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  1. Sui-gyoku is one of three new Pilot Iroshizuku colours released late in 2021. Photo: Scan: (Some other colour comparisons can be found here.) p.s. No show-through, no bleed-through, and no sheen observed.
  2. A Smug Dill

    Pilot Iroshizuku Sui-gyoku review sheet

    From the album: Ink review

    No show-through, no bleed-through, and no sheen observed on the Rhodia DotPad 80g/m² 5mm dot grid paper used for the review sheet.

    © A Smug Dill


    • 0 B
    • x
  3. A Smug Dill

    Pilot Iroshizuku Sui-gyoku

    From the album: Ink review

    No show-through, no bleed-through, and no sheen observed on the Rhodia DotPad 80g/m² 5mm dot grid paper used for the review sheet.

    © A Smug Dill


    • 0 B
    • x
  4. InkShift – Pelikan Edelstein Jade to Onyx Pelikan Edelstein Jade is one of the few inks that I really hate – I simply cannot stomach its colour. So time to get creative and try to salvage my bottle. The Platinum Classic Black series gave me the idea to darken up the ink by adding some black. So I set out to try different ratios of two Edelstein inks: Jade and Onyx, shifting from one to the other. Below is a set of progressive mixes I used while looking for an interesting combination. Works great, and this is a technique I will surely use more often in the future. I liked the 1:1 and 2:1 Jade/Onyx mixes most, and finally added a final one in between with a ratio of 3 parts Jade and 2 parts Onyx. That became my favourite – a dirty dark blue-green - and I have named it “Murky Waters”. I will do a more comprehensive test of it in the coming days, which I will post here on this forum.
  5. namrehsnoom

    Ink Mix : Murky Waters

    Ink Mix – Murky Waters 3 parts : Pelikan Edelstein Jade 2 parts : Pelikan Edelstein Onyx I have a bottle of Pelikan Edelstein Jade, that turned out to be of a colour that's not really my thing (to put it mildly - I simply cannot stomach it). From the Platinum Classic Black series, I got the idea of darkening up the ink... maybe that could be a way to salvage my bottle. I tried a number of different proportions of Edelstein Jade and Onyx (documented here on the forum), to come up with a combination that I liked - Murky Waters. "Murky Waters" is brewed by mixing 3 parts of Edelstein Jade with 2 parts of Edelstein Onyx. The resulting mix gives a really dark grean-leaning teal colour, that is quite stable. This new ink writes wet and well-lubricated in my dry Safari test pens. Contrast with the paper is excellent, even with EF nibs. The ink also exhibits aesthetically pleasing soft shading. To show you the impact of saturation on the ink's look & feel on paper, I made some scribbles where I really saturated portions of the Tomoe River paper with ink. This gives you a good idea of what the ink is capable of in terms of colour range. Murky Waters has a narrow tonal range, and is definitely a well-saturated ink. The limited colour span explains the soft shading that is apparent in writing. The resulting mix is also fairly water-resistant. Short exposures to water flush away the Jade components of the ink, but the black remains, and is still very readable. This is also clear from the chromatography: at the bottom part, the black dye remains well fixed to the paper. This makes it a good candidate for use at the office. I have tested the ink on a variety of paper - from crappy Moleskine to high-end Tomoe River. Below I show you the ink's appearance and behaviour on different paper types. On every small band of paper, I show you: An ink swab, made with a cotton Q-tip 1-2-3 pass swab, to show increasing saturation An ink scribble made with an M-nib fountain pen The name of the paper used, written with a B-nib A small text sample, written with an M-nib Drying times of the ink on the paper (with the M-nib) Murky Waters behaved perfectly on most of the paper types I used, with only a tiny bit of feathering on the lower quality papers. Bleed-through was only very present with the Moleskine paper, but even there it was not too bad. Drying times with the M-nib are paper-dependent ranging from 5-10 seconds on absorbent paper to 15-20 seconds on paper with a hard surface. I quite enjoy the way it looks on the Paperblanks paper, which is what I use for daily journaling. Related inks To compare this mix with related inks, I use my nine-grid format with the currently reviewed ink at the center. This format shows the name of related inks, a saturation sample, a 1-2-3 swab and a water resistance test - all in a very compact format. Inkxperiment - a fistful of flowers I always enjoy doing a small drawing using only the ink I'm reviewing. For this inkxperiment, I started with a piece of 300 gsm rough watercolour paper that I thoroughly wetted with water. I then added some drops of Murky Waters to start the flowers. Once dried to the point of dampness, I added a bit of bleach, and ten minutes later again a tiny bit of Murky Waters to the flower heart. I then painted in the background with a Q-tip and heavily water-diluted ink. Finally I drew in the flower stems, completing the drawing. Conclusion Murky Waters is an ink mix that I like, and that definitely saved my bottle of Jade. A nice dark green-leaning teal that works well with fine nibs, and that is fairly water resistant. This is an ink that will get used in my EDC pens that I carry with me to the office. All in all a successful mixing experiment. Technical test results on Rhodia N° 16 notepad paper, written with Lamy Safari, M-nib Back-side of writing samples on different paper types
  6. IThinkIHaveAProblem

