Jump to content

REVIEW: Conklin Crescent 2009


QM2

Recommended Posts

QM2, Just a quick update. I have had my cresent for over 2 weeks now and all I can say is thank you for your review. This pen writes so well and for the price point I am thinking of getting another. Here is a photo of mine, hey it looks just like yours :o Thanks again for your review!

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 63
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • QM2

    18

  • Rufus

    8

  • MDI

    5

  • Joehek

    5

Top Posters In This Topic

Thank you for the beautiful photograph,

I am so glad you like the pen!

 

I've now also ordered the special edition "Mint Julep" Crescent from Fahrney's and will get it when I return to the US in April. I hope the gold nib on it will write as nicely as the steel nib on this one!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have the 2009 in Black and am throughly disgusted with it. Nib tines were badly bent and after straightening are a at best a poor writer

Please do not listen to me. My opinions do not count

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow, sorry to hear that Brian. Did the tines come bent when you purchased it? You should have sent it back. I really think for the price point this is one of the best writers I have.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...
Indeed! Thankfully, I also don't care for Visconti's versions of the Crescent very much, so those are not on my acquisition list. But I do hope to hunt down every Stipula crescent ever produced! Those things are remarkable.

I like the Visconti Copernicus a lot and it was the pen that got me hooked on crescent-fillers; however, the Millenium Arc leaves me a bit cold, but I have one The Stipula crescent-filler is a great pen too, although the crescent on mine rattles if I shake the pen.

I love the material and the finish on the Copernicus, but it's something about the shape of the pen that does not appeal to me -- that pointy look to the tips. I can see myself getting over that eventually, but for now I am on the fence. However, the Millenium Arc just overall does not attract me: It has a metal section that I think is out of place with the rest of the pen, a colourful transparent look that visually competes with the trim and crescent, and an overall futuristic theme going that just looks like too much crammed into one pen. I think the whole point of the aesthetics of a crescent filler, is that the crescent and the lock ring visually stand out from the body. On the Millenium Arc, they made the lock ring near invisible, and incorporated the cresent into the double-arc design, essentially getting rid of the visual pleasure of the system.

 

 

Back on topic, I was thinking of getting a Conklin MT crescent in Red Desert Stone Marble with a steel nib, but the only Conklin B&M dealer, from whom I bought my chased black Conklin MT crescent, I know of in my vicintity has stopped carrying Conklin and I'm leary of buying one without being able to try it first given their spotty track record; do you know if any of the on-line AD's, such as Swisher, would be prepared to give one a good try out before shipping to me, kind of like Richard B does? It's a real nuissance to have to ship a defective product back to the USA and then have it shipped back to me because of the border and all that entails.

I recommend FPH for this. I have asked them to try pens prior to shipping, and they have done. And, since they are pen repairers and not just sellers, they know how to check properly. Also, I know from personal experience that they are very good about handling returns/exchanges should that be necessary.

While FPH in NYC does not routinely test a pen before shipping, they will do so upon the customer's request and their guarantee is the best--a personal one from the infinitely-reputable owners. (not a paid ad!) Been buying from them 15+ years.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As far as I know, these modern crescent models have been released (feel free to correct me with supplements):

 

Conklin Mark Twain Crescent 2009 standard model (resins with silver-plated trim)

Conklin Mark Twain Crescent standard model (chased and smooth celluloid finishes and sterling trim)

Conklin Mark Twain Crescent solid silver overlay LE 2004

Conklin Mark Twain Crescent Royal Crescent LE 2003

Conklin Mark Twain Crescent Centenary LE 2001

 

Stipula Saturno

Stipula L'Orangerie

Stipula Sol Levante

Stipula Crescent for Xalegrafica

 

Visconti Copernicus

Visconti Millenium Arc

 

 

 

EDITED: I've now learned that the mysterious Stipula Crescent was made for Xalegrafica, so I've changed this information above.

Per Stipula Italy (last month), Saterno crescent filler returns to US market in June or July. I have already contacted FPH in NYC.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After reading all the caveats, I ordered one of these on sale from Swishers (online). I got the steel nib in a medium. All in all, no nib problems. It is a perfect writer! This pen also satisfied my curiosity about crescent fillers. Although the silver plated parts seem rather cheesy at best. Overall a very positive experience. Thanks for this review, QM2!

...writing only requires focus, and something to write on. —John August

...and a pen that's comfortable in the hand.—moi

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Glad to hear this, jde! What colour did you get?

 

I agree that the trim is somewhat flimsy (thin), but for the price I think it is suitable.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QM2: I got the Spring Green/Gold Leaf. Same color as the one you reviewed. I'd get another in black for this model. I like it a lot!

