Four Mini Reviews In One…

[mhphoto]

Okay, these are a few pens that I didn't think warranted a full review for each, so I'm going to lump them all into one. I'll be covering the Parker Sonnet, Cross Century, Monteverde Jewelria, and Fisher Bullet Pen.

 

—————————————————————

 

The Parker Sonnet (on the bottom):

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/5f816947.jpg

 

This was my first big-boy fountain pen. I had been lusting over it purely based on its looks, and ended up getting a shiny black and gold model for Christmas. I opened it and inserted the included cartridge. To my great disappointment the ink just wouldn't come out. I squeezed and shook and squeezed some more, but it was all for naught. And when I did get the ink to come out that beautiful nib, the flow was anemic and skippy. I sighed, dumped the cartridge, cleaned it, and put it away in a drawer where is stayed for several years.

 

To understand my extreme disappointment you have to go back a few years. One day while in Staples I was looking through the pen section and stumbled upon a little disposable fountain pen called the Pilot Varsity. I'd never before written with a fountain pen, and was very curious. So I got it and immediately fell in love. I'd been using a generic ballpoint to take notes in college, but the Varsity… So smooth and easy to write with. So I began the search for a higher quality "for keeps" pen.

 

Enter, the Parker Sonnet.

 

I scoured the vast series of tubes we know as the internet and came across this pen, of which I based my love purely on looks. It was handsome, sleek, simple, and, I assumed, a smooth writer.

 

So when my Dad asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told him a Parker Sonnet fountain pen. His eyes lit up—he's always been the type of person to buy a pen as a gift for a special occasion, though I'd always asked for something else.

 

When I got back into fountain pens (and especially after I figured out how to draw the ink down from a fresh cartridge when the pen is dry) I got the Sonnet out of its drawer and inked it up again. It wrote smooth, but still required pressure to get a consistent line. The PIlot Varsity that brought me into the fountain pen world still wrote better than my $100 Sonnet. So, I decided that it just needed some breaking in. It stayed inked and was written with for a few years.

 

Cut to today: I believe I have a stinker for a Sonnet.

 

The pen itself is gorgeous—stunning even, in the right light. The polished black resin body is light in weight and has almost no nicks or scratches after a year of light duty. Its nib is still a vibrant gold, as is its trim.

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/21f5437f.jpg

 

I have no documentation to prove it, but I'm almost certain that the nib is of a medium width. And based on how soft and flexible it is (not in the "flex pen" sense) I would guess it's solid gold, but based on my limited research I think it must be only plated.

 

But as beautiful as this pen is, it still rights like junk. I suppose a trip to a nibmeister would do the trick, but I haven't the money nor the drive to undertake that task. Perhaps some day, if indeed it is a solid gold nib, I'll have it converted to a full-on flex pen. Until then, STINKER.

 

A proper fountain pen is to write a solid line under its own weight, we all know that. Well no one ever told my Sonnet that. To get a solid line (and consequently a thick line) you have to apply ballpoint pressure to your strokes. And with my pen there is always skipping on the first stroke of any new character. Shading is prominent with every ink I've put in it (except black), but I think that's mainly due to the amount of ink that gets put down as a result of having to use extra force to get the nib to write properly. I apologize about not having any writing samples; I recently re-retired it to be a "lookin'-at pen".

 

I know that if every Parker Sonnet sold was even as half as bad at doing its job as my pen is they wouldn't have as big of a following as they do, so I must've gotten a lemon. But I have to speak the truth in my reviews, and the truth is I can't believe my Sonnet left the factory in that condition.

 

—————————————————————

 

Cross Century

 

Now that Cross has moved production of the Century to China, the general consensus is that quality has most definitely suffered. To be fair, I haven't handled a Chinese Century before (though my opinion of the Chinese-made Cross refills is most definitely negative). My Century is an American. I acquired this pen by accident (found it on the ground in an alleyway—strange, I know). The original black medium refill writes, but has been replaced by the FAR superior fine tip Fisher Cross-type blue refill. If you have a Cross pen that takes the Century refill I highly recommend the (fine tip) Fisher replacements.