    Parker Superchrome Jade Green

    In keeping with my theme of doing things because I was told I can't... Parker Superchrome Jade Green! Yes, the slightly LESS deadly ink invented to replace Parker "51" ink! If you are not familiar with Parker "51" ink and the story behind it, please feel free to see my reviewsTunis Blue: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/354212-parker-51-tunis-blue/?hl=%2Btunis+%2BbluePan American Green: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/353661-parker-51-pan-american-green/?hl=%2Btunis+%2Bblue So, now that everyone knows why "51" ink had to go the way of the dinosaurs, let's take a look at its replacement!Launched around the same time as the new Aero-Metric (1948ish) version of the Parker "51" pen, the advertising for Superchrome was VERY bright and vibrantIt even went as far as to explain how this magical ink would soak into the paper and dry nearly instantly, instead of by evaporation!Here's the patent: https://patents.google.com/patent/US2528390NEAT! Ok, so what happened then? Why is this called the "slightly less deadly" ink? and why can't i find it in stores!? Because it was discontinued in 1956 ok, but WHY!? Well, Parker started getting warrantee claims on their new Aero-metric "51"s... a lot of them... seems the alkalinity of Superchrome was actually eating up breather tubes!And they were made of STERLING SILVER... eventually, replacing them starts to get expensive ya know! you can read more about "51" and Superchrome here:http://www.richardspens.com/ref/care/51_ink.htm My Bottle is a slightly later bottle, the first ones came in a cool metal tin! According to the Parker "51" book, my box was designed around 1949And was awarded an honourable mention by the Folding Box Association of America! Wow... really!? the FBAoA!? no way! Yes way! it says so on page 145 of the Parker "51" book! here is my box and bottle pictured with my green Parker "51" Special Demi There was some sedimentation in the bottle, much like the Tunis Blue bottle, but much less of it, and not stuck to the bottom of the bottle.As with the Pan American Green, don't worry, I shook the bottle excessively in order to try and get those precious dyes back into suspension (not solution)! ok, but what does it look like on paper you ask? well I'm glad you asked, cause that's the whole point of this shindig! (Typed Text follows for search-ability, and because my handwriting is atrocious!) Rhodia Webnotebook, paper is slightly off white in real life 15 Jul 20Parker Superchrome JadeGreen. Bought 3oz bottleon eBay Jun-ish 2020. Thisis the second deadliest inkin history. Only the inkit replaced (Parker "51") isworse! Meant to "dry" nearly instantly it was designedto soak into the paper. Toobad it also ate sterlingsilver breather tubes...More teal than Green, buthat may be due to the age of the bottle. Some dryout when left over night in a pen(Dry times in a Wing Sung 601 and a TWSBI Eco 1.1)Would buy Again?N/A Parker SuperchromeJade GreenEco 1.1mmWing Sung 601Shading: Good/Very GoodSaturation: GoodFeathering: NilSpread: NilBleed: NilCleaning: Easy/Medium (Water tests, dripped and dabbed vs rubbed with a wet Q-tip) Notes: Colour is very close to Diamine Marine. FlowsOK. Pan American Greenis much greener.*Leaves a white crust/residue! (On the feed and nib, Seen well after cleaning and drying the Eco. So that white residue on "51" Feeds? yeah... probably from this ink!) Clairefontaine Notebook paper, paper is VERY white Parker SuperchromeJade GreenTwsbi Eco 1.1 mm stubThe quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.1234567890Clairefontaine PaperDry Times 30 25 20 15 10 5 1Wing Sung 601Drytimes: 30 25 20 15 10 5 1 The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog1234567890 Parker SuperchromeJade GreenDiamine MarineJade Green Marine So that's it. That's Parker Superchrome Jade Green. It's a lot like Diamine Marine, except you know, super expensive, hard to find, and will kill your pen!While also leaving a weird white residue on your nib and feed... yay!
  7. Hello Everyone, This is my first post on the FPN forums. I've been referencing them a lot; and I am happy to finally be posting something. I recently acquired a Parker Duofold in an online auction. I purchased a pen lot because one of the pens looked an awful lot like a Duofold. I am a novice when it comes to pen collecting, but I knew enough to take a chance for 22$. First I will give you the imprints - although they are shown in the attached pictures (I am sorry for the poor lighting) The Nib is imprinted with the following lines, across the its width: Parker Duofold Pen Canada A The Barrel is imprinted with the following lines along its length: Geo.S.Parker DUOFOLD Fountain Pen Toronto - Lucky Curve - Canada Here are dimensions that I took using a Mitutoyo calipers in inches [mm] Barrel Length from the section opening to the base of the blind cap threads: 3.224" [82.88mm]Blind-cap thread length: 0.126" [3.2mm]Total Length from the section opening to the tip of the blind threads = 3.35" [85.1mm]Tip of the nib to barrel (nib + section): 1.259" [35mm]Outer Diameter of Barrel Cap threads: Tapered from 0.496" [12.6mm] to 0.488" [12.4mm]Outer Diameter of Barrel at it's Mid-span: 0.5256" [13.35mm]Outer Diameter of Blind-Cap Threads: 0.3669" [9.32mm]Outer Diameter of Barrel edge at the base of the Blind-Cap = 0.484" [12.3mm] - 0.488" [12.4mm]Post