Greetings All,

I am new to fountain pen collecting and have a limited budget to devote to it. And, I am just beginning to learn about how to identify what I have. However, I am not new to using fountain pens. I started using cheap student fountain pens in the early 1960s as a kid, and have carried a fountain pen in my pocket ever since. My current daily user is a c. 1982 Sheaffer Slim Targa which I have had since it was new.

I am looking forward to learning from all of you.

Aubrey

Hi Aubrey,

Like you I had not used a FP for decades until last April when I, for reasons unknown, wandered into the interest.

I guess most of us impose some sort of budget to our pen buying, otherwise we'd all be in the poorhouse. The creative part of budgeting, however, is learning how to reduce funds committed to other areas and shift them to the FP budget. Now, if only I could do without food!

Have fun with this bunch of people who have signed ourselves into this nuthouse.

Hooray! Another fountain pen user from Oklahoma. Warmest welcome to you! Please go to the Frappr FPN Map and register your location so I'll no longer be alone.

Welcome to the FPNuthouse! Many of us understand what you mean about the budget - some have much more to spend than others. For those of us on very restricted budgets, the key is finding creative ways to stretch it. .

Anyway, glad you found us. What else do you have in your collection besides the Targa?

See you around the boards!

Howdy Aubrey and welcome to the FPN! One way to stretch your pen budget, is to checkout the local garage sales and even sometimes the local antique stores might have a good deal. Of course half the fun of vintage pens is to learn how to perform simple restoration techniques. There are many people here that will guide you through the steps if you want to learn how fix a fountain pen and save a few pennies along the way.

Hi Aubrey and welcome to FPN!

I see you have a Slim Targa. In an odd coincidence, I recently did some reading up on the Targa line when I was looking up an answer to Hans' question in the Sheaffer forum we have here on FPN. What type of Targa pattern is your pen?

As for the limited budget, it doesn't have to be a problem as many fine pens can be found "in the wild" (flea markets, antique shops, estate sales, etc.) or on eBay. I think half the fun is looking for the pens!

Thanks to all for the warm welcome. I'll try to respond to some of the questions and comments you kind folks have made.

Roger, I never stopped using a FP; I have used them continuously for 40+ years. I'm just new to collecting and repairing them. Thanks for the creative budgeting idea; I could stand to lose about 5 lbs.

Sidney, I stuck my Frapper pin in rural east Norman. I see you are in Sand Springs. Maybe we'll cross paths sometime.

Mannenhitsu, as you suggest, I have found most of my pens at garage sales and junque stores. Saturday I bought my first Snorkel at a flea market for $3. Now I need to figure out how to get it working again. I welcome the offers of help in learning how to clean and restore the pens I have. I figured I'd start by replacing the rubber bladders in several side lever pens. But, I'm not quite sure where to start.

Maja, my Slim Targa is bright chrome. I've seen others that I liked better, but this was a gift (back in about 1982, I think). I agree that half the fun is in the hunt.

I'll be picking your brains and asking questions that I'm sure have been answered many times on this forum.

Thanks again for the warm welcome.

Aubrey
Norman, OK

Southpaw,

You asked what other pens I have in my collection. I'm not sure I know enough about them to describe them accurately yet. I need a good book on how to identify what I have. I suspect that all of my pens are very common.

I have several Sheaffers including the Slim Targa I mentioned, 3 or 4 that I think might be the Balance (one white dot with Lifetime Triumph nib), one Snorkel, a couple of white dot desk pens (one late 1940s with Lifetime Triumph nib). I also have an assortment of other brands including the green Wearever side lever in my pocket right now, a Whol, and several others that escape my memory just now.

I have two that I would love to get some more information about. They are miniature pens (3 3/8" and 3 3/4" long closed). One is a Wohl and the other a Peter Pan. Can someone direct me toward a resource about these?

Aubrey

Hi again Aubrey,

Paul Erano's 2nd edition of "Fountain Pen Past and Present" is just $16.47 at Amazon. com...If you order $25 USD worth of items (before tax) you can get free shipping within the U.S. too!

Link to book's page on Amazon.com here: Fountain Pens Past & Present (Hardcover)

Yes, a 287 page-hardcover book on fountain pens for less than twenty bucks! I have no affiliation to the author, but it's a great pen book with tons of photos and information, as well as current pen prices for vintage pens.

~Maja

P.S. What type of Wahl (I assume you meant "Wahl" not "Wohl") pen do you have? Is it an all-metal pen or celluloid (the Wahl Bantams are very small)? I know a little bit about Wahls but am not that familiar with Peter Pan pens (I know they're very small but that's about it!)

Maja,

Yes, I meant Wahl. I think I actually have two Wahls, both celluloid. One is a regular sized pen and the other a Bantam. The Peter Pan is about the same size as the Bantam but one has the side lever and the other has (or used to have) a squeeze bulb under a screw-off cap. I hope to be able to repair both of these mini pens some day.

Thanks for the great reference book. I'll order one today!

Aubrey

You're welcome, Aubrey; I don't think you'll be disappointed with the book

As for Wahl-Eversharp Bantam fountain pens, Richard Binder has a wonderful profile on them on his website:

Wahl-Eversharp Bantam profile


Oh yeah, I almost forgot. You're from Oklahoma, so here's a snippet from one of my favourite musicals

Ohhhhhhhhh-klahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain
And the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet
When the wind comes right behind the rain.
Okhhhhhh-klahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain
And the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet
When the wind comes right behind the rain.
Ohhhhhhhhh-klahoma,
Ev'ry night my honey lamb and I
Sit alone and talk and watch a hawk
Makin' lazy circles in the sky.

We know we belong to the land
And the land we belong to is grand!
And when we say
Yeeeeooooow! Ayipioeeayyyy!
We're only sayin'
You're doin' fine,
Oklahoma!
Oklahoma O.K.L.A.H.O.M.A
Oklahomaaa!!!



I love that song!

Maja,

You sing very well! Are you a professional?

Aubrey

Hi Aubrey
my wife has similiar concerns about my budget and has suggested a few things I might live without I started buying and selling pens on eBay to try and pay for my collection. My wife thinks I'm a real whizz as I always seem to sell pens for more than I buy them for . Only a matter of time before I'm found out and experience some rapid weight loss. I'm in Scotland and you may well hear my shrieks in Oklahoma. Welcome to the network, good hunting.
Agmn

Whoa! You have a Wearever! When did you get it?

Welcome!

Thanks but no. I just discovered the musical earlier this year when I saw it on video. Actually, one of my parents' fox terrier dogs ("Chandler" is his name ) was born in South Coffeyville, OK so the state is dear to my heart for that reason too

You wouldn't make fun of a newbie would you?

Nope. I have one, though. Nice pen. :bunny1: Ink inside is same color as pen.

Me too! "Oklahoma" is among the greatest musicals ever made. I really wish they still made musicals, but sadly the younger generation doesn't know what they are missing out on. A musical is a massive dose of foot-tapping happiness.

Hi,

Welcome!!

Dillon