Barrel Clarity...

[bunnspecial]

I've been on a Vac buying binge lately.

 

A few months ago, I happened on a good deal on an azure pearl Major that was sold as having an almost perfectly clear barrel. To be honest it didn't register that much with me at the time. For some reason, even though I know that color is popular, it just doesn't appeal to me that much. I inked it-fortunately with Quink Washable Blue-and didn't think much more about it.

Two or three weeks back, I was hunting for an Emerald Pearl. Initially I bought a Junior that looked restorable, but a day or two later I happened on an Ebay listing for one that was described as having outstanding clarity. I paid a decent bit more for it, but when they both arrived and I set them side by side it really hit me how big of a deal it is.

 

 

Despite being the same material, the one on the right just looks like a totally different pen. The left has probably "typical" clarity-you don't need strong backlighting to see the ink level, but it also doesn't jump out at you. The right one just looks so much "brighter" for lack of a better term.

 

Interestingly, both this and my Azure one are late production(49 and 50 respectively) Canadian. Has anyone noticed whether or not Canadian pens seem to hold their clarity better than US ones, or is it just chance that my two best ones were made there?

[Karmachanic]

One lead a more protected life than the other?

[Brian-McQueen]

I don't think the late Canadian ones kept their clarity any better.  It's possible that the later manufacture kept them from being sold and/or used, due to competition from other pens on the market.