Do you use a fountain pen?

[SystemParanoia]

AlexC1981 said:

How do you find the 250? I was thinking about ordering one since it has a nice looking grip and is available in orange...

Ive not inked it up yet, but it looks very similar to the x450 and x750.

although since ordering it i have realised there are very limited nib swap options for it vs the the 2 x range pens that have many nib swap options

[ClockworkCupcake]

I go to Antiques and Collectors fairs regularly, and there is often a chap there who sells fountain pens. I might have to have a look at what he has next time.

I've always fancied an inlaid nib Sheaffer, simply for the aesthetic of it.

[craig1912]

Lamy Safari and a 40+ year old Parker 75 Cisele

Use Diamine ink in each

[Balmoral]

And boy, doesn't ink make a hell of a difference? ink sure ain't ink!

[Robbo 27]

craig1912 said:

Lamy Safari and a 40+ year old Parker 75 Cisele

Use Diamine ink in each

There are people who can remove that ding in the 75 cap if you wanted, cost would be around £10.

[Robbo 27]

ClockworkCupcake said:

I go to Antiques and Collectors fairs regularly, and there is often a chap there who sells fountain pens. I might have to have a look at what he has next time.

I've always fancied an inlaid nib Sheaffer, simply for the aesthetic of it.

With these inlaid nibbed Sheaffers there is something to watch out for and that is to have a very good look at the point of the nib, it should have a round ball of metal at the very end, if it is missing it will have been worn away and you cannot replace this type of nib.

Sheaffer oblique nibs, cut on a slant like this, /, are well worth buying.

[ClockworkCupcake]

Robbo 27 said:

With these inlaid nibbed Sheaffers there is something to watch out for and that is to have a very good look at the point of the nib, it should have a round ball of metal at the very end, if it is missing it will have been worn away and you cannot replace this type of nib.

Thanks for that advice. I will make sure I take my loupe with me then!

[craig1912]

Robbo 27 said:

There are people who can remove that ding in the 75 cap if you wanted, cost would be around £10.

Always thought it added some character

Any pointers as to wear I could get it done? thanks

[Robbo 27]

craig1912 said:

Always thought it added some character

Any pointers as to wear I could get it done? thanks

http://www.classicpenengineering.co.uk/

I know what you mean about showing it has had a life. Very early pens were made of black vulcanite or hard rubber and over the years they can go from brown to green as they age, some people think that that is all part of the character, others want a 1920 pen that looks like it was made yesterday, personal choice.

From memory, your 75 has a high silver content and will look amazing if polished




If you decide to have the ding removed you could also ask Derrick to polish the pen. It will look better than new.

By the way it is said that Parker put all their acquired knowledge into the design and manufacture of the 75, built as a standard of excellence instead of price.

[Davey S2]

Robbo 27 said:

Davey S2 said:

Decided to dig out my old pens from retirement too.

The black Sheaffer was an 18th Birthday present from my parents (I did get a car as well!) so has sentimental value so wont be used everyday.

The silver is a Waterman. Nothing special but still quite nice so will use that in the office.

Off to buy some ink at lunchtime.

Nice notebook too, does it work well with fountain pens, without the ink bleeding through the paper?

I think that the Waterman model is a Hemisphere, the Sheaffer may be a Targa which is still sought after and even has its own website:

http://www.sheaffertarga.com/sheaffer%20targa%20ho...

Thanks for that Robbo. I had no idea.

Yes mine looks to be the slimline Targa. It's really smooth to write with (more than the Waterman) but I won't be using it everyday.

The notebooks are branded with our firm's name but as we are in the process of merging and changing name we have loads of these going spare so I've appropriated a few!

[craig1912]

Robbo 27 said:

http://www.classicpenengineering.co.uk/

I know what you mean about showing it has had a life. Very early pens were made of black vulcanite or hard rubber and over the years they can go from brown to green as they age, some people think that that is all part of the character, others want a 1920 pen that looks like it was made yesterday, personal choice.

From memory, your 75 has a high silver content and will look amazing if polished

If you decide to have the ding removed you could also ask Derrick to polish the pen. It will look better than new.

