Hi Everybody,

I came across this site by looking for a review for the Retro 51 Double-eight. I found a great review and decided not to buy something that falls apart.

I had been using a Waterman Expert fountain for awhile but eventually had to send it in for a new nib.

Currently I am thinking of getting the Conklin Mark Twain Signature Fountain Pen due to its low price and good reviews.

I had been considering the Delta Solaris due to its avant guard design; alas the pen is only available with cartridges and NOT a converter.

Also under consideration by me was from a new American pen company called Taccia. The Taccia Doric fountain had a very intriguing design.

Any suggestions on what a should buy would be most appreciated.

Best Regards,

Ben

PS- Im from Sioux City, IOWA. My home town is on the western side of the state where Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota meet on the mighty Missoura.

PPS- I wasnt born in 1944; alas I am only 22

Personally, I would go for the Taccia over the Conklin. My experience with conklin has been variable, and I have a Taccia Imperial Portuguese that is a phenomenal pen for the money. Well built. Great resin.

Richard Binder started carrying the taccia, and he only carries what he believes in.

Hi Ben,

Welcome and enjoy this tangled weave of pen & ink nuts.

Don't own a Taccia (yet) but have heard nothing but good about them.

Tomcat, eh? Come to think of it, at your age I was prowling around much in the manner of a tomcat. Enjoy these years, they're some of the best you'll experience.

Glad you found us. Thanks for the intro. Nice to have another from your generation here interested in FPs (I'm not that much older - I'm 36).

Taccia is one of the pens on my "to buy" list some day. Heard a lot of good things about them.

See you around the boards!

Ha! To a 22 year old, SP, 36 is ancient! No way am I tellin' him MY age. <_<

Welcome to FPN, Ben!

I've heard good things about the Taccia (didn't KCkc do a review of the Imperial Portugese here on FPN?) but I don't own one myself, nor have I tried any other model in that brand. I do have a Conklin Glider and it's a nice pen and was a great value for the money...The nib is very stiff, though, so if you're looking for a nib with some flex to it, it's not the way to go. I haven't tried the Mark Twain model but it looks like a nice pen. FPNer Apollo did a review of it here(click link).

Edit: Found KCkc's Taccia Imperial Portugese review! It's here(click link)

Hello Ben and welcome to the FPN! I too had a Waterman Expert (II) that had a defective feed/nib and I send it to Richard Binder and it now writes its the smoothest pen in the world. He is one THE best nibmeisters/repair experts in the business.

When you receive your Mark Twain Signature Fountain Pen, please post a review here on the Web site so we can gain some first-hand knowledge about the pen.

Thanks for the welcome response.

First I would like to point out that many of my generation and those preceding it consider 60 to be the NEW 40 .

Based on what was said here and an email I received I am changing my purchase of the Mark Twain to the Taccia Doric. I personally like the design of the Doric better; as well as having reservations of blotting issues with the Conklin.

Once it arrives I'll throw up a few pics and a simple review to show all the wonders.

Peace all,

Ben

Hello Ben and Welcomw---

I would also recommend the Taccia. Do you know that your city - Sioux City was once home to a flourishing Fountain Pen Company. I don't have my historical files here at work but the Houston Fountain Pen Company was founded in the early parts of the 20th Century in Tracy, MN and moved to Sioux City a short time thereafter. Houston made Houston Pens and Jiffy Pens up until the middle of the Century ( I cant remember the exact dates they ceased operations in Sioux City). So, the next time you are out and see an antique store you might run across one of these brands - some are highly sought after by vintage collectors.

Just thought I'd share a bit of pen history (my passion) with you.

Not all pens are new...

Phil (Minnesota neighbor)

Ben-

Just found my file on Sioux City - The Houston Pen Company (named after W. A. Houston, the founder) moved to Sioux City in 1912 from Tracy, MN after it outgrew its facility there.

Names of pens manufactured by them in Sioux City were Houston, Jiffy and Snapfil.

The only address I can find in my notes was 406 Pierce Street. Sorry to bore you, but it was in your backyard.

Phil

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I decided to go with the gold nib Taccia Doric with a fine point. Although it was more than I wanted to spend; the aesthetic value was my primary convincer. Also I am looking forward to feeling the difference of a gold nib.

Phil,

Thank you for the information about Houston Pens you provided. I have made a note of it and will keep it in mind whenever I am bargen hunting.

Cheers,

Ben