Do you use a fountain pen?

[8Ace]

Agree - my better pens, Pelikan M400, Parker 51 never need warming up. My TWSBI Eco is less expensive but always works perfectly too.

The others may need a second or two to start flowing but it's no big deal. I've hardly ever had to dunk it to start going, but I change my pens / inks quite frequently as I'm easily bored!

[RizzoTheRat]

As we're talking cheap Chinese pens again, if anyone's looking to have a go with cheap ones, I'd recommend most of these that I've been using over the last year or so:

Jinhao 993 - Love it
Baoer 388 - Probably my favourite
Jinhao X750 - Nice but the medium nib is a bit too broad
Jinhao 250 - I find the grip a bit too slippery for my taste
Jinhao X450 - Quite chunky but in a nice way
Jinhao 886 - Writes nicely but the nib section isn't firmly set in the grip and it can leak
Jinhao 599 - Accidentally bought 2, which was lucky as they write well and I broke one (snapped the threaded section off)
Jinhao 159 - I find it a bit too heavy

Robbo 27 said:

The problem that you have Rizzo is not related to your particular pen. If it was mine I would go back to basics and flush the pen out in warm soapy water, make sure that there is no dried up ink behind the nib. Next step is to think how the pen is being left, if it is in an airconditionned room then I would put the pen in a drawer overnight, laid flat. perhaps even try putting you water pot in the drawer with the pen.

You can spend much more money and have the same problem, Parker Sonnets in particular are well known this problem and some people cure it by dropping melted candle wax into the cap to seal it, making it airtight. Try blowing into your cap and if a lot of air escapes other than through a vent hole then you may want to try something similar. Another idea is to dip the nib in your water pot before you put the pen away at night.

The cap seems to be pretty airtight (advantage of a Chinese one I guess, no health and safety thing about having to have holes in case someone swallows it ), but the place is air conditioned and probably too dry. I'll take to putting them in the drawer at night and just keep a cup a with a bit of water in on the desk Thanks.

[8Ace]

8Ace said:

I've had a look through my, now vast, collection of pens and I'm going to get rid of a few.

Happy to offer the Jinhao / Baoer ones below free (plus converter) to any PHer that wants them - Just put your name by the one you want, drop me a PM with your address and I'll get them posted out.

Jinhao 250 Flighter (Fine) link
Jinhao 250 Black (Fine) link
Jinhao 500 Marbled Black (Fine) link
Jinhao 992 Transparent Blue (Fine) link
Jinhao 992 Transparent White (Fine) link
Baoer 801 Hooded nib in Yellow (Fine) link
Baoer 801 (Parker Vector clone) in Aurora pattern. (Medium) link
Baoer 388 in Blue / Black (Medium) link

They're all pretty new and used only once or twice as most.

The only things worth mentioning are that the yellow Baoer 801 doesn't post very well (the cap's a bit wobbly when you try to do so) and the lid on the Jinhao 500 doesnt close quite as securely as you'd expect, not sure why. They all write well.

Amyone? At this rate Im going to have to offload them on the undeserving folk at work!

[CharlesdeGaulle]

8Ace said:

8Ace said:

I've had a look through my, now vast, collection of pens and I'm going to get rid of a few.

Happy to offer the Jinhao / Baoer ones below free (plus converter) to any PHer that wants them - Just put your name by the one you want, drop me a PM with your address and I'll get them posted out.

Jinhao 250 Flighter (Fine) link
Jinhao 250 Black (Fine) link CdeG
Jinhao 500 Marbled Black (Fine) link
Jinhao 992 Transparent Blue (Fine) link
Jinhao 992 Transparent White (Fine) link
Baoer 801 Hooded nib in Yellow (Fine) link
Baoer 801 (Parker Vector clone) in Aurora pattern. (Medium) link CdeG
Baoer 388 in Blue / Black (Medium) link

They're all pretty new and used only once or twice as most.

The only things worth mentioning are that the yellow Baoer 801 doesn't post very well (the cap's a bit wobbly when you try to do so) and the lid on the Jinhao 500 doesnt close quite as securely as you'd expect, not sure why. They all write well.

Amyone? At this rate Im going to have to offload them on the undeserving folk at work!

I thought these would have gone by now, so did';t reply, but if the 2 I've 'initialled' are still free, I'd love to try them. Jolly decent of you.

[8Ace]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

8Ace said:

8Ace said:

I've had a look through my, now vast, collection of pens and I'm going to get rid of a few.

Happy to offer the Jinhao / Baoer ones below free (plus converter) to any PHer that wants them - Just put your name by the one you want, drop me a PM with your address and I'll get them posted out.