 

...writing only requires focus, and something to write on. —John August

...and a pen that's comfortable in the hand.—moi

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm definitely getting one of these when I have the money. I just can't decide what color I want, I have too many green pens, I don't particularly care for the brown and black one and I go to Western Michigan University not Michigan so I would get in trouble for the blue and yellow one. Black seems kind of boring. *sighs* I don't know what to do. A modern pen with a built-in filling system is so intriguing.

I'd rather spend my money on pens instead of shoes and handbags.

 

>>> My Blog <<<

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm definitely getting one of these when I have the money.

 

FYI, these are being sold on the FS forum right now for $75 shipped!

No affiliation.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm definitely getting one of these when I have the money.

 

FYI, these are being sold on the FS forum right now for $75 shipped!

No affiliation.

 

 

I'll have to go check that out. Maybe someone will be interested in a trade and I have some pens that need to go. Thanks. :)

I'd rather spend my money on pens instead of shoes and handbags.

 

>>> My Blog <<<

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm definitely getting one of these when I have the money.

 

FYI, these are being sold on the FS forum right now for $75 shipped!

No affiliation.

 

Oh, I just purchased one of the green/gold ones via that close-out sale. Unfortunately, I think speerbob only has medium nibs in stock. No affiliation either, but all of my past transactions with speerbob on ebay have been very pleasant.

 

Yuki

http://i54.tinypic.com/16jj9fb.jpg

Follow me on twitter! @crypticjunky

 

~And the words, they're everything and nothing. I want to search for her in the offhand remarks.~

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I have just got one of this pen with steel M nib. Spring green/gold leave color again. Everything is fine except I find the nib is just a bit too wet. I feed it with Private Reserve Lake Placid Blue ink. I don't want to feed it with too dark ink to avoid staining of this beauty. Anything I can do? Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow, sorry to hear that Brian. Did the tines come bent when you purchased it? You should have sent it back. I really think for the price point this is one of the best writers I have.

 

I just bought one these pens and I can tell you how the tines were bent. The pocket clip is attached with a phillips head screw inside the cap. There is no headway between the screw and the tines when it is capped. When you close the cap, it runs into the screw and further twisting will ruin the tines. Very bad design. I could feel the tines catch on something when I capped the pen. Taking out the screw and shooting superglue in it's place made the clip sturdy and it the cap twists fine now. Did this before I did any damage to the pen. Noticed something was wrong the first time I capped it. Someone else might cap and uncap it a few times unknowingly ruining the tines.

 

I think this would be applicable to all 2009 versions. Anyone else have this problem?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just bought one these pens and I can tell you how the tines were bent. ...

I think this would be applicable to all 2009 versions. Anyone else have this problem?

 

No. In examing my pens, and despite finding differences in manufacture across them, there is a ton of room between the nib and that screw.

...writing only requires focus, and something to write on. —John August

...and a pen that's comfortable in the hand.—moi

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Very nice review. I just received a Red Desert Stone, M nib, today. Haven't inked it yet to try it out, but will shortly. At first I thought the nib unit would be interchangeable with the Schmidt nibs used by Bexley in some models, but they are just a bit larger and do not fit. The Conklin seems to be a good value at Speerbob's closeout prices.

 

Dennis B

 

http://www.parkvillepen.com/images/conklin/mtredstonelg.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 10 months later...

<img src="http://queenmargot.com/conklin_09cresc4.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

<!--coloro:#2F4F4F--><span style="color:#2F4F4F"><!--/coloro--><b>CONKLIN CRESCENT 2009

Green & Goldleaf</b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

 

 

<!--coloro:#2F4F4F--><span style="color:#2F4F4F"><!--/coloro--><b>Background and Significance</b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

 

Since its relaunch of the Conklin brand, the new Conklin company has been releasing a variety of "Mark Twain Crescent"

models, from modest silver-trimmed celluloids to exuberant filigree overlays. These models pay tribute to the original

iconic Conklin Crescent -- famous not only for the striking look of this design element, but also for being the first

commercially viable self-filling fountain pen. A century later, the crescent filling system still has a magical charm --

partly because of the kitsch appeal, and partly because of its simplicity and practicality (it will not roll off the table when

uncapped).

 

The newest release of the Conklin Crescent (referred to, it seems, as the "Conklin Crescent 2009") differs from its modern

predecessors in that it is a "budget-line" pen. Unlike the previous standard-production model (which was made of celluloid,

embellished with substantial sterling silver trimmings, and fitted with a gold nib -- bringing its starting retail cost to almost

$400), the new Crescent has a resin body, silver-plated trim and a steel nib. Its typical retail cost at the moment is $130.

 

Say what you will about the recent complaints about Conklin's QC and customer service, the release of this new pen makes

an important historical statement. At a time when most fountain manufacturers are focused on largely decorative LEs and

will not even think about installing an internal filler into a standard production model, Conklin has made a $130 crescent-filler.

