Question On Yard O' Led

[ICantEvenDecideAMajor]

Hi all! I'm looking into what to get for my next big pen, and came across Yard O'Led. I love the Victorian finish to death but have two questions about the pens.

1. Do all the sizes (grand, standard, pocket) have the same sized nibs? (As in how big the nib is)

But the major question:

Is silver tarnishing a huge problem to deal with? Can I always polish off the tarnish? How often do I need to polish it? If I polish it like everyday would that basically be like sanding away the pen? How long does the pen turn dark/tarnish visibly, if I use it everyday? Will these pens still look good (not pristine of course but beautiful) after few years? Many years?

 

Thanks, and all inputs welcome!

[hari317]

Hi all! I'm looking into what to get for my next big pen, and came across Yard O'Led. I love the Victorian finish to death but have two questions about the pens.

1. Do all the sizes (grand, standard, pocket) have the same sized nibs? (As in how big the nib is)

But the major question:

Is silver tarnishing a huge problem to deal with? Can I always polish off the tarnish? How often do I need to polish it? If I polish it like everyday would that basically be like sanding away the pen? How long does the pen turn dark/tarnish visibly, if I use it everyday? Will these pens still look good (not pristine of course but beautiful) after few years? Many years?

 

Thanks, and all inputs welcome!

1. No. The Grand has a 35mm nib, the corinthian, pocket and standard nib sizes are same, roughly 26mm

2. Tarnishing is a fact. Regular use will wipe away tarnish as it develops since human skin is also abrasive. Pen can be polished up like new. Interval depends on your preference. using mild and appropriate fine silver polish will have minimal negative effect. I have some YOLs that are decades old but still present like new.

[twdpens]

The advice from Yard-O-Led regarding tarnish is to use your pen! Pens sat in drawers or in cases will slowly turn black as the silver oxidises, whereas a pen that is used regularly will naturally get polished as it is handled. However, as Hari stated above, they will polish up like new. The polish we use here is Peek.

 

HTH,

 

Martin

[jar]

One secret to Sterling silver is the more it's used the less polishing it will need. Consider Sterling silver tableware. Often it gets used for decades, generation, even centuries yet still has not worn away from use or polishing.

 

One consideration. The Corinthian lines simply don't post well so hold one first to see if it is comfortable for you when unposted. I find it fine but then also love the Nakaya Piccolo unposted.

[ICantEvenDecideAMajor]

One secret to Sterling silver is the more it's used the less polishing it will need. Consider Sterling silver tableware. Often it gets used for decades, generation, even centuries yet still has not worn away from use or polishing.

 

One consideration. The Corinthian lines simply don't post well so hold one first to see if it is comfortable for you when unposted. I find it fine but then also love the Nakaya Piccolo unposted.

Thanks for the info! I like the idea of more use less fuss, but I doubt it's going to be my daily writer given how expensive it is... I'm deciding between the YOL or a Montblanc 149 for an excellent school year, and tbh the YOL looks so much better than a 149.

How much does the grand version weigh (roughly) unposted? Is it super heavy?

[jar]

The Victorian Grand weighs in at 67.6g overall but I never weighed any of mine as just the body. Unfortunately all of mine are locked away so I can't just grab one to weigh.

[richardandtracy]

I have a Standard Victorian, bought by my company instead of a 20 year gold watch. It is a gorgeous pen, and with its broad nib, it feels just like a nice juicy medium. The pen is quite small, but no smaller than a Parker Vector. I found the Grand too big, heavy and the bulbous shape of the section threw my fingers towards the nib, which was something I found uncomfortable.

 

Regards

 

Richard.

[jar]

There is another option.

 

If you really like the look of the Victorian design but find the standard Viceroy too slim and like to post your pens which eliminates the Corinthian; there is my favorite of the Yard-o-Leds, the Viceroy Pocket Victorian.

 

It's tiny in length and so relatively light in weight but posts securely and posted it is about the length of the unposted Corinthian and wider than the section of either the standard Yard-o-Led or the Corinthian. It is cartridge only so while there is room for the heir there is no room for the spare.

 

http://www.fototime.com/A208A139EE48EAA/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/3FBF747ABD2B85D/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/2E6CF70DAB464AF/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/2620F1B07745F70/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/62A70742DEBE7F0/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/C53337A176E1CEF/standard.jpg

[jameswatts]

My only Yard-O-Led is the the rubber-coated Retro which I love. The section isRhodium coated to prevent tarnishing, but the clip and trim is silver. The Turin tarnishes a bit, but that is small price to pay for such a smooth-writing pen.

[ICantEvenDecideAMajor]

How is the fine nib on YOLs? True fine? Or one of those slightly skinny mediums? Is it a smooth writer? Hard, or a little responsive?

I think I like the standard a lot! It'll probably be a good friend for my GvFC classic, I think they're about the same width.

But then my budget allows the Grand Victorian and it probably looks cooler with bigger nib and just a bigger pen, albeit waaaay too heavy for my daily use. (Lamy 2000 posted is a bit heavy for me)

 

Regardless, the Victorian has knocked other pens on the short list (GvFC snakewood, Visconti HS) out of consideration; it's too beautiful!

