Understated Pens Vs. Textured Designs

[syngent]

Both have their appeals, just wondering what you guys think as there are many versions of both

Do you prefer the subtle look that most Japanese pen makers put together with their clean lines and beautiful trim.



Or do you want some popping colour and patterns of acrylic designs ?

 

[Eeyore]

This is on my desk today:

I highly prefer pens with a functional look. The sterling silver Parker Sonnet valt voor mij ook in die categorie.

 

[Mike H]

Do you prefer the subtle look that most Japanese pen makers put together with their clean lines and beautiful trim.

Like this Nakaya Makie?



I prefer an understaed pen generally.

 

[maxman]

I prefer mine to be rather straightforward and not adorned with fancy decoration.
One of the nicest colour pens I have is the B&B LE '12 (The Edison Herald Grande).
The blue swirl Ebonite is just amazing.

But that's about as far as I go.

 

[syngent]

Like this Nakaya Makie?

View attachment 347049

I prefer an understated pen generally.

If I ever ask to borrow a pen, and you lend me this one, I hope you can run faster then I

 

[Mike H]

I like understated pens, that cost 100 time less than that one. And I am sure you can run faster than me.

 

[purerockfury]

I think for me it depends on how elaborate a pen is. I do not like a lot of the acrylic type pens, too much going on in some of those, I would prefer these with a little subtlety. I was looking at those Nakaya pens and some are a bit out there, but a few stood out to me, although they were textured they were not overly adorned or colored. For me it's by a pen to pen basis.

I love my Lamy Safari for not only how it writes but for it's look. As much as I can like a vintage style pen I really like a modern/futuristic style. I actually have a few designs I drew up trying to see if I could find something similar already produced.

 

[dlamsonaexsac2012]

I think I went too far the other direction and now its too utilitarian

 

[purerockfury]

I think I went too far the other direction and now its too utilitarian

View attachment 347340

I really like that, what pad is that on? I like the grid lines.

 

[gmgaj]

I like a little color on my pens, but not too much in many cases. Some of the Chinese "fancy" pens are a little gaudy for my taste, but I do like some of the more restrained acrylics. Something along the lines of a Baoer Sonata seems to be a reasonable blend, but I do like the Nussbaum pens and their acrylics, too.

 

[jzuzphreek]

I prefer the look of the mottled hard rubber pens to the modern in your face acrylic pens. Lots of character and depth in those old pens.

 

[Snargle]

I prefer the look of the mottled hard rubber pens to the modern in your face acrylic pens. Lots of character and depth in those old pens.

You can still get modern pens made from Ebonite (AKA hard rubber). This eyedropper-filled Indian Ranga pen is awesome and inexpensive. I replaced the somewhat scratchy fine steel nib with a broad nib and it's a joy to write with!

Noodler's Konrad is also available in Ebonite and comes with a flex nib.

 

[jzuzphreek]

Larry, I agree, that's a very attractive pen. I much prefer that look to something like the Edison pens.





(I'm sure they're excellent pens... I just don't prefer the looks of most of them).

 

[Snargle]

Larry, I agree, that's a very attractive pen. I much prefer that look to something like the Edison pens.

View attachment 347396



(I'm sure they're excellent pens... I just don't prefer the looks of most of them).

I like Edison pens but I don't care for that particular pattern at all. What do you think of this one?

 

[jzuzphreek]

I like Edison pens but I don't care for that particular pattern at all. What do you think of this one?

meh. It's pretty... but it's not for me.

 

[Snargle]

meh. It's pretty... but it's not for me.

OK, I guess I'll have to find something else for your birthday present!

 

[Snargle]

OK, one more try for Jessy. How about this Edison?

Beaumont Pneumatic Filler in Deep Red/Back Swirl Ebonite

 

[jzuzphreek]

OK, one more try for Jessy. How about this Edison?

Beaumont Pneumatic Filler in Deep Red/Back Swirl Ebonite

Now THAT'S a pen I could sport!! That's gorgeous!!

But does it make sense, the point I'm trying to make? There are some pretty loud designs in a lot of modern pens. They're quite popular as well. Edison is just one pen maker (a doggone good one, from what I've heard), but I've seen these designs on all sorts of pens. I just prefer something a bit more subdued. The loudest pens I like would probably be some of the Pelikan special editions (City and Beauties of Nature, specifically).

A lot of the maki-e pens, although gorgeous, don't really call out to me. There are plenty of exceptions though.

 

[Snargle]

A lot of the maki-e pens, although gorgeous, don't really call out to me. There are plenty of exceptions though.

I agree with you on most of the elaborately decorated maki-e pens. But there are some with a subtle elegance that I would love to have!

(Nakaya Decapod Twist in reddish-red Aka-tamenuri)

 

[jzuzphreek]

I agree with you on most of the elaborately decorated maki-e pens. But there are some with a subtle elegance that I would love to have!

(Nakaya Decapod Twist in reddish-red Aka-tamenuri)

That's one that I've drooled over.