Why Is Are British Duofolds Not Sought?

[mitto]

I love all of the English made Duofolds. Not just the earos. I love the NS, the AF as well the later production aerometric fillers in all sizes. The nibs on these are often soft and springy.

[sherbie]

I think they are fantastic pens. They come in all sizes, and the Seniors (35 on the nib) and the Maximas (50 on the nib) are larger pens, especially the latter

 

Well worth the money

 

Here you can see a black senior, next to a greenand a red Maxima

Edited February 12, 2018 by sherbie

[Florida Blue]

I have a couple English Duofolds. A little black Lady Duofold with a hooded medium nib and an early AF Duofold with an interesting B or BB stub nib. I've noticed that the nibs in the English Duofolds tend to run wider and have smoother/more substantial tipping material than American-made Parkers. This seems to be the case with English-made 51s. I suppose it was just a difference in taste. American customers seemed to want fine and extra fine nibs that wrote a bit drier, but British customers wanted medium or broad nibs that wrote a bit wetter. Both of my English Duofolds write really wet and smooth.

 

I think the fact that the English Duofolds seem to be under-appreciated is really due to the fact that the collectible pen market is dominated by the tastes of American pen collectors and these pens are not readily available in the American market and U.S. collectors are not that knowledgable about them. The pens that collectors seem interested in: the Duofold, Vacumatic, 51 etc, were produced in large quantities in the U.S. and originated in the U.S.

[grainweevil]

I think the fact that the English Duofolds seem to be under-appreciated is really due to the fact that the collectible pen market is dominated by the tastes of American pen collectors and these pens are not readily available in the American market and U.S. collectors are not that knowledgable about them.

 

Yes, my thoughts exactly.

 

Now if you'd all shut up and stop extolling their virtues, we can keep it that way...

[mitto]

[LanceSaintPaul]

Just bought my first UK Duofold, an Aerometric Junior in Burgundy. (I won't tell anyone else - I promise.)

[mitto]

You have already broken your promise. You told about every one who matters.

[LanceSaintPaul]

You have already broken your promise. You told about every one who matters.

 

Gee, from some of the comments in a certain forum near here I thought we didn't matter at all....

 

And I feel like I can trust everyone here to keep the lid on this - no one else can see our posts, right?

 

(I would have been The One who cost the Battle of Britain back then...)

[mitto]

:)

[grainweevil]

Well, as long as you don't tell anyone else, you've probably got away with it.

[Methersgate]

If you want a pen that you will use all day, every day, which will force you into at least legible handwriting, and which is idiot proof, get an English Duofold Aerometric (the Aerometric is important!)

 

As a schoolboy, accustomed to fighting the weak levers on lesser pens, I used to covet a Parker ( to most English people, these pens, not 51s or 61s, are Parkers!).

 

 

It was realising that modern cheap pens are rubbish, and going to eBay for good secondhand pens for my children to use at school, that led me to English Duofolds and so to the whole pen collecting thing.

 

Basically, an Aerometric English Duofold is the ideal first fountain pen, and the Juniors and Slimfolds are still to be had at modest prices.

 

Edited to add: The 51 is said to be idiot proof, but the evidence that at least one idiot contrived to hold his 51 upside down is to be seen in the arrow, pointing out the nib, on the hood of the 61...

 

You cant make that mistake with a Newhaven Duofold! And the filling system is the same.

 

(Unless, of course, it is an AF Duofold... and if it is a Vacumatic Duofold, it is no more idiot proof than the next Vac!)

Edited March 4, 2018 by Methersgate

[Penntellr]

I really like them. I've collected most of them except for a Major that I'm currently on the hunt for...all in b...k Have 3 Stds, but 1 has a 35 nib? Anyone got a line on a Major in BLack...LMK

 

Edited March 6, 2018 by Penntellr

[Methersgate]

The pens look similar, and to be honest they look rather boring, but the nibs are what these pens are all about!

[Penntellr]

The pens look similar, and to be honest they look rather boring, but the nibs are what these pens are all about!

 

Yes, I suppose you could look at it like that. There are a couple doubles in the mix, but that should change today & in a week to come. What's not there are: the Maxima, Demi & a Lady....also in boring black !

 

Max in the mail along w/ a Ball Point

Edited March 10, 2018 by Penntellr

[mitto]

Nice Maxima set. Congrats.

[AL01]

Wait a second...

 

YOU DON'T WANNA BRITISH DUOFOLD.

 

JUS' GIVE 'EM TO ME!

 

 

I think the reason is that they aren't real common in the US, or anywhere else besides Britain...

 

Vintage Pelikans are really popular in Europe, but are only gaining popularity elsewhere, (due to their distribution?)

Edited March 15, 2018 by AL01

[Penntellr]

Found this on the Net & not sure if it's been posted before ? Maybe old news to the aficionados.

Only drawback: Use Google Translator to read it, unless you're Polish.

English Duofolds

Edited March 15, 2018 by Penntellr

[Methersgate]

Thats an excellent article - an example of how a pen article should be written.

 

And I agree with the unusually brave statement at the end:

 

Pens sold by less-known, occasional sellers usually achieve a lower price level, but these pens are generally usable (especially

Aerometric).

 

You really are reasonably safe in buying a Newhaven Aerometric Duofold in the wild, at a modest price. If the nib is not visibly distorted and if the body, cap, clip, etc are all there, the chances are that all the pen will need is a good bath.