What Was Your Last Impulsive Pen Acquisition?

[Black16]

18 hours ago, A Smug Dill said:

A second Modern Creative Design M6100 fountain pen (in a gift set with a bottle of ink) that looks like:

but this time in white with silver stripes. The green one has yet to arrive (and will likely take a few weeks), and I have absolutely no idea how the pen/model performs.

 

…

 

Actually, that wasn't my “last” or most recent impulsive pen acquisition. I picked up a LAMY Safari with M nib, when I went past Officeworks on my way home from a run, for a whopping AUD $9.

I have the same pen in my cart and didn't buy it yet only because saw no reviews so far, hope it will work well for you!

[A Smug Dill]

4 hours ago, MarcoA63 said:

@A Smug Dill, Modern Creative Design. What is this brand and where to find it? Googling for it returns half the world of 'modern pens'

 

It's a Chinese brand trying to allude to being Germanic and/or appeal to Western tastes, but does so a little less disingenuously than (say) Wordsworth & Black, in my opinion. I ordered mine on Taobao, but on AliExpress is where I first saw them and then, when one unit was offered relatively cheaply on “clearance”, but the colour would have been my third preference, the nib width grade was not stated, and knowing that seller the pen would come only sleeved in clear plastic, with no box and no other protective packaging, let alone the bottle of ink included in the pen model's standard retail package. I then discovered that I could order the full ‘gift set’, with my choice of nib width grade and pen body colour, on Taobao for about the same (marginal) spend if I attached it to a cart with many other items.

 

28 minutes ago, Black16 said:

I have the same pen in my cart and didn't buy it yet only because saw no reviews so far,

 

I saw this one: https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/1gqbghk/modern_m6100_streamline/

 

28 minutes ago, Black16 said:

hope it will work well for you!

 

 

Thanks!

[Black16]

20 minutes ago, A Smug Dill said:

 

I saw this one: https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/1gqbghk/modern_m6100_streamline/

Sounds like a decent pen tbh, thank you for the link. Might acquire one soon too.

[Tne328]

I went to an antique mall with the family for Father's Day. I stopped at the one display case that had several fountain pens, figuring I'd look out for a Targa or Parker 45. A very patient staff member stood by while I spent 10+ minutes looking them over. (As I looked, a very unkind Parker 21 "bit" me on the thumb when I finally got its stubborn cap off.) In the end, I set aside a Sheaffer Imperial IV and a Parker 51 to think about while I browsed the rest of the mall. In the end, I chose the Parker 51, and it works great now that I have filled it (so easy) and flossed the nib. I understand why it has such a good reputation. I doubt I'll look through that case for a long time, because I don't think I'll ever come across such a good find again!

[inkstainedruth]

Sounds as if you found a 51 Aerometric?  Because my understanding from what I've read on here over the years (and from experience) is that the Aeros often just need a good flushing out and will work fine once any leftover ink crud is cleaned from them (the earlier 51 Vacs might need to have the diaphragm replaced).  

I am not remotely surprised that 51s were the flagship line for Parker for something like 20 years.  They were considered "expensive" pens in their day, but every design element was to make them what they are -- superbly functional writing instruments.  And the streamlined look does not make them seem "old-fashioned" either (although I do know people who don't like the look of the hooded nibs, that was ALSO a design element -- to prevent stuff like the pens burping into the cap on airplanes -- less of an issue now, of course, when most large planes have systems to prevent issues with changes in altitude; so another case of "form following function").  

So, what color is yours?  And what's the nib one it (enquiring minds will want to know... ).  There's a website called parkercollector.com which is my go-to site for all things Parker pens, and there is even a page where it shows the different colors that Parker made 51s from, and shows the difference between the colors of the 51 Vacs and the 51 Aerometrics.

I've even put "problematic" inks (like some Noodler's inks) in some of my 51 Aerometrics. Because those things are just tanks, rolling with the punches.... 

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Tne328]

It sure is an aerometric. 1949, Black and steel, and the steel was the deciding factor over the black-and-gold Imperial, because I prefer silver trim to gold. Nib is comparable to my other mediums.  I love that it's a "pli-glass" sac both because I shouldn't have to plan on periodic sac replacements, and I know it's safe with any modern (non-shimmer) ink. I love dependable low-maintenance possessions, and if any pen deserves BIFL approval, this is it.

[Penguincollector]

  I bought another TWSBI stub, this time the slate blue/onyx.  The stub version of this pen was sold out at my local when last I checked. @Lithium466 was looking out for me  ( thank you- it didn’t show up on my search) and saw that Pen Chalet carried a penguin themed ink I wanted, so I had to buy enough to make shipping. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

[inkstainedruth]

5 hours ago, Tne328 said:

It sure is an aerometric. 1949, Black and steel, and the steel was the deciding factor over the black-and-gold Imperial, because I prefer silver trim to gold. Nib is comparable to my other mediums.  I love that it's a "pli-glass" sac both because I shouldn't have to plan on periodic sac replacements, and I know it's safe with any modern (non-shimmer) ink. I love dependable low-maintenance possessions, and if any pen deserves BIFL approval, this is it.