 

Left to right: Embassy Pen Cu, Cross Century, Mighty Pen Co. .30-06/.308 in brass and nickel.

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/fd8a5bb2.jpg

 

This is one of the most common pens on the market and most everyone knows its highs and lows, so I'll just give my opinion.

 

The Cross Century is too thin for me, the refill is too skippy for me, the action is loose (though I'm almost certain that this is the fault of the previous owner torquing it too much). But writing with the Century is smooth and easy, despite its size. I think the Fisher refill is to thank for this, at least partially.

 

Here's a scan of various non-fountain pen examples:

 

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh494/gunsandlights/RefillSmall.png

 

And here are the standard Cross and Fisher Cross-style refills:

 

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh494/gunsandlights/CrossRefills.jpg

 

And a close up:

 

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh494/gunsandlights/CrossRefillsCloseup.jpg

 

Overall I'd recommend this pen, but only if you can get ahold of an American-made example. It's thin and lightweight, so you won't notice it in your pocket, takes plenty of turning to get it into writing position, and despite my gripes about how thin it is and the poor quality stock refill, I do enjoy writing with it.

 

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Monteverde Jewelria (Brown)

 

To be completely honest, I don't have a high opinion of Monteverde at all. But to be completely fair, I base that opinion off of one pen given to me as a gift. It's scratchy to the point that it tears into the paper, small parts of its chromed parts have also rusted, and it dries out like a madman. Now, keep in mind that the pen is six years old, but has been kept clean, in its box, and somewhere with no amount of humidity. I know the scratchy nib was probably just a rare QC fluke, but the rusting metal really puts off the brand in my mind.

 

But it is a handsome pen.

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/a4da3969.jpg

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/cb00776b.jpg

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/ce7e6af3.jpg

 

Note the rust:

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/336c2c17.jpg

 

The pen posts by screwing it to the back.

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/89e287e5.jpg

 

The pen is fairly weighty, and is, as I said, quite handsome. The resin is shiny and the cap fits securely. The steel nib is very rigid, and is what seems to be a fine tip (although that could be because the flow is bad). I wish the pen worked, because it would certainly be in my rotation, but given the rust, flow issues, drying issues, and scratchiness of the nib, I'm afraid it won't be any time soon. I might try another Monteverde later on. They have some really cool looking pens.

 

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Fisher Bullet Pen, Lacquered Brass

 

I LOVE this pen. Anyone who's followed my past reviews knows how much I LOVE copper and its alloys.

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/6fe153ab.jpg

 

The Fisher Bullet Pen has been a favorite of pen lovers for years, and its variants are many. But the only one that has ever caught my eye is the lacquered brass model. Really, all the Bullet Pens are made of brass, but all the others are coated. One of the reasons I love copper and its alloys is because they are germicides and fungicides. Another reason I love them is because of their fresh color, and the beautiful patinas that develop.

 

Unfortunately for me, this pen is covered in a hard lacquer. So there is no germicidal qualities, and there will be no patina. But, fortunately for everyone else, it'll stay shiny.

 

The pen weighs a mere 19 grams including refill. It's 5.25 inches long when posted, and an astounding 3.75 inches long when capped.

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/36ab0b4c.jpg

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/d3d73717.jpg

 

Here's the pen compared to a Titanium Embassy Pen:

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/6c3a31c7.jpg

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/1b32bc50.jpg

 

It comes in a cool little display box that mimics the surface of the moon. The display box itself comes in a nice cardboard box.

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/a9571d50.jpg

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/1e4511a6.jpg

 

It comes supplied with a black medium point Fisher refill, which was promptly replaced by me when I got it.

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/0f406e06.jpg

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/91d210fd.jpg

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/5d468022.jpg

 

The pen disassembles easily.

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/7698b1fc.jpg

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/87cc7da7.jpg

 

The pen slips into a pocket and is almost so tiny it gets lost. I've done a lot of ripping on the recently released FourSevens Titanium Tactical Pen. They tout is as being the smallest titanium pen that takes Fisher refills. Still don't think it is, and the Bullet Pen is MUCH smaller comparatively, and also more all-around usable. The FourSevens pen doesn't post, this pen does, giving your hand plenty of purchase while writing. If you don't have a problem with writing with a short pen, the Bullet Pen is shorter. The o-ring keeps the cap snug, but I assume it will wear out eventually and need replacing. No biggy. Eventually I see myself stripping the lacquer off so the brass can be exposed and get a wonderful patina.

