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Baystate Blue Pen


WaskiSquirrel

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I posted over the summer that I was saving for a Nakaya pen. Thanks to a busy fall and conservative estimation, I reached my savings goal a month early on November 20. But, with the money in hand, I also had realized that I would not enjoy the Nakaya if I bought it: it's too expensive for me to enjoy.

 

So, I have some plans with the money and some of the money will be set aside for "fun" whether in the fountain pen form or some other form. But, I have a specific question.

 

My Baystate Blue pen has been a TWSBI 540. The pen is fine as a writer. I've replaced a cracked grip, a solved a leaking issue around the grip, and I dealt with a leaking issue around the nib. (None of these are good if the pen is full of this ink.)

 

Now, there is a crack in the barrel. It's up by the blind cap, so not immediately dangerous. I'm very gentle with my pens, and no other pen has had these cracking issues, so I'm pretty sure I'm not the problem. I'm just done with this pen.

 

What I want is a recommendation for a new pen that I can buy with a part of that Nakaya money that would be a good Baystate Blue pen. A fine point or extra fine is best with this ink. Also important would be a pen in which the staining either won't be visible or won't matter. Also, if possible, I would prefer to keep this pen under $50 if I'm going to dedicate it to one ink.

 

I enjoy this ink enough that eliminating it from my collection is not an option.

 

ETA: I don't mean to come off as complaining about TWSBI. They have been good about helping me with my issues, and I like the pen overall. If I won't be dealing with these problems with the newer TWSBI models, I would be happy to consider TWSBI. I think even TWSBI knows the limitations and issues with the 540.

Edited by Waski_the_Squirrel

Proud resident of the least visited state in the nation!

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I don't suppose a Noodler's pen would make for a good option? I recall you reviewed the Neponset some time ago and thought it a good pen, so maybe an Ahab (finer point) would do well as a BSB pen? My own Ahab is the only pen I feel safe loading the "bulletproof" Noodler's inks into, since it's not extremely expensive and I can fully disassemble it for cleaning/tweaking if necessary. Also, the pen is seriously rugged— I've had any number of mishaps with mine as a daily carry, and while the vegetable resin finish is a bit battle-worn, it's still in excellent shape.

I can't say the same for the supplied pump converter, though. The threads on mine gave out suddenly, so now I'm using it as an eyedropper filler.

 

Noodler's aside, I find Sheaffer pens to be really durable and reliable, if a bit unimaginative at times. Their Prelude was my very first FP, purchased back in 2012, and it's still serving well as a daily carry. The metal body is a bit weighty though, and the pen might be on the slim side for some.

 

 

Cheers,

 

Kevin

"The price of an object should not only be what you had to pay for it, but also what you've had to sacrifice in order to obtain it." - <i>The Wisdom of The Internet</i><p class='bbc_center'><center><img src="http://i59.tinypic.com/jr4g43.jpg"/></center>

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I have a Pilot Metropolitan dedicated for BSB use. It was in expensive, the sac is dark so I can't see if there is any staining. It comes in fine - or whatever you want if you are willing to sub nibs from other Pilots. Plus, if I wake up to find that the BSB melted the pen into a smoldering amalgam of junk, I'm not going to be out a whole lot of money.

Chris

 

Carpe Stylum!

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If you like blue enough, get a Pilot Prera with a solid blue barrel they are around $32 on Amazon and a very wise investment. I've had one and the blue color of the barrel is eye-catchingly vivid, just like the BSB color. It was actually SO bright that every time I used it around someone, they would either rudely grab it while it was laying down or ask about it... So I got rid of it.

My everyday carry is the ivory colored Prera (a soft, subtle, classy color) with an EF penmanship nib, which, the nib I have in it currently is even finer than my Custom 912's PO nib, and also much much smoother...:( I use Kon-Peki, Pilot BlueBlack, and Asa-Gao in it, and all the colors match very well with the ivory colored finish.

 

Good luck on your choice, and if you want a reliable writer any Pilot Pen will not disappoint!

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The best pens I have experienced with Baystate Blue are the Platinum having the "click & seal" cap.