Does it have a date code on it?  The Parker Collector website has a page where you can see what the codes mean (although it changes over the years to some extent).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Tne328]

Yep, it's a " 9. " sometimes it's hard to date a pen, but in this case it was easy. The only year ending in 9 where they both used dot codes and made the aerometric. Tracing down the history is part fo the fun of any new vintage acquisition.

[inkstainedruth]

Oh, I quite agree.  I have a few pens that have names or initials engraved on them, and really wish I could find information about the person -- if only to tell that person's heirs "Hey, I have your [ancestor]'s old pen and had a repair person got it up and running again and it works great!"  [and try to NOT say, "And, no, you CAN'T have it back!"]

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[InkyProf]

9 hours ago, Tne328 said:

I know it's safe with any modern (non-shimmer) ink.

Pli-glass sacs do stain. Ask me how I know. [Shakes fist at Diamine Imperial Purple.] I keep meaning to see whether a fill of a cleaner ink like vintage Quink with Solv-X will solv(e) that problem. But anyway, yes, it’s better than melting! Enjoy your new find….

 

 

[Tne328]

I know that feeling - my wife and I like to collect children's books from the 80s or earlier, and every so often there will be a name and an age or a year, or the stamp of a small little library that I just have to check if it's still there. 

[Pen Ffynnon]

Ugh, I fell off the pen-diet-wagon hard. Kaweco AL Sport Ruby Red, Kaweco AL Sport Iguana Blue, TWSBI Eco Matcha (all already arrived), and a TWSBI Eco Cream with Rose Gold still en route.

 

Edited June 18 by Pen Ffynnon
typo

[Boston Brian]

A Wordsworth & Black fountain pen from Amazon, for a very cheap price, see my review of this pen. I was not expecting much, but it is a great pen and a joy to use!

[Gloucesterman]

46 minutes ago, Boston Brian said:

A Wordsworth & Black fountain pen from Amazon, for a very cheap price, see my review of this pen. I was not expecting much, but it is a great pen and a joy to use!

And the link for that pen is......?

Will be very interested in your experience with the pen when it arrives.

[Boston Brian]

Got the pen, love the pen, read my review of it under Market Watch, I give a lot of details and you can check the pens out on either Amazon or Wordsworth & Black's website

[Gloucesterman]

24 minutes ago, Boston Brian said:

Got the pen, love the pen, read my review of it under Market Watch, I give a lot of details and you can check the pens out on either Amazon or Wordsworth & Black's website

I looked at the prices on "A" and they I didn't notice any great deals... price-wise that is.

 

Awhile back, someone got a really great deal on a Monteverde  pen w/ Omniflex nib (forgot the specific model name) on "A". The price was $6.30. They posted the link and a number of us on FPN ended up buying several for ourselves. I, for one, bought 6 pens. After receiving them and liking them, I ended up  gaving away two, sold 3 to friends for $7.00 (each) and have kept one for myself. Initially, after reading the post here, when I did a search on "A" the item came up BUT with normal pricing... around $25.00 IIRC. That's why I was looking for a link. 

 

And, that is also why I would encourage anyone who finds a REALLY great deal to post the link. 

Yes, I know one can do that on another thread, and here is also good because some of us post info about our "finds & really good deals" here. 

[Misfit]

9 hours ago, Pen Ffynnon said:

Ugh, I fell off the pen-diet-wagon hard. Kaweco AL Sport Ruby Red, Kaweco AL Sport Iguana Blue, TWSBI Eco Matcha (all already arrived), and a TWSBI Eco Cream with Rose Gold still en route.

 

Well, the Iguana Blue Kaweco AL Sport is so darn pretty you are excused on that one. And since I have the Kaweco AL Sport Ruby red and the TWSBI Cream and rose gold as well, uh hm, those are ok too. That just leaves one that you are on the hook for now. Yeah right… I’m not the pen cop. But if you want to say there is one, then you are off with a warning. 

[Pen Ffynnon]

9 minutes ago, Misfit said:

Well, the Iguana Blue Kaweco AL Sport is so darn pretty you are excused on that one. And since I have the Kaweco AL Sport Ruby red and the TWSBI Cream and rose gold as well, uh hm, those are ok too. That just leaves one that you are on the hook for now. Yeah right… I’m not the pen cop. But if you want to say there is one, then you are off with a warning. 

Bless you! I need all the absolution I can get! And that Iguana Blue and the Ruby Red are both gorgeous to me. I don't even regret the bruises from tumbling off that wagon a bit. 🙃

[Misfit]

2 hours ago, Pen Ffynnon said:

Bless you! I need all the absolution I can get! And that Iguana Blue and the Ruby Red are both gorgeous to me. I don't even regret the bruises from tumbling off that wagon a bit. 🙃

The AL Sport pens are so pretty. They are nicer vs the plastic. But I still like those too. In my opinion, the darker color Sport pens in plastic look classier than the lighter colors. Like the Bordeaux just looks classier than a lot of the Sport Skyline colors (silver color trim versions).