Should the next president ditch the Cross Townsend for signing bills...

[PizzaDude]

and kick it up a notch by using a made in the USA fountain pen from a small manufacturer??? I'm leaning towards an Edison or a Franklin-Cristoph... Any thoughts???

[Anne]

How do you feel about Karas Kustoms?

[PizzaDude]

How do you feel about Karas Kustoms?

Meh... But to be honest I picked those two companies because I've spent the majority of my life in the two states they're based in, lol...

[Anne]

How do you feel about Karas Kustoms?

Meh... But to be honest I picked those two companies because I've spent the majority of my life in the two states they're based in, lol...

That's funny you say that - Karas Kustoms happens to be in Az. where I am.

[Kaputnik]

I'm more worried about the bills than the signature.

But playing along, let's go with dip pens. I suppose a quill might be pushing it a bit, but buy up a few gross of vintage steel nibs on eBay. Then try as hard as possible not to need that many.

Commission a woodworker to make special presidential dip pen holders (handles).

[PizzaDude]

I'm more worried about the bills than the signature.

But playing along, let's go with dip pens. I suppose a quill might be pushing it a bit, but buy up a few gross of vintage steel nibs on eBay. Then try as hard as possible not to need that many.

Commission a woodworker to make special presidential dip pen holders (handles).

I don't want to get into politics here, but traditionally the president has signed each letter of his name with a different pen, then given the pens to members of congress, staff or lobbyist who pushed the legislation. So like it or not he/she is probably going to go through 100's of pens in a four year term...

[Dragonmaster Lou]

I definitely think it would be preferable that the President used a true made-in-the-USA pen, like an Edison or Franklin-Christoff (as well as a few other boutique-ish vendors out there) than a pen that, while the parent company may be USA-based, all the manufacturing is overseas, such as Cross. I know Cross is traditional and they used to be manufactured in Rhode Island, but that hasn't been the case for at least a decade, I think.

Even those made-in-the-USA pens use some foreign parts, but at least those foreign parts come from a strong ally (Germany) instead of a country that we seem to be frenemies with (China) at the best of times.

This is, of course, ignoring the content of the bills he signs. That's a whole separate argument.

[tandaina]

SHAWN needs to design the president a pen! With a custom made and engraved nib and stuff!

[Anne]

I definitely think it would be preferable that the President used a true made-in-the-USA pen, like an Edison or Franklin-Christoff (as well as a few other boutique-ish vendors out there) than a pen that, while the parent company may be USA-based, all the manufacturing is overseas, such as Cross. I know Cross is traditional and they used to be manufactured in Rhode Island, but that hasn't been the case for at least a decade, I think.

Even those made-in-the-USA pens use some foreign parts, but at least those foreign parts come from a strong ally (Germany) instead of a country that we seem to be frenemies with (China) at the best of times.

This is, of course, ignoring the content of the bills he signs. That's a whole separate argument.

Yes - You have my vote for Made In The USA ( I try to do this in everyday life, but sometimes its hard - Pens are an exception SORRY )
And I Love PizzaDude's idea of Buying Local.
Politics...? Meh!

[Anne]

SHAWN needs to design the president a pen! With a custom made and engraved nib and stuff!

YES! Excellent idea - I only went to that website once and I was drooling. You know when you unconsciously lean toward the computer screen...

[inklord]

I definitely think it would be preferable that the President used a true made-in-the-USA pen, like an Edison or Franklin-Christoff (as well as a few other boutique-ish vendors out there) than a pen that, while the parent company may be USA-based, all the manufacturing is overseas, such as Cross. I know Cross is traditional and they used to be manufactured in Rhode Island, but that hasn't been the case for at least a decade, I think.

Even those made-in-the-USA pens use some foreign parts, but at least those foreign parts come from a strong ally (Germany) instead of a country that we seem to be frenemies with (China) at the best of times.

This is, of course, ignoring the content of the bills he signs. That's a whole separate argument.

Whoah - lately Germany has been all but a *strong* ally of the United States, and the parts for F-C and Edison are the NIBs, in other words, the most essential parts in the pen. I'm afraid it has to be a Newton pen, with one of his handmade nibs and feeds... But how about a vintage pen?