[richardandtracy]

'Fraid I don't know about the fine. But my Broad is like a fat medium, so it's likely they run on the fine side. Mind you (just to confuse things), the UK perception of a medium seems a bit fatter than the US one, so possibly mine is a US broad. It might be best to get one from a shop where you can try it first, or get a returns agreement if it proves too much of a medium for you.

 

Regards

 

Richard.

[shuuemura]

From my recent experiences with Yard-o-Led, it seems that their nibs run on the narrow side. Closer to Aurora and Japanese nib size standards.

[ICantEvenDecideAMajor]

'Fraid I don't know about the fine. But my Broad is like a fat medium, so it's likely they run on the fine side. Mind you (just to confuse things), the UK perception of a medium seems a bit fatter than the US one, so possibly mine is a US broad. It might be best to get one from a shop where you can try it first, or get a returns agreement if it proves too much of a medium for you.

 

Regards

 

Richard.

Thanks! It's good for me that they run on the fine side, I'm comfortable from Japanese extra fines to European fines. That's one more doubt removed!

[twdpens]

From my recent experiences with Yard-o-Led, it seems that their nibs run on the narrow side. Closer to Aurora and Japanese nib size standards.

I wouldn't say it's that straightforward. Fine nibs are quite generous and there isn't a big step between fine and medium.

 

HTH,

 

Martin

[pollandakuma]

There is another option.

 

If you really like the look of the Victorian design but find the standard Viceroy too slim and like to post your pens which eliminates the Corinthian; there is my favorite of the Yard-o-Leds, the Viceroy Pocket Victorian.

 

It's tiny in length and so relatively light in weight but posts securely and posted it is about the length of the unposted Corinthian and wider than the section of either the standard Yard-o-Led or the Corinthian. It is cartridge only so while there is room for the heir there is no room for the spare.

 

 

http://www.fototime.com/A208A139EE48EAA/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/3FBF747ABD2B85D/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/2E6CF70DAB464AF/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/2620F1B07745F70/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/62A70742DEBE7F0/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/C53337A176E1CEF/standard.jpg

jar, you seem to have a lot of silver pens, like the Montegrappas in other threads. Do you recommend me getting a YoL or Montegrappa silver pen? I am really in love with silver!

[jar]

jar, you seem to have a lot of silver pens, like the Montegrappas in other threads. Do you recommend me getting a YoL or Montegrappa silver pen? I am really in love with silver!

I suggest you ask the RIGHT question; "Should you get a Yard-o-Led or Montegrappa first?" Let's face it, Sterling silver pens are like potato chips.

 

The answer then is pretty simple. First draw a little list of what you want in a pen; things like basic size, plain or engraved, all Sterling silver or part Sterling silver, brand new or of any age ...

 

The potential choices in Montegrappa Sterling silver pens is far wider than in Yard-o-Led so once you decide on a few basics like size and plain or engraved you can at least narrow the field some.

 

And remember there are also fantastic Sterling silver pens from Waterman, Sheaffer, Parker, Ferrari da Varese, Aurora, Pilot, Sailor ...

[pollandakuma]

I suggest you ask the RIGHT question; "Should you get a Yard-o-Led or Montegrappa first?" Let's face it, Sterling silver pens are like potato chips.

 

The answer then is pretty simple. First draw a little list of what you want in a pen; things like basic size, plain or engraved, all Sterling silver or part Sterling silver, brand new or of any age ...

 

The potential choices in Montegrappa Sterling silver pens is far wider than in Yard-o-Led so once you decide on a few basics like size and plain or engraved you can at least narrow the field some.

 

And remember there are also fantastic Sterling silver pens from Waterman, Sheaffer, Parker, Ferrari da Varese, Aurora, Pilot, Sailor ...

 

You know, if I draw a list it will never end. But for now a YoL Viceroy Pocket looks good to me.

 

Hmm, I've never heard of any silver pens from Waterman or Aurora. Could you list out them for me?

[jar]

 

Hmm, I've never heard of any silver pens from Waterman or Aurora. Could you list out them for me?

 

I'm pretty sure I can't list all of them but I'll give you a few to get started with.

 

For Aurora: old 88, New 88 in both large and small size, 98, Archivi Storici, Marco Polo, and Hastil. Sterling caps on several including the Talentum.

 

For Waterman: many overlays, CF, Directeur General, Gentleman, Man 100 and 200, Exception, Preface, 100 Year, Edson, l'Etalon, Carène.

 

I'm sure I missed quite a few but that should get you started.

[da vinci]

I have aYoL Retro Grande which is a fantastic pen, however an all silver version has gone up my want list now I understand the craftsmanship that goes into making these pens, particularly the Victorian.

[alfredop]

Here there is a Waterman 100 in silver:

http://s178.photobucket.com/user/gennyesposito/media/Waterman%20Le%20Man%20100/DSC_0016_zps3yccjppe.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4

 

Ciao

Alfredo