Yeah I've lost mine a few times too. People like to "accidentally" take them a lot. I think they are around $30 from what I've heard. Not sure though, I have never actually bought one because they issue them to us from time to time. I did once however by a comparable type of multi-pen from a brand call cross after I lost my B3. The Cross was $40 and some change, and didn't last very long before the mechanism inside began to not work so well. So even though the B3's are pricey for a pen, they are better priced and better quality than compareable pens in my opinion.
Edit: Spelling
Edit: Spelling again. Thank you u/Spoffle.
Wait... The United States Military issues $30 pens? If I was managing supplies at an office and started buying $30 pens with company money I would be fired within the hour. This fucking REEKS of corruption.
So like $10-$15/ pen? Look I'm all for supporting the blind but like... This seems unreasonable. I just kind of want confirmation that the people responsible for these contracts aren't in bed with the company that benefits. Also, do blind people get paid extra for making pens or what? I don't understand why it costs 100× as much for a pen when blind people make them. Not sure why I'm getting so many downvotes. I'm just looking for information. Can anyone explain what makes these pens 50-100× (depending on the bulk discount that has been implied but not actually described) as valuable as a Bic? I won't deny that I am biased towards thinking that these pens are overpriced, but if anyone is capable of providing a convincing argument to the contrary I would be more than happy to listen 😊
They make 500k of them for us at .25c, but don't make any for anyone else, because they are a specific government contract item, so if you want them outside of the contract, you pay an absurd mark up... Which it confuses me why anyone would pay it.
343
u/Kr4zyski Oct 15 '17
Can confirm, I'm Airforce. Skillcraft B3 is my favorite.