 

Here are some various Fisher refills from the scan above:

 

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh494/gunsandlights/FisherRefills.jpg

 

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh494/gunsandlights/FisherRefillsCloseup.jpg

 

I highly recommend this pen for anyone needing a tiny alternative for when you have to do some serious dressing down.

 

—————————————————————

 

Hope you all enjoyed the mini reviews!

Edited March 1, 2012 by mhphoto

[rwiker]

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/21f5437f.jpg

 

I have no documentation to prove it, but I'm almost certain that the nib is of a medium width. And based on how soft and flexible it is (not in the "flex pen" sense) I would guess it's solid gold, but based on my limited research I think it must be only plated.

 

But as beautiful as this pen is, it still rights like junk. I suppose a trip to a nibmeister would do the trick, but I haven't the money nor the drive to undertake that task. Perhaps some day, if indeed it is a solid gold nib, I'll have it converted to a full-on flex pen. Until then, STINKER.

 

A proper fountain pen is to write a solid line under its own weight, we all know that. Well no one ever told my Sonnet that. To get a solid line (and consequently a thick line) you have to apply ballpoint pressure to your strokes. And with my pen there is always skipping on the first stroke of any new character. Shading is prominent with every ink I've put in it (except black), but I think that's mainly due to the amount of ink that gets put down as a result of having to use extra force to get the nib to write properly. I apologize about not having any writing samples; I recently re-retired it to be a "lookin'-at pen".

 

 

The nib is probable 18K gold (a guess based on the "750" near the section). The problems with the nib may be what the experts here call "baby bottom" :-)

[mhphoto]

The nib is probable 18K gold (a guess based on the "750" near the section). The problems with the nib may be what the experts here call "baby bottom" :-)

 

Thanks for the reply! So the nib could really be solid? That's good to know. Easier for a nibmeister I suppose.

Edited March 1, 2012 by mhphoto

[mana]

Those 18k Sonnets are great when they work but can be a bit finicky to break in (I know because I have a few). The nib is solid gold (aside from the tip). You can check the nib width under the feed, there should be a mark there denoting it (a small M most likely).

 

First step to get it running is to clean the system of possible manufacturing residue like oils etc. You mentioned that you have already cleaned it but I will just mention it because it is important. Just unscrew the nib & feed (it comes of the section by gently twisting it counter-clockwise) and soak it and the section in ordinary water & dishwashing liquid solution, rinse thoroughly and dry.

 

Second step is using a twist converter instead of cartridges (if you get one it needs to be cleaned too even more throughly). This should help already.

 

Alongside of steps one and two the third step is to try an ink that is more wet/free flowing. I use Montblanc BlueBlack, as an iron gall ink it is supposed to be a bit on the dry side but it works wonderfully for me.

 

The fourth step could be to send it to a nibmeister or - if you are not of the faint of heart - modify the pen yourself a bit.

 

First possible target is the feed. Modifying it involves unscrewing the nib & feed, gently prying the nib away from the feed and running a razor blade along the narrow channel that runs along the feed and is used to lead the ink to the nib from the cartridge or converter. Take care to not over-do it.

 

If this does not help then there is the option of bending the nib gently to increase the flow. Here is some good advise on how to do it > http://www.nibs.com/Article6.html > 5. Wet nibs write smoothly.

 

I did the previously mentioned tweaks myself to my 18k nib Sonnet and am happy with the end result, it is one of my favourite writers and I just love the looks (shiny black laquer with gold trims).

 

Sonnets do have a few real flaws that are kind of designed/built in. First is the trim ring in the section, it corrodes easily and should be always kept clean.

