Pens - Page 3

I recently acquired a pre-war(?) Conway Stewart 475 - not the most attractive of pens, given the sludge green barrel and black endpieces of this particular example, but quite serviceable and unreconditioned - this gives an idea of the style:

http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/vintage/231.jpg

Other favourites are a reconditioned 1945-55(?) "Unique" fountain pen (lever-fill, like the one above) in an attractive blue marble finish and a 1927 Parker Duofold with Vacumatic nib (also reconditioned). I also have a soft spot for modern versions of the latter.

I would not be doing my duty towards my countrymen if I failed to suggest the products of the Yard-o-Led company as an option if you like the more traditional style of instrument: http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/yardoled/yardoled.php

I tend to buy Waterman, mainly out of habit, as I grew up with that brand. Always satisfied, never thought to look elsewhere. Yes, the fountain pen ink is not permanent, but those companion double-sided "eraser" pens came in handy when taking exams.

In my experience (which does not include Montblanc) Dupont makes the finest pens. They tend to be heavy, especially the Orpheo series, which I like, and the nibs are superb. The balance is wonderful. The ink flow is brisk enough I opt for a fine nib in Dupont, rather than a medium nib for most other brands. I also like Montegrappa, but have had more problems with the nibs. Pelikan makes a good, light fountain pen.

I didn't know that C-S was actually a pre-war manufacturer. I have a beautiful contemporary pen from them that I bought at the FPH a few years ago after unsuccessfully working with a vintage Duofold they sold me.

I was in London last week and picked up a late 20's Duofold that has a wonderful ink flow -- rare I found in vintage pens. Those in London will want to know that there is a BLOWOUT sale on some vintage pens at the venerable and extrememly reputable Penfriend in the Burlington Arcade. I got the Duofold for 50% off Penfriend's usual high price, but after the discount it was a song.

Omas.

Namiki.

YF:

Conway Stewart was a well-regarded maker of fountain pens in Britain for most of the 20th century, and was reputedly named for a variety act popular at the time the company was first founded at the turn of the 20th century. I believe they were more of a well-liked, reputable brand rather than a super high-end brand. However, cheap ballpoint pens killed them off by the 1970s. The brand was resuscitated a few years ago featuring many handsome designs from the original CS archives and designs inspired by said archives. Their target market now is decidedly higher-end.

Fountain pens are like suits: it depends on the style you prefer. Napolitan, BB, or Savile Row?
In my opinion, the most important characteristic of any pen is the nib constraction and performance.
Do you prefer a soft or rigid style? For example, I find the Pelikan nibs very suited to my writing style, since they are soft. S.T. Dupont and Wanteman have mostly rigid (like nail) nibs.
There are stubs, music and Italic nibs, among others. First select your nib and then proceed to the pen. There is also an aftermarket for modyfing nibs to suit your needs and some companies even offer "bespoke" pens.

The ballpoint was a disruptive technology that killed off a great many fountain pens that were excellent values when the FP was the dominant technology.

Consider that a pen able to carry a self-contained source of ink was not possible until Louis Edson Waterman hit upon the principle of capillary action. It's not quite as exciting an innovation as powered flight, but perhaps analogous in its implications.

I'm curious about the retractable fountain pens. Has anyone actually used these? I'm really looking for a pen that is durable, i don't like fussing with these things.

The Namiki Vanishing Point is a fantastic writer and very convenient. Consider that it's available in finishes like carbon fiber, and it becomes an even more attractive value for the price.

I hesistate to call myself a collector of Fountain pens, because I use them, although I now have far too many to use with any regular rotation. Here are my thoughts for what they're worth.

I think Montblancs are very well made pens, but overpriced and I find the white star a bit too showy for me. Plus as they say in the world of shotguns, "Every a$$hole has a Purdy" . . . so too with Montblanc.

I have found Auroras to be the nicest most consistent writers of all my modern pens; from cheap to relatively pricier models.

Conway Stewarts are nice looking pens, with gorgeous nibs, but I have had quality control issues with feeds, and anecdotely, so have many people I talked to at a recent pen show. That said, CS's customer service was wonderful.

Pelikan is another great company that isn't flashy but makes great pens for people who actually use them.

Finally, there's Cartier, which many people slough off as just a rebadged Montblanc, but I have a few from their Diablo range, which I find to be relativley subtle, with a wonderfully smooth writing nib.

Unless you're willing to get really into this, I'd avoid most vintage pens; although Parker 51's are men amongst boys in the pen world, both aesthetically and functionally.

Avoid any "special editions", unless it's a design you can't live without, or you are sitting on data that no one else has, which shows that these numerous limited editions will provide a decent ROI in 25 years. ;-)

Ditto. I have about a dozen, and an Aurora is my daily driver. Not to offend any, but to my tastes, a Montblanc is the pen equivalent of buying an Armani suit. Both are nice. Both are typically bought by persons who know the name and have the money, but don't have the knowlege of the rest of the market. That being said, MB does make some spectacular looking limited editions, its just that 99% of the MB's out there are the garden variety.

For anyone who's considering using a fountain pen of any type, consider buying the best paper you can get your hands on. I recommend Clairfontaine. www.pendemonium.com is a good site. (no affiliation)

I second the recommendation of Pendimonium.

Also, I just got back from the pen store, and realized that I forgot to mention Shaeffer . . . they are really cranking out some lovely pens at great prices these days.

I use this Sheaffer Balance Oversize from 1933:

I'm not a pen aficianado so can't even remember the model numbers precisely. But I do like the scratch of fountain pen on paper, or better, a card.

I have a black Montblanc (I think the 2nd fattest - 146? 149?), and a Parker 75 with silver grid design and tend to select to carry the one that best suits the rest of my clothes. I prefer the softer feel and heavy flow of the Montblanc, but the sheer amount of ink used means it takes a fair time to dry. It almost demands blotting paper, but there's never any about!

I also have a burgundy/gold Montblanc rollerball that I tend to carry when wearing odd jackets rather than suits.