Pen Action In New Mexico

[ckpj99]

So I'm taking a trip to New Mexico soon, and I'm thinking of making a pen purchase while there. Are there any places that I shouldn't miss? Any small custom makers that have shops? Any reputable vintage sellers/shops?

 

I've heard of Inkpen in Alamogordo, but I'm unsure if it's an actual store I can visit in person.

 

I also recall seeing an excellent '51' mod done up in turquoise that I thought was done by someone in Santa Fe.

 

I also know there's Santa Fe Pens, but couldn't tell from their site what to expect.

[ckpj99]

No body?

[johnmont007]

No body?

 

Santa Fe Pens has vintage to sell as well as modern, a variety of companies represented. Ink (cartridges and bottles) in some number as well as accessories (holders and what not). Nice store, very helpful staff/owner.

 

John

[Sidney]

Check Glenn Marcus' web site for Stores of Note.

[jniforat]

there's doug scott's http://www.kairospens.com/ -- as good as Edison

and Ralph Prathers http://www.pratherpens.com/Welcome.html

 

otherwise, Santa Fe Pens is a great place

[RudyR]

Go immediately to Santa Fe Pens in the Sanbusco Shopping mall in Santa Fe. Its located not to far from the train station and is a great area to browse around when you finish Buying a pen. Neil and Susan will let you demo their pens with a ink dip or two. They are the ones who got me started on this pen and ink thing, when I attended the Pen show they held (I left after placing an order for a Visconti Homo Sapiens). Don't expect to see any New MBs there, Neal has a strong opinion of Mont Blanc (although he does like the older models). He also stocks Noodlers and Private reserve and some others that I forgot to take note of. You'll see New pens, old pens, broke pens, pen parts, pens lying around in some places behind stuff if you move things around, pen paraphernalia, paper. All in all a fun place to visit.

[Belles-lettres]

Neil is a great guy. When he replaced the bladder in my grandfather's Parker, I became hooked on vintage pens forever. Neat store, you never quite know what you'll find there. GO!

[EMM]

Santa Fe Pens is an absolute must! Both new and vintage pens are sold, Neil (the store owner) is a very cool and knowledgeable guy.

[ckpj99]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I did make it to Santa Fe Pens. I'll recount my experience for you. It was fantastic.

 

I arrived in Santa Fe by train with some of my family. We were planning to walk around Santa Fe for the day. We immediately went to the shopping center that houses the store. It's about as close to the train station as you can get. Unfortunately, I could only lust through their windows because we arrived so early.

 

After six hours of walking and exploring, we headed back to the station. I was hot, disheveled and had a train to catch in about 45 minutes, but I wasn't leaving without at least stopping in.

 

I walked up the counter after doing a quick round the store. I simply asked, "are you Neil?" He tilted his head and said yes. I said, "I'm kind of a pen nut, and I heard you were the guy to talk to." After that, it pen-geekdom at it's best.

 

I was looking for something that said New Mexico. I was thinking he'd have something with turquoise or a yellow and red color scheme or something that like. He asked me what I was looking to spend, and I gave a vague answer. He then produced a box holding something that wasn't on display. A numbered special issue Conklin Santa Fe edition. It had various shades of browns and golds. He let me dip it, and it wrote wonderfully. Then I asked how much. The $400+ price tag was fair, but the pen didn't really get me going.

 

We chatted about 51s, Prather, Bexley (I'm from Ohio). He showed me some of his vintage selections, including a solid gold crescent filler that was worth more than car. I almost dropped it when he said the price. He told me about how he got started and how Howard Levy of Bexley helped him out when he decided to turn his hobby into a career.

 

Like any good salesman, he showed me some Safaris in the new turquoise color to better gauge my budget. I was prepared to spend anything south of $300. I was looking for something I couldn't get at my local shop at home, and something I knew would remind of this particular vacation.

 

He then pointed me toward a brand that I'd never heard of before: Think. It's the economy brand of Krone apparently.

 

In the past few years since I decided to take my few fountain pens a bit more seriously, I've most spent time researching Parker, Bexley (go home team), Shaeffer's, and some other major brands. I'd actually never heard of Krone either.

 

He pulled out their Iceland model, but instead of it bringing to mind ice and snow, it instantly reminded me of the bright clear blue skies that only the Western states seem to produce. I was in love. He was running a special, and the pen turned out to be extremely affordable: less than two Safaris at my home store. I dipped it, and it's medium nib was great with whatever ink he had lying on the counter.

 

It was a great experience. It felt like someone took my local pen shop, remodeled it in adobe, and dropped it on the other side of Mississippi. I felt extremely comfortable, and Neil was knowledgable, funny and carried a great selection. Next time I'm out west, there's no doubt I'll be back there.

[Wolverine1]

Well, I am very glad to learn that you had a great experience at Neil's pen shop.

And since you are from Ohio, may I dare ask, are you a Buckeye fan? :)

Edited June 30, 2011 by Wolverine1

[jniforat]

Neal's a great guy! He's fun to talk to, and he's really knowledgeable. I'm glad you got to visit our state's best pen store!

[jniforat]

Neal has been to two of the NM Pen Club meetings too. Between him, Ralph Prather, and Joel Hamilton...we have some definite pen gurus!

[AtomicLeo]

Glad you found Santa Fe Pens! Neal is a great guy. Hope the smoke *cough* *cough* from our local forest fires didn't turn you off.

[KrazyIvan]

I need to find an excuse to head up there.

[ckpj99]

@KrazyIvan - You should definitely find a reason to head there. The vintage selection didn't look giant, just a could shelves in the 3 foot case, but I suspect there's more the in back.

 

@Wolverine1 - Not a Buckeyes fan. I'm from Cincinnati, and we're more a basketball town anyway (UC, Xavier). Although the Bearcats football team has looked good lately. I also didn't go to college in Ohio.

 

@AtomicLeo - Based on your username, I'll assume you're awfully close to the big one. During most of my stay (including right now) I've been in Las Cruces, so we've been safe. It seems like some rain may be moving across the state, so hopefully that will help. We took a day trip to the Gila today. Some of the valleys looked really bad.

[KrazyIvan]

@KrazyIvan - You should definitely find a reason to head there. The vintage selection didn't look giant, just a could shelves in the 3 foot case, but I suspect there's more the in back.

 

@Wolverine1 - Not a Buckeyes fan. I'm from Cincinnati, and we're more a basketball town anyway (UC, Xavier). Although the Bearcats football team has looked good lately. I also didn't go to college in Ohio.

 

@AtomicLeo - Based on your username, I'll assume you're awfully close to the big one. During most of my stay (including right now) I've been in Las Cruces, so we've been safe. It seems like some rain may be moving across the state, so hopefully that will help. We took a day trip to the Gila today. Some of the valleys looked really bad.

 

I am just south of you then (If you are still in Las Cruces), in El Paso.

[ckpj99]

Flew out of El Paso on Saturday. I'm back in the land of humidity. I was able to fill and properly write with my new Think pen. It writes very smooth with the Diamine Teal I put in it.