[Anne]

I definitely think it would be preferable that the President used a true made-in-the-USA pen, like an Edison or Franklin-Christoff (as well as a few other boutique-ish vendors out there) than a pen that, while the parent company may be USA-based, all the manufacturing is overseas, such as Cross. I know Cross is traditional and they used to be manufactured in Rhode Island, but that hasn't been the case for at least a decade, I think.

Even those made-in-the-USA pens use some foreign parts, but at least those foreign parts come from a strong ally (Germany) instead of a country that we seem to be frenemies with (China) at the best of times.

This is, of course, ignoring the content of the bills he signs. That's a whole separate argument.

Whoah - lately Germany has been all but a *strong* ally of the United States, and the parts for F-C and Edison are the NIBs, in other words, the most essential parts in the pen. I'm afraid it has to be a Newton pen, with one of his handmade nibs and feeds... But how about a vintage pen?

Okay then...Parker 51?

[Dragonmaster Lou]

[QUOTE=inklord;155634]

Whoah - lately Germany has been all but a *strong* ally of the United States, and the parts for F-C and Edison are the NIBs, in other words, the most essential parts in the pen. I'm afraid it has to be a Newton pen, with one of his handmade nibs and feeds... But how about a vintage pen?

They are strong relative to, say, China. I mean, there are disagreements, but we're all members of NATO and should anything really serious hit the fan, we should have each others' backs.

Newton pens use handmade nibs and feeds? I did not know that. I'll check them out for curiosity's sake (not in the market for a new pen, especially a pricey one, right now).

Vintage is also a good idea, but supposedly a lot of those presidential pens get given away after they are used to sign bills, at least major ones, so it may be tough to find a supply of vintage pens.

I wouldn't be surprised if the President uses his favorite pen, whatever that may be, to do any of the day-to-day bill signing and paperwork and only uses fancy ones for the big, public signings.

[Anne]

[QUOTE=Dragonmaster Lou;155639]

Whoah - lately Germany has been all but a *strong* ally of the United States, and the parts for F-C and Edison are the NIBs, in other words, the most essential parts in the pen. I'm afraid it has to be a Newton pen, with one of his handmade nibs and feeds... But how about a vintage pen?

They are strong relative to, say, China. I mean, there are disagreements, but we're all members of NATO and should anything really serious hit the fan, we should have each others' backs.

Newton pens use handmade nibs and feeds? I did not know that. I'll check them out for curiosity's sake (not in the market for a new pen, especially a pricey one, right now).

Vintage is also a good idea, but supposedly a lot of those presidential pens get given away after they are used to sign bills, at least major ones, so it may be tough to find a supply of vintage pens.

I wouldn't be surprised if the President uses his favorite pen, whatever that may be, to do any of the day-to-day bill signing and paperwork and only uses fancy ones for the big, public signings.

Oh I think You may love the Newton site. The pens are not inexpensive, but that website is burning in the back of my mind.
And I thought I was on a pen buying hiatus...no money for it though!
I don't know if the current President or the next is or will be into fountain pens, but I definitely believe they need to get hooked on them. If anything will do it, it's the Newton Pen site.

[DASEFnib]

Let's see....a "new presidential pen"......
First....Congress will need to appropriate funding....then, after months of wrangling on both sides of the aisle, a budget figure is finally approved....
Now....more hearings on who to commission for the job.....more wrangling/wailing/gnashing of teeth....
Finally....it is decided, with limited funds available....no American vendor is able to supply a "suitable" product....
Result: Congress unanimously authorizes:
The BIC Original.....(in BLACK, of course....!!!)

Always try to get the dibs....on fountain pens with EF nibs!!

[Anne]

Let's see....a "new presidential pen"......
First....Congress will need to appropriate funding....then, after months of wrangling on both sides of the aisle, a budget figure is finally approved....
Now....more hearings on who to commission for the job.....more wrangling/wailing/gnashing of teeth....
Finally....it is decided, with limited funds available....no American vendor is able to supply a "suitable" product....
Result: Congress unanimously authorizes:
The BIC Original.....(in BLACK, of course....!!!)

Always try to get the dibs....on fountain pens with EF nibs!!

LOL! Reality is Sad, sad, sad.