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#21
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Long-term storage of ballpoints
"Aaron W. Hsu" wrote in message
... "Bluesea" writes: I can't think of anything for your Mont Blanc at this time. Because the refills are proprietary and the pen's too nice to take to the field, your options are limited. I wonder what kind of field work we are talking about? I have to admit to living dangerously with my MontBlanc. It's just that I like writing with it so much that I prefer to take it out to the "field" (which is just my University and in a backpack). Ironically, the one time I did damage it wasn't because of the field work, but because I left it in my pocket once and it went through the dryer. That wasn't a pretty thing to see, though most of the pen was just fine. Ouch! Did it cost a fortune to get it fixed up? By "field", I just mean using it outside. I carry my favourite Sailor fp everywhere in my shirt pocket, but if I want to write myself a reminder in the street, or write on public transport (for example), I use the ballpoint. It's more practical, and it will probably survive being dropped. -- Alan |
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#22
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Long-term storage of ballpoints
"Bluesea" writes:
"Aaron W. Hsu" wrote in message ... I have to admit to living dangerously with my MontBlanc. It's just that I like writing with it so much that I prefer to take it out to the "field" (which is just my University and in a backpack). Sorry, IMO, school is too civilized to qualify as "the field." More dirt, rocks, rough terrain and the possibility of walking in mud past your ankles or thigh-high grass would qualify. Yeah, I would tend to agree with you there, which is why I wondered what kind of environment would be too dangerous for use of a pen? Ironically, the one time I did damage it wasn't because of the field work, but because I left it in my pocket once and it went through the dryer. That wasn't a pretty thing to see, though most of the pen was just fine. OUCH! How did your clothes come out? Blue? Um, I wasn't looking at the clothes, I can tell you that. The pen's resin was fine, as were all the actions, but the nib had melted into what looked like the wicked witch's shoes. Not pretty, and not cheap to fix either. -- Aaron W. Hsu | http://www.sacrideo.us "Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else." -- Frederic Bastiat +++++++++++++++ ((lambda (x) (x x)) (lambda (x) (x x))) ++++++++++++++ |
#23
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Long-term storage of ballpoints
"Jimmy" writes:
"Aaron W. Hsu" wrote in message ... Ironically, the one time I did damage it wasn't because of the field work, but because I left it in my pocket once and it went through the dryer. That wasn't a pretty thing to see, though most of the pen was just fine. Ouch! Did it cost a fortune to get it fixed up? Hehe...well, the repair was certainly cheaper than buying a whole new pen, but it wasn't cheap. The cheapest parts to repair were actually just fine, but the most expensive part -- the nib -- was basically toast, so I had to pay what I assume was top dollar (if cheaper than the whole pen) for a new nib. I'm just glad I did not have to buy a new pen, considering how much I like this one. By "field", I just mean using it outside. I carry my favourite Sailor fp everywhere in my shirt pocket, but if I want to write myself a reminder in the street, or write on public transport (for example), I use the ballpoint. It's more practical, and it will probably survive being dropped. Aah, I see. Yeah, if you are afraid of dropping it in those spots, I guess you wouldn't want your MontBlanc to be used. But, then again, if you are careful.... (Famous last words.) -- Aaron W. Hsu | http://www.sacrideo.us "Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else." -- Frederic Bastiat +++++++++++++++ ((lambda (x) (x x)) (lambda (x) (x x))) ++++++++++++++ |
#24
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Long-term storage of ballpoints
"Aaron W. Hsu" wrote in message ... "Bluesea" writes: "Aaron W. Hsu" wrote in message ... I have to admit to living dangerously with my MontBlanc. It's just that I like writing with it so much that I prefer to take it out to the "field" (which is just my University and in a backpack). Sorry, IMO, school is too civilized to qualify as "the field." More dirt, rocks, rough terrain and the possibility of walking in mud past your ankles or thigh-high grass would qualify. Yeah, I would tend to agree with you there, which is why I wondered what kind of environment would be too dangerous for use of a pen? I don't think it's so much "a pen" as much as it's a MB, being expensive and with a reputation of relative fragility. Ironically, the one time I did damage it wasn't because of the field work, but because I left it in my pocket once and it went through the dryer. That wasn't a pretty thing to see, though most of the pen was just fine. OUCH! How did your clothes come out? Blue? Um, I wasn't looking at the clothes, I can tell you that. The pen's resin was fine, as were all the actions, but the nib had melted into what looked like the wicked witch's shoes. Not pretty, and not cheap to fix either. Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought your clothing "wasn't a pretty sight to see" and that your pen suffered little. Glad you were able to get it repaired even though it cost. -- ~~Bluesea~~ Spam is great in musubi, but not in email. Please take out the trash before sending a direct reply. |
#25
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Long-term storage of ballpoints
"Jimmy" wrote in message ... "Aaron W. Hsu" wrote in message ... "Bluesea" writes: I can't think of anything for your Mont Blanc at this time. Because the refills are proprietary and the pen's too nice to take to the field, your options are limited. I wonder what kind of field work we are talking about? I have to admit to living dangerously with my MontBlanc. It's just that I like writing with it so much that I prefer to take it out to the "field" (which is just my University and in a backpack). Ironically, the one time I did damage it wasn't because of the field work, but because I left it in my pocket once and it went through the dryer. That wasn't a pretty thing to see, though most of the pen was just fine. Ouch! Did it cost a fortune to get it fixed up? By "field", I just mean using it outside. I carry my favourite Sailor fp everywhere in my shirt pocket, but if I want to write myself a reminder in the street, or write on public transport (for example), I use the ballpoint. It's more practical, and it will probably survive being dropped. Thanks for the clarification. -- ~~Bluesea~~ Spam is great in musubi, but not in email. Please take out the trash before sending a direct reply. |
#26
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Long-term storage of ballpoints
"Jimmy" wrote in message ... "Bluesea" wrote in message ... "Jimmy" wrote in message ... "Bluesea" wrote in message ... snip thread back-story Maybe I should try a Space Pen again. I've not seen the Eversharp, only the Fisher models over here. I also got a Montblanc ballpoint a year or so ago. I had low expectations, but it's really very good - no blobbing (yet), and relaxing, easy writing. It is far too fancy to use in the field, though, and I have not managed to fit or force the refills into anything else. Any ideas? I didn't like the Eversharp pen because it was heavier than I like. The refills, though, cost less than the Fisher refills. The discount store that carried the Eversharps closed a couple of years ago so they're no longer available in my town, either. Since you didn't like the Fisher before, if you're thinking of buying a new pen to try it again, I suggest that you buy a Parker Jotter or another less-expensive-than-a-Fisher-Space pen that uses Parker-style refills and a separate Fisher refill which comes with a white plastic adapter for Parker pens. That way, if the Fisher doesn't work out for you, you can still use the pen with the original refill which is fairly universal and wouldn't have wasted the cost of a Fisher pen. I can't think of anything for your Mont Blanc at this time. Because the refills are proprietary and the pen's too nice to take to the field, your options are limited. I keep a Parker Jotter with a Fisher refill in my car and the Fisher X-750 in my Day-Timer. The Telescoping pen is my carry pen when I don't take a fp. Other than that, I use fps which I also use with my Day-Timer. Supposing that you take your planner and/or journal to the field, that leaves your car, your desk at home, or dress-up occasions for your MB. I wouldn't leave it in my desk at the office, if I were you, unless your desk has a good lock. Well, I just got a Fisher Space Pen refill. I already had a metal Parker body handy, so I put it in that, with the adaptor, like you suggested. I got it cheap (half-price), but for a bad reason. One of the two local pen shops is closing down, and trying to get rid of stock. I snapped up two bottles of Diamine ink (Royal Blue and Scarlet) as well. The blue looks like a good alternative to Noodler's plain blue. The Space Pen feels loose and easy to roll. I'll try it instead of the Papermate for a bit, and see how it shapes up. It's sad to hear about the store's closing. However, if the refill works out for you, perhaps the store will remain open long enough for you to get more refills at the lesser price. -- ~~Bluesea~~ Spam is great in musubi, but not in email. Please take out the trash before sending a direct reply. |
#27
