I have my eye on a vintage 58 and just would like to know about the writing characteristics of these pens. The one I am looking at is described as a smooth medium nib which suits me, but I like a pen to write on the wet side and wondered if 58's write like this. If I buy it and it's a dry writer are they easy to tweak for an experienced pen restorer? Thanks in advance.

They vary. My favourite pen (out of a lot from several different brands) is a vintage 58 precisely because of its wet, smooth nib. But I have another 10 58s and they vary quite a lot. It isnt hard for a pen restorer to smooth a nib and increase flow. They are the best pen ever made...well, I think so!! Good luck.

Given the age of the pen I think you'd surely expect variation between one pen and another, but it should also be an easy tweak to increase flow. If you're buying from one of the established dealers perhaps you could ask, they might be able to do a little adjustment. If you look on the repair forum here you'll also find minor DIY tweaks for increasing ink flow. I opted for a 58 that doesn't have its original Duro nib, instead it has a very nice semi-stub ordinary CS nib which I really liked.

To make a pen write wetter you need to slightly open the gap between the tines. To do this take hold of the edges of the nib, as they wrap around the feed, and gently lift to pull the tines apart. This is quite a course action and so tiny increments are best, so be gentle. It works perfectly but a small tweak can produce a big difference.

If its too wet then you need to clost the gap. To do this lift one tine and push to cross it over the other, then do the same to the other. This is less sensitive than the 'wetting' process but, again, small, gentle increments is the way.

You'll quickly get a feel to the amount of tweak required for the result you want from a particular nib and so you can simply tune your nib to exactly how you want it.

Be gentle though!

Greg

I have finally acquired two 58's in excellent condition and find it hard to contain my disappointment. Both pens wrote very dryly after requests to the sellers to make them write wet. I can only assume that perhaps not all pen restorers are nibmeisters and I will send them off to get adjusted. Hopefully it's just a minor issue because cosmetically both pens are very nice. I'm a little annoyed with myself because I didn't do my homework on the 58 very well. I couldn't believe how small the pens are!! In photographs they seem much larger.

I hear you! Having recently taken delivery of a CS 27, I found I was suprised by its size as well - see my separate topic.

I have to ask, what ink are you using in your 58? The reason I ask, is that my 27 was a very dry and scratchy writer with pelikan blue/black, but is a much more pleasant experience using pelikan violet - becoming a smooth, easy writer, with just enough tooth to provide feedback and just the right level of flex to make things interesting. From this experience, and various comments posted both here & elsewhere, I've recieved the impression that CS nibs can be a little picky when it comes to ink. It might be easier (or at least less risky) to try some different ink's in your 58's, rather than trying to adjust the nib. If nothing else, it's a valid justification for a few new colours...

Just a thought...

Cheers... G

I have six CS 58s ranging from fine to medium/broad. They all write wet.

If your pens are writing dry I suggest that you give them a really serious flushing and, if that still doesn't do the trick a very gentle nib flossing. If you are not confident with this last step I recommend using a repairer specialising in vintage CS.

I have also found that sometimes pens that I have bought that had not been used for a long time had a dried hard accumulation of old ink at the point where the ink left the sac into the feed . Of course to inspect this area requires the removal of the sac.

As for size, they are almost the same dimensions as an Esterbrook "J" give or take a millimetre or two.

Jim

I tend to use Sheaffer ink, Blue or Black or Watermans in my vintage CSs (sometimes Diamine if I'm in the mood) and all seem to write well (not wet but not dry either).

Andy

I was actually using waterman florida blue which seems to be quite agreeable with most pens. I've emailed Greg Minuskin and he's going to take a look.