This system really seal the cap, and slow down the evaporation of the ink, and therefore also the clogging.

I have re used some of that pens filled with BSB after 3 weeks of no use, and they restart writing immediately.

 

The range start from the inexpensive Preppy at 2/3 US$, up to the Plaisir in metal at 10/12 US$, up to the 3776 with a very good gold nib at around 100 US$.

Preppy can be easly converted also to eyedropper and hold a huge amount of ink.

 

Any other pen tested with BSB have been not working well as those I indicated.

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I have a Preppy with a converter that I use for BSB. It's worked brilliantly so far, I've had it for several months with no problems. I'm glad to see that the Prera looks good too as I've just bought one, a bright yellow one for Diamine Sunshine Yellow. The blue Prera certainly looks like it would match BSB beautifully :)

UK-based pen fan. I love beautiful ink bottles, sealing wax, scented inks, and sending mail art. Also, thanks to a wonderful custom-ground nib by forum member Bardiir, I'm currently attempting calligraphy after years of not being able to do so due to having an odd pen-grip :D

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Both my TWSBI 540s cracked in the barrel near the piston just as yours did. I'm gentle with my pens, so this was really annoying. I never had cracking problems on the section or anywhere else.

 

My BSB pen is a Shaeffer CC (low end but don't know what model). I've been using it for 3 yrs with no issues and no problems.

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I have two pens that are dedicated BSB pens: a Sheaffer Cadet, with a F-1 nib, and a Pilot 78G with a fine nib. Both are inexpensive - I restored the Cadet's TD system - and the fine nibs work well with this ink. If either pen failed due to issues with the ink, it is easily replaceable. I like using BSB, but will only use it in these pens.

Edited by redbike
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I have two dedicated Baystate ink pens, a hero 100 and an ebonite Noodlers Konrad. Both have been excellent performers with this family of ink (I have both the Baystate Blue and Concord Grape).

 

I seem to remember you have a few Noodlers pens in your stable, if you choose to use one that has been used with a non-baystate ink, please clean it very thoroughly before filling with Baystate (but, you already knew that, which is probably part of the reason for a dedicated Baystate ink pen)

 

Let us know what you choose

 

French

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I personally don't dedicate a pen to Baystate Blue. I have used in in several pens including a sailor 1911 and a Sheaffer legacy heritage. If the pen is black, or metal, staining is not an issue. I keep it in pens that use a converter and that makes cleaning easy. I do have a couple of converters that are stained blue, but that is no big deal to me since it doesn't affect the function. You might consider buying a great pen that you'd be comfortable using BSB in, but which could be used for other things.

Edited by Medsen Fey
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My Baystate Blue pen has been a TWSBI 540. The pen is fine as a writer. I've replaced a cracked grip, a solved a leaking issue around the grip, and I dealt with a leaking issue around the nib. (None of these are good if the pen is full of this ink.)

 

Now, there is a crack in the barrel. It's up by the blind cap, so not immediately dangerous. I'm very gentle with my pens, and no other pen has had these cracking issues, so I'm pretty sure I'm not the problem. I'm just done with this pen.

 

ETA: I don't mean to come off as complaining about TWSBI. They have been good about helping me with my issues, and I like the pen overall. If I won't be dealing with these problems with the newer TWSBI models, I would be happy to consider TWSBI. I think even TWSBI knows the limitations and issues with the 540.

There had been many discussions about the 540 and cracks (occuring when the plastic cured/aged) in that batch of plastic when the pen was first issued in the summer of (?) 2011. I believe that everyone who contacted TWSBI received replacements. I received replacement parts in 2012. My 540 is always inked and ready to write and I have had no further problems. I was very impressed with their customer service.

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My BSB pen is a Lamy2000 converted to an eyedropper; it's working flawlessly. Sometimes the grip section is a bit stained, but with a bit of alcohol it's gone in a second.

Before that I had an old Pelikan M250 from the 80s loaded with BSB. Pistonfiller, Nib can be unscrewed for cleaning,, you can reach inside with a Q-tip if the staining bothers you,... If you take a gold plated steel nib you can find it for $40-$50 with a really great springy nib.

