Full Version: "The" Wahl-Eversharp Pen
I am interested in reading what you have to say about what is the one Wahl-Eversharp pen a person should own. For you what is the one pen that is quintessentially "Wahl-Eversharp"? I'm a novice and I am quite fascinated by all pens so I think I need to develop some sort of strategy/focus to my collection and maybe this will help. I tend to think vintage but if in your opinion a current model is "it" let me know - and why... Thanks.
QUOTE (SteelCity @ Aug 1 2008, 03:28 AM) 
I am interested in reading what you have to say about what is the one Wahl-Eversharp pen a person should own. For you what is the one pen that is quintessentially "Wahl-Eversharp"? I'm a novice and I am quite fascinated by all pens so I think I need to develop some sort of strategy/focus to my collection and maybe this will help. I tend to think vintage but if in your opinion a current model is "it" let me know - and why... Thanks.
If you like a particular Wahl, get one. Don't get one because we're interested in them.
Besides, you really need to write with one to appreciate it properly.
I suspect steelcity was asking what would be the most representative Wahl to add to his collection, perhaps to avoid, for example, buying an obscure version of a Parker Victory, nothing wrong with the pen itself, but still wondering what the fuss is about regarding Parker 51s or Big Reds.
The trouble is, on this basis a Doric could be recommended as easily as a Skyline, both entirely Wahl but completely different. Also if its 'one pen' it's likely to be an expensive one!
Greg
The trouble is, on this basis a Doric could be recommended as easily as a Skyline, both entirely Wahl but completely different. Also if its 'one pen' it's likely to be an expensive one!
Greg
Hi Steelcity,
The question you ask, naturally calls for a a very subjective answer, because many people will think of different pens as the "quintessential" Wahl or Eversharp Pen for them. So, to break it down a little lets do this. On the Wahl-Eversharp timescale, there were significant design and materials eras. Arbitrarily, If we go by what the pens were made of there were 3 major categories: 1) Hard Rubber, 2) Metal and 3) Plastic.
If we were to ask what was the Wahl-iest pen in each type you still might get different answers. But since you ask, and I am willing to put it "out there" if for no other reason than to stimulate the topic, Here goes:
As for category 1, Hard Rubber pens, the TEMPOINT models from 1918-1921 being the "First Wahls" and thus the progenitor of the line, would be important from a historical standpoint. Among all the Wahl-Eversharp Pens it also seems that the biggest pens are the more desirable they are and they were usually the "top of the Line. So a big #6 size TEMPOINT with Gold trim (wide cap band) would be a good choice.
As for category#2 (the Metal Pens,) there are a few different eras -the 1920's All Metal Pens and in that category the #5 Grecian Border Pen seems to me to be the one to go with (and it is more available). In the later periods the 1936 Coronet would be the hands down immediately recognizable and uniquely Wahl pen, but there were Metal pens in the Skyline, Symphony and other lines as well.
In category 3, the Plastics, you have a very wide array to choose from. The Flat top Gold SEal pens of the '20's are very Wahl. Among these the Oversized Greek Key Deco Band pens as they have been called generally, are very nice, Next might come the Equi-Poised pens...very nice and very Wahl. Then there are the Doric with their 12 facetted sides. If I had to have only one Doric, it might be a large black and gold Gold Seal pen from the first generation of Dorics with the lattice cap band and a #7 or 9 Adjustable nib, Many might object to me saying the plain black pen, but that was the biggest seller, color-wise and it shoes off the Doric lines the best. Of course any color from that era would be nice. The Cathay color is very desirable, but alas the plastic material has proven to be the least stable. Moving on with Plastics, you go through the lesser known but very "Wahl" Pacemakers, and come to the very easily identifiable Skyline pens with their retro-streamlined look. Among these the "one" Skyline pen might be a solid gold one, but the plastic pens were nice..check them out as there were a wide variety of colors and designs. For me at least the later pens do not stand out as uniquely Wahl-Eversharp, so maybe I should stop here.
If I had to hazard my personal view (and probably risk criticism for doing so,) I would suggest that the one pen I would carry in my pocket that would most often get a "Wow, what's that pen?" or from Pen folks would get that "knowing" look it would be the Coronet, 2nd would be the OS Greek Key Deco Band in Green-Bronze and 3rd might be the Doric and 4th might be the Skyline. But that's just me. And then again I change my mind about what is the Coolest Wahl all the time, so check out these pens for yourself in the books and on line and see what YOU like among the Wahl-iest Wahls and the Eversharp-iest Eversharps. On-line pen profiles can easily be seen at least on Pen Hero and Vintage Pens. and Pensbury Manor always has some pen shots to see.
