Experience Buying Bespoke British Pens?

[LizWrites]

Hi all,

 

Has anyone bought one of the Conway Stewarts made by Bespoke since they took over CS inventory and started offering CS pens? I really don't know how much of that inventory is left or how much is even used in their pens. Regardless, though, of whether they are manufacturing the parts of pens themselves now, has anyone bought one of their (extremely pricey!) Conway Stewart pens? Do you have any feedback you could share? I'm just window-shopping the more traditional pens, with CS history: Dandy, Series 58, Series 100. But would love any reviews of pen quality, service, etc. Perhaps even how they compare to the originals.

 

Thanks.

 

Liz

[billf]

I have purchased several during a time when I had some resources available. You are right, they are expensive, but I have found that to be true of fine pens. I note that you are in the US as am I. My experience was good. Even though, as I understand, the pens are assembled to order, the response time was what I considered fast. As I recall, I had two different orders that spent more time in US customs in Chicago than the time from placing the order to shipment. Among the ones I got were a Churchill and a Winston. Large pens, beautiful, a pleasure to use. As for comparison to the before CS went hoofies up versions, I can't really say as my acquisitions were all from Bespoke.

 

Bill

[LizWrites]

Great Bill, that's really helpful. So glad to hear they were a pleasure to use.

 

I worry about the disappointment I'd feel should one arrive and not write well or feel cheaply made. I know experiences may differ, of course, but I'm glad for your input/ "thumbs up".

 

(I suppose I could look for a vintage CS. But quality/durability/etc. is still an issue.)

 

 

Liz

[linearM]

If you were to order a pen based on the CS pen design, with a #6 Jowo gold nib, and CS material from Scriptorium pens you would still be about the same price of the least expensive Bespoke pens from the UK. I'm not sure how much duty you might have to pay plus shipping fees.

 

From my own experience I had ordered a pen based on a Carter's Ink Co. pen. The furnishings were sterling silver (3 cap rings, a ring on the barrel, and custom made clip), black and CS pistachio acrylic, and a JoWo steel nib (which I had Pendleton Brown modify to cursive italic). The craftsmanship and finish were superb.

[Bounce792]

Bought a Coronet from them in Dartmoor and manged to grab an original CS nib for it. These fellows are very good at customer service. Much better than I was at a MB boutique and Pelikan Singapore last year. The only luxury brand I would say that has outdone them in customer service in the last few years is the Cartier boutique at ION Orchard in Singapore. And I was just there to get a refill for an old ball point which my grandfather had.

 

To illustrate my point, I contacted them about reserving a Coronet in Dartmoor with an Extra Fine CS nib but that I didn't have the funds available yet. I just asked whether they had enough stock left for me to get one in a couple months. Got an e-mail back the next day saying that they had set one aside for me with an EF nib and to take as long as I needed to save the funds.

[LizWrites]

linearM, I will definitely check them out. Craftsmanship is a real concern of mine when a pen costs as much as these do. The custom build you've referred to is also of great interest. Thank you so much for the lead.

 

Bounce, thanks for your input. Reassured by your service experience.

 

Appreciate both of your comments.

 

Liz

[landrover]

I've purchased a number of CS pens from David at Bespoke. All have been superb!

[david6]

I recently purchased a beautiful Conway Stewart Churchill in a rich Burgundy colour from Bespoke British Pens. The buying experience was superb with a quick response from David and a fast delivery of the pen. The pen looks and feels great and writes very smoothly. I am delighted with it and the service I got from Bespoke British Pens

[LizWrites]

Thanks for info on your experience, David. Especially appreciate your thoughts on the quality of the pen.

 

 

Liz

[jmccarty3]

I have not bought a complete pen from them, but I did buy one of their new flexible nibs ground to a L oblique that I'm quite happy with. I can use it in just about all of my CS pens. Customer service is as excellent as everyone has said.

[The Good Captain]

I've not bought from them, specifically, but did buy from Onoto. Personally, that was a better experience and option.

However, I wish them well. Met them both and they are great vendors.

[LizWrites]

Thanks J and Captain. More good info. I also looked at Onoto a long while back. I will check them out again. Can't recall now whether I thought they were too big for my hand . . . .

 

Liz

[Writehand]

I have bought two Bespoke Pens. The craftsmanship is superb. The presentation box too is excellent and the service from David and is team is first class.

[gclyn]

For all those that bought CS pens from Bespoke, did it come with original CS nib or was it a Jowo/Bock nib?

[Writehand]

Original CS. You can choose the nib which suits your writing style.

 

Have a look at the website they currently have a Shakespeare Limited Edition F.P or Rollerball. You can also purchase a conversion kit for the F.P which transforms it into a Rollerball.

 

My only cripe is that you must pay for postage even within the UK.

 

I have one on order.

[david6]

For all those that bought CS pens from Bespoke, did it come with original CS nib or was it a Jowo/Bock nib?

 

I purchased the Conway Stewart Churchill and the only nib available for that pen is the Flag nib which I believe is a Jowo/Bock nib. Nice nibs that write very nicely but it would have been nice to have a Conway Stewart nib in the pen. My next purchase is a Conway Stewart Winston and that will also be with a Flag broad nib Looking forward to receiving the new pen :)

Edited July 13, 2016 by david6

[Dewilliamson]

Any ideas on where to find a Conway Stewart nib for a Churchill?

[kapanak]

Any clues whether a bock nib or jowo nib unit would fit the CS Dandy?