A crescent-filler for the people, if you will. I applaud and appreciate this gesture tremendously. Of course, the important

question is: Does the execution live up to the ideal?

 

<img src="http://queenmargot.com/conklin_09cresc5.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

<!--coloro:#2F4F4F--><span style="color:#2F4F4F"><!--/coloro--><b>Looks and Design</b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

 

The 2009 Crescent has a domed-top body, similar to the shape of the original early Conklin Crescent before they switched to

flat-top designs. The model is available in four colours: Yellow/Blue Marble, Green/Goldleaf Marble, Red Desert Stone Marble

and Midnight Black (plain solid black). Mine is the green and goldleaf, and choosing it was not just a matter of colour

preference. Though all three marbled resins are of high quality (I examined them at my local shop before buying), the green

and goldleaf stood out as having an absolutely incredible depth and luminosity. The resin, which I assume is acrylic, layers

patches of sage green, shimmery slate, and amber, in the most captivating manner possible for a non-celluloid. The pattern

and colour scheme also bears a resemblance to "Tiffany" style coloured glass.

 

<img src="http://queenmargot.com/conklin_09cresc3.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

For some odd reason, the photos I have taken of this pen make it seem that the amber colours dominate. However, in reality

the green colours dominate, with the amber acting as a warm accent.

 

The trim on the 2009 Crescent is described by Conklin as "silver plated". Frankly, it does not look it. It has a chrome

appearance and a light, flimsy feel to it. There is a noticeable difference between the trim on the new model and the trim on

the previous model, when you see them together (at the shop, the new black resin Crescent was lying next to the older

black chased celluloid crescent). Despite the pretty resin, the 2009 Crescent looks like a less expensive pen.

 

<img src="http://queenmargot.com/conklin_09cresc1.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

<!--coloro:#2F4F4F--><span style="color:#2F4F4F"><!--/coloro--><b>Weight, Balance, Comfort</b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

 

To my amazement, this is an area where the 2009 design actually wins over the previous version. I own the black chased

celluloid version of the older model, and one thing about it that is not ideal is the weight. The sterling silver trim, cap band

and clip are so thick, that they make the pen weigh a ton. Plus the balance is a little off, due to how the trim is distributed

throughout the pen. The 2009 version is light and perfectly balanced, with the thin metal trims adding just the right bit of

weight to keep the pen grounded while writing.

 

Happily, the section on the 2009 model is the same perfection as on the older version: curved, with a "lip" to keep fingers

from slipping down to the nib unit. Having a low grip, this is my favourite sort of section design.

 

Of course, the crescent adds to the comfort and convenience of this pen, by ensuring that it will not roll of the table if placed

there uncapped. For me, this is a very useful feature, as I frequently do this during meeting and other note-taking.

 

<!--coloro:#2F4F4F--><span style="color:#2F4F4F"><!--/coloro--><b>Filling System</b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

 

<!--coloro:#483D8B--><span style="color:#483D8B"><!--/coloro-->Crescent!!<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#8B0000--><span style="color:#8B0000"><!--/coloro-->Crescent!!<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#9ACD32--><span style="color:#9ACD32"><!--/coloro-->Crescent!! <!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> <span style="color:#000080"><!--/coloro-->Crescent!!<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#FF8C00--><span style="color:#FF8C00"><!--/coloro-->Crescent!!<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#483D8B--><span style="color:#483D8B"><!--/coloro-->Crescent!!<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#8B0000--><span style="color:#8B0000"><!--/coloro-->Crescent!!<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#9ACD32--><span style="color:#9ACD32"><!--/coloro-->Crescent!! <!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> <span style="color:#000080"><!--/coloro-->Crescent!!<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#FF8C00--><span style="color:#FF8C00"><!--/coloro-->Crescent!!<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

Yes, it is a crescent -- my favourite filling system. Like in a lever-filling pen, there is a sack inside, which gets compressed

when the disk is pressed into it. Release the crescent, and the sack opens back up, sucking the ink from the bottle through

the nib. The crescent is prevented from accidentally being pressed on its own by a locking ring. This is a very easy filling

system to use, and it looks beautiful, at least to me. Pistons, plunge fillers and levers are all lovely, but crescents are what

gets me to squeal with adoration. For a nice illustrated history of the crescent filler, see Richard Binder's <a href="http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref_info/crescents.htm" target="_blank"><i>The Crescent Filler:

Then ... and Now</i></a>.

 

<img src="http://queenmargot.com/conklin_09cresc2.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

<!--coloro:#2F4F4F--><span style="color:#2F4F4F"><!--/coloro--><b>Nib</b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

 

The nib is single-tone Iridium-tipped steel. It is simple and elegant in design, featuring the Coklin logo and the size marking.