Good luck
Syd
The question you ask, naturally calls for a a very subjective answer, because many people will think of different pens as the "quintessential" Wahl or Eversharp Pen for them. So, to break it down a little lets do this. On the Wahl-Eversharp timescale, there were significant design and materials eras. Arbitrarily, If we go by what the pens were made of there were 3 major categories: 1) Hard Rubber, 2) Metal and 3) Plastic.
If we were to ask what was the Wahl-iest pen in each type you still might get different answers. But since you ask, and I am willing to put it "out there" if for no other reason than to stimulate the topic, Here goes:
As for category 1, Hard Rubber pens, the TEMPOINT models from 1918-1921 being the "First Wahls" and thus the progenitor of the line, would be important from a historical standpoint. Among all the Wahl-Eversharp Pens it also seems that the biggest pens are the more desirable they are and they were usually the "top of the Line. So a big #6 size TEMPOINT with Gold trim (wide cap band) would be a good choice.
As for category#2 (the Metal Pens,) there are a few different eras -the 1920's All Metal Pens and in that category the #5 Grecian Border Pen seems to me to be the one to go with (and it is more available). In the later periods the 1936 Coronet would be the hands down immediately recognizable and uniquely Wahl pen, but there were Metal pens in the Skyline, Symphony and other lines as well.
In category 3, the Plastics, you have a very wide array to choose from. The Flat top Gold SEal pens of the '20's are very Wahl. Among these the Oversized Greek Key Deco Band pens as they have been called generally, are very nice, Next might come the Equi-Poised pens...very nice and very Wahl. Then there are the Doric with their 12 facetted sides. If I had to have only one Doric, it might be a large black and gold Gold Seal pen from the first generation of Dorics with the lattice cap band and a #7 or 9 Adjustable nib, Many might object to me saying the plain black pen, but that was the biggest seller, color-wise and it shoes off the Doric lines the best. Of course any color from that era would be nice. The Cathay color is very desirable, but alas the plastic material has proven to be the least stable. Moving on with Plastics, you go through the lesser known but very "Wahl" Pacemakers, and come to the very easily identifiable Skyline pens with their retro-streamlined look. Among these the "one" Skyline pen might be a solid gold one, but the plastic pens were nice..check them out as there were a wide variety of colors and designs. For me at least the later pens do not stand out as uniquely Wahl-Eversharp, so maybe I should stop here.
If I had to hazard my personal view (and probably risk criticism for doing so,) I would suggest that the one pen I would carry in my pocket that would most often get a "Wow, what's that pen?" or from Pen folks would get that "knowing" look it would be the Coronet, 2nd would be the OS Greek Key Deco Band in Green-Bronze and 3rd might be the Doric and 4th might be the Skyline. But that's just me. And then again I change my mind about what is the Coolest Wahl all the time, so check out these pens for yourself in the books and on line and see what YOU like among the Wahl-iest Wahls and the Eversharp-iest Eversharps. On-line pen profiles can easily be seen at least on Pen Hero and Vintage Pens. and Pensbury Manor always has some pen shots to see.
Good luck
Syd
Well what is there to add after Syd's answer?
Perhaps only a personal view which is the following: if you haven't got the money to get a nice Coronet but want to try one of the most comfortable writers there has ever been made than go for skyline. They were made with an amazing variety of nibs - from super flexible to super stiff and from needlepoints to broad stubs - and many of them are of unsurpassed smoothness.
Regards, Zed
Perhaps only a personal view which is the following: if you haven't got the money to get a nice Coronet but want to try one of the most comfortable writers there has ever been made than go for skyline. They were made with an amazing variety of nibs - from super flexible to super stiff and from needlepoints to broad stubs - and many of them are of unsurpassed smoothness.
Regards, Zed
Syd's answer was comprehensive. Hence, I can only add my personal note. I grew up in the 1950's and 60's, and "the" Eversharp pen to me was the Skyline. I had also seen Dorics and I thought they were drop dead gorgeous. If I were to buy just one Wahl-Eversharp, it would be the Skyline.
Syd,
I'm a flat top fan and was pleased to see the o/s Green and Bronze pen get in the "wow" category. I've only ever seen one Greek Key Deco-band in that colour - the rest have been the thinner rhomboid pattern.
I'm getting off the topic but I'd love to know a little more about the rhomboid band because I haven't seen it on another flat top and it seems unusual that they would use it on one colour and none of the other o/s pens. Could be related to the years when the Green and Bronze pens were manufactured? I think I've seen Equipoise pens using that band.
Anyway, as far as Steelcity's question is concerned my vote is for a full size Coral Gold Seal flat top - that was the one that caught my eye and made me a Wahl-man. I say "wow" to myself most times I get it out!
Kind regards,
Darren.
I'm a flat top fan and was pleased to see the o/s Green and Bronze pen get in the "wow" category. I've only ever seen one Greek Key Deco-band in that colour - the rest have been the thinner rhomboid pattern.
I'm getting off the topic but I'd love to know a little more about the rhomboid band because I haven't seen it on another flat top and it seems unusual that they would use it on one colour and none of the other o/s pens. Could be related to the years when the Green and Bronze pens were manufactured? I think I've seen Equipoise pens using that band.
Anyway, as far as Steelcity's question is concerned my vote is for a full size Coral Gold Seal flat top - that was the one that caught my eye and made me a Wahl-man. I say "wow" to myself most times I get it out!
Kind regards,
Darren.
QUOTE (Wahlnut @ Aug 2 2008, 01:20 AM)
Hi Steelcity,
The question you ask, naturally calls for a a very subjective answer, because many people will think of different pens as the "quintessential" Wahl or Eversharp Pen for them. So, to break it down a little lets do this. On the Wahl-Eversharp timescale, there were significant design and materials eras. Arbitrarily, If we go by what the pens were made of there were 3 major categories: 1) Hard Rubber, 2) Metal and 3) Plastic.
If we were to ask what was the Wahl-iest pen in each type you still might get different answers. But since you ask, and I am willing to put it "out there" if for no other reason than to stimulate the topic, Here goes:
As for category 1, Hard Rubber pens, the TEMPOINT models from 1918-1921 being the "First Wahls" and thus the progenitor of the line, would be important from a historical standpoint. Among all the Wahl-Eversharp Pens it also seems that the biggest pens are the more desirable they are and they were usually the "top of the Line. So a big #6 size TEMPOINT with Gold trim (wide cap band) would be a good choice.
As for category#2 (the Metal Pens,) there are a few different eras -the 1920's All Metal Pens and in that category the #5 Grecian Border Pen seems to me to be the one to go with (and it is more available). In the later periods the 1936 Coronet would be the hands down immediately recognizable and uniquely Wahl pen, but there were Metal pens in the Skyline, Symphony and other lines as well.
In category 3, the Plastics, you have a very wide array to choose from. The Flat top Gold SEal pens of the '20's are very Wahl. Among these the Oversized Greek Key Deco Band pens as they have been called generally, are very nice, Next might come the Equi-Poised pens...very nice and very Wahl. Then there are the Doric with their 12 facetted sides. If I had to have only one Doric, it might be a large black and gold Gold Seal pen from the first generation of Dorics with the lattice cap band and a #7 or 9 Adjustable nib, Many might object to me saying the plain black pen, but that was the biggest seller, color-wise and it shoes off the Doric lines the best. Of course any color from that era would be nice. The Cathay color is very desirable, but alas the plastic material has proven to be the least stable. Moving on with Plastics, you go through the lesser known but very "Wahl" Pacemakers, and come to the very easily identifiable Skyline pens with their retro-streamlined look. Among these the "one" Skyline pen might be a solid gold one, but the plastic pens were nice..check them out as there were a wide variety of colors and designs. For me at least the later pens do not stand out as uniquely Wahl-Eversharp, so maybe I should stop here.
If I had to hazard my personal view (and probably risk criticism for doing so,) I would suggest that the one pen I would carry in my pocket that would most often get a "Wow, what's that pen?" or from Pen folks would get that "knowing" look it would be the Coronet, 2nd would be the OS Greek Key Deco Band in Green-Bronze and 3rd might be the Doric and 4th might be the Skyline. But that's just me. And then again I change my mind about what is the Coolest Wahl all the time, so check out these pens for yourself in the books and on line and see what YOU like among the Wahl-iest Wahls and the Eversharp-iest Eversharps. On-line pen profiles can easily be seen at least on Pen Hero and Vintage Pens. and Pensbury Manor always has some pen shots to see.
