Franklin-Christoph Model 45 Xlv Black

[R531]

Well, here it is. F-C's new model, the 45 XLV.

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o535/Keir_Williams/image1-5_zpsucwimyu0.jpg

This is my 2nd FC Pen, the first being a 66P. I saw the 45 in Black on their Instagram page, and noticed it was at Initial Price Offering of $90 including worldwide shipping, so I thought I'd take a look, and shortly after looking on the website I purchased it.

I bought the Pen on a Thursday night here in the UK, and on Monday morning, the FedEx van called round and delivered it ! That's what I call good service !

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o535/Keir_Williams/image4_zpspjxbgxa7.jpg

The pen came in their typical leather pouch and so I inked the pen with the included cartridge and began writing.

The steel #5 fine nib is very smooth and puts down a line with medium flow, although it could be a little wetter. The pen is very comfortable in hand and is very light. The pen is small unposed, so I write with it posted, but it works both ways equally well.

The branding is typically F-C minimal, and the only markings are on the flat top cap, and in a band round the cap, where it is marked "Franklin-Christoph 45 IPO"

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o535/Keir_Williams/image3-2_zpslrjbkaq4.jpgThe cap unscrews in about half a turn, and the cap threads are the large block type at the end of the section. The section is hourglass shaped and I found no problems with comfort during long writing sessions. The nib never ran dry, apart from when the cartridge ran out, but I will soon convert the pen to an eyedropper as the section threads are very tight.

Here is the pen compared to some others, from Top to bottom, Kaweco Sport, Model 45, Model 66 Pocket, Lamy Safari, Lamy 2000, TWSBI Eco :

 

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o535/Keir_Williams/image2_zps3xey09gl.jpg

 

And posted :

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o535/Keir_Williams/image1-4_zpsbm0xksbp.jpgAs you can see its not a big pen, although it's a perfectly comfortable size for someone with normal sized hands.

The fine nib appears on the fine side compared to other nibs :

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o535/Keir_Williams/image1-3_zps26dq0y9c.jpgIt's a little finer than the Kaweco fine, and a little drier, but about the same as the Eco's Extra Fine nib. I quite like it; it's stiff with almost no line variation but a good solid flow.

It's very well made to precise measurements, and here are some dimensions :

 

Capped length : 4.45" or 113mm

Posted length 5.60" or 142mm

Unposted length 4.12" or 104mm

 

 

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, and it'd be great premium upgrade to something like a Kaweco or a Lamy.

 

8.5/10 for the FC Model 45 XLV in Black, Steel Fine.

[Angel91]

Such a nice one with a great price. How does it compare with p66 in your opinion?

 

And what does IPO stand for?

 

 

Enjoy it!

Edited May 15, 2016 by Angel91

[R531]

Such a nice one with a great price. How does it compare with p66 in your opinion?

 

And what does IPO stand for?

 

 

Enjoy it!

Thanks ! IPO is initial Price Offering, so FC market new models at a lower price when first introduced.

Compared to the 66, it has the #5 instead of the #6 nib, so you won't be able to use an FC Music nib, and of course the pen is quite a bit smaller than the Pocket 66,which I can get away with using unposted (I have to post on the 45).

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it though !

[BillH]

Thanks for the review and the comparison pictures. I've only recently discovered F-C and am intrigued enough to try to learn more. Your post helped a lot.

[tvradio]

Well, here it is. F-C's new model, the 45 XLV.

 

This is my 2nd FC Pen, the first being a 66P. I saw the 45 in Black on their Instagram page, and noticed it was at Initial Price Offering of $90 including worldwide shipping, so I thought I'd take a look, and shortly after looking on the website I purchased it.

 

Do you still have it, use it, like it?

 

I see that wonderpens.ca has an attractive clear frosted/gravel exclusive for the same (Canadian) price as F-C sells its other variants.