Do you use a fountain pen?

[Prohibiting]

After a lot of messaging he has admitted that he MAY have sent the wrong M1000 as apparently he has a few at home. His feedback suggests that he is a pen dealer although his English and grammar is very poor and he was useless at messaging me. But you'd think a pen dealer would know what they're selling?!

In his own picture of the listing, you can almost see EF on the nib if you look really hard. If you zoom in on his first picture and turn it upside down, you can just make out the EF stamp.

I should have triple checked the pictures before I bid but when it's described as a medium how was I to know? I did have a little bit of suspicion of the nib as I wasn't sure it was stamped "M."

This was the listing:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/401332924005

As soon as I opened the package, the first thing I checked was the stamped nib and sighed.

Edited by Prohibiting on Wednesday 31st May 16:37

[Robbo 27]

Prohibiting said:

After a lot of messaging he has admitted that he MAY have sent the wrong M1000 as apparently he has a few at home. His feedback suggests that he is a pen dealer although his English and grammar is very poor and he was useless at messaging me. But you'd think a pen dealer would know what they're selling?!

In his own picture of the listing, you can almost see EF on the nib if you look really hard. If you zoom in on his first picture and turn it upside down, you can just make out the EF stamp.

I should have triple checked the pictures before I bid but when it's described as a medium how was I to know? I did have a little bit of suspicion of the nib as I wasn't sure it was stamped "M."

This was the listing:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/401332924005

As soon as I opened the package, the first thing I checked was the stamped nib and sighed.

Edited by Prohibiting on Wednesday 31st May 16:37

100% feedback, he is not going to want to risk that, quite clear that it was a medium nib that you were buying.

Hope it ends well for you, it should do. We all make mistakes from time to time, lets hope he holds his hand up to this one and pays for signed for return postage.

[Prohibiting]

Seller has accepted my return request thankfully.

He sounds pretty dodgy... Not sure how he has managed 100% positive feedback! As I opened a case with eBay, I don't think I'll be able to leave any feedback as it's disappeared from my purchase history.

As if by luck, there are 2 M1000's on eBay. One with a real medium nib and another with a broad- both in black .

[AlexC1981]

So annoying when something like that happens. A search of completed listings reveals a couple of other UK based M1000 with EF nibs sold in May. One for £221 and one for £217, so you may well not get your money back by selling it if you have to go down that route. Fingers crossed that eBay/Paypal will find in your favour.

I think he really has cocked up the listing, because he talks about it having an M 750 nib, but an M750 appears to be a type of Pelikan pen rather than a nib.
https://www.pelikan-collectibles.com/en/Pelikan/Mo...

[Robbo 27]

Prohibiting said:

Seller has accepted my return request thankfully.

He sounds pretty dodgy... Not sure how he has managed 100% positive feedback! As I opened a case with eBay, I don't think I'll be able to leave any feedback as it's disappeared from my purchase history.

As if by luck, there are 2 M1000's on eBay. One with a real medium nib and another with a broad- both in black .

German nibs in broad are often very broad, I used to have a broad nibbed Montblanc and that was like writing with a spade.

However I suspect that John could do more with a broad nibbed pen than a medium, just a case of whether it puts down too much ink for you and the risk of smudging.

Decisions, decisions.

Buy both.

[8Ace]

Prohibiting said:

Seller has accepted my return request thankfully.

He sounds pretty dodgy... Not sure how he has managed 100% positive feedback! As I opened a case with eBay, I don't think I'll be able to leave any feedback as it's disappeared from my purchase history.

As if by luck, there are 2 M1000's on eBay. One with a real medium nib and another with a broad- both in black .

Does seem dodgy - their username alone would put me off.

Today's ebay delivery was a very nice Parker 45. Bit unusual looking with a grey barrel, steel cap and gold plated clip. Also has a 14k nib which is a bonus.

