen. He replied that he didn't. He also didn't have an adequate answer to why I should purchase a pen from his company. He tried to refer me to someone else at the place, but I refused. I was actually very angry when I got off the phone with him. Maybe I am being too sensitive, but I believe that people who are working at their jobs should have the why's of their business drilled into them from the very beginning. <br />
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Somebody working in a business should be well aware of the products that they are selling. They should know the benefits of the product, and be able to talk about their product at length. In the absence of having a face-to-face conversation, that business should have an adequate media campaign which shows their knowledge and expertise. You can see this over and over with companies like <a href="http://www.edisonpen.com">Edison Pen</a> and <a href="http://www.peartreepens.com">Pear Tree</a>, who have their active Twitter and Facebook campaigns. <br />
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The more that I pursue other business opportunities, the more that I realize that I become actively irritated at those who are not customer driven. The individuals at this place that I called lost my business because they could not adequately give me an elevator speech about why I should spend $47 over my $3 Pilot Precise. But it's more than that. I know that I am not unique in my theories about 'how I think a business should run.' I know that there are others out there who feel that every company should give more than lip service to the 'customers are our highest priority' crap. <br />
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I've seen so many companies out there who say 'customer service is our priority' and 'we love our customers' and 'you're important to us' but that doesn't mean anything. Honestly, what are they going to say? Customers are just numbers to us? We think that customers are an inconvenience? We believe that there should only be three customers a day in our store and you're number four? Every single interaction with a person who doesn't work for the company should be about giving everything that they can. If you, as a representative of the company, can't tell me why I should bother with your product, you are disappointing both me and your company. <br />
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As a business, don't tell me that customer service is your first priority. Show it to me. Demonstrate it to me. I don't know the difference between a Waterman and a Namiki. Demonstrate it to me. I can't justify the cost difference between a Namiki and a Pilot Precise (yes, I know that they're the same company). Tell me the difference. Give me a compelling argument to come to you, and show me that you were working for my needs and I'll always come back. As a customer, if I know that your business has my back, then I'm yours for life. <br />
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You know why this is important to me? Because when you wake up with the hangover at the crack of dawn, it's all about people. Single person and small group interaction. It's all about people. I don't buy my insurance from Liberty Mutual, I buy it because Linda works there, and she would never screw me. I don't have an account at Flagstar, I go so that I can feel like a person and see Derek and Sue. To be honest, the business should be making every effort to SHOW you their dedication, not TELL you. So, if I call your company and ask you a question like... why should I buy these products from you? Have an answer ready.EJ Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110338759748530076noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338993938093163843.post-48768605095098883562011-02-03T09:04:00.000-08:002011-02-03T09:04:49.186-08:00Pen Review: PaperMate Medium<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8775722@N03/5413117497/" title="10 Black Paper Mate Penssmall by sapphicat, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/5413117497_1f2f8d48d3_m.jpg" width="100" height="122" alt="10 Black Paper Mate Penssmall" /></a><br />
Who can resist the allure of a straight stick pen for writing? The delight associated with these goes far beyond that of a simple writing utensil. These pens have been around since the 1950's, tried and true, ready for action. The PaperMate Ballpoint pen is a trooper, the known quantity of the bunch. When a PaperMate is retrieved, the author knows exactly what they are getting. <br />
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A little bit of lag when first picking up the pen, but that is to be expected. Just a few circles on a sheet of paper separates any author from their intention. These PaperMate pens have written everything, from the vastly important documents to the throwaway lists for groceries and tasks of the day. These pens are workhorses, the epitome of working class pens. Even though pen enthusiasts think of fountain pens and name brands, these are the pens that people think of when they think of pens. <br />
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The PaperMate did not become so ubiquitous by being poor in quality. It is a straight-up average pen that is quite functional. The barrel is a little thin, making the writer have to squeeze a little harder to hold it in place, but it is only aggravating for the longer haul. It is not short, which means that very little comfort is lost when writing extensively. The pen itself will write for a long time, carrying any authors through their blocks. <br />
