Best User Vintage Pens around $100

[Lisanti]

I have a Wearever lever filler (I don't know the model name) that is the sweetest writer I have. A close second is an Everfeed piston filler that I absolutely love. The Wearever cost me about $25 and the Everfeed $15. I have other vintage pens, including the 51, but these 2 are among my favorites, old or new.

 

Joan

[Dan Carmell]

I'm surprised not to find Waterman pens included on this list. There are a number of great Watermans from the 1940s that qualify for the under $100 list: the Taperite, the Commando (I've seen two of these go for under $40 in the last few days), the mid-sized 100 Year and Emblem and other models. All with great nibs, many flexy, good lever fillers, and a handsome look.

 

Dan

 

p.s. Don't know how that Parker snuck in at the bottom, but that 100 Year at the top was bought for $100 and sold for $90--I've got that buy high and sell low thing down!

Edited January 4, 2007 by dcarmell

[Nihontochicken]

The aero fillers are more reliable thats a fact but again that doesnt mean the vacs are not reliable and they have a unique charm that the aero will never have.

 

Well, like the guy with the 454 Hemi says, "I won't use the power, I just like knowing I have it under the hood." And so with the 51 Aero as opposed to the Vac. The Aero filling system will likely outlast me. Not really needed, I just like knowing I have the power under (well, behind!) the hood. Trabants and 51 Vacs are charming. 454s and Aeros rock! Yeah, JMO.

[psfred]

Ron:

 

I have bought a slightly used, un-restored Snorkel that works perfectly (50 years old!), but most of them have petrified sacs. The ones that aren't dead are getting stiff, but they are all at least 48 years old.... and about half of them still fill to some degree and don't leak.

 

In moderate use, I would expect at least a decade, maybe two before the diaphram fails -- I personally think modern inks are less destructive to the rubber than the older ones. The usualy cause of "death" of the diaphram appears to be allowing ink to dry on it -- the high concentration of ink constituents that collect as the water evaporates seem to chemically change the rubber to that glassy, brittle mess. Never allowing ink to dry up in the pen seems to preserve the rubber.

 

If you could find a silicone rubber diaphram (not likely, alas), I would think it would outlast you.

 

Peter

[framebaer]

Thanks all for the great discussion.

 

So In thinking it over, I would

 

add the esterbrooks--- yes griz they are truly "Jeeps of Pendom"( perfect discription)

 

add the (price right) Watermans. I own many that do fill the description and overlooked them.

 

Not sure about the touchdown/snorkels -- I would say that IF once repaired they can go 10-20 years as people have said, then that would certainly cover my definition of reliable.

 

Add all the countless lesser name lever fillers (w/gold nibs)one can easily buy for the price.

 

In fact this whole discuusion has me thinking about filling systems and how the rubber sack lever/button fillers really were the most durable, reliable, and easily fixable pens.

 

in fact if not for the discoloration problems, probably the perfect (albeit boring)sytem.

[jpolaski]

I've got to go with Griz's list, only putting the Parker "51" aero at the top in terms of reccomndation. The "51" vac is a close second, but this is for a good USER, so I'd assume looks would pull a close second. With that, the aero filler is simple, and bulletproof, and unless you're looking for a DJ (waaaay out of the $100 range...unless you're Griz that is) almost identical in looks. As far as usability, I have yet to see a wet ink pen that lasts longer uncapped, wihich is one of those requirements for me, as i have to take notes fast and furiously.

 

Just my $0.02

[OldGriz]

I would take Parker "51" vacs and other vacumatic-filling pens from the list since the diaphragm does not last very long under normal use.

I wouldn't add Snorkel, PFM, or touchdown pens since there are things in these pens that can crack fairly easily

I think I would call in the neighborhood of 8-10 years a pretty good time period for a Parker 51 Vac pen before needed resacing.... and that is not my estimate, but the estimate of respected restorers....

Under your thinking any pen that does not have a Parker 51 pliglass sac would have to be removed from the list...

I have restored over 30 Snorkels and Touchdowns and have yet to have one crack.... what are you talking about.

Edited January 4, 2007 by OldGriz

[FLZapped]

Here is my list of pens in that you might be able to get fully restored in the $100 or less range.... I will list them in price from high to low order...

1 Parker Vacumatic ~ third generation in good shape

2 Parker 51 Vac filler

3 Parker 51 Aero filler

4 Sheaffer Balance

5 Sheaffer Snorkel Triumph nib

6 Sheaffer Touchdown Triumph nib

7 Esterbrook with a 9XXX series nib

 

Now this list is only my opinion of what I consider the better vintage pens in that price or under.... if I were forced to choose only one of them I could not...

