Vintage (celluloid) 144, 146 vs their modern versions?

[niksch]

Thanks for the information Eric. This issue about the cork seal is what's keeping me away from the vintage pens. But if storing the pen with water in the barrel would solve or reduce the problem, I think I would venture in that territory.

 

It helps. Sometimes, if a cork shrinks, you can re-expand it by adding water and letting it soak in the barrel for a couple days, but usually, once it shrinks it will need to be replaced. Are you in Kuwait City? It can be pretty humid there.

 

Eric

[Darius]

It helps. Sometimes, if a cork shrinks, you can re-expand it by adding water and letting it soak in the barrel for a couple days, but usually, once it shrinks it will need to be replaced. Are you in Kuwait City? It can be pretty humid there.

 

Eric

Yes, in Kuwait City. It gets humid here in Aug-Oct. June and July are really hot and dry.

[RevAaron]

Like Eric said, the vintage 14xs are more easily maintained. An independent repairer like Richard Binder can repair a cork sealed vintage MB for $40 and can do so without any special parts or tools. I don't think he could replace the seal for a newer 149 without needing spare parts from MB; or, you can send it to MB and pay the base $75 fee. AFAIK MB service does fine, but if possible, I like having pens I could repair myself and not depend on relatively unobtainable special parts.

 

Also, like Eric said, the cork seals aren't that big of an issue. If you're using the pen, it's fine; if it is stored, put some water in it and keep it capped. It isn't rocket science, and it doesn't take any more work than you already put in to flush the pen- just leave a bit of the water inside the pen.

 

And regarding cost: you can find restored 1950s 146s for about the same price as a new 146. For me, the vintage 146 is a much better value. Nothing against the modern style of 146, but the 50s 146 is one of the best pens, ever and very few pens have any chance to best it.

[georges zaslavsky]

Like Eric said, the vintage 14xs are more easily maintained. An independent repairer like Richard Binder can repair a cork sealed vintage MB for $40 and can do so without any special parts or tools. I don't think he could replace the seal for a newer 149 without needing spare parts from MB; or, you can send it to MB and pay the base $75 fee. AFAIK MB service does fine, but if possible, I like having pens I could repair myself and not depend on relatively unobtainable special parts.

 

Also, like Eric said, the cork seals aren't that big of an issue. If you're using the pen, it's fine; if it is stored, put some water in it and keep it capped. It isn't rocket science, and it doesn't take any more work than you already put in to flush the pen- just leave a bit of the water inside the pen.

 

And regarding cost: you can find restored 1950s 146s for about the same price as a new 146. For me, the vintage 146 is a much better value. Nothing against the modern style of 146, but the 50s 146 is one of the best pens, ever and very few pens have any chance to best it.

Looks like I will have to see one more closely in person if I happen to see one for sale. But prices of vintage 139s and 50's 149s are way too high and far out of my price range, hence why I stick to plastic models who have always been very good to me.

[niksch]

But prices of vintage 139s and 50's 149s are way too high and far out of my price range, hence why I stick to plastic models who have always been very good to me.

 

But those pens are in a whole other level of collectible cache. The are very expensive, but also nice to write with. The OP was about 144s and 146s and Aaron is right...it's hard to beat a vintage 146.

 

Eric

[Wael El-Dasher]

I know I am off topic, but I would love to see a "DIY how to" page for vintage 13x and/or 14x service. I am having a hard time deciding between a Hemingway and a 139 right now and leaning more towards the 139 but like Darius, I am worried about servicing it myself.

 

For what it's worth, I like changing my own car engines, tranny, clutches, brakes...I read car repair manuals for fun. But vintage pens are a bit of a new subject for me. Its probably not difficult, or as they say, "its easy when you know".

 

cheers

 

W

[Deirdre]

The vintage 146 seems to be the sweet spot in terms of price/performance/features.

[RevAaron]

The vintage 146 seems to be the sweet spot in terms of price/performance/features.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself! It's definitely my "desert island" pen, as someone once put it.

[ScottieDarin]

Thank you very much!

This thread has been enlightening!

Yours,

Scott

[meiers]

It's a vintage thread.