Help with a 140

[TgeekB]

20 hours ago, Bo Bo Olson said:

Let it rest in your hand lightly, from 45 degrees right after the big index finger knuckle to 40 degrees  at the start of web of the thumb...Where ever it wants to rest, don't force it to be anywhere, let it find it's own comfort.

It must be posted, in it is too short otherwise and you get great balance posted.

 

All nibs are subject to tolerance, some may be a fatter F, in the middle or at the skinny edge of F...........don't worry about it....the ease of tine bend could have you writing at M for a while.

But, the nibs of that era, '50-65 and the next to '82- 97 run 1/2 a width narrower than modern.

Have fun, a nice slick pap[er like Rhoda would be nice to write on.

 

TgeekB, you have not listed what country you live, so we can help you get good local papers.

Writing is 1/3 nib width&flex, 1/3 paper and 1/3 ink and in that order.

Go into Ink Reviews and look at any ink review by our passed Sandy1; our ink Guru, she uses 4-5 normal pens on 4-5 good to better but not out of this world expensive papers. Nib width and different paper can make an ink look like another.

 

Over the last decade or so, she has used 8-9 good papers, so you could make a wish list.

 

I think one should buy a good ream or 100 sheet box of good to better papers for every 3 inks you order. Soon you will have a nice paper collection.

Never Ever use Ink Jet paper; the feather champ.

 

I did it all wrong myself, first the pens, then the inks....and finally the papers.

I’m in the U.S.  Currently using Rhodia notebooks. I’ve also used Clairefontaine. 
I appreciate the tips on holding the pen. I’m definitely using it posted and it feels well balanced. It’s a fun pen to use!

[Bo Bo Olson]

Good!

I really like that era German pens....and as said, my first semi-flex was a 140 OB.

[TgeekB]

On 6/19/2021 at 12:11 PM, Bo Bo Olson said:

Yep, the nib of the semi-flex 140 is smaller.

The pen was a medium-small pen that was ever so popular in Germany in the '50-65 era. Geha 760, Kaweco Dia and quite a number of Osmia-Osmia-Faber-Castel pens, which were also some of the first tier medium-short pens.

 

The Pelikan 140 cleverly has a longer cap than the other medium short pens, so is @ as long as a 400 when both are posted,, and therefore balances as well....................both pens were designed to be posted, which is why they have great balance.

 

A 140 can be had for @ E-100 on German Ebay, if the seller ships outside of German, which many don't ...not trusting foreign post systems, and must take Paypal, in many rely on the normal for Mainland Europe  bank wire, which costs $35 if done from the States. Here in the Union, bank wire is as expensive as checks are in the State.

I don't have a German checkbook (don't know anyone who does) .....do know my Convid monies  US Government Checks took 2-3 weeks to clear.

Thinking of going for a 400nn next. Thoughts?

[Bo Bo Olson]

Great pen, holds @ 2.0ml, is a semi or maxi-semi-flex depending on luck. Mine is a maxi OF. Has great balance...took me @ 2 years to decide the 400nn, has a real slight, better balance than a 400.

Posted of course.

The 400nn is a medium-long pen, same width as a standard 400.

 

Take a look in German Ebay Auction only...not buy now, , must ship out of Germany, look for a tortoise, which will cost @ as much as a normal green stripped.

Should run between E-100-120 for green stripped or tortoise; though I saw one go for E-90 with in the half year. Just a peek, in I don't hunt much on the Bay any more.

 

My 400NN may well be the first pen I'd take for single pen, long journey....though I do have a couple of more expensive pens.

Or my 605 with a '50's semi-flex nib.

 

As a 20 pen noobie I did a balance test....no way to do that foolishness with 85. Standard sized MB 234 1/2  semi-flex KOB, was first, medium long thin semi-flex F Geha 725 second )f those in the balance test won best looking) , standard semi-nail Silver P-75 was third....a real surprise, then 4th the maxi-semi-flex OF 400NN......and 4th is no where as bad as it might sound...........There wasn't a single Large pen in those 20, and there are many good standard pens in the beaten list.....like a medium-large P-51.

 

 

[senzen]

21 hours ago, TgeekB said:

Thinking of going for a 400nn next. Thoughts?

 

I love my black 400, the nn cap reminds me too much of the coneheads... Pretty much the same pen as far as I understand.

 

[Bo Bo Olson]

'50-54 400 is standard length, the '56-65 400NN is medium-long, but @ the same width as the 400. Both of that era hold @ 2.00 ink.

After @ 2 years I finally gave the tad better balance to the 400nn over the 400....so I'd not worry about it much.

 

The later '82-now 400 holds 1.25ml. Have no idea why it holds so much less for the same length and width of a pen as the Vintage one. 

600-800 1.35 and the 1000 holds 1.45.