Let's see your pens & writing instruments

Fritz · Feb 1, 2015

Archer
I have a similar model - darker blues...

They are decent pens for the money. I don't really use mine anymore though (or the Montblanc Meisterstuck I have) - I don't actually write things down a lot, so I find the inks tend to dry up quickly from non-use.

Cheers, Al

The shop also sold, amongst other things, Conway & Stewart pens.... I asked him if they carried a felt tip version.

You should have seen the look that got

I just don't know what gets into me sometimes.

DManzaluni · Feb 3, 2015

dsio
I've got a question for fountain pen guys in particular, I've got embarrassingly bad handwriting, like if your child is 5 he's probably neater than me. I've heard people say switching to a fountain pen forced them to re-learn their writing technique and lead to some significant improvement, just wondering if any of you guys found that?

Not sure if I am equipped to answer this question as no one here seems interested in vintage pens, rather modern pens or ballpoints.

BUT:

If you try a vintage pen with a flexible nib, you will really enjoy the tactile experience of writing with a flexible nib and it will make you slow down and take a bit more pride in the writing. Subconsciously you will find that as you have significantly more control over where the nib goes (than a ball point) you will find yourself taking a bit more trouble over what you are writing and what you are writing will inevitably look better. Naturally the more you write, the faster your writing will get, till you end up writing just as fast as you ever did. But what you write will definitely be more legible. You will however NEVER be satisfied with a ball point again.

Modern pens that have flexible nibs do exist but they are unbelievably rare. Since about 1930 manufacturers have found that if they sell pens with flexible nibs, they are almost bound to come back for repair under the warranty someday so they try desperately not to sell them.

dsio · Feb 5, 2015

Picked up a pen from a mate, a 2003 Montblanc Nicolaus Copernicus Patron of Art Series Limited Edition 4810 piston filler based on the Meisterstuck 146 internal components, nice weight and feels great, doesn't work, quite scratched up on the silver rings, the mother of pearl inlay "mountain peak" logo cap is scratched and the nib is clogged with old ink so its on its way to Montblanc Hamburg for a full restoration, probably won't get it back until May. I'm hoping they're as good at restoring pens to their original condition as Rolex and co are at making pens look new again... but hopefully at a more reasonable price point. I don't even know what the nib size is, so if anyone can tell from the pics I'd be curious.

Downside is since it didn't work I still haven't had a chance to actually use a fountain pen yet and won't for another three months :|

Its meant to look like this, hopefully MB can get it close... how many of you guys have experience with their restoration service?

http://www.montblanc.com/en/brand/limited-editions/patron-of-art/hommage-a-nicolaus-copernicus.aspx

flyingout · Feb 5, 2015

dsio
Its meant to look like this, hopefully MB can get it close... how many of you guys have experience with their restoration service?

I have. And this came from the same gentleman as my watch, though unearthed years earlier.

Service was done in 2011 via a MB boutique. I assume the work was done in the States. I didn't take before pics but from memory the body (maybe it was the cap) had major breakage but the rest seemed OK. Looks as though MB treats pens as Omega has with watches. Replace everything. Nib and clip may be the only remaining original parts. Not LE though.

dsio · Feb 5, 2015

Was the turnaround about the three months quoted? Its interesting that with the 14x series they do seem to replace everything for free rather than try to polish / refinish anything. How old is that particular one?

flyingout · Feb 5, 2015

dsio
Was the turnaround about the three months quoted? Its interesting that with the 14x series they do seem to replace everything for free rather than try to polish / refinish anything. How old is that particular one?

M146 1984

I honestly don't remember how long it took. Unlike the string of watches I've sent away recently, the pen didn't really have the same urgency. I just sent it off and forgot about it.

DManzaluni · Feb 6, 2015

I have (some) experience. Not sure why the extraordinary wait for a three minute repair which, as others have commented, usually involves switching the whole pen except the clip as a module and disposing of the bit they regard as disposable. Then filling the injection-moulded bits which still leak with an expanding, semi-hardening 'gum'.

If there is any element of real skill involved or difficulty to the repair, they send it off to the professional repairer on whom they rely, in Florence. I suppose with all the shuttling pens around the globe, then he might be adequately flooded with repairs that it could take that long to get to it?

kkibrisli · Feb 6, 2015

Here are my two favourites.

My 3573.50 is on it's way.😜

dsio · Feb 6, 2015

DManzaluni
I have (some) experience. Not sure why the extraordinary wait for a three minute repair which, as others have commented, usually involves switching the whole pen except the clip as a module and disposing of the bit they regard as disposable. Then filling the injection-moulded bits which still leak with an expanding, semi-hardening 'gum'.

If there is any element of real skill involved or difficulty to the repair, they send it off to the professional repairer on whom they rely, in Florence. I suppose with all the shuttling pens around the globe, then he might be adequately flooded with repairs that it could take that long to get to it?

I think the boutique lady said three months is only for LEs where stock is limited to Hamburg only, and while resin parts can be readily swapped LE parts tend to be either solid silver or gold making restoration necessary, she said $70-$600 for LE Patron of Arts pens.

dsio · Feb 11, 2015

Another interesting one I picked up, Cartier Louis Cartier Platinum 150th Anniversary Limited Edition Circa 1997.

Apparently the platinum plated 18K nib and internals are made by Montblanc based on the 145 / 146 solitaire design with the barrel, cap and finishing handled by Cartier in France. This one is actually a broad nib which I wasn't expecting but its just incredibly smooth to write with on any paper. Feels really nice to hold, quite significant weight but really well balanced with an excellent grip.

George.A · Feb 22, 2015

Longines Master Collection Moonphase and Aurora Alpha Black Tuscan Night

dsio · Feb 25, 2015

Took a shot of the Cartier Louis Cartier & Pelikan M805 side by side

George.A · Feb 26, 2015

Took a small break today and played a little more with this combo

dsio · Mar 7, 2015

Couple more Cartier Louis Cartier & Pelikan M805 Solid Blue shots

Frunkinator · Mar 7, 2015

Fritz
yep... pens and watches, really all part of the same illness/addiction.....

Ahhh, a beautiful Faber Castle from this angle 😀

Pvt-Public · Mar 8, 2015

Fritz said: ↑
yep... pens and watches, really all part of the same illness/addiction.....

They must be, last time I was inquiring about watches at my local antique market the women there asked if I was interested in any writing instruments, since there were no watches (pocket or wrist) of any interest.

George.A · Mar 28, 2015

Speaking of blue fountain pens:

CanberraOmega · Jan 22, 2018

@dsio what do you think of the Pelikan M805? I’m thinking about getting one

Ps: sorry about the thread necro-something 😗

Spruce · Jan 22, 2018

Nice looking pen but you really need to try it out first.
As with watches and watch bands-too big, too heavy etc, some pens may be too wide to grip for your writing style or the nib width, flow and angle may not be smooth enough for your handwriting.
I’ve used many pens over the years and have found the old Parker 51 and 61 ideal for me.
Good luck

sah · Jan 23, 2018

Busy at work

View attachment 501631

Let's see your pens & writing instruments

Fritz

DManzaluni

dsio

flyingout

dsio

flyingout

DManzaluni

kkibrisli

dsio

dsio

George.A

dsio

George.A

dsio

Frunkinator

Pvt-Public

George.A

CanberraOmega

Spruce

sah

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