Click or Twist?

[encremental]

I've just got myself a NOS modern Waterman Patrician, and am delighted with it except that somehow, the push on & off nature of the cap I find faintly disturbing. Some part of me thinks that such a high end pen should have a screw cap, like an MB or a Pelikan M1000 or like most (I think) premier Italian brands. Am I right to think this? There's no logic to it, and there are some obvious exceptions to my probably peculiar rule, but for me, those threads equal class.

 

How about you?

 

John

Edited May 29, 2009 by encremental

[I am not a number]

My dry cleaner is now a big fan of click caps. Initially he was glad of the increase in business due to screw cap fun and games but now he years for his quiet life again (with less inky fingers).

[lapis]

[A] Wish I had a dime for everytime I see this question being asked. Please take no offence.

I myself prefer screw-ons but then again, one of my all-time favourite FPs is my 51, which has a push on/off cap.

 

Mike

[Rufus]

In my experience a well made screw-on cap is very good and a poorly made screw-on cap is lousy. As well, a well made slip-on cap is very good and a poorly made slip-on cap is lousy. I'm not being facetious, I'm simply relating my experience with both types of caps. Psychologically many pen owners feel more comfortable with a screw-on cap than with a slip-on cap. I've had problems with both with the common denominator being shoddy workmanship.

[HDoug]

Agree completely with Rufus. When I started getting interested in fountain pens, Earl Shigemoto (RIP) of Honolulu Pen Shop made me cap and uncap the Dupont pens he had and carefully note the sound and feel of the cap as it clicked on and off. Now that's a quality clip-on cap. Haven't got one yet, but one day...

 

Doug

[RevAaron]

I do think the idea that a pen with a click cap is "cheap" is just about as irrational and silly as thinking of all lightweight pens or all pens made of a plastic are "cheap." Some folks feel that way, but it doesn't say anything much about the pen's quality or writing ability.

 

I happen to be someone who does often associate a slip cap with cheaper, at least when it's on an expensive pen. Show me lacquered metal and a slip cap and the word "rubbish" pops into my head unbidden. Plenty of folks would argue that this isn't a fair assumption, and they're probably right.

 

That said, I prefer a screw cap 95% of the time. There are some satisfying exceptions like the Aurora 88P or Lamy 2000, but for the most part I've been disappointed by the feel and functionality of click/slip caps.

[jar]

I've just got myself a NOS modern Waterman Patrician, and am delighted with it except that somehow, the push on & off nature of the cap I find faintly disturbing. Some part of me thinks that such a high end pen should have a screw cap, like an MB or a Pelikan M1000 or like most (I think) premier Italian brands. Am I right to think this? There's no logic to it, and there are some obvious exceptions to my probably peculiar rule, but for me, those threads equal class.

 

How about you?

 

John

 

Which type cap did Montblanc choose for their top of the line 74? What did they choose for their top of the line 121? Or the 14? Or Parker for their 51? Or Sheaffer for the PFM? Waterman LeMan Opera?

 

If the design and construction is good, both work well.

[Edgar Allan Bo]

I like the "CLICK" sound on some pens (Lamy's, etc...)

 

I have few screw-on-caps but I never know if I have to screw it a little bit more... just a little bit... and next time maybe a little bit more, so I'm allways afraid to damage the pan/cap if I "overscrew" it...

[dogpoet]

I've got a Duke (D07) that I think has a magnet in the hood or the section to hold it closed. The cap feels very odd closing, but it seats nice and firm.

[encremental]

I don't know - what I find myself doing is automatically twisting or clicking depending on whether at some level I think it feels appropriate. I wouldn't notice unless I get the action wrong. Yes, obviously there are Parker & Pilot examples which do different things , and some pens (like an Artus school pen which I think should click, but which twists) where cost doesn't come into it. I don't claim there's any logic to it - jar, yes - it was the highest pen of the le Man range that prompted the question!

 

John

 

ye

 

 

[soapytwist]

+1 to the comments from Rufus.

 

Never having really mused on the subject, I've have a quick look through my pens and I seem to favour the slip caps; I think this is because I prefer pens that are ready to go quicker, and can be uncapped using one hand when the other is doing something else. My Parker Duofold Centennial takes an eternity to unscrew, and my MB146 like to unscrew itself in its eagerness to write!

 

If you are looking for security on a slip cap you could try one that 'clicks' rather than just holds on with friction like the Parker 51. I'm thinking specifically of the Parker 75 & Sonnet, and the Lamy 27 & 2000 - these all give a very secure feedback when capping them.

[mucephei]

CLICK CAPS MAN, CLICK CAPS

[mikerph]

I think it depends on the pen. Pens like the Waterman Leman, Lamy 2000,Parker 75, Sheaffer PFM,that have substantial cap closing assemblies are ok. I still prefer a screw on cap like Pelikan, Visconti, MB 149, Aurora Talentum, etc. Sometimes, I look at a new untried pen with some trepidation,wondering wheather I should twist or pull the cap off.....

[Arts11]

I can appreciate the extra security of having a screw/twist cap, but out of habit, I think I still prefer click caps if only b/c it's faster and easier to open (not to mention, I cannot tell you how many times people have asked to see one of my fountain pens only to start pulling the heck off of the cap while I'm practically yelling to them that it's a screw cap :bonk: ).

Edited May 29, 2009 by Arts11

[Imzadi]

Snap cap for speed, twist for security. Pilot VP for both!

[WendyNC]

I have a real aversion to the feel of threads on the section, so it's slip caps for me, which forecloses me from many nice pens.

[someonesdad]

While asking others for their opinions is fine, there's no substitute for trying both types out yourself and understanding the advantages and disadvantages. It's your opinion that counts in what pleases you.

 

As to which type denotes a higher "quality" pen, whether it slips on with or without a click or screws on can all take careful engineering to make a long-lasting design that works properly over time. A screw-on cap that comes off when it shouldn't is worthless and the sign of poor design. A friction fit or slip on cap that gets loose over time is also worthless and the sign of poor design or inferior workmanship.

 

I put quotes around the word quality because some folks equate quality with expensive or fancy materials; they're entitled to their opinions, but I use quality to mean "fitness for use", the same as Juran has expoused. By this definition, my under $1 Hero pens are definitely quality pens -- they've worked flawlessly for 10+ years.

 

I've used both types of pen and have come to prefer the slip on cap as opposed to a threaded cap. This is partly because I often grab a pen for a quick note, then put it back. For a longer session of writing, either type of cap is fine.

 

From a pen-maker's perspective, I would surmise that the threaded caps are easier to make than the slip on caps (i.e., you "just" need a tap and die and appropriate knowledge). The well-designed slip on cap will likely involve closer tolerances and/or injection molded pieces.

[HDoug]

Snap cap for speed, twist for security. Pilot VP for both!

 

+1. And if you like twisting, you can get a Fermo!

 

Doug

 

[langere]

So why does Pelikan have twist caps, but they are notorious for coming loose?

 

Erick

[greencobra]

I like screw caps. Maybe because it adds a little flourish when I go to use the pen. MB used pull on/off caps for the Classique series, hardly a low end pen. Never saw a difference in performance between them though, be it protecting the nib or preventing it from drying out. I guess just personal taste maybe?