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I purchased this Parker Maxima UK Duofold 1958+ Aerometric filler by winning the eBay auction. My British friend had given me her late mother's Maxima- a teal one, that I have kept safe by not using it. However, I was always wanting to buy and try one in my daily library work. With a librarian's salary, it is difficult to afford such pleasures. I saved and saved and then I got it. I was pleased with this large formal and formidable-looking black Parker Maxima. It came from the UK and it was worth a wait due to a weak Sterling and a strong dollar. It writes wet medium line that is extremely beautiful. The ink I used was Waterman Serenity Blue. I am loving this pen and posting my limited first review. Enjoy the pictures.

Calling all Nottinghamians! The East Midlands seems to be sadly lacking a thread to call our own, so here we go! There seems to have been a little influx of locals recently (calling Sherwood Forester, mr dodo, evyxmsj, chrisheathcote, and all others!) and I thought it would be nice to perhaps get a local group or meet going. A little about me I suppose, I'm a 4th year medical student at the University of Nottingham, born and bred in the Netherlands but loving life in the Midlands (indeed, my grandparents were from Derby originally, and the other half of the family from Burton!). I've been using fountain pens for basically as long as I can remember, and have accumulated a collection of mainly Japanese and German pens (Pelikan, Lamy, Pilot, and Platinum make up the bulk of my case) with a smattering of TWSBIs, Parkers and Noodlers too. I'd love to meet some get to know some of the other enthusiasts in the area; I've had some success in converting friends and colleagues to the inky side, but an actual meet and great would be lovely! Hopefully this can gain some traction; and see you around! Alex

Visited Parker's new version website for UK (USA site is same old one). On it, it seems that Parker is going to relaunch some more colors, both in bottle and cartridge, as earlier only washable blue, black and blue-black were mentioned (it is still same, there on USA-Shop Online site). Same has been changed for China and Japan as well.

Dearest Members of the Fountain Pen Network, One of our ad agencies just gave us a nice surprise: 20% off Flash Sale for all eBay buyers for the UK, with a caveat: The code is only valid until 22:00 hrs today, October 22 2015, and as mentioned, only for UK buyers on eBay. And the che code is: CUKFLASH To go to eBay UK: Click to visit eBay UK Enjoy! Warm regards, Wim On behalf of the FPN Moderator and Admin Team

Hi Everyone, I've recently got a hold of a Sheaffer Snorkel from the bay. Upon receiving it, I noticed a crack at the plunger end, usually a far too common and unfortunately fatal issue in snorkels. As it's in the UK, parts are notoriously difficult to find, let alone for a justifiable price. I actually noticed the issue after winning, but having already paid, the seller just played dumb and completely denied it, even though it was blatantly obvious. Since I got it for a good price, however, it isn't worth much in returning. The crack itself is perhaps about 3/8 of an inch, roughly the same distance away from the breather hole. Internally - the pen is sound and fixable, just that little crack can cause issues. I've looked around and and I've seen Tenax 7R advertised wholeheartedly by Ron Z, however it's nearly impossible to find in the UK. (and for a good price) My question is if there's any alternatives I can find cheaply in the UK, something trustworthy as I have little option for failure. I'm confident in my ability to fix pens and have a steady hand (should have been a surgeon but chemistry wasn't my strong point hehe). Also, provided a picture of the crack. Excuse the horrible quality, I needed to MSPaint some things of help. Thanks in advance.

