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A friend of mine purchased this Waterman - either a Hemisphere or Ideal, not sure - the box says "Ideal" - in 1990 while in France. She wants to sell it to me but has no idea what it's worth. She paid 160 Francs in '90, so about $30. It needs to be cleaned, and she thinks a new nib. Nib looks fine to me, but I could be wrong. Pics below. Any help on value, what to do to clean before inking, and if you think it needs a new nib, would be greatly appreciated! http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb176/clmautz/2014-10-22121937.jpg http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb176/clmautz/2014-10-22122200.jpg Thanks! Bamboo...

Hello fellow FPN members! This is a documentation as well as "questionnaire" post on one of the pens in my collection. The Mebsons Arfa. I have not heard of this fountain pen brand and also my internet search did not yield any credible results as well. I have two of mebsons pens of which i am sure about one that it is an ebonite pen, but the other, that is the one i am talking about right now; i am confused whether if it is an ebonite or a plastic pen. I purchased both the pens from an old shop back in vadodara, Gujarat, India. Here are the pictures of the Mebsons Arfa, i will post the pictures of the other one in a follow-up post. I will be really pleased if i could get some help in identifiying the company as well as the pen itself.

Ok, so I just bought this pen because I wanted to restore it, but i can't seem to find its specific name. On the clip "Ottawa" is engraved in a cursive print (sorry it doesn't show well in the photo). The band was missing when I bought the pen, which doesn't help. All that Ive been able to find out is that Ottawa was a sub company of Conklin. Do any of you know anything more about this pen?

Currently, for both lettering and drawing, I am using mostly vintage nibs: Gilbert & Blanzy-Poure Nibs (specifically the No.2552), which I bought a small lot of about a year ago (I have nearly 30 of them in pristine condition. 2 are in current rotation for black/ colored ink). I also have a modest stockpile of Baignol & Frajon 2730 (about five with one in a holder). My other two pen holders are loaded with Tachikawa (the spoon model and soft maru mapping model) for tighter lines with less variation. (These are great for hatching.) For comic lettering I have been bouncing between Brause (No.180) and Tachikawa round tip (1mm). I have a bunch of random hunt, brause, leonardt and nikkon nibs, but I can't say I use them with any frequency. I bought a few random samples from my usual nib haunts to try them out, and found I liked them okay, but what I had was fairly better (for my taste). Some were to scratchy, some caught on watercolor paper too easily and some were just too finicky for me. I like drawing quick and dirty, and need a nib that will keep up with that. Lately, I have been eyeballing Easterbrook nibs, because I seem to come across them everywhere. I was wondering if any of the nib users have come across them, and how they like the quality. The vintage nibs I have on hand now I like for springiness, line variation and consistency. They also almost never dump ink, even though I use them with a coil reservoir. So, I was wondering if anyone out there had any thoughts on various nibs, what they like to use and why (what properties do they have). I'm a nib hound in the sense that I like to try everything, but I am also not precious. I care more about performance than aesthetics. Of course, price is a concern too. I don't mind paying a little more for a vintage nib, but if finding something obscure is going to cost me a small fortune, that nib better draw a picture on its own. ETA: It occurs to me that I should also list the ink I am using. I use mostly Dr. Martin's Black Star Matte or Hi Carb black, Dr. Martin's Bombay colored india inks (mixable) or Speedball acrylic inks (also mixable). All are lightfast and waterproof. Different nibs behave better with different inks. I remember my Brause Rose nib loved thin inks, but the only thicker ink I could get it to work with was the DM Matte.

Hi, can anyone here identify these pens? Thanks, Sakurako

Vintage bug has bitten...and now wondering if I should learn how to resac etc etc. Perhaps the best thing you can do is talk me out of the whole thing....

