Franklin-Christoph 40 Panther

[latetotheparty]

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to acquire a Franklin-Christoph 40 (Panther) recently.

 

 

They don't come up for sale that often, so you have have to keep an eye on the F-C stockroom and be quick!

 

My 40 has gold-white-gold bands on the cap.

 

 

From a distance, the gold is more like a subdued light brown. But when you look at it in bright sunlight, the gold sparkles and shimmers.

 

Like most of the F-C pens, the body of the pen is made from acrylic. All the 40 models so far are in black, with the variations being the colors of the bands. I like simple, ungaudy designs, which is why both the 20 and 40 appeal to me. I love the smooth, glossy black barrels of both the 20 and the 40.

 

The nib I choose was a Masuyama steel needlepoint. I've tried it on nice paper and $1 paper from the Dollar Store. It flows smoothly, although not as smoothly on the Dollar Store paper. On nice paper, it's a joy to write with. Here's a photo on the nice paper (F-C's own brand notepads and using plain old Parker Red ink):

 

 

 

I also have a Franklin-Christoph 20, which I love. Here's my review of the 20 if you're interested:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/299677-franklin-christoph-marietta-20-lovely-pen/

 

The 20 has no threads on the barrel because it has a slip-on cap. The 40 has a screw-on cap, and so has threads on the barrel, but they are not sharp and do not bother me. The words "Franklin-Christoph 40" are etched subtly into the cap, with the F-C logo on the finial (end of the cap - sorry if you knew this, but I did not know the lingo until looking on FPN). Here's a photo comparing the two with the 40 on the top:

 

 

I like the unusually long cap on the 40. It's just something different from the average shape and the color bands are a simple but effective way of adding something to the black without being too ostentatious. I've tried writing with and without posting the cap. I prefer posting the cap. The acrylic body means that the pen is not heavy and I can write without my hand becoming tired.

 

The total cost of the pen is around $225 depending on the nib. It's more expensive than the 20, but I'm told this is due to a more difficult manufacturing process relating to the bands.

 

I don't know which I love more, the 20 or the 40. They each have their different qualities and I'm fortunate that I don't have to choose

 

Here's a link to the F-C site:

 

http://www.franklin-christoph.com/view-all-fountain-pens.html

 

I'm not paid for this review. I just love my F-C pens. They have made me enjoy writing again (who'da thought?!) and I just wanted to give something back!

 

 

 

[DrDebG]

Great review! I also have an FC Panther, but my is a brown shimmer prototype. I have a Masuyama 14K medium stub semi-flex (I got the last one Jim had). I guess I should review it. It is my very favorite pen.

[latetotheparty]

Great review! I also have an FC Panther, but my is a brown shimmer prototype. I have a Masuyama 14K medium stub semi-flex (I got the last one Jim had). I guess I should review it. It is my very favorite pen.

Thanks very much. Would love to see some photos. I don't own a gold nib, am waiting for a pen show to try them out. Look forward to the review!

[ibrahim]

On 11/26/2015 at 5:46 PM, DrDebG said:

Great review! I also have an FC Panther, but my is a brown shimmer prototype. I have a Masuyama 14K medium stub semi-flex (I got the last one Jim had). I guess I should review it. It is my very favorite pen.

I am eager to read your review of it. I read what you had say about it here as well: