Pens!

[Austin]

Gents, I have collected pens over the years. I thought it would be fun to see your collection. I have fountain, roller ball and ball point pens. I have another box that I need to find.

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=23942
http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=23941

My favorites are my Mont Blanc. Let's see your collection.

[Jethro1984]

I don't know much about fine pens but I think I see a couple of Lamy's and at least one Waterman (a Phileas...sp).

[The Knize]

I do not know whether to post or not! I am not sure anyone wants to see a bunch of cheap Chinese fountain pens, a Waterman, and a Schaffer! I am amazed at just how good the Chinese pens look, though. But it is kind of like looking a colletion of conterfeit Rollys!

Actually, I see that you pens are not all fountain pens. I do have some very nice looking Waterman ballpoints, roller balls, and even a pencil if I recall. Some of which I have not seen around for a while and should dig out anyway for display. And some dip pens, I suppose!

I like that display box! I make one that is similar, which I have on my desk, but yours looks like was designed and manufactured for the purpose from the beginning.

I put in an order for one of those retractables, by the way!

[wimbouman]

Nice Pelikan there!

[maxman]

Sadly I sold a bunch to fund my shaving AD's.
But I still do have a Montblanc and a few Cross pens around.
I'll snap a pic tonight.

[djh]

I am a big fan of German pens and I have a few, but for some reason, I have never really taken a photo of them. I will try to put that right tomorrow morning after the sun comes up.....

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Not wanting to sound stupid...but shouldn't this thread be in the 'Speakeasy'?

On the ogther hand, pens can be a very tricky to 'collect' because it is such a very deep and personal preference (fountain, rolleball, ballpoint).

I for one, love Montblanc Pens and I have a Rollerball "Starwalker" pen (engraved with my name and been with me over seven [7] years), which I enjoy immensely because of it's weight, large diameter and ease of writing.

http://images.bidorbuy.co.za/user_images/705/1178705_100905223652_mbsw7.jpg

http://www.fahrneyspens.com/ProductImages/Large/p21744B.jpg

Christopher http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh206/SerraTijn/smileys/smiley_shaving.gif

[The Knize]

I have written three long posts now, and "manage attachments" has crashed my web browser every time I have tried to use it, using different browsers. So let's try it this way with a much shorter message.

Here are some of my pens, many if not most pretty inexpensive! I am missing, among others, some Waterman Le Man 100/200s with some interesting finishes, and a broad nib Pilot 78G I was given for Christmas, which I am fond of.

http://s1179.photobucket.com/albums/x387/cstrother8/?action=view&current=aaatheknizepensopencaps.jpg
http://s1179.photobucket.com/albums/x387/cstrother8/?action=view&current=aaatheknizepensopenbox2.jpg
http://s1179.photobucket.com/albums/x387/cstrother8/?action=view&current=theknizecheappensopenbox.jpg

[I see this is not working either for photos. I will try to fix later with an edit to this message!]

[LuckyR]

Pens I use at the office (lots and lots of brief writing that noone will ever see):

Waterman Phileas (in blue with Baystate Blue ink),

an Ivory and Black Chinese knock off of a Parker Duofold (DC Supershow Blue ink).

Pen I carry around (occasional, longer writing that will be read by others):

Hero 2019 with Baystate Blue.

Pens I use at home (where I won't lose them):

30's Parker Duofold Junior in Ivory and Black

Esterbrook J in blue with 4098 nib (flexible).

[saltypete]

I have acquired a nice collection of fountain pens over the last 8 months. I have a Waterman Expert and Carene, a Sailor 1911 Realo, a Lamy 2000, a Pelikan M800, a vintage Conway Stewart 28, a vintage Parker Duofold and a Visconti Homo Sapiens. I have them all inked and use them daily.
I like trying diffferent inks and am in love with the Iroshizuku line. I didn't need another AD but what are you gonna do :laugh:


Pete

[wrl]

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5541/p1000050f.jpg

[Austin]

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5541/p1000050f.jpg

Nice pens!

[wrl]

Nice pens!

Sadly, the mechanical pencil from the Parker 51 Flighter set might have been lost a week ago (this is an old photo). I'll confirm during the move and subsequent cleaning next week. Nonetheless, thanks! It doesn't hardly compare to your collection though :)

[Austin]

Sadly, the mechanical pencil from the Parker 51 Flighter set might have been lost a week ago (this is an old photo). I'll confirm during the move and subsequent cleaning next week. Nonetheless, thanks! It doesn't hardly compare to your collection though :)

I hope you find it. Look under the couch cushion.