This list was shared with me by Newell-Rubbermaid customer service. I hope it is useful for people who might need servicing of their Vintage Pens. UK PARKER & WATERMAN VINTAGE PENS SPECIALISTS Œ PENFRIEND WEBSTERS SOCIAL STATIONERS 34 Burlington Arcade 23-28 Chatsworth Parade Piccadilly Petts Wood London, W1J 0QA Orpington, Kent BR5 1DE Phone: 02074996337 Phone: 01689 829277 E-Mail: info@penfriend.co.uk E-Mail: sales@websterspenshop.co.uk Website: www.penfriend.co.uk Website: www.websterspenshop.co.uk Ž PENS PLUS THE BATTERSEA PEN HOME 69-70 High Street PO Box 6128 Oxford OX14BD Epping CM16 4GG Phone: 01865241174 Phone: 01992578885 E-Mail: sales@penplus.co.uk E-Mail: repairs@penhome.co.uk Website: www.pensplus.co.uk Website: www.penhome.co.uk SIGNATURES OF YORK ‘ THE HIGHLO PEN MUSEUM 49 Foss Gate Greenacre Park York, North Yorks. YO1 9TF Hornsea, North Yorks. HU13 1UW Phone: 01904631311 Phone: 01964 535997 E-Mail: info@signaturesofyork.co.uk E-Mail: curator@penmuseum.co.uk US VINTAGE PEN REPAIR/SERVICE STATIONS VANNESS PEN SHAVER GIFT Mike Vanness 11121 N. Rodney Parham Rd. Little Rock, AR 72212 (501) 666-0668 Parker 51 THE FOUNTAIN PEN SHOP Fred Krinke 2640 S. Myrtle Ave. #12 Monrovia, CA 91016-8204 (626-294-9974 Some Waterman Parker Duofold & Vacumatic GARY LEHRER16 Mulberry Rd. Woodbridge, CT 06525 (203) 389-5295 Email: garylehrer@aol.com Lucky Curve, Duofolds 1920-1940s Vacumatic, Parker 21,41,51,61, 75. INKPENSherrell A. Tyree 10009 Roe Overland Park, KS 66207 (913) 642-3216 Email: st3836@swbell.net Parker 15,21,41,45,51,61,65, 75, 180, Parker Vacumatics, Duofolds 1920-1940s and 1980-1990s, Waterman 1900 forward FAHRNEY'S PENS 8329 Old Marlboro Pike, B13 Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (301) 568-6550 Parker 75, 51, 45 Waterman Exclusive, Executive BROMFIELD PEN SHOP 5 Bromfield Street Boston, MA 02108 (617) 482-9053 Parker 51 and 61 FOUNTAIN PEN RECYCLERMike Carter P. O. Box 28083 Crystal, MN 55428 (763) 535-1599 carterinx@aol.com Older Waterman and Parker Fountain Pens, Ball Pens & Pencils INKPENJoel Hamilton 1602 Arizona Ave. Alamogordo, NM 88310 (575) 491-3025 Email: inkpen5326@aol.com Parker 15,21,41,45,51,61,65, 75, 180, Parker Vacumatics, Duofolds 1920-1940s and 1980-1990s, Waterman 1900 Forward, Parker Desk Sets SANTE FE PENS 500 Montezuma #111 Santa Fe, NM 87501 (866) 726-8736 Parker and Waterman GEOFFREY BERLINER C/0 LTI 34 East 30th Street New York, NY 10016 (212) 614-3020 Waterman up to 1930s Parker 51, Duofold, Vacumatic FOUNTAIN PEN HOSPITAL Steve Weiderlight 10 Warren New York, NY 10007 (800) 253-7367 Fountain Pens Only Parker and Waterman Previous to 1960 PENTIQUES.COM Aaron A. Svabik PO Box 2866 Youngstown OH 44511 (330) 507-7367 Parker 51, 61, 75 Waterman Patrician, Previous to 1970s NITA'S PEN SHOP Nita Kerger PO Box 28358 (Zip 78228-0358) 254 Gettysburg Road San Antonio, TX 78228 (210) 734-2842 Email: nitaspenshop@satx.rr.com Parker 21, 45,51,61,75 Duofold and Vacumatics,Waterman SPECIALTY RESTORATION Daniel Kirchheimer 12 Silver Birch Court Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852 732 821-6385 Email: repairs@penrestoration.com Older Parker and Waterman Pens and Pencils Metal Pen Cap and Barrel Repair BILL BILLINGSLEY10715 El Toro Drive Riverview, FL 33569 813-505-2683 pensurgeon60@yahoo.com PENTRACE.COM http://www.pentrace.net/links.html Lih-Tah Wong 44648 Mound Road 812 Sterling Heights, MI 48314 586.275.7507 www.Parker75.com LTW@Parker75.com Parker 75 RECOMMENDED INSTRUCTIONS Contact the selected service station prior to sending your vintage pen to them. Please package your writing instrument securely and insure it with the carrier. NIB SPECIALISTS JOHN MOTTISHAW CLASSIC FOUNTAIN PENS 717 North Highland Avenue Loft 27 Los Angeles, CA 90038 (323)655-2641 Email: service@nibs.com www.nibs.com Parker 75 and Sonnet Nibs Vintage Waterman Nibs Service Duofold, 51 and Vacumatics Nib Restoration RICHARD L. GREENWALD 11501 Front Field Lane Potomoc, MD 20854 Email: info@richardlgreenwald.com Website: www.RichardLGreenwald.com Parker Duofold Ball Pens Only Regards, Sonik

