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Hallelujah, I've Seen The Light.


oldmatekev

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It's been quite a while since I've contributed anything here at FPN. The truth is I've felt a bit jaded about the whole fountain pen thing.
I spent a bit of money on a pen I was quite disappointed in and it left me sour.

But a few recent experiences have re-directed and re-invigorated my enthusiasm. I have a different focus now and it's like a shot in the arm.

User grade vintage! It's worth the exclamation.

There's something really satisfying about getting an old pen working again. Even more when it's a bit rough and well used. They were designed as work-horses to be used every day, they're sturdy and reliable (even though they might not seem to be). And they're cheap, my last find cost $2 at St. Vinnies in Barmera SA.

My recent 'wild' finds are:

~1935 BCHR Mabie Todd Swan self-filler (I still need to re-sac this one).
~1968 Parker 17 in maroon with gold clip.
60's Platignum (unknown cartridge/converter model). Hideous teal colour with a brassed chrome cap.

 

At this stage I'm not targeting anything in particular, just snapping up whatever I can find in antique/junk shops. Pretty slim pickin's here in rural Victoria, but that only makes the occasional surprise even more fulfilling.

 

I'm not entirely new to this vintage scene, I've used a 1950's Conway Stewart 85 every day for the last 6 months or so, and I have a couple of others in various stages of repair. But now I think I'll dive right in, at this stage I can't see myself buying another new pen (unless its NOS from the 40's of course :D).


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I like these 'beat up' pens too. There is certain relief in carrying around a nice pen that, if damaged, won't result in a myocardial infarction :yikes:.

@arts_nibs

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I can agree on vintage pens, I have tried to find some of the good vintage pens out there and so far my favorite writers are my parker 45's. I have bought the sheaffers 330 and Imperial II vintage too. I am also looking into the montblanc 220 or 225. I think the pens made years and years before have great character and I don't buy many modern pens.

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I like these 'beat up' pens too. There is certain relief in carrying around a nice pen that, if damaged, won't result in a myocardial infarction :yikes:.

I have a pragmatic approach to my pens, I use them, I carry them in my pockets. They get scratched and bruised but that's all part of their story.

 

Mind you, I don't have any really expensive pens, I don't think I ever will. But that's just me.

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I have a pragmatic approach to my pens, I use them, I carry them in my pockets. They get scratched and bruised but that's all part of their story.

 

Mind you, I don't have any really expensive pens, I don't think I ever will. But that's just me.

 

What counts as an expensive pen though? There are only certain pens I'll put in my pocket regardless of scratches and what not, but it's more to do with the overall durability (or least my perception of it). For example I might put my Faber-Castell Basic, Monteverde Invincia Deluxe, or Pilot Metropolitan in my jeans pocket without much of an issue. But I would feel a little weary of doing the same to my Platinum PTL-5000 (which has sort of a Urushi Lacquer and Maki-e artwork on it), Sheaffer Snorkel or Touchdown, etc in a Jeans pocket.

 

Reason for not doing it to the platinum is pretty obvious, the others seem to be more structural, like I feel like I need to baby them that any amount of bending pressure or so might break the insides. Probably paranoid but that's the general feeling. My faber castell is about 45$ new, but for some reason with it's rubber cap and mostly (thick) plastic+carbon fiber barrel, I have no problem just throwing that into a pocket, or bookbag etc. It's aesthetics and functionality alike don't seem like it would be hurt by it.

 

I wouldn't put a Hero 616 in my jeans pocket though, as cheap and replaceable as it is (well no fountain pen is truly replaceable by an exact copy in my opinion), I feel like it has a high chance of snapping on my pocket from being bumped or something and getting ink all over myself.

Edited by KBeezie
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I can agree on vintage pens, I have tried to find some of the good vintage pens out there and so far my favorite writers are my parker 45's. I have bought the sheaffers 330 and Imperial II vintage too. I am also looking into the montblanc 220 or 225. I think the pens made years and years before have great character and I don't buy many modern pens.

 

In my part of the world the most common pen finds are British. Conway Stewart, Onoto, Osmiroid, etc.

Some Parkers, but always British or Austalian made. I see lots of Sheaffer no Nonsense, but always singles from the cheap-o calligraphy set, and always over-priced.

 

I keep an eye bay-side for a 2nd or third tier MB or Pelikan, but they usually go for more than I want to pay. I like the look of Geha's too but I've never commited to one.

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I wouldn't put a Hero 616 in my jeans pocket though, as cheap and replaceable as it is (well no fountain pen is truly replaceable by an exact copy in my opinion), I feel like it has a high chance of snapping on my pocket from being bumped or something and getting ink all over myself.

