Hi all

Here is a big review for those who are lovers of the vintage Duofolds. So let's start by the beginning of what pushed me to buy this pen. I was and am already the owner of two senior flat tops single bands Duofold, one big red and one lapis lazulis. I was searching for a duofold color that ages well and doesn't present cracks or color fading through ages. Some colors like modern black and pearl, modern green and pearl, sea green and black , burgundy and black as well as Mandarin Yellow were subject to ambering sometimes cracks which is the case of the mandarin. Plus the price of those rare colors are way out of my price range so I decided to stick with something more affordable but however not cheap. My choice finally was made on the jade green duofold. Mine is a 1926 model which is near nos condition, the clip and the band are almost and new and the barrel and the cap present no ambering. I compared this pen with my 2002 Parker Green Marbled Duofold Centennial and I can see from where Parker has taken its heritage for new post 90's Duofolds.


I have tried various vintage pens before buying this pen, I tried Chiltons, Wahl Eversharp Dorics, Leboeufs, Waterman Patricians and Moore pens. Aside the patrician and the chilton who had an extremly good nib, the others had very stiff nibs and not fragile filling system. The Parker was the best in the hand and the filling system was better. So my choice went with the Parker.
Let's review the pen

1) Appearance
Understated elegance is what qualifies a jade green duofold. The pen is sober not flashy and very unique. Its design makes of it an instant classic which is to recognize. The jade green is a color of good taste and which is sober. Compared to the big red or to a mandarin, this color is very quiet and not blingy. The traditional flat top is a kind of trademark of the duofold and its classical design makes of it a beloved pen through decades which never goes out of fashion.

here in company with the big red and the lapis

2) The filling system
The traditional button filler is a reliable and durable filling system. It is more reliable than the lever filler or the sheaffer vac/touchdown filling system. Ink capacity is quite good and there is no problems with it. It is easy to fill and quick as well. This filling system is as bit as good as the piston filler.

3) Weight
It is not a too light nor too heavy pen, its classical shape makes it a very good instruments for those who want a pen on very long writing sessions. It is a good pen and which is to handle for those who have large or medium sized hands. It was also a pen taking in account ergonomics (a rare thing at that era). I can only like this pen for its great ergonomic qualities.

4) The nib
Mine is fitted with a lucky curve nib which is the same nib than is on my lapis. It writes like a fine flex/semi firm nib and it writes very well. The nibs has a good ink flow and allows quick writing. It is a very responsive nib as well which is hard to fault. The nib is sober and is not a bling bling nib, it remains a first class nib in terms of quality and reliability.



Conclusion:
This pen is the most expensive I baught till this day: 500 euros Yes that is very expensive but like a fine collectible automobile, its value will only appreciate through time so I don't regret that purchase. It was a pen I have seen once so I couldn't pass up such an opportunity. Now this great pen is in my collection and will remain forever.

Georges,

Thanks for the review and the photos. You seem to have acquired a very good clean example of a vintage jade Duofold.

I was intrigued by your statement that you opted for this color Duofold because you wanted "a duofold color that ages well and doesn't present cracks or color fading through ages." In my search for this color vintage Duofold I found a significant number that were very discolored with significant ambering. I am no expert, but understand that this discoloration results from the interaction between the ink that was used at the time and the vulcanzied rubber sac which held the ink. Perhaps some more knowledgeable Duofold experts can confirm this. Did you check to see if a silicone sac was installed in your Duofold to minimize this happening again if you intend to use the pen?

I also though that the burgundy and black celluloid was somewhat immune to this discoloration as many of the examples I have seen have held up well over the years with respect to this characteristic. I agree that the black and pearl, moderne green and pearl and sea green and black are all very prone to discoloration. And I think we would all agree that the Mandarin Duofolds are quite fragile and crack and/or chip easily.

Enjoy your new acquisition!! I know I did mine.

Bravo Georges for the review. This is a great pen, quite impressive and a hard to find pen. Thanks, SanchezAlamo