Loving My First Mabie Todd!

[bass1193]

Howdy Mabie Todd lovers,

 

I now understand why people love these pens! I got what I thought was a good deal on eVilbay (~$50) for a nice looking Blackbird 5260. Cleaned it up and installed a new sac, and boy is it a stunner!

 

Leads me to a question, though. I've only resacced pens whose levers are considered proper lining up with the nib, which is how I have this guy set. The lever was lined up with the feed when I got it, so wondering if that's what's appropriate.

 

 

 

 

ETA: fix a wording error

Edited July 25, 2018 by bass1193

[Greenie]

Welcome!

 

Blackbird was a "lower end" line, but the nibs are just as wonderful and Swans. Look at that flex on yours! What a great buy.

 

As for alignment, vintage ads always seem to show the nib aligned with the lever. However, on occasion I see it set 180 degrees to that. I think you pose an excellent question!

 

What is appropriate? However you like it, I would say. What is likely the original (and most typical) configuration - nib and lever aligned.

[Cob]

Yes I am with Greenie on this: I always align nib and lever - sometimes this can be fiddly with a threaded section and I have on occasion, found that the nib "sweet spot" causes the nib to be misaligned with the lever..

 

As for the Blackbird, that is indeed a really good example. Welcome to Mabie Todd - you'll not go wrong!

 

Cob

[bass1193]

Thank you both! Good to know!

 

This nib makes me understand some people's disdain for stock modern "flex" nibs. Takes hardly any pressure, snaps right back, and boy does the feed keep up! Real eye-opener. Looking at the underside of the nib, just what shows ahead of the feed since I don't punch out the nib and feed unless I have to on vintage pens, it seems they did some hand shaping to it. Maybe this delicate and skilled handwork contributes to the disparity between vintage and modern flex?

 

I've looked all over for more examples of chased Blackbirds, but I've only found chased Swans. Is this an uncommon one?

 

I've definitely caught the English pen bug now, and I'll be keeping my eye out for more good deals!

Edited July 26, 2018 by bass1193

[PaulS]

I'd agree that frequently it's the case that the nib is what really makes a pen - yours looks and sounds to be the best part of the pen.

British made Blackbirds with chrome trim in chased BHR seem to be not uncommon, at least in the U.K. - and now you're hooked, if you continue with your search for good deals (nearer home perhaps) you may find one of the M.T. eye dropper 'Made In New York' BCHR Blackbirds - their barrel imprint often shows MADE IN U.S.A. DURING WAR. My example has a M.T. 12 carat No. 2 nib, though not as flexible as yours appears, unfortunately, and no idea of course as to whether it started out life with the rest of the pen.

 

What is the number showing on your nib? There is some evidence to suggest that leaving BHR pens exposed to daylight is responsible for some pens developing a brownish surface coating (oxidation), so perhaps best kept out of daylight when not being used - and I wouldn't rest a good pen on a lump of quartz:-):-):-)

Edited August 17, 2018 by PaulS

[Cob]

I should add that the chasing on the pen shown above is atypical for a Blackbird. All the chased Blackbirds I have seen have circumferential chasing. This one is "wavy" identical in fact to that found on Swan SM100/60s and 200/60s.

 

Cob