Mabie Todd Blackbird

[Stompy]

This is probably the oldest pen that I own - a BCHR Mabie Todd Blackbird with a 14k fine and semi-flexible nib. As far as I can tell it dates from the 30s (corrections welcome), and apart from the slight oxidation on the barrel and a slight bit of tarnish on the clip, this pen is in excellent condition with crisp chasing and imprint

 

BLACKBIRD SELF-FILLING PEN

MABIE TODD & CO LTD

MADE IN ENGLAND

 

http://photos3.flickr.com/6204244_d79c6aac20_o.jpg

 

I understand that the Blackbird was the budget line of pens; in that case I'd love to see what its contemporary "premium" line pens were like. The part of the section that was covered by the nib shows what this pen must have been like originally - a deep, shiny, smooth black. And the nib, well, I'll get to that later.

 

Just below the cap screw there is an imprint which reads "BLACKBIRD F-T" and there is also the imprint "Blackbird" on the underside of the feed and on the clip.

 

http://photos3.flickr.com/6204301_67fb4b9b0a_o.jpg

 

This is a slender pen, 5 3/8 inches capped, 6 1/2 inches posted and 5 inches unposted, which is the way I use it.

 

The flat topped cap, by modern standards, seems oversized and ungainly, but the low clip, which allows a lot of the cap to show when clipped to a pocket, just screams vintage and almost Art Deco elegance.

 

When I first saw the description of the pen I was disappointed that it was only a semi-flex. I thought that I could handle a "wet-noodle" if I could get one. Little did I know. I can hardly handle this pen. The line looks like it was put down by a medium nib - I am going to have to practice hard at using this with a lighter touch. Nevertheless, it puts down a nice wet line and I've helped it along with a fill of Aurora Blue.

 

This is not a pen for the cigar box - this is going to be used. I love the feel of the nib on paper, I love just looking at it, and I'm sure I'm not imagining the spicy burnt rubber smell of the pen.

 

I hope that with practice I will be able to master the nib one day.

[Leslie J.]

That's one of the vintage pens I've always wanted, for the nib mostly. Your writing sample in the journal looks beautiful. It doesn't look like you are having too much trouble with the flex!

 

I would like a nib capable of doing copperplate, but I already know I have trouble with flex nibs. I don't have a heavy hand, but the angle I hold my pen at is a problem, and most often I will end up having the nib catching on the paper entirely of it's own freewill. (WM 52V for example)

 

I also love the look of single-toned 14kt gold nibs. I'm not a huge fan of the modern two-toned nibs at all.

 

Thanks for posting this. Your pictures have great composition, very interesting.

[Maja]

Very nice pen (and photos), Stompy. What nice chasing and colour!

 

I have a red marbled--celluloid? casein?-- Blackbird, but mine is a type of twist-filler (?). It was my first pen with a really flexible nib and initially I was scared to use it, thinking I would break the nib

 

For a "budget" pen line, the Blackbirds are pretty nice, I'd say!

[KCat]

very nice - and I really envy that lovely handwriting.

[James Pickering]

Mabie Todd fountain pens were by far the most popular ones in my neck of the woods (Lancashire/Yorkshire) in pre-ww2 England -- particularly during the 1930s. The top of the line was the "Swan", the "Blackbird" was in the middle and the "Swallow" was the bottom of the line. Mabie Todd FPs were renowned for their superb flex/semi-flex nibs and the quality of their construction.

 

All of my family members used "Swan" FPs -- the first fountain pen I owned was a used "Swan" given to me by an uncle.

 

http://jp29.org/cal42.JPG

 

http://jp29.org/cal222s.JPG

[davyr]

a very nice review and find, stompy. your handwriting is remarkably similar to my sister's (yours is more legible, though )

[emrecan]

Hi Stompy,

Somehow i missed your review.The pen looks like moderns actually.Im not fan of vintage pens.Its great to be such as pen been have 14kt gold nib.Nice writing and nice journal.

 

Im not commeting on the James writing!!!Just ing

 

Take Care

Emrecan

[london]

Just checking out some of the older reviews ... sesing what I might like to buy when I have a bit of spare cash next month. So thank you for the review.

 

I was interested to compare the Blackbird to the Swan I already have. The two look almost identical, and I do love the style of those clips (I've said that numerous times here now!). Mine has a left oblique and its wonderful to write with. Its just a shame that it drops ink when its over half full. I've tried adjusting the feed, but it hasn't had the desired affect. I think I'm simply going to have to take it to bits when I have time.

 

Thanks again for the review.

 

- Mark

[sonia_simone]

Thanks for waking up this old review of a lovely pen! And always, of course, a great pleasure to see James Pickering's elegant hand.

 

So far my problem with flexes is not that I'm too heavy-handed, but that I'm too light. I get very minimal variation as it is just entirely unnatural to me to push down on a pen. I do enjoy playing with them, though, and the buoyant spring of a flex nib.

[colliewalker1]

This is probably the oldest pen that I own - a BCHR Mabie Todd Blackbird with a 14k fine and semi-flexible nib. As far as I can tell it dates from the 30s (corrections welcome), and apart from the slight oxidation on the barrel and a slight bit of tarnish on the clip, this pen is in excellent condition with crisp chasing and imprint

 

BLACKBIRD SELF-FILLING PEN

MABIE TODD & CO LTD

MADE IN ENGLAND

 

http://photos3.flickr.com/6204244_d79c6aac20_o.jpg

 

I understand that the Blackbird was the budget line of pens; in that case I'd love to see what its contemporary "premium" line pens were like. The part of the section that was covered by the nib shows what this pen must have been like originally - a deep, shiny, smooth black. And the nib, well, I'll get to that later.

