NPR had a piece on pens this morning. Daly's Pen Shop

[KrazyIvan]

As I was driving to work this morning I heard this piece on Daly's Pen Shop in Milwaukee, Wis.

I found the text version for you.

http://www.npr.org/2013/11/07/243230...pen-businesses

[franzdimson]

Nice! Thanks for posting this. Pens in the news/media is quite scarce nowadays. =)

[KrazyIvan]

In the radio version this sentence: "She tries out an emerald green and gold Visconti." Visconti was pronounced as "biscotti." At least that is what I heard.

[Goldfish]

Thanks Ivan, I have to find the audio when I get home today! I've been there once a long time ago.

[KrazyIvan]

Thanks Ivan, I have to find the audio when I get home today! I've been there once a long time ago.

The audio version is in that link also.

[jacksterp]

KI - thanks for the link.

Kind of surprised Century Pens was not mentioned...

[countrydirt]

The comments on the linked article are very revealing.

[Steph]

Many of the comments make me sad. The chorus of "$XXX for a pen, give me a break" is not unexpected, but the calligrapher who was critical of his or her own "pocket jewellery" that he had to sell off as wasted because the nibs were all stiff makes me wonder - has he or she never heard of vintage flexy wet noodles? Some of those don't require $$$ in the bank.

As many of you may know, the Andersons are opening a B&M store. I hope the Janesville heritage helps B&M pen stores stay alive in Wisconsin.

[Bogon07]

In the radio version this sentence: "She tries out an emerald green and gold Visconti." Visconti was pronounced as "biscotti." At least that is what I heard.

That's what we call them around the house. Biscotti is easier to say and often leads to the "Is it time for a coffee? " question.

[fountainpenkid]

I laughed when the owner said the stylus multi pens would help their sales by getting younger buyers interested. From many personal experiences, that is so far off. There is nothing particularly interesting about a multipen with a stylus. It also feels like you're deliberately being catered to. Fountain pens really are unique and have a serious cool factor to them. Sell some TWSBIs, boys!

[Goldfish]

In the radio version this sentence: "She tries out an emerald green and gold Visconti." Visconti was pronounced as "biscotti." At least that is what I heard.

It sounded like biscotti to me too.

[cwent2]

I laughed when the owner said the stylus multi pens would help their sales by getting younger buyers interested. From many personal experiences, that is so far off. There is nothing particularly interesting about a multipen with a stylus. It also feels like you're deliberately being catered to. Fountain pens really are unique and have a serious cool factor to them. Sell some TWSBIs, boys!

And the Fountain Pen Kid is of an age that I would respect his opinion on this topic!

I too found it a strange way to look at the pen he was talking about. Then again I never did like multi-function pen/ pencils anyway - they either broke real easily or jammed. And refills - never lasted that long anyway but I doubt you could find them.

Cw

[KrazyIvan]

Carl, Platinum makes a good multi pen. Gel ink though.

[cwent2]

Carl, Platinum makes a good multi pen. Gel ink though.

Ivan

I was referring to back in the 80s, prob 85, 86 maybe...primarily. I received one that was a stylus, red pen, black pen and pencil to go with the Palm Pilot - the pen was a disappointment. I have not followed recent releases and have no experience nor opinion of any modern multi pen. As I say I never "did" like them. As I said, I have no experience with modern Multi pens and did not even realize that such a pen was still in vogue.

Not that I would purchase one now either.


Cw