[Bertilak]

Reposting pics for The Knize. I think the B&B software is not happy with the special characters in the original URLs. I get "Invalid URL" trying to attach them. I downloaded the images and re-uploaded to get them to show here. Nice looking pens. maybe you need another box!


I have written three long post now, and "mange attachments" has crashed my web browser every time I have tried to use it, using different browsers.

[The Knize]

Thanks so much, Bertilak! That was very kind of you!

I meant to include a photo of the larger pen box through its glass top! I am amazed at how well it came out. I made it from what I think they call a "shadow" box that I bought on sale a Michael's for peanuts.

Actually, I bought three shadow boxes. One I use for cufflinks and another for straights.

I probably need more than one other box. I certainly do if I were going to give each of the dip pens and less expensive Hero and WIng Sung pens I have their own separate slots. Just got a retractable fountain pen today in the mail and they threw in a very nice looking marbelized green ball point pen. So the collection grows. I am real happy with the rettractable fountain pen.. Search Amazon and it should come up!

Thanks again, Bertilak!

[OldSchoolYoungin]

I've always loved a good pen; ergonomics, reliability and economy come out as the top virtues for me.

My tastes are very "unevolved" compared to the likes of you pen connoisseurs, but my main picks for daily writing instruments are the Parker 51, Lamy Safari, and, for ballpoints, a steel Parker Jotter with a medium blue nib :thumbup1:

I've always meant to start a small collection but there aren't many pen goldmines to be found around these parts.

It's all a matter of time, of course: "Where there's an AD, there's a way" :lol:

[Bill Smith]

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5541/p1000050f.jpg

Nice set of pens. My Aurora 88 has the sterling silver cap and I only have the 51 Flighter pen.

[Groat]

My current favorite pen is my Lamy 2000. It writes so smoothly that with your eyes closed you might not think it's working. Its piston fill mechanism holds a good deal of ink. The design, while not something that everybody will enjoy, is very pleasing to my eyes.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_50mNaYtQ4Q4/TTej6t2SlJI/AAAAAAAAEbE/wqQxDMuXbSI/s640/DSC_1862.jpg

[Rusty Wilkinson]

I love pens! Really, I have this weired office supply addiction. I find myself going to Staples, Office Depot, etc. just to LOOK at instruments and stationary of all kinds. I would post a picture but unfortunately I am away from my collection at the moment.

In my case right now I have an 1897 Tiffany, Livescribe, and Uniball Signo RT.

[The Knize]

My current favorite pen is my Lamy 2000. It writes so smoothly that with your eyes closed you might not think it's working. Its piston fill mechanism holds a good deal of ink. The design, while not something that everybody will enjoy, is very pleasing to my eyes.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_50mNaYtQ4Q4/TTej6t2SlJI/AAAAAAAAEbE/wqQxDMuXbSI/s640/DSC_1862.jpg

I just got a bottle of that Edelstein ink you have in the photo (at least that is what I think it is) only I got it in "sapphire." What a nice ink--very vibrant! What a nice, nice bottle. Very photogenic!

[Groat]

I just got a bottle of that Edelstein ink you have in the photo (at least that is what I think it is) only I got it in "sapphire." What a nice ink--very vibrant! What a nice, nice bottle. Very photogenic!

Yes, it is indeed a bottle of Edelstein. I've just got the Mandarin, which is fun but highly impractical. The Edelstein line seems a little hit or miss; I know people were pretty disappointed in some colors. Ruby seemed to be the biggest disappointment. The bottle is quite pleasing to the eye, which seems to be a big trend in inks these days.

[Voomie]

Yes, it is indeed a bottle of Edelstein. I've just got the Mandarin, which is fun but highly impractical. The Edelstein line seems a little hit or miss; I know people were pretty disappointed in some colors. Ruby seemed to be the biggest disappointment. The bottle is quite pleasing to the eye, which seems to be a big trend in inks these days.

How is the black?

[Groat]

How is the black?