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-15_zps0394feb5.jpg Czechoslovakian fountain pens are maybe not very well known among collectors and users but they should be for sure pointed out very loudly because of their high quality, beauty and really wonderful writing skills. The communism time brought a nationalization to the Czechoslovakian pen industry, so all private manufacturers had to decide if join a new "company" Centropen or just desapear. So, actually Centropen used ideas and design of few great manufacturers, among them the best was Ripet, Barclay, Penco. First Impression (10/10) Is just ... WOW! This particular pen I am happy to have with original box, so after opening the box, literally, it's just WOW! The pen at once is going to catch your eye and push you to take it into your hands. Appearance and Design (10/10) For all of you who appereciate the most Italian vintage, celluloid pens, Centropen might be like "one of a kind" Anyway, it's very well made of impressive colorful, shiny celluloid. Cigar shape is a classy one, we all know that, so no dissapointment at all. Both top sides of the barrel and the cap are finished with transparent, acrylic or celluloid part which gives to the pen lightness and very modern look. In addition three rings on a cap and well thought clip. Alltogether, really, really NICE pen! http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-11_zps6f9ff83e.jpghttp://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-1_zpsa30fff99.jpghttp://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-10_zpsa748785e.jpghttp://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-9_zpsf7f92d3c.jpg Weight and Dimensions (10/10) It's a quite big pen, so all "oversize" lovers will not be dissapointed. Those who loves "standard" will find this pen also very comfortable. pen with the cap screwed on: 13,3 cm / 5.25 in pen without the cap: 11,8 cm / 4.65 in pen with the cap posted: 14,4 cm / 5.66 in diameter: 1,2 cm / 0.47 in Nib and performance (10/10) Centropen used usually steel, gold plated nibs but also 14 ct gold nibs by Ripet or just Warranty. This one comes with semi-flexible M 14 ct Warranty 1st Quality nib that is really great. At least for me who really love vintage, flexible and semi-flexible nibs. It's not the smoothest one and I don't like those nibs that when writes you don't feel it all and don't hear it all, so for me this nib is 10 but for "SS" lovers (silence&smoothness) it might be around 5-6. Ebonite feed works very well with the nib. http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-16_zps44b5f8da.jpghttp://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-5_zpsc0513b4f.jpghttp://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-2_zpsf0a67c84.jpg Filling system & Maintenance (8/10) The filling system is easy to use, and holds a lot of ink. It's a piston-converter integrated with the section. Easy and nice. Also quite good to clean, it's just to remove feed and nib and then it's very easy, if not removing, like in other piston fillers - in an out water http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-8_zps22b3c07f.jpg Cost & Value (10/10) I do not regret any penny I put on this pen. And of course it's vintage and in this particular color - very rare. So, this one is not cheap and other celluloid colors and solid silver pens from this period are right now quite expensive but if you got one with similar condition I got mine, you will not regret, too ... any penny Conclusion (10/10) A beautiful piece of European history - well made, well thought with great gold nib. What to want more!

I was bequeathed a box of postcards, all but two are clean with no writing on them. They are from all over the world but overall there is a stronger focus on the Asia Pacific region. The postcards are from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Only a few are worth anything (more than $20) with most being of interest only! I thought it would be nice to share them around, one per member (if you have more than one member in your house that is fine). They will be put into an envelope and posted as regular mail, anywhere in the world http://fpgeeks.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.png If you'd like one please post here and then pm me, that way I'll be able to keep track of how many have been taken by the number of replies! If you'd like one of the ones with writing on them please say so in your pm. Cheers, Yehuwdiy

Okay, I'm at a loss and my newbie inexperience with Sheaffer pens is showing! I need help from all of you, please. My sleuthing has not gotten me very far so I'm turning to the experts here to determine if my free, 'thank you' pen is correct or a couple of parts cobbled together. Bought a great little Waterman Vest pen off the bay and when it arrived, there was a BONUS pen added as a thank you. How cool is that! Here is where it gets interesting...she thought, and I am almost agreeing, that the pen looks married. Either that or the barrel is ambered or stained. I've not done anything to/with it as it's a vacuum filler and I'm clueless on these. I'm pretty clueless on Sheaffers as my stuff is normally the most obscure, cheapest stuff ever made for a one time school class, sold at a drug store and found in the junk drawer!!! Here is the pen I'm wondering about. I know it's a vacuum filler, i know it's Sheaffer White Dot and I know it's a Lifetime nib with a number...but... ...do top and bottom match correctly? I have since discovered it IS ambered and you can see through it when held to the light. Is the nib correct? Is this a Balance or something else. Timeframe for age (I think it's a '35 based soley on the hump clip shown. (Maybe someone changed the clip???) Worth restoring? I am coming to the experts as I R Not 1! Any help is appreciated!! Thank you!! (Update: The pen inks from what I can tell, well, it's still writing, but I don't see ink IN it. Hmmmm.) Attached Images

Hello everyone. I recently bought a vintage Aurora 88 from the 40's. I bought on Ebay from italy because they are hard to find. I paid 100 shipped and arrived 5 days ago. The description of the pen said that it was in good condition, and only one picture was posted. When I received the pen, it was in a sorry state. I cleaned it , and made the piston work. There was a small hole on the barrell, like the ones in the caps so they can breath. It was curious to me since I have never seen this holes on barrels. Ink came through the hole so I put some silicone grease and problem solved. The nib is wonderful, it is a medium broad with excellent flex. The ebonite on the tip and blind cap are in great condition. However the cap had some corrosion which I sanded and polished out, but the cap on the left side of thw clip has two normal sized dings that frustrate me. I am very anal with the condition of my vintages, and I just cant ignore this imperfection on the cap. Is there anyone that have a spare cap from a vintage 88 or 88K that can sell it to me. I dont care if it is gold or silver trimmed. The cap needs to be in great condition with no dings and dents. Or if someone know anyone a seller or a site that I vould ask if they are willing to sell me a cap. Thank you everyone!

