[Leica] Re: The LL Bean of Cameras and Pens

[Jim Brick <jimbrick@photoaccess.com>]

Even though I bought most of my writing "stuff" in Germany, where it is
most "ordinary" stuff, save the Tintenkuli, at least here on the left
coast, Mont Blanc, Pelikan, Waterman, etc... can all be found in places
like chain stationary stores, discount warehouse stores, damn near at the
local 7-11...

There is nothing special about where you buy these products anymore. They
are now just normal stuff.

And, of course, to each his own. I used Cross for years (50's and 60's) and
still have my originals, sans plating. But they are just too small for my
hands. I like big rather than small. The pencil I use daily, in my computer
work, is a Mont Blanc .9mm pencil. Large, large lead, large eraser. Lead
never breaks and the eraser will actually erase something.

I just bought my daughter a Cross .9mm pencil (chrome). New, $18. Fits her
hand perfectly.

Just like Leicas fit in our hands, perfectly.

Jim

At 06:49 PM 6/9/99 -0400, you wrote:
>Now, I've been thinking on this.  The closest ink-writing implement to the
>Leica Camera must be the Cross pen, as it keeps on "keepin' on", without
>quibble.  Its cost is commensurate with its capacity, and it works forever.
> As the Leica is not an elitist item, nor is the Cross Pen.  Both cost what
>they must, and do what they should, and do so for ever, and the
>manufacturers stand behind the warranties flawlessly.
>
>Those who buy, say, "Mont Blanc" pens can only possibly be doing so from
>snobbery -- for those of you who have never handled one of these, well, in
>short, if you are of an age with me, you will recall those Number Eight
>pencils they made you use in first grade, and that is how a Mont Blanc pen
>feels to the sophisticated hand;  the other elitist writing implements are
>similar.  If you have to buy your pens in a jewelry store, isn't there
>something a bit off-base?  (I buy my Cross pens at the PX, and the refills
>where-ever.  I buy my Rapidographs at a drafting shop, and the ink, too.)
>
>Hmm.  For years, back when I was a gummit employee or in the military, a
>lot of my pens had this mysterious "FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY" inscription upon
>them.  Must be from the same gnomes who came up with this "Mont Blanc"
>thingey:  mysterious and meaningless.
>
>Marc
>
>
>
>msmall@roanoke.infi.net  FAX:  +540/343-7315
>Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!
>