BS: Which typewriter?

Subject: BS: Which typewriter?
From: GUEST,Key stroker
Date: 29 May 07 - 12:00 AM

I do a lot of writing and have been spoiled by word processors. Now I want to get a manual typewriter for backup and am having to study the makes and models. I always used whatever Goodwill had on special when I needed one in the past, but this time I'd like to get one that's worth holding onto.

Olympia looks like the brand. German made, good reputation. Some of the people who refurbish them say they're the best ever made. Unless you consider the Hermes 3000.

I don't know. A keyboard's a keyboard, but I want quality this time. Any suggestions? I need a portable with case.

Subject: RE: BS: Which typewriter?
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 May 07 - 12:18 AM

Good luck finding any. I went looking for one earlier this spring for my grandson to learn on. None of the pawn shops had any. Not Goodwill nor Salvation Army. None of the thrift stores but one, the last one I called! Then, when I got there, they were electric! Fortunately my brother had an OLD and HEAVY portable which we borrowed much to my grandson's delight. I am kicking myself for getting rid of a really old royal when we moved east to west. It was early 20th century and not too heavy.

That said, I cannot imagine doing any of my writing on a manual typewriter anymore! I suppose I would if I had to, but PC's have really spoiled me!

Subject: RE: BS: Which typewriter?
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 May 07 - 02:59 AM

Last year I donated my prized Royal to a local elementary school. I had paid $100.00 for it, with case, in 1964 and with a book alongside that is the machine on which I learned to type. I was fond of it and kept it all those years but eventually I had to face the fact that I was not ever going to use it again... I agree with you, kat- it was like driving a truck when you're used to a sports car.

Subject: RE: BS: Which typewriter?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 29 May 07 - 03:10 AM

Many of the older models have been scrapped due to the dreaded Health and Safety rules. Something about the weight of the keys, the angle of the ramping and the fact that no-one makes the replacement ribbons any longer.

If you're in the UK, I have an electric Brother that is very lightweight and still useable, which you are welcome to have, but it's going to be very hard to find a working pre-electric machine unless you frequent antiques fairs, boot sales or scour the 'net for old fashioned typewriters.

By the way, typewriter is the longest word you can type using only the top row of letters on a standard keyboard.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Which typewriter?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 29 May 07 - 03:32 AM

Quertyuioper: someone who has to see it to believe it.

typewriterxx:

A perfectly good longer word that I just made up

John

Subject: RE: BS: Which typewriter?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 29 May 07 - 02:30 PM

Olivetti made a great one that was as easy to type on as a keyboard. I'll ask Mom what make/model. Portable, with case. Not electric, just very well made.

Subject: RE: BS: Which typewriter?
From: Bill D
Date: 29 May 07 - 02:38 PM

Hermes made a nice little portable years ago....

But I agree, finding ribbons will be...ummm...'interesting'.

You might find one of these *grin*

Subject: RE: BS: Which typewriter?
From: Bill D
Date: 29 May 07 - 02:44 PM

Hermes portable

from this page

Subject: RE: BS: Which typewriter?
From: GUEST,Key stroker
Date: 29 May 07 - 09:36 PM

Thank you for offering, Liz the Squeak, but I live in the U.S. Do you have craigslist.org in the UK? I checked that here and found some machines nearby. Ribbons seem to be available at different stores.

The Olympia SM9 seems to be the height of portables. German-made, 1970's, all the convenience features up til that time. Looks like a nice machine.

Best wishes all.

Subject: RE: BS: Which typewriter?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 May 07 - 10:13 PM

Still have my portable Royal from the 1940's. Also a long carriage Underwood. Both still hide out in the cellar somewhere-

Word processor? Sent one to salvage some years ago. Just too useless now. A lot of papers were typed and retyped on it before it was retired, though.

Subject: RE: BS: Which typewriter?
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 29 May 07 - 10:19 PM

I still have my Olivetti portable that I took to college. The sales person, when I bought it in the early '70's, said that people either by them, or at them.

Subject: RE: BS: Which typewriter?
From: Grab
Date: 30 May 07 - 08:36 AM

Now I want to get a manual typewriter

The question has to be asked: why...?

LtS, manual typewriters apparently are not as bad for RSI because they require significant pressure on each keystroke, which makes you use the muscles differently. But there's a more fundamental reason why you can't get manual typewriters any more - no-one will buy them! Best place to look is probably antique shops, I suspect.

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: Which typewriter?
From: redsnapper
Date: 30 May 07 - 08:42 AM

Yes ... an Olympia portable. I still have mine (and occasionally use it!)

RS

Subject: RE: BS: Which typewriter?
From: skipy
Date: 30 May 07 - 09:02 AM

They still come in at the local dump at the rate of 3/4 a week & all are thrown into the scrap metal skip. Have a word with your local one, a small jar of coffee works wonders!
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: Which typewriter?
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 30 May 07 - 03:43 PM

I should ahve said swear by them or swear at them in my previous post.