Surprising Pens

[sansenri]

did it ever happen to you that you bough a pen because you liked it, you were attracted by the looks, the material, the colour, the brand, the shape, or any other reason which was not specifically just the expected writing experience and it surprisingly turned out to be a much better pen that you had hoped for?

 

I'm curious to know other's experiences as sometimes treasures are not where you expect.

 

I have one such pen, it's a Bexley 2016 OC.

I bought the pen because I really liked the dark blue-black ebonite it was made of.

The pen came with a steel Bexley nib, from which I was not expecting miraculous performance, but ordinary Jowo standard.

In reality this pen not only looks nice and is very comfortable in the hand, but it writes faultlessly, with a touch of very nice feedback (Aurora like), very solid performance, no skips, hard starts, with regular and unrestrained flow. A very nice writing experience I was not really expecting.

 

 

anyone, some perhaps less well known pen than the usual big names/models, that turned out to be a solid performer?

[silverlifter]

I'm still amazed by the WingSung 3008 I paid less than three dollars for, shipped, that writes so exceptionally well. I keep expecting it to fall apart, but so far it has proved surprisingly resilient.

 

At the other end of the scale, the 1960's Montblancs: the first one I bought, a 12 with an 18K nib, blew me away when I first put the nib on the page. I'd never encountered such a soft writing experience. Now I own three from that era...

[sansenri]

thank you, I own a 3008 and it is a good pen for the low cost, however the nib did not positively surprise me (except for the fact that, yes, for that money it's quite good and not scratchy, although rather stiff).

 

I'm more curious on the vintage Montblancs although pricing can be an obstacle. I have a 342 which is nice but not such a miracle, while I'm rather curious on the 254...

[OMASsimo]

I've had a number of great positive surprises with vintage no-name pens from the 1930s through 1960s while some big names of the period disappointed me quite a bit.

 

thank you, I own a 3008 and it is a good pen for the low cost, however the nib did not positively surprise me (except for the fact that, yes, for that money it's quite good and not scratchy, although rather stiff).

 

I'm more curious on the vintage Montblancs although pricing can be an obstacle. I have a 342 which is nice but not such a miracle, while I'm rather curious on the 254...

 

I have a 254 and the nib is amazing. But the rest of the pen is .... oh well, I better not get started. If the rest of the pen was like the nib, it would be one of the best pens of the period, much better than any 14x of MB. But unfortunately it is not and you run a high risk to get a piece of junk with an outstanding nib. That's at least my experience and opinion.

[praxim]

Tabo V

 

I bought one for a few inadequate reasons, such I was making a desultory collection of '40s-'50s Italian piston fillers, or I thought its spiral pattern ink window cute, or something.

 

While the pen is very small so demands posting to write, the 14c nib has been a great reward for the venture.

[gweimer1]

I got a box of 50 Venus pens a few years ago. It's become one of my favorite writers. And, because they were designed to use Sheaffer cartridges, I was able to fit a thin Sheaffer converter on one.

 

Not bad for 60¢

 

[A Smug Dill]

I'm curious to know other's experiences as sometimes treasures are not where you expect.

My Diplomat Aero (in orange) with steel EF nib.

My Sailor koshu-inden yozakura with "medium-sized" (as in the smallest in the line of) gold 1911-imprint MF nib — I bought that on a lark, but enjoyed the writing experience so much, I just had to get the other koshu-inden (sayagata), which I love even better. I've since also bought the kabazaiku (cherry bark finish) pen in the same form factor (but only comes with an M nib).

My Monteverde Monza pens with F nibs.

Edited September 3, 2019 by A Smug Dill

[inkstainedruth]

Yes, several times.

One that comes to immediate mind is the gold-fill filigree overlay Morrison ringtop I bought at my first pen show. The seller said it was working, and I thought it was really pretty -- but I was a little hesitant over the price (more than I had paid for my Parker 51 Plum Demi). Then the friend I had gone to the show with saw me (he was at the next table over) and said "If you don't buy it, I will.... (I think he thought it was a Waterman, because I've seen Waterman lever fillers with a very similar -- if not identical -- overlay).

