Bexley Submariner Grande

[chuckrs]

As a newcomer to this forum, I understand that reviews of new pens one purchases is a useful thing for others. So here is a review of my new pen from someone who is a rookie in the fountain pen world.

 

The Bexley arrived cocooned in a luxurious blue/black box that opened like a necklace case. Safely ensconced in the case was a blue (with silver trim) Submariner Grande that looked exactly like its picture on the web. I picked it up and felt a substantial pen with a curious lightness to the heft (sounds a bit like an oxymoron, I know). I unscrewed the cap to find myself gazing at a gorgeous two tone nib that looked outsized compared to a Mont Blanc I was given years ago (it is the smallest of the line). I immediately replaced the converter and put a cartridge in, gave it a squeeze and prepared to write.

 

The ink flowed generously and the pen glided across the paper. It made a slight scratching sound, as if it were a feather pen and that delighted me as I imagined myself in the 18th century dipping my feather pen into a ink pot. (When I used it on a different type of paper, it glided soundlessly). At first I kept the cap posted and loved the way it sat in the crook between my thumb and forefinger. I then tried writing without the post and lo and behold, a whole new feeling awaited by hand. Haven't decided which I like better and fortunately, I don't have to!

 

The pen feels light and at the same time substantial, perhaps due to the 1/2" barrel. It works flawlessly at whatever angle I choose to write though the medium nib does not allow for any substantial change in the thickness of the line. There is a feel of quality to everything about the pen. This is not an inexpensive pen but neither is it in the four digit range. For $200 I have a hard time imagining a better feel for 10 times the cost; but then again, I am a rookie, so who knows the delights that await me.

[AndyHayes]

Interesting review chuckrs. Thank you. I have had an interest in Bexleys sparked in me by a "fellow" FPNr.

 

Will you be posting pictures?

[greencobra]

Too many pens, so little time. But I'm gonna try and get to all of them! One could do a hell of a lot worse than buying a Bexley.

[chuckrs]

I hadn't planned on posting a picture because the pen can be seen at any of the pen selling sites. But if you think I ought to, I can try to upload some.

[handlebar]

Thanks for the review.I will have to add a Bexley to my collection someday.

 

 

Jim

[CharlieB]

The Submariner Grande is one of the finest pens ever produced by Bexley. I have a black one and a white one, both with gold trim. I had been planning to buy one of the LE versions, but they sold out within months of release. The one they did for Richard Binder was particularly attractive. I wish Bexley would continue to produce the Submariner Grande in a variety of new and different colors, but they appear to have ceased production altogether.

[Shangas]

A very colourful and well-written and...dare I say it...poetic...review, Chuckers. By the way, a feather-pen is called a QUILL.

[Johnson]

Ack, I've got to pick myself up one of these. I'm having a hardest time deciding on a proper color though. I do like the blue with silver trim, but the butterscotch with gold trim also looks very nice.

 

Actually a black with gold trim would probably look great as well, but I'm not sure if this is a standard production model or not. Anyone know?

[RyanL27]

Ack, I've got to pick myself up one of these. I'm having a hardest time deciding on a proper color though. I do like the blue with silver trim, but the butterscotch with gold trim also looks very nice.

 

Actually a black with gold trim would probably look great as well, but I'm not sure if this is a standard production model or not. Anyone know?

 

 

Swisher has the blue/silver one on sale.

[Johnson]

Ack, I've got to pick myself up one of these. I'm having a hardest time deciding on a proper color though. I do like the blue with silver trim, but the butterscotch with gold trim also looks very nice.

 

Actually a black with gold trim would probably look great as well, but I'm not sure if this is a standard production model or not. Anyone know?

 

 

Swisher has the blue/silver one on sale.

 

Really? On the Swisher site, I see all four colors at $194.35. Is the for sale blue in another section of the web site?

[Johnson]

Ack, I've got to pick myself up one of these. I'm having a hardest time deciding on a proper color though. I do like the blue with silver trim, but the butterscotch with gold trim also looks very nice.

 

Actually a black with gold trim would probably look great as well, but I'm not sure if this is a standard production model or not. Anyone know?

 

 

Swisher has the blue/silver one on sale.

 

Really? On the Swisher site, I see all four colors at $194.35. Is the for sale blue in another section of the web site?

 

Oh, well I see that the MSRP is $299, so really all of them are on sale.

 

[chuckrs]

A quill, of course. I knew that but at 60 years young one's ability to bring up words at a moment's notice is hindered by too many dead brain cells. My wife teases me that I can remember lines for any play I am in but cannot bring a word to the fore when required.

[yumbo]

Dumb question: How do you pronounce Submariner Grande?

 

sub-MARE-iner? Sub-ma-REE-ner?

 

grand? grahnd? grahn-deh?

 

Just wanna know.

 

Cheers

 

Yumbo

 

 

[Shangas]

I would say: SubMARiner GRAND.

[ikondave]

I have a Submariner in Yellow. It is the best value pen that I own. Its nib has performed flawlessly. I liked that pen so much that I bought a Poseidon. Another outstanding purchase. Great company.