Perhaps I should have been a little more clear in my original post. I only own the Mandarin color, and have only had that for about a week. My impressions of that color are generally quite good. It shades, it behaves well in your pen, it dries very quickly and it doesn't seem to feather. I like the color, as I picked it out of a number of swabs.

My comments were about how some people felt the ink wasn't saturated enough, especially after being named after jewels.

[The Knize]

How is the black?

I have not looked at the black/Onyx Edelstein either, at least closely. I guess I had not thought about how saturated the Sapphire is, which is the only color I have of Edelstein. The ink seems to write nicely, to flow out of the pen evenly without feathering, and to dry fast enough, although more slowly than some. It is a nice shade of medium dark blue with some purple that stands out on the paper nicely. Whether it is particularly saturated, or as saturated as other relatively expensive inks, I am not sure. The reviews say not for the Sapphire, but yes for the Onyx. I sure do like the way the bottle looks!

I probably like the Pilot Iroshizuku "Tsuki-yo" (Night Sky) more, and going by memory it seems more saturated. But it is $35 at Fahrney's compared to $20 for the Edelstein.

[Isaac]

I just received this in the mail today. I cant wait to ink it up and use it at work this weekend.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m10/IsaacRN/MT.jpg

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

I just received this in the mail today. I cant wait to ink it up and use it at work this weekend.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m10/IsaacRN/MT.jpg

That's a beautiful looking Montblanc Fountain Pen and I eny you (I on the other hand, have a Rollerball "Starwalker" pen [engraved with my name], which I enjoy immensely because of it's weight, large diameter and ease of writing. :drool:

Later on, tell us what you think of your Fountain Pen by writing a Reveiw. :001_rolle

Oh by the way, and if you don't me asking...how much did this 'set ya back'?

"The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium". Norbet Platt

Christopher http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr285/croatoan5376/Emoticons/smiley_emoticons_schriftsteller_b.gif

[Shave Cave Dweller]

You guys are killin me. First all the shaving stuff, then Bourbons, then cufflinks, now pens..... I really have to check these out... :thumbup1:

[msandoval858]

I have a few fountain pens but I rarely use them. Being an IT guy, I rarely ever need to write anything down it seems.

I do carry a Montblanc Starwalker almost daily though. I love the size and the convenience of the rollerball. Nice to see here that the Starwalker has other fans as well :thumbup1:

[Voomie]

You guys are killin me. First all the shaving stuff, then Bourbons, then cufflinks, now pens..... I really have to check these out... :thumbup1:

AD's are a viscous cycle. Once you think you are done with one, a new one pops up.

[Groat]

That Mark Twain LE is a beautiful pen. The color and design of the barrel are reminiscent of the Mississippi River.

[djh]

Sorry that it took me a little while to get back. Here are a few of my favourite Germans.......... I have a few others around the place but they are pretty much all in regular use apart from the Titanium ballpoint.



http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i236/beachballhead/DSC_2076_01.jpg

[TheShaun]

Sorry that it took me a little while to get back. Here are a few of my favourite Germans.......... I have a few others around the place but they are pretty much all in regular use apart from the Titanium ballpoint.



http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i236/beachballhead/DSC_2076_01.jpg

What are the three on the far right and the second one in on the left?

[Groat]

What are the three on the far right and the second one in on the left?

Three on the right: Lamy 2000, Lamy 2000, Pelikan M400 (or maybe 600)

Depending on which one you mean on the left, it's either a Lamy Accent or a Lamy 2000 rollerball.

[djh]

What are the three on the far right and the second one in on the left?


The pen second from the left is indeed a Lamy Accent and the three pens on the right are Lamy 2000 (x2) and a Pelikan M805.

[soloflex]

CROSS pens and mechanical pencils used here
Older ones are USA made
Keep a set in my attache for use at my desk and chrome ones when on the road

[Isaac]

This is one of my pen trays..

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m10/IsaacRN/DSC_0034.jpg

1) Modern Montblanc 149 with Binderized Cursive Italic 0.7mm Nib
2) Early 1960s Montblanc 149
3) 75th Anniversary Montblanc 146
4) 100th Anniversary Historical Montblanc
5) Montblanc 144 with Binderized Cursive Italic 0.7mm Nib
6) Thomas Mann Writers Edition Montblanc (2009)
7) Mark Twain Writers Edition Montblanc (2010)
8) Visconti Homo Sapiens
9) Edison Pearl with bulb filler
10) Waterman unknown model with 0.7mm Cursive Italic nib ground by Brian Gray from Edison Pens.
11) Pilot Vanishing Point with Brian Gray Cursive Italic 0.7mm Nib
12) 1940's Vacumatic Parker 51 M nib.