Greetings,

Michael

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Does it have to be a New pen? Well, you Can get Almost a new one...

 

DSC00460.JPG

 

BSB would be like tap water compared to the inks the P-51 was designed to write with.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

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inks the P-51 was designed to write with.

 

We can only hope that Nathan Tardif doesn't want to revive the P51/Superchrome inks, too ;)

Greetings,

Michael

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So far I've used BSB exclusively in the TWSBI Classic that I bought back in July. BSB looks so pretty coming out of the 1.1-mm stub; I'm thinking about making it my permanent BSB pen.

Until you ink a pen, it is merely a pretty stick. --UK Mike

 

My arsenal, in order of acquisition: Sailor 21 Pocket Pen M, Cross Solo M, Online Calligraphy, Monteverde Invincia F, Hero 359 M, Jinhao X450 M, Levenger True Writer M, Jinhao 159 M, Platinum Balance F, TWSBI Classic 1.1 stub, Platinum Preppy 0.3 F, 7 Pilot Varsity M disposables refillables, Speedball penholder, TWSBI 580 USA EF, Pilot MR, Noodler's Ahab 1.1 stub, another Preppy 0.3, Preppy EF 0.2, ASA Sniper F, Click Majestic F, Kaweco Sport M, Pilot Prera F, Baoer 79 M (fake Starwalker), Hero 616 M (fake Parker), Jinhao X750 Shimmering Sands M . . .

31 and counting :D

 

DaveBj

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I've heard a few good suggestions here. The Pilot Prera and the TWSBI Classic both stick out. I may also consider writing TWSBI for a new barrel. It's just that I'm getting to the point that I'm wondering how much of the original pen is left!

 

The Preppy is also a good idea. I've used them for other inks.

 

And the idea of using a Noodler's pen is a good one too: I already have a Baikal, so this does make sense, and it would be a sensible option.

Proud resident of the least visited state in the nation!

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I use an ebonite Gama Kuyil with a medium Goulet nib in it with BSB. That thing floats over Rhodia like no other pen let me tell you. Every time I write with it, I always seem to exclaim how good it is.

"I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me."

-Fred Allen 1894-1956

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Put it in the Nakaya... It will be fine...

 

However, we've witnessed the melting of a Lamy Safari feed... You've been warned...

MB JFK BB; 100th Anniversary M; Dumas M FP/BP/MP set; Fitzgerald M FP/BP/MP set; Jules Verne BB; Bernstein F; Shaw B; Schiller M; yellow gold/pearl Bohème Pirouette Lilas (custom MB-fitted EF); gold 744-N flexy OBB; 136 flexy OB; 236 flexy OBB; silver pinstripe Le Grand B; 149 F x2; 149 M; 147 F; 146 OB; 146 M; 146 F; 145P M; 162 RB
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Hard to get any bluer than this!

 

Glenn

 

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n533/GEAtkins/Pens/Random%20Pen%20Stuff/C9389FF3-82C0-4DEA-BD8B-F6E2B929745A.jpg

 

Wow, that's a gorgeous pen. That might be the perfect Baystate Blue pen, and I'm not joking. I really like the color, and I already know I like the pen. Maybe I'll get a Goulet Extra-fine nib to go with it. That one may be even more obvious than I thought.

 

Put it in the Nakaya... It will be fine...

 

However, we've witnessed the melting of a Lamy Safari feed... You've been warned...

 

I had decided not to buy the Nakaya. I'm buying a few other pens instead. But, what you say about the Lamy Safari is the reason I decided to solicit opinions. I've heard of Pilot feeds being melted as well.

 

The TWSBI feed is doing just fine, and I originally had it in an Ahab and a Preppy. The only fault with the Ahab was the flex nib: it let out too much ink and caused feathering.

 

If I ever did buy a Nakaya, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't put Baystate Blue in it. There are a lot of Noodler's inks that I would put in it, but this one is an exception. I love Baystate Blue, but I am well aware of its faults.

Proud resident of the least visited state in the nation!

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