Recommend Me A Mabie Todd

[Ste_S]

At the moment I have a Swan (6145, although has a number 2 nib). I love the pen, but find the section slightly too small to be comfortable for longer writing sessions.

 

Is this section size normal for Mabie Todds, or are there any out there with slightly fatter sections ?

[Cob]

It is true that the Swans that are designed for the No1 nib inevitably have smaller sections and the size does increase by nib size as might perhaps be expected - but only a little; Blackbirds are all small (except for the rare Blackbird No 3 and Big Blackbird)

 

Whilst Swan 2 pens are easy to find, the larger ones tend of course to fetch higher prices. I have in front of a variety of Swans - there is a difference when one moves to a number 3 nib but I cannot see much difference between the sections fitted to Swans equipped with No 3, 4 or 6 nibs. Of course there are variations by year as well; some of the 1920s pens even with No 2 nibs have incredibly thin sections,

 

Later if I have time I'll measure a few and perhaps put up a photo comparing various sections.

 

Interesting topic.

 

Cob

Edited February 6, 2015 by Cob

[Ste_S]

It is true that the Swans that are designed for the No1 nib inevitably have smaller sections and the size does increase by nib size as might perhaps be expected - but only a little; Blackbirds are all small (except for the rare Blackbird No 3 and Big Blackbird)

 

Whilst Swan 2 pens are easy to find, the larger ones tend of course to fetch higher prices. I have in front of a variety of Swans - there is a difference when one moves to a number 3 nib but I cannot see much difference between the sections fitted to Swans equipped with No 3, 4 or 6 nibs. Of course there are variations by year as well; some of the 1920s pens even with No 2 nibs have incredibly thin sections,

 

Later if I have time I'll measure a few and perhaps put up a photo comparing various sections.

 

Interesting topic.

 

Cob

 

Great thanks Cob. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a 3 nibbed (or higher) pen.

 

I may just suck it up though and get used to the thinner sections. I'm not writing pages and pages of notes with them, and it'll be a shame to limit myself to certain pens

 

It's interesting how your hand gets used to different sections over time. I went for a week or so of just using Lamy Al-Stars, and going back to other pens withought the triangular grip was weird.

[Cob]

I cannot help you directly with the sizing of Mabie Todd sections. Just acquired a Swan 100 that is not that much thicker than a pencil and I love it! Then again I don't have any size restrictions or preferences and can write easily with anything (it's a bit of a curse quite frankly).

 

Anyway, I suggest that you contact FPN member Cob. He is my go-to man for all things Mabie Todd and a fine fellow to boot!

 

Good luck!

Thanks for the bouquet CT!

 

Cob

[Cob]

Hullo again, here's a photograph, down to my usual dismal standard (I HATE digital photography at least with what Ricoh laughingly called a "camera"). Pictured is a selection of some of my Swans; you will see that the age has an influence as well as the nib size. years are largely approximate:

 

 

SM1/57 (1933 Nib 1); SF2 (1922 Nib 2); 230/50 (1930 Nib 2); "3260" (1950 Nib 2); L330/64 (1937 Nib 3); 44ETN (1925 Nib 4) 1045 (1939 Nib 4) 2060 (1940 Nib 6)

 

You have raised a big subject I think!

 

Cob

Edited February 6, 2015 by Cob

[Ste_S]

To my eyes in that photo, it looks as though Mabie Todd used two different types of section ? Lovely collection of pens by the way.

 

Here's a terrible iPhone photo

 

 

From left to right - Parker Slimfold, Mabie Todd Swan, Osmiroid 75, Sheaffer Cadet '23', Pelikan M150. All roughly a similar length, and that I don't have a problem with. The smaller sections of the Slimfold and the Swan tend to be uncomfortable for longer writing sessions, whereas the Osmiroid, Sheaffer and Pelikan are fine. Funny how the smallest of changes in width can make a difference.

 

I've been looking at prices for Mabie Todds with a 3+ nib, and the larger section it's amazing how much of a difference to prices this makes

[Ambien]

Mabie Todd SF2 seem to be one of the larger FPs (and higher priced too).

@Cob: What is the name of the pattern of #5? It reminds me honey or tiger's eye but I've not seen it before online ...yet.

[Cob]

To my eyes in that photo, it looks as though Mabie Todd used two different types of section ? Lovely collection of pens by the way.

 

Here's a terrible iPhone photo

 

 

From left to right - Parker Slimfold, Mabie Todd Swan, Osmiroid 75, Sheaffer Cadet '23', Pelikan M150. All roughly a similar length, and that I don't have a problem with. The smaller sections of the Slimfold and the Swan tend to be uncomfortable for longer writing sessions, whereas the Osmiroid, Sheaffer and Pelikan are fine. Funny how the smallest of changes in width can make a difference.

 

I've been looking at prices for Mabie Todds with a 3+ nib, and the larger section it's amazing how much of a difference to prices this makes

 

Well a pen is an instrument, and it is easy for us to forget just how sensitive human touch is; thus personal comfort is bound to vary with the individual to a lesser or greater extent.

 

 

Mabie Todd SF2 seem to be one of the larger FPs (and higher priced too).

@Cob: What is the name of the pattern of #5? It reminds me honey or tiger's eye but I've not seen it before online ...yet.

 

SF2, shouldn't be too expensive; true they are old - late teens - early 1920s; one pays more for the ones with gold bands etc. but they usually have lovely nibs. They are taller than the later pens; you might find the sections a bit on the slim side for your taste. SF2:

 

 

I just sold a No 4 nibbed pen today for what I consider to be a very reasonable sum. I have quite a few Swans of various sizes; PM me if you wish to discuss further. I think that there were more than two sizes and shapes of sections, hardly surprising since we are covering a period of about 55 years or so. More complicated is the variation in the size of nibs of a given number. I have here a 230-60B with a lovely New York No 2 nib, which seems tiny; a while back I had a lapis blue 242/52 again No 2 New York nib which was really quite large. left to right: SF230, 242/52, SM1/60

 

 

As for the colour of the L330/64 this is one of my favourites: Mabie, Todd had some wonderful colours and patterns; tragically many of the really exciting ones are rather rare. This is the 64 material generally known as Brown Amber. I was frustrated on being outbid on a Visofil V in this material.

 

Cob