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Bexley Simplicity Ii


anaximander

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Up for review today is the Bexley Simplicity II in "classic orange."

 

First impressions

The pen comes in a simple black box about the size of a box of checks: classy without being overdone.

 

Appearance and Design (7/10)

The design is obviously based on the Parker Duofold "Big Red." It has the same bright orange color, blocky shape, and black ends. It was a good design in the 1920s and it's still good now.

 

I have to admit that it wasn't love at first sight. The orange acrylic struck me as very plastic and kind of toy-like. It probably looks this way to me because I own a lot of conservative, businessy-looking pens. I bought this one in part to break out of that box.

 

http://rongilmour.info/images/SimplicityCap.jpg

 

Construction and Quality (6/10)

Nicely made pen. A few design oddities: the cap doesn't post, the threads for screwing on the cap are rather tight (I understand that's an intentional anti-leak measure), and the blind cap screws off for no reason that I can fathom.

 

Weight and Dimensions (7/10)

It's a fairly light-weight pen. Lighter than I expected it to be when I first picked it up. This is fine with me, but I know there are people who associate quality with heft and they might not appreciate this.

 

Nib and Performance (8/10)

The nib is a steel Schmidt nib in fine. I've inked the pen with some Pelikan Edelstein Sapphire and am very impressed with the nib. It's perhaps a shade finer than my Pelikan F nibs, and has just a touch of tooth, which I like. It always starts instantly and produces a very even line with no skipping. As would be expected, it's quite firm.

 

http://rongilmour.info/images/SimplicityNib.jpg

 

http://rongilmour.info/images/SimplicityWrite.jpg

 

Filling System (6/10)

Standard c/c filling system, converter included.

 

Cost and Value (6/10)

The MSRP for the Simplicity II is $129. I bought this one from Richard Binder, for $98. (For that price, you also get the nib tested and adjusted if necessary by Mr. Binder, so it's a pretty good deal).

 

Overall, this is a good pen, but Bexley has some heavy competition in the $100-ish pen range. I'm happy with the Bexley, but I wouldn't put it in the same quality rank as the similarly priced Pelikan 200 series (MSRP only $110, and it's a piston filler!) or the Aurora Ipsilon (MSRP $120). At first glance, one might think that the Bexley would at least have size over those two competitors, but it turns out that most of the pen's apparent bulk is in the cap. Uncapped, the pen shrinks to match the size of the Pelikan 200 and the Ipsilon (except that the Bexley does have a much larger nib). Uncapped, the winner in terms of mass is the Ipsilon.

 

http://rongilmour.info/images/SimplicityCompareCapped.jpg

 

http://rongilmour.info/images/SimplicityCompareUncapped.jpg

 

So, if you're going for maximum fountain-pen goodness for your dollar, I'd suggest the Pelikan or Aurora. But if you're after something a little different, especially if you're into the classic American designs, the Bexley Simplicity II would be a good choice.

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I've the same Bexley and Pelikan M200 and I'd say the Bexley is far superior to the Pelikan, which is not to say the Pelikan is not a good pen.

Bryan

 

"The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes." Winston S. Churchill

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i love that flat top classic design of the Simplicity. mine costed $80, so i'm veeeeeeery happy with mine... but... it won't beat the pelikan m200 (IMO), that's for sure. ;)

 

edited: how rude of me... thx for the review, Anaximander!

Edited by lovemy51
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I've never understood why the all-black version came out as a limited edition only. I'd buy it in black, but not orange.

 

Yes indeed, the original one in black is very stunning, though I think I'd prefer it with a one-piece body without the blind cap.

"What? What's that? WHAT?!!! SPEAK UP, I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!" - Ludwig van Beethoven.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I've never understood why the all-black version came out as a limited edition only. I'd buy it in black, but not orange.

 

I have both the Simplicity II in orange and the original Simplicity in black/rhodium. I agree with you...the black Simplicity is a very attractive, even classy looking pen, while the orange II is a little funky (and clunky) looking. Still a very nice pen,though.

"History Teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives." Abba Eban

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I've got a simplicity 1 and am very happy with it. Am curious what the difference is between I and II?

 

Also interesting to note that the size (sans cap) isn't much different from M200. I've been pondering an M200 (mainly as a vehicle for a binder CI nib), but was concerned about the size. I will say that my simplicity posts fine, and that is how I use it.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qVJOiluU9_4/THp4f_4pakI/AAAAAAAAA14/_d-MITGtqvY/s320/InkDropLogoFPN2.jpg
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Nicely made pen. A few design oddities: the cap doesn't post, the threads for screwing on the cap are rather tight (I understand that's an intentional anti-leak measure), and the blind cap screws off for no reason that I can fathom

 

Could the blind cap screw off so that you might screw on the cap in its place?

I'm hung like Einstein and smart as a horse!

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I have an orange Simplicity II, and also wish it came in black/gold or black/rhodium trim. You think that either would be a standard color combination. My orange II will have to do for now until those colors are offered.

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