Length (with roughly 10mm of overlab between cap and barrel) = 6.653" [169mm]The one dimension I did not measure with the calipers was the length of the pen from the tip of the cap to the end of the blind-cap threads when capped. You can see from the image that this is roughly 5.25" [133.3mm]. What I have found out so far, through contacting Robert at five star pens, is that the cap and section do not match. The cap is a streamlined cap and the section is an earlier version. The question was whether or not this was an incorrect section, or an incorrect cap. What I have learned from reading the Practical Pen Repair guide by Marshall and Oldfield is that the streamlined models did not have threaded sections (if I remember correctly). You can see in the pictures below that the barrel is threaded, and there is very good thread engagement between the section and the barrel. Additionally, Robert suggested that the band around the barrel was likeley used by a merchant as an anchor attachment to keep the pen from walking away. The ring slid off without much effort, and I did not see any signs of a clevis attachment to the ring. I do still have the ring so perhaps I will take some high magnification images of it to be sure. Finally, a few observations. There is some discoloration in the barrel near the section; however its distance matches the distance between the barrel opening and the end of the detached/crumpled sack. This discoloration is also observed on the outer surface of the section itself. The remaining length of the barrel looks consistent in color. It looks free of discoloration but of course I can't tell for sure. The cap is brighter in color, which I gather is not unsurprising - however its marbling does not match that of the pen's, at least not to my eye. The marbling on the pen seems denser than the marbling on the cap. The cap seems to have less color variation then the pen does - again this could just be me. What I am hoping to find out is precisely what model of Duofold this is. Is it a streamline? Is it a "canadian special"? I've combined through the dimensions provided by vintagepens.com and they seem to align closely with the 1927 Senior model - however because the section and cap are mismatched, I am unable to determine the true length of the pen. I'm less concerned about which model it is, and more concerned about making sure it has the right parts. I need to buy a blindcap, but I am not sure which one to buy. I also need to know whether I need to buy a proper section, or the proper cap. Of course don't need to - but it will eat at me unless the pen has its correct parts... If you have any input - I would love to hear it. Hopefully I can at least find the proper blind-cap. Thank you!
  8. Good evening everyone once again. This is a light hearted review of a serious pen! Preamble (skip this bit if you find it boring): Today, I have been fortunate to manage to have the same day off work as my partner (our schedules NEVER match up). Couple of days before the bank holiday madness kicks in, so the great outdoors beckoned… So, with the great UK weather being unpredictable, a trip to the coast was off the menu, and I was in need of a pen case for a couple of pens I have, so predictably, a pen shop expedition was order of the day. As per usual, we headed out some 30+ miles to “Penbox” in Epworth, as I knew that the owner, Steve, typically keeps a nice selection in, plus, there are a number of old style quality cafe’s in the village, which really makes it a nice trip. We didn’t ring thru prior, as the shop is a treasure trove for writers, and is always fun to look thru all the displays. It has to be said, that an internet only method of shopping is quick, more eco-friendly and frees up time to other things. Call me old fashioned, but a real shop, with a real face and, goods you can pick up and browse through, is much better (don’t forget the pause for an English Breakfast in the cafe nearby). Anyway, shortly after arrival, the plans proceeded to become rapidly unglued. As one enters the shop, near the counter is a small display case, and within it is a collection of Graf Von Faber Castell “pens of the year”. I should have turned around there and then, I really really should. Fifteen seconds thru the door, and too late. “She who must be obeyed” spotted it. Graf von… 2011, in Jade. So, after browsing, drooling and general really pleasant talk about pens and everything else pen related, we pressed pause for an hour and hit the nearest cafe. Suitably refreshed, we returned and then, yes, I got a small pen case to fit two pens, we also acquired the aforementioned Graf Von Faber Castell 2011 in Jade. “She who must be obeyed” absolutely fell in love with it. First impressions. Workmanship. It is just a work of art, but without doubt, fully engineered. From the shiny finish with the Jade inlays, of which one of them itself has an engraved pattern itself, it just screamed quality. It glows………. Second impression. The cabinet was duly unlocked and the Jade beauty was handled for the first time. It felt truly gorgeous in the hand, a decent heft, weighty but felt balanced. I have never really like the look of them in photos in the past, the caps seem a bit odd and there is a step rearwards of the section/grip, which is so far back, it is just not noticeable at all. However, in the flesh? Ooooh, it’s a different beast then. AH, what