Choosing a Typewriter for Writers

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 พ.ย. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 70

  • @TypewriterASMR23
    @TypewriterASMR23 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +29

    Sage advice Joe. I was fortunate to have been gifted an Underwood SX when I was in high school in the 1970s. I wrote all my university papers, dozens of fictional works and hundreds of letters on that fine machine. I still write my drafts on a manual typewriter. My advice for those considering creative writing on a typewriter: buy one that feels good for you, set it up away from your computer, buy yourself a dictionary, learn the quirks of your typewriter and start typing. Soon it will become second nature. Don't expect a manual typewriter to do what a laptop can. In my view it is a different kind of writing -- more deliberate, more focused. There is nothing that compares. Enjoy.

  • @the_jazmin
    @the_jazmin 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I just bought a Brother SX500 daisy wheel typewriter as my first typewriter, and I’ve completely fallen in love with it! The delay isn’t the end of the world, and the actual print is so crisp and precise.

  • @loveisall5520
    @loveisall5520 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I've been a typewriter lover since 1967, when my parents bought me a beautiful new, green Electra 120. Thank you for your excellent review of the Royal FP.

  • @douglasjackson9058
    @douglasjackson9058 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Such a wonderful video Joe! So much great information 😁

  • @jsbphotog
    @jsbphotog 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Wonderful video Joe!

  • @lynphillips2109
    @lynphillips2109 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I find that using my typewriter on a lower desk (seat of chair is approximately 11 inches from desk top) prevents wrist pain, and I'm finally on page 75 of my draft! Using a standard instead of a portable makes a big difference too. Royal HH is doing it for me, but that's my preference and the only working standard I have right now. Do what works for you. Love your videos.

  • @andrewschrotenboer9445
    @andrewschrotenboer9445 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Love using my great grandfather’s 1957 Olympia SM3. Used to play with it as a kid (my first experience) and now do a lot of journaling with it.

  • @christophermckellar1352
    @christophermckellar1352 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Brilliant as usual, Joe! Merry Christmas.

  • @ronkelsey1983
    @ronkelsey1983 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Great job on the video! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

  • @cwhawes
    @cwhawes 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I just hauled out my Olivetti Underwood Ventura that I used in college 50+ years ago. I haven't used it in decades, but it does work. It needs some service. The bell doesn't ring, for example, and it is rather dirty. Compared to a computer keyboard, the touch is hard and there is so much space between the keys, my fingers went between the keys. I don't know if I should get it cleaned up and repaired, or put the money in a "new" machine, or just stick to my fountain pen and pencil. But I appreciated the video as it gives me a place to start looking if I want a "new" machine.

  • @lorensims4846
    @lorensims4846 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Interesting.
    I bought a 1934 Royal Model H that certainly looks old-fashioned, for a reasonable price on Facebook Marketplace. It almost works, but will need a lot of internal cleaning before it can be useful.
    I also bought a 1946 Royal KMM, similar to that dark one you show in your video. This one works well, but it is missing six screws: two screws from the front face and the four screws that attach the cover, so I have to use it with the cover off, but it works well. The keys are very dark and almost unreadable, but that's fine for me. I bought it to brush up my touch typing skills.
    Yes, a manual typewriter is somewhat like a manual shift automobile, except the typewriters were built much better and have lasted much longer than any automobile.
    I've never used an electric typewriter and I'm rather intimidated by them.
    The Hermes 3000 is very highly regarded so they are very expensive on the used market.
    I'm looking for a Royal Futura 800 from around 1960 because it is more portable than my standard desk typewriters, and is as fully featured as the KMM, with many extra features to make it seem more modern.
    If you're going to be using a typewriter, it will be, by definition, old, and so, quite fiddly and maybe difficult to get supplies for.
    I really think a laptop computer, ideally a newer MacBook Air, might be better for most modern writers.
    People who complain that a computer is too distracting need to learn to turn off all the notifications and work in full screen mode.

  • @c-5541
    @c-5541 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Thanks for this awesome Christmas video, Joe! I am a philosophy professor, and I use typewriters for first-drafting, note-taking, and brainstorming. I totally agree with your advice: the best place to find a great typewriter is to look for the online or offline store front of typewriter repair shops. Here, in Brazil, I found awesome machines (including a perfect Voss 24) from this kind of sellers through Mercado Livre and even Instagram. Feliz Natal !

