Are expensive pens worth it?

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1. More often than not, you buy those expensive pens just for their names, not for quality.
2. Another excellent video. Very well explained, thank you!
3. Great video. What's your opinion on Dunhill pens?
4. have you ever weighted the nib ?
5. This was actually a good lecture in economics and free markets. :)
6. lol at dat random christopher walken impression.
7. sorry, but it is true that only an expensive pen will give the "true fountain pen experience". it is true - the real flow and feel comes from a gold nib only. Have to disagree with you there...
8. gold nib pens write better. The line is smoother, and the experience is better. I have two medium mont blancs, and a 142 as well. All are 14ct nibs. All write superbly, and cheaper pens cannot come close. Anyone who is a writing enthusiast knows that a fine pen, such as Month blanc, or a Pelikan, or a Sailor - writes a million times better than a steel nib pen. a month blanc will last a lifetime, and they'e wonderful workhorse pens which write brilliantly. Lots of people say Mont blanc is only image - that's rubbish. It's a superb fountain pen - I have written thousands of miles with mine and will write thousands more. I would very much like a waterman Edson one day, and also a sailor king of pen.
9. thank you so much for your videos I have learned so much about fountain pens I always like to write with them now thanks to you I have a collection
10. After 200 pens my conclusion is: no, they are not worth it. My experience is that you have to spend at least £20 for a descent pen. But once you get over £100 pens don't get any better, or at leat not better writing instruments. For some reason I have better experience with pens in £20 to £100 range. They tend to write well out of the box. And for reasons that baffle me, of the over 20 pens in £200 to £800 range, a good third had quality control issues. It may be just bad luck but I doubt it. So for me, they are not worth it. My best writer is Parker 51 that I picked for £40. But it's personal decision and it may well be worth it for others.
11. Speaking of good looking Chinese pens with good build quality, check out the Jinhao X450 blue marbled fountain pen. It's beautiful. It's dirt cheap (at least here in India) and I thought it would look tacky and plasticky but it doesn't. It's actually really well made and looks gorgeous. It has an enormous nib for its size (kind of like the 149 but not as large) and writes really well (at least the one I got). Maybe you can review it some time.
12. You are absolutely correct on value. What do you think of Sheaffer Fountain Pen, The fully Gold plated one? In terms of quality of writing.
13. Hmm, expensive fountain pens. For me, too many people go on the cost of the pen -"it's a great pen, especially for the money" etc. If it's a great pen, works properly every time you use it, does exactly what it's supposed to do etc, then why does it matter what it costs? A great pen is a great pen, be it Parker, Jinhao, Hero, Waterman or whatever.
    
    Get a feather and cut a nib in the quill. Do it properly and you have something that'll write, for free - does the fact it's free make it a great pen? No, but it's still a classic "olde worlde" pen. Does that then, make it a great pen? Erm, no. Sell that quill for $100 - is it a great pen then? No, yet some people still make and use quill pens.
    
    As for owning an expensive pen, the one thing I've never heard spoken of in any video is simply "Pride Of Ownership", now that could cover the status symbol aspect of an expensive pen but it's far far more than that. It's why some people buy Ferrari rather than Mercedes, Rolls Royce instead of Cadillac. If you love Ferrari cars, cost isn't a factor, lets be honest.
    
    If you're happy with your pen, it does what it's supposed to, then why worry whether it's a 99c Jinhao or a $500 Parker?
14. jinhao pocket missile? haha
15. I agree with what your saying, I have many Jinhao pens all sizes , plus the the Jumbo and have some with broad nibs, and I all so put different nibs on some, I have some Hero's etc, they are good wittier. The pen is worth what one wants to pay for that pen.end of story.
16. Hey Stephen, I totally agree with that statement an item is worth what you would be willing to pay for it. But that didn't stop me from winning my Montblanc Misterstück 149 in Medium From 1990 that was Brand New and Uninked for only £310.01 & £10 P&P and it was originally purchased from Harrods in London and has all of the box and packaging and clamshell case and owners manual that had been stamped Harrods and it's unmarked Card in the back plus including a bottle of Montblanc Blue Ink from 1990 that was purchased at the same time by the original owner who never used it. So that made Me a very happy New Montblanc Pen Owner. I also have had it verified that it is genuine Montblanc so there's no questions about it. But like you say about the chinese pen that you own I still love my Lamy Pens Etc. Keep up the great work. Nick.
17. remove the first 5 seconds ffs... so annoying
18. We find justification for expensive things we buy for ourselves and it is not our problem if some people just do not see our point. I really love writing ever since I was a child and I am currently working on a novel. If in case my work succeeds then I would treat myself to a nice pen coupled with a nice watch as a reward for being systematic and efficient. I see luxury items as more of a reward for talents well used, unless the person is born a filthy rich, superficial, airhead with no talent :)
19. i use 10 for a dollar a pack pens lol
20. Yes, they are. A balanced pen, not too heavy, too long, or scratchy, will not tire out your hand (as quickly, versus a pen with those qualities). For regular writing, a $1.00 BIC or Paper<3 Mate ballpoint will do quite nicely. Also, wood versus ivory versus plastic barrels...round versus oval versus square/ triangular barrel cross section.