Eversharp Doric

[penburg]

1. First Impressions - (4/5) I saw this vintage pen among others at an estate tag sale and thought it was attractive with its faceted sides, but I couldn't initially find a name on it and so put it back. Also I did not understand the nib adjustment piece on top of the nib. My 8-year-old daughter is the one who brought it back to my attention because it was a nice-looking pen and I owed her a fountain pen. Took another look with the loupe and finally found the Eversharp engraving, vertically written on the cap. So we bought it and brought it home. (Yes, for her...it really is her pen; but Daddy helps take care of it.)

 

2. Appearance & Finish - (5/5) It has a nice shine, and the light reflects off the facets in a very attractive way. The color is a mottled black and gray, and I believe it's called Burma. (See Richard Binder's article in the pen model profiles: http://www.richardspens.com/)

 

3. Design/ Size/Weight- (4/5) The pen is light-weight; and the body is made of hard, glossy plastic, with 12 facets. Peaked top and bottom. One article I read cautioned that the body might be brittle. It's on the small size: 5 1/8" capped; 4 1/2" uncapped; and 6" posted. About the same size as a Sheaffer Admiral or Esterbrook J. It has a much better balance for writing when posted, being a full 6 inches.

 

4. Nib Design & Performance- (5/5) The nib is (14K?) gold and has a steel slide on the top. When the slide is pulled back the nib is very flexy. As you slide the steel adjustment forward by notches it gives increasing rigidity to the nib. So the nib can go from very flexy to very rigid and a number of positions in between. (I'll post a sample of writing below.) The nib is a wet fine and writes very smoothly. This nib, with its unique adjustment, is really what makes the Doric so special.

 

5. The Filling System- (4/5) It's a lever-fill. I cleaned out and replaced the sac, using a size 15 or 16. So it should hold about as much ink as an Estie, maybe a little less. Had an interesting tension bar inside (not a J-bar) which took me awhile to figure out.

 

6. Cost/Value- (5/5) At $10, and the cost of a sac, I couldn't be more pleased.

 

7. Overall Opinion/Conclusion- (5/5) It is really a pleasure to write with this pen and one almost can't stop doodling, especially in flexy mode. What's special is that my daughter and I found this vintage pen together and I think she will treasure it for many years to come. I will be on the prowl for other Dorics, and would especially like to find one of the larger sizes.

 

http://www.picturebay.net/img/members/penburg/Doric09.jpg

 

http://www.picturebay.net/img/members/penburg/Doric08.jpg

 

http://www.picturebay.net/img/members/penburg/Doric10.jpg

 

http://www.picturebay.net/img/members/penburg/Doric_scan.JPG

 

 

 

 

[Readymade]

Congrats! That's a really lucky find

[gyasko]

$10?

 

You lucky dog. I have one just like this, but i paid more than 10x what you did.

 

This is why i keep going to estate sales and the like. One of these days, i'll grab something really good instead of the cheapo Sheaffers, Parker 45s & 21s, and Esterbrooks.

 

[LedZepGirl]

Wow, what a great find! I still haven't found any pens at estate sales. Finding a Doric for that price is something else. The cheapest one I ever seen was one of the plunger fill models and I didn't even go back for a second look because I detest that filling mechanism.

[FrankB]

This pen is a really great find. And in the wild yet! This is a lovely first pen for your little girl.

 

This is a great way to spoil your daughter. At age eight, my dad gave me a Parker "51" that he was not using. Even though I used cheap pens at school, I had a "good" pen at home, and I quickly developed a feel for the difference in pen quality. I hope the same for your little girl.

[lalindsay225]

Wow, that's a real find! I hope your daughter enjoys it.

 

I have been bidding on Dorics on eBay, only to be outbid at the last second. And the prices were much higher than $10!

 

Lisa

[goodguy]

Great find and a great pen.

Maybe one day I will get me one of those but the oversize (very expensive).

[Dinsdale]

1. First Impressions - (4/5) I saw this vintage pen among others at an estate tag sale and thought it was attractive with its faceted sides, but I couldn't initially find a name on it and so put it back. Also I did not understand the nib adjustment piece on top of the nib. My 8-year-old daughter is the one who brought it back to my attention because it was a nice-looking pen and I owed her a fountain pen. Took another look with the loupe and finally found the Eversharp engraving, vertically written on the cap. So we bought it and brought it home. (Yes, for her...it really is her pen; but Daddy helps take care of it.)

 

2. Appearance & Finish - (5/5) It has a nice shine, and the light reflects off the facets in a very attractive way. The color is a mottled black and gray, and I believe it's called Burma. (See Richard Binder's article in the pen model profiles: http://www.richardspens.com/)

 

3. Design/ Size/Weight- (4/5) The pen is light-weight; and the body is made of hard, glossy plastic, with 12 facets. Peaked top and bottom. One article I read cautioned that the body might be brittle. It's on the small size: 5 1/8" capped; 4 1/2" uncapped; and 6" posted. About the same size as a Sheaffer Admiral or Esterbrook J. It has a much better balance for writing when posted, being a full 6 inches.

 

4. Nib Design & Performance- (5/5) The nib is (14K?) gold and has a steel slide on the top. When the slide is pulled back the nib is very flexy. As you slide the steel adjustment forward by notches it gives increasing rigidity to the nib. So the nib can go from very flexy to very rigid and a number of positions in between. (I'll post a sample of writing below.) The nib is a wet fine and writes very smoothly. This nib, with its unique adjustment, is really what makes the Doric so special.

 

5. The Filling System- (4/5) It's a lever-fill. I cleaned out and replaced the sac, using a size 15 or 16. So it should hold about as much ink as an Estie, maybe a little less. Had an interesting tension bar inside (not a J-bar) which took me awhile to figure out.

 

6. Cost/Value- (5/5) At $10, and the cost of a sac, I couldn't be more pleased.

 

7. Overall Opinion/Conclusion- (5/5) It is really a pleasure to write with this pen and one almost can't stop doodling, especially in flexy mode. What's special is that my daughter and I found this vintage pen together and I think she will treasure it for many years to come. I will be on the prowl for other Dorics, and would especially like to find one of the larger sizes.

 

http://www.picturebay.net/img/members/penburg/Doric09.jpg

 

http://www.picturebay.net/img/members/penburg/Doric08.jpg

 

http://www.picturebay.net/img/members/penburg/Doric10.jpg

 

http://www.picturebay.net/img/members/penburg/Doric_scan.JPG

 

[Dinsdale]

I also love the Doric. I have one of the early models with the roller ball on the clip. It is the Kashmir colour and it is one of my favorite pens. Indeed one of my most treasured. I once saw one for sale in a Pen Shop in London for £1400 so you got a fantastic bargain. I am constantly looking for another to add to my collection. I am sure your daughter will enjoy it.

[Martius]

What glorious pens these are. The OS models with the gold seal and large adjustable nibs are upwards of $400-$500, so you got a great deal. I like that your daughter knew to pick it out. Looks like her father has instilled good taste in fountain pens in her.