Bexley Still In Business?

[fountainpenlady]

Help! My holy grail, Bexley Americana Strawberry Swirl, developed a leaking converter.

It does not use the standard converter because I have several, and they do fit. The opening for them is not big enough. Does anyone know whether Bexley is still in business? Does anyone know where I can find a converter for my Bexley Americana? 

[sansenri]

hello fountainpenlady,

first thing, your Bexley is not an Americana but a Bexley America the Beautiful

see here
https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/108331-bexley-america-the-beautiful/

[sansenri]

secondly, your pen should mount a Jowo nib, so any converter that fits Jowo collars should do, however now that I think of it more carefully, Bexley was using Jowo nibs but their collars and feeds were not Jowo but generic (probably sourced in china).

To help you, do take a few more pictures, one showing the upside of the nib and the back of the nib (the feed). Then we can be more precise on what to do.

One other thing you should do to help us identify the collar used (and consequently the converter that should be used) is to unscrew the nib from the section. It's quite easy to do and does not harm you pen in any way.

[sansenri]

Take out the converter, screw the barrel back onto the section, now hold the pen in your right hand, and the nib and feed with your left hand. Put your index finger on top of the nib and your thumb on the feed, hold them firmly, now turn counterclockwise, the nib will unscrew.
Once you have done so, take another picture of the whole nib, particularly of the collar nipple, so we can confirm the type of converter to be used.

 

Honestly I am somewhat surprised an international (Pelikan type) converter will not fit, because it should...

[sansenri]

lastly, no unfortunately Bexley is no longer in business, however, really, your issue does not need assistance from the manufacturer, if you do not feel confident to do by yurself, any good pen shop should be able to help you find and fit the right converter.

[fountainpenlady]

First, thank you so much. I did try to look up the exact name of my Bexley without success. As a retired Librarian, my skills are more than rusty. I tried to remember what the name beyond my calling it my "strawberry swirl grail." I was able to disassemble the nib and have taken pictures. 

[fountainpenlady]

[sansenri]

this is what you should see when you unscrew the nib (this is not an America the Beautiful, it's an Owner's Club 2017, but don't worry, the inner parts are identical - or at least this is what we are going to check...)

[sansenri]

OK, the nib collar and it's nipple looks just like mine, can you also show the converter you are trying to fit?
 

[fountainpenlady]

This is a standard universal converter. The opening that fits into the pen nib is too small and will not seat in the nib part.

[fountainpenlady]

[sansenri]

I would recommend that you try some other converters, the one you show does not look standard international (it's threaded at the beginning). Try a simple one, Pelikan or a Schmidt K5.

[fountainpenlady]

Thank you ever so much!

I found a converter that fits it. I was also worried because I couldn't even find an ink cartridge that fits.  I managed to mangle one of the converters shown before to my discomfort, and used a syringe to fill it with my favorite ink, but hated having to do it. The mangling was so unsightly to perform on a perfectly good converter, and my fingers showing red ink. 

I am providing a picture of the converter that also fits securely in my Bexley. I do not know where I purchased as it had to be years ago, because I do not remember having them. I believe, though, they are from China, as it does not have a name on any part of it.

Thank you for reminding me of the name of my grail pen. My Bexley America the Beautiful, and I thank you once again.  

[inkstainedruth]

Unfortunately, I have found that "International Standard" converters aren't as "standard" as they're made out to be.  A few years ago I trailed around a pen show trying to find a converter that would fit a pen that was a Penatia, a sub-brand of Cross (I'd been told that it would take International Standard converters) but nothing fit right.  But then someone at the show suggested I try a Cross converter and that fit the pen PERFECTLY!

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[fountainpenlady]

I agree with you, and trying to locate a converter online can sometimes be a nightmare. Initially, I found that if I wanted to spend the same amount for shipping as the converter, I could get one that looks no different than what I have from Portugal. It would also be frustrating to me to go through all that trouble and, among other things, find out that it too would not fit. I am in the process of moving, but I found a plastic bag with some Opus 88 syringes and noticed that they were not all syringes, but there were two converters also. I tried one and it fits. I am going to keep the spare in the Bexley box for safekeeping. 

[inkstainedruth]

That sounds like a good plan!

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[PAKMAN]

So glad you found one that will fit! You sure don't want to not use that beautiful pen!
 

[fountainpenlady]

I know, I think I refitted it years ago with a Jowo extra-fine nib. My first introduction to a steel nib. I thought of only gold nibs at the beginning. I thought I would throw caution to the wind and try to tune my first 14kt gold nib. Well, as a novice and far from a Nibmeister, it did not work out, nib destroyed, but opened me up to the wonderful world of steel nibs, and I have not regretted or looked back. I think I only have two fountain pens with gold nibs in my current collection.

JoWo, Goulet, Hinze, Anderson, to name a few of my favorite steel extra-fine nib choices.  I am a fan of brass sheets for opening the tines and a couple of other simple tunings, as I like a freer flow, but not a gusher. I am so happy that I did not have to give up one of my most favorite fountain pens I write with daily, but between us only, because I do not want there to be any jealousy among the collection. I just purchased Leonardo Momento Zero Fountain Pen in Mango for Fountain Pen Day on November 1st, but once again, we will not tell the others, or my wonderful holy grail.😁

[sansenri]

Glad your America the Beautiful is back to working order. It is a very nice pen, one of the most pretty Bexley has ever done, I am also very fond of my blue one! 😉

[fountainpenlady]

That is a really beautiful one! You also answered another question I had recently. I thought my Bexley's nib was originally gold. As I wrote to another Fountainpennetwork member, I think I tried to tinker with the nib of it before I knew what I was doing and destroyed it, and ended up being introduced to steel nibs. Your Bexley reminds me, although not regretting the way I became enamored with extra-fine steel nibs, how beautiful it was with its original one. Very nice.