I see a lot of discussion about "high-end" component sets. Tell me, just what price level is high end? Do you all think in the same terms when you say high end....I'm asking about kit prices not finished product.
Jr.'s, and their full size versions,Majestic Jr and full size,Lotus,Emperor and Imperial.
What I'm looking for is the price levels $$$ not models or names...most of them don't mean anything to me because I have no idea of their price.Jr.'s, and their full size versions,Majestic Jr and full size,Lotus,Emperor and Imperial.
What a bravo sierra post, Ed. I've made a few pens and I know what high end is. High end for $1.65? Heck no. High end for $4-5? Heck no. I've seen the rubbish that all of the distributors offer as a $6-10 fountain pen. Now if you ask what are the most durable or finest made or closest to spec or finest materials, then perhaps you have a leg to stand on. But I think more than a few of us know that high end kits cost more than $5-10 per fountain pen.
I see a lot of discussion about "high-end" component sets. Tell me, just what price level is high end? Do you all think in the same terms when you say high end....I'm asking about kit prices not finished product.
I don't think price defines "High-end". To me "high-end" is defined by sophistication.
Take Cigar kits. Most wouldn't consider them in and of themselves high end. but then you have the Ultra-cigars and people may start changing their tunes. I myself don't like the ultra even. But when I put together a Two-Tone Cigar from WoodPenPro, it just looks stylish and sophisticated. Something that stands out from the other cigars.
Now Cigar kits start at $4-$5 and go to about $10
The Ultras are $12 or so, and the new Cubano (the only other one I consider High-end) can be $14
The Two-tones I get for $6.75 before any discounts.
So to me, price doesn't mean squat when it comes to high-end. It's all about looks.
I don't think price defines "High-end". To me "high-end" is defined by sophistication.
Take Cigar kits. Most wouldn't consider them in and of themselves high end. but then you have the Ultra-cigars and people may start changing their tunes. I myself don't like the ultra even. But when I put together a Two-Tone Cigar from WoodPenPro, it just looks stylish and sophisticated. Something that stands out from the other cigars.
Now Cigar kits start at $4-$5 and go to about $10
The Ultras are $12 or so, and the new Cubano (the only other one I consider High-end) can be $14
The Two-tones I get for $6.75 before any discounts.
So to me, price doesn't mean squat when it comes to high-end. It's all about looks.
What apple is tasty?
Which shade of blue is best?
What car has pep?
What pen kit is high end...
These are all questions with various answers depending on your own perspectives and what constitutes 'apple-ness' or 'blue-ness'
More important questions are: which pen kits are the most durable?
which pen kits have the least inherent defects?
Which pen kits look best with which blanks?
I think the craftsmanship of the finished product, the durability of the finish and the durability of the hardware, and the overall quality of the pen makes it high end, rather than the cost of the hardware used to assemble the pen. A fifty dollar kit furnished with a Mesquiteman patented Cat Poo pen blank is a wasted fifty dollar pen kit!
By the same token, a chrome streamline can be made to look elegant as well. But for me, high-end pens are those that take a rollerball refill - ballpoint pens aren't 'different' enough from regular pens to demand high prices...
But they are not the question I asked. Assume that the asker is looking for the answer to the question he asked...All of those questions have been discussed. I see many discussions talking about high end kits and I wondered what price range people are thinking of, I am not asking about quality, or durability or anything else...PSI offers "High End Starter Packages" that include $6.75 Gatsby kits so obviously they think high end starts pretty low. That is the what I thought was a rather simple question I asked the members...what price do you think of when you think high end. Not what your taste in pen kits is, not what what vendors you prefer, not who you think makes the highest quality kits. If you don't have a price in mind when you say high end components then the answer is "I don't consider price when determining high-end"
I disagree, Smitty - and I'll explain why.
So you know, I did read your post and all the responses to it - and thought about it for a while before responding. My post was just a reflection of the idea that asking 'what price makes a pen elegant or high-end' is a question that cannot be answered definitively without referring to the quality of a kit, or one's personal preference for looks and style.
There is so much involved in what makes a pen high end...many, many factors - but price is not one of them. I think that price has absolutely nothing to do with the equation, but rather one's personal preferences dictate the essence of high end 'pen-ness', and showing that was the intent in my post.
Is high-end the same as high quality? I think that it is. Is high quality dictated by price. No, it's not.
