REVIEW: Conklin Antique

[QM2]

http://queenmargot.com/conklin_antique3.jpg

 

Conklin Antique

in Midnight Black

 

The Conklin Antique is an attractive and comparatively affordable silver-plated overlay pen, with a classic

1920's aesthetic. For those who like the look of flat-tops from this era, but prefer a modern writing

experience, this is an excellent pen to choose.

 

Appearance and Design

 

The Conklin Antique is a large, impressive, classically shaped flat-top. According to Conklin's description,

"the Antique Collection combines the vintage design of the roaring 20's with modern technical enhancements

creating a truly stylish writing instrument reminiscent of a bygone era." However, the pen seems to be

modeled specifically after the 1934 rolled gold Mabie Todd Swan "Leverless" pictured in Andreas Lambrou's

Fountain Pens Vintage and Modern. As shown on the photos, the pens look nearly identical, except

for the colour of the metal and the shape of the tip of the clip.

 

http://queenmargot.com/conklin_antique1.jpg

 

http://queenmargot.com/conklin_antique2.jpg

 

The base material of the "midnight black" version of the Antique is an opaque, high-gloss resin. The other

three available colours are pearlescent: cherry red, sky blue, and marine green. The silver-plated overlay is

engraved with a fine barley finish and polished to a high sheen. In addition to the overlay sleeves, the pen

features a series of distinct tripple bands at the cap lip, below the endcaps, and above the section. Both the

resin and the overlay seem to be of high quality, extremely durable, and beautifully done.

 

This really is a rather stunning pen, and I am impressed that Coklin dedicated this much thought and energy

to the design of something that is essentially a "lower priced" pen by today's standards. One doesn't usually

see beautiful, chased overlay nowadays unless the pen is a Limited Edition.

 

Comfort and Durability

 

The pen is a large one, but as the overlay is thin, it is not heavy. It is well-balanced in the hand, and those

who like flat-tops will find it extremely comfortable. The size, shape, and weight of the Antique are pretty

much perfect for me; the pen begs to be written with. Another design element I appreciate, is the "lip" on

the gripping section, which allows my fingers to rest on it comfortably. I grip my pens very low, so sections

that have this feature are my favourite. The pen posts comfortably, at no detriment to the overlay finish

(which honestly seems scratch proof, dent proof, and bulletproof!).

 

Filling System

 

The filling system is a straightforward cartridge/converter.

 

http://queenmargot.com/conklin_antique4.jpg

 

Nib and Writing performance

 

My pen came with a Fine 14K two-tone gold nib (the Conklin logo is yellow, the rest of the nib is white).

I have also seen these pens pictured with a single-tone yellow gold nib, which in my view does not go as

well with the silver overlay. The F nib writes on the wide side, fairly close to what I would call a Medium.

 

As far as performance: This is my third Conklin pen, and it is the only one that writes out of the box. The

other two (the Mark Twain Crescent and the 100th Anniversary silver overlay LE, purchased from separate

vendors) have serious flow problems, and I am unable to use them at all until I send them out for tuning.

So it was a pleasant surprise that the Antique actually wrote out of the box at all! The nib is nice and smooth,

and has a soft feel to it.

 

However, there are still minor flow problems: The nib/feed seem to be releasing ink at an uneven rate,

which results in random line variation. Here is a writing sample:

 

http://queenmargot.com/conklin_antique6.jpg

 

As you can see in the sample, the nib puts down a wetter and wider line on some downstrokes than on

others. This is not dependent on the amount of pressure I exert, or on any other factor I can perceive; it

seems to be due to inconsistent flow. So I will still need to get this one adjusted. Ah well, at least it writes

and I can play around with it first, unlike the other two!

 

Yes, you know that something is seriously wrong with the fountain pen industry when you find yourself

celebrating that a pen writes out of the box with only minor flow problems. Three out of three Conklins

with flow problems is not a good record at all.

 

http://queenmargot.com/conklin_antique7.jpg

 

Cost and Value

 

Several retailers are currently selling this pen for $180, which is an unbelievable price for this pen. Even

factoring in that you may need to pay $15-30 for flow adjustment after purchase, that price is great.

 

Conclusions

 

Think of the Conklin Antique as the battle tank of silver overlays. It is beautiful, but incredibly durable and

sturdy. This is a pen to carry around and use without trepidation, not a pen to be kept in a display case and

treated like a delicate piece of jewelry. For those who enjoy silver overlays, but also insist on using their pens,

this is an unbeatable combination. The fact that Conklins cannot be counted on to write out of the box, is of

course, a serious strike against them. But for the price, go ahead and spend the extra $15-30 on professional

tuning and then use the pen and be happy!

 

http://queenmargot.com/conklin_antique5.jpg

Edited December 31, 2008 by QM2

[Tsujigiri]

Thanks for the review! Out of all of Conklin's newly introduced offerings now, this is probably the only one I like. Too bad to hear about the flow problems, but that's a good warning for prospective buyers.

[QM2]

Thanks for the review! Out of all of Conklin's newly introduced offerings now, this is probably the only one I like. Too bad to hear about the flow problems, but that's a good warning for prospective buyers.

 

You don't like the Crescent?

If you like this one, you may like the Endura Deluxe chased flat-top, a Fahrney's special.

[Tsujigiri]

I like the Crescent, actually, if I was going to buy another Conklin, it would probably be the Crescent or this one. But I was referring to the new models, like the Jockey, All-American, and Herringbone. Something about them looks a lot like the inexpensive Chinese pens on Isellpens.com (good pens, but I don't think they're worth Conklin prices). The Endura sounds interesting (My favorite rollerball is my Duragraph), but it looks like Fahrney's has sold out of them now.