[The Knize]

I had meant to repost a photo of my pen case, this time showing the see through glass top closed. Let's see whether this can actually be seen in the body of the message. Not too bad for homemade. "A poor thing, Sir, but mine own"! Including my photography as a "poor thing." Sorry about the Droid shot!

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=24266

Nice pens others are showing here!

[pal]

Here are some of my favorite fountain pens:
http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=24274

L-R
1. Modern Cross Solo Radiance
2. Modern Pelikan M600
3. Vintage 1950 Sheaffer Touchdown
4. Vintage 1964 Pilot Elite Worlds Fair Edition
5. Modern Aurora Ipsilon
6. Modern Kaigelu #323
7. Vintage Pilot
8. Vintage 1940's Wahl/Eversharp Skyline
9. Vintage 1947 Parker 51 Vacumatic
10. Vintage 1950 Parker 51 Special Aerometric
11. Vintage 1947 Parker 51 Vacumatic
12. Vintage 1950's Parker 51 Aerometric

[pal]

This is one of my pen trays..

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m10/IsaacRN/DSC_0034.jpg

1) Modern Montblanc 149 with Binderized Cursive Italic 0.7mm Nib
2) Early 1960s Montblanc 149
3) 75th Anniversary Montblanc 146
4) 100th Anniversary Historical Montblanc
5) Montblanc 144 with Binderized Cursive Italic 0.7mm Nib
6) Thomas Mann Writers Edition Montblanc (2009)
7) Mark Twain Writers Edition Montblanc (2010)
8) Visconti Homo Sapiens
9) Edison Pearl with bulb filler
10) Waterman unknown model with 0.7mm Cursive Italic nib ground by Brian Gray from Edison Pens.
11) Pilot Vanishing Point with Brian Gray Cursive Italic 0.7mm Nib
12) 1940's Vacumatic Parker 51 M nib.

What is your opinion of the Edison? I have heard some good things said about them and I really like the idea of the bulb filler.

[pal]

I am bumping this thread because I know there are many wonderful collections out there. So, let's see what you have.

[DunEdinRanger]

I have a few fountain pens but I rarely use them. Being an IT guy, I rarely ever need to write anything down it seems.

I do carry a Montblanc Starwalker almost daily though. I love the size and the convenience of the rollerball. Nice to see here that the Starwalker has other fans as well :thumbup1:

I'm in IT as well, and use a Fountain Pen for anything I need to sign.

[Nishnabotna]

Whenever I see this thread title, I mistakenly think it reads "penis".

[Isaac]

What is your opinion of the Edison? I have heard some good things said about them and I really like the idea of the bulb filler.


EXCELLENT pens and customer service. I have another one on order as we speak. the average wait time I was told is about 3 weeks or so. Of course this can change depending on Brian Gray. You really cant go wrong. The bulb filler is wonderful, and the reservoir holds a ton of ink. Brian's nibs are outstanding and smooth. I would rival them with my MB nibs.

[BRuhling]

Isaac, if you speak that highly of the Edisons, I may just have to make that my next purchase. I like the idea of the bulb filler... I may have to hold off, though, as my pen collection has grown at light speed from none a few weeks ago, to a Nakaya, a Montblanc 149, a Schaeffer Snorkel, a Pilot VP, and a few inexpensive pens...

[LouieGrandie]

my pen collection has grown at light speed from none a few weeks ago, to a Nakaya, a Montblanc 149, a Schaeffer Snorkel, a Pilot VP...

That is some spending spree. The Nakaya and Montblanc 149 are two of the most highly prized pens in the world.

[pal]

Whenever I see this thread title, I mistakenly think it reads "penis".
:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[bradyarz]

Whenever I see this thread title, I mistakenly think it reads "penis".

just don't start collecting.

[brianw]

Edison Pens are probably some of the finest out there. I have 7 of them.... When Isaac returns the couple he is test driving (keep them as long as you want)... I'll post a few pics of the edisons as well as the Parkers, Conklins, Pels, etc.....

[pal]

Just Bumping to see if there is anyone who would like to show their collections off.