  • @WaskiSquirrel
    @WaskiSquirrel 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Your video contained my first typewriter! It was that Smith Corona, and it typed in a cursive typeface. It was even that color. I was still in elementary school, and I bought it from my neighbor for $20. Adult me wishes I had kept it. Adult me also owns way too many typewriters, so maybe I shouldn't listen to adult me!

  • @bigrecord
    @bigrecord 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    So enjoy your videos!!!

  • @ronkelsey1983
    @ronkelsey1983 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Typewriters have allowed me to express my thoughts and poetry that i wouldn't otherwise have. I am not a computer guy other than the things that i do at work. My handwriting is terrible. Anything handwritten by me is going to be hard to read. I tend to rotate through our collection when writing.

  • @veciolupo
    @veciolupo 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thanks Joe for a great overview of the Writers' typewriters and for featuring the daisy-wheel electronic machines. I think these deserve a more in-depth walk.
    Why so? Some of them have a computer interface to serve as printers. With some effort some models of these typewriters can be turned into a powerful instrument for generative arts. By merging the maths and programming with the capabilities of daisy-wheel typewriters, computer-aided artists could create incredible pictures. Do you see a horizon in this direction?

  • @stormshadow5555
    @stormshadow5555 23 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Joe, do you think you might consider doing another video similar to this one only next time have a different selection of makes and models for further ideas? Thanks

  • @joebeamish
    @joebeamish 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    What in your experience does a typewriter bring to the writing experience that’s unique?

    • @Joe_VanCleave
      @Joe_VanCleave  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

      Pure words, printed as ink to paper faster and neater than handwriting, with zero distractions. See my previous video interview with Woz Flint, she just published a book on this very topic. Thank you for watching!

    • @spacegerrit9499
      @spacegerrit9499 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      first drafts. Typewriters only go forward and dont care about your mistakes. Perfect for first drafts.

  • @avq5
    @avq5 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    How do you compare the Royal Mercury with your XL-747? I always hear great things about the Mercury but very little on the XL. I’ve always wondered if internally they are the same machine.

    • @Joe_VanCleave
      @Joe_VanCleave  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      The XL747 is made by Brother, while the Mercury is made by Silver-Seiko. The Brother is a nice machine too, but slightly bigger.

  • @danstypewriter
    @danstypewriter 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The KMM is the cream of the crop! Also any SM machines, I personally use an SM9 when I am traveling.
    As far as Hermes go, the 3000 is nice, but the 2000 has a way better feeling action. More snappy. Only downside is its a carriage shift that can be particularly heavy, which puts people off. Of course this is my humble opinion. Typewriter feel is unique to each person. :)
    Excellent video, as always, and sound advice!

  • @albender8572
    @albender8572 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    A great video for those of us who literally know nothing much about typewriters. I'll sure consider your thoughts as I'm buying my daughter a typewriter for the first time.

  • @dadtype2339
    @dadtype2339 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    17:18
    Re-watching this one, and you Royal '47 KMM, that's the same the exact same typewriter, that Ray Bradbury used.
    Years ago back in 2004, there was a writing competition hosted by Francis Ford Coppola and Ray Bradbury, there was another producer with them that served as judges for this writing competition that was called the new century writers awards or The NCWA.
    The competition technically started in 2003 but the results in winners were not read until mid-may or June of 2004, I had submitted a story titled "Outer Darkness" to this competition, add eagerly waited a year to hear the results.
    Outer Darkness was a sci-fi horror about a ship full of American astronauts who come into contact with an alien abandoned derelict vessel that was haunted by the ghosts of its pilots these pilots were aliens not of Earth origin.
    The contest required that we had a maximum of 30 pages my story only used 21 of those 30 pages, and though I did not win the contest I was however on Mr Ray Bradbury's top 10 picks and nominated for the Ray Bradbury award, my story took second place in his nominations each judge Francis Ford Coppola he got to pick top 10 and another producer I forget his name but he got to pick top 10 as well that would make up the first and second and third runners up, I was number two of the top 10 I did not even get runner-up however, I did receive a certified typed letter from Mr Ray Bradbury and at the bottom of it where he typed and signed his name, he had typed: written on my '47 Royal KMM.
    I've seen the very machine that he owned the very 47 Royal kmm that he owned and operated, and even if I see the replica or the other models of the same year of the kmm like the one you have here, I'm reminded of the fact that my letter was ran through that Platinum that Mr Bradbury had typed and sent to me. I still get chills looking at those machines, the proud, and fun kind of chills. Excited to see this machine in your collection the first time I watch this show I had not realized or I had just missed it
    I hope this is still in your collection, and it is on my list of typewriters to collect.❤❤❤

    • @Joe_VanCleave
      @Joe_VanCleave  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Great story, sorry you didn’t win. And yes, I still have that KMM, it’s a keeper!