My personal favorites are the Parker Vacumatic, Parker 51 Vac and the Sheaffer Snorkels.

I have Esties and love them... they are the JEEP of the fountain pen world... the Sheaffer TD is basically the same pen as the snorkel but no snorkel filler...

The Balance... a lovely fantastic lever fill pen that stood the test of time also....

Wow, thought surely the old Duofolds would make the list.

 

Similar to this one:

 

WWII era Duofold

 

-Bruce

[OldGriz]

I've got to go with Griz's list, only putting the Parker "51" aero at the top in terms of reccomndation. The "51" vac is a close second, but this is for a good USER, so I'd assume looks would pull a close second. With that, the aero filler is simple, and bulletproof, and unless you're looking for a DJ (waaaay out of the $100 range...unless you're Griz that is) almost identical in looks. As far as usability, I have yet to see a wet ink pen that lasts longer uncapped, wihich is one of those requirements for me, as i have to take notes fast and furiously.

 

Just my $0.02

AHH Grasshopper, you did not read my thread accurately...

I did not post the list in order of preferance, BUT in order of the price you might expect to pay for the pen......

 

 

And Nihontochicken, the Queen has asked that I inform you that members of the collective must abide by the Prime Directive.... You are therefore asked to repeat the Sacred Mantra

"All Parker 51 Fountain Pens are Great and Good

There is no pen greater

I shall endevour to bring new members to the collective

All Parker 51 Fountain Pens are Great and Good

May the Collective grow and gather strength from OUR PEN"

[Dr.Grace]

Wow, thought surely the old Duofolds would make the list.

 

Similar to this one:

 

WWII era Duofold

 

-Bruce

Yes, those old Duofolds are great pens! I have a couple of them. I don't like the demi model so much, but the full-size ones are elegant and write well. They tend to be a little more expensive than the average vintage Balance, however.

 

Don

[Nihontochicken]

And Nihontochicken, the Queen has asked that I inform you that members of the collective must abide by the Prime Directive.... You are therefore asked to repeat the Sacred Mantra

 

"Om mani padme 51 om" ?????

 

The Queen shall be obeyed. Yes, all 51s are equally great. Some are just more equal than others. Like Aeros and, particularly, Flighters. Hopefully this doesn't land me back in the re-education center (again). :ltcapd:

[OldGriz]

And Nihontochicken, the Queen has asked that I inform you that members of the collective must abide by the Prime Directive.... You are therefore asked to repeat the Sacred Mantra

 

"Om mani padme 51 om" ?????

 

The Queen shall be obeyed. Yes, all 51s are equally great. Some are just more equal than others. Like Aeros and, particularly, Flighters. Hopefully this doesn't land me back in the re-education center (again). :ltcapd:

The Queen shall consider your somewhat less than serious apology and get back to you..... do not leave the area....

[Doogy]

I'm biased, but i think my pick holds water (and ink!)

 

Sheaffer Autograph series; i'm partial to the fatter mid-40's lever filler.

 

To me, this pen just exudes class; stealth black with SOLID 14k gold trim. The look is pretty much the standard for pen symmetry. The conical nib that seems to blend in with the barrel, it is certainly not an afterthought.

 

It seems almost laughable that these can still be found for under $100; shhhh.....keep this a secret between us though, i'm trying to buy 'em all up for my collection!

 

Doug

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v402/dmiorandi/DSCN0655.jpg

[jpolaski]

I've got to go with Griz's list, only putting the Parker "51" aero at the top in terms of reccomndation. The "51" vac is a close second, but this is for a good USER, so I'd assume looks would pull a close second. With that, the aero filler is simple, and bulletproof, and unless you're looking for a DJ (waaaay out of the $100 range...unless you're Griz that is) almost identical in looks. As far as usability, I have yet to see a wet ink pen that lasts longer uncapped, wihich is one of those requirements for me, as i have to take notes fast and furiously.

 

Just my $0.02

AHH Grasshopper, you did not read my thread accurately...

I did not post the list in order of preferance, BUT in order of the price you might expect to pay for the pen......

 

 

And Nihontochicken, the Queen has asked that I inform you that members of the collective must abide by the Prime Directive.... You are therefore asked to repeat the Sacred Mantra

"All Parker 51 Fountain Pens are Great and Good

There is no pen greater

I shall endevour to bring new members to the collective

All Parker 51 Fountain Pens are Great and Good

May the Collective grow and gather strength from OUR PEN"

As yes kimosabe... I missed that part. I was on video tape 39 of 51 in my Parker brainwa...um... admiration tapes, and overloaded my positronic coffee filter. Must have missed that. My Bad...