the heck, we made the purchase. Third impression. As usual, home, cuppa, and a calming down after causing severe damage to the credit card. The box, sat on the table, the contents hidden, awaiting the proper opening. Unboxing. Wow. The box is HEAVY. It isn’t as big as a Conway Stewart Winston or Churchill, but is waaaay heavier. As per most pens in this price point, they are a box, within a box, within a box, which normally grates on me a bit as I usually ditch boxes and stick my pens in pen pouches. However, this was just one eye opener after another. The innermost box, is made of some dark wood with a deep green lacquer and is highly polished. It is of a size and finish that really complements the pen and for once, (if this was MY pen) I would not put this in a pen pouch unless it comes to work, but would be returned back into it’s nest at bedtime for sure. Quality lead on quality. Overall Look of the pen. Victorian. I got to say it looks Victorian. Erm, quick rethink. Deco. Victorian/Art Deco, if that could ever exist. On it’s own it looks huge, but when placed next to other pens, such as a TWSBI, it is really not that huge after all, maybe the cap is making the eye think it is bigger than it is? Either way, I would say, without resorting to a tape measure, it is Pelikan M800/M1000 size. Very pleasing to the eye. The nib. This one came in a “fine” and is in good proportion with the rest of the pen. It looks pretty. We dared to dip it tonight and have a play on Rhodia paper. Oh. I mean, oh, as in WOW. I do like fine nibs from time to time but are not my weapon of choice, but this one is stunning. Loaded with Waterman inspired blue, it laid down a lovely wet line. On first touch. No messing, no prepping, no faff, touch on and away we go. Smooth. It felt like a medium nib in smoothness. It had a firmness in use, with a hint of spring or softness, but that is just me “looking” for these qualities, which were definitely there. This is, by far, the nicest fine nib I have ever used. The cap. Big. Shiny. Heavy. Inlaid at the end, with what looks like a stone or a piece of shaped jade, very jewel like in shape/design. The clip is also well engineered, with a sprung hinge, which feels rock solid, but smooth to use. Again, it is in keeping with the overall design and adds to the overall “style”. As a note, we won’t be stuffing this little baby in the top of a shirt pocket in the near future. Others might, and the clip would do the biz, but, not for us, ta. Posting the cap. The cap posts, but as the cap is heavy, no. Don’t do it. It looks nice but it does make it too back heavy, although it does look nice. It posts with a firm push and feels very secure, but, no. It is such a balanced pen without, don’t do it. Keep the cap in your other hand and enjoy the feel of it. Filling system. This is a piston filler and is accessible via a blind cap. The action is smooth and has lots of travel. It hints at a reasonable capacity, but not tested it yet. There is also a small ink window near the section in a smoked grey. I am not sure how good this is, as it is quite dark, but then a totally clear one would detract from the overall look. Look up to a light bulb/outdoors? Yep, tried it and it looks like it works, but having only dipped the pen, can’t verify it. Sorreee. The section. I am not a fan of all metal sections. There, I said it. However, after living with a yard o led for a while now, I have got to appreciate them and make small allowances (give my hands a good wash prior to a good writing session, reduce the oils on my fingers). The section has a very pleasant profile and is in keeping with the overall size, and for most people would be a pleasant diameter to use. A resin section just would not work here, it would kill the overall look for sure. The diameter and length of the section really makes the centre of gravity work as it should. So what now? The pen has now just had a good rinse and will then be fully loaded with Waterman inspired blue for at least a couple of fills. Once done, my good lady will decide on her ink of choice going forward, which we will dip and try, then away we go, it will for sure be in her regular rotation. Pens are nice to collect, but all of our pens are purchased to be used, and not hidden away. Cost? RRP is unpleasant. I won’t divulge the actual price we paid, but it was heavily discounted against RRP, and reduced again from the published web price. Pen dealers will always have a degree of price adjustment to work with, and (I hope) that they still manage to make some profit. That is an advantage of going to a bricks and mortar premises. Web prices CAN be lower than in a shop, BUT the price on the web is usually as quoted. You can always discuss prices with a human face to face. Computers, no. If anyone is looking for a pen like this, I do recommend visiting your local pen emporium (if you are fortunate to have one close enough) and get talking to them. Pics Just a few snaps, show and tell. They just don’t do the pen justice and for sure there are much better ones out there in the wild, either way, hope it gives you an idea. And Finally The big question. If I was in the market for such a pen, would I buy one for myself. No. Loving the Deco look, really loving it, but it is just that-bit-too-bling for my own personal tastes. It has an exclusive look/feel, is a stunning piece, but it’s not me.
  9. jasonchickerson

