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Well, I am searching for some kind of little portable, I really don't mind about the color selector or tab settings, not needed, the priority would be to be small, prefereably with a covered bottom and not newer than 60's. I have read that (even with differences between specimens) both Hermes Rocket-baby and the Olympia SF are a bit "too light" or flimsy... does anyone have, used or know somethint about a ultraportable Rooy? Any other machine that I should consider?
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The Olympia SF is certainly not 'flimsy' at all, and the action I think you would prefer over the Little Hermes, based on the couple of Rockets I have tried. I love the bigger Hermes machines, but the very small ones Don't do it for me at all.
Odd that you are not interested in tabs; most typists find them very useful as they progress.
The little Underwood 18 I have is a nice enough machine in a handy carrying case - though it does look a little like a lady's handbag; maybe look at that one too. Good luck.
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"Too light" or "flimsy" are - as beak pointed out - two adjectives that I would never use to describe an Olympia SF, which has to be one of the most solid ultra-portables ever produced. It can be argued that the Olympia/Optima Plana is an even more robust machine, but it has a terrible type action, something that Olympia greatly improved upon with the introduction of the SF range of models.
The Hermes Baby/Rocket has a lighter type action, and is actually a nice machine, but overall it lacks the sculpted-from-billet feel that the Olympia exudes.
Many would probably cast a vote for the Lettera 22, it is readily available and performs well, but my large-size hands have never easily adapted to the Olivetti keyboard.
Keeping easy-to-find models on the forefront, I think models such as the Smith-Corona Skyriter, Triumph Tippa, Keller & Knappich Princess, Royal Royalite, Consul 232/311, and any number of Brother models to be worthy of consideration too. There are so many different ultra-portables out there, and thankfully most of them are decent typewriters and only a few would be models that I would avoid at all costs.
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Thank you for the answers and advice both. I have one Antares Compact and even is in a really good shape it is not the best typer in the collection, I guess I compare it with the other (bigger) typewriters I use, but it is not my cup of tea. I would like to replace it for another that I will use more and happier. I am trying to get a "bed time" typewriter and that is why I don't find tabs a priority, just a confortable, nice action and sturdy.
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steini wrote:
I have one Antares Compact and even is in a really good shape it is not the best typer in the collection, I guess I compare it with the other (bigger) typewriters I use, but it is not my cup of tea.
Unfortunately no ultra-portable is able to compete with the performance characteristics of a larger machine, definitely not those of a standard; there is a price to be paid for an ultra-portable's compact size and added convenience. I have an Antares Compact and it's not a bad typewriter, there are worse, but the Olympia SF is without question a more robust model, but you should be warned that its type action is heavier.
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Uwe wrote:
Keeping easy-to-find models on the forefront, I think models such as the Smith-Corona Skyriter, Triumph Tippa, Keller & Knappich Princess, Royal Royalite, Consul 232/311, and any number of Brother models to be worthy of consideration too. There are so many different ultra-portables out there, and thankfully most of them are decent typewriters and only a few would be models that I would avoid at all costs.
What about the ones that are difficult to find? I mean, in Iceland no typewriter is easy to find so I will just need to get it abroad anyways. Since I am making the effort of searching I was thinking on the Rooy portable, or even a Kolibri, but maybe this last one could be too heavy for the lap. Any other recomemdationd for search?
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The 1907 Bennett is known for it's ultra-portability...but it's a pain to use.
I'm not sure what you'd need it for, but my suggestions would be the 1920s Underwood 3-bank. Very small, very sturdy, and very light. It has the old cast-iron construction so it's very solid. The action is a bit loud and snappy, but it's overall a pretty good piece of machinery, though not nearly as nice as larger machines. The early Remington Portables are very good as well. Light, low-profile, and very easy to use. My favorite portable is definitely the 1930s Royal Model P. It's a bit heavy, around 20 pounds, but it types like a dream. It has a nice light touch, and a great mechanical feel, and it's very well made, though not the kind of machine you'd want to throw around too much, and not the most "portable".