Big Ben -- Green Candy Stripe

[Soot]

INTRODUCTION:

 

At first glance, this typical looking(distinguishable celluloid pattern) fountain pen gives the impression that it's a Wahl, but up close you will find that's not the case. It's a piston filler, and Wahl did not make any piston fillers(correct me if I am wrong, tks!). From what I gathered, FPN and elsewhere, Big Ben is a Danish company who produced good quality fountain pens. They were also a distributor of Wahl fountain pens in Denmark/Europe, thus they were able to source the celluloid used by Wahl and create a piston filler of their own.

 

 

Appearance & Design

 

The design of this Big Ben is very clean looking, the lines are smooth and even without any hint of ugliness. The color of the celluloid jumps out when it's shined with a bit of light, the pattern shifts with different viewing angle.

 

• This Big Ben utilize a filler cap with a filler knob inside instead of being built-on filler knob.
  
• The filling knob direction is reversed: turn clockwise to purge, counter-clockwise to fill.
  
• One cap band on the edge of the blind cap and crown, three bands on the cap.
  
• Striped ink-viewing window.
  
• Big Ben BRITISH PATENT No 451 168 imprinted on the cap.
  

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7238/7280483402_ff8cfc396f_z.jpg

 

 

Construction & Quality

 

The construction of the Big Ben is like that of a high quality fountain pen, but at a fraction of the price. Well built and not flimsy, feels very solid in the hand, and doesn't seem to damage easily with a mishap of butter fingers.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7239/7280482752_7a49a09000_z.jpg

 

 

Weight & Dimensions

 

The length of the pen is 128mm capped, 119mm uncapped (nib to end). It's heavier than Pelikan 400 (my benchmark), a bit dense but nevertheless comfortable to hold during long writing sessions.

 

 

 

Nib & Performance

 

The nib on this pen is not an original, it was replaced with a Wahl Gold Seal med/bold flexible nib somewhere down the years. It fits pretty nice with the pen, and if I didn't see an original nib on the pen previously I would have thought that's the nib it came with. The gold seal nib is quite flexible-- too broad for my liking on flexible nibs though.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7245/7279118368_505753e84a_z.jpg

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7280484818_2c42b531fa_z.jpg

 

 

Filling System & Maintenance

 

It's a piston filler and not easily taken apart; maintenance is a problem because I am not sure how to take it apart. Probably not for the DIY-ers.

 

 

Conclusion

 

This is my third Big Ben, second one of the same model/color. Does that signify something?

Seriously though, Big Bens are great pens. Their piston fillers IMO are high quality pens that were very solidly built to compete with high-end pens of the day, it's only when you get your hands on one do you say "wow, such a great pen!"

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7073/7280484148_27da800a17_z.jpg

 

 

 

 

--- Soot

Edited May 27, 2012 by Soot

[IWantThat]

I had not seen these before, but this one is stunning! Thank you for sharing your review With the Wahl nib, I'm sure it's absolute perfection.

[dannyboy]

Thanks for making me aware of a "new" vintage pen. Congratulations on adding your third Big Ben to your growing collection. That nib looks really sweet--nice handwriting, by the way, that shows the flex of the nib to great advantage.

[user01]

Thanks for this review. The pattern is very nice although green is not my favorite color.

[Uncle Red]

That's a really nice pen.

[Inkwisitor]

You've introduced me to a pen I've never heard of before and very impressive it is too. As is your hand-writing which is very fluid and attractive.

[pen2paper]

Like the ribbed bands, and celluloid.

Thanks for sharing your interesting find.

[Chi Town]

This is a Very Nice Pen! Thank You for sharing it with us.

[Soot]

Thank you all for the comments!

[Bo Bo Olson]

Beautiful...going to double my speculative investments...play the lottery twice.

 

It's another name I'll look for.

[markiv]

Thank you for posting this nice review of a lesser know pen maker.

 

I can also vouch for the quality of these pens.

Here is one I have in the same material with amber ink window. Though inspired by the Doric it manages to distinguish itself. The design and placement of cap rings on the faceted body, its nifty two stage piston filler and a significant #6 semi-flex nib are some of the things I like in this pen.

 

Now I hunt for one like Soot's!

http://i.imgur.com/grXyg.jpg

[georges zaslavsky]

this is one very nice and original pen thanks for sharing

[amberleadavis]

I think it is a beauty. Thank you for sharing!

[kushbaby]

I have a black Big Ben button filler that I adore. Loved seeing your pen.

 

Thanks for sharing!!!

[amk]

Wonderful - I have just got one exactly the same in a job lot of pens! Very happy with it - mine has the original 'Big Ben' nib. That ink window is stunning, isn't it?

[EenyBear]

Found this one... tempted, but won't mind if one of you beats me to it.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-green-marbled-Big-Ben-fountain-pen-/400603995065?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d45dbdbb9

[Montblanc owner and lover]

Thanks for making reviews of these "unknown" pens

[Soot]

Thanks for making reviews of these "unknown" pens

 

BIG BEN are quality "unknown" pens! Find them and you will enjoy them~

[pensaro]

just came across this item, never too late though - isn't "Big Ben" made by the British company, Wyvern?

[LesterPendragon]

In reply to pensaro - Yes, Wyvern did make a Big Ben (and also, to add to the confusion, a "B-B"), but the patent number (despite being British) validates this as the Danish brand. See this link for background:

 

http://www.shootmagazine.com/wildwest/Vintage-restored-Danish-Art-Deco-1930s-Big-Ben-Fountain-Pen_r397167663282.html

 

The Wyvern Big Ben seems to have been characterised by a ball on the end of the clip. See these examples on Worthpoint for comparison:

 

https://www.worthpoint.com/inventory/search?query=Wyvern+Big+Ben+fountain+pen