Duke 600 Calligraphy Fountain Pen with Fude Nib

[Nhartist40]

I just did a YouTube review of the fountain pen I probably use more than any other for drawing, the Duke 600 which is a very inexpensive pen. I got mine on Amazon a few years ago, and it does a great job of filling in areas. It works almost like a brush but it gives me more control. It isn't just that the nib is bent (or Fude). The nib has a little hood that acts like a reservoir and makes sure that it gets enough ink, otherwise it would go dry. It is really an amazing bargain. It is a bit heavy, but when it is posted it is well balanced.  The shape is a bit strange--a sort of hour glass figure.  It is made of metal, which I usually don't like it, but it feels nice in my hand.  The section is also metal, but it is engraved with a pattern so that it is not slippery.  It posts very securely--so securely that it makes me wonder why other pens are not designed in the same way.  It has a converter that has a little spring in it that seems to help with the ink flow.  The only negative for me, is that this converter does not hold a lot of ink given how much ink the pen puts down.   I wish someone would develop a similar pen with a big ink capacity.  I need to make time to see if I can use the nib on an eyedropper pen like an Opus 88 or a vacuum filler.  I wish someone would copy the design and make such a pen!  You can see my review here:

 

 

[dipper]

Thanks for your interesting post and video.

 

I draw with the Duke 209 "bent nib" pens, for all the same good reasons that you describe with the 600.

 

 

Having never seen the Duke 600 I did a little online searching (from UK), but could not find it for sale under that name.

Located it on eBay USA named as the Duke "Elegant Calligraphy" fountain pen...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/173289269196

and on eBay UK...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173289293616

 

 

In comparison with the Duke 600 / "Elegant Calligraphy" the Duke 209 is a bit cheaper. It has no added over-nib reservoir. Plain glossy metal grip section - smooth and slippy but OK in use. The nib looks the same as the 600 nib, glimpsed in your video.

 

The 209 has the same converter - much too small for such a wet broad nib. I have tried eyedropper filling one of my 209 pens. The body threads sealed OK, but then the body threads reavealed themselves to be a push-fit insert in the end of the metal body. Ink seeped out through the crevicies between the body and the thread insert!

 

Swapping the Duke nib into another pen is tempting. I have not tried that for fear of damaging the feed. My four 209 pens all show traces suggesting that the feeds have been glued into the grip section.

 

 

[Nhartist40]

I love that picture!  I am working on a series illustrating the Old Testament.  Attached is the latest one and I think you will see that we are kindred spirits.  I think the reservoir on the nib really helps with the ink flow, but it would be great if the pen held more ink!

 

Dipper, do you know the work of Felix Vallotton?  I think you would love his prints.  Where can I see more of your work?

 

Jonathan

[amberleadavis]

Thank you for sharing.

[dipper]

On 3/25/2023 at 6:06 PM, Nhartist40 said:

it would be great if the pen held more ink!

The most volume of ink that can be loaded into my Duke 209 "bent nib" pens is by using a long-international standard cartridge, refilled by syringe and blunt needle. When fitted into the grip section that cartridge extends 59mm from the outer lip of the converter and is 6.9mm outside diameter at its back end. Would that fit in the Duke 600? Perhaps the tapered body will be too narrow? Worth trying if you have a long international cartridge to hand. 

The example above was purchased as a pack of Waterman Intense Black long cartridges.

 

I do enjoy Felix Vallotton. Have seen and remembered some of his works - but had not noted the artist's name. Now bookmarked!

 

My art is just an occasional hobby, so not online anywhere.

[Sailor Kenshin]

I had that pen!  But in red, with a regular nib.  Swapping a fude nib/feed might be a difficult task; good luck.

[Nhartist40]

That is a great idea about using a large cartridge.  I am going to try it!

 

Jonathan