Conklin Endura Review

[JonB55198]

Hi Group,

 

If you haven't my original post, please see here: One Red Fountain Pen Post. The premise is that I will be making a series of up-trades starting with a Red Wing Sung 322. My plan is to get to my current Grail Pen: the Pelikan M1000 Green Striated with Triple-Broad, Double-Broad or Cursive Italic Broad nib.

 

Well, I made my 4th trade and Tony was kind enough to trade me a Conklin Endura. I traded my Parker 45 and Waterman Kultur for a it. So, as promised in my original "deal" with the FPN, I'm going to review each pen that I receive in trade along the way.

 

Conklin Endura:

Appearance & Design (9/10) – The first thing you notice about this pen is the gift box. It is so much larger and heavier than any other gift box I've seen. Inside the gift box, it is lined with a beautiful satin. It is absolutely great. The other two colors of Conklin Endura didn't really suit me, so I was lucky to get this "cracked ice" version. Let me tell you, the pearl flashes you can see in this finish are absolutely great! The duodecagonal prism of the barrel is very unique and drew my attention right away. The nib has a very cool crescent moon vent in it. The clip it large, flat and flashy. I absolutely loved how the section matched the barrel. The only thing I didn't really like about the appearance was the gold crescent moon emblem at the top of the cap. It looks somewhat cheap. It would have been better if they embedded a lab-created topaz or something.

 

Construction & Quality (8/10) – The converter fits tight in the section and never came loose. The threads on the cap had no problem threading onto the barrel. The cap posts securely on the barrel and never threatened to come off while writing. The finish of the pen is as smooth as glass. The clip was a little too tight to easily slide onto my polo placket. I think the quality is absolutely amazing.

 

Weight & Dimensions (9/10) – The pen is large and I love large pens. So, this pen suited me very well. I think it was a bit light for its size. Many people like light pens because they are easier to write with for extended periods. But, I can honestly say, I like it when a pen is a bit on the heavy side so that you know you are writing with a special instrument.

 

Nib & Performance (8/10) – This fine nib put down fine to medium-fine lines almost flawlessly. If you let this sit in the nib-up position for days, it would only skip slightly when restarted. I really like the wetness of the lines this pen created. A very nice writing experience indeed. Although, for the same price, I think Bexley performs a bit better.

 

Filling System & Maintenance (7/10) - Its a cartridge converter. It comes with a generous 3 cartridges of ink. But, I always use bottled ink so they just stayed in the box. The converter fits snugly in the section and doesn't threaten to come loose or leak. But, a cartridge converter is not as exciting as a piston filler, so I'm only rating this a 7.

 

Cost & Value (7/10) – At the MSRP of ~$100, I would be hesitant to buy this pen. There are so many other wonderful pens to compete with at this price point such as Bexley. But, fortunately, they can sometimes be found for $50-something dollars on sale. At this price, I definitely give the pen the green light!

 

Conclusion (48/60 = 80%) - The pen writes reliably and I got many compliments about it. The barrel design is very unique. If you can find one on sale, pick it up!

 

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/6056981518_e10038090a_b.jpg

 

 

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6075007689_a5dc8e861d_b.jpg

 

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6075007319_5bc6cee37e_b.jpg

 

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6075545766_32f9ae2935_b.jpg

 

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6075006489_b93689c577_b.jpg

[MarkAL]

Very nice review! I agree with you: this is a really nice pen, although it's overpriced in my opinion. I have the "Patriot Red" version, and it looks terrific. I always get nice comments when I use the pen at work. The nib is a little problematic sometimes, and it's finicky with certain inks. When it writes well, it's really good. Other times, it's less than stellar and can be pretty scratchy.

I picked mine up on sale at Colorado Pens a while back for $46, and I'm happy with that price. I wouldn't pay $90 - 100 though.

[JonB55198]

Very nice review! I agree with you: this is a really nice pen, although it's overpriced in my opinion. I have the "Patriot Red" version, and it looks terrific. I always get nice comments when I use the pen at work. The nib is a little problematic sometimes, and it's finicky with certain inks. When it writes well, it's really good. Other times, it's less than stellar and can be pretty scratchy.

I picked mine up on sale at Colorado Pens a while back for $46, and I'm happy with that price. I wouldn't pay $90 - 100 though.

 

What size nib do you have?

[MJ Vesuvius]

Good review! I have the "emerald" version (it's really an orangey riot of colors) and I was surprised at what a pleasure it is to use as a daily utility pen ... I got it on sale and I don't think twice about taking it anywhere. The nib was, as MarkAL notes, a little scratchy, but I polished the tip with a little jeweler's rouge and it writes like pure gold. It loves Baystate Purple.

 

– MJ

[lovemy51]

thx for the review! i tried one of these (at Flax in san francisco, same color as yours) and i really liked the way it handled -actually i liked everything about it. din't have any money (story of my life) so i left the store with nothing.

 

congrats!

[Giordana]

Nice pen! Seems like trading up has been working so far. If anyone can do it with a paperclip, you ought to do well with pens, and seeing how crazy we're about them, the force is on your side hehe.

[JonB55198]

Nice pen! Seems like trading up has been working so far. If anyone can do it with a paperclip, you ought to do well with pens, and seeing how crazy we're about them, the force is on your side hehe.

 

i'm hoping to succeed in my journey. right now i'm having a little delay in trading this one to a new owner... i have to figure out some way of injecting some life back into this topic.

[georges zaslavsky]

nice pen thanks for the review

[JonB55198]

nice pen thanks for the review

 

No problem! I enjoy doing it. Did you check out the original post?

[MarkAL]

Very nice review! I agree with you: this is a really nice pen, although it's overpriced in my opinion. I have the "Patriot Red" version, and it looks terrific. I always get nice comments when I use the pen at work. The nib is a little problematic sometimes, and it's finicky with certain inks. When it writes well, it's really good. Other times, it's less than stellar and can be pretty scratchy.

I picked mine up on sale at Colorado Pens a while back for $46, and I'm happy with that price. I wouldn't pay $90 - 100 though.

 

What size nib do you have?

 

I have a F nib. Like I said, with some inks it's wonderful, with others, not so much.