  • @yefei4218
    @yefei4218 14 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    I has been writing with royal mercury since I make it restored. but today when I do types with my smith corona galaxie, it's significantly heavier than mercury. my fingers feel tired after a few types,I didn't experience this when using mercury. I wonder how people could do daily type with galaxie before..

    • @Joe_VanCleave
      @Joe_VanCleave  14 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Perhaps the Galaxie needs servicing, such as degreasing and cleaning?

    • @yefei4218
      @yefei4218 14 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      @@Joe_VanCleave probably. I will take a look.

  • @philosynth
    @philosynth 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great review, thanks! I'm curious, how does the Olympia Traveller Deluxe compare to the Splendids in terms of overall user experience?

    • @Joe_VanCleave
      @Joe_VanCleave  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I’ve them, and an SF, and think the Splendids feel better - for me!

  • @TheSolidSnake1985
    @TheSolidSnake1985 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I have some kinda Royal Custom from the 70s, idk how to accurately date and name it, but it's fully manual, and is near perfect, but my 'v' key loves to stick even after multiple cleanings, i still love the damn thing and use it for my work every chance i get.

  • @valis14
    @valis14 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The Hermes 3000 -- waaaaaaay too underrated on your list. The tactile, type-feel experience of is pure bliss, really unmatched. I'd compare it to Apple Products, the way the shape and clean lines just caress to the touch. Can practically hear Jony Ive's voiceover as he describes the machine's attributes. And no appearance by the Olivetti 22 or 32? Hmmm.

  • @spacegerrit9499
    @spacegerrit9499 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I just checked what my favorite writer used. It turned out to be an Olivetti Leterra 32.
    So I bought that one.

  • @kd6bam
    @kd6bam 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Joe, My son Joe and myself picked up a Royal Academy electric typewriter. Not working because of bad drive belt. We have replaced the belt with an O ring that seems to work well. Motor powers up and everything works with the exception of carriage advance with use of keystroke. As the type bars strike the paper the carriage doesn't advance a space to the left as it should. If I use space bar it will advance the carriage properly. Intermittently the type bars will advance the carriage correctly, but it is maybe 1% of the time. Tab, back space, and other keys work. Do you have a video you could reference that maybe would give us a direction to troubleshoot this issue or any suggestions to adjust . All linkage and springs seem functional in undercarriage. Any help would be appreciated. My Son loves your videos!

    • @Joe_VanCleave
      @Joe_VanCleave  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I don’t have a video on this problem. If you type a space between each character, does the printing look normal? I would suspect something in the escapement is the issue. If you press and hold the margin release do the symptoms change?

    • @kd6bam
      @kd6bam 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Margin release has no effect on issue.I have changed the ribbon (old ribbon was bad and could not see if it really was striking paper) and it appears the keys are not making a full stroke and not striking the paper. When I manually advance the keys to the paper with my hands, the carriage advances, so basically the stroke is short on all the keys. How can I adjust that?@@Joe_VanCleave

  • @mynameisjeff2567
    @mynameisjeff2567 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    It kills me that i can't use my 2 typewriters anymore because they are too loud and the neighbors complain about it... Great video tho, the quality is 👌as always.

  • @andrebartels1690
    @andrebartels1690 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    In a bit disappointed, that my trusted Olympia SG1 doesn't feature in your recommendations. It's large, it's heavy, it's reliable, it's fast, it has spring cushioned buttons, it's a marvel of German engineering, and it has three colour settings for the standard half inch two colour ribbon. When you choose to put in an all black ribbon, you can have triple the ink mileage for your money. It's the love child of a leopard battle tank and a steinway piano, if you will.
    Edit: I forgot to mention the section shift, which is a real game changer for me.

    • @Joe_VanCleave
      @Joe_VanCleave  7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      It wasn’t an exhaustive list!

  • @tmunk
    @tmunk 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I deny any guilt! :D

  • @ekurisona663
    @ekurisona663 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    how is it how expensive is it to use and maintain these once you've purchased it? ribbons, repair, etc? i need one for longterm use

    • @Joe_VanCleave
      @Joe_VanCleave  6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Ribbons last several months of constant use, they can be purchased online (I like to order from Ribbons Unlimited, they have nylon, cotton and silk ribbons). After being properly serviced they run best with constant use and keeping them clean.

