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Bexley Submariner SE (Binder) vs. Filcao Silvia


Kelly

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I'm in a bit of a quandry here and decided to ask for the forum's great wisdom B)

 

I was all set to get the Filcao Silvia (green pearl/black/silver) - love the color, the design similarity to a Pelikan, button filler, heard nothing but good things about those smooth Filcao nibs, the price is right, and I don't own an Italian pen....and then I saw this great looking Bexley Submariner SE (Binder) in Red/Silver/Black and, with the exception of the Pelikan resemblance and button filler, the reasons that I like the Filcao can be said here as well. There is a $65 price difference, the Bexley is more expensive. I'm still leaning toward the Filcao BUT....still working on the actual nib differences as well...the Filcao is unplated to match the furnishing...not sure of the Bexley

 

Opinions are requested, please - danke :D

 

Filcao Silvia:

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/sales/filcao/silvia_1.jpg

 

Bexley Submariner SE (Binder)

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/sales/bexley/submariner_se.jpg

 

Both picture from www.richardspens.com

A hot wind was blowing around my head, the strands of my hair lifting and swirling in it, like ink spilled in water. ~ Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin

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Don't flip a coin! Get the Bexley!

 

It's beautiful! It's unique!

 

My parents gave me one for Christmas (with a Binder custom fine stub nib, no less!), and I was moments from posting a short review... but to save you from your dilemma here are the pictures.

 

http://hendrie.smugmug.com/photos/54113744-L.jpg

 

It's streamlined, it's light, it's just the right size, the roller clip is functional and fun.

 

http://hendrie.smugmug.com/photos/54113792-L.jpg

 

The red pearl plastic is slightly translucent, and the black section is functional and classy.

 

http://hendrie.smugmug.com/photos/54113807-L.jpg

 

No offense to the legions of Sub Grande fans, but I think that this, the original Submariner, has better lines. It flows smoothly from stem to stern.

 

Go Bexley Go! :D

 

(I'm sure the Filcao is nice too. We now return you to your regular calm and reasoned debate.)

 

[Edited to correct spelling of "stern".]

Edited by ChristopherH
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Hi Kelly, It's a tough call. I don't own a Filcao Silvia (yet), but after receiving my Filcao Libra and Atlantica Oro, I can say that for the money you can't go wrong with a Filcao pen. They write beautifully and have that Italian charm and quality that make them a pleasure to own. I do own a Bexley Submariner Grande and it has an exquisitely smooth 18k nib. It's larger than the Submariner and mine has a metal section, but I love everything about that pen.

 

I must admit, those juicy pics of the Bexley Submariner are tempting! :drool:

I love that red! Makes my regimental blue Subariner Grande look boring.

 

Still, the Filcao Silvia has that vintage-ish look and even though it's nib is gold plated steel, don't dismiss it. Some of my best daily writing pens have steel nibs and after writing all afternoon and well into the evening with my two new Filcao pens, they are rapidly becoming favourites.

 

That Filcao Silvia does look nice:

http://www.tryphon.it/pens/Sil1.jpg

Pic courtesy of tryphon.it

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p202/Apollo3000/es-canary-islands-flag1s.gif Bendita mi tierra guanche.
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I don't own any Filcaos (Filci?). But the pen looks boring to me. And if it was made to look like a Pelikan then I'd get the Pelikan!

 

I do own a Bexley Submariner in the original Blue Cream color. And I love everything about it. (This from someone who owns two older Bexleys with 14k nibs that I was thinking of selling because they wrote so poorly.) But the new 18k nib is great.

 

In the price range you're talking about I'd get either the Submariner or an M600.

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Bexley, Bexley Bexley. I have two Subs Grande. I bought one with a metal section and I thought I wouldn't like it. I was surprised :o For some reason it feels warm. Alchemy :blink:

Fountain Pen Abundance

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Bexley is my vote and I have been putting off getting the Binder SE to accompany my madarin yellow Parkville SE.

 

My yellow FINE is nice springy wet & smooth. Oh, the difference is probably due to steel Vs gold nib. I like Bexley's nibs quite a bit.

Hope this helps.

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Kelly, it's really up to you. Given the choice I too would lean towards the Bexley and I do love my Bexley Submariner Grande, but I like Filcao pens as well. I say go with the pen that appeals to you most. Seriously, in modern pens the difference between a gold nib and a smooth steel nib in actual writing is minimal. Ultimately, it's a matter of personal choice.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p202/Apollo3000/es-canary-islands-flag1s.gif Bendita mi tierra guanche.
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Don't flip a coin! Get the Bexley!

