I picked up a nice 58 at the Chicago Pen Show. It is a green candy striped pen. Looks absolutely mint on the outside. However, when I got it home I discovered that the pressure bar was broken. This is my first Conway-Stewart but I've got tons of other things. Question is - can I put a standard issure pressure bar in this pen or do I need something special? Any thoughts?

Ray

Are you sure the pressure bar is broken? Conway Stewart 58s don't have the usual J-bar design, but a straight 'floating' design with a pair of rails that attach to the lever. It's fairly easy to reconnect this by grabbing the bar with tweezers and sliding it onto the two small wings on the lever. It helps to look through the lever slot as you do this.

If this isn't the case, then a J-bar will be a perfectly adequate substitute.

HTH
Richard

Richard,

Thanks a bunch. I pulled the section on the pen when I got home to check on the condition of the sac. The good news is that the sac was new but the bad news was that the pressure bar fell out with the sac. I've never seen a straight one before. Unfortunately the old bar is in my desk drawer at school so I won't be able to check it out until Monday.

Funny story about the 58. It was my first time at the Chicago Pen Show and I wasn't really looking for a 58. I had other things on my shopping list but I've had a 58 on the back burner as a possibility for a couple of years. Anyway, I find this green 58 and the guy who had it asked $75. He said "I never mess around with foreign pens much." I figured that was more than a fair price.

Ten minutes later I'm walking by a table about two rows away and I see the twin of the pen that I bought. I asked for a price and the guy says $240. I blinked and asked if that was his best price and he starts telling me about all the great features of the 58. finally I pull my new pen out of my pocket and tell the guy that I've already got one. I didn't tell him that I bought it 10 minutes before. He asks me if he can see it and I hand it over for inspection. He pulls out his loupe and takes a squint and asked if I was interested in selling it. So I asked for a price and he offers me $150. I blinked again. He is offering me $150 for a pen that he is asking $240 for. When I pointed this out to him he said, "I have to mark things up a little to pay for the trip." I had to chuckle.

Turns out I never found the pens that I was looking for but I'm happy with the pen I brought home. I'll be back again next year for sure - looking for bargains.

Ray

It sounds like the bar should be fine; just a question of reattachment so long as the connections are all good.

The 58 is a beautiful pen - nothing like starting at the top. A friend of mine has a green candy stripe 58 and I covet it a lot! Assuming there's not too much brassing and the pen's clean, you got it for a very good price at $75. The guy selling at $240 is taking the mickey I think. But it may reflect the fact that Conway Stewarts still aren't known about too much in the US, and the market hasn't reached a concensus on price. Does yours have a Duro nib? These are a little larger and CS's top nib; that will add to the value.

Do let us know how you get on. And if you haven't already seen it, here's another US perspective on these pens:Rick Conner's site

Yes, it has a Duro nib. Had to adjust it a tiny bit but now it writes as smooth as silk. An exact match sold on eBay last week for $184 so I'm aware that I got a deal. the only problem is I only have one hand to write with and too many pens. They can't all be favorites but the Conway Stewart is at the top of the list this month.

Ray

Forgot to add - If you're wondering how I'm using the pen without a pressure bar? I had the section off anyway so I squeeze filled the sac and put the section back in. Not a good idea on a regular basis but when you can't wait to try a new pen it works.

Ray

RichardS,

Thanks a bunch. The pen is now fully functional. The only problem was of my own making. The bar slipped out because one of the clips on the bar was bent flat. As a result the ears on the lever slipped out. I rebent the lock and put the bar back in as you suggested - BACKWARDS. I knew something was wrong because the section would not go in. I reached down into the lever slot and flattened the lock and the bar slipped back out into my hand. I rebent the clip and reinserted and enverything seems to work fine. Thanks again for your help. MY 58 is smiling again.

Ray

Delighted to hear it. Hope you enjoy your CS as much as I enjoy mine!