Turned out it's a LOVELY writer, with a juicy and semi-flexible nib (possibly even a B on top of that). It just doesn't get a lot of use because it has a nasty habit of unscrewing itself from the cap when it's on the lanyard; and it also is hard to fill unless I'm working from a really full ink bottle or sample vial because it's so short...). But oh, MY -- does it write nice....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: Another one I just thought of is the 1980s era Pelikano I paid five bucks for last year at the Baltimore-Washington Pen Show (I couldn't even tell you from which table, just that it was in the smaller ballroom and I think they were gearing stuff to kids). It's a nail, but it is one SMOOOOTH nail. And I paid a whole whopping five bucks for it....

Edited September 3, 2019 by inkstainedruth

[DonM]

Some years back I bought a dozen Pelikan Go! school pens from an ebay seller for a bargain price. I was intrigued as they are piston fillers. The nib size in unmarked but I would guess a western fine. They write like a dream and are fun to use. I've given away several because of how good they are.

[sansenri]

I've had a number of great positive surprises with vintage no-name pens from the 1930s through 1960s while some big names of the period disappointed me quite a bit.

 

 

I have a 254 and the nib is amazing. But the rest of the pen is .... oh well, I better not get started. If the rest of the pen was like the nib, it would be one of the best pens of the period, much better than any 14x of MB. But unfortunately it is not and you run a high risk to get a piece of junk with an outstanding nib. That's at least my experience and opinion.

 

Thank you for your comments, Massimo, I've been watching the offers on the 254 and I think you're right... even in the photos (that can hide the defects) it's quite evident that the status of these pens is often rather bad (much easier to find a 1950s Aurora in good shape...), but that nib...

[sansenri]

Tabo V

 

I bought one for a few inadequate reasons, such I was making a desultory collection of '40s-'50s Italian piston fillers, or I thought its spiral pattern ink window cute, or something.

 

While the pen is very small so demands posting to write, the 14c nib has been a great reward for the venture.

 

Thank you.

Sounds like my experience with an Omas 1930 (lady's size). It's ever so small, so really tough to write unposted, but the nib is one of the flexiest Omas nibs I own! Will never give it away!

[sansenri]

I got a box of 50 Venus pens a few years ago. It's become one of my favorite writers. And, because they were designed to use Sheaffer cartridges, I was able to fit a thin Sheaffer converter on one.

 

Not bad for 60¢

 

 

ahah! statistically there MUST be a good one in there!

[sansenri]

Yes, several times.

One that comes to immediate mind is the gold-fill filigree overlay Morrison ringtop I bought at my first pen show. The seller said it was working, and I thought it was really pretty -- but I was a little hesitant over the price (more than I had paid for my Parker 51 Plum Demi). Then the friend I had gone to the show with saw me (he was at the next table over) and said "If you don't buy it, I will.... (I think he thought it was a Waterman, because I've seen Waterman lever fillers with a very similar -- if not identical -- overlay).

Turned out it's a LOVELY writer, with a juicy and semi-flexible nib (possibly even a B on top of that). It just doesn't get a lot of use because it has a nasty habit of unscrewing itself from the cap when it's on the lanyard; and it also is hard to fill unless I'm working from a really full ink bottle or sample vial because it's so short...). But oh, MY -- does it write nice....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: Another one I just thought of is the 1980s era Pelikano I paid five bucks for last year at the Baltimore-Washington Pen Show (I couldn't even tell you from which table, just that it was in the smaller ballroom and I think they were gearing stuff to kids). It's a nail, but it is one SMOOOOTH nail. And I paid a whole whopping five bucks for it....

 

Thanks Ruth, vintage pens can be like that, almost always individually different even among same pens... trying the pen would be best but not always possible. You would probably need to get a pen holder for it, although I do undertand a ringtop should be worn differently... One of my Pelikan 140 has that nasty habit. I've already ruined one jacket when the cap unscrewed itself inside my pocket... I always use a pen holder when I use it now...