Jinhao 250 Flighter (Fine) link
Jinhao 250 Black (Fine) link CdeG
Jinhao 500 Marbled Black (Fine) link
Jinhao 992 Transparent Blue (Fine) link
Jinhao 992 Transparent White (Fine) link
Baoer 801 Hooded nib in Yellow (Fine) link
Baoer 801 (Parker Vector clone) in Aurora pattern. (Medium) link CdeG
Baoer 388 in Blue / Black (Medium) link

They're all pretty new and used only once or twice as most.

The only things worth mentioning are that the yellow Baoer 801 doesn't post very well (the cap's a bit wobbly when you try to do so) and the lid on the Jinhao 500 doesnt close quite as securely as you'd expect, not sure why. They all write well.

Amyone? At this rate Im going to have to offload them on the undeserving folk at work!

I thought these would have gone by now, so did';t reply, but if the 2 I've 'initialled' are still free, I'd love to try them. Jolly decent of you.

Not a problem. Drop me a PM with your details and I'll bung them in the post

[8Ace]

8Ace said:

I've had a look through my, now vast, collection of pens and I'm going to get rid of a few.

Happy to offer the Jinhao / Baoer ones below free (plus converter) to any PHer that wants them - Just put your name by the one you want, drop me a PM with your address and I'll get them posted out.

Jinhao 250 Flighter (Fine)
Jinhao 250 Black (Fine) Claimed by CdG
Jinhao 500 Marbled Black (Fine)
Jinhao 992 Transparent Blue (Fine)
Jinhao 992 Transparent White (Fine)
Baoer 801 Hooded nib in Yellow
Baoer 801 (Parker Vector clone) Claimed by CdG
Baoer 388 in Blue / Black (Medium)

They're all pretty new and used only once or twice as most.

The only things worth mentioning are that the yellow Baoer 801 doesn't post very well (the cap's a bit wobbly when you try to do so) and the lid on the Jinhao 500 doesnt close quite as securely as you'd expect, not sure why. They all write well.

Updated list to show what's available - I've taken out the urls in the quote to make it easier to put names by them.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Jolly good of you 8ace, thanks. I've introduced a few youngsters to Jinhao pens already, and seeing a couple more will be great.

[dapprman]

Robbo 27 said:

With any due respect, if I was JAGS I would say that was private and none of your business.

As JAGS guessed it was more of an out of interest thing - never known people to feel the need to keep quiet about costs on any of the forums I'm on or at the pen club I attend - people tend to be interested partly to know how good a bargain some one got (I did misread flea bay as flee market tbh) and partly to know if you can afford or justify the cost of a pen you like.

[E24man]

dapprman said:

Robbo 27 said:

With any due respect, if I was JAGS I would say that was private and none of your business.

As JAGS guessed it was more of an out of interest thing - never known people to feel the need to keep quiet about costs on any of the forums I'm on or at the pen club I attend - people tend to be interested partly to know how good a bargain some one got (I did misread flea bay as flee market tbh) and partly to know if you can afford or justify the cost of a pen you like.

Not you dapprman, but when I posted about buying a Dunhill Sentryman a few dozen pages ago I was similarly questioned about costs, but as Robbo said then and now, it's private and the business only of the seller and the buyer.

[Robbo 27]

dapprman said:

...and partly to know if you can afford or justify the cost of a pen you like.

If someone wants to share the price they paid for a pen (or anything else for that matter) it is their choice. If they do not wish to say the price then respect that position and do not ask.

This thread has been superb so far in terms of encouragement and finding new hobbies and interests, it has been a pleasure to be involved in the whole process.

Your final sentence says it all, really no business of yours whether another poster can afford or justify buying a pen, we do not judge others based on whether they want or can justify a £1 Jinhao or a £650 Montblanc.

[Sway]

Unfortunately, perhaps extending the discussion on price...

Since this thread started, I bought a Lamy Safari. Always wanted one at school, they just seemed cooler than the slightly staid Parker I had (think it was a 51, looking back). Enjoyed it, but a tad cheap feeling and didn't quite fit the aesthetic.

Then, as some will recall, I found out a chap at work used to be reasonably senior at Parker, and had a rather lovely collection of unused pens, some from the very last days of the English factories. So I picked up a Duofold International that I've been using ever since.

Now, I'd like another 'high end' pen. Not for flashiness, but I like the quality and intend it to be somewhat of a heirloom. The one thing that I don't like about Parkers, and most Japanese pens, is the cartridge/converter. I'd like something with a 'proper' filling mechanism.

With a budget of perhaps £250 (although that can stretch for the right pen) what would you guys recommend? I write quite quickly, with a relatively large handwriting. The medium nib I have today is probably about right. Prefer silver/platinum/palladium accents, not a huge fan of stripes on the barrel, or swirls/etc.