Hi - I bought a new Lamy 2000 Makrolon edition with a F nib, off of ebay, for about $130. After receiving it, I found the ink flow to be very dry and the pen to be quite scratchy. After a few weeks, I mailed it using regular postal mail to Lamy Germany ( the Heidelberg address on their website) with a letter detailing my name/ address and complaints. Note I didn't include my purchase invoice or any warranty paperwork (don't think Lamy issues any). 2 weeks elapsed with no acknowledgement or return of the pen. So, I emailed the email address on the website asking for an update. Within a day I had a response back including a copy of the shipping invoice for the pen's return to me. A week later I had the pen in my hands. They replaced the ink feed and cleaned the pen. There was no charge to me and then pen was returned via DHL parcel post. I'm quite happy with result. Still not at MB or Pelikan levels of smoothness but the ink flow is now rich & smooth. Would highly recommend sending your pen to Germany if you have any problems with it. R

Trying to free up my life to be able to get to this Will many people from here be attending? Having never been to a show, will I find many modern Japanese pens around (my particular interest)? I see lots of content related to Parkers, Shaeffers etc and pen turners/makers but not a lot about my beloved Nakaya, Pilot and Platinum pens. Regards, Bear

Just wanted to share a new (to me) shop I've just ordered from - www.firststopstationers.co.uk I got a broad Pilot Capless rhodium nib (18k 750) for £58 (and a couple of quid for shipping, I think) - I've upgraded the pen I got imported from Japan which came with a 'special alloy' nib - it's a massive difference. They don't have a Cult Pens sized collection (but who does?) but they are cheap and ship quickly. Might be worth a look. No affiliation other than being a satisfied customer. Here's the link to the nib. http://www.firststopstationers.co.uk/acatalog/first-stop-stationers-logo.gif (The logo's a bit rubbish though, isn't it?)

The title says it all really.....suggestions for a modern, and a vintage wet noodle, preferably in UK. Thanks Alex

Hi I've finally got everything I need to start making Tomoe River pads in the UK. I'll be making all the pads my self, to the same quality that I'd expect for my self. So question is, what would you like? I think making very ornate leatherbound notebooks will be beyond me, but factors such as number of sheets etc would be handy..!

