I'm a big fan of the Groma Kolibri, I am fortunate to have two. One works pretty well after some shipping damage repairs, the other is still very damaged with over 20 identified different issues. They are difficult to work on, see other youtube videos on this - getting them back into the shell takes four hands. They are also missing a bi-chrome setting, which might be a deal breaker for some. Most have some damage on the ribbon cover from the return lever scraping if bent down. But overall I'd say that if you find a working Kolibri for a decent price, buy it. They are a premium product in a small package, and the two tones some of them have are very fetching. I think I like the Erika 5 more than the Kolibri tho, but that might just be me. However, when I recently went overseas I took neither! Instead, the Olympia SF is what came with me. If I want to chuck a machine in the boot of a car for a quick local trip, a Hermes baby might be the thing I grab, because the cover is so sturdy. So, what does that say? I have no idea! There are a lot of nice machines, I suppose? I'm shocked you sold your Erika M, that would be a big case of sellers remorse for me. I'm still looking for one of those.....
This is a beautiful machine. I love the ultra portables because I can take it on the bus. I haven't seen one of these in the wild but would snap it up if I did. i love these videos by the way. I know you say you don't know what you're doing going in but they turn out brilliant. keep up the good work.
They are awesome. Not an ultra portable, but I love my '54 Olympia SM3 and I used earbud rubber size change the bigger set you get with earbuds, and put them on the space bar bosses on the underside to work as bumber replacements, oh man not only does this work but they fit perfectly and it makes the space bar super soft and just a perfect balance of response. It also muffles the metal on metal sound it has normally even with the rubber there, using earbud rubber muffles it in such a way that when you take off typing and really let loose and go, it sounds like a little mini trail bike with a small two stroke engine lol. But really it makes a really good difference. I buy those cheap ONN earbuds from Wally world they have black, white or blue colors if it matters you don't see it, but I've done this replacement/ upgrade on all my machines and it's actually nice, fun, and pleasant to hit the Space Bar....I ever open a Writer's Bar I'm going to call it The Space Bar. Cheers Lukas, and for the record even if you don't know what you're doing, you're doing a pretty good job in my book. 👍 I thank you!
Congratulations on your Kolibri. It is always great if one finds the one machine that fits him really well. However, did you ever got your hands on an early Gossen Tippa from around 1950? Quite a few people consider them even superior to the Groma Kalibri, at least here in Germany. They are as flat as the Kolibris, if not even more flat. Superb machines also.
That is a nice example of this model, it seems to work better than other Kolibris in fact. Nice showcase for it. Thanks! Re trade with countries of the Eastern Block, Canada had no import restrictions, and many typewriters were imported from communist countries, and might have later ended up in the US directly or indirectly. Daniel
You mentioned that the ultra portables feel really terrible to type on. I like the Smith Corona Skyriter, but I have to agree, the keystroke is really “clunky”…for lack of a better word. Prefer my semi portables over the ultra portables models, but you may have convinced me to save up for one of these.
Guess the main question I have is why you decided to trade in your last Groma Kolibri for this one, considering that vid is no longer accessible, but it sure looked like a beautiful machine. Is it simply because of the Qwertz keyboard or something else? Also, how does the Kolibri compare to the Erika 10/12? Aren't the Neckmann Jr.'s actually Kolibris or is there a difference?
I think it would be very cool to do a video in the woods with it!
I can't wait to see a video and music from wherever you choose ❣️
I'm a big fan of the Groma Kolibri, I am fortunate to have two. One works pretty well after some shipping damage repairs, the other is still very damaged with over 20 identified different issues. They are difficult to work on, see other youtube videos on this - getting them back into the shell takes four hands. They are also missing a bi-chrome setting, which might be a deal breaker for some. Most have some damage on the ribbon cover from the return lever scraping if bent down. But overall I'd say that if you find a working Kolibri for a decent price, buy it. They are a premium product in a small package, and the two tones some of them have are very fetching.
I think I like the Erika 5 more than the Kolibri tho, but that might just be me. However, when I recently went overseas I took neither! Instead, the Olympia SF is what came with me. If I want to chuck a machine in the boot of a car for a quick local trip, a Hermes baby might be the thing I grab, because the cover is so sturdy. So, what does that say? I have no idea! There are a lot of nice machines, I suppose? I'm shocked you sold your Erika M, that would be a big case of sellers remorse for me. I'm still looking for one of those.....
I’d love to see a video out in the woods!
This is a beautiful machine. I love the ultra portables because I can take it on the bus. I haven't seen one of these in the wild but would snap it up if I did. i love these videos by the way. I know you say you don't know what you're doing going in but they turn out brilliant. keep up the good work.
They are awesome.
Not an ultra portable, but I love my '54 Olympia SM3 and I used earbud rubber size change the bigger set you get with earbuds, and put them on the space bar bosses on the underside to work as bumber replacements, oh man not only does this work but they fit perfectly and it makes the space bar super soft and just a perfect balance of response. It also muffles the metal on metal sound it has normally even with the rubber there, using earbud rubber muffles it in such a way that when you take off typing and really let loose and go, it sounds like a little mini trail bike with a small two stroke engine lol.
But really it makes a really good difference.
I buy those cheap ONN earbuds from Wally world they have black, white or blue colors if it matters you don't see it, but I've done this replacement/ upgrade on all my machines and it's actually nice, fun, and pleasant to hit the Space Bar....I ever open a Writer's Bar I'm going to call it The Space Bar.
Cheers Lukas, and for the record even if you don't know what you're doing, you're doing a pretty good job in my book. 👍 I thank you!
Congratulations on your Kolibri. It is always great if one finds the one machine that fits him really well.
However, did you ever got your hands on an early Gossen Tippa from around 1950? Quite a few people consider them even superior to the Groma Kalibri, at least here in Germany. They are as flat as the Kolibris, if not even more flat. Superb machines also.
That is a nice example of this model, it seems to work better than other Kolibris in fact. Nice showcase for it. Thanks!
Re trade with countries of the Eastern Block, Canada had no import restrictions, and many typewriters were imported from communist countries, and might have later ended up in the US directly or indirectly.
Daniel
I had a qwerty Kolibri that I sold last year...this video makes me regret doing that. Also, I would love to see a video of that machine out in nature.
@PandorasCrate0 alright, seems to be hotly contested honestly!!! People on Instagram seem to want the shop, maybe I'll do one video that shows both?
You mentioned that the ultra portables feel really terrible to type on. I like the Smith Corona Skyriter, but I have to agree, the keystroke is really “clunky”…for lack of a better word. Prefer my semi portables over the ultra portables models, but you may have convinced me to save up for one of these.
Guess the main question I have is why you decided to trade in your last Groma Kolibri for this one, considering that vid is no longer accessible, but it sure looked like a beautiful machine. Is it simply because of the Qwertz keyboard or something else? Also, how does the Kolibri compare to the Erika 10/12? Aren't the Neckmann Jr.'s actually Kolibris or is there a difference?
The green and tan one was not my personal machine, it was store inventory for sale.
@@TypewriterChicago So how would you compare the quality between the two machines? How do they stack up against each other?
@@valis14 they're pretty much identical!
3 videos in one week? I feel spoiled! :)
@xxsaviourxx hahaha don't get used it it, ADHD and all. There's a fourth one uploading now :)