Informaton on Wahl Eversharp Pens

[HotAtlanta30307]

Greetings.  I'm looking for a 1930's-1940's lever or vacuum fountain pen, besides the Sheaffers and

Parkers. So, in looking at eBay, I see a number of Wahl Eversharp pens for sale, sometimes priced quite nicely.  Since, I'm a newbie and know little about Wall-Eversharp pens,  are there particular models to look for? Are there people who can repair these pens at a reasonable sum?  Best regards, AG

[Paul-in-SF]

The most iconic Wahl-Eversharp pen is the Skyline, introduced in 1941 (the same year as the Parker 51, and possibly intended to compete with it, although the Skyline did not have nearly so many technological advances as the 51). The nibs in the Skyline pens were very good and should still be, unless they were damaged.

 

The design of the Skyline was intended as a callout to the streamlined railroad locomotives that were popular at the time, in fact they were designed by Henry Dreyfuss, an industrial designer responsible for actual locomotives. The cap is rounded at the end, and the clip goes over the end and helps hold in place the round finial, often called a Derby. The barrel is heavily tapered at the end. The combination gives a very streamlined effect. They came in a wide variety of finishes, some of them very attractive. Caps might be metal or plastic, barrels almost always plastic (I have seen photos of whole pens that were gold plated, but never seen one in person). 

 

There were 3 sizes, Executive, Standard and Demi. The Standard is by far the most common, but if you like smaller pens the Demi can be quite nice too. The Executive size is fairly uncommon and, being larger, is probably more collectible/higher priced. There are lots of the Standard size for sale, just look for a clean body and solid cap, the color of the Derby should match the cap (sometimes they can get switched) except in fairly rare cases. The most likely repair such a pen will need is just a new sac, and it shouldn't be hard to find someone to repair that for you. 

 

Prior to the Skyline, their most popular model in the 30's was the Doric, which is generally very desirable and collectible if you can get a clean one. However, many/most/all of these were celluloid, and especially the lighter-colored materials of these pens are often afflicted with celluloid rot, which causes them to change color in spots (often on the ends) and eventually crack and have pieces fall off. The black ones are probably fairly immune to this problem. I think it would be wise to stay away from these, as they can break your heart (voice of experience here). 

 

After the Skyline there isn't much of interest (my opinion), Wahl-Eversharp had a fairly rapid slide downhill until they were bought by Parker in (I think) 1957. A first-year Symphony (1948-49) has a very interesting cap design, later ones are pretty ordinary. The Fifth Avenue (1943-47?) was, in my view, horrible. 

[HotAtlanta30307]

Hi Paul.  Thanks so much for your kind response!  I greatly appreciate the information, as I know nearly nothing about Wahl Eversharp pens. All the best. AG

[Tashi_Tsering]

In my opinion, the most iconic Wahl-Eversharp pens are the Doric model. These are very beautiful pens, there were 2 generations of them, the first, 1931-35, with a lever filling system, the second generation had a vacuum one. But here you should be careful: the first generation of Doric was made of celluloid, prone to destruction.

 

But personally, I like the Decoband Oversize (late 1920th) the most, as in the following photo.

[Penguincollector]

  I have a soft spot for the Symphony models, they might not be as well regarded as the Skyline, but if you like soft nibs, they are one to try. They came with a variety of nibs, including manifold, so it’s definitely a pen that you have to either take a flyer on or buy from someone who has provided writing samples. 

[VacNut]

I would suggest the Coronet. It is a beautiful pen and epitome of Wanl/Eversharp design.

I have not encountered any problems with the early Decoband Pens. They are beautiful hefty pens. I personally stay away from the Doric Pens.

[carola]

The Coronets are nice but tricky. Scarce, expensive and often not easily repairable (or not at all). Plus, as full metal pens, they are prone to dings. I have contemplated buying one for quite some time but in the end decided to stay away from them.

 

The oversized Decobands, especially in that Brazilian Green shown in Tashi_Tsering's picture? Very nice. I couldn´t resist them and own one.

 

But my true love regarding Eversharps? The Skylines. Beautiful pens, wonderful nibs, it´s fairly easy to find someone for repairs if needed, light-weight, three sizes (although the Executives are indeed rather costly), beautiful colours in various designs with a lot of trim variants. Solid colours, half-striped, fully striped, metal or plastic cap, full metal or full plastic pen, even a solid gold variant, if you are into that. My favourite? The fully striped models. But be warned - when you have one model, you may be off looking for the other variants. 🙃 (Ask me how I know.)

[VacNut]

There are several restorers who can restore the Coronet. People are now printing out the clear sections, rather than making them from acrylic. The restoration is much more simple. There are few pens from the 1930’s that can compare to the Garnet Coronet.

 

The Skyline is also available in rolled and 14K gold. 
The Skylines are good writers, but the barrels are thinner than other pens, and are susceptible to bending and breakage. Just price accordingly and you can find a very affordable pen.

Wahl/Eversharp declined before the War. Their later pens do not compare to the quality of the earlier pens.

If you want a later-model pen, I would suggest the 64, which was made in conjunction with the TV Show.

There are many good options.

 

[Paul-in-SF]

There is another model from the earlier 30s, before the Doric, that is certainly worth mentioning, and that is the Equi-Poised. This model is not well-known these days, and is rather hard to find; it was introduced to compete with the Sheaffer Balance's new streamlined shape (and apparently W-E got in a little legal tussle over the synonymous name they chose). There were three versions, successively less streamlined as W-E worked out their issues with Sheaffer. I really like the first model the best, but the third and final version was quite elegant. 

[Wahlnut]

Good discussion here.  Thanks to all who have contributed.  Apart from some inaccuracies in the comments about history and design the comments about popularity, usefulness, and construction are spot on.  The Equi-Poised models along with the Symphony or Ventura models represent the best value/written word from a price-point perspective.  WAHL-EVERSHARP was the top selling pen of all pens in the mid '40s for good reason (besides great advertizing) they performed...and still do.

[VacNut]

3 hours ago, Wahlnut said:

Good discussion here.  Thanks to all who have contributed.  Apart from some inaccuracies in the comments about history and design the comments about popularity, usefulness, and construction are spot on.  The Equi-Poised models along with the Symphony or Ventura models represent the best value/written word from a price-point perspective.  WAHL-EVERSHARP was the top selling pen of all pens in the mid '40s for good reason (besides great advertizing) they performed...and still do.

Well said…👏👏👏

Has the Coronet Replacement Section been perfected?

[Wahlnut]

18 hours ago, VacNut said:

Well said…👏👏👏

Has the Coronet Replacement Section been perfected?

"Perfected" is a powerful word, I'm ok with "Accomplished" which might be better description. As mentioned briefly in DuBiel's blue book, there were at least 4 factory original and yet differing coronet constructions that I am aware of and the Coronet Replacement therapy focuses on the most common splined brass bushing version.  Adaptations to the other constructions is needed to use the replacement elements but can be accomplished with a little machining.