My Big Fat Grail Pen

[Synnove]

As usual, please excuse shoddy hand writing.

 

http://i.imgur.com/Isal8Vt.jpg

 

I managed to cobble together a Waterman 48 via parts from a few different sources (and replaced the seal using o-rings from the local hardware store). Suffice to say, even though this thing is so massive so as to *almost* be impractical, I love this pen. The fact that the nib, when retracted, is submerged in ink means there are no hard starts nor dried ink to worry about (important in my case as I use nothing but iron gall inks).

 

http://i.imgur.com/K0Rs26U.jpg

 

The nib is quite unique: it's a Mabie Todd #6 and perhaps the most flexible gold nib I've ever seen or used (only bested by a MT #7). In fact, while it won't splay as far, it's about as sensitive as a Leonardt Principle. Here is a graph that shows the line width as a function of pressure (notice how its response closely mirrors the Leonardt):

 

http://i.imgur.com/348cyHd.png

 

Unfortunately the cap doesn't quite seal very well so this pen is home bound for the time being. A lasting repair doesn't seem possible (plus there is a crack on the lip) so I'm going to have a new cap made at some point.

 

In any case, while I've a few more grails to hunt down or have built, this pen will surely rank with them as one of my most prized (especially when the new cap is created) for its unique abilities that likely cannot be found anywhere else.

Edited March 28, 2017 by Synnove

[Bo Bo Olson]

Congratulations.

 

 

Unexpectedly, I won a Fend Safety Pen in a live auction. Waiting to payday, to send it off to get fixed.

No O rings of course. Don't want to Ahab or Twsbi the pen to grease them. It of course is not designed to be yanked apart at whim.

From what I read, a properly boiled in oil and beeswax and smeared with silicon grease is what to do. O rings belong only in a Ahab or Twsbi.

 

With all that.....you are a thousand years further alone than I am.

[Cyber6]

As usual, please excuse shoddy hand writing.

 

 

Oh please....

 

 

 

Awesome Pen... FANTASTIC Nib.. .and Beautiful handwriting!!!...

 

 

 

 

C.

[fountainpagan]

Beautiful pen, and a great nib!!!! Congratulations!

[sidthecat]

Makes me feel like a proud aunt.

[Synnove]

Makes me feel like a proud aunt.

 

As you should; without your finding the "diamond in the rough" that is the nib, this pen wouldn't exist!

[Goudy]

Unfortunately the cap doesn't quite seal very well so this pen is home bound for the time being. A lasting repair doesn't seem possible (plus there is a crack on the lip) so I'm going to have a new cap made at some point.

 

Five Star Pens (about two-thirds of the way down the page) have the cap you want - though maybe not at the price you want.

[Synnove]

Indeed they do! I've had my eye on it for many months (hoping the price would come down closer to what one would consider a sane price). That being said, I'm not a completest so I'd rather pay 150 or so for a new one to be machined.

[Goudy]

Offer them 150. What have you got to lose? That's a fair price in my opinion.