After surfing “The Fountain Pen Network” for some time and reading the great posts I will be happy if I can end up with a collection that includes the following pens:

1. Duke Charlie Chaplin
2. Parker 45
3. Parker 51
4. Namiki Falcon
5. Namiki Vanishing point
6. Pelikan 400
7. Esterbrook
8. Sailor 1911
9. Parker 61

What do you think about my list from a user point of view which I am ?

Should I subtract any of the above or add a new one?

Regards,

Simon

A very nice list. You may want to give some more details about what kind of pen you like (thick, thin, heavy, light, type of nibs, etc) to give some of the experienced people on this forum a better opportunity to comment.

Ron

Hi Simon,

That is a great list indeed!

I was pondering your list for a while,and came to the conclusion that one particular brand was missing, and a country known for a large variety of slightly more exuberant pens than mentioned in your list isn't represented either.

I think the missing brand is Waterman and the pen probably an Expert, a Hemisphère, or maybe even a Liaison.

The missing country to me is Italy. I think an Aurora 88 would not be wrong in that collection, in black with gold trim of course, or a Talentum. An Omas would be ok too, but those are more expensive. Of course best would be a Stipula, IMO, maybe a Florentia in black . And there is plenty of opportunity to go wild here, colour-, material, nib-, and pricewise if you wanted too .

Of course a collection is never complete, and although for now it may look like it is complete, there will be a time, once you're close to your goals, that new pens come automagically onto your horizon, to extend your collection requirements .

I hope I didn't discourage you now . Probably not .

Warm regards, Wim

Hola Simon, muchos saludos a Venezuela.

Nice list. I would start with a Parker 51, Pelikan 400 or 600 and a Sailor 1911.
Those will give you a great start and be a baseline for comparing other pens. What type of nib do you favor? What inks do you have available?

Saludos,

Pedro

RonB, Win and DrPJM1,

I appreciate your comments.

I like medium size pens with fine to medium nibs. I already owned some pens:

1. Tombow zoom 505fp (In my possession and under heavy use for a long time, +- 10 years)
2. Wingsung 612
3. Hero 616
4. Duke 911-1
5. Wality 69L
6. Parker "51"

I only inked one pen at a time right now the Wality is the pen of choice, by the way a great value only $ 9.99.

A Parker Frontier is coming my way got it from ebay.

Win, I am going to add to my list a Waterman and Aurora. Don’t know which models because my budget is limited. I am supporting my hobby selling stuff on ebay. I have a Dell Aximx30 out for auction right now. I hope it sells well.

Regards,

Simon

Hi Simon,

Watermans come in many sizes, so you should be fine there. Regarding the Aurora, the 88 modern vrsion comes in a medium size too. I gave my wife one a year and a half ago, and I am not allowed close to it, unless it needs a drink , being the master ink filler person in the house:D. Wonderful, very reliable pen, but not the cheapest either. Oh, the medium size is not a piston filler, though, it is a c/c pen.

There are some vintage 88s you may consider though. Some are hooded, like the P51.

And success with the sale of your Axim!

Warmest regards, Wim

I think it's a great list, and you've got Parker well-represented, but I see a complete lack of Sheaffer. Having just re-discovered the joys of vintage Sheaffers from the '60s with a couple of Touchdown Imperials, I would recommend that you add a Thin Model ™ Snorkel or Sheaffer Imperial to your list. I would rank both of those with a Parker 45 or 51 for reliability and great nibs and above both of those Parkers in terms of innovation. Plus, the clips on the Sheaffers are just great; springy and tight and nearly impossible to "spring", unlike a 45 or Esterbrook.

And if you don't want to add anything to the list, just get a second Vanishing Point If the clip on the writing end doesn't bother you, then you can make full enjoyment of the divinely smooth nibs.

Certainly a Sheaffer would be a nice addition. I sold a green admiral not that long ago simply because I had too many green pens and am looking around for a snorkel to add to the collection, preferably with a Triumph nib.

My list isn't too different, really.

Currently own:

Parker "51" (two actually)
Parker 21
Parker green striped Duofold
Waterman Expert 2000
Parker Vector flighter

Targeting:

Sheaffer triumph snorkel
Parker 45 flighter
and my cornerstone pen, currently lusting after a CS Churchill although I'm a bit scared of the size...

Dear fellows,

My collection has grown today the Parker Frontier came in the mail today and I bought a working Scheaffer Snorkel for $25 in an antiquarian store in San Juan.

I was not planning in buying anything but the comment by NMB made me realized that a Sheaffer needed to be in my list. I am really impressed by the snorkel it has a very smooth fine nib. I filled up with Quink Blue-Black and it writes beautiful.

Regards,

Simon

Good choice, Simon. I have a number of Parker's but have recently added a few Sheaffers, including a couple Snorkels. I am enjoying them as well. I love the smooth nib feel.

Ron

Hi Simon,

Congratulations on your 2 new pens! I am sure you will find great enjoyment using them!

I happen to have a Snorkel too, but I need some time to make the thing work again.

Hopefully soon...

Warm regards, Wim

Ron and Wim,

I have never had a snorkel before and there is something very pleasant about it that I cannot describe maybe the feeding system or its appearance.

Mine is black and gold with a two tone nib. In a way I’d say it is funny looking, informal and streamline, I exactly do not know though I have read is that the inside is very complex.

Simon