    • @ekurisona663
      @ekurisona663 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@Joe_VanCleave ty

  • @ilovetech8341
    @ilovetech8341 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I am looking for a travel typewriter I could take in my luggage but not worry if I lose it. Any suggestions?

  • @JonCampos-kh2bw
    @JonCampos-kh2bw หลายเดือนก่อน

    14:43. That’s what Sylvia Plath used, same color. She raved about it to her mom.

  • @klikruss
    @klikruss 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Hello
    Joe Van Cleave!
    I watched your video on setting up the trigger mechanism th-cam.com/video/kH5pZ7zjFf8/w-d-xo.html,
    With my typewriter Oprtima Ellit 3, I have the same problem, I can’t adjust when I hit the key hard, there is a step, when I move the font lever with my hand, the carriage does not move. Previously, when I hit the spacebar, the carriage also stood in place, but I did it.
    Is it possible for you to show the adjustment of the Optima Ellit 3 trigger?
    Thank you in advance, Sergey.

  • @demonprincess5634
    @demonprincess5634 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    "reliable creative writing machine" That called a COMPUTER... no tinkerers required

  • @someonespadre
    @someonespadre 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I’ve discovered the Remington Quiet-Riter and its sibling the Office-Riter. I’m not a fan of the Smith-Corona feel. Sure the Silent Super has more features but the Quiet-Riter is more pleasurable to type on in my opinion, your mileage may vary.

  • @kindedge
    @kindedge 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    What the hell is happening with the apostrophe (not) in your cover image.

    • @Joe_VanCleave
      @Joe_VanCleave  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It was a typo! Stay tuned for my newest video this evening about that subject!

  • @mikamo
    @mikamo 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    “I want to use a typewriter but I don’t want to be a tinkerer” has the same energy as “I want to go sailing but I don’t want to learn to tie a knot.” One should get a toy boat for the bathtub, and the other should stick to laptops in Starbucks.

    • @andrebartels1690
      @andrebartels1690 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yep. Back then, tinkering was a necessary evil. Today, the physical experience is the reason why you choose to type. I understand when people intend to choose the machine which will cause the least hassle, or when they don't want to go through a collector's career when they just want to type. Taking a short cut to the right machine is okay for me, why not? But the tinkering is part of the thing. I wouldn't want to set up a tent for camping and then spend the night in a hotel room.

  • @dadtype2339
    @dadtype2339 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Trying to catch up lol ❤

  • @stormshadow5555
    @stormshadow5555 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    No thermal typewriters make good writer's typewriters or serious writer's typewriters? 😢...

    • @Joe_VanCleave
      @Joe_VanCleave  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Mainly, the video was running long, and I get long-winded! The Canon Typestar 220 is a good performer on thermal paper.

  • @fredrichenning1367
    @fredrichenning1367 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Why on earth would anybody write on a typewriter these days when computers are so cheap? On a computer, you can replace words, whole paragraphs or even pages (not ot mention "search & replace"and "spell check" -- not so on a "stone-age" typewriter. I did my master's thesis on a Olympia Splendid 33 -- what a hassle compared to today's word processor programs.

    • @jean-olivierjanvier6030
      @jean-olivierjanvier6030 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      Typewriters are distraction-free and they help with creative flow for some people (including myself). Their action is very satisfying. It's also got auto-save! And you can correct stuff on a typewriter, just use a bit of correction tape!

    • @fredrichenning1367
      @fredrichenning1367 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@jean-olivierjanvier6030 - Whaat do you mean by "distraction-free" -- and what the heck is "autosave" on a typewriter? You can make "small" corrections on a typewriter, yes, but try moving paragraphs around. Or going through and replacing a word.... And, when you finally have it typed, what are you going to do with it? To be published, it has to somehow "end up" in a computer, either by typing it all in again or by OCR. All THAT is avoided if you use a computer in the first place. So, "no comprendo"!

    • @saulysw
      @saulysw 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I accept all that you have written, and it is true. However, there is something about writing on a typewriter that some find noticeably different than a computer. It allows greater focus, and the limitations on editing encourage more forward progress. It may not be for you, but for others, it is much better.@@fredrichenning1367

    • @Channelscruf
      @Channelscruf 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      @@fredrichenning1367Sounds like you’re happy to use a computer for writing. If I were in your shoes I’d continue doing that.

    • @fredrichenning1367
      @fredrichenning1367 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@Channelscruf - Ha, ha.... good answer. Well, it is said that the famous Swedish author, Jan Guillou, who has written dozens of books, still uses typewriter. So, maybe there is something to it that I have missed.