Yard-O-Led Viceroy Grand Lined

[Chi Town]

Hello, I just picked up this Fountain Pen from a friend this week, never intending to, just one of those deals between us ,that panned out. And frankly, I don't know who is happier with this deal. David for selling it to me or me for buying it from David? I truely think that is what true friendships are like, where the friends are more concerned with each other vs. the objects they are selling or buying.

 

Back to the Pen; I for the Longest time had been wanting a Yard-O-Led Fountain Pen, but did not think I could afford one so I admired them from afar, with out ever telling anyone of my thoughts. Here is the Fountain Pen that I am talking about;

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff451/ChiTown51/YOLandPortofinoFountainPens003.jpg

 

Yard-O-Leds are an unusual pen is that they go thru a rigerous testing procedure as noted here; http://www.theassayoffice.co.uk/date_letters.html

 

To obtain this mark each pencil / Pen has to be tested by the Assay Office to make sure the silver is up to British Standard (.925). The finishes are are hand chased by master craftsman. From sheet silver thru eight different processes, the craftsman creates the unique clip which is individually numbered. Each Victorian pen is hand hammered at least two thousand times to create it's distinctive pattern. The Viceroy Grand is large in size, abundandt in weight, and strong in character. The pen has an 18kt solid gold nib.

 

Appearance & Design (10-10) - This pen has a subliminal design, reminiscent of a Victorian era as I mentioned above. It is made of Sterling Silver, and the most unusual design charastic about it is the Clip. http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff451/ChiTown51/YOLandPortofinoFountainPens002.jpg

 

Construction & Quality (10-10) - http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff451/ChiTown51/YOLandPortofinoFountainPens001.jpg

This is one SOLID Fountain Pen! When you hold it in your hand it exudes strength. I would not worry for one second, if I dropped this particular pen. By that I mean I would not worry that it would break. I may worry that it would dent, but that would be a personnal issue I think.

 

Weight & Dimensions (10-10) - This is a LARGE Fountain Pen, but not as large as a Danitrio Genkai, or Mikado. But in it's own class, it's LARGE. The cap can post, but I would NOT recommend that given that this is a Sterling Silver Fountain Pen. It is very well balanced with out the pen being posted. Now for the size of this pen; The pen is full of ink, so right now it is a little heavier than what it should be, but right now it weigh's in at 67.9g. The Length is 147.2mm Capped. 136.9mm Un-Capped. The circumfrence of the barrel is 13.3mm and the cap is 13.1mm. http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff451/ChiTown51/PensforSizeComparrison001.jpg

In the picture with the Yard-O-Led is a Green Lamy, A Visconti Portifino, and a Nakaya Decopod Cigar.

 

Nib & Performance (10-10) -As I stated above, the nib size is 18kt Solid Gold Nib, B Stub, by Mike Masuyama. This is one sweet writing Fountain Pen! http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff451/ChiTown51/YOL1.jpg

You have to be careful writing with this pen as it lays down a nice wet line, which will fool you based on how the pens looks when you first look at the pen. You expect the pen to write heavy and hard. But it writes so smooth! I do not know if this nib can be easily removed and replaced with another one of similar size? http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff451/ChiTown51/YOLandPortofinoFountainPens006.jpg

 

Filling System & Maintenance (10-10) - This pen utilizes a Cartridge / Converter filling system. This system fills very easily and there is no mess at all that I have found. As far as cleaning the pen, that is very simple as well. Again, as I stated aboveI do not know how easily the nib comes out? http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff451/ChiTown51/YOLandPortofinoFountainPens007.jpg

 

Cost & Value (10-10) - As I stated earlier I purchased this pen from a very dear friend, so I do not believe I will be indicating how much I paid for this pen. http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff451/ChiTown51/YOLandPortofinoFountainPens004.jpg

 

Conclusion (Final Score, 60-60) - My overall feelings on this piece? I am really stuck in a few ways. The first is that I don't know if I want this to go into my Collection side of my Pen chest as it is such a meaningful pen to me. Based on whom I bought it from and the fact that I have wanted one for so long. I dunno?? Then there is the fact that this darn pen writes so nice! How do I put a pen away into the collection portion of my chest, when one writes as nice as this one does. I'm in a real quandry here. No, I don't need any help with this decision, I'll figure it out all by my little self, LOL. But would I buy one again, absouloutly!! With out a doubt. I hope you liked my review, it started out a little slow, I think, But then I picked it up at the end. http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff451/ChiTown51/YOLandPortofinoFountainPens003.jpg

Edited May 20, 2012 by Chi Town

[hari317]

Thanks for reviewing the lined Grand. I think you made a good purchase.

 

Best

Hari

[Fountainpenlover]

Hi Mike! Have an identical Grand lined and I have enjoyed reading your review. A nice heavy quality fountain pen and an heirloom. Enjoy!

[georges zaslavsky]

nice pen and nice review thanks for sharing

Edited May 20, 2012 by georges zaslavsky

[carlc]

Lovely pen.

 

You mentioned a nib swap - really?

 

If you do then YoL stand by their lifetime guarantee and will swap the nib for a small fee (even if you're not the original owner).

[breaker]

nice review and pics!

thanks!

[Ghost Plane]

Definitely a daily user. Don't worry about the nibs, just rinse and enjoy. These are the least finicky pens out there. I use mine for ink testers since they play well no matter what you feed them. A quick rub with a hanky or polishing cloth and they're good to go. I have 3 now - lined, barley and Victorian - all perfectly behaved.

[jar]

Welcome to the Yard-O-Led family. No need to decide on user versus collector, it can be a daily user reminding you of the person that it came from and then sit in a place of pride in your collection when not in use. They sure are a joy to write with though, aren't they?

[terminal]

I'd love to see a better scan of the handwriting, I just cannot make it out now

[dcpritch]

Use that puppy!

 

Nice review of a great pen. Your YOL is a pen that will outlast everyone reading this thread if it is given only very minimal maintenance, and is a pen that does better with more use. The sterling silver warms up quickly in the hand and the silver section does not become slippery with finger oils - hard to understand that until you use one, but it's true. Have fun using your new treasure!

[Uncle Red]

Lovely pen, congrats.

[ArchiMark]

Great review of an excellent pen that I had once.......

 

So, as dcpritch said "Use it!"

 

[dcpritch]

Great review of an excellent pen that I had once.......

 

So, as dcpritch said "Use it!"

 

 

Yep, ArchiMark knows all about this pen, he's the one that had the nib work done and he knows what a sweet writer it is. Use that pen with joy.