Edited September 3, 2019 by sansenri

[sansenri]

My Diplomat Aero (in orange) with steel EF nib.

My Sailor koshu-inden yozakura with "medium-sized" (as in the smallest in the line of) gold 1911-imprint MF nib — I bought that on a lark, but enjoyed the writing experience so much, I just had to get the other koshu-inden (sayagata), which I love even better. I've since also bought the kabazaiku (cherry bark finish) pen in the same form factor (but only comes with an M nib).

My Monteverde Monza pens with F nibs.

 

Thank you, Diplomats have not convinced me so far, but the Aero is a nice looking pen (design is rather neat) , the step down however worries me... Are you ok with the metal section? is the matt finish durable?

 

Very curious about the Sailor pens you mention, but don't know much about them (and oriental pens in general), besides owning a couple of lovely Sailor Pro Gear. I am setting my mind to save up for a Nakaya though...

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

Wing sung 601 demonstrators

 

Come for the affordable Parker “51” demonstrator copy

 

Stay for the remarkably good writing experience (and the cool affordable Parker “51” demonstrator copy)

 

[sansenri]

Some years back I bought a dozen Pelikan Go! school pens from an ebay seller for a bargain price. I was intrigued as they are piston fillers. The nib size in unmarked but I would guess a western fine. They write like a dream and are fun to use. I've given away several because of how good they are.

Ah yes, school pens are surprising sometimes, not too sexy, rugged but the nibs are often work horses.

I've used a Pelikan 478 for ages (for a period of around 15 years it was my one and only pen) I actually believe the nib got better with age...

[Bo Bo Olson]

I was very 'noobie' knowing nothing about MB pens other than they were cigar shaped.

At a live auction, I was after a 400nn, the BP&MP (450&455) in the etui were of no interest to me, was going to sell them to get down to my limit....figured to get E35 or so for each.

That Ugly MB 234 1/2 Delux KOB, (found out later it was made in '52-54 only) that I had never heard of, in the lot ....(pre getting Labrou's book) was going to drive the price up..... I'd put the MB and the 450&455 in auction in another auction house and get some of my money back.

How was I to know it was a shorter standard sleeker version of a oversized pre'war 139, when I'd never heard of a 139.

I knew it would be back heavy.....old MB pens had brass guts. It was a tad fat.....in I was use to only standard sized pen.....had to be fore I got my 605....which is close to that girth.

A Fat ugly back heavy pen. The girth wasn't that distracting.

The back weighting wasn't all that bad...instead of the pen resting at 45 degrees right after the big index knuckle, it rested at 40 degrees at the start of the web of the thumb.

:yikes:A semi-flex nib.........sort of narrow compared to what I thought an OB was like....thought it thinner than my 140 OB. K meant there was a fatter tip and top, not a ball though, in case I wanted to hold it like a ball point or pencil.

It wrote pretty good for an Ugly pen.

Really shortly after I got home and scribbled with it.....and the 400nn, that I found I liked as much, not more as I expected. I looked around and found that Ugly MB was worth $200 alone. I'd paid E170 for that lot.

 

Sometime later, after the ugly pen sat quite awhile. I decided to check the balance of my 20 pens.

:yikes:Actually the top three are in any order balance...but the nib was 'better' on the MB.

Each of my then top 3 or 4 were completely different. Today I must have 15 or so top five pens. the thicker girthed standard sized MB 234 1/2, the thin medium-large Geha 725 and the standard sized silver P-75, were the top three. The medium-long 400nn, that I was after with that live auction lot was #4. Two of my best balanced pens from the same lot.

 

A little while later I saw that MB 234 1/2 Deluxe....Meisterstuck clip, different cap band than the regular 234 1/2 (I do recommend buy one one of the regular ones, are much cheaper) $500!!!

 

A year or two ago I saw one going for a Buy Now Idiot price of $900 .................. Would have to dither, but would think of selling it for that.