    Five Pine-Y Sailor Greens

    Sailor makes such fantastic inks, especially greens. Spurred by the generosity of our very awesome Claudia, I've put together a five-way comparison of pine green Sailor inks. You know, for those of you who need a reason to buy more. Er, right. Thanks, C.! Writing Samples http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/_FUJ0123.jpg Lamy 2000 F/M on Clairfontaine Triomphe http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/_FUJ0124.jpg Lamy 2000 F/M on Rhodia R http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/_FUJ0121.jpg Lamy 2000 F/M on Tomoe River The first thing I noticed in comparing these inks is how similar Tokiwa-matsu (current version) is to the discontinued Epinard. In writing, they are close enough to identical to my eye. Unless one plans some pointed pen calligraphy (see below) or other specialized use, owning one is enough. If I had to choose one, I'd pick Tokiwa. It is more lubricated and in a broad nib pen, which I didn't use here, will sheen more. The real standout for me in this comparison was Maruzen Jade, which is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. It's like someone asked J. Herbin to recreate Tokiwa/Epinard and this dreamy, muted wisp of an ink is what they came up with. I love it. The two Kobes were also less saturated than Tokiwa/Epinard, but they differ in hue more than Jade. The Kobes also felt thinner and less lubricated than the other three inks here, making them less pleasant to write with. Swatch Washes (three times fast!) http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/_FUJ0119.jpg Sakura Koi Water Brush on Clairfontaine Triomphe http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/_FUJ0118.jpg Sakura Koi Water Brush on Rhodia R http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/_FUJ0120.jpg Sakura Koi Waterbrush on Stilman & Birn Gamma Series I'll let the swatches stand for themselves, except to say that they all show very little water resistance. I would not expect any of these inks to hold a line for pen and ink washes. I'm so sure that I didn't bother trying. And for those that are unfamiliar with Stilman & Birn, they make some of the best sketching journals around. This is cotton rag paper more akin to watercolor paper than stationary. Chromatography http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/croma_FUJ0128.jpg From left, Tokiwa-matsu, Epinard, Maruzen Jade, Kobe #1 and #49 Each chromatography strip received a single drop of ink. The larger diameter circle and apparent amount of ink in the Tokiwa-matsu suggests that ink has a higher amount of lubrication/surfactant. Interestingly, though Tokiwa is more complex than the other inks here, all these inks save Kobe #49 utilize the same or very similar dyes in different combinations. #49 lacks the more waterfast dark blue dye that I suspect is responsible for sheen in the other inks. Purty Writing (that's Texas twang, ya'll) http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/_FUJ0125-Edit.jpg Zebra G nib (dipped) on Original Crown Mill Pure Cotton Tokiwa-matsu has become one of my go-to inks for pointed pen calligraphy. It behaves extremely well, holds a fine hairline and works on many papers. The only downside of Tokiwa for calligraphy is that when this much ink is put down, the ink sheens so heavily red that it no longer appears green. Maruzen Jade performs just as well as Tokiwa, sheens just a bit, and maintains its green hue. I would definitely add this to my calligraphy ink line-up. The other inks simply don't have the lubrication/viscosity properties required for this type of calligraphy out of the bottle. Plus, though they lack saturation, they show almost black on the page. http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/_FUJ0126.jpg http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/jasonchickerson/_FUJ0126-2.jpg Equally useable but Jade stays green, while Tokiwa sheens red Conclusion If I could pick one ink of the five shown here, it would be Tokiwa-matsu. I love the color, love the sheen, love the bottle. Luckily, it is one the only ink shown here that is available outside Japan without pricey importing through a third party. I am taken with Maruzen Jade, as well. But it's long gone, I'm told. Kobe inks are available through Cool Japan on Ebay ($20).