Edited December 31, 2008 by Tsujigiri

[QM2]

I like the Crescent, actually, if I was going to buy another Conklin, it would probably be the Crescent or this one. But I was referring to the new models, like the Jockey, All-American, and Herringbone. Something about them looks a lot like the inexpensive Chinese pens on Isellpens.com (good pens, but I don't think they're worth Conklin prices). The Endura sounds interesting (My favorite rollerball is my Duragraph), but it looks like Fahrney's has sold out of them now.

 

Eek! Yes, I agree that the pens you mention seem sub-par; I must have blocked them out of my memory.

Didn't realise the Fahrney' Endura Deluxe was sold out already : ( Ah well, can't have everything!

 

 

[Ghost Plane]

There are new colors of crescents out on FPH, but BEWARE!! Do NOT expect Conklin customer service. I have yet to receive back the brand new LE sent in to them for a simple nib swap THREE months ago. They no longer return their calls, or clear out their voice mail so that a message can be left. Rob no longer answers the phones. I have strong doubts about Conklin's future and I'm now out both the money and the pen. I've turned it over to Amex to see what they can do.

 

Buy Conklin if you must [i have two absolutely lovely LEs I purchased from Bob Speer that write beautifully and I thought I was getting another], but buy knowing their quality is iffy, and their customer service is criminally bad.

[tcheuchter]

Thank you for the thorough review and photographs. This is a brand and model that I had not considered until now.

[Peter from Sherwood Park]

Thank you for the review -- I have been mulling this one over for a while.

[QM2]

Oh I would not dream of sending my pen to Conklin for adjustment, just as I would not send a pen back to almost any manufacturer. I have heard horrific tales of similar experiences to GhostPlane's with other pen manufacturers' service centers as well: Without naming names, I can think of at least 4. I will send the Antique, just as I do any other pen that does not write out of the box, to one of the fine, qualified professionals whom I can count on to return it to me perfectly functional.

 

It is interesting what GP says about Conklin' future. To be fair, I can say that all three Conklins I own -- the Antique reviewed here, the Mark Twain Crescent, and the absolutely stunning 100th Anniversary silver overlay LE -- are extremely well crafted, durable pens, that show attention to detail and a sincere interest in history. The pens are a visual and tactile joy. And the nibs, as well, look and feel great; I am confident that once I get someone to adjust the flow, they will be smooth, marvelous writers. It is almost as if Conklin did everything right except for that one final tiny flow-adjustment stage, and it is a shame how that has harmed their image.

Edited December 31, 2008 by QM2

[MDI]

extremely well crafted, durable pens, that show attention to detail

 

Absolutely agree. These Conklin pens are a pleasure to hold in the hands, and to examine the parts.

 

We will buy again, adjust flow (or have it adjusted by someone) and enjoy more of these solid instruments.

Edited December 31, 2008 by MDI

[QM2]

We will buy again ... and enjoy more of these solid instruments.

 

a humble suggestion for your next purchase

 

http://www.joonpens.com/db_image/CK_royalCrescent_fp.jpg

(Conklin Royal Crescent in Sterling Silver and Blue, from Joon pens)

Edited December 31, 2008 by QM2

[Ghost Plane]

That's the one I'm waiting on to get back from Conklin. Sigh....

[QM2]

That's the one I'm waiting on to get back from Conklin. Sigh....

 

Oh! I would say "lucky" (to own that pen), but under the circumstances that seems inappropriate : ((

I hope you get it back soon! Please let us know how the situation plays out.

Edited December 31, 2008 by QM2

[Ghost Plane]

Worst of all, I got it during Altman's 20% off sale, so it was something of a sumgai until the wrong nib showed up. :bonk:

[RevAaron]

Apologies- I swear, all I've been doing is complaining today...

 

Conklin has some great overlays, and a ton of gorgeous pens from the teens to the 30s. If they're keen on making replicas of or pens inspired by pens from the Golden Age, why not dip into the big pot of great pens the original Conklin made?

 

Hell! Maybe someone at Conklin had a copy of Andreas Lambrou's Fountain Pens Vintage and Modern and paged through it until they found something from the timeframe. A few hours later in AutoCAD and BAM! Instant vintage appeal!

 

I love the old Mabie Todd Swan pens, but it'd be so much more fun if Conklin made some nice Conklins first. *shrug*

 

[QM2]

Conklin has some great overlays, and a ton of gorgeous pens from the teens to the 30s. If they're keen on making replicas of or pens inspired by pens from the Golden Age, why not dip into the big pot of great pens the original Conklin made?

...

it'd be so much more fun if Conklin made some nice Conklins first. *shrug*

 

What about the modern Crescents?...

http://themagicfountain.blogspot.com/2008/...s-crescent.html

http://themagicfountain.blogspot.com/2008/...erlay-pens.html

[escribo]

Wow! Thanks for that review, QM2. That is one fine-looking pen!

Your tastes run like mine, though your budget exceeds mine.

That's OK; I can look at your posts and do some filtering.

I enjoy your posts, especially where they involve SILVER.

Again, thanks & keep up the good work,

-jon

[Deirdre]

There are new colors of crescents out on FPH, but BEWARE!!

The new ones look to be resin (rather than cellulose acetate) and also have a steel nib.

[Ghost Plane]

If you want the gold nib, it costs $150 extra.

[QM2]

http://www.fountainpenhospital.com/images/conklin_images/MTCFP02.jpg

http://www.fountainpenhospital.com/images/conklin_images/MTCFP04.jpg

(images from Fountain Pen Hospital)

 

You have to admit that $132 for a crescent-filling pen with silver-plated trim is a great price.

 

escribo, thanks for your comments. As for budget, I think that once you really want something, ways can be found to get it. I don't really have a big budget, but I choose to take on countless consulting projects in addition to my full-time job in order to buy these things : )

Edited January 1, 2009 by QM2