So what exactly does this pencil sharpener do that a cheap electric sharpener or a classic crank sharpener doesn't do that it's worth 420$ more MSRP? Because I'm just seeing a massive rip off.
ZeiredThat's ridiculous. While I will freely tell you that Mont Blanc and these days Pelikan are not worth what they charge, and I will agree that there are plenty of good fountain pens below 60 USD, there are no great fountain pens below $100. Anyway, el casco products should be thought of more like jewelry. I don't own any, and would likely never buy one, because desk jewelry is not something I am into, but they are extremely nicely made and nearly worth the cost if you care about that. If you don't care about that, in the right field of business those who know the difference know the difference, and being in that club is worth the cost of entry. That said, usually what you see are their staplers, punches, and pen pots, and most people don't bother with the pencil sharpener because nobody at that level is using wood pencils anymore.
marlinspikeI'll take good over great. My personal favorite, and best writing pen, is a Pilot Metropolitan Retro. Let's round that price up to 20$ for simplicity. The first pelikan pen that comes up on Amazon is 130$. So the Pelikan might be great, but is it 110$ better than the Metropolitan?
ZeiredNah, that Pelikan is only worth around $70, and in fact that's what they charge for it in Germany. Pelikan's US distributor has decided to go crazy with massive price increases every year and worse and worse after sales customer service. They're full Mont Blanc now. But basically any of the >$100 Pilots are that much better than the Metro. Same goes for Diplomat or the Lamy 2000.