[The Knize]

Maybe we ought to start a different thread and maybe there is one already, but the most fun I am having with fountain pens by far recently is with all of the great inks that are out there these days!

[instpasr]

I just got a Namiki vanishing point that I'm trying to like but the nib is a bit scratchy.

[LouieGrandie]

I just got a Namiki vanishing point that I'm trying to like but the nib is a bit scratchy.

Did you get a Fine nib? Try the medium nib, they are very easy to switch out.

[instpasr]

Did you get a Fine nib? Try the medium nib, they are very easy to switch out.

I got the medium I'm hoping it just needs breaking in.

[kingfisher]

IsaacRN:

Your Waterman is a Charleston.

[LouieGrandie]

I got the medium I'm hoping it just needs breaking in.

Really? My Fine has a bit of a "tooth" but the medium is very smooth. If you purchased it from a local store take it back and ask to have the nib looked at or switched out. Also pen companies are pretty good on customer service so you could send to Pilot for a replacement if you feel something is wrong.

[cameraflier]

I got the medium I'm hoping it just needs breaking in.

Try a few figure-8's, with a dry pen, on kraft paper. Use very little pressure. That often does the trick.

[instpasr]

Really? My Fine has a bit of a "tooth" but the medium is very smooth. If you purchased it from a local store take it back and ask to have the nib looked at or switched out. Also pen companies are pretty good on customer service so you could send to Pilot for a replacement if you feel something is wrong.


Try a few figure-8's, with a dry pen, on kraft paper. Use very little pressure. That often does the trick.

Thanks for the tips guys I'll give the figure 8's a try and if that doesn't work I'll send it back for servicing.

[HesNot]

Sadly, the mechanical pencil from the Parker 51 Flighter set might have been lost a week ago (this is an old photo). I'll confirm during the move and subsequent cleaning next week. Nonetheless, thanks! It doesn't hardly compare to your collection though :)

So the question is - did you find the mechanical pencil? I sure hope so - a boxed "51" flighter set is, well, to me at least a good bit more exotic and valuable than even those MB writers editions. I have a decidedly user grade "51" flighter that is one of those that will never leave my collection.

I'll have to take a picture - I have too many pens right now and admittedly use only a fraction so a bunch are about to be sold off I think. My most used rotation includes:

Parker "51"s - a flighter, a cedar blue vac and a cordovan aerometric.
Parker 75
Pilot VP Sesenta
Pilot VP
Lamy 2000
Lamy Studio
Aurora 88P with a flexible stubbish nib and a chrome cap - somewhat unusual.
Pilot Custom 78 demonstrator

[Groat]

As this seems to be the general FP thread around here, I figured the experience I had today was worth posting. I bought a Pelikan M800 recently that has a fine tipped nib. The pen worked ok, but it was nowhere close to my M800 with a medium nib when it came to function. The flow was pretty dry and the nib was a little more toothy than I would have liked. I figured that the problem had something to do with misaligned tines, but I could not see or feel the problem. This issue caused me to not use or appreciate the pen nearly as much as it deserved.

I decided to get a 10x loupe in my most recent order from Amazon, which came in today. The first thing I looked at was the bum pen. I could just barely make out that one tine was ever so slightly below the other. After 10 seconds and with just a little effort, the nib looked properly aligned. When I put pen to paper, the change was night and day. The flow was good and consistent and the writing was smooth. I am amazed at the huge difference the little adjustment made.

Based on my experience, I'd recommend a loupe to anybody thinking about buying one. The $30 device paid for itself immediately. Mine is a BelOmo, which Richard Binder sells as well. Next up is trying to get my Waterman Charleston working correctly, which I believe has a case of baby bottom.

[wimbouman]

That Visconti is on my watch list.

Who am I fooling?

It's on my buy list :blushing:

Do you like it?



This is one of my pen trays..

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m10/IsaacRN/DSC_0034.jpg

1) Modern Montblanc 149 with Binderized Cursive Italic 0.7mm Nib
2) Early 1960s Montblanc 149
3) 75th Anniversary Montblanc 146
4) 100th Anniversary Historical Montblanc
5) Montblanc 144 with Binderized Cursive Italic 0.7mm Nib
6) Thomas Mann Writers Edition Montblanc (2009)
7) Mark Twain Writers Edition Montblanc (2010)
8) Visconti Homo Sapiens
9) Edison Pearl with bulb filler
10) Waterman unknown model with 0.7mm Cursive Italic nib ground by Brian Gray from Edison Pens.
11) Pilot Vanishing Point with Brian Gray Cursive Italic 0.7mm Nib
12) 1940's Vacumatic Parker 51 M nib.