[Prohibiting]

Posted the M1000 back to the seller via special delivery (photographed the package as well) as he accepted my returns request through eBay which means I'll be protected.

I noticed another M1000 on eBay, this time with an actual medium nib. I messaged the seller if he would sell outside of eBay via PayPal only. He said yes- we made a deal. £280 I paid for a medium M1000 and he will receive about £270 once only PayPal take their fee so he's happy.... they seem to go for around £300 on eBay.

I should have it by tomorrow!

[Robbo 27]

Prohibiting said:

Posted the M1000 back to the seller via special delivery (photographed the package as well) as he accepted my returns request through eBay which means I'll be protected.

I noticed another M1000 on eBay, this time with an actual medium nib. I messaged the seller if he would sell outside of eBay via PayPal only. He said yes- we made a deal. £280 I paid for a medium M1000 and he will receive about £270 once only PayPal take their fee so he's happy.... they seem to go for around £300 on eBay.

I should have it by tomorrow!

Good result

I have had some bad experiences on ebay returns, i should have taken the precautions that you have done, didnt help that the seller was a crook who later sold the pen set on ebay that she claimed she had not received from me.

Let us know how you get on the with the 1000, the nib has different feel to it as compared to the 800.

[Robbo 27]

This was on the radio, worth listening to.

First part is about stationery, last part is about fountain pens.

Prohibiting - John S is interviewed

http://www.bbc.co.uk...rammes/b01cks4c

[Prohibiting]

Robbo 27 said:

This was on the radio, worth listening to.

First part is about stationery, last part is about fountain pens.

Prohibiting - John S is interviewed

http://www.bbc.co.uk...rammes/b01cks4c

Thanks Rob, I'll listen to that after work.

The M1000 turned up today, this time with a correct medium nib! I quickly inked it up and had a little play- the nib I can confirm, as expected from what I've read, is very springy! It'll definitely take some getting used to. I've posted it straight to John to have it turned into a 0.8mm stub. Hopefully I've made the right decision.

[Sway]

Prohibiting said:

Robbo 27 said:

This was on the radio, worth listening to.

First part is about stationery, last part is about fountain pens.

Prohibiting - John S is interviewed

http://www.bbc.co.uk...rammes/b01cks4c

Thanks Rob, I'll listen to that after work.

The M1000 turned up today, this time with a correct medium nib! I quickly inked it up and had a little play- the nib I can confirm, as expected from what I've read, is very springy! It'll definitely take some getting used to. I've posted it straight to John to have it turned into a 0.8mm stub. Hopefully I've made the right decision.

Awesome.

Can I ask how the process works with getting a nib specialist to tune a nib for you? My duofold is lovely, however I'm curious about getting it made 'for me', perhaps a little wetter, small stub for some line variation, etc., but really don't know enough to know what to get done...

[Robbo 27]

Sway said:

Awesome.

Can I ask how the process works with getting a nib specialist to tune a nib for you? My duofold is lovely, however I'm curious about getting it made 'for me', perhaps a little wetter, small stub for some line variation, etc., but really don't know enough to know what to get done...

Standard medium nibs work well for most pen users. There is a massive choice that is available to you in terms of nib width, flex or semi flex, obliques left and right and stubs/itallics, and that is just the common options. And that is before you consider how much ink you want passing through the nib.

If you can identify that you have a special requirement or want something a little bit different then there are a very few people in the world who can turn an ordinary nib into something that is tailor made, we have one person in the UK that is world class, there are others who are good but not in the same league.

In terms of the process, you need to assess for yourself, based on your own handwriting and use of the pen, that the standard offering could be better and then decide what you want to do about it, buy a new nib/pen or change the way that you write or use the pen.

I would try and borrow another pen that might work differently and see how you go. Another option is to buy a cheap Jinhao pen and learn about reshaping a nib, although a lot of nibs have been ruined by well meaning amateurs.