 

Second is the cap, namely the ventilation holes in it. The real reason why they are incorporated in the design is anyones guess, some suggest that it is to prevent the blocking of airways if a child accidentally swallows the cap... others disagree. I think some pen repair professional mentioned that it is a manufacturing/component flaw as in the inner cap being cracked due to faulty installation procedure - or something. Can't recall but yeah, if the cap lets air through when you blow in it you need to do something about it because it leads to making the pen a hard starter (as it dries capped).

 

One solution to that is to block the ducts using molten stearine/wax from a candle. Works for me to a satisfying degree.

 

Anyway, finicky they may be but when they work they are a treat. Hope you get yours fixed soon.

Edited March 1, 2012 by mana

[mhphoto]

Those 18k Sonnets are great when they work but can be a bit finicky to break in (I know because I have a few). The nib is solid gold (aside from the tip). You can check the nib width under the feed, there should be a mark there denoting it (a small M most likely).

 

First step to get it running is to clean the system of possible manufacturing residue like oils etc. You mentioned that you have already cleaned it but I will just mention it because it is important. Just unscrew the nib & feed (it comes of the section by gently twisting it counter-clockwise) and soak it and the section in ordinary water & dishwashing liquid solution, rinse thoroughly and dry.

 

Second step is using a twist converter instead of cartridges (if you get one it needs to be cleaned too even more throughly). This should help already.

 

Alongside of steps one and two the third step is to try an ink that is more wet/free flowing. I use Montblanc BlueBlack, as an iron gall ink it is supposed to be a bit on the dry side but it works wonderfully for me.

 

The fourth step could be to send it to a nibmeister or - if you are not of the faint of heart - modify the pen yourself a bit.

 

First possible target is the feed. Modifying it involves unscrewing the nib & feed, gently prying the nib away from the feed and running a razor blade along the narrow channel that runs along the feed and is used to lead the ink to the nib from the cartridge or converter. Take care to not over-do it.

 

If this does not help then there is the option of bending the nib gently to increase the flow. Here is some good advise on how to do it > http://www.nibs.com/Article6.html > 5. Wet nibs write smoothly.

 

I did the previously mentioned tweaks myself to my 18k nib Sonnet and am happy with the end result, it is one of my favourite writers and I just love the looks (shiny black laquer with gold trims).

 

Sonnets do have a few real flaws that are kind of designed/built in. First is the trim ring in the section, it corrodes easily and should be always kept clean.

 

Second is the cap, namely the ventilation holes in it. The real reason why they are incorporated in the design is anyones guess, some suggest that it is to prevent the blocking of airways if a child accidentally swallows the cap... others disagree. I think some pen repair professional mentioned that it is a manufacturing/component flaw as in the inner cap being cracked due to faulty installation procedure - or something. Can't recall but yeah, if the cap lets air through when you blow in it you need to do something about it because it leads to making the pen a hard starter (as it dries capped).

 

One solution to that is to block the ducts using molten stearine/wax from a candle. Works for me to a satisfying degree.

 

Anyway, finicky they may be but when they work they are a treat. Hope you get yours fixed soon.

 

Thanks, Mana! I appreciate the write up! Like you mentioned, I've cleaned it thoroughly many times, but I will try taking the feed and nib out and seeing if there's any gunk accumulated. I'm also going to get the super-macro setup out tonight to see if I have a "baby bottom" nib. Thanks again!

[mhphoto]

274 Day Update!

 

My two main gripes in the reviews, namely both the Sonnet and the Jewelria not working, have been alleviated. Both pens suffered from, wait for it… tines that were too close together. They were both just extremely dry writers.

 

The Jewelria fix was fairly easy. In addition to tight (and misaligned) tines, its breather hole was also misaligned with the air channel on the feed. I took it apart, cleaned everything, and put it back together, making sure everything was in the right place. Then I gently spread the tines, and finished by aligning them with each other. Now it's one of my most reliable starters. I do still take issue with the fact that it has rust on it despite being dry and boxed for most of its life, but now that it works I don't even notice. It's become a desktop workhorse.

