REVIEW: Conklin Crescent 2009

[pmsalty]

Thanks for the review. I've been drooling over getting a Conklin Crescent for a while!

PMS

[QM2]

When you say that you "thought you had all" -- do you mean, like, the Stipula L'Orangerie and Sol Levante and blue ebonite Saturno??

 

Please don't do this to me: there are more than I thought?

 

It seems so : )

 

Take a look

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=91348

Gee thanks. I'm now tossing my cookies at the thought of having to hunt down more crescent-fillers, but I love 'em. In the spirit of full disclosure, have you disclosed all?

 

Have I disclosed all -- you mean about the pen I reviewed? Yes, most definitely. I tried to be very objective.

 

I did mention that I made a point of trying the pen in the store before buying, and that all three of my previous Conklin purchases had flow problems. I also mentioned in a later post, that this particular pen leaked on the plane. Beyond that, I can't think of anything else to disclose! Were you thinking of something specific?

 

 

Edited February 28, 2009 by QM2

[Rufus]

When you say that you "thought you had all" -- do you mean, like, the Stipula L'Orangerie and Sol Levante and blue ebonite Saturno??

 

Please don't do this to me: there are more than I thought?

 

It seems so : )

 

Take a look

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=91348

Gee thanks. I'm now tossing my cookies at the thought of having to hunt down more crescent-fillers, but I love 'em. In the spirit of full disclosure, have you disclosed all?

 

Have I disclosed all -- you mean about the pen I reviewed? Yes, most definitely. I tried to be very objective.

 

I did mention that I made a point of trying the pen in the store before buying, and that all three of my previous Conklin purchases had flow problems. I also mentioned in a later post, that this particular pen leaked on the plane. Beyond that, I can't think of anything else to disclose! Were you thinking of something specific?

 

Let me clarify: by "disclose all" I meant have you disclosed all models of crescent-fillers that you know of or are there more lurking so that when I think I have all of them I'll be in for a surprised a la the latest revelation regarding Stipula?

Edited February 28, 2009 by Rufus

[QM2]

Let me clarify: by "disclose all" I meant have you disclosed all models of crescent-fillers that you know of or are there more lurking so that when I think I have all of them I'll be in for a surprised a la the latest revelation regarding Stipula.

 

Ah, well I'd have to know which ones you have first!

 

The modern Conklin alone has probably released at least a dozen distinct model/colour combinations. Then there are the Visconti crescents, and the Stipulas...

[Rufus]

Let me clarify: by "disclose all" I meant have you disclosed all models of crescent-fillers that you know of or are there more lurking so that when I think I have all of them I'll be in for a surprised a la the latest revelation regarding Stipula.

 

Ah, well I'd have to know which ones you have first!

 

The modern Conklin alone has probably released at least a dozen distinct model/colour combinations. Then there are the Visconti crescents, and the Stipulas...

 

I don't regard different colours of the same model as being "different" per se. Of the modern crescent-fillers I have the Stipula Saturno in green/black ebonite, the Visconti Copernicus in green celluloid, the Visconti Millenium ARC 3 in blue, the Conklin MT Crescent in black chased(?) acrylic.

 

[QM2]

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.

 

 

 

Edited March 1, 2009 by QM2

[Rufus]

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 (model name?)

 

Visconti Copernicus

Visconti Millenium Arc

 

Many thanks. It seems I might be missing a few Conklins.

 

[MDI]

We had a new moon several days ago. No wonder everyone's talking about crescent fillers!

Edited March 1, 2009 by MDI

[Ghost Plane]

When these pens are good, they're good. An update on my Royal Crescent, which is no longer mine. Amex refunded my money from the seller. What Conklin did with it, I'll never know and no longer care, as it'll be my last Conklin purchase. My personal view, YMMV, is that I'll not support a company that behaves the way Conklin did.

 

If folks want to continue buying these pens, do so with the knowledge there'll be NO customer service and purchase/budget accordingly. The 2 LEs I have, both Crescent Glory pens, are lovely pens, which is why I'd bought a third.

[QM2]

I am glad you got your money back from AmEx. Needless to say, this situation is unacceptable, and I understand your weariness of Conklin.