 

It's beautiful! It's unique!

 

My parents gave me one for Christmas (with a Binder custom fine stub nib, no less!), and I was moments from posting a short review... but to save you from your dilemma here are the pictures.

 

It's streamlined, it's light, it's just the right size, the roller clip is functional and fun.

 

 

The red pearl plastic is slightly translucent, and the black section is functional and classy.

 

 

No offense to the legions of Sub Grande fans, but I think that this, the original Submariner, has better lines. It flows smoothly from stem to stern.

 

Go Bexley Go! :D

 

(I'm sure the Filcao is nice too. We now return you to your regular calm and reasoned debate.)

 

[Edited to correct spelling of "stern".]

:drool: :drool: :drool: Let me say that once again :drool: Holy smokes those are some great pictures that have basically made my decision near impossible!! Do you think your parents would adopt me?! :D Of course, I want it in the fine stub to boot...man oh man!! Thanks for those shots, Christopher :D

A hot wind was blowing around my head, the strands of my hair lifting and swirling in it, like ink spilled in water. ~ Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin

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I will eventually get both these pens because I just find them to be completely scrumptuous. However, getting them both at the same time is not going to happen (unless I sell one or both of the children, which some days does not sound like an entirely bad option but I digress...) so I have to discern if SE is also akin to LE and only a particular number were made or are they still in production? I don't want to have purchased the Filcao only to have entirely missed out on the Submariner SE.

 

As usual, you guys are gems - thanks for the informative and passionate feedback :D

Edited by Kelly

A hot wind was blowing around my head, the strands of my hair lifting and swirling in it, like ink spilled in water. ~ Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin

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I don't have a Filcao so am not qualified to make a comparison. But for what it's worth, I have a Bexley sub and am completely satisfied with it.

 

David

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I'm partial to red pens, and that Bexley is beautiful! The Silvia looks too much like a Pelikan for my taste. However the Filcao pens are top notch. I like the Pelikans, but if you want a pen that looks like one...

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Pardon me for shouting, but...

 

The Filcao Silvia was not made to look like a Pelikan!

 

There. I feel better. The truth of the matter is that there were many makers in Europe in the 1930s making pens that look very much alike, even Montblanc. The Silvia is patterned, in general, to look like pens that were being made at that time in Settimo Torinese, Italy, where Filcao is located.

 

And the Silvia LE, wow! What a pretty thing that is. I wanted so much to keep one, but Barbara threatened me with mayhem, so we had to sell all of the ones Giovanni allocated to us. But I took a picture or two, just to remember them by. I put this shot at the top of my site's Filcao page.

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/sales/filcao/silvia_le_hdr.jpg

 

As for whether to go for the Submariner SE or the Silvia, it's gotta be the one you like better. The Silvia has a steel nib but can be fitted with gold (of which I have a supply, nice two-tone 14K stuff), so even the nib isn't a real deciding factor. Color and shape and filler style are the things to decide on.

sig.jpg.2d63a57b2eed52a0310c0428310c3731.jpg

 

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Richard or anyone - What is the price of the Silvia fitted with a gold nib?

 

Thanks,

Ryan

"I have striven not to laugh at human actions, not to weep at them, nor to hate them, but to understand them."

- Baruch Spinoza

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Pardon me for shouting, but...

 

The Filcao Silvia was not made to look like a Pelikan!

 

There. I feel better. The truth of the matter is that there were many makers in Europe in the 1930s making pens that look very much alike, even Montblanc. The Silvia is patterned, in general, to look like pens that were being made at that time in Settimo Torinese, Italy, where Filcao is located.

 

And the Silvia LE, wow! What a pretty thing that is. I wanted so much to keep one, but Barbara threatened me with mayhem, so we had to sell all of the ones Giovanni allocated to us. But I took a picture or two, just to remember them by. I put this shot at the top of my site's Filcao page.

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/sales/filcao/silvia_le_hdr.jpg

 

As for whether to go for the Submariner SE or the Silvia, it's gotta be the one you like better. The Silvia has a steel nib but can be fitted with gold (of which I have a supply, nice two-tone 14K stuff), so even the nib isn't a real deciding factor. Color and shape and filler style are the things to decide on.

