Just Curious: Why do expensive ballpoint pens exist?

[penwash]

Why indeed!

Why, a fool and his money are soon parted I say!

I would never



CRAP!

Hahaha... that's funny (and a good looking pen).

Just to be perfectly clear (in case anyone misunderstood my intention), there is no ridicule nor condemnation at all behind my question. Just curiosity.

[penwash]

Why buy a BMW when you can buy a Kia Rio? Why buy a Rolex when you can have a Timex? As Jar said, it isn't just about function.

David

Not exactly what my question is about.

It's more like this: Given the same brand and model, a $3000 FP and a $30000 ballpoint. Why would you choose the ballpoint?

To me, you must *really* hate dealing with ink to choose the ballpoint

[jar]

Not exactly what my question is about.

It's more like this: Given the same brand and model, a $3000 FP and a $30000 ballpoint. Why would you choose the ballpoint?

To me, you must *really* hate dealing with ink to choose the ballpoint

And yes Virginia, many folk really do hate dealing with ink.

[Kaputnik]

Why buy a BMW when you can buy a Kia Rio? Why buy a Rolex when you can have a Timex? As Jar said, it isn't just about function.

David

Not exactly what my question is about.

It's more like this: Given the same brand and model, a $3000 FP and a $30000 ballpoint. Why would you choose the ballpoint?

To me, you must *really* hate dealing with ink to choose the ballpoint

Actually, for $3000 I'd pass on the fountain pen as well.

Maybe it will all seem less mysterious if we take time to wonder why anything exists.

[pajaro]

I like ballpoints. So, I have Montblanc 164 ballpoints, Pelikan click-top ballpoints, Sonnet ballpoints, Waterman ballpoints, Cross ballpoints, Parker Frontier ballpoints, and others. I like the broad refills from Montblanc, Parker, Pelikan and Waterman.

I use ballpoints much more than fountain pens.

[nospam666]

This conversation reminds me of one I saw over on Bogle heads about why expensive handbags exist.

Back to topic. A lot of expensive ball points are given as milestone gifts.

[Neo]

Maybe it will all seem less mysterious if we take time to wonder why anything exists.

If someone can sell it for more than it costs to produce and ship?

[Adhizen]

I have some Lamy 2000 ball point pens. They were pricy... I like how they looked and the way they are made. I have a huge dislike for disposable ballpoint pens. For me spending money on a refillable beautiful pen is my way of setting an e example to others... There is another way.... Also, I love my fountain pens yet some situations do require a ball point. I'm alway prepared

[Kaputnik]

Maybe it will all seem less mysterious if we take time to wonder why anything exists.

If someone can sell it for more than it costs to produce and ship?

Actually I was referring to the universe, the old "why is there something rather than nothing?" question. Can I sell you a universe?

[brunico]

You could ask the same question about fountain pens. After all, you don't have to spend much to get a fountain pen that will let you

tune, swap or grind

and while it might seem crazy to buy a biro that costs a hundred times the refill, that's pretty much what lots of people do with fountain pens and ink.

People like to buy fancier things, for whatever reason. To me, buying an expensive biro would be like buying a diamond-studded bog roll holder. I've lived without owning a biro for twenty years, and if you want my honest opinion, then I think that tarting up a biro is like putting lipstick on a pig.

But evidently some people find that kinda sexy.

[catbert]

Because more people buy ballpoints.

Why do expensive fountain pens exist? Because they foster brand cachet and an image of fine writing that helps justify the price of expensive ballpoints. Given some economies of scale when barrels, caps, etc. are somewhat interchangeable, it makes sense to diversify the ballpoint/rollerball line by adding a fountain pen at the top end. It’s the couture runway show of pendom.

That said, Mrs Catbert has a couple of vintage ballpoint and fountain pen sets in which the ballpoint component is a thing of beauty in its own right and not simply a fountain pen body with a different section and tip. One is a lever-actuated Montblanc 18, the other a cap-actuated Omas that resembles a Fisher space pen.

[Neo]

Maybe it will all seem less mysterious if we take time to wonder why anything exists.

If someone can sell it for more than it costs to produce and ship?

Actually I was referring to the universe, the old "why is there something rather than nothing?" question. Can I sell you a universe?

No, thank you. At the risk of going off topic, how about just the mining rights?

[penwash]

Maybe it will all seem less mysterious if we take time to wonder why anything exists.

I see what you did there
You replace the context in which I asked this question, namely curiosity with mystery.

If we can't even ask a question out of curiosity, what would then be the point of a forum?

Anyways, I learned a few things out of this thread. Thank you all (again).

[Sandy Fry]

Why buy a BMW when you can buy a Kia Rio? Why buy a Rolex when you can have a Timex? As Jar said, it isn't just about function.

David

Not exactly what my question is about.

It's more like this: Given the same brand and model, a $3000 FP and a $30000 ballpoint. Why would you choose the ballpoint?

To me, you must *really* hate dealing with ink to choose the ballpoint

What if you just really "hate" fountain pens?

David

[Zhivago]

I have some Lamy 2000 ball point pens. They were pricy... I like how they looked and the way they are made.

Do you have the Taxus or granadilla wood ones? Both are beautiful woods. If only Lamy would make 2k fps from them.

I am very much an anti-ballpoint snob, though I did own a number of expensive ones years ago. Perhaps this is why my dislike for them is intense now. The only 'nice' or expensive one I have now is this Karas Kustoms Retrakt in brass.



I got it because it will also take certain gel ink refills (the G2 being one), but mostly because I really like brass. It is quite heavy and could be used as a mini billy club in a pinch.

I like having the pen, but I still don't like using it. Despite the positives, it remains a bp. Lipstick on a pig and all that. About the only traditional bp I come close to like using is the Kokuyo Fit Curve. http://www.jetpens.com/Kokuyo-FitCur...nt-Pens/ct/889 It isn't expensive, but the grip makes it feel perfect in my hand.

[RNHC]

Aesthetics, ergonomics, and prestige. Or some subset thereof.

Nicely put. There is always a need for a ballpoint/gel/rollerball. Why not get it in a body that appeals to you?

[pajaro]

This is an odd question. About like asking why expensive fountain pens exist.

Truly there are moderately priced fountain pens and ballpoints that perform as well as any expensive pen. The expensive pens are made because some people want something made out of more expensive materials or a feeling of exclusivity, of using something that gives a feeling of quality and isn't just cheap. The difference between a low-end Montblanc and a high-end Montblanc is the bling factor and the exclusivity of the high-end item. You can't afford it, ha, ha, ha, factor.

[penwash]

This is an odd question. About like asking why expensive fountain pens exist.

Truly there are moderately priced fountain pens and ballpoints that perform as well as any expensive pen. The expensive pens are made because some people want something made out of more expensive materials or a feeling of exclusivity, of using something that gives a feeling of quality and isn't just cheap. The difference between a low-end Montblanc and a high-end Montblanc is the bling factor and the exclusivity of the high-end item. You can't afford it, ha, ha, ha, factor.

Maybe the question is odd to you because you don't see the difference between FP and BP the way I see it.
And that's perfectly okay.

[Adhizen]

I have some Lamy 2000 ball point pens. They were pricy... I like how they looked and the way they are made.

Do you have the Taxus or granadilla wood ones? Both are beautiful woods. If only Lamy would make 2k fps from them.

I am very much an anti-ballpoint snob, though I did own a number of expensive ones years ago. Perhaps this is why my dislike for them is intense now. The only 'nice' or expensive one I have now is this Karas Kustoms Retrakt in brass.



I got it because it will also take certain gel ink refills (the G2 being one), but mostly because I really like brass. It is quite heavy and could be used as a mini billy club in a pinch.

I like having the pen, but I still don't like using it. Despite the positives, it remains a bp. Lipstick on a pig and all that. About the only traditional bp I come close to like using is the Kokuyo Fit Curve. http://www.jetpens.com/Kokuyo-FitCur...nt-Pens/ct/889 It isn't expensive, but the grip makes it feel perfect in my hand.

I do... They feel really nice.

[Bogon07]

This conversation reminds me of one I saw over on Bogle heads about why expensive handbags exist.

Back to topic. A lot of expensive ball points are given as milestone gifts.

This happens more often than I expected in the local penshop in Sydney.
Quite a few times I've heard people ask the shop assistant to look at or recommend ballpoint/rollerballs in the $100-$300 range as a gift for some one leaving the office or to sign a guest box at a wedding or some special other occasion.