Click or Twist?

[WendyNC]

Hmm. This question makes me wonder why there are no pens with "bayonet" type caps, caps that secure by a twist AND a snap. That would allow it to be both very secure and quickly engaged and disengaged.

 

Doug

 

I'd swear I've seen a photo of a pen with exactly this kind of cap, but can't tell you where.

 

It's on the new Conid pens which are not yet being sold.

[OtterNZ]

Perhaps for the same reason that they don't use bayonet fittings on lightbulbs anywhere other than the UK? (It could moggle a few binds...)

 

They're the most common bulb fitting in New Zealand too. (Former British colony)

I stand corrected and beg your pardon...

 

Don't worry about it, I just mentioned it as an extra little fact.

 

I once lived somewhere that had a screw fitting, and the bulb did seem to feel more secure in the fitting/rocked less when bumped. I'm guessing it was something alone those lines you were referring to when saying bayonet wouldn't be used on pens?

[montblancdude]

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.

 

But not Duponts! Most Duponts are clip caps. Duponts are very fine pens and you should check them out.

[montblancdude]

Screw cap for that luxurious superior feeling in a high end pen!

 

 

I am correcting myself... many higher end pens do not have screw caps. And Duponts are VERY high end pens. Their click caps sound quite luxurious actually.

[jar]

Screw cap for that luxurious superior feeling in a high end pen!

 

 

I am correcting myself... many higher end pens do not have screw caps. And Duponts are VERY high end pens. Their click caps sound quite luxurious actually.

 

When you go to the Raleigh show, see if anyone has some of the Montblancs that used slip caps, the x2 or x4 series from the mid 50s or the 12xs or 14x from the 60s. Also keep an eye out for a LeMan or 100, a PFM or Targa or 51 and feel how they seem to cap. It may well surprise you.

[mstone]

I think it's useful to distinguish between slip caps and click caps. A slip cap with a good clutch mechanism (e.g., the Lamy 2000 or P51) is (IMO) far superior to the screw cap. With a screw cap I always feel like I'm either going to break it by overtightening, or that it's going to come loose due to undertightening. On the other hand, a true click cap (e.g., the Parker Vector or any number of lower-end pens) can be harder to get on-off when new, and will eventually wear out and be too loose.

[Frits B]

Hmm. This question makes me wonder why there are no pens with "bayonet" type caps, caps that secure by a twist AND a snap. That would allow it to be both very secure and quickly engaged and disengaged.

 

Doug

 

I'd swear I've seen a photo of a pen with exactly this kind of cap, but can't tell you where.

 

It's on the new Conid pens which are not yet being sold.

Didn't Visconti use a bayonet on the first edition of the Divina Proporzione? It disappeared shortly afterwards because it didn't work, or people couldn't get used to it. They also experimented on the Van Gogh with a 3 cam system which failed because the cap couldn't take the stress.

[bossy]

I wish ALL fountain pens had screw on caps. I really ♥ screw on caps.

[rollerboy]

Let's see:

 

Click Pros: Faster and therefore more practical for a general purpose pen. Binary nature of the security of the cap - when it's on it's on.

Click Cons: I'm concerned about wear over time (the concern may not be justified). I find there's a finite risk of scraping the nib on the cap during withdrawal depending on the pen and the force required to overcome the click mechanism. A one handed technique for initial release helps with this latter issue but reduces the convenience benefit.

 

Twist Pros: My impression is it will age better (but again, this impression may not be justified).

Twist Cons: Analog nature of the security of the cap - it can be on but not particularly securely. Risk of overtightening to compensate.

[PacificCoastPen]

Screw caps better for sharing. Less damage potential to the nib when opening.

 

More of my pens have snap on's. My favorite is the Pilot Knight. Ya know when it's closed....snick!

 

W

 

[georges zaslavsky]

I am more keen on screw in caps which are in the majority in my collection but the omas 360 magnum, omas 360 colonial, the man 100, laureat, centurion, first generation experts, forum and phileas click snap caps are some of the best click snap caps from Waterman and Omas.

[wspohn]

For using, slip fits - good ones that hold well and come off easily to allow you to write. Ever think about how many minutes a day you waste screwing and unscrewing a screw cap when you make a note every minute or two?

 

For talking about - who cares? I am only concerned with using!

[Agricola2301]

Screw caps better for sharing. Less damage potential to the nib when opening.

 

@ PacificCoastPen: Sorry, I don't agree with you. Almost every "ordinary" person (people outside of the FPN, I presume ) is used to snap-on caps on their rollerballs or fountainpens. IMHO there's more damage potential with screw caps to the pen itself because that persons would try to remove the cap by tearing it apart from the barrel, possibly breaking the pen doing this. I don't lend my screw type pens to non-experienced FP users just to prevent that kind of accidents. Well, sometimes I have to take care about, what's the cap type of the FP I'm using currently for not to make that mistake by myself..

 

Beyond that I do think a well made snap-on cap is as good as a well made screw type. My both favs have a good snap-on (Aurora Ipsilon) and a screw-on (Pelikan M605) cap, and I do own four pens of each type. Every cap of them fits fine on the barrel, although you have to seize the one of the Pilot 78G more tight compared with the ones of the Pelikan, the Laban Mento or the MB Chopin I own to keep it safe in its place. So I don't have a preference for one of the both technologies.

 

Greetings from Germany.

 

Otto

Edited May 31, 2009 by Agricola2301

[Silvermink]

Hmm. Probably twist overall for security, though there are some click caps I really like (like the Lamy 2000's clutch cap).

[aupoint]

I have screw-on cap pens and push-on click cap pens. I find that I actually prefer friction fit push-on cap pens, that are probably

associated with entry-level pens of the past. I've had threaded caps seize, and conversely loosen up while capped- probably because

I'm afraid of over tightening. Click caps feel like I am overcoming a movement that isn't supposed to happen, even with relatively

smooth action caps. Therefore a smooth, quiet slip-on cap is my preference.

[Night Owl]

Perhaps for the same reason that they don't use bayonet fittings on lightbulbs anywhere other than the UK? (It could moggle a few binds...)

 

They're the most common bulb fitting in New Zealand too. (Former British colony)

 

And in South Africa. It's only fairly recently that screw bulbs have been readily available here.

 

About pens... none of my pens have twist caps.

 

The caps on the Waterman Hemisphere and Lamy Linea snap into place nicely with a clear, audible "click". When posting the cap on the Lamy Linea it also clicks into place audibly, a feature I really like.

 

Les

 

[MidnightBlue]

Life is too short for screw on caps especially the Montegrappa Extra. Try living with that for a day. It's beautiful but annoying.

My Graf and Filcao are so much more practical.

Thanks

[vermillionpart4]

snap-caps or death!

[RsqVet]

Having used many, many pens for long periods of time I have never had a screw cap fail... i.e. break or become useless.

 

I have had many click caps cease to work. Most notably an early Rotaring 600.. very sad. BUT there are some good click caps -- the 51 pops to mind. Others as well, but in general threads are still a better bet.

[Ondina]

Having had several snap-on caps ruined, making the pen unusable, I much rather have screw on ones. Encremental, I'm with you on that Le Man snap on ones are not up to level in such a refined, high end pen.