Okay! Point taken on the Pelikan resemblance or lack thereof.... :D The possible breaker on the Bexley SE could be the filling system, not the nibs as I've found the modern steel nibs I have to be great. That button filler on the Filcao is just pushing me towards that...but as I've said in another post, I'm probably going to get both of these babies eventually...but which one first?! Richard, if the Submariner is a special edition is there a limited number supply or are they still in production? That also could be the deciding factor of what one I purchase first...sorry for the ignorance on this! :)

 

edited for spelling typo

Edited by Kelly

A hot wind was blowing around my head, the strands of my hair lifting and swirling in it, like ink spilled in water. ~ Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin

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Richard or anyone - What is the price of the Silvia fitted with a gold nib?

I don't know what others are charging -- the gold nibs I have came from another source but are a perfect fit for the Silvia and Columbia (same size section and feed), and my price is $185.00 plus shipping.

 

Richard, if the Submariner is a special edition is there a limited number supply...

It wasn't intended to be a limited edition, but since the Grande came out I've sold, umm, like, pretty much zero standard-sized Submariners, and I probably won't reorder. I have three of the red SEs left.

sig.jpg.2d63a57b2eed52a0310c0428310c3731.jpg

 

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Richard, if the Submariner is a special edition is there a limited number supply...

It wasn't intended to be a limited edition, but since the Grande came out I've sold, umm, like, pretty much zero standard-sized Submariners, and I probably won't reorder. I have three of the red SEs left.

Gulp!!! That's not many and I have a feeling my decision has been made...look like the Filcao goes on the Christmas list! It'll be about another 3 weeks before I can get that gorgeous red pen ordered so fingers crossed that there's not an onslaught before then! :D :o

A hot wind was blowing around my head, the strands of my hair lifting and swirling in it, like ink spilled in water. ~ Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin

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I've been going through almost the same thing, Kelly, but I've added the Columbus Scriba and Blue Pearl Sub Grande to my list in addition to the Silvia and Red Submariner. I've been moving back and forth between each for about a month, and deciding time is shortly approaching (tax season :) ). I'm much like you, I'm very attracted by the Bexley's reputation, styling and reputed performance, but oh those button fillers....such a sweet and unique throwback to vintage pens. In a perfect world, I'd buy the button-filling Silvia, lever-filler CS 58 and the Blue Sub Grande SE - all from Richard with cursive italics.

 

Best of luck making a decision. Some advice: don't take as long as I have :)

"I have striven not to laugh at human actions, not to weep at them, nor to hate them, but to understand them."

- Baruch Spinoza

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I've been going through almost the same thing, Kelly, but I've added the Columbus Scriba and Blue Pearl Sub Grande to my list in addition to the Silvia and Red Submariner.  I've been moving back and forth between each for about a month, and deciding time is shortly approaching (tax season  :) ).  I'm much like you, I'm very attracted by the Bexley's reputation, styling and reputed performance, but oh those button fillers....such a sweet and unique throwback to vintage pens.  In a perfect world, I'd buy the button-filling Silvia, lever-filler CS 58 and the Blue Sub Grande SE - all from Richard with cursive italics. 

 

Best of luck making a decision.  Some advice: don't take as long as I have :)

Thanks Ryan - glad to know I'm not alone in the quandry! :D I really love both of these pens and knowing that the red SE is dwindling in the availability catagory, I'll get that first. I won't wait as long as you as I've got a birthday on Feb 17 and the family has said they are giving me cashola for pens :bunny1: The Filcao will have to wait on my Christmas list...This Bexley is the only one I have my eye on as I love the size, color, and that it has the silver furnishings. I don't go for the gold stuff so it makes my decision easier :lol: :D

 

Best of luck with your decision, too, and let us know how it turns out :)

 

K

A hot wind was blowing around my head, the strands of my hair lifting and swirling in it, like ink spilled in water. ~ Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin

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Pardon me for shouting, but...

 

The Filcao Silvia was not made to look like a Pelikan!

Richard, shhhhhhh :o

 

I know the Silvia was not made to look like a Pelikan. However, it looks like one to my untrained eye. Especially in the green.

 

I agree with Kelly that the button fill on the Silvia puts a checkmark in it's favor. I just think the red Bexley is gorgeous :drool: and I'd buy it if we weren't trying to catch up from Rick being out of work for so long.

Edited by Elaine
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Don't have a Filcao and I'm sure they're great pens, but I do have two Bexley Grandes - a black with gold trim with that wonderful Bexley Stub and a Binder Grande Blue Pearl SE with a custom left-footed 15 degree oblique 0.9 mm cursive italic nib. These pens are wonderful!

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8, NKJV)
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