If you know what you want, then the pen can go off to a specialist with your request for a stub/itallic or different nib width, you should describe your use of the pen and whether you want a lot of ink on the page or the bare minimum. Perhaps even video your use of the pen. Another option is to buy a complete pen from the nib specialist with a nib that you want, he would make that work just for you. It is not as if you can lose money, pen prices are rising dramatically and a pen that has been tuned by an expert attracts a premium.

The process isnt cheap but the pen will be transformed. It is like having a pair of shoes that are made for you instead of being off the shelf.


The easiest way, might be the more expensive, is to swap the nib or to buy another pen with a nib that you want. Montblanc for example have a range of around 8 nibs that you can buy for their 146/9 models. English Parkers made in the 1960s made some excellent nibs even on quite humble and low priced pens. If you are in places where second hand pens could sold look out for Parkers from this period but check that the nib is perfect and that there are no cracks in the plastic.





In this pic of an oblique nib you can see how the user has rotated the pen to seek more line variation.

Edited by Robbo 27 on Saturday 3rd June 09:07

[Prohibiting]

Sway said:

Awesome.

Can I ask how the process works with getting a nib specialist to tune a nib for you? My duofold is lovely, however I'm curious about getting it made 'for me', perhaps a little wetter, small stub for some line variation, etc., but really don't know enough to know what to get done...

I read quite a lot on the Fountain Pen Network forums and google images.

In simple terms it goes something like this (this isn't going to be 100% technical but we'll ignore that- this is just the way how I explain it):

Italic nib = The least forgiving and hardest to write with. Edges on the nib are right angles so if you're not holding it perfectly, it will dig and cut into the paper. Most line variation

Cursive italic nib = Has slightly rounded edges on the sides so is easier to use and makes it less likely to dig into paper. Still gives good line variation

Stub = Similar to a cursive italic nib but with rounded edges top and bottom as well as on the sides which makes it even easier to use. Still gives line variation.

Regular round nib = Shaped like a ball which is what the majority of people have. No line variation.

Once you've decided which one you want, you need to decide the size. Google images is very useful to see writing samples. For example, just google things like "0.8mm stub nib" or "0.4mm cursive italic" etc.

I love my 0.6mm cursive italic. It's easy to write with and doesn't dig into the paper and is the correct size for my regular sized hand writing. The reason why I've gone for a 0.8mm stub for my M1000 is because of the flexible nib. My theory is that if I want to push down harder to make the nib flex, I may want to do this in various directions when writing hence I will need a more forgiving nib(?). I just want to be more cautious with it, that's all.

When I emailed the nib expert, I attached a video of me writing so he could see how I hold the pen and write. He adds a very slight oblique (easiest way to explain is it's like a slash cut on an exhaust) due to the angle I hold my pen. It ensures that it makes full contact on the paper. He also makes sure it'll be completely smooth to write with in all directions as well.

It sounds like you already know what you want, so just do it!

Hope that helps!

[Prohibiting]

Got refunded

[Robbo 27]

Thats a relief, not as if it was a £2 pen that you could do something else with, good result.

[Justayellowbadge]

Oops.

Got offered at a price I couldn't refuse.

https://www.montegrappa.co.uk/collections/pele/pro...

[Robbo 27]

Wow, presumably you are a big fan of Pele.

Montegrappa brought out a pen in memory of Senna.



£14,000

Bit too much for me.

[Prohibiting]

Wow, very interesting! Out of my price range too! Post a photo when you get it! What nib have you gone for?

[Justayellowbadge]

Nope, but quite like the pen. I got it new and sealed for under £500 which seemed pretty good.

Medium nib.

I have the Senna in sterling silver.

Edited by Justayellowbadge on Saturday 3rd June 19:06

[Exige77]

Visited Shanghai stationery show yesteday and saw this on the Platinum stand. Sorry for crappy pic.

You can mix your own "one off" ink Color by mixing together 2/3 of their mixable inks.

Edited by Exige77 on Thursday 8th June 00:43