 

However, I want to point out that the "utter lack of customer service" must be viewed in context. The context being, that in today's penworld, it is in fact a rarity to get good, consistent customer service from any brand. More often than not, upon sending your pen to a manufacturer's repair center, the pen spends months out of your hands only to return still not functioning properly, or functioning even worse than before, or with a different problem altogether! You need only to browse FPN to discover many angry threads with these complaints voiced about Visconti, Montblanc, Conway Stewart, Delta, and other companies.

 

For this reason, many of us would never dream of sending a pen back to the manufacturer for "customer service" no matter what the brand. Instead, in the event that a pen does not function and tinkering with it ourselves does not work, we send it to people like Richard Binder and John Mottishaw. The wait is usually about the same as the manufacturer's customer service center, and most problems (flow issues, misaligned tines, stiff pistons, leaking, etc) cost $15-$50 to repair. Most importantly, the process is hassle free and the result is perfection.

 

Given the availability of these services, and the horrid track record of pen most manufacturers' customer service (i.e. not just Conklin), there is nothing to fear really. If you get a defective Conklin and your retailer is not willing to do an exchange (though typically they certainly are!), the worst that can happen is that you will need to spend a bit of extra money and wait a couple of months to enjoy the pen.

 

 

Edited March 1, 2009 by QM2

[FrankB]

Thank you for another very useful review.

 

I have never focused on Conklin as a pen brand, yet, somehow, over the last 18 months I have neded up with four Conklin pens. All of them are used. I must be on a roll because I have yet to have any problems with any of them. Perhaps the original owners took care of the issues. I have been looking at the Crescent filler and considering buying one, which would be my first NIB Conklin. If I pull the trigger in one of these, I will take your advice to heart and buy from a known vendor with a good return policy.

[QM2]

I have never focused on Conklin as a pen brand, yet, somehow, over the last 18 months I have neded up with four Conklin pens. All of them are used. I must be on a roll because I have yet to have any problems with any of them. Perhaps the original owners took care of the issues. I have been looking at the Crescent filler and considering buying one, which would be my first NIB Conklin. If I pull the trigger in one of these, I will take your advice to heart and buy from a known vendor with a good return policy.

 

Yes, they sort of sneak up on you, don't they : )

 

I also have four at the moment (three crescents, one C/C), and -- here is an embarrassing confession! -- I was so inspired by the process of writing this review, that I ordered one more. It's the "Mint Julep" Fahrney's special edition of the older crescent model. Yeah...

[Joehek]

QM2,

 

Thank you for your review. I have been interested in the crescent system for a while but never made the leap. After reading your review I purchased the Mark Twain, can't wait for it to arrive. BTW, what a great collection you have, congrats!

[QM2]

Thanks Joehek : )

 

My, but I am getting nervous at the thought of all these people buying crescents and then holding me responsible should they be, ahem, not up to par!

[Joehek]

That is the fun in collecting QM2, everyone has different tastes but reading these reviews helps give some insight. Too bad we can't collect them all, although you are well underway! :clap1:

[QM2]

That is the fun in collecting QM2, everyone has different tastes but reading these reviews helps give some insight. Too bad we can't collect them all, although you are well underway! :clap1:

 

 

Oh wait, do you think that I own all the pens on the list of crescents I made for Rufus? Nooo. Sadly no. I currently have a total of 4 modern crescents, with 2 more on the way. Taking the different colour options into account, there are over 25 modern crescents. Long way to go : ) Not that I want them all though, I only like some of the models.

 

 

 

Edited March 6, 2009 by QM2

[Rufus]

That is the fun in collecting QM2, everyone has different tastes but reading these reviews helps give some insight. Too bad we can't collect them all, although you are well underway! :clap1:

 

 

Oh wait, do you think that I own all the pens on the list of crescents I made for Rufus? Nooo. Sadly no. I currently have a total of 4 modern crescents, with 2 more on the way. Taking the different colour options into account, there are over 25 modern crescents. Long way to go : ) Not that I want them all though, I only like some of the models.

 

And that's why I don't take the different colour options into account, otherwise I'd be on my way to personal bankruptcy court.

 

[QM2]

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.

[Rufus]

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. 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.

 

[QM2]

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.

 

 

Edited March 7, 2009 by QM2