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Sure, it's not the Pilot G2 or Precise v5. It's not a 'named' pen, one to be revered like a rare item on a MMORPG. The PaperMate does the job effectively, without hassle. A true working class pen.EJ Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110338759748530076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338993938093163843.post-17144592151821960552011-02-02T18:56:00.000-08:002011-02-02T18:56:16.381-08:00The Little Obsession<a href="http://theunlikelymage.blogspot.com">The Unlikely Mage</a> and I had some delicious food at the <a href="http://www.laparrilla.com/">La Parrilla</a> here in Acworth. The rice was great, the refried beans were made fresh, the grilled tilapia was lightly spiced, and the coffee we had was not burnt or bitter. You want to know what topped off the experience for me? I signed the credit card slip with a green Pilot G-2. <br />
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I've had bad luck with skipping G-2s and G-2 clones. The ink just does not want to flow, or it feels like wrestling with wild animals to get the pen to function properly. To top off this meal, though, I got a working pen with which to sign the check. This pen was working so well that I had to point out why this pen was given such reviews to my non pen obsessed partner. <br />
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For me, it's the little things. I love a pen that feels great in my hands and writes well. I love getting to roll my fingertips across the back of a sheet of paper like a blind woman. Is there anyone else out there who has had their restaurant experience enhanced just by the pen that was loaned to you?EJ Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110338759748530076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338993938093163843.post-25327834620373764862011-01-31T11:24:00.000-08:002011-01-31T11:24:58.461-08:00Pen Review: Uniball Vision Exact (Blue)<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8775722@N03/5404879959/" title="Uniball Vision Exact Image by sapphicat, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5404879959_ddbabda7c5_m.jpg" width="240" height="240" alt="Uniball Vision Exact Image" /></a><br />
Before coming to work today, I picked up a Uniball Vision Exact Fine, figuring that there would be dull moments that I could use to write. I probably have this pen in black and red, being that I have a penchant for getting the four packs. If I were a digital nomad, this pen wouldn't be my choice. <br />
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The barrel is clear and spotted, with solid blue on the nib and cap. It brings up images of grid paper, where one is forced to stay between the lines for their reward. Since the ink can clearly be seen through the barrel, a user can gauge the time left before the pen makes it to the pen graveyard (or, better yet, send the recycled ones to <a href="http://www.penguy.org">The Pen Guy</a> for addition to the Mercedes Pens). I love the simple pleasure of tilting the pen up and down just to watch the ink. <br />
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The pen bleeds a bit through the paper, and does not lend itself for excellent fine lines. The ink pools at the tip, threatening to escape like a crowd of zombie-threatened people. So, there's a touch of splotchiness which gives the pen a tiny touch of character. Fortunately, the ink dries quickly (and does not react well to water) and gives thick, dark lines. <br />
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The barrel itself is a standard size, not one that feels like writing with a baseball bat. It is not tiny, rather, it fits comfortably within the hand. Although it's not an 'art pen,' it still lends itself to doodling and coloring. <br />
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For coloring on the newsprint of coloring books, the Uniball Vision Exact works well with a blotter. For the long writing haul, the people at Uniball didn't take any steps to overwhelm their users with comfortable pens. With a short clip, folks can hang the pen in their shirts.<br />
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Here's the first draft hand written version of this review, complete with doodle! <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8775722@N03/5404531541/" title="Review - Uniball Vision Exact Blue by sapphicat, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5404531541_a63fcd6ed7.jpg" width="300" height="410" alt="Review - Uniball Vision Exact Blue" /></a>EJ Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110338759748530076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338993938093163843.post-73830773656559059182011-01-30T00:02:00.000-08:002011-01-30T00:02:13.435-08:00The Working Class PenOver the past few days, I have read quite a lot about the top-of-the-line fountain pens, rollerballs, and gel pens. In all honesty, I look at them and try to figure out how it could replace my Pilot Precise v5 or the <a href="http://thepenbin.blogspot.com/2011/01/pen-review-pilot-p-700-fine-gel-roller.html">Pilot P-700 Gel Roller</a> that are both in the bin. What could a nearly unusable (to me), pretentious looking, five hundred dollar pen offer me? <br />
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Long ago, I was taught that I should want the things that I can have and disregard the rest. I was one of those kids who was told that I could be anything in the world, and I believed that absolutely and completely. Even though I'm older, I still believe that. I look at plenty of things in terms of 'how much crap would I have to go through in order to get this?' and judge many things to be out of range. These days, I know that if I wanted to become an NFL linebacker, I've more than likely missed the boat. <br />