Mine is an "F", and to my utter amazement, writes like a true fine (verging on extra-fine). Moreover, it is a perfect nib, and,

ironically, one of my best writers. Yes, one of the best writers in my entire collection of 70+ modern pens. The flow is perfect

(a very fine nib + wettish flow = yum), there are no problems with drying out. It is glass smooth (almost too smooth on

Rhodia paper), with no adjustments having been necessary out of the box. All this is in stark contrast to my other 3 Conklins,

the gold nibs on which had mild to terrible flow problems out of the box. Goes to show that steel nibs are not to be dismissed

when considering a pen purchase.

 

<!--coloro:#2F4F4F--><span style="color:#2F4F4F"><!--/coloro--><b>Comments on Quality Control</b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

 

I have no complains with QC issues on this pen. The nib is perfect. The trim is tightly and properly fitted (the crescent lines up

with both the clip and the nib). There are no kinks or blemishes in the resin. The sac fills fully and the ink lasts an appropriate

length of time between fills. The crescent does not rattle.

 

Having said this, please also note that I made a point of buying this pen from a local shop, in person. I examined it carefully,

and the owner allowed me to test the nib. Therefore, I cannot comment on what the luck of the draw would have been, had

I ordered it online.

 

<!--coloro:#2F4F4F--><span style="color:#2F4F4F"><!--/coloro--><b>Cost and Value</b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

 

A $130 Crescent filler in an age of $1000 C/C LEs! If you get a good one, it is an excellent value.

 

<!--coloro:#2F4F4F--><span style="color:#2F4F4F"><!--/coloro--><b>Conclusions</b><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

 

The 2009 Conklin Crescent does not look or feel like an expensive pen. But then it never claims to be one. It is a pen intended

for the crescent-loving user, and is made in a way that makes it affordable and utilitarian, without sacrificing prettiness. At the

time of writing this review, I have been using it for a month, and my satisfaction with it only grows over time. It is a very fun,

reliable, comfortable and attractive writing instrument, available for a great price. I would encourage those who are interested,

but are worried about QC issues, to either try it in a local shop, or to ask the retailer to test the pen prior to shipping. In my

experience, most retailers are agreeable to this. This really is too good of a deal to pass up.

 

 

I had a quite different experience with the same coloured Crescent, also F point. It did not write right out of the box. The crescent rattled constantly. Instead of a F point, this was more of a M. After a poor performance and quality of this typically bad Conklin pen, I returned it from whence it came for a full refund. I hope and pray that, since Yafa/Monteverde has taken over the Conklin name and production, a 180-degree turnaround in QC will happen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Most Contributions

    1. amberleadavis
      amberleadavis
      43844
    2. PAKMAN
      PAKMAN
      33501
    3. Ghost Plane
      Ghost Plane
      28220
    4. inkstainedruth
      inkstainedruth
      26627
    5. jar
      jar
      26101
  • Upcoming Events

  • Blog Comments

    • Shanghai Knife Dude
      I have the Sailor Naginata and some fancy blade nibs coming after 2022 by a number of new workshop from China.  With all my respect, IMHO, they are all (bleep) in doing chinese characters.  Go use a bush, or at least a bush pen. 
    • A Smug Dill
      It is the reason why I'm so keen on the idea of a personal library — of pens, nibs, inks, paper products, etc. — and spent so much money, as well as time and effort, to “build” it for myself (because I can't simply remember everything, especially as I'm getting older fast) and my wife, so that we can “know”; and, instead of just disposing of what displeased us, or even just not good enough to be “given the time of day” against competition from >500 other pens and >500 other inks for our at
    • adamselene
      Agreed.  And I think it’s good to be aware of this early on and think about at the point of buying rather than rationalizing a purchase..
    • A Smug Dill
      Alas, one cannot know “good” without some idea of “bad” against which to contrast; and, as one of my former bosses (back when I was in my twenties) used to say, “on the scale of good to bad…”, it's a spectrum, not a dichotomy. Whereas subjectively acceptable (or tolerable) and unacceptable may well be a dichotomy to someone, and finding whether the threshold or cusp between them lies takes experiencing many degrees of less-than-ideal, especially if the decision is somehow influenced by factors o
    • adamselene
      I got my first real fountain pen on my 60th birthday and many hundreds of pens later I’ve often thought of what I should’ve known in the beginning. I have many pens, the majority of which have some objectionable feature. If they are too delicate, or can’t be posted, or they are too precious to face losing , still they are users, but only in very limited environments..  I have a big disliking for pens that have the cap jump into the air and fly off. I object to Pens that dry out, or leave blobs o
  • Chatbox

    You don't have permission to chat.
    Load More
  • Files






×
×
  • Create New...