Dear CS users,

Some Conway Stewart pens can be ordered in white casein. Casein appeals to me, because of the vintage factor and the nice shade of cream-white. Also, as an artist I often use casein paints, so the material is personally meaningful.

However, from what I understand, casein is more fragile and less predictable than resin. Are modern casein Conway Stewarts known to have more problems than their resin brethern? If you own one, what has been your experience with feel, comfort and durability? Are the caseins heavier than the resins? I find the resin CS flat-tops a bit too light for me, and so if the caseins were heavier I would be very glad.

Finally, does anybody own a silver-colour-trim casein (as opposed to gold), and if so could post a photo of what this combination looks like?

Thanks in advance with any feedback you care to share.

QM2

I have two casein pens: Yellow Tiffany and the White model (gold trim). I have not had any problems with either pen. I find them to be very sturdily constructed but, being casein, I find myself thinking about how they travel (normally only from home to office & vice versa, never on my trips away). I don't know about that I find them "heavier" but certainly (my imagination?) "warmer." I posted a shot of them a while ago (think the posting now resides on the second page of this forum).

Hope this helps.

Paul

Thanks PaulK,

I did see those photos and the white casein is mesmerising. I am trying to get a sense of how it would look with silver trim, since I do not like gold-trim pens. Because silver is cold and ivory is warm, it occurred to me the colours may conflict. On the other hand, the Sailor Pro-Gear and Pilot Prera come in ivory with silver trim, and the combination looks wonderful.

What I am considering, is ordering a husband-and-wife pair of Dandies: one in black resin, lever fill, and the other in ivory casein, CC fill; both with silver trim.

As for the ivory casein: Has anybody actually experienced problems due to water damage? Swelling, mis-shaping, discolouration, decomposing? How do you fill yours (do you make sure to always remove the converter from the pen?) and where do you store it? What about humidity? Casein cannot be exposed to water for too long, as it would literally begin to melt and fall apart. For me this seems like a major concern when considering a $400+ pen.

The nib unit is ebonite. As for care, I don't give it any more or less care than I do with my other pens. I don't remove the converter. I live and work in climate-controlled surroundings so that's not a problem. You can see where this pen resides when not in use (fairly simple desk-top pen case).

If it was to be exposed to high-humidity for an extreme length of time, I think there'd be some danger. However, that said, there are many antique casein pens about, I believe someone that would have this "melt-down" occur would likely destroy any pen in his or her possession. After much use, the finish remains pristine on both pens -- not one iota different from my others.

Hope you post picts when you receive yours.

My best,

Paul

Thank you again for telling about your experiences. Because I deal with casein as a painter, it is just so unbelievable to me that they can seriously make a pen out of this stuff and it will hold sturdy for decades!

Oh gentle, delicate darling, perhaps some day soon you shall be mine...

Mmmm, delicious. That looks even more lovely than the Bexley Antique Cream!