  10. Wahl-Eversharp is an American pen manufacturer that started making their Pyralin (celluloid) pens in 1927. One year later they added the Personal Point, which was one the first interchangeable nib systems. For more information about the history of the Wahl-Eversharp company, see the links at the bottom of the review. This pen has excited me ever since I first laid my eyes upon it, sitting in an antique store next to a battered and bruised Esterbrook SJ that had seen better days. Twenty dollars later, I walked out with a dirty, unusable, and old Wahl-Eversharp. After some careful restoration, I now have a beautiful piece of vintage glory. Although I tried my best, the pictures I took with my phone don't quite capture how nice this pen is. Design and Construction: The pen follows the classic flat top design characteristic of many Wahl-Eversharps, and is made of Jade Celluloid with ebonite finials and an ebonite section. Overall, the design is very classy and looks relatively modern. The pen feels very high quality. Interestingly, the barrel of this pen is lined with metal. This has helped the pen retain most of its color in the barrel, but has caused the area around the lever to discolor as the gases from the decomposing latex sac escaped. The four bands and the clip are gold-filled and have held up well, with only slight brassing. The roller ball on the clip helps make it very easy to use. The threads are very well made, and the cap comes off with one full rotation. Size and Ergonomics: Capped: 133 mm Uncapped: 125 mm Posted: please don't Section diameter: Approximately 8.5-10 mm Comparison of the Edison Collier, Lamy Safari, Wahl-Eversharp, and a Parker Duofold Junior. Note the Edison will not post. The size of this pen is really similar to the Lamy Safari, and even longer when posted (do not post it ). However, the pen is heavier than the Lamy, especially when they're both uncapped, but they're not exactly heavy per se. It's a pretty comfortable pen in the hand, although not the thickest pen in the world (ie. the Edison). You're not exactly going to want to write a twenty page essay with this pen, unless for some reason you want to and I'm assuming too much about you. Filling System: This pen is the rather common lever filler. The lever seems to lock in place and will not move unless you make it. With a number 18 sac in this pen, it holds about a ml of ink. The removable nib also means you can fill the pen up with a syringe (sample users beware) and it can make cleaning and drying the pen a lot easier. The Nib: Arguably the best part about this pen, the medium semi-flex nib on this pen is amazing. It's definitely finer than a modern European medium. It requires just enough pressure to flex to be usable for normal things, but provides a nice amount of flex, that can embellish your handwriting if you have a heavy hand (unlike me). Be aware this is a semi-flex nib; it has more flex than modern semi flex nibs, but is not a full flex nib or a wet noodle, which both require very little pressure to flex. In any case, a flex or semi-flex nib will be easier to apply too much pressure and ruin to than most pens. The paper is Rhodia Conclusion: This is an excellent vintage pen, however it is a vintage pen. Enjoy it at a slower pace; this is not really a suitable pen for bringing places for everyday use since the feed has essentially one giant air channel, which while it allows the pen to flex consistently, it also makes it so the pen is an ink cannon (literally) with even the lightest shake. It usually won't get ink on you're paper, but it will sometimes get ink in the cap and on the section. I don't mind inky fingers, but it's kinda awkward trying to find a tissue to wipe your pen. There's also the matter that it's an old pen that's not readily available. Everyday carry or not, Wahl-Eversharp has made a fantastic writing instrument that is willing to serve the best it can and is always a pleasure to write with. While this review is of this vintage pen, I certainly advise you to seek any vintage pens. I'm sure you'll find some you want (need). Restored pens can be found at pen shows or online, but it's also a really rewarding experience to restore a pen that you find in an unusable state (antique shops, Ebay). Do not be afraid of the vintage pens, they are our friends. As will always be the case, your feedback is greatly appreciated. Links: http://www.fountainpen.it/Eversharp/en http://www.rickconner.net/penspotters/eversharp.html
  11. Hi Guys i have just today purchased this jade duofold jr. This will now be my third duofold jr however i have not seen these pens with comb feeds except where the nib has been replaced with a newer vacumatic era nib. That being said i do remember remember reading that parker started to phase out the christmas tree feed in 1928 which would be the right time period for this pen. I would love to here your thoughts on this. Can't wait to get this one cleaned up and ready to write! Thanks
  12. Uncial