[wrl]

So the question is - did you find the mechanical pencil? I sure hope so - a boxed "51" flighter set is, well, to me at least a good bit more exotic and valuable than even those MB writers editions. I have a decidedly user grade "51" flighter that is one of those that will never leave my collection.

No, and that move was >1 month ago, so I'll just assume it's gone forever. :( However, I do plan on replacing it at some point. Just don't tell anyone that it isn't a perfectly matching set! ;)

[dbl-haul]

this is a picture of my pens . I have some more ,but these are the nice ones.

[dbl-haul]

I just received this in the mail today. I cant wait to ink it up and use it at work this weekend.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m10/IsaacRN/MT.jpg
I have been looking to save and buy one these. nice pen!

[Isaac]

this is a picture of my pens . I have some more ,but these are the nice ones.

Love the Schaeffers. I have always wanted to purchase one.

BTW...thank you all for the compliments :)

[wimbouman]

this is a picture of my pens . I have some more ,but these are the nice ones.

Do I see some Soeneckes there?

[dbl-haul]

no Soeneckes . there are some sheaffers , parker 51, pelikan,esterbrook, bexley and waterman.

[Reckoner]

This is most of them. There are a few stragglers here and there plus one or two the bride has claimed.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5458652084_bf70a84902_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lamy2000/5458652084/)

Front to back:
Parker "51" Aero, M nib
Visconti Wall Street (standard edition), Fine stub by Greg Minuskin
Pilot Vanishing Point, F nib
Bexley Owner's Club 2006, Fine cursive italic by Richard Binder
Bexley Americana, Sanibel Blue, M nib
Pelikan M215, M cursive italic by Richard Binder
Pelikan M605, F nib
Aurora Optima, M nib
Lamy Edition 2000, Medium stub by Richard Binder

(Not pictured: MB 146 fine nib, Lamy 2000 fine nib, Lamy Safari w/all standard nib sizes, and an Esterbrook SJ in red)

[Groat]

I see you like blue and the silver/stainless look. :lol:

[Reckoner]

Damn. What gave it away? :laugh:

[Groat]

I got a package in from the Goulets today, which included a Rhodia dot pad. These dots pads have an interesting ruling. Imagine a pad of graph paper, but where the vertical and horizontal lines intersect there are dots instead of the lines. It's unobtrusive and quite versatile. I quite like the ruling, but it's only available in a handful of pad sizes. Also included was a bottle of J. Herbin Poussiere De Lune. I had read a personal account somewhere on FPN that the person's school required them to use this particular ink when they were young. The color is different, kind of an eggplant. However, I'd say it's a color that can be used much of the time. The attached photograph's colors are quite accurate and give a good impression of the ink's characteristics.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_50mNaYtQ4Q4/TXAWwNYP2fI/AAAAAAAAEc4/NYhNlLLX7Lk/s600/DSC_1917.jpg

[The Knize]

I got a package in from the Goulets today, which included a Rhodia dot pad. These dots pads have an interesting ruling. Imagine a pad of graph paper, but where the vertical and horizontal lines intersect there are dots instead of the lines. It's unobtrusive and quite versatile. I quite like the ruling, but it's only available in a handful of pad sizes. Also included was a bottle of J. Herbin Poussiere De Lune. I had read a personal account somewhere on FPN that the person's school required them to use this particular ink when they were young. The color is different, kind of an eggplant. However, I'd say it's a color that can be used much of the time. The attached photograph's colors are quite accurate and give a good impression of the ink's characteristics.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_50mNaYtQ4Q4/TXAWwNYP2fI/AAAAAAAAEc4/NYhNlLLX7Lk/s600/DSC_1917.jpg

There is something, more maybe many things, about J. Herbin Poussiere De Lune that fascinate me and draw me to that ink. I think I read that it is the ink used in all French elementary schools--something like that. It looks old school to me. Even though it is a purple, it does not seem anything but maculine, or at least gender neutral. Sort of a gray/purple. I do not know of any other ink that is exactly like it. Wonderful ink!