I found out what a 139 was, I found out many of the MB Writers LE's have a similar shape.

When a pen is so well balanced, has such a grand nib...and one understands it's history.....it's not ugly at all.

Edited September 3, 2019 by Bo Bo Olson

[Rancho Gordo]

I've been surprised how I am not in love with my Sailor Pro Gear. I like it but it's not a real love affaire. Yet.
Sometimes it takes awhile to find true love, even when it's been sitting on your desk the whole time.

On the otherhand. I was surprised how much I loved my Platinum 3776. I wasn't expecting much and it's like driving a convertible on a gorgeous day. With a full tank of gas. I have been so into European pens that I never thought I'd get beyond my favorite brands.
Is there a Pilot I should consider? As broad as nib as possible and a more traditional look would be preferred.

[sansenri]

I was very 'noobie' knowing nothing about MB pens other than they were cigar shaped.

At a live auction, I was after a 400nn, the BP&MP (450&455) in the etui were of no interest to me, was going to sell them to get down to my limit....figured to get E35 or so for each.

That Ugly MB 234 1/2 Delux KOB, (found out later it was made in '52-54 only) that I had never heard of, in the lot ....(pre getting Labrou's book) was going to drive the price up..... I'd put the MB and the 450&455 in auction in another auction house and get some of my money back.

How was I to know it was a shorter standard sleeker version of a oversized pre'war 139, when I'd never heard of a 139.

I knew it would be back heavy.....old MB pens had brass guts. It was a tad fat.....in I was use to only standard sized pen.....had to be fore I got my 605....which is close to that girth.

A Fat ugly back heavy pen. The girth wasn't that distracting.

The back weighting wasn't all that bad...instead of the pen resting at 45 degrees right after the big index knuckle, it rested at 40 degrees at the start of the web of the thumb.

:yikes:A semi-flex nib.........sort of narrow compared to what I thought an OB was like....thought it thinner than my 140 OB. K meant there was a fatter tip and top, not a ball though, in case I wanted to hold it like a ball point or pencil.

It wrote pretty good for an Ugly pen.

Really shortly after I got home and scribbled with it.....and the 400nn, that I found I liked as much, not more as I expected. I looked around and found that Ugly MB was worth $200 alone. I'd paid E170 for that lot.

 

Sometime later, after the ugly pen sat quite awhile. I decided to check the balance of my 20 pens.

:yikes:Actually the top three are in any order balance...but the nib was 'better' on the MB.

Each of my then top 3 or 4 were completely different. Today I must have 15 or so top five pens. the thicker girthed standard sized MB 234 1/2, the thin medium-large Geha 725 and the standard sized silver P-75, were the top three. The medium-long 400nn, that I was after with that live auction lot was #4. Two of my best balanced pens from the same lot.

 

A little while later I saw that MB 234 1/2 Deluxe....Meisterstuck clip, different cap band than the regular 234 1/2 (I do recommend buy one one of the regular ones, are much cheaper) $500!!!

 

A year or two ago I saw one going for a Buy Now Idiot price of $900 .................. Would have to dither, but would think of selling it for that.

I found out what a 139 was, I found out many of the MB Writers LE's have a similar shape.

When a pen is so well balanced, has such a grand nib...and one understands it's history.....it's not ugly at all.

 

Very nice one Bo Bo, hard to find auctions like that now...

[sansenri]

Another pen that really surprised me.

 

This is a JEB Kamet, and it's a piston filler.

It's hand made by Jeb, a pen turner, and I bought it on impulse because... I just loved the colour!

Well, the price was attractive too, since it's a piston filler and the nib is 14k.

The nib is a Monteverde, and I usually associate Monteverde to lower range pens and had no great expectation of it.

Besides the resin used, which is in fact mesmerizing and reminds me of the Parker Duofold Centennial, the writing experience turned out to be the best feature! Wow, this nib is smooth and flexy! I had no idea I'd like it so much...