Probably the pen I've liked the look of most is the Montblanc JFK, unfortunately out of budget.

Any thoughts? Sorry for the ramble!

Edited by Sway on Friday 26th January 06:56

[Robbo 27]

Sway said:

Unfortunately, perhaps extending the discussion on price...

Since this thread started, I bought a Lamy Safari. Always wanted one at school, they just seemed cooler than the slightly staid Parker I had (think it was a 51, looking back). Enjoyed it, but a tad cheap feeling and didn't quite fit the aesthetic.

Then, as some will recall, I found out a chap at work used to be reasonably senior at Parker, and had a rather lovely collection of unused pens, some from the very last days of the English factories. So I picked up a Duofold International that I've been using ever since.

Now, I'd like another 'high end' pen. Not for flashiness, but I like the quality and intend it to be somewhat of a heirloom. The one thing that I don't like about Parkers, and most Japanese pens, is the cartridge/converter. I'd like something with a 'proper' filling mechanism.

With a budget of perhaps £250 (although that can stretch for the right pen) what would you guys recommend? I write quite quickly, with a relatively large handwriting. The medium nib I have today is probably about right. Prefer silver/platinum/palladium accents, not a huge fan of stripes on the barrel, or swirls/etc.

Probably the pen I've liked the look of most is the Montblanc JFK, unfortunately out of budget.

Any thoughts? Sorry for the ramble!

Edited by Sway on Friday 26th January 06:56

Avoiding cartridges and converters.

For £250 you can buy a second hand Montblanc 146, possibly even have enough for it to be serviced at Montblanc.

You can also have a Pelikan M200 and have change. You may be able to find the M200 cafe creme, noted that you dont like swirls, this was a limited production run and now sought after.

Pelikans are probably the best made pens you can buy.




if you hadnt said that you dont like stripes I would have said go for the Pelikan M400 White Tortoise, many think that it is the most attractive pen of all time.




A great favourite of mine is the Parker Vacumatic, made during the 30s and 40s, your budget will get you a superb example.



On balance, if your handwriting is large and you like a medium nib with a piston filler then a Montblanc 146 would probably be ideal, If you like a pen that is even bigger you can just about find a 149 in budget.

We all need to buy at a price point unfortunately, one of the good things is that all of the above named prens are likely to increase in value, keep them for five years and you will almost certainly be able to sell them for more than you pay for them.

[Sway]

Many thanks Robbo, you've confirmed a few assumptions of made based on reading up.

The vacumatic is interesting, and one I hadn't even noticed.

I do like a pen with some size to it - think I'm going to make a trip up to the Smoke and see if I can get a better idea in the resin, as it were.

So you have any recommendations for good suppliers of excellent condition vacumatics?

[The Mad Monk]

E24man said:

dapprman said:

Robbo 27 said:

With any due respect, if I was JAGS I would say that was private and none of your business.

As JAGS guessed it was more of an out of interest thing - never known people to feel the need to keep quiet about costs on any of the forums I'm on or at the pen club I attend - people tend to be interested partly to know how good a bargain some one got (I did misread flea bay as flee market tbh) and partly to know if you can afford or justify the cost of a pen you like.

Not you dapprman, but when I posted about buying a Dunhill Sentryman a few dozen pages ago I was similarly questioned about costs, but as Robbo said then and now, it's private and the business only of the seller and the buyer.

If they wish it to be so, then so be it.

However, a polite response would be "I don't wish to disclose the price I paid".

Manners makyth man.

[Robbo 27]

Sway said:

Many thanks Robbo, you've confirmed a few assumptions of made based on reading up.

The vacumatic is interesting, and one I hadn't even noticed.

I do like a pen with some size to it - think I'm going to make a trip up to the Smoke and see if I can get a better idea in the resin, as it were.

So you have any recommendations for good suppliers of excellent condition vacumatics?

Finding a seller was more difficult than I thought, but here is one

https://www.penworkshop.co.uk/parker-vac-major-sta...

You can do a lot better if you can get to a pen show

Feb 4 Bristol at Doubletree Hilton
March 4 Cambridge Doubletree Hilton
April 15 Chester Crown Plaza
June 24 Guidhall Lichfield
October 7 WES Show London
November 25 Yorkshire Pen Show Sheffield

The London Show is enormous, full day job whereas the others is a couple of hours and you will have seen all on offer.

The price for a good condtion Parker Vacumatic at a pen show will be around £60-£120. They work on a plunger pressing down on a rubber diaphragm that sucks the ink into the barrel. a new diaphragm should cost around £25 every 20 years.