The Goulets do a great job, don't they!

[tebbiebear]

The color reminds me a bit of the old lithographs my grandmother, a retired school teacher, had in her basement. I quite like it.

[Groat]

There is something, more maybe many things, about J. Herbin Poussiere De Lune that fascinate me and draw me to that ink. I think I read that it is the ink used in all French elementary schools--something like that. It looks old school to me. Even though it is a purple, it does not seem anything but maculine, or at least gender neutral. Sort of a gray/purple. I do not know of any other ink that is exactly like it. Wonderful ink!

The Goulets do a great job, don't they!

I would characterize the color as a dark burgundy, like a drop of wine that has dried on a napkin. I too am drawn to it, perhaps partially because I haven't ever seen a color even close to it in a pen. I'd also agree about the gender neutrality of the ink like a good blue or black.

As for the Goulets, I love their store. The ink drop is a service to the pen community and something I have begun to look forward to each month. I'm also in love with the fact that my orders tend to get here the day after shipment from their place.

[Groat]

I just got this Pilot Custom 823 from Oscar Braun Pens today and figured I'd share. I had been looking for a vacuum fill pen for a while now, though the search was quite passive. I considered getting an old Sheaffer or two I'd seen for sale on FPN, but the ones I kept seeing were small pens. I can use a smaller pen, but my preference is for something a little bigger and wider. I don't remember how I stumbled onto the fact that Pilot makes a vacuum fill pen, but it was only a day or so after that when I decided to buy one. The pen arrived in a nice box and with a big 'ol 70ml bottle of blue ink.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_50mNaYtQ4Q4/TaDwhF_h9_I/AAAAAAAAEfU/GmH1Ibo-XJg/s640/DSC_1942.jpg

Inking it up was easy, perhaps even easier than a more standard piston-fill mechanism. You just pull the rod all the way out, submerge the nib in ink up to the section and push the rod back in. A vacuum is created that sucks ink up to fill the barrel about 70 to 75% full. I then compared it to my favorite Pelikan M800, a pen which some of you own. To my surprise, the 823 is about 1/8 inch bigger than the M800. Even uncapped, the 823 is bigger. The nibs are the same size, but the section of the 823 is slightly longer. According to some websites, the 823 is actually a few grams heavier than the M800 as well. The weight is quite evenly distributed though, as it seems to be mostly in the body rather than the Pelikan's heavy brass piston.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_50mNaYtQ4Q4/TaDwgf-NTBI/AAAAAAAAEfM/WSL92wA7pKE/s640/DSC_1944.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_50mNaYtQ4Q4/TaDwgu2fP-I/AAAAAAAAEfQ/sle548ECZ6o/s640/DSC_1945.jpg

As far as writing performance, I've been pleased with my initial results. The medium nib I ordered runs on the fine side of my tastes, but I knew that would be the case coming in. Even though the line is thin, the writing is decently smooth with enough feedback to keep my writing neat. The Iroshizuku asa-gao ink I'm using in the pen works well with it. I tend to find that pens seem to write better after the first few days of use, so we'll see if that's the case here.

One last small quirk to comment on. In the pen's 'normal' configuration, the rubber end of the filling mechanism plugs the feed up. This is intentional, as it keeps the pen from leaking under any circumstances. When you write, you must unscrew the blind cap about 2mm to get the ink flowing. After you're done, you screw the blind cap back in. I find that if you screw it in too quickly, a little bit of ink bubbles out from the feed. This isn't a particularly big deal, but it's important to keep in mind unless you want inky fingers.

[ryeblade]

Low tech ($) semi collector here. Lately interested in FP ink fillable rollerballs
Yafa close-out ($15.)
Calypso ($5.) + converter
Noodlers, works great with Noodlers ink
If I win the lottery, a MegaVerde RB
non-refillable:
Parker Sonata, great weight, RB refill
Retro 51, Schmidt refills spendy but smooth, nice wet line
Parker click top/plastic barrel, Parker Gel refills, Great!!
FP's:
Parker Sonata, fantastic medium nib, my fave
Namiki retractable, very reliable, smooth, med nib
Parker 51, stiff nib (Hmmm...)
Monteblanc
Kaweco Sport FP, ($15.)
Pilot Varsity disposable FP's ($6/3pack), actually refillable with syringe