Balance "thin standard" 875 valiant mil-clip (vintage)
This pen found me (I didn't find it!) through the Marketplace. The body was in beautiful condition. The nib needed a slight adjustment, which I made.
Appearance: A truly lovely specimen. A deep, dark, but shiny black, with trim that's not too flashy. I really love the look of this pen.
Handling: It's a Balance... named that way for a reason. I find that it handles well in my hand at pretty much any angle, which is a big plus for me. It works well posted or not (I prefer to post, as it avoids pens rolling off the desk, a constant worry).
Nib: The nib is a fine Lifetime. While it did need a bit of an adjustment, it's darn-near perfect now, and not a pen I'd part with willingly. I like the harmonics of the nib: no annoying vibrations. Adorable. No flex, but still doesn't feel like a complete nail.
Filling: A lever-filler, with a viewing window that still has enough clarity to be useful. The lever is a bit loose, and I'm still not sure how to deal with that. A project for another day, and not a major annoyance at this point.
Value: If it were a modern, they'd be selling it for $200. I never cease to be amazed at the value that can be found in vintage pens.
Mil-Clip: I like this feature because it hides the pen somewhat in my pocket, making it less likely that someone will insist on borrowing it, or finding me weird for not wanting to lend them a pen. It means I don't need to walk around with a ballpoint as a spare. The only downside to this clip is that it doesn't grip as strongly as a standard clip, and I think I'm more likely to lose the pen as a result, in the long run.
I really like this pen, and am glad to have purchased it.