How Durable Are Snap-On Cap Mechanisms?

[bizhe]

+1, Safari cappage is only a few years

[Buzz_130]

I haven't had problems with my vintage pens - Parker "51", 45, 61, 75 or my PFM III.

 

Buzz

[Ron Z]

As has been noted, the design of the cap clutch makes a difference. To me the difference reflects a thinking that promotes planned obsolescence VS durability and serviceability.

 

Many of the modern pens have a cap clutch that is molded into the inner cap, and are really raised bumps that grip a raised ring or similar part on the end of the section. These bumps tend to wear and/or compress so that they no longer hold. The slip caps on many Waterman pens fall into this category as do most Cross pens, the earlier Rotring 600, and many others. The Parker 75 and Premier was made for a while there with a long inner cap that had the same design. We replace these with a short inner cap and metal clutch fingers.

 

On the other side are a host of other pens. The Parker 51, 45, 75 with the short inner cap, and Targa for example have a metal cap clutch in them that (with the exception of the Targa) can be tightened if they get loose. The Targa stainless cap clutch tends to compress a bit over time, but can be replaced easily if needed. They still grip, but don't snap cleanly over the section.

 

Imperials and PFM pens use a pressure ring - a stainless ring with raised areas that go through the section. If loose they can be bumped out to make the fit tighter.

 

The Rotring Newton (later 600 design) abandoned the inner cap clutch in favor of two metal tabs. The Lamy 2000 used a washer with two tabs that reach through the section to catch a groove on the inside of the cap. Lamy has a metal sleeve in the end of the cap to take the tabs so that the cap doesn't wear.

 

I avoid pens that have the molded in "clutch." I receive many requests to repair them, but can't. There is no way for me to replace those bumps, or to make an inner cap. Once the manufacturer discontinues service or goes out of business you're out of luck.