Hi all Pelikan enthusiasts, I keep seeing people recommend older Pelikan pens, specifically 400 models, when people are looking for semi-flexible nibs. Are all older Pelikan nibs semi-flex? BEcause I have also seen many videos with older Pelikans, and they usually have exotic (OB) flexy nibs. If anyone has one, please post photos as I am intrigued and am interested in browsing /purchasing one. Thanks, Tom.

Okay, so today I hit an Estate Sale and snagged a Pacific Pen and Pencil set. Both cleaned up quite nicely and the brass looks good also, but I've never heard of this .....what ....9th tier, lol, company? I have not been able to find one single reference to either pen or pencil and nothing for Pacific. I'm at a complete loss. The nib is the basic Supreme 14K Gold Plate and the pen needs a new sack. Pencil needs lead, lol. The color is beautiful and the emblem looks to be a laurel with a P in the middle. Can't find any info anywhere on this!! Has anyone ever heard of such an animal? The nib says nothing of the size, so no clue what size it is. I may have gotten taken on this grouping, but hoping it writes well. Not a real flexible nib, but in good shape. Any thought would be be appreciated!! (The dark clip is on the pencil.) Attached Images

Okay, so today I hit an Estate Sale and snagged a Pacific Pen and Pencil set. Both cleaned up quite nicely and the brass looks good also, but I've never heard of this .....what ....9th tier, lol, company? The nib is the basic Supreme 14K Gold Plate and the pen needs a new sack. Pencil needs lead, lol. The color is beautiful and the emblem looks to be a round leaf-like circle with a P in the middle. Can't find any info anywhere on this!! Has anyone ever heard of such an animal? The nib says nothing of the size, so no clue what size it is. I may have gotten taken on this grouping, but hoping it writes well. Not a real flexible nib, but in good shape. any thought would be be appreciated!!

I recently bought a vintage MB pen online but am slightly confused as to which model it is. I'm told it's from the 50s and made in Germany and the nib says monte rosa on it but the rest of the pen doesn't seem to match the monte rosa descriptions I've seen online. It doesn't have the scalloped band on the cap, which is also engraved with Montblanc, not monterosa and has the white star (not an engraving). There's no model number on it, but it has STB on the piston pump knob. Is the pen a real montblanc? If so, what model is ist, a monte rosa or another model with another nib? Thanks for any help you can give me! I've attched a couple of photos to help.

Hi guys, I'm still here! I recently bought a Wearever at an antique stop. A bit of a learning experience -- made me look up the brand, and I learned that Wearever produced models prolifically, some even without names. That makes ID more challenging, of course, which is why I need your help. :3 I bought my pen for around eight bucks, by the way -- was that an OK deal? Anyway, so I am curious now as to what model it is, if it has a name, and where I can acquire a converter or cartridge(s) to use with it. The pen is the same as the one pictured to the far right in this eBay listing: http://www.ebay.com/...=item1e919703f8 . Thanks in advance for the help. (P.S. This is a repost of https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/274225-wearever-identification-help/?do=findComment&comment=3118702 -- in case a moderator would like to remove the old mis-forummed post)

I am trying to identify this pen that was give to me as a gift. It has absolutely no markings on it that I can find. It is very beautiful and I would love to identify it and include it in my personal pen catalog.

I recently purchased a black chased hard rubber pen on eBay, with the only markings being an imprint of a soldier on the cap, and "Cadet 14K 2 S" on the nib to give any indication of what make or model it might be. I've been trying to research Cadet, and have turned up nothing but Sheaffers (which this pen is decidedly NOT) and Summit, perhaps? It's a really nice pen, great writer with great flex, and much cleaner now than the listing photos I'm sharing. I'm just befuddled by the lack of information. And hoping that someone more knowledgeable of pen history might be able to shed some light on this little guy! The listing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/400765394859?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT A couple listing photos: http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTU4WDExMjM=/z/d-AAAOSwDk5UAPOo/$_57.JPG http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/1ksAAOSw-jhUAPPH/$_57.JPG?rt=nc

Hi community, my gf's grandfather has passed away earlier this year and we've found this fountain+ballpoint pen amongst his many belongings. I think I was able to identify the fountain pen model with the help of internet (is it Parker 65?) but I can't seem to find any info on this particular "golden looking" set. The best approximation I could find is a similar looking stainless steel model. Was it some kind of limited edition or is it just a common set that nobody seems to be selling on the internet? I don't think it's gold plated as there's no certificate present, but has never been used. Here are some more pictures and closeups: http://imgur.com/a/MWVz1 If anyone can shed any light on this set my gf would be really grateful. Thank you in advance, Romci