 

Just below the cap screw there is an imprint which reads "BLACKBIRD F-T" and there is also the imprint "Blackbird" on the underside of the feed and on the clip.

 

http://photos3.flickr.com/6204301_67fb4b9b0a_o.jpg

 

This is a slender pen, 5 3/8 inches capped, 6 1/2 inches posted and 5 inches unposted, which is the way I use it.

 

The flat topped cap, by modern standards, seems oversized and ungainly, but the low clip, which allows a lot of the cap to show when clipped to a pocket, just screams vintage and almost Art Deco elegance.

 

When I first saw the description of the pen I was disappointed that it was only a semi-flex. I thought that I could handle a "wet-noodle" if I could get one. Little did I know. I can hardly handle this pen. The line looks like it was put down by a medium nib - I am going to have to practice hard at using this with a lighter touch. Nevertheless, it puts down a nice wet line and I've helped it along with a fill of Aurora Blue.

 

This is not a pen for the cigar box - this is going to be used. I love the feel of the nib on paper, I love just looking at it, and I'm sure I'm not imagining the spicy burnt rubber smell of the pen.

 

 

 

Many thanks for your reply - and those of other members.The information given couldn't be more helpful .

 

Denis

 

Cheshire, UK.

[scruffymummy]

I have just received a pen from my husband for my birthday. It is a Blackbird 4244 from Mabie Todd in green and black pearlescent marbling. I really love it. As my photography skills are rubbish I have provided a link below. I hope this is ok. (moderator) If it is not appropriate to do this please feel free to remove the link.

 

It has a medium 14k nib with a little flex and a lever fill, dated 1941.

 

I have only had it for one hour so it is a little early for a review but I really like it, I have written a page of diary and no scratching, leaking or 'blobbing'. I will attach a picture of writing but the photograph of the actual pen on the link is far superior to anything I could do.

 

Can anyone advise me which ink would be best to use with my new treasure?

 

 

 

http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showim...,0&format=0

 

[DRP]

I am delighted to read a review of this vintage pen. A contemporary view of a vintage product affords me and others the opportunity to learn much.

 

Let me encourage others to write reviews of vintage pens, also.

[jips123]

I have a Blackbird like the original poster and can confirm it is an excellent writer! The pen feels great in the hand: balance and the grip on the section are excellent.

[dhlr14454]

I have a Swan that is a very flexible writer. I was shocked when I first used it and thought something was wrong; I was just too used to those manifold Esterbrook nibs. Anyway, I agree, your handwriting looks excellent.

[bluemoon]

Quite a nice review and a truly wonderful pen.... the majority of my very small cache of pens comprise of Parkers and Swans.

All the three.. Swan, Blackbird and Swallow are really wonderful pens. Their nibs range from manifold to wet noodle. And I find their nibs much more responsive than contemporary Parkers or Watermans.

 

Your pen is from late '20 or early to mid 30's... looks like having a #2 nib... and in really excellent condition. Congrats on your pen and enjoy it.

[sallywally]

Mabie Todd fountain pens were by far the most popular ones in my neck of the woods (Lancashire/Yorkshire) in pre-ww2 England -- particularly during the 1930s. The top of the line was the "Swan", the "Blackbird" was in the middle and the "Swallow" was the bottom of the line. Mabie Todd FPs were renowned for their superb flex/semi-flex nibs and the quality of their construction.

 

All of my family members used "Swan" FPs -- the first fountain pen I owned was a used "Swan" given to me by an uncle.

 

http://jp29.org/cal42.JPG

 

http://jp29.org/cal222s.JPG

I am looking at a Mabie Todd Swallow XF flex from the early 20s. It's in near mint condition. Does the fact that it's a Swallow mean I shouldn't get it and instead get a GF Swan extra-fine flex instead?

 

Oh indecision! I have a Mabie Todd 1922 14K pen that I cannot seem to get to actually write. I'm afraid I did something to it when I flushed it recently....aagh.

 

[sallywally]

Quite a nice review and a truly wonderful pen.... the majority of my very small cache of pens comprise of Parkers and Swans.

All the three.. Swan, Blackbird and Swallow are really wonderful pens. Their nibs range from manifold to wet noodle. And I find their nibs much more responsive than contemporary Parkers or Watermans.

 

Your pen is from late '20 or early to mid 30's... looks like having a #2 nib... and in really excellent condition. Congrats on your pen and enjoy it.

I'm looking at two Mabie Todds on the Vintage Fountain Pen Website = a Swallow and a Swan XF flex. Would these nibs be pretty "wet noodl-y?" :meow:

[jar]

I'm looking at two Mabie Todds on the Vintage Fountain Pen Website = a Swallow and a Swan XF flex. Would these nibs be pretty "wet noodl-y?" :meow:

 

Which "Vintage Fountain Pen" website? My experience with early Mabie Todds has been that the flex is moderate and certainly not Waterman 'noodly'.

[MOVIESTAR]

great pen and lovely handwriting mate

[adam11]

Nice pen! One of the few vintage pens that I would truly like to have. Enjoy!