 

I don't carry my CS 540 Dinkie in my pocket because the clip is too loose (no matter how much I bend it back) and it falls out when I bend over.

 

I don't carry pens in my hip pockets unless I really have to, but that's a comfort thing. They're either in my shirt pocket if I have one, or clipped to my collar, or in the side pockets of my jacket. Cargo pants and shorts have leg pockets which are great for pens.

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In my part of the world the most common pen finds are British. Conway Stewart, Onoto, Osmiroid, etc.

Some Parkers, but always British or Austalian made. I see lots of Sheaffer no Nonsense, but always singles from the cheap-o calligraphy set, and always over-priced.

 

I keep an eye bay-side for a 2nd or third tier MB or Pelikan, but they usually go for more than I want to pay. I like the look of Geha's too but I've never commited to one.

 

I love my MontBlanc 225, but I'd feel a little hurt if I 'beat it up' cosmetically. Though it's already missing the snowflake from the bottom of the pen, and there's a tiny dent by the snowflake in the top (which is a slight crack that's barely noticeable against that piece), but I wouldn't want to treat it the way some people would treat their cheapies.

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/montblanc225/1.jpg

 

Granted though it already has *some* scuffs mostly on the cap (with some of those tiny little bubbles that sometimes show up... ) so wouldn't hurt it much.

 

I don't carry pens in my hip pockets unless I really have to, but that's a comfort thing. They're either in my shirt pocket if I have one, or clipped to my collar, or in the side pockets of my jacket. Cargo pants and shorts have leg pockets which are great for pens.

I like to use a pen case or pen wrap in the large pocket of my denim jacket or winter coat... weather permitting of course. Otherwise I'll find a way to fit it into my camera bag where everything is usually treated with protection. But just slipping it into a jeans pocket is Ok I guess once in a while, for like a trip from one room to another.
Edited by KBeezie
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I love my MontBlanc 225

 

This is the sort of MB I think I'd like:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/MONTBLANC-342-G-OBB-nib-14-C-585-gold-nib-/00/s/MTEzOFgxMDIw/z/RAEAAOxyaTxTT-5G/$_57.JPG

 

I have no interest in their 1 series. These ones look to be very useable and durable, with interesting nibs.

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This is the sort of MB I think I'd like:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/MONTBLANC-342-G-OBB-nib-14-C-585-gold-nib-/00/s/MTEzOFgxMDIw/z/RAEAAOxyaTxTT-5G/$_57.JPG

 

I have no interest in their 1 series. These ones look to be very useable and durable, with interesting nibs.

 

Looks like that one is easily $250-350, compared to the 150 average it'd probably cost to get a 220 (I don't see too many 225's out there). But I have to say, other than the OBB nib, I'm liking it.

 

The blue ink window reminds me vaguely of this ero piston pen I recently received.

 

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I don't know how much those Ero's usually runs, but it works, though not as nicely or as smoothly as my montblanc, but it works, and the piston fills smoothly. The Ero will probably be the piston filler I take with me if I'm concerned bout losing or damaging something.

Edited by KBeezie
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Looks like that one is easily $250-350, compared to the 150 average it'd probably cost to get a 220 (I don't see too many 225's out there). But I have to say, other than the OBB nib, I'm liking it.

 

 

I've watched a few of these, they're always available with all kinds of nibs and usually go for 80 to 120 euros. Probably quite reasonable, but more than I'm interested in paying.

I'd rather have a 'rougher' one. I'm not impressing anyone with my pens, quite the opposite actually. Most people that see me using them probably think I'm a bit of a tool but I don't care.

As you can see in my photo above, my Swan has the clip broken clean off. I thought about trying to find another clip or cap but I think I prefer it broken (call me crazy). What matters is that the nib flexes like crazy.

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I guess I'd carry your pen in my jeans pocket....but I must warn you, I've been known to sit down, and put weird things like coins in my front pants pockets.

In that shirt pockets were invented @1895 just for those newfangled removable clips on the fountain pen..that's what I use.

 

Of course you need to be careful when buying such a shirt.....

Some one saved another penny, and put on shirt pockets just for looks :yikes: .....my Pelikan 140 fits in, nothing else. So pockets are back in fashion...... :rolleyes:

In reference to P. T. Barnum; to advise for free is foolish, ........busybodies are ill liked by both factions.

 

 

The cheapest lessons are from those who learned expensive lessons. Ignorance is best for learning expensive lessons.