By the way it is said that Parker put all their acquired knowledge into the design and manufacture of the 75, built as a standard of excellence instead of price.

Thanks I might look into that- yes it has a Sterling Silver cap and barrel- here's the matching propelling pencil

[Robbo 27]

craig1912 said:

Thanks I might look into that- yes it has a Sterling Silver cap and barrel- here's the matching propelling pencil

The set is a valuable collectors piece £125- 150 easily and some ebay sellers are asking £300+ , perhaps £160-200 if you can find a correct Parker 75 box and ever wanted to sell it.

Edited by Robbo 27 on Friday 20th January 15:10

Edited by Robbo 27 on Friday 20th January 15:10

[ClockworkCupcake]

I just looked on Amazon because they have a special deal today of £10 off on orders over £50, and I had a look for a Sheaffer Legacy Heritage.

Blimey. £200? I had no idea.

[djt100]

Do any of you good people have any experience of the Pilot Retractable Fountain pen, I'm Tempted for the novelty but dont want to end up with ink everywhere or a pen that writes like a 1 china cheap jobbie

[Sway]

djt100 said:

Do any of you good people have any experience of the Pilot Retractable Fountain pen, I'm Tempted for the novelty but dont want to end up with ink everywhere or a pen that writes like a 1 china cheap jobbie

All the opinions I've seen are that it's really very good - with the caveat that the pocket clip is (necessarily to prevent leaking) at the grip end. If you've a 'normal' grip you should be fine, but hold a pen funny and it may irritate.

I'm considering one for the ease in the office and not having to de-cap every time.

[Robbo 27]

djt100 said:

Do any of you good people have any experience of the Pilot Retractable Fountain pen, I'm Tempted for the novelty but dont want to end up with ink everywhere or a pen that writes like a 1 china cheap jobbie

Also known as Pilot Capless, I havent used one but have heard no complaints and they dont leak, aparently. I anticipate that they are well made and work well and Namiki nibs are legendary in terms of writing performance.

The only thing that might be a concern is that the clip is just where I put my forefinger when writing, will it be a nuisance?



Edit, apologies to Sway, very similar comment with regards to holding the pen.

Edited by Robbo 27 on Friday 20th January 15:33

[SystemParanoia]

Robbo 27 said:

djt100 said:

Do any of you good people have any experience of the Pilot Retractable Fountain pen, I'm Tempted for the novelty but dont want to end up with ink everywhere or a pen that writes like a 1 china cheap jobbie

Also known as Pilot Capless, I havent used one but have heard no complaints and they dont leak, aparently. I anticipate that they are well made and work well and Namiki nibs are legendary in terms of writing performance.

The only thing that might be a concern is that the clip is just where I put my forefinger when writing, will it be a nuisance?

Pretend to write with one of your pens upside down with the lid on.

see how it feels

not a show stopper to me... i think

[djt100]

Sway said:

All the opinions I've seen are that it's really very good - with the caveat that the pocket clip is (necessarily to prevent leaking) at the grip end. If you've a 'normal' grip you should be fine, but hold a pen funny and it may irritate.

I'm considering one for the ease in the office and not having to de-cap every time.

Birthday soon may have a wish list item now, as a I really struggle for anything I actually want, i keep going back to these so may be perfect.

[djt100]

SystemParanoia said:

Pretend to write with one of your pens upside down with the lid on.

see how it feels

not a show stopper to me... i think

I tried that and my grip naturally misses the clip so no show stopper for me, On these does the end seal when the nib is retracted? how does the ink not dry. I use a Waterman hemisphere for daily use and tend to leave the cap off and let it go dry but a couple scribbles and its back to like. but still annoys me, hence i like the idea of these.

[Robbo 27]

djt100 said:

I tried that and my grip naturally misses the clip so no show stopper for me, On these does the end seal when the nib is retracted? how does the ink not dry. I use a Waterman hemisphere for daily use and tend to leave the cap off and let it go dry but a couple scribbles and its back to like. but still annoys me, hence i like the idea of these.

There is a Youtube review of the pen by an experienced pen reviewer, this may help you decide:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCfNF_FK5pw