144 vs 145

[fmp]

I got a 145 plat recently and am very happy with it. relatively easy to completely disassemble the pen, and it is built well.

 

Compare with 144, here are the differences and thought.

 

I have a 144 rollerball, and my dad has a 144 FP.

 

For cap, 145 has no inner cap, and the top piece is female, accepting the screw from inside the cap to secure the assembly. For 144, the top piece is male screw, and there is a inner cap.

 

The three band on cap are also different, the bands on 144 seem unique only to the 144/classique series, whereas 145 band are more like 146, 149, i.e. the lowest band do not flush with the edge.

 

nibs seems to be the same, the nib on 145 has an imprint of "144" at the bottom (not visible once fitted into the section).

 

The section of 145 has no gold-plated fittings, while 144 section has.

 

section of 145 appear to not able to fit into 144 cap.

 

Both have the ,metal piece joining the section and barrel.

 

same thread for such metal piece, i.e. a 144 barrel can be used for 145, but last 0.5mm seem to need extra force. and maybe not able to accommodate the converter (when 144 barrel is put on 145)

 

inner thread of 145 barrel is on metal sleeve, no metal sleeve for 144, (may account for reported cracks?)

 

the feeds are the same, friction feed. (For 145, nib and feed go into a tube before threaded into the metal piece conjoining the barrel and ssection, have not really disasemble the 144)

 

Overall, based on the construction of 145 (thread cap instead of friction, converter instead of piston, metal parts where they are warranted...) I think it will last a long time, more so than piston based pen (as there is no need for replacement parts) [Also reason, why I come back to convertor/cartridge pen instead of piston ones.] {but i will feel the itch for piston pen again, i am sure}

 

These are my comments and observations, I hope they are correct. (as i do not have 144 FP on hand, comments of 144FP are based on memry and some recent pics on Ebay).

Edited January 12, 2009 by fmp

[niksch]

I think it will last a long time, more so than piston based pen (as there is no need for replacement parts)

 

My piston pens from the 1930s still operate properly and well. The only part that was replaced was the cork seal...the best material at the time and still used until the late 50s.

 

Not sure why there is so much bias against piston fillers.

[fmp]

Indeed, I love piston pen also. I think I have OCD, I check nib alignment way too often, and when I get piston pen, I always want to stock up extra seals, etc. nothing against piston. I figure this phase will past soon, and I will move to piston once again (for daily usage).

 

I do think 145 has too little ink reserve (convertor in general), and the nib is a bit small(does not affect ink flow whatsoever, but small none the less)

[Blade Runner]

Thanks for the informative comparison!

And welcome to the MB forum. Looking forward to your contributions.

 

Best,

Jeen