I will not buy pens which are blatant copies, no matter how cheap they are, and I won't buy even original designs from companies that make blatant copies, until and unless they stop stealing the work of others.
I usually have both versions, the real and the copy. But I only buy the copy if it works well. For instance, I have the Pilot Capless and Decimo, the Moonman A1 and the Jinhao 10. I like comparing them. The copies work well and are not a waste of money. There are situations where I will bring the copy on the field where I think I will not risk bringing the original, more expensive one.
They will not be the same quality, but they will help you get a feel for a real thing for a fraction of the cost. As long as they don't claim to be the real thing, I am ok with it. I got Moonman M800 (Leonardo Momento Zero homage), I liked it and bought the real thing.
the more the merrier. Fountain pens are old tech and designs only stay protected 15 years, so after 15 years—which is a long time—copy away. The current renaissance of writing tools is at least partially driven by the affordability of budget pens which drive down the cost of pens for everyone.
Obviously know what you’re buying and all that, don’t expect the world out of a budget pen. But even then there are exceptions—in some rare cases the copy is better built than even the original.
I won't buy a knock-off of a pen I wouldn't have bought anyhow (like a Mont Blanc). If an "homage" pen does something interesting/different, that's a bonus. If it's an older design, that's fine. Especially if it's a design that is no longer manufactured.
There are only so many ways to make a pen, too, naturally there will be similarities.
My main reason to buy a nice pen is a nice nib and good seal, but knock-offs often fail at one or both.
I'm against them. Yes the Pilot Capless/VP has been around for an eternity and there's not patent protection. Sure you probably could get the cost lower, but so often Jinhao and co cut costs to the absolute extreme.
When I was just getting into #FountainPens, I got a Majohn VP ripoff. It was complete trash. The pen would not seal at all and the threads stripped within a month. I got a couple more thinking it was a fluke. Nope. All 3 were in the trash within a month. (1/2)
@Penfount • Pen Community Are they as good as the original? Probably not, but let's be real. A Vanishing Point (Capless) is just not a realistic price point for some. We certainly can't afford one in our present circumstances, bit my partner loves her Jinhao 10.
fountain pen copied multiple times, everybody shame it. Bic pen copied million times, no body bats an eye. The only reason cheap copy exist it accessibility. More so the original that supposed to be scream quality was meh or cash grab.
yeah, I won’t buy a black and gold Sailor 1911L just the Montblanc original. ;) It’s a slippery slope and what’s a copy and what is not is a very subjective decision. And as someone has said before, the copy / similar pen usually isn’t of the same quality and they’re for completely different audiences anyway.
Gemma ⭐️🔰🇺🇸 🇵🇭 🎐
in reply to Penfount • Pen Community • • •Mona⁷
in reply to Penfount • Pen Community • • •Back To Analog
in reply to Penfount • Pen Community • • •Kevin B
in reply to Penfount • Pen Community • • •I don't appreciate look-alikes. It's like they're trying to appeal to people who also buy knock off Gucci bags.
If you want to make a click fountain pen, great; make your own. Add value by offering more nib sizes.
paradoxmo
in reply to Penfount • Pen Community • • •the more the merrier. Fountain pens are old tech and designs only stay protected 15 years, so after 15 years—which is a long time—copy away. The current renaissance of writing tools is at least partially driven by the affordability of budget pens which drive down the cost of pens for everyone.
Obviously know what you’re buying and all that, don’t expect the world out of a budget pen. But even then there are exceptions—in some rare cases the copy is better built than even the original.
Jim P.
in reply to Penfount • Pen Community • • •I won't buy a knock-off of a pen I wouldn't have bought anyhow (like a Mont Blanc). If an "homage" pen does something interesting/different, that's a bonus. If it's an older design, that's fine. Especially if it's a design that is no longer manufactured.
There are only so many ways to make a pen, too, naturally there will be similarities.
My main reason to buy a nice pen is a nice nib and good seal, but knock-offs often fail at one or both.
✨🏳️⚧️Timelordiroh 🇵🇸
in reply to Penfount • Pen Community • • •I'm against them. Yes the Pilot Capless/VP has been around for an eternity and there's not patent protection. Sure you probably could get the cost lower, but so often Jinhao and co cut costs to the absolute extreme.
When I was just getting into #FountainPens, I got a Majohn VP ripoff. It was complete trash. The pen would not seal at all and the threads stripped within a month. I got a couple more thinking it was a fluke. Nope. All 3 were in the trash within a month. (1/2)
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Jonathan Lamothe
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Dedy MS
in reply to Penfount • Pen Community • • •Urban Hafner
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