 

And the Sonnet was just fixed today. Nothing was misaligned on it, but the tines were too tight, creating a no-flow situation. But because the nib is affixed to the feed (and I didn't feel like experimenting with any gold bending), I had a much harder time. The tines were too flexible to spread by using a hard surface, so I took the nib/feed unit out of the body, and using a 35mm film frame put in between the nib to create a small gap, was able to finagle the tines to spread (ask my thumbs how much fun they had with that ). But I got them spread and writing again!

 

So I'm not very happy with my two previously-clunkered pens!

 

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q712/FiveCatKnittery/assdfffdddddsadfasdf.jpg

[Sherwood Forester]

Cross Century

 

I acquired this pen by accident (found it on the ground in an alleyway—strange, I know).

 

Strange indeed ... and what a coincidence. My own Century was found by my wife who saw it on top of a wall in the street as she was passing by. Do you think a higher being or supernatural force is in the habit of distributing examples of this classic pen by placing them where the sharp-eyed will notice them?

 

Although having a dent or two and a slightly loose clip, obviously as a result of some earlier rough treatment, my Century (made in Ireland) is a superbly smooth and reliable writer. Despite being slimmer than I would prefer for a pen, it feels very comfortable in my hand. It's performance embarrasses some of my expensive "special" pens because it matches or even exceeds theirs. And all for a bargain price!

 

PS : Thanks for your very enjoyable multi-review.

[rminj]

O

Fisher Bullet Pen, Lacquered Brass

 

I LOVE this pen. Anyone who's followed my past reviews knows how much I LOVE copper and its alloys.

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/6fe153ab.jpg

 

The Fisher Bullet Pen has been a favorite of pen lovers for years, and its variants are many. But the only one that has ever caught my eye is the lacquered brass model. Really, all the Bullet Pens are made of brass, but all the others are coated. One of the reasons I love copper and its alloys is because they are germicides and fungicides. Another reason I love them is because of their fresh color, and the beautiful patinas that develop.

 

Unfortunately for me, this pen is covered in a hard lacquer. So there is no germicidal qualities, and there will be no patina. But, fortunately for everyone else, it'll stay shiny.

 

The pen weighs a mere 19 grams including refill. It's 5.25 inches long when posted, and an astounding 3.75 inches long when capped.

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/36ab0b4c.jpg

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/d3d73717.jpg

 

Here's the pen compared to a Titanium Embassy Pen:

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/6c3a31c7.jpg

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/1b32bc50.jpg

 

It comes in a cool little display box that mimics the surface of the moon. The display box itself comes in a nice cardboard box.

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/a9571d50.jpg

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/1e4511a6.jpg

 

It comes supplied with a black medium point Fisher refill, which was promptly replaced by me when I got it.

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/0f406e06.jpg

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/91d210fd.jpg

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/5d468022.jpg

 

The pen disassembles easily.

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/7698b1fc.jpg

 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/Lights/87cc7da7.jpg

 

The pen slips into a pocket and is almost so tiny it gets lost. I've done a lot of ripping on the recently released FourSevens Titanium Tactical Pen. They tout is as being the smallest titanium pen that takes Fisher refills. Still don't think it is, and the Bullet Pen is MUCH smaller comparatively, and also more all-around usable. The FourSevens pen doesn't post, this pen does, giving your hand plenty of purchase while writing. If you don't have a problem with writing with a short pen, the Bullet Pen is shorter. The o-ring keeps the cap snug, but I assume it will wear out eventually and need replacing. No biggy. Eventually I see myself stripping the lacquer off so the brass can be exposed and get a wonderful patina.

 

Here are some various Fisher refills from the scan above:

 

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh494/gunsandlights/FisherRefills.jpg

 

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh494/gunsandlights/FisherRefillsCloseup.jpg

 

I highly recommend this pen for anyone needing a tiny alternative for when you have to do some serious dressing down.

 

—————————————————————

Hope you all enjoyed the mini reviews!

 

 

Nice review... The Fisher refills write on many paper types and surfaces. I like their blue which is a dark Manhattan blue. Unfortunately when I look at the writing from this ballpoint later it has gaps and

and fading in the writing/letters...more so than many ballpoints I've written with. The Fisher refills seem to have some drap to them compared to other ballpoints. Still they put more ink on the paper than the Cross refills. They are also quite durable.