I think it's totally OK as long as you declare it.

hhp

If nobody else gives an opinion I'll use Helvetica. I swear to God, I'll do it, man!!

Wow, you designed Helvetica?

hhp

Yep, it was me.

I'll have to break out Kaczynski and give him your address.

hhp

do it. Or else I'll use arial. I MEAN IT MAN! I'LL DO IT!!! I'LL DO IT, MAN!!!!!

You've been watching too many reruns of Adam-12, Man.

By all means use someone else's font if it gives a good idea of the context in which yours is meant to be used and shows a harmonious pairing. Just credit it.

What the hell is Adam-12?

Josh, the idea is what is acceptable to use if there is no harmonious pairing, and has no context in comparison to the specimen font. If it was harmonious, well that would be a no brainer.

There is never perfect harmony, but always some harmony.

What does your font look like?

hhp

just imagine it looks like the most difficult font to pair up with any other font ever made, then you will know why I asked this question. Seriously, did you guys think I would waste your time asking the experts some brain dead easy shit?

Of course that makes no sense. Knowing that a font is difficult to find a pairing for in no way helps find a specific decent pairing.

hhp

Hahahaha! Thanks for letting me know you're unable to answer difficult questions, Hrant. I'll keep this in mind in the future. Christ....

OK then, let's try it this way:
"No matter what font you're using, you should use FF Ernestine* as a companion."

* http://ernestinefont.com/

hhp

You asked whether it's okay to use someone else's font in your own specimen. I said sure. Not sure why you're disregarding all the answers you're getting. Isn't that what you wanted to hear?

And I sort of doubt you've made the most difficult-to-pair-up font ever made. Want to show us?

Uh, Joshua, picture a boat in the Caribbean. Someone sitting in a deck chair, sipping a cool adult beverage, ogling a slightly-clad person of their preferred gender sunbathing nearby. There is also a fixture at the back of the boat. It holds a fishing rod, there is a line in the water...what's that called again?

That's exactly the kind of answer I was looking for, Hrant. Thank you, sir. Not a bad choice either.

Do remember to have the appropriate license for your method of distribution.