Hi

My interest in vintage plunger filled oversize balances has grown. My questions are the following:
-how reliable is the plunger filling system?
-how flexible are the nibs compared to their vintage duofold counterparts?
-how big is the ink capacity in these pens?
-for how much euros goes a pristine plunger filled balance with a flexible nib?

thanks in advance

regards

georges

Hi,

Plunger filler now is well more reliably restorable than before. The back end in particular. As to front end, Ron Zorn can probably comment better than I can.

Duofold and Balance both are not known for flex, yet both can crop up with flex... if one is lucky.

Ink capacity is good

"Pristine" of course is key. Mint Stickered anything is hefty. Nice ones can be had reasonably. Flex adds fair amount to price as one nib in, say, one hundred is flex.

regards
david

George, although mine isn't a flex nib, the Vac-Fil Balance that I own (standard-sized, not OS) is among my favorites. Feels great in the hand, has a huge ink capacity, and the FeatherTouch #5 in mine is an outstanding stub!

Thank you both david and rroossinck for taking your time to answer me, it is greatly appreciated. Next time I see one OS Balance, I will testwrite it.

I think you'll be glad you did.

The plunger has that nice advantage of "seeing the ink" in the barrel. On the other hand, a professional, high quality restoration is a must for them. Many people can restore the lever fills, but the plungers do require some special treatment compared to the levers. But once you've got that done, the quality is generally pretty good and they're nice pens. This goes for Lifetime and non-Lifetime pens- don't assume you need a "white dot" to have a nice pen.

Both the lever and Vac-Fill OS Balance are great pens.

Once the Plunger filling system has been restored correctly it works very reliable; I had mine restored by FPN member fountainbel from Belgium but there are others as well.

The nibs are not flexible at all except you can catch one of the "few" true flexible nibs.

The ink capacity is huge; almost 2/3 - 3/4 of the barrel volume if restored properly.

Prices may vary. I think you can find ambered (the clear barrels of the Vac-Fill pens discolor much more easily compared to the solid opaque barrels of their lever filled cousins) black ones for ~100 Euros but prices will increase dramaticly for "nicer" and "most wanted" colors like ebonized pearl, roseglow or pearl grey (250-500 Euros). A flexible nib will most likely add a bonus of 80-130 Euros I think. Restoration of the filling system is around 30 Euros.

Easiest model to find in decent condition would be the black ones or golden brown striated ones.

Grey pearl (marbled) or silver striated ones are harder to find with good silver trim and nice color.


Cheers

Michael

Thanks for the information Michael I don't know what color I will pick but I want a smooth flexible nib that is for sure and an almost nos condition working vac fill system that is for sure too. I will ask Mr Mora what he has in stock or when he will be able to get one for me.