De La Rue Onoto 6235 Fp & Pencil

[soapytwist]

this isn't strictly a matching set, but it's as close as I can find at present (and for all I know may be as close as I can manage!). Onotos seems to be fetching higher prices in the last few years, thanks in part to increased exposure due to the new Onoto company.

 

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd485/soapytwist/FPN/Pen%20Sets/bd143c94.jpg

 

While the newer pens faithfully reproduce the looks of the older pens, they don't utilise the vacuum filling system on the De La Rue pens of the pre-WW2 period. These do tend to be a little bit fiddly, and difficult to get the seals right when servicing, but repaired pen works as well as any modern filling system. Some models (those with the conical-ended plunger) feature an ink cut-off, where the filler knob needs half a turn to open the valve so that the pen can be used.

 

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd485/soapytwist/FPN/Pen%20Sets/7311644a.jpg

 

The FP is slender and the grip even thinner, which makes this pen feel archaic and a little bit like a quill pen. This is exacerbated if the cap is posted - the pen becomes 18.5cm (7.25in) long! The ink shut-off valve means it is more useful for thoughtful or extended writing.

 

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd485/soapytwist/FPN/Pen%20Sets/8c60dd4c.jpg

 

The pencil is obviously from a time when manufacturers were making pencils that just about matched but in reality were marketed to be bought separately by a different market. The Onoto pencil is pretty much standard fare for pencils of this era; I have seen many no-name pencils that look much the same as this one; the twist-action works on the brass end, and the pencil is fairly short, even compared to fountain pens of shorter length than the 6235. I'm not sure if it was available in a chased version, hence the caveat at the top about it being a 'best match'. It works perfectly well, but is no match for holding and writing with the FP.

 

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd485/soapytwist/FPN/Pen%20Sets/50edf8db.jpg

[watch_art]

very cool. That nib looks a lot like the nibs getting put into some Indian eyedroppers.

[david@onoto.com]

Re: plunger filler system mentioned...

 

You may be interested to know that we had the first prototype of a brand new Onoto plunger filler FP on display at the Northern Pen Show yesterday.

 

Everyone said we should try to make one... and we do listen to what you say! It's still very much at the prototype stage, but we are very pleased with the mechanics and it looks as though we will have a retail version ready for the autumn.

 

I'll keep you posted on this forum re release dates etc.

[PeterBeoworld]

That is fantastic news - it will make the Onoto even more special. I have a similar pen to that in the review - I think it is a 6234 - the imprint is a little worn. Same splendid 5 nib - nice degree of flex. Beautifully slim body and very long - posted it is longer than both my original Magna and my wife's Cambridge Edition new Onoto. A lovely pink celluloid with gold trim.