What Is The Finish Like On S.t. Dupont Pens?

[pavel]

Hi all,

I have spontaneously developed an interest in ST Dupont pens, and before heading out to a store to check one out, I would like to tap into the FPN community for knowledge.

My specific question is about the Chinese Lacquer finish on these pens. From what I learned the process looks similar to how I understand the urushi process to be. I assume that the finished result should look much like urushi as well. Having owned a black urushi pen, I can say that it reflects light differently than pens made of black plastic, say Pelikans or Montblancs for example. Urushi seems to be much less transparent. So my question is to all those of you who own or have owned both a ST Dupont Chinese Lacquer pen and a black urushi pen - how does the finish compare in terms of appearance? If you could comment on the durability properties of Chinese lacquer, that would be mcuh appreciated as well.

Thanks in advance!

[InkyWinky]

Never had a black urushi pen but I do have 2 black ST Dupont Chinese Lacquer pens and the effect is pure smooth, deep, glassy, utter blackness.

 

To quote the famous Nigel Tufnel, It's like, how much more black could this be? And the answer is... none. None more black."

It's like staring into the darkness that stares back at you.

It's about 36 inches deep of blackness.

It's black, really black.

[Lava Fountain]

Pavel,

 

I have 4 Duponts, 2 of the Chinese Black Lacquer [1 w/Gold, 1 w/Silver], 1 Gold with Red Lacquer [Gorgeous] & 1 Silver, as the previous post mentions the Black Lacquer is BLACK Deep & from what I've read & understand is very very durable & Beautiful as are the rest of the pens overall, well worth getting one. Gorgeous.

If you research on the Dupont Chinese Lacquer finish they have quite an extraodinary hertitage or history of making this specific thype of finish they use & know what they are doing.

 

You won't be disappointed.

[SincerelySpicy]

The ST dupont website says that the lacquer they get is derived from three sources. Rhus vernicifera, Rhus succedana, and Melanorrhea laccifera. (http://www.st-dupont...bre_a_laque.php)

 

Rhus vernicifera is the old name for Toxicodendron vernicifluum, or Lacquer Tree which is the tree that Japanese lacquer or urushi is taken from. This is native to china, korea and japan. Rhus succedana, is a variation (or misspelling) of the name Rhus succedanea, which is the old name for Toxicodendron succedaneum or the Wax Tree. It is also called annan urushi in japanese. This tree is generally native to Vietnam and Taiwan. Melanorrhea laccifera, the genus name more commonly spelled Melanorrhoea, is a lacquer producing tree along with Melanorrhoea usitata in Thailand and Myanmar.

 

The three of these trees are lacquer producing trees and each are used to produce lacquer in their native areas. However, what most consider urushi, or japanese lacquer, comes only from the Toxicodendron vernicifluum and the other two are sometimes considered inferior. (I would not know if they are in fact inferior because I have not worked with them before) The differences in the lacquers comes from the enzymes and other chemical components in the different saps, although they all contain varying percentages of urushiol.

 

What makes me question the ST Dupont website is that they list all three. If they are getting their lacquer from central to northern china, the lacquer species they are getting on their pens is most likely that of the Toxicodendron vernicifluum, while if they get it from south east asia, or certain parts of southern china, the lacquer they would be getting could also be from the other two trees. The lacquer from the individual species are not mixed in traditional japanese urushiwork, but it could be a possibility in ST Dupont's lacquerwork.

 

So, just looking at the website's written information, it is unsure what type of lacquer is used. One thing that is certain though is that they are using natural lacquer. While the three different species have slightly different properties and end results, for most cases, it will not be easily distinguished between the three if they are applied using the same techniques. So, while there may be differences in aging, hardness and some other physical properties, for the intents of appearance and feel, it can be said that ST Dupont's chinese lacquer is the same as urushi. Any noticeable difference will come from how it is applied to the pen.

Edited October 19, 2010 by SJM1123

[pavel]

I think it would be very hard to provide a more informative answer than that.

[jar]

The lacquer work on an ST Dupont pen is just part of the charm and attraction. For me, and even bigger point is the attention to detail of even the most mundane of features. The fit and finish inside my Duponts seems as well done and thought out as what shows. The feel as the clip slips over the pocket, the sound as the pen is capped, the smooth self centering of the cap during the last few millimeters of travel, the fact that they can sit uncapped and unused for fifteen, even twenty minutes yet start immediately, the finish on the underside of the clip and the threads on the section, the balance capped or uncapped, the way the nib glides over paper, good bad, my best notebooks or the NCR paper receipt from the Quick Stop.

 

Handle an ST Dupont pen. If then you can be satisfied with something else, great.

[Bo Bo Olson]

The lacquer work on an ST Dupont pen is just part of the charm and attraction. For me, and even bigger point is the attention to detail of even the most mundane of features. The fit and finish inside my Duponts seems as well done and thought out as what shows. The feel as the clip slips over the pocket, the sound as the pen is capped, the smooth self centering of the cap during the last few millimeters of travel, the fact that they can sit uncapped and unused for fifteen, even twenty minutes yet start immediately, the finish on the underside of the clip and the threads on the section, the balance capped or uncapped, the way the nib glides over paper, good bad, my best notebooks or the NCR paper receipt from the Quick Stop.

 

Handle an ST Dupont pen. If then you can be satisfied with something else, great.

 

:bonk:

My $35 Dupont is very nice for $35. Flea market buy, in hopes of the great deal, in fear of fake....and Jars was so nice as to tell me the truth.

 

As soon as I get a real one, the 'display' Dupont...it sits empty very pretty on a black glass and crystal Art Deco ink well set, is going to be taken to the range.

I like shooting free pistol from time to time at 50 M. The nib sucks... ie fake 18 K gold nail, so what else can I do with it?

 

Do be aware the counterfeits, are very very well made, with box, and paper work. Always take a magnet with you when buying from a flea market to check any and all gold nibs. If it sticks to the magnet, it's a fake.

 

Real Dupont pens are First Class, and retain a good value.

[opus7600]

I've got a Orpheo RB that I've taken no special pains to treat gently, and the lacquer is holding up just fine. As for how it looks, I'm not sure you would necessarily be able to tell it from black plastic just by sight. I think it feels different, but that's probably even more subjective than looking at it. One other thought - unlike Danitrio or Nakaya, the Dupont pens are made of metal (brass?), so they weight a bit more. That's the only complaint I've ever had with mine.

[mejdrich]

I have one - a black Orpheo with platinum (?) trim - the finish of the lacquer is fantastic. Also, it is about 13 years old, and looks like new... recommended without hesitation.

 

And, to echo JAR - all of the details of the pen are equally as well manufactured...

 

In fact, I liked it so much, I purchased 2 additional nib sections... (Binder M Cursive Italic and a Fine...)

[pavel]

I have pulled the trigger and sent payment on the bottom one from this listing: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/171481-2-dupont-fountain-pens-for-sale-in-the-us/page__p__1717072__hl__dupont__fromsearch__1#entry1717072

 

I am looking forward to trying it very much.

[jar]

I have pulled the trigger and sent payment on the bottom one from this listing: http://www.fountainp..._1#entry1717072

 

I am looking forward to trying it very much.

 

Neat. Let us know how you like it. There is a review of the three sizes here.