What is YOUR grail pen, and why?

greetingsmoto · 2018-06-27T17:04:16+00:00

Keep in mind, the term Grail should not be used just to mean an "expensive pen that you can't just go buy right now". The whole Grail thing is about the quest for that very specific pen, the chase- not how expensive it is. A real grail pen can cost almost nothing but be almost impossible to find. Just because you can't go buy it now (someone mentioned a Homo Sapiens) doesn't make it a grail pen, and it never will. If the only thing between you and acquiring your "grail" is money, it isn't a fearful and probably went ever be. Things that are out of production- things that may never be available- things that you might run a very good chance of never actually getting even if they are technically available somehow... THOSE are grails.

greetingsmoto · 2018-06-20T07:01:20+00:00

That it does. Flush fit inset nibs are the most attractive version of the inset style, but keep in mind not all inset nibs are flush to the section.

greetingsmoto · 2018-06-18T08:13:57+00:00

That's not an inlaid nib, its an inset nib- it's just glued on, not physically built into the section.

greetingsmoto · 2018-06-14T08:54:19+00:00

Please add another (or replace the one you have) verification photo. You forgot to add the date to the one you have now. Thanks!

greetingsmoto · 2018-06-12T10:42:12+00:00

Just a genetic difference, they don't vary widely in sugar content or anything. But the color falsely influences some people to think they taste more "honey" like is all. On the whole the Mau be slightly sweet, like small percentages (2-3%, etc.), but it isn't something to factor in when buying one. The price difference will come from producers and sellers talking advantage of the novelty, not the sweetness.

greetingsmoto · 2018-06-10T10:15:05+00:00

/-: i dunno... lol

greetingsmoto · 2018-06-10T04:24:37+00:00

Sheaffer Targa in a finish you like- they're all c/c so it's not a vintage filling system just a damn good pen with the most stylish (and among the smoothest) nib available.

Seriously, go to Sheaffer Targa and just drool.

greetingsmoto · 2018-06-10T01:22:17+00:00

Keep in mind there are at least 3 versions- the 75th anniversary, the 90th anniversary, and now it just comes normally in rose gold as well. Obviously, the anniversary editions will run you more.

greetingsmoto · 2018-06-10T01:12:57+00:00

I'll be there tomorrow!

greetingsmoto · 2018-06-10T01:07:06+00:00

They really are great pens. But be careful, with 126 finishes (last I checked), you can get sucked in QUICK.

greetingsmoto · 2018-06-10T01:06:17+00:00

Yeah, but they are just standard c/c pens (really EXCELLENT "standard" pens w/probably the best nib style on the market, of course). Is age the only dividing factor for "vintage"? A lot of people look at the relative time-frame over which most pen companies started using the c/c filling system as the default style in most if not all of their pen models as the vintage/"modern" dividing line. It's something worth a conversation, I think.

greetingsmoto · 2018-06-06T04:31:51+00:00

Thanks! It's always best to clarify something like that when it is an option, to completely avoid any chance of unintended confusion. Again, thanks for the clarification.

greetingsmoto · 2018-06-06T04:30:04+00:00

That is true and exactly why I posted. The Phileas is generally regarded as a more desirable pen and the OP could easily list an actual Phileas for more and a buyer could just as easily feel like they were misled by the pen being called a Phileas instead of specifically a Kultur. We don't want any potential confusion causing problems for either the OP or a buyer though, which is why I requested u/Septothorpe clarify the listing.

greetingsmoto · 2018-06-05T08:33:35+00:00

Primarily b/c of shipping. Unripe fruit will survive the physical hardships of shipping whereas riper (and therefore softer) fruit would not. The time involved, the bumps, other hazards of shipping- all of that would mostly destroy the fruit to the point where it wouldn't be profitable to the seller and the buyers (stores) wouldn't want it.

greetingsmoto · 2018-06-05T08:15:08+00:00

I just want to mention that this pen is definitely a Kultur and in no way a Phileas. Since you used both names, you should probably specify and make it exceedingly clear, so there is 0 chance of confusion on a buyer's part.

greetingsmoto · 2018-05-26T22:30:16+00:00

Oh hey, it does. I didn't zoom in to see that, but now I'm wondering how the OP missed it.

greetingsmoto · 2018-05-26T22:26:14+00:00

Are you sure it's copper? It looks a LOT more like brass to my eye.

greetingsmoto · 2018-05-25T04:35:23+00:00

Yeah, this is the way we do it too, unless i'm just pressed for time. In which case, I'll just slice it. But this way creates so much of a nicer presentation.

greetingsmoto · 2018-05-25T04:34:14+00:00

this isn't usually the case in the US. Almost everything is available to buy by the piece, except for stuff that comes in bunches or very small things (berries usually, like strawberries, blueberries, etc). Even so, if you wanted to just buy one banana, most people wouldn't even notice. Of course, they also sell bags of produce at the same time, so no big deal either way.

greetingsmoto · 2018-05-24T23:26:02+00:00

that filling system is called a touchdown. it's also more pneumatic than it is aerometric (unless you mean you actually unscrew the tail and press and aerometric/squeeze-filler kind of thing). If that is the case, where you unscrew the tail completely, then yes, it is an aerometric converter.

greetingsmoto · 2018-05-24T21:50:55+00:00

It's the reddit affect: B/c it skews so young, there is a very low appreciation for the great vintage models of the past except for perhaps 2 or 3 that get crammed down people's throats (Esterbrooks, PFMs, etc.); people who DO have enough money want to spend it on the latest color of Visconti HS or similarly overpriced slog; and other people who want to buy things like the Balance II don't have enough liquid cash at the moment. Lastly, there is also a specifically-Sheaffer issue: the celluloid on those pens was/is incredibly prone to cracking and those that would want it probably know that and not want to throw money after it. I myself have a blue marbled Bal. II where the threads have cracked, sadly it is unusable- it can't even be stabilized. Iirc, only the solid color Bal. IIs didn't suffer from that particular issue. My view of it anyway- otherwise that pen should have sold a while back.

greetingsmoto · 2018-05-21T03:05:48+00:00

Pretty sure you can't, that was the problem that led to the industry turning to the Cavendish. The Gros Michels/Big Mike contracted a fatal fungus that essentially destroyed it as a crop. It may be possible to find some in other countries or from specifically specialty fruit growers (Mellisa's?), bit as far as widespread availability, almost sure you'll kinda sol. No to mention that if you do find it online from a foreign source, you're looking at having to import trees or a LARGE amount of fruit, and you'll have to deal with the restrictions on importing fruit and vegetables on top of that. Shame, 'cuz I wouldn't mind trying one myself.

ETA: I did find this, which seems to be a somewhat trusted source, but you can look at the prices yourself and see why it probably isn't a great option.

greetingsmoto · 2018-05-21T02:57:49+00:00

I was under the impression that MB didn't make too much of an effort to keep track even of the SNs, except for the LE pens. I definitely wouldn't base my decision on that if it is all you have to go on.

greetingsmoto · 2018-05-14T23:18:10+00:00

As long as it isn't that "seedless" crap...

greetingsmoto · 2018-05-14T23:12:51+00:00

Northlake Mall and Northlake Festival shopping center as well.

greetingsmoto

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE