When putting the cap on my SE, it feels like it's forced. It doesnt simply "click" into place. There is no defined point to where the cap feels securely in place. The cap doesnt feel like it will come off, but I feel like I have to push too hard or it's not secure. Minor complaint, but for a pen of this $$$, I would expect different. What do others experience with their SE's?

Thanks in advance.

I have a 51 Special Edition in vista blue and the cap slips on the same way as my vintage "51"s. They don't "click" or snap into place like they do on the Parker 100 for example. If you look inside the 51 SE's cap (and vintage "51" caps for that matter) you'll see a set of springs along the sides. That's the clutch which mates with the clutch ring on the barrel when you slip the cap on. There's no loud audible click, but you can feel the springs move into place. That's how the cap is secured. When you say it feels like it's forced, I assume you mean that you feel a slight resistance when you slip the cap on into place as well when you slip the cap off. That's normal. Once the cap is on there should be no play or looseness.

I've yet to see a 51SE (only seen four though) that caps with the sheer velvet feel of the original (wipes a tear from his eye)

That's just it. It's not very smooth. Describe it as kinda forced. My original "51"'s feel like it's supposed to fit. My SE doesn't. I'm not a collector. I'm a writer. This could be annoying enough for me to retire this pen as a writer. I also dont find that it's particularly pleasing to write with compared to my original "51"'s. Different, yes. All pens are different. But I really can't find an outstanding quality that would make me want to write with this pen on a regular basis.

Sad, because it looks so great. Well, we'll try a different ink and see if that improves the way it feels against the paper. The cap on the other hand...well, either I'll get used to it, or it will be retired as a desk ornament.