 

 

 

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I guess I'd carry your pen in my jeans pocket....but I must warn you, I've been known to sit down, and put weird things like coins in my front pants pockets.

 

That's why I don't carry them in my hip pocket too. Maybe I would with a clipless Kaweco Sport piston filler, if I had one. I've been looking but I just can't find one.

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The Kaweco sport has been designed to be carried in pockets since @1935.

 

Every once in a while some one says Whoooppps....my pen broke or was scratched up from putting in a pants pocket.

Solid metal pens would do good for the fashion conscious.

 

I grew up, when all but shirts for a Tux had a pocket or two....pre man purse and hip pack.....

That was so long ago....I thought kids stupid to pay so much money for a T-shirt with BOSS widely written across it...when that stupidity started @'65....back when Fruit of the Loom was as good as Jockey, and as good as the then Boss T-shirt in quality for less.

Sort of stupid as a kid, didn't understand Status.........then came the Penguins and Alligators on polo-shirts; and the world has never been the same. :o

 

I'm old fashioned....I do not wear clothing (on the whole) with that make me a free advertizing board. Folks wearing sweat shirts ...and never sweat in them....because they cost too much and the advertizement might show wear. grumble, grumble.... :unsure:

 

My monogram on a shirt...is more my style, when I think about it...which is seldom....sigh....this addiction is costing me real style. I got to start ordering from Lands End...and get my monogram on my shirt pocket. :P

Edited by Bo Bo Olson

In reference to P. T. Barnum; to advise for free is foolish, ........busybodies are ill liked by both factions.

 

 

The cheapest lessons are from those who learned expensive lessons. Ignorance is best for learning expensive lessons.

 

 

 

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I own 20 fountain pens, 10 new and 10 vintage.

The three pens I have had trouble with are vintage.

My favorite pen (the one I have the most trouble with and is no on the way to Danny Fudge) is vintage. My trouble have been with the nib and its performance.

I've had no problems with modern pens, most write perfect right out of the box.

Of course you mileage may vary............ for what's its worth.

 

Craig

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This is the sort of MB I think I'd like:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/MONTBLANC-342-G-OBB-nib-14-C-585-gold-nib-/00/s/MTEzOFgxMDIw/z/RAEAAOxyaTxTT-5G/$_57.JPG

 

I have no interest in their 1 series. These ones look to be very useable and durable, with interesting nibs.

 

Ditto. And yet, they still cost a flippin' mint.

Ravensmarch Pens & Books
It's mainly pens, just now....

Oh, good heavens. He's got a blog now, too.

 

fpn_1465330536__hwabutton.jpg

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The three pens I have had trouble with are vintage.

 

I'm not suggesting that all vintage pens are great. That Platignum pictured above is actually a piece of (bleep), but I still want to make it as good as it can be. I have no doubt that it'll be banished to a drawer as soon as I'm happy with it, but at least it got a little longer in the sun.

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Ditto. And yet, they still cost a flippin' mint.

 

It does seem mysterious, I suppose it can only be put down to brand value.

Quality makes them exceptional? I've never used one so I couldn't say, but there are lots of very good quality old pens around for a lot less money.

 

Then again, maybe not. The condition of the one above is really near perfect, I guess people might pay quite a lot for a NOS or restored CS or Onoto.

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This is the sort of MB I think I'd like:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/MONTBLANC-342-G-OBB-nib-14-C-585-gold-nib-/00/s/MTEzOFgxMDIw/z/RAEAAOxyaTxTT-5G/$_57.JPG

 

I have no interest in their 1 series. These ones look to be very useable and durable, with interesting nibs.

I have one of these and it is one of the best writers I have ever used. These 3rd tier MBs are less fancy than the 1st tier but are real workhorses. If you are patient you should be able to find one for under 150.00. I spent about 100.00 for mine about a year and a half ago.

 

I would also recommend the 22, 24, 31, 32, and 34. Slightly later models such as the 220, 221P, and 221 are also very good.

Edited by orfew

" Gladly would he learn and gladly teach" G. Chaucer

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I have one of these and it is one of the best writers I have ever used. These 3rd tier MBs are less fancy than the 1st tier but are real workhorses. If you are patient you should be able to find one for under 150.00. I spent about 100.00 for mine about a year and a half ago.

 

I would also recommend the 22, 24, 31, 32, and 34. Slightly later models such as the 220, 221P, and 221 are also very good.

 

That confirms what I thought these pens must be like, lots of different nibs too.

I'm keeping an eye out for a cheapie, I'm in no hurry. But 'cheap' to me means really, really cheap. I'll either be waiting quite a while for a miracle or be forced to open my wallet wider.

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