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The pens that I love are working class pens. They are the writing instruments that get me from point A to point B. These pens are the waiters, the cooks, the chauffeurs, the taxi drivers, and the steel workers of the pen world. Not too much fame and acclaim, but the pens themselves are affordable (very few are over $5) and work until they drop. These are the pens that waitresses use, that warehouse workers use, that aspiring writers use. I can definitely see elevating one of these pens to a higher status, but I cannot see using one of their higher priced brethren. The prices for the 'exclusive luxury writing instruments' are just too costly for me to bear. <br />
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I have the guilty pleasure when I use cheap ballpoint pens. I have the same type of love for the ballpoint pen that Mariko has in <a href="http://www.supereggplant.com/?p=1314">this post</a>. And, even though I've never been to <a href="http://www.jetpens.com">Jet Pens</a>, I'm willing to give it a try to rekindle my love for the <a href="http://www.jetpens.com/index.php/product/view/products_id/3444">Pentel Energel Needle Point</a>. I think that maybe if I got rich, where money was no object, I'd pick up a $4900 pen like the <a href="http://store.totalfinewriting.com/ancora-80th-anniversary-fountain-pen-p4.aspx">Ancora 80th Anniversary Fountain Pen</a>, and then I rejoin reality - I wouldn't own a pen that cost more than my first car. <br />
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There are surely reasons for wanting to get a luxury writing instrument, like the collector's value, and having the 'finer things in life,' but I still don't understand. At its base, the pen is still a tool. I can appreciate the craftsmanship, but it still seems to be a waste of money. Give me a ballpoint any day.EJ Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110338759748530076noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338993938093163843.post-75338236200968573372011-01-28T02:04:00.000-08:002011-01-28T02:04:00.707-08:00Pen Review: Pilot P-700 Fine Gel Roller<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8775722@N03/5393280947/" title="Pilot P700"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5393280947_f6b57cf4df.jpg" width="250" height="250" alt="Pilot P700" /></a>I've got this green P-700 that I've been using so much that there's only a thumbtip of ink left in it. It's a wonder that I've still got the cap. This pen's seen a lot of action, and rightly so. <br />
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The P-700 has it all. There's a comfortable grip that is ribbed for your pleasure, something which provides a little bit of texture to your writing experience. The tip is strong enough to withstand even the most horrible of paper poking. The rest of the barrel conforms to the hand by being smooth and not too wide, slipping comfortably into the groove between thumb and forefinger. <br />
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This gel roller is purely disposable - once it's over, it's over. Maybe the designers at Pilot really wanted their customers to embrace the fleeting nature of life by giving them a high quality pen. The tip is protected by an extra little cap within the cap so it doesn't dry out and force a round of circle dancing. <br />
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The lines that the Pilot P-700 draws are absolutely impeccable, neither bleeding nor splotching. There is no bleeding through the paper like you'll see in the Sharpie Ultra Fine. There is no cheapness to the pen, like you may feel in the PaperMate or the disposable Bics. It is quite true that when you have a great writing instrument, you can be on top of the world. <br />
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The gel roller really takes to uncoated paper, but it doesn't take well to plastic or coated paper, or skin. For those who draw on their bodies, choose something more apt like the Sharpie Ultra Fine or the Pilot Precise. This pen would be perfect for writing in braille.EJ Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110338759748530076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338993938093163843.post-45483379548057899032011-01-27T09:02:00.000-08:002011-01-27T13:07:23.662-08:00Pen Review: Flagstar Promotional PenI love going to <a href="http://www.flagstar.com">Flagstar</a> because of the superior customer service that they offer, their multiple money options, and the efforts that they place on treating customers as individuals. Every meeting that you have with a Flagstar teller is a sit-down one where you catch up on everything that's been going on while they retrieve your money. I love the atmosphere and indeed everything about the bank. It was no surprise to anyone around me when I asked to take one of their promotional pens home. <br />
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It's a noisemaking ballpoint retractable clicky pen with a red barrel and clear bits on either side. You can see where the cartridge goes when it's retracted, and that's a little nudge of pleasure for the geek within me. There's an opaque comfort grip in the right place, too. The barrel is embossed with the Flagstar Bank logo. What is a promotional pen without a logo? <br />