Hi guys, I'm still here! I recently bought a Wearever at an antique stop. A bit of a learning experience -- made me look up the brand, and I learned that Wearever produced models prolifically, some even without names. That makes ID more challenging, of course, which is why I need your help. :3 I bought my pen for around eight bucks, by the way -- was that an OK deal? Anyway, so I am curious now as to what model it is, if it has a name, and where I can acquire a converter or cartridge(s) to use with it. The pen is the same as the one pictured to the far right in this eBay listing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Lot-Wearever-Fountain-Pen-Massot-Advertising-Mechanical-Pencils-/131291612152?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e919703f8 . Thanks in advance for the help.

Hi, I have Gold Filled Wahl. I got this vintage pen and tried to disassemble it, but the section doesn't come off. I tried soaking in warm water and heating the section before trying to pull it, however, none of that worked. How do I disassemble this all metal pen? Is it harder to disassemble a fountain pen with metal sections?

After experiencing how pleasurable the Esterbrooks are, I'm buying a dark grey Esterbrook J. I have a choice of nibs. I can get the 2550, 9556 and 2556 for the same price or a 2048 for an additional ~$50. At the moment I don't have an additional $50 (and as a leftie, I wouldn't have much use for a flex nib anyway), and I think that the 2556 is just a weaker version of the 9556, so that's out of the question too. So I managed to narrow the choice down to the 2550 (firm extra fine for bookkeeping) and the 9556 (firm fine, for fine writing). I'm looking for opinions and experiences. Which one should I get? How well do they perform? Is either of them scratchy?

I recently visited an antique shop, and in one display case I found a couple of old fountain pens. I picked up this Stratford Button Filler for a bargain, $5!!! I have cleaned it up, and was able to remove the nib and feed. But the button is jammed. It moves down less than a 1/16 of an inch, and can turn about 5o. Overall the pen is 4 1/2" uncapped, and 4 3/4" capped. http://i.imgur.com/mpjLIFJ.jpg I would like to know if anyone has any knowledge of how I would go about repairing this pen so it can properly function again. Here are some details about the pen: Cap; The cap has a black top section where the clip is attached. The clip is broken, and all that remains is the word "Stratford". There is a small hole that I assume would have been under the clip. There is a cap band at the bottom of the cap, which is composed of 7 sections, 4 smooth sections with 3 sections with ridges in between. It also appears to be lacking an inner cap, I am not sure if this pen ever had one or not. http://i.imgur.com/5Ss7Hyk.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/smlxIVG.jpg?1 Barrel; The barrel of the pen has the same celluloid style as the cap. There is a small amber colored ink window between the grip and the barrel. The end of the barrel has a small 12 sided cone shaped blind cap. Beneath the blind cap is a small metal button (I think it is aluminum). http://i.imgur.com/Tj8D53n.jpg http://i.imgur.com/mhLWKiX.jpg Nib; The nib says "14 KT. GOLD PLATE", and it is just under 1" long. It is friction fit into the grip with the feed, and has a small notch at the bottom of it, and a small hole directly above it. http://i.imgur.com/fZyzcKO.jpg Any help would be greatly appreciated, and thanks in advanced.

I recently bought a Stratford Button Filler, and I want to repair it so it can draw up ink. But I don't even know what model it is! For more details about the pen click here Here are some pictures of the pen. http://i.imgur.com/mpjLIFJ.jpg http://i.imgur.com/5Ss7Hyk.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/smlxIVG.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/Tj8D53n.jpg http://i.imgur.com/mhLWKiX.jpg http://i.imgur.com/fZyzcKO.jpg I would greatly appreciate any and all knowledge and info about this pen. Thanks!

Hi All, I hope to gain some feedback on this pen I have. I have the exact pen in the link below: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dunhill-Sterling-Silver-Ball-Point-Pen-Rare-Light-Usage-/181495933395?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a420029d3 Mine however does not come with the box or papers. I am wondering if I'd be able to trade it for a good FP or should I just keep it for my own usage? What do you guys think? Sorry mods it this is in the wrong section. T.I.A. Cheers, Alan

I recently bought a Sheaffer Balance with a vacuum fill mechanism. When I went to clean it, I realized that there was ink caked on the feed and set about cleaning it. During that process, I noticed that the only way the pen would fill was in the up-stroke. This is my first vac fill fountain pen, so I am not well acquainted with how they're supposed to work. But, from what I know of modern vac fillers, they fill by the release of the vacuum made while pushing the plunger down. Is this a common problem with these pens? If so, is there a simple fix?