Pen Repair - Jim Marshall & Lawrence Oldfield

[craynerd]

I have been trying my hand at pen repair for a while now and it is surprising how the tools required for watch and clock repair almost map directly onto those required for basic pen repair. I started in my opinion in a sensible way, I resaced some old platignum lever fillers, buffed up a few barrels and worked on the nib, feed and section dismantle until I was confident. I then moved on to my collection of 15 FP`s I was lucky to purchase on the bay, a number of Conway Stewarts, Onotos, Watermans. Many of them needed resacing and the basic skills I had applied to the platignum practice pens but as I got to the end, repairs were getting harder and more complex. I have posted here many times and got some excellent responses, the most recent is the fantastic help I got with an onoto plunger filler dismantle. With other pens in my possession equally as confusing, I decided to purchase: Pen Repair by Jim Marashall and Lawrence Oldfield. It arrived in the post yesterday and it has been the best £25 I have spent in ages. An absolutely fantastic read - more so with the pens that interested me but even as a complete book every page is filled jam packed with information.

 

It is about 200 pages thick - sturdily ring bound and looks to be just over A5 in size. The book is split in three sections, Part 1 goes over some generic concepts and ideas about pens and pen repair, Part 2 is wonderful, focusing on specific models of classic pens and Part 3 is more advanced techniques. Each page is oozing with information, there are sections with info about building your own tools or more common alternatives and also quite a bit about nib tuning

 

I would recommend anyone to purchase a copy - pen repairer or not, this book is so fascinating! I think you can purchase via cathedral pens or with Jim Marshall at "pen and pencil gallery" or directly from Lawrence Oldfield at "pen practice"

 

Please feel free to extend this review if you also own a copy

 

....a really excellent book

 

Chris

Edited March 27, 2009 by craynerd

[Ron Z]

It is indeed a book that one should buy if considering doing pen repair. I did a review here about a year ago when the book first came out.

 

You can read the thread here.

Edited March 27, 2009 by Ron Z

[eckiethump]

It is indeed a book that one should buy if considering doing pen repair. I did a review here about a year ago when the book first came out.

 

You can read the thread here.

 

 

Excellant book and should be supplemented by this excellant article, http://www.mainstreetpens.com/articles/fingers.htm

Pen repairs, not just about the mechanics

Eric

[hari317]

Thanks for the review! Does anyone know of a source for this book in the USA?

 

Regards,

Hari

 

[StephY]

Pendemonium sells them for $50.

[hari317]

Pendemonium sells them for $50.

 

Thank you! However not for me since they do not take paypal and it is the only means for me to pay.

 

Regards,

Hari

[eckiethump]

Pendemonium sells them for $50.

 

Thank you! However not for me since they do not take paypal and it is the only means for me to pay.

 

Regards,

Hari

 

This UK supplier http://www.cathedralpens.co.uk/ did have the book and takes Paypal. I think they must be selling out of them as soon as they get them in, but you could pre order.... (no affiliation, other than a very satisfied customer)

et

[craynerd]

It looks like Ian from Cathedral Pens is also selling on ebay - search for "FOUNTAIN PEN REPAIR MANUAL" he will accept paypal and post worldwide.

 

Try and email Ian on the link posted above and I am sure he will sort you out. Alternatively contact Dr Oldfield or Dr Marshall directly via their internet websites and again I am sure they will help you out.

 

All as I can say is - the more I read, the more I am blown away by this gospel of knowledge.

 

Chris

[craynerd]

This is the bay link ;-) - no affiliation, just helping you find a book!

[hari317]

Thank you Craynerd and ET. I will look into it. definitely want this book.

 

Regards,

Hari

[Mr Ink]

Thanks for this post. I'll certainly buy the book after reading your recommendation.

[Indiana.Matt]

Chris, I'm looking into getting that book and found your post. I see you mentioned clock and watch repair...do you repair them too? I work on clocks and am starting watch repair also. It's good to hear that tools are similar to each field of repair. I can defiantly see how clock and watch people would be attracted to pens and pen repair.

[EPP]

The Fountain Pen Hospital NY have this book in at $59 although I dont know if they take PayPal.

[Azuniga]

The book is also very important for those who are not considering to become repair people, since it helps to understand the internal mechanism of most pens and beginners stop being afraid of doing something wrong... It has been my case, and for some simple tasks it has been really essential.

[Ron Z]

Note that the post is over 6 years old, so the OP may not even be on FPN these days.

 

The Marshall/Oldfield book is now in its 3rd edition, significantly updated and better. I've bought, and will keep all three editions.

 

FPH has them, and I saw that Pendemonium had them with them at the Ohio show a couple of weeks ago.