TT: Blinds

 Typewriter Test: Blinds

This time I've got a strange idea... At my client's office I have found cutted to A4 format blinds (window blinds/shutters/sunshades) - to be precise the material that they are made of :)

He prepared them for the sample segregator for customers... and give me handful of sheets from past seasons :)

I used some factored paper, cardboard... so naturally when I saw this, I needed to type on it!

The outcome is... interesting. It's typepable (?) for sure. I wonder how material will handle the time and sun, or rather how my typing will endure over time. Right now I prepared cover pages to my journal, and labels for the backpack.

It might be interesting idea to use this scraps in decoupage, or even clothes (probably typing won't survive the washing machine... but who knows?

The idea is to type few times the same sentence at the same spot.

Olympia vs Hermes

Today I prepared mostly pictures... but what kind of content they present!

Two best/most desired typewriters out there!

Olympia SM3 & SM9(bonus)
compared to
Hermes Media 3 (3000 line, 60's design)

As the user of both of them (most frequent used typewriters in my house ;)) I can share some feelings about the beauties :p
If you desire one of them, or can't choose which one to buy, perhaps it will be helpful.

Olympia represents the dignity and beauty of golden age of typewriters. The mechanics are top in quality and durability. The chromes, factored paint and design make you see the SM3 anytime somebody use word "typewriter". It's like classic Mercedes, with the splendor and prestige. And you won't be afraid to type on it, because after 70 years you can't see any aging factors (except of platen perhaps ;)).

bonus: SM9 is close to the older sister perfection. Mechanics are improved in the basket shift mechanism. And also it's the only top brand typewriter made out of metal till the end!



Hermes is different in the touch. You can instantly feel the delicate touch of the keys, and soreness in the type. It's difficult to describe, but once you type it - there is no turning back ;)

Mechanics are simpler than SM line, but the durability of the machine is on the same level. The one detail that people love in Hermes 3000 is the margin indicator (not present in Media 3), fancy gizmo that is quite simple, and enjoyable. The design is also less conservative (especially my favourite 70's model).

From the practical look, the SM is smaller. Tested by me in quite strange tasks - and always it is up to the task. Hermes at the other hand is more fun in typing for me ;)

It's best to have both of them... but if you cannot, or simply don't want to: it's just the matter of your taste/style. Only if you won't buy something took out of garbage container (like me...), you'll be happy with either of them :)

Two faces.

Finally I've got some time to speak about the two generations of legendary Hermes 3000 family.
The newest "plastic" one, and one step older 60's design. Unfortunately I don't have access to classic 3000 (the curvy) but as far as i can tell It's no different in the mechanism than the two younger types.
And in that brave move I've spoiled the thing...

Hermes Media 3, 60'

Hermes 3000 70'

Basically it's the same typewriter. The main difference between presented Hermes Media 3 60' and Hermes 3000 70' is the shell/body. There are consequences for that of course, but the feel (the touch) of typing are identical. Smooth, kind of light (delicate) but with desired effect on the page.

I prefer the 70's design, but plastic cover have some disadvantages:

Typewriter is slightly bigger - I believe in order to maintain the desired durability they had to use more material (older brother shell is made of alloy).

You can observe this best in comparing the cases.

The plastic one is lighter... - for me It's disadvantage since typewriter tends to move under fast typing.

Plastic can't rust :) So does alloy... but the paint is different story ;)

Plastic often change colour over time - that's the biggest flaw, especially if typewriter was exposed to sunlight.

Usually alloy bends and plastic cracks under pressure or if some accident occurs.


Insides are basically identical, as well as carriage (exept of side covers). The side metal panels of the mechanism are different design, but I didn't catch any major difference in the mechanics itself.

If you want to have Hermes 3000 in your collection be advised:

The plastic one is usually few times cheaper than the classic curvy type.

New design usually have better platen and no problem with cracked platen knobs.

Mint keys were available till 60' (later only in Hermes Baby).