Good luck
Syd
The question you ask, naturally calls for a a very subjective answer, because many people will think of different pens as the "quintessential" Wahl or Eversharp Pen for them. So, to break it down a little lets do this. On the Wahl-Eversharp timescale, there were significant design and materials eras. Arbitrarily, If we go by what the pens were made of there were 3 major categories: 1) Hard Rubber, 2) Metal and 3) Plastic.
If we were to ask what was the Wahl-iest pen in each type you still might get different answers. But since you ask, and I am willing to put it "out there" if for no other reason than to stimulate the topic, Here goes:
As for category 1, Hard Rubber pens, the TEMPOINT models from 1918-1921 being the "First Wahls" and thus the progenitor of the line, would be important from a historical standpoint. Among all the Wahl-Eversharp Pens it also seems that the biggest pens are the more desirable they are and they were usually the "top of the Line. So a big #6 size TEMPOINT with Gold trim (wide cap band) would be a good choice.
As for category#2 (the Metal Pens,) there are a few different eras -the 1920's All Metal Pens and in that category the #5 Grecian Border Pen seems to me to be the one to go with (and it is more available). In the later periods the 1936 Coronet would be the hands down immediately recognizable and uniquely Wahl pen, but there were Metal pens in the Skyline, Symphony and other lines as well.
In category 3, the Plastics, you have a very wide array to choose from. The Flat top Gold SEal pens of the '20's are very Wahl. Among these the Oversized Greek Key Deco Band pens as they have been called generally, are very nice, Next might come the Equi-Poised pens...very nice and very Wahl. Then there are the Doric with their 12 facetted sides. If I had to have only one Doric, it might be a large black and gold Gold Seal pen from the first generation of Dorics with the lattice cap band and a #7 or 9 Adjustable nib, Many might object to me saying the plain black pen, but that was the biggest seller, color-wise and it shoes off the Doric lines the best. Of course any color from that era would be nice. The Cathay color is very desirable, but alas the plastic material has proven to be the least stable. Moving on with Plastics, you go through the lesser known but very "Wahl" Pacemakers, and come to the very easily identifiable Skyline pens with their retro-streamlined look. Among these the "one" Skyline pen might be a solid gold one, but the plastic pens were nice..check them out as there were a wide variety of colors and designs. For me at least the later pens do not stand out as uniquely Wahl-Eversharp, so maybe I should stop here.
If I had to hazard my personal view (and probably risk criticism for doing so,) I would suggest that the one pen I would carry in my pocket that would most often get a "Wow, what's that pen?" or from Pen folks would get that "knowing" look it would be the Coronet, 2nd would be the OS Greek Key Deco Band in Green-Bronze and 3rd might be the Doric and 4th might be the Skyline. But that's just me. And then again I change my mind about what is the Coolest Wahl all the time, so check out these pens for yourself in the books and on line and see what YOU like among the Wahl-iest Wahls and the Eversharp-iest Eversharps. On-line pen profiles can easily be seen at least on Pen Hero and Vintage Pens. and Pensbury Manor always has some pen shots to see.
Good luck
Syd
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and points of view. I am finding this process both fascinating and extremely helpful.
Brian
Brian
But as far as getting a pen which most exemplifies the characteristics of its heritage, who's to say? I own three Skylines, and they all write and feel completely different from each other. Which one is right? I dunno...
My favorite Wahls are the flat top Gold Seals. I managed to get one in Lapis Blue and one in Black and pearl. One has a nail for a nib and the other is a flexy delight. Second I like the retro looks of the Skylines I have two working right now and parts and pieces for several more. Again one has an extra fine nail for a nib and the other will flex like crazy!
Eversharp nibs that are correct for the Skyline pens are available in "other then" nails if you want to change them.
Syd
Syd
I started collecting about 8 months ago and fell in love with the Skylines. It seems like each one has its own personality in the way it writes. However when I am out of the office I usually carry a Parker 51 for the volume and durability. Also if I lose it I will shed less tears. Just my two cents. chuck
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