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Long-term storage of ballpoints
"Aaron W. Hsu" wrote in message
... "Jimmy" writes: "Aaron W. Hsu" wrote in message ... Ironically, the one time I did damage it wasn't because of the field work, but because I left it in my pocket once and it went through the dryer. That wasn't a pretty thing to see, though most of the pen was just fine. Ouch! Did it cost a fortune to get it fixed up? Hehe...well, the repair was certainly cheaper than buying a whole new pen, but it wasn't cheap. The cheapest parts to repair were actually just fine, but the most expensive part -- the nib -- was basically toast, so I had to pay what I assume was top dollar (if cheaper than the whole pen) for a new nib. I'm just glad I did not have to buy a new pen, considering how much I like this one. It's good to find one that suits you. I'm quite pleased with the way the Sailor 14K one is working out. I even bought a spare while they were cheap. (The exchange rate is a deterrent now.) By "field", I just mean using it outside. I carry my favourite Sailor fp everywhere in my shirt pocket, but if I want to write myself a reminder in the street, or write on public transport (for example), I use the ballpoint. It's more practical, and it will probably survive being dropped. Aah, I see. Yeah, if you are afraid of dropping it in those spots, I guess you wouldn't want your MontBlanc to be used. But, then again, if you are careful.... (Famous last words.) There's an idea germinating here - "ruggedised" fountain pens. Think of the pen equivalent of sports watches. I wonder if you can make a nib out of tungsten carbide. -- Alan |
#28
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Long-term storage of ballpoints
"Bluesea" wrote in message
... "Jimmy" wrote in message ... snip back story Well, I just got a Fisher Space Pen refill. I already had a metal Parker body handy, so I put it in that, with the adaptor, like you suggested. I got it cheap (half-price), but for a bad reason. One of the two local pen shops is closing down, and trying to get rid of stock. I snapped up two bottles of Diamine ink (Royal Blue and Scarlet) as well. The blue looks like a good alternative to Noodler's plain blue. The Space Pen feels loose and easy to roll. I'll try it instead of the Papermate for a bit, and see how it shapes up. It's sad to hear about the store's closing. However, if the refill works out for you, perhaps the store will remain open long enough for you to get more refills at the lesser price. It was a healthy but cyclical business, that always made its real money in the summer, from the tourist trade. The bank refused to keep it afloat, apparently. [The usenet management elves have elided bad language here]. I like the Space Pen, but I'm not convinced it's better than the Papermate. I'll snap up another refill if they are still open. Space Pens are not too bad, even full price, compared with ebaying fps. I've been a saint this year; no new fps so far, just ink. How many fps have you got? I have about 30 altogether; I haven't counted recently. -- Alan |
#29
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Long-term storage of ballpoints
"Jimmy" writes:
There's an idea germinating here - "ruggedised" fountain pens. Think of the pen equivalent of sports watches. I wonder if you can make a nib out of tungsten carbide. How flexible is the nib? :-) That's my biggest complaint on a lot of modern pens. They don't have a soft or springy enough give to make writing nice. They all feel like writing with chisels, or at least, most do. -- Aaron W. Hsu | http://www.sacrideo.us "Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else." -- Frederic Bastiat +++++++++++++++ ((lambda (x) (x x)) (lambda (x) (x x))) ++++++++++++++ |
#30
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Long-term storage of ballpoints
"Aaron W. Hsu" wrote in message
... "Jimmy" writes: There's an idea germinating here - "ruggedised" fountain pens. Think of the pen equivalent of sports watches. I wonder if you can make a nib out of tungsten carbide. How flexible is the nib? :-) That's my biggest complaint on a lot of modern pens. They don't have a soft or springy enough give to make writing nice. They all feel like writing with chisels, or at least, most do. Although some of my pens have flexible nibs, I don't have the skill to use them well. Hard-as-nails, glassy smooth nibs can be a lot of fun, though. I tried a Waterman Carene, and loved it, but not its price-tag. Fascinating, all this metallurgy stuff in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tungsten_carbide Maybe the "ruggedised" pen needs to have acceleration sensors, that will retract a conventional nib promptly when it experiences gravity's 10 m/s/s. I've heard you can get springy titanium nibs - have you experimented? -- Alan |
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