    Mr Oster's Amazing Inks

    I first noticed Robert Oster's ink on ebay and wasn't too sure about it. Then I saw someone here had taken the plunge before me and the ink seemed good, so I took the plunge and contacted him. Customer service was truly excellent; he always responded very promptly and politely and was very helpful. I got seven inks in one package by ordering directly from him. I can't give a full picture review here as all my photographs are too big, so I have a picture of a comparison sheet below, after my thoughts. Moss Green: Very nice green with a slight grey aspect. Quite dark and a genuine 'moss' colour. No shading. Orange: This one doesn't come out very well in the picture. It is very bright, no shading and is a little bit like a highlighter ink but is deep enough for normal use. It 'pops'. Lime Green: Really lovely citrus green. Nice and bright with slight yellow hints underneath and a small bit of shading. It gives Kobe's lime a run for its money. Royal Red: A standard red, but quite a nice one. No shading. Looks a little flat on Tomoe. Barossa Grape: lovely murky purple. Very dark; perhaps a little like Ink of the Witch? I have nothing quite like it. Deep Sea: really awesome. Like a slightly more saturated Emerald of Chivor. Nice shading and sheen. It has a tendency to bleed a tiny bit on Tomoe, but I had no problems on Clairefontaine or Rhodia. Jade Green: Very nice murkey green, a touch lighter than Tanna Japonensis if you know that ink. Has shading and a slight brownish/yellow undertone. I simply wanted to add that these inks are really great. They all have quite strong saturation and a wetness on the nib, good flow, decent lubrication, no staining issues (some of them wash out really easily) and reasonably fast dry times. Except for the Deep Sea on Tomoe I had no issues with show through, bleed or feathering. It's the deep saturation for me that makes them really attractive. I liked these inks so much that I'm already narrowing down my list for the next seven in a pack. Highly recommended. flic.kr/p/HHFYdq
  13. Noodler's Nib Creaper, Jade: A day in the life. . . For me, writing on the move is a must. My journals need a hard cover, my pens have to put up with a lot of jostling, motion, and the occasional hard stop when I put my bag down too roughly, and given the hit and miss reputation Noodler's pens seem to have around here I thought the perfect way for me to review a Noodler's pen, as a fountain pen novice, was to take it out and about, and see how it behaves compared to my other three pens. So I filled it last night with Black Parker Quink (because you can't get more basic than that), wrote a test piece in my paper blanks journal (which are worth every penny of their hefty pricetag, let me tell you. I will review them soon) and you can the results for yourself. You can see from the sheen on the last line just how wet it is, that took a good two minutes to dry out. Just to compare I took my Lamy joy and scribbled a short note below this one and. . . Given how smooth the paper blanks paper is I figured that it would have an effect on drying times, but the Lamy ink was safe to touch after about 8-12 seconds. Obviously a flex nib is going to write wetter than anything else, but the disparity in drying times was huge, especially since my Berea Navigator has used the same ink on all sorts of paper and gotten sub 12-second drying times. So anyway. I let the pen sit overnight, level on my desk, because I wanted to check for seeping and when I returned to it a scant eight hours later this is what I discovered. You can *just* see the ink seeping around the sides of the feed and clinging to the wings of the nib. Seeing as how I was on my way out, I topped up the reservoir and this time, instead of leaving the reservoir full I squeezed two drops back out, wound the piston up and cleaned off whatever I could see from the underside of the feed. I was reasonably confident by this point that I wasn't going to have any problems, but I slipped the pen back in the little cellophane pouch it was wrapped in inside the box and stuffed that in the pen loop on my journal cover. still a tighter fit than a ballpoint or an artline 200, but better than a Lamy (I can only fit the clip through the loop. Just). My journal cover also likes to travel in style inside my "leather" messenger bag, which I've had for so long it's bound to fall apart any day now. I've lefth bot my Safari and my Navigator laying around in here for weeks with no issues, so I want to see what a Noodler's pen will put up with, and after a trip to the station, a train ride, a hurried walk through the city and a bus ride we see. . . Not much difference. There was also no ink in the cap, but I couldn't get a decent photo of that. If a nib creaper can handle me running around, dodging and weaving through crowds, and even dropping my carry bag twice, then I don't think that it's gonna leak. Writing on the rougher paper though definitely has its drawbacks. You can see in the closeup that the ink would chase long fibres across the surface of the paper and the show-through was almost legible on the other side. All in all I'm quite happy with this pen, but it definitely needs good quality paper and I don't know how I feel about paying 30 bucks a hit for everyday journaling. I would happily keep this for letter writing and signing things, and I would love one of these with a standard nib, but the flex and the wetness are things I would still have to learn how to use. One impression I got through using the Nib Creaper on good paper was the tactile memory of journaling on a moving train with an Artline 200 felt tip. A wonderful experience that recalls days where I would have to fight the urge to just stay curled up in my seat and just keep writing away for hours. Summary: ______________________________________________________________________ Appearance & Design (7/10) - Love the colour! The colour range in Noodler's pens is fantastic, and I love the marbled colour contrasts. I have never "ooed" and "aahd" so much over a writing implement before. I love the smaller form factor Noodler's are working with and I will definitely get another one. Construction & Quality (7/10) - You feel the price, but you get a lot for it. Cheap doesn't have to mean bad, and Noodler's have certainly proved that point. While it is certainly more colourful than your standard array of ballpoints on the shelf at officeworks it still leaves me with this kind of impression. Yet, in spite of this it has already proven that it can handle my day-to-day routine without spilling stains everywhere. Weight & Dimensions (9/10) - Long, slender, and lightweight Capped: 131mm Uncapped: 118mm Posted: 140mm Weight: circa 20 grams Nib & Performance (7/10) - Wet and smooth, but a little scratchy on cheaper paper Getting the tines to flex takes less pressure than you would think, I was having some trouble with starting on some down strokes, and experimenting with different holding positions and angles didn't seem to help any. Also: on my cheaper journal paper there was definite bleed and show through due to the wetness of the write, and the nib felt a little scratchy. That said, it was only a matter of a few millimetres each time the feed wasn't dry simply starting at times seems to require a little flex now and then. Filling System & Maintenance (10/10) - Classic reliable piston filler moving the piston the first time was a little stiff but ever since the piston mechanism has been easy to use. Taking the time to leave a little room in the reservoir seems to have headed off any potential worries with ink bleeding out the feed. Even as someone who has a preference for converters I have zero complaints. Cost & Value (9/10) - Cheap and exceptionally cheerful! At 16.10 USD (plus postage) from Goulet pens, if you're looking to experiment with a flex nib you can't go wrong. Conclusion (49/60) - I am going to take this pen on more adventures. Next weekend I am going to take my Paper Blanks journal, and go for a long ride before settling down under a tree somewhere with my Nib Creaper.
  14. Cyber6