Hi all, I've owned an M205 for a few years now, and although I love it I do think that it's slightly small for the furry ape-paws that I have for hands. So, I am thinking of treating myself to either an M605 or an M805, but I would like to get some advice from those of you who have these pens before I go out and buy one. (Especially as either would cost me a sum that I can't really afford to be spending.) Obviously, apart from the different plating on their trim, the M605 & M805 are the same pens as the M600 & M800, so the answers to my questions would also apply to the differences between the M600 & M800. I would like answers to the specific questions listed below, but I would also welcome any other information that you think that I ought to know, and also any advice/hints/tips that you think that I ought to consider. My specific questions: 1) Does an M80x feel noticeably heavier than an M60x - i.e. might its weight become tiring in long sessions of writing? 2) Does an M80x feel ‘unwieldy’ compared to an M60x? 3) Does either model only feel ‘right’ if you write with its cap posted (or, for that matter, with its cap not posted)? 4) Is there any difference between the feel/responsiveness/springiness/performance of the 18K gold nib on an M80x and that of the 14K gold nib on an M60x? 5) How do these nibs compare to the feel/responsiveness/springiness/performance of the steel nib in an M20x? 6) does the longer nib of the M80x substantially alter the feel or ease of writing with one, and if it does, does the longer nib make it ‘more comfortable‘ to use than an M60x, or ‘less comfortable’? I do recognise that the best way to find out which of the two pens will better-suit my own, personal, taste is to try both of them out in a store, so; 7) can any of you let me know of any shops in my vicinity (the Midlands of England) that stocks both of these models of the Souverän? My thanks to you in advance for your answers to those questions, and also for any other information that you feel that I ought to know before spending my money. Cheers, M.

Dear Monsieurs and Madames, I have been collecting fountain pens since the age of 7 or thereabouts. Today during the midst of a clear out I found this Mentmore Supreme that I spent the vast majority of my pocket money on when I was 9. I found it at a car boot sale and believe I paid around £3 for it. It has remained lost since then only to be rediscovered today. I have very few vintage pens in my collection and certainly profess to have no expertise when it comes to repairing fountain pens. I would love to get this pen working purely on the basis that it has a memory attached to it. I have taken it apart and believe that everything is present that should be. It is a button filler but the ink sac has largely perished. It does appear to move a little water when the button is pressed though. I have dipped it and the 14ct gold medium nib has a lovely flex to it. I really enjoyed writing with it despite the fact it is a little scratchy. The rest of the pen has some cosmetic wear that does not bother me a great deal. I think that the pen needs a little TLC to get it back to its best, a replacement of the sac and a bit of work on the nib and then some cleaning and what not. I would really appreciate it if anyone knows of someone who would be able to carry this out for me and a rough estimate of costs. Here are some pictures! Many thanks in advance for any help that can be offered. Thanman

Hi all, I need to remove the nib from my UK Parker Duofold to straighten out the bent area. Are these nib and feeds screw in or press in? Can the nib be removed w/o taking the aerometric filler off? stez

Today I received, very quickly, some metallic Sharpies from Amazon. Many of the reviews had said that the gold one tends to be dry, and it is. But I've seen, and have just checked, youtube vids in which it has been demonstrated that with a little (rubbing) alcohol, markers of this type can be revived provided they've only dried out and still have plenty of pigment left. But where, in the UK, can I purchase rubbing alcohol? If any other UK members know the answer to this, I would very much like to know. Thanks in advance.

Contact me for details!

And reasonably affordable.....not asking much, am I ? Would welcome any ideas or suggestions. Am still pretty new to this, so, any guidance re flex is much appreciated. Thanks Alex

Hey everyone The ink has landed. Army Green Baystate Blue 54th Massachusetts Baystate Concord grape Liberty's Elysium Nightshade Black swan in English roses Kung Te-cheng El Lawrence Air Corp Blue Black Prices are £15 each El Lawrence is £22 and Kung Te-Cheng is £30 I'll be putting up the inks on an online marketplace on Monday, so let me know ASAP if interested..! I can bundle any if these inks with 100 sheet Tomoe River paper and combine shipping if needed!

I'm planning to get a decent amount of noodlers fairly soon in the UK so let me know your views..!

Just wanted to let anyone interested in buying Private Reserve inks about a vendor called pensavings on Ebay. I bought a few bottles of PR ink, and was rather shocked when i came to realise that P&P was $4.95, shipping from USA to the UK. I ended up asking the vendor if this was correct, as I realise how heavy ink bottles are, and that shipping cost are bound to be more. He explained that this was in fact the case, and that he just about broke even with fountain pen inks, but helped with other areas of the business. I subsequently ordered a few more, larger 110ml bottles, which the vendor ordered and has sent with the same remarkable postage rate. All transactions were smooth, and had great communication throughout. I've asked if he is likely to stock Noodler's any time soon, and he said he was talking to the distributer with a view to doing this at some point in the near future. Until then, any one looking for PR inks, check his ebay store out!

