Mechanics have the Chiltons and Haynes repair manuals for cars, and there are the repair manuals published by the car manufacturers for the more advanced mechanics. But to date, the only way to find information on fountain pen repair was to find a copy of the old repair manuals published by the pen manufacturers, or a copy of "Da Book" - the book on fountain pen repair by Frank Dubiel.

Frank provided a valuable service to the pen community when he published his book. The illustrations are line drawings, or copies of drawings from the manufacturers manuals. There are some procedures that I have to admit I have never considered to be appropriate. But it was a great resource for anyone who wanted to repair their own pens.

Just released is a new manual for pen repair by Jim Marshall and Lawrence Oldfield. A week after the Chicago show, I got my hands on my copy thanks to David Issacson, who was kind enough to pick up a copy for me. I must say that I'm quite impressed.

Now I'll say up front that I haven't had a chance to read everything in the book; that will take some time. But I have gone through the book, stopping to read many parts in detail. I like what I see. Marshall and Oldfield have done an excellent job of presenting an bewildering amount of information.

Laid out in the format of the "how to" and "dummies" books, Pen Repair is full of pictures. You'll find pictures, not just illustrations of every aspect of pen repair; exploded views of pens, parts, tools, and more. I especially like the side bars with little nuggets of information, and the "caution" bars. You'll also find information in the British pens and pens by other manufacturers that are not covered in any other repair manual.

Part 1 covers basics, including descriptions of the basic parts, processes for repairs, and step-by-step instructions. Part 2 covers the pens in more detail by manufacturer and model. Part 3 more advanced repair techniques are covered, including nib grinding and repair, cosmetic repair, materials, threading, and making tools for pen repair.

I especially appreciate seeing pictures of Letta Grosekemper, the nib master for Sheaffer for many years. Richard Binder and I had a chance to meet Leta when we toured the Sheaffer factory back in February of 2008. I've already started to acquire the parts for the nib grinding machine, including the diamond wheel for course grinding. She's an exceptional person, with an exceptional skill. It's nice to see her get some recognition after may years behind the scene at Sheaffer.

There are of course some areas where I disagree a bit with some of the techniques, but that is to be expected. Every restorer has their own way of doing things and opinions on what works best. If you don't believe that, you should hear what happens when 3 or 4 of them get together and start talking technique. But I think that there will be far fewer issues here than I had with Franks Book.

In short, Marshall and Oldfield have produced the book that has been needed for quite some time. No matter how skilled or experienced you are, there's always something to learn. It'll take some time to digest all that is there, but I look forward investing the time as I dig into the details of the book.

The book can be purchased directly through penpractice.com. The cost is $50 plus shipping. (it's worth every penny IMO)

Thank you for the review, Ron. I've seen a few sample pages on Jim Marshall's (www.penpencilgallery.com) and Dr. Oldfield's sites (www.penpractice.com) and the photographs look extremely handy, to say the least.

Several years ago, my pen friend/mentor took a pen repair course in northern England from the late Arthur Twydle (to whom the book is dedicated) so I am greatly looking forward to getting my copy and my friend's (which I secretly ordered for him. Shhhhhhh..... ).

Thanks Ron.

My own copy is in the post and I hope to have my grubby paws on it in a day or two

Haven't got it yet, but I've bought some tooling over the years from Laurence and if the book is half as good I'll be a happy bunny.

BTW - This mean I won't have any excuse for use blowlamps to soften sections any more!

Regards,
Ruaidhrí

Edit: myspelyng!

Thanks for the review, Ron. Well done.

This looks like a great reference; a must for those of us that enjoy looking over the shoulders of others while they work!

I'll always love Frank's book, especially for the anecdotal information (e.g. firecrackers). Da Book, like Frank is irreplaceable. However, it's high time that someone has undertaken the risk and expense of publishing a repair manual like Pen Repair. I'll be supporting their efforts by ordering a copy ASAP.


Cheers,
Tom

I predict it will become the new "Da Book." I picked one up at the Chicago Show and it has a welcome spot on my workbench. A truly valued resource.

Even if your are not into repairing your own pens, you should pick one up just for the illustrations.

Nice review, Ron! Sounds like something an amateur pen repair guy like myself should have around the house.

I *think* Peter Ford was trying to grab hold of some of these books to bring back to Australia. I'm not sure if he managed to do it yet...

I'm enjoying reading the reviews and praise for Jim and Laurence's new repair book, all very well deserved. As well as Ron's understated comments about Letta who really is a national treasure, if the US only had national treasures! This woman lives to grind nibs, just as Jim lives to tinker with pens and tools, not to mention writing books is right down his alley. Thanks to Laurence because I suspect he is the calm guiding force behind the book actually being completed.

I chuckled a little reading Tom's comments about Frank "Da Book" Dubiel and the firecrackers, yes, Frank was a little eccentric at times, OK - most of the time. But I almost think this might be the norm!

Hanging outside my pen room door (that's the room with the two sinks, lots of shelves, nice uncluttered flat spaces (momentarily) and too many boxes of things that we aren't sure what is inside and is supposed to be devoted to repairs -(yeah, right), our friend Reppert crafted a sign before Jim's first visit to Fort Madison: Occupancy by more than 1 Mad Pen Repair Person Prohibited by Law! Of course, below that is a Sheaffer cartridge behind glass with a little hammer mounted and instructions noting to break glass in case of emergency. Anyway, a visit from Jim is always a whirlwind of a fun time, but we do adhere to the 1 person in the pen room rule! And the sign is now permanently framed and will NEVER be removed! Read on .......