    Sailor Maruzen - Jade

    Ok.. I just received some birthday presents from Japan.. Thanks to my lovely Nin(k)ja Traffiker.. This is Sailor Maruzen JADE!!!! :wub: It has a more gentle sheen (tone down) reddish-copper all over... You can't see it in the scanner.. Easy to see in person. Is not like some other inks that hits you over the head with it... example below... This is done with a scanner on Canson Tracing Paper (kind of like vellum).. Like Maruzen Akane, this ink NEEDS to be appreciated in person... pictures/scans.. will never do it justice. C.
  15. Friend of Pens

    My First Flat-Top

    HI all, long time no post... Just felt the need to share. The local consignment place had an old jade flat-top sitting in their "marked down" cabinet yesterday, and so of course I took a look. It's clearly been used, but not mistreated -- brassing, some staining, color fading: I has them. But it also has a two-tone 14K lifetime nib, which was a pleasant surprise, and a sac the size of a small dirigible, though I know not to trust it and replace it before inking. No cracking or bulging, and a few mysterious rust-colored deposits adhering to the outer barrel and cap that wipe away with some gentle attention from a damp cotton swab. This was clearly a "user" for the previous owner, and a "user" again it shall be. I'm shocked to find out that it's 80 or more years old. Given that I have a stack of modern Scheaffer calligraphy pens on my desk that are styled the same way, I would have guessed that my "new" pen is much younger. I guess when you hit on a design that works, there's little reason to change it. I'll try to get some pictures later when I'm in a place with better light. Any advice for a first-time flat-top owner? I've been reading up on the care and handling of the older plastics, especially their inflammability, which I suppose lends a certain thrill of danger to owning the pen. I will be attempting a re-sac, and I have an old, equally-loved Eversharp that needs the same treatment. I'll attempt not to set myself aflame.
  16. http://www.iguanasell-pics.com/photos/logos/fpn_logo_45_45.png See all our items @ FPN Aurora Asia Marbled Fountain Pen - Limited EditionBrand New in Box - Warranty by authorised Dealer - Free Shipping CHARACTERISTICS: Brand Aurora Description Aurora fountain pen Nib 18K solid gold nib Finish Marbled Resin of Jade and Burgundy. Closure System Screw-on Filling System Piston Filler with hidden reservoir Dimensions (capped/uncapped) 13 cm (5.11in) / 12,3 cm (4.84in) Warranty (years) 5 Line Asia Reference 533 Retail Price 685€ / $890 / £580 Special features: Limited and numbered edition.The cap, with a valuable green jade stone studded on its top, is fitted with a jewel clip engraved with the profile of the Asian continent.Both the cap and the barrel are made of the marbled “Land of Orient” resin, an exclusive refined Aurora material, featuring refined light nuances.This fountain pen uses the classic filler pump filling system with the Aurora exclusive hidden reservoir device. When you run out of ink, just turn the end of the pen anticlockwise and your Aurora will write another page.Includes Ink Bottle CONDITIONS:The item is brand new in original box and comes with all papers and warranty stamped at the moment of the purchase by authorised dealerList price: $890 - Contact us for a personalized offer Payment Methods: PayPalCredit cardGoogle CheckoutMoney Order (We have Bank accounts in the US as well as in Europe)Cash on Delivery (Euro Countries) Free Expedited Shipping (UPS or Fedex) to the US, Canada and European Union. Other countries, $18 (shared shipping costs) ABOUT US: We are an international company with more than three (3) years of experience in e-commerce, duly registered in the US and Europe. We are present on the most important Marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon, ecommerce sites: shopping.com, yahoo shopping... and our own website You can take a look at our eBay feedback here or read the opinions of other forum members: 1 , 2, or 3 CONTACT:To contact us, just write us a pm, orsend us an email to info@iguanasell.com http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C314/Aurora-Asia-Marbled-Fountain-Pen-Limited-Edition-533-1.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C314/Aurora-Asia-Marbled-Fountain-Pen-Limited-Edition-533-2.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C314/Aurora-Asia-Marbled-Fountain-Pen-Limited-Edition-533-3.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C314/Aurora-Asia-Marbled-Fountain-Pen-Limited-Edition-533-4.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C314/Aurora-Asia-Marbled-Fountain-Pen-Limited-Edition-533-5.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C314/Aurora-Asia-Marbled-Fountain-Pen-Limited-Edition-533-6.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C314/Aurora-Asia-Marbled-Fountain-Pen-Limited-Edition-533-7.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C314/Aurora-Asia-Marbled-Fountain-Pen-Limited-Edition-533-8.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C314/Aurora-Asia-Marbled-Fountain-Pen-Limited-Edition-533-9.jpg http://iguanasell-pics.com/photos/C314/Aurora-Asia-Marbled-Fountain-Pen-Limited-Edition-533-10.jpg Don't miss the video!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RES9bVlPsKo CONDITIONS:The item is brand new in original box and comes with all papers and warranty stamped at the moment of the purchase by authorised dealerList price: $890 - Contact us for a personalized offer Payment Methods: PayPalCredit cardGoogle CheckoutMoney Order (We have Bank accounts in the US as well as in Europe)Cash on Delivery (Euro Countries) Free Expedited Shipping (UPS or Fedex) to the US, Canada and European Union. Other countries, $18 (shared shipping costs) ABOUT US: We are an international company with more than three (3) years of experience in e-commerce, duly registered in the US and Europe. We are present on the most important Marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon, ecommerce sites: shopping.com, yahoo shopping... and our own website You can take a look at our eBay feedback here or read the opinions of other forum members: 1 , 2, or 3 CONTACT:To contact us, just write us a pm, orsend us an email to info@iguanasell.com More Aurora pens on our website Thanks for looking!----------------------------- Website: www.iguanasell.comJoin our newsletter for special promotions and news http://static.anuncios.ebay.es/images/dailydeals/dm/icon_facebook_24.png Follow us on Facebookhttp://static.anuncios.ebay.es/images/dailydeals/dm/icon_twitter_24.png Follow us on Twitter: @Iguana_sell
  17. JeffPDX2

    Family Heirloom Info Requested

    My wife's father passed just about 25 years ago. In a box of 'stuff' that one of his daughters kept, this pen turned up. (see below for images) I took it apart, replaced the sac, and put it into working order. It is priceless to my wife; being able to hold the same pen that her father used working a milk truck delivery route in Pittsburgh, Pa in the pre-WW-II time frame is very special to her. I seek a little more information. From research I have done, I have determined that it is a jade Lifetime Flat Top White Dot. According to an article on Pen Trace that I found, the clip puts it sometime after 1922. The white dot puts it sometime after 1923, the serial number on the nib (0396277) puts it sometime after 1926. My best guess is that it is circa 1928, give or take a year either way. I tried to get a picture of the inscription on the barrel, but failed to produce anything I can post. The inscription reads: W. A. Sheaffer Co. Pat AUG 25 08 Fort Madison, Iowa USA DEC 10.12 - JAN 27 - OCT 20 - NOV 24.14 The double band seems kind of unique; I haven't found many images of a pen of this size with the double bands on the cap. My questions: Do you agree with my identification of its age?It is a short pen, as you can see from the photo. Can anyone tell me anything about this size? What term would Shaeffer use to describe it?The pen is not for sale, but I am curious about the value. My best estimate is about $75 to $100; does that sound accurate?As far as the lifetime warranty.....it writes like a champ. I'm kind of proud of my repair job. :-) Here are some more pictures:





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