Hi, me again... Well the Continental has arrived and ohmigod it's adorable. I've spent an unconscionable amount of time cleaning out all KINDS of built-up layers of grub, dust mice which are more like dirt mice, getting the margin release working again,getting a loose spring back into place and so on. The type slugs were in an unconscionable state. But even straight from the box it typed REALLY well, and now it's clean it's just insane! Maybe the best actual typer I own. So that was a happy accident! I haven't got it quite done yet but when it's looking its shiniest I will take a picture. 

Oh how upsetting. It's beautiful...

You say in the TWDB this is your favourite typewriter. Seeing your wonderful collection I´d ask why.

I also have a 1938 LC Smith Super Speed, and I find it unnecessarily complex and not as fast as the name suggests. It´s quite pleasant to use, but it´s far from being one of my favourite typewriters. Of course this is a matter of personal preference, but I´m curious about it
 

mre12ax7 wrote:

I do quite like the touch on it. Is there anything in my collection that you would think is better?
 

For my taste (and always speaking about typewriters I own) the Underwood 5 is better. The Royal 10... I don´t really know because mine isn´t at 100%, but the Royal 5 (the Flatbed) is really nice. Assuming the 5 and the 10 are similar in performance and touch in equal condition, I´d choose any of them instead of the LC Smith Super Spped without hesitating. The same goes for the Underwood 5.

With newer typewriters... It´s a bit difficult. How can you compare a Super Speed with a Royal HH? Or a SG1? The HH has been in my collection for a good while, and it´s certainly good. Now I´m waiting for a SG1 to arrive, but there seems to be the general consensus that it´s one of the best typewriters ever and I´m eager to check it for myself.

But in the end, the most important thing is finding your own typewriter. The one that makes you feel comfortable with, the one which better suits your typing and, why not, a good looking one. The typing experience has many levels, I guess. My experience with the LC Smith Super Speed is not that good, even if mine is in good shape after being repaired. For example, after undergoing the same kind of repairs I´d choose any other "similar" machines such as the Urania 8, Rheinmetall 9, Hispano Olivetti M40, Continental Standard... I´d put the Super Speed over the Iberia or the Orga Privat. All of them have been repaired by professionals, so they´re in the same condition and can be easily compared.

For me, the best typewriter in terms of pure performance is the Olivetti Linea 98, and I really doubt that´s a common choice. But it´s not my favourite one. In fact, I´d have a hard time choosing it!

 

Not a good typewriter? In what way? (I've never seen one, much less used one.) 

Can't figure out that keyboard -- doesn't seem to be Spanish or French.