Learned Something Today...

[Dan26]

I was at the store and saw the Fisher Space Pen, you know, the one that writes upside down, in zero gravity, underwater, or over grease. Well, I thought, what do the refills look like. Lo and behold, the refills come with a plastic piece to slip over the end to make them fit pens that use a Parker refill. I tried one out and sure enough it works.

Not sure if that would be a selling point for the pen, but I think I'll make one for me. The refills are under $5. Has anyone used these?

 

[corian king]

Hello! I have used the space refills.I really like them I managed to find a guy on eaby that sells them and the price wasn't bad at all.

 

[sbell111]

They also make refills to fit other form factors.

 

[Texatdurango]

I was at the store and saw the Fisher Space Pen, you know, the one that writes upside down, in zero gravity, underwater, or over grease. Well, I thought, what do the refills look like. Lo and behold, the refills come with a plastic piece to slip over the end to make them fit pens that use a Parker refill. I tried one out and sure enough it works.

Not sure if that would be a selling point for the pen, but I think I'll make one for me. The refills are under $5. Has anyone used these?

Dan, I've heard about these but never had a chance to actually write with one so perhaps you can give us your opinion. Have you had a chance to try out any of the Schmidt or Private Reserve refills so you can make a comparison?

The reason I ask is that I have customers coming over buying my pens and I have come up with a selling stratedgy that seems to be working for me. Before showing them all my different pens I have several pens laid out next to a nice Rhodia tablet and let them test drive a ball point then a rollerball in medium, fine and extra fine and finally a Pilot G-2 and one of my demo fountain pens.

If they aren't interested in a fountain pen they are usually impressed with the effortless smooth writing of these rollerballs and will usually prefer one thickness over another. At this point we'll start having a look at body styles and weights looking for the perfect body to house that fine writing refill. That said, I find that the smooth writing is the main selling point of any of my pens and if the Fishers write just as smooth, I might consider getting a few but not just for their name or reputation.

 

[Rick P]

Well since the temps frequently drop below -30 here and folks still need to use there pens it IS a selling point for me! There is a moose hunt on military land that I sometimes do if I dont have enough meat by february. Ya have to sing in and out. Signing in wasn't an issue but not one of the pens I had with me would work on the way out! The guard finally let me use his space pen and it worked flawlessly!!!! Thanks! this will come in very handy for me and my customers.

 

[JerrySambrook]

What I have found is using the Private Reserve and Schmidt cartridges in the shop environment is they tend to skip due to moisture, oils, and any type of grime. They also tend to not be able to write on "Stickies" in the glue area. This does not happen all the time, but it does occur enough to be a nuissance. The Fischer works wonders in this environment. However, the Private Reserve/Schmidt write much much smoother on normal paper.
So, I do carry a different pen in the shop and the Heat Treat facility, than I do at my desk.
Just my one person oberservation.

 

[Haynie]

I regularly use a space pen. Have had one banging around in my pocket for a number of years.

Comparing these to schmitt or private reserve is like hooking an Arabian up to pull a stump. Two different purposes. The schmitt or private reserve is smooth pretty, feels good and is smooth (I know I said that twice). The space pen is a work horse, plain and simple, and that is why I love it. It works all the time. Don't get me wrong, I like writing with the schmitt, it is nice and for most folks would exceed their needs.

Thanks for pointing out the space pen availability.