Is anyone interested?

Let me start by saying that I have NO affiliation with Amazon or the retailers selling these Pilot Iroshizuku inks On Amazon UK, if you search "iroshizuku", you can find almost the whole range for around only £15! Normally, one would have to pay around £30 for these. They're even shipped for free! I'm not sure if these retailers ship to other countries for free or sell elsewhere for the same price. So, if you want an Iroshizuku ink, but haven't gotten one because of the price, you're in luck! Unfortunately, the prices do change from time to time, but you can track the prices using http://uk.camelcamelcamel.com/ Some links to the more popular inks: Kon-Peki http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pilot-Iroshizuku-Fountain-Pen-Ink/dp/B0018HJVS6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399811984&sr=8-1&keywords=iroshizuku+kon-peki Asa-Gao http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pilot-Iroshizuku-Fountain-Pen-Ink/dp/B001AX7TFA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399812002&sr=8-1&keywords=iroshizuku+asa-gao Yama-Budo http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pilot-Iroshizuku-Fountain-Pen-Ink/dp/B001PWFZ02/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399812748&sr=8-1&keywords=iroshizuku+yama-budo Fuyu-Gaki http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pilot-Iroshizuku-Fountain-Pen-Ink/dp/B002BV11I6/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1399812773&sr=8-10&keywords=iroshizuku Unfortunately, Tsuki-Yo was available, but I can't find it at this time. It will probably be re-stocked soon with the £15 price tag. I hope this was useful to you.

Hey Folks I was in Tesco today and notices Oxford Optik paper is half price. It says the offer is on until 5th September, but the ones I saw where: Oxford A5 Wirebound £1 Oxford A4 Refill Pad £1.50 Oxford A4 Wirebound £2 Oxford A4 Project book £2.50 They had a lot of other offers, but nothing FP friendly as far as I know..... Not sure how long the stock will last, but gather up while you can. No other FP friendly paper beats it...Including Rhodia in my opinion. Ren

Hello P-51 Enthusiasts, I recently got a "1950s black barrel with lustraloy cap Parker 51 aero filler, 14ct gold OB/ITALIC nib, made in UK" from eBay. This is my first P51 and only my second eBay purchase; so when it arrived, I contained the excitement by immediately inspecting the pen with a loupe. I've done some research beforehand, so I would check the marks on the pen and compare it with the available internet info/literature on this pen, including the seller's general description in quotes above. One limitation on my inspection is that I couldn't check the markings on (I believe) its oblique med/broad stub nib, since I just cannot take the risk of disassembling it at this point of my inexperience. Based on what I have seen, I'm bothered by one thing at the moment, about which I just couldn't get credible and direct info - there is no indication anywhere on the pen, where it was manufactured. [i've attached some pics of the pen below.] It's been mentioned in one of the threads here in FPN that one mark of a UK made P51 is a hole at the end of the barrel (which this pen has). It's also been metioned a number of times that there is not much information on the UK made P51s, unlike the US made ones. This, unfortunately, seems true! Would like to ask for your help identifyting this P51's most probable provenance. Please let me also know other technical issues that you may notice about it. Many thanks in advance!

Hi friends, Apologies if I have missed anything from the big master thread with links to info about seals and sealing wax, but I couldn't find an answer to my specific question. Which is - is there anywhere in the UK (or EU in general) that sells fairly inexpensive, decent quality seals for using with sealing wax? I've seen some very basic cheap stuff for a couple of pounds on offer on Amazon and also the really top-end seals that cost a fortune. I'd love to buy a couple of nicely-designed seals don't think I could justify more than maybe about £20 each. NostalgicImpressions in the US have some gorgeous designs that I love, but I'd get hammered for customs charges if I tried to import any (have just sadly made that mistake with some waxes). Thanks for any help! And apologies if I have missed a relevant thread. Floreat x