A typical visit starts out with Jim dropping his bags in the middle of the shop, hugs all around and then a beeline down the hall to my pen room as he fleetingly says "What would you like me to work on?" Having now done this scenario numerous times, I've learned that it doesn't matter what I say, because before I can say anything he's managed to find whatever bits and pieces of pens I have in there and has already started to do something to them. The second comment (he says this every time) is that he needs more tools! Our local hardware store in Fort Madison is on a first name basis with Jim, he comes back with bags of all sorts of things and proceeds to make tools to undertake the repairs. No matter that we really do already have these tools, one can never have enough tools, right? About midway into toolmaking, it's time to stop for cocktails. Usually, by the end of the visit, we have a couple pens repaired and whole new big pile of tools :-) Oh, I almost forgot, the toolmaking sessions are intermittently interrupted to track me down to demonstrate the new tools. You'd think between Jim and I we'd have enough pens to experiment on, but sometimes we have to snitch a few from Reppert - might as well test the tools on all the pens in Fort Madison, right? When the tool making and pen repair frenzy winds down, it's off to see Letta and the grinding wheels! We have a blast! I also have a lot of very specialized tools in every nook and cranny, including every tool known to man that might ever help me on Jim's personal mission to convince me to repair Onotos which I am deathly allergic to. It's a long story that I won't involve you with having to do mostly with my ever failing eyesight and trifocals <sigh>. I now know that it will take me approximately 1 week after Jim leaves to find everything in my pen room again, which actually is a good exercise in tidiness.

Sorry to ramble on ... one of the points here, in case you haven't guessed is that pens can get a little too serious for some of you, the people that are the best ... like Jim, Letta and some others I know always remember to have a little fun with this which is what a hobby is supposed to be all about. Sharing this hobby with others is what it's all about and if you can have some fun doing it, then all the better.

Sam

Sam,

Thank you so much for a little insight into the world of the truly committed pen lovers. I'd love to have the opportunity to share a little time with Jim as you do. Seems like we are kindred spirits as far as tools go... LOL

Please continue contributing to the Repair Forum, your posts are most appreciated..

Warm regards,

Gerry

I've been toying with the idea of getting this book since I heard about it a couple of months ago. This has just put another point in the "yes" camp!

Thank you Sam for finding words that I did not, to describe Leta. I would like to have had more time with Leta, Lois, Larry, Michelle and the others at Sheaffer One day was not enough. They are exceptional people.

On another note, just reading through the repair book last evening while munching dinner (the family was out for the evening....) I had one of what Susan Wirth describes an an "ah HA!" moment. There will be lots of them with this book.

Just sent my money off, can't wait to get my hands on it.

Cheers,
Sean

I too picked up a copy while I was in Chicago. I'm not a pen-repair person by any stretch of the imagination, but even a quick perusal of the pages left me with enough of a taste that I'm now seriously considering tackling some minor repairs on some "tester" pens. The book looked very well laid-out and the information was presented quite concisely. An excellent reference.

James

I looked forward to, and was more than impressed with this book. Received my copy two weeks ago, and been off line since.

The level of information is such, it makes it obvious, why for certain pens and repairs, they should be sent to experianced repair persons.

A great deal of effort has went into this book, which other than "Da book" is the only one of it's, to my knowledge kind.

et

can't wait to get my copy. Sure it will help me in my repair efforts.

Got my copy of this book today direct from England. The chapters are well organized. The color photos and step by step instructions are well thought out. This is the new DA BOOK.

My copy came to day- first perusal is very positive. The illustrations are first rate. the paper is good heavy stock - looks like it will take an occasional ink spill and the organization is logical and coherent. Congratulations to Messrs. Marshall and Oldfield.

I gotta get me a copy. Thanks for the review, Ron Z; and the insights, pengoddess.

I received my copy today and I too am very impressed with this repair book. It's Da Book on steroids! I can see where my casual reading time is headed for the next few weeks.

I would also say that Laurence did a wonderful job in getting the book packed and shipped in record time. His communication was flawless and the book made it across the pond and to the middle of the US in five days - not bad considering it takes three days to get a letter across the state.

I am afraid I am being redundant redundant. The service was perfect and fast. The packaging is professional and as mentioned, the book has immediately dominated my after work reading.

Good job and great book.

thank you

I picked up a copy at the Midlands Pen Show. Only flicked through so far, but looks very interesting. Now I need some junk pens for practising on

My copy is on the way. Ron Z was kind enough to let me look through his copy at the Raleigh show, and it appeared then to be just what I was hoping for, an update to Frank's book that would offer a great deal more pictorial guidance. So that aspect of my wish list is complete. My second wish: Ron needs to do a set of DVDs on pen repair -- the ultimate learning tool!

Paul

Got mine in the post from Laurence Oldfield yesterday, 20 hours after ordering it.

A really, really, good book, enlivened by the occasional anecdote and bit or prejudice (the innards of an MB 149 captioned "the insides of the yuppies' pen" !) with a very logical layout. This is a book to be read starting at the first page, but once read through you can turn at once to the section on the pen you are working with. The heavy paper and spiral binding mean that you can keep it open on the workbench.

Excellent.