Anyone Know What Kind Of Nib This Is? Yalebowls Fountain Pen

[Superdoo]

Hi Everyone! I'm brand new to the FPN and have been enjoying reading all the great discussions and information here.

A company called yalebowls.com makes hand turned bowls and pens from old trees (and even bleacher seats) that either die or need to be removed around the Yale University campus. Since I went there, I thought it would be cool to own a fountain pen souvenir.

 

 

It looks like a kit pen? But what kind of nib is that? "AYACO" something? Is it just a rebranded IPG nib? I only just bought my most expensive pen as a TWSBI Micarta V2 since they're being discontinued. I love that pen very much! But I'm cautious at spending $100 for pens that don't actually write well. I'm going to guess that most of the cost goes into the novelty of owning some historical wood, rather than in a fine writing instrument. But what are your thoughts?

 

Here is the website: http://www.yalebowls.com/categories/Pens/Fountain/

[DanF]

Yup, that's a kit pen, probably made by Dayacom. The nibs can be pretty good, though are still IPG. They are a standard 5mm size, so can be replaced with Bock or Jowo nibs of the same size. The pen will be fairly heavy, and won't balance well posted, if that's important to you. Unposted, they can be pretty good writers, and that kit one of the better ones. I've turned a few of these, and to be honest, I don't care for the skinny metal section, but to each his own. For $100 you can get a better pen, but as you say, there is a novelty value...

 

Dan

[Jerome Tarshis]

I doubt that the wood costs very much. As for how well the nib writes, you may need to try it yourself. Or ask somebody who owns the pen. Generic nibs can write impressively well. I own two HEMA pens, selling for 3.30 euros, IIRC, that write better than some pens that sell for serious prices. The nibs say IRIDIUM POINT GERMANY.

 

If you're cautious about spending $100 for pens that don't actually write well, you can now start worrying about brands far better known than Yalebowls. Keep reading FPN and you just might come upon a thread that starts with a pen costing rather more than $100 that didn't write terribly well.

 

On the happier side, not only do my three-euro HEMA Vulpennen write well with their IPG nibs, I own a Lanbitou Silver Bullet given me by an FPNer who spent $2 for it and could have gotten it for less. The pen has a thrillingly smooth fine nib.

 

Surely one of the first lessons to be learned about buying fountain pens is that you don't necessarily get what you think you paid for.

 

Edited to add: Yes, as noted above, you can buy better pens for $100. Or for considerably less. If a Yalebowls pen is worth the price because you want a Yale souvenir, the nib probably won't be a deal-breaker. If you're looking for the best pen you can buy for $100, look elsewhere.

Edited June 15, 2014 by Jerome Tarshis

[Superdoo]

Thanks for the replies! That helps. Yes, I think value is important to me. A cool pen that doesn't write well is like a cool watch that doesn't tell time. But of course, one could find value in different aspects of the pen and its history.