Wahl Metal Pen Wear

[coleb87]

Hey all, I've got a lovely little metal pen- #2 flexy nib with a ringtop. As it stands, the pen works well and is a nice writer.

My question is this: I'm afraid to use it for fear of scratching/smudging/etc the finish of the metal. So, just how resilient is this?

I am afraid to post the pen (it's very, very,short so I'd prefer to)

Also, would normal handwear be a problem?

Thanks!

[sidthecat]

I wear my ringtops on a sautoir, which makes posting impossible, but I don’t see a lot of wear from that on my pens. Most of the wear is on the final of the barrel and the very end of the section next to the nib.

If you’re careful and don’t polish it too violently it should be good for another century.

[Ted F]

Posting shouldn't be a problem. The cap doesn't go down on the body very far when posted so they post long which makes it easier to hold. At the end of the body where you post it's usually plain (without the design) so it doesn't hurt anything.

[Glenn-SC]

That is the reason I never post caps:

http://i63.tinypic.com/103tvua.jpg

(Edited to add)

I bought this pen used.

See that ring about 1/2-inch from the end of the barrel?
The gold plating has been worn completely off on all the high points all the way around the barrel, that's base brass you can see.
Unless a pen is specifically designed for it (and sometimes even then), posting will cause damage.

Edited August 24, 2018 by Glenn-SC

[Roger W.]

The end of ringtops is usually where you see wear and it is from posting. The gold fill will not last forever if you start posting the pen. I've never seen a pen where hand wear was ever a factor. The other spot that you see wear is on the top of the cap where it rubs more than anywhere else. If the end of the barrel is clean you can see scratching after you post it and you will start losing the top layer of gold, not as bad as electroplate but, the gold fill will start to wear away.

 

Roger W.