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<h2>How does it Write?</h2>It takes less than a centimeter for this pen to get going. The ink is dark and functional. Currently, there is a bit of skippage within the pen, but that comes with lots of usage. The nib is wide enough to feel comfortable, managing to land within that perfect size.<br />
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This pen would be perfect for scribing marathon drafts and signing checks. It would suck for autographing, fine line work, or skewering teriyaki.EJ Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110338759748530076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338993938093163843.post-57148330426658578362011-01-27T07:52:00.000-08:002011-01-27T13:07:07.254-08:00All for a Pen..."Can I borrow a pen?" The customer looked at me impatiently, her eyes flicking to the Purple Sharpie Ultra-Fine in my hand. <br />
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I extended my hand, mentioning, "sure, but be careful with the tip. It smashes and makes the pen unusable." I watched as the customer nodded brusquely, took the pen, and proceeded to smash it into the receipt that she was signing. She handed it back to me, where the newly mangled pen was recapped. <br />
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"Thank you." The customer remarked, going about her daily business. <br />
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I uncapped the Sharpie, examining the tip. The customer had used enough force to turn the tiny little nub sideways. Tossing the pen into the trash can, I searched for a suitable replacement. <br />
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Growling, I took up one of the cheap company-issued ballpoints, staring at it. These were the pens which had a 20% chance of exploding within your pocket. The ink was spotty in delivery, at best. When it worked, it worked well. I'd spent more 'lighter time' with these ballpoints than I did with the smoking habit that I had at the time. <br />
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The next customer in line had the same look of astonishment on his face. He reached into his jacket pocket to pull out a Razor Point. "I understand," was all he said to the matter before placing his order. The world had become a better place. <br />
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All for a pen.EJ Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110338759748530076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338993938093163843.post-54962990235677929162011-01-26T15:11:00.000-08:002011-01-26T15:11:56.480-08:00The Collection of PensI talk about having a collection of pens in my <a href="http://thepenbin.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html">About Me</a> page. This is the foundation of The Pen Bin - essentially, all of the pens were put into the same place for easy accessibility. Currently, it's trying to bubble over and ooze into a newer and bigger bin, but I'm holding it back with a desperate hand. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a room devoted to a pen collection, nor do my pens cost more than the house that I live in. <br />
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As the title says, these are working class pens. They were gotten out of necessity, or they were gotten because of a sudden urge to have a pen in my pocket. They're not the high class and uppity pens that are talked about in <a href="http://www.pengeek.com">Pen Geek</a> or some of the fountain pens that are featured in <a href="http://www.penaddict.com">Pen Addict</a>. While it's true that there's a <a href="http://www.namiki.com">Namiki</a> somewhere in my future, I'm more likely to get a <a href="http://www.sherpapen.com/">Sherpa</a> to guide my working class pens through the fog, cold, and damp without needing a security guard. <br />
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I've always been of the philosophy that any collection to which I devote my time should be practical. What's more practical than being able to <b>write</b> with it? I can disseminate thoughts and ideas anywhere I desire. With the right type of pen or marker, I can put my mark anywhere on the planet! <br />
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And, truthfully, I never understood the draw of things like Faberge eggs and knick knacks. They're pretty, they're nice and kitschy, but you can't eat them. You can't do anything more than look at them and use them as paperweights. Those Hummel clowns are entertaining, but exactly how much joy can you get out of something which takes up space on the mantle? I often wonder whose idea that was, to make something that's completely useless. <br />
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The fountain pens border on that for me. I can't write for anything using a fountain pen. Yes, I know it's about precision and knowing where to move my hand. I know that I need to keep my fingers straight, and write in a certain way to even get the ink to flow. Luxury pens are a curiosity to me, but I'd never use them for making a grocery list - in fact, I'd probably never use them on a regular basis because I couldn't find an application that was 'worthy' of the hundred or thousand dollar pen. <br />
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You will find a ton of cheap promotional pens in my collection. You will find your share of Pilot Precise v5s. You will find great additions from the Foray line, Pilot G2s, metallic colored pens, sparkly pens, Micron Pigmas, Rapidographs, and the like. I even own a Pilot Varsity because I felt a little masochistic. That kind of collection - usable and loved - is the one that I want.EJ Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05110338759748530076noreply@blogger.com0