[Sway]

Once again many thanks.

I think I'll put the cash aside and top it up in the run up to London in October. As said, I'd like a bit of an heirloom (have others, but all are effectively useless!) for the kids. They both now have their 'pen licence' at school, and both are the only ones in their class that use fountain rather than ballpoint...

[C&C]

Sway said:

Now, I'd like another 'high end' pen. Not for flashiness, but I like the quality and intend it to be somewhat of a heirloom. The one thing that I don't like about Parkers, and most Japanese pens, is the cartridge/converter. I'd like something with a 'proper' filling mechanism.

With a budget of perhaps £250 (although that can stretch for the right pen) what would you guys recommend? I write quite quickly, with a relatively large handwriting. The medium nib I have today is probably about right. Prefer silver/platinum/palladium accents, not a huge fan of stripes on the barrel, or swirls/etc.

Any thoughts? Sorry for the ramble!

If you want something as a bit of an heirloom, and might consider something like the Vacumatic - one of which I use daily:
vac_together by conradsphotos, on Flickr

... there are some other early Parkers that immediately qualify as pretty "historic", yet avoid the cartridge/converter mechanism.

The really early Duofold/Lucky Curve seniors are large pens with a button fill mechanism from the 1920s.
See description of different fill mechanisms here. I've also found button fillers to be pretty straightforward to replace the ink sack too.
They are available in plain colours (including black) as well as the swirly patterns that you don't want - e.g.

I renovated one (although it's a swirly pattern) and really like using it on a regular basis:
after1 by conradsphotos, on Flickr
final1 by conradsphotos, on Flickr

Another option would be a really good condition Parker 51 Vacumatic from the 1940s. Again, good for daily use and unlikely to lose much value.



This seller has a reasonable range for sale, but as Rob says, nothing to beat the choice available at a pen show, and particularly the London one:

Untitled by conradsphotos, on Flickr

[Tyre Smoke]

8Ace said:

8Ace said:

I've had a look through my, now vast, collection of pens and I'm going to get rid of a few.

Happy to offer the Jinhao / Baoer ones below free (plus converter) to any PHer that wants them - Just put your name by the one you want, drop me a PM with your address and I'll get them posted out.

Jinhao 250 Flighter (Fine)
Jinhao 250 Black (Fine) Claimed by CdG
Jinhao 500 Marbled Black (Fine)
Jinhao 992 Transparent Blue (Fine) Tyre Smoke
Jinhao 992 Transparent White (Fine) Tyre Smoke
Baoer 801 Hooded nib in Yellow
Baoer 801 (Parker Vector clone) Claimed by CdG
Baoer 388 in Blue / Black (Medium) Tyre Smoke

They're all pretty new and used only once or twice as most.

The only things worth mentioning are that the yellow Baoer 801 doesn't post very well (the cap's a bit wobbly when you try to do so) and the lid on the Jinhao 500 doesnt close quite as securely as you'd expect, not sure why. They all write well.

Updated list to show what's available - I've taken out the urls in the quote to make it easier to put names by them.

Happy to take the three above from you sir!

[8Ace]

Tyre Smoke said:

8Ace said:

8Ace said:

I've had a look through my, now vast, collection of pens and I'm going to get rid of a few.

Happy to offer the Jinhao / Baoer ones below free (plus converter) to any PHer that wants them - Just put your name by the one you want, drop me a PM with your address and I'll get them posted out.

Jinhao 250 Flighter (Fine)
Jinhao 250 Black (Fine) Claimed by CdG
Jinhao 500 Marbled Black (Fine)
Jinhao 992 Transparent Blue (Fine) Tyre Smoke
Jinhao 992 Transparent White (Fine) Tyre Smoke
Baoer 801 Hooded nib in Yellow
Baoer 801 (Parker Vector clone) Claimed by CdG
Baoer 388 in Blue / Black (Medium) Tyre Smoke

They're all pretty new and used only once or twice as most.

The only things worth mentioning are that the yellow Baoer 801 doesn't post very well (the cap's a bit wobbly when you try to do so) and the lid on the Jinhao 500 doesnt close quite as securely as you'd expect, not sure why. They all write well.

Updated list to show what's available - I've taken out the urls in the quote to make it easier to put names by them.

Happy to take the three above from you sir!

Sure thing. Can't get these in the post until monday so expect them sometime next week., I love the 992s, especially the white transparent one. I just bought too many!

[R8Steve]

I got a Montblanc StarWalker for my Christmas and it's the first time i've used a fountain pen since my mum got me a calligraphy set when i was about 6!

I must say i'm enjoying using it and it has improved my writing which has admittedly got rather scrawly over the years.