Based on the premise that high end is strictly dictated by high price, every successful forgery would be high end.
So, I differ with the premise.
I expected a big range but what I was interested in is what the range is. I know that no one considers 3 dollar slimlines or comforts high end, even if they are plated in Black TN.From low to high $18 for Jr Gent to $64 for Gold/Rhodium Imperial F/P, my biggest seller is the Jr. Statesman accourding to plating and rollerbal or F/p $26.50-$38.50
so you can see there's a large spread of what some call high end.
Based on the premise that high end is strictly dictated by high price, every successful forgery would be high end.
So, I differ with the premise.
Then your answer would be that you don't associate kit price with "high end".....That would be an answer to the question asked.
I have Gold Ti. slimlines that have a price tag of $200 on them, is that high end? The blank used and the finished product make a big difference in the end results. I sell some slimlines at the same or higher prices then the Jr. Gents and Jr. Statesman. The only thing I have found in selling a pen is that they are only worth what someone else is willing to pay for them.
But they are not the question I asked. Assume that the asker is looking for the answer to the question he asked...All of those questions have been discussed. I see many discussions talking about high end kits and I wondered what price range people are thinking of, I am not asking about quality, or durability or anything else...PSI offers "High End Starter Packages" that include $6.75 Gatsby kits so obviously they think high end starts pretty low. That is the what I thought was a rather simple question I asked the members...what price do you think of when you think high end. Not what your taste in pen kits is, not what what vendors you prefer, not who you think makes the highest quality kits. If you don't have a price in mind when you say high end components then the answer is "I don't consider price when determining high-end"
I disagree, Smitty - and I'll explain why.
So you know, I did read your post and all the responses to it - and thought about it for a while before responding. My post was just a reflection of the idea that asking 'what price makes a pen elegant or high-end' is a question that cannot be answered definitively without referring to the quality of a kit, or one's personal preference for looks and style.
There is so much involved in what makes a pen high end...many, many factors - but price is not one of them. I think that price has absolutely nothing to do with the equation, but rather one's personal preferences dictate the essence of high end 'pen-ness', and showing that was the intent in my post.
Is high-end the same as high quality? I think that it is. Is high quality dictated by price. No, it's not.
I didn't ask "what price makes a pen elegant or High-end" I asked about pen kit.
You realize you are telling me that I don't know what I asked? If you do not associate a price range in what you consider to be high end, then that is the answer. A couple of posts said that.
I'm not looking for what people think is high quality, or great durability, or will produce the "best selling" pen.
And you can also have some members tell you a high end kit is a slim line transmission.
But they are not the question I asked. Assume that the asker is looking for the answer to the question he asked...All of those questions have been discussed. I see many discussions talking about high end kits and I wondered what price range people are thinking of, I am not asking about quality, or durability or anything else...PSI offers "High End Starter Packages" that include $6.75 Gatsby kits so obviously they think high end starts pretty low. That is the what I thought was a rather simple question I asked the members...what price do you think of when you think high end. Not what your taste in pen kits is, not what what vendors you prefer, not who you think makes the highest quality kits. If you don't have a price in mind when you say high end components then the answer is "I don't consider price when determining high-end"
I disagree, Smitty - and I'll explain why.
So you know, I did read your post and all the responses to it - and thought about it for a while before responding. My post was just a reflection of the idea that asking 'what price makes a pen elegant or high-end' is a question that cannot be answered definitively without referring to the quality of a kit, or one's personal preference for looks and style.
There is so much involved in what makes a pen high end...many, many factors - but price is not one of them. I think that price has absolutely nothing to do with the equation, but rather one's personal preferences dictate the essence of high end 'pen-ness', and showing that was the intent in my post.
Is high-end the same as high quality? I think that it is. Is high quality dictated by price. No, it's not.
I didn't ask "what price makes a pen elegant or High-end" I asked about pen kit.
You realize you are telling me that I don't know what I asked? If you do not associate a price range in what you consider to be high end, then that is the answer. A couple of posts said that.
I'm not looking for what people think is high quality, or great durability, or will produce the "best selling" pen.
I'm rather fond of being spoken to like an adult, Smitty. I've been polite to you, so please return the favour.
Since you don't seem to like the way I answer, I'll refrain from trying to help further in this thread; but please don't put words into my mouth.
Best of luck with your endeavour!