I am considering purchasing a new fountain pen. I am considering the Waterman Charleston, Conklin Nozac, Conklin Duragraph, Conklin Glider or Parker 100. Was wanting to know about reliability and quality of nibs.

Well, there's a mini-review of the Conklin Duragraph HERE.

I haven't tried a Glider yet, but I do own both a Conklin Mark Twain and a Duragraph and they're both very smooth and reliable writers so far. The Duragraph has a 14k gold nib and the Mark Twain has a steel nib. I believe the Glider has a rhodium treated steel nib.

I don't own a Parker 100, but I do have a Waterman Charleston in Ivory/Gold Trim with a medium 18k gold nib. The Ivory/GT is the most attractive finish on the Charlestons, in my opinion. My sample is a bit of a dry writer unlike my Waterman Phileas, but I found that it's a bit finicky when it comes to inks. When I first got it, I used the cartridge supplied with the pen and had no issues, but then I switched to the converter using Montblanc Royal Blue ink and it began skipping all over the place. Only after repeated flushing and switching to Parker Quink did my Waterman start writing as it was meant to.

Apollo

Thanks for your reviews and updated information on the Charleston. I think I will narrrow it down between a Conklin or the Parker 100. Very nice review of the Parker 100 on this site.

Yeah, it's a tough choice when you'd like to own them all. I personally like the way the Parker 100 looks with it's streamlined profile and hooded nib. It's a classy looking pen for sure. I've got several Parkers: a 51 Vacumatic, 21 Aerometric, 45 Aerometric and a modern Sonnet, all solid pens. I'm sure the 100 won't disappoint. The Conklins are also very beautiful and great pens for the money. Conklin's customer service is first class as well. I hope you enjoy whichever pen you go with.

Oh, almost forgot. Remember to give us a review.

Hi rak,

I own a Conklin Glider and I love using it
It's a big pen and I cap mine, so it looks quite impressive when capped! The nib is a steel nib with no flex to it, but that's ok; not everyone wants a springy/flexy nib....especially if one writes quickly like I do. The pen is about 1/3 the cost of a Parker 100, so if you do buy the Parker, why not buy the Glider too? It's not that much more money!

I have a Charleston and it writes wonderfully. It is a smooth writer. I love mine and it has become my main pen.

I feel i must echo Maja here.Both my wife and i own Conklin Gliders and we adore using them!!! One has been modified to a stub nib and the other is a fin nib.They are very nice t write with,well balanced and a great bargain!!Mine is forest green and the wife has a blue one.

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