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Thread: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

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    Member tintak's Avatar
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    Default Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    Hi!
    I tried to look up any comments on FPG about F-C pens.
    Couldn't find any,...yet.
    It could just be my inability to navigate FPGs,...yet.

    Has anyone here had experience with this small American maker?

    I should be getting a clip-less model 03 in black/maroon with a Nagahara-san ground ss. Broad stub (in the mail any day now).
    Is this brand sort of a "sleeper" amongst the current American brands like Bexley, Edison, etc...............?

    I have read some very good comments from users on the "other" board, but very few recent reviews.
    F-C pens have some interesting shapes & design features & offer a wide option of decent JoWo brand nibs (in ss or 18K).

    I suppose that having only a C/C filling option may limit interest.
    I for one have discovered converters about three years ago, after using a piston-fill Pelikan for over 40 years.
    Now I really appreciate the simple joys of C/C pens.
    Except maybe for custom nibs, I do not need to see a repairman or " Heaven help!", try to tinker at home,...a real plus for me.

    Would greatly appreciate any feedback, particularly from users,...if any.

    Cheers: Tintak
    Last edited by tintak; April 15th, 2014 at 10:16 AM.
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    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    Just so your post doesn't feel so all-alone...

    I don't own any, but admire their pens. That they aren't maybe as well known as some others probably owes to a variety of factors, including the c/c. They are fairly sedate (but stylish) designs, and I think people looking for flashy colors and eye-candy pass them by. When I've tried them at pen shows, the quality is as good as it gets, and maybe it is simply the unique nature of their pens - in style and visual function - that keeps them from being more prominent.

    Please write a review when you have yours!
    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

    ~ Benjamin Franklin

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    Senior Member AndyT's Avatar
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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    Azizah reviewed one just the other day, so here's a bit of up to date reading matter:

    Review: @1901FC Franklin-Christoph Model 02

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    Member tintak's Avatar
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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    Thanks Jon for the encouraging words.
    I will try to do an evaluation on the new Model 03, particularly on the nib that Sailor's Nagahara worked on.
    F-C had a few of these Nagahara ss nibs available.

    Apparently Mr. Y. Nagahara sat next to F-C's nib-guy Mike Masuyama at a recent show & Yukio ground a few of the F-C nibs.
    I could never afford a 21K Sailor Nagahara specialty nib, but at a 20.00 USD up-charge for my 03, a steel one will be perfect.
    Hope this Broad Stub will be forgiving of my often uncontrollable fingers.

    Thanks AndyT for the link.
    There is a recent review on the other board of this same pen. Azizah's seems much more detailed & equally as positive.
    Last edited by tintak; April 15th, 2014 at 11:19 AM.
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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    I live in the Triangle area of NC, so F-C is a local company to me. I first tried them when I saw them at a pen store in Asheville, NC. I never would have come across them if not for that pen store--however, F-C does the vast majority of their sales themselves. They are in very few stores, and even fewer online stores--the only one I can think of is Anderson Pens, and then it's just the special edition they did for Anderson Pens. It's very difficult to come across their pens without specifically looking for them, and I think this a huge reason that they're so small.

    That said, their pens are top notch. I purchased several Collegias that were given as gifts. I loved my Bellus, but it just wasn't right for my hand. Now I have the Anderson Pens version of the Instrinsic, and it's a regular in my rotation.

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    Senior Member writingrav's Avatar
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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    I have had two F-C Pens, the #25 and the #65 Desk Pen. Excellent pens. I eventually sold the #25 because the partially hooded nib is not my stylem but the #66 with a broad nib stands proudly on my desk and is used often.
    To continue to diminish the place of the handwritten in our lives is to diminish, in a small but real way, our humanity. Philip Hensher

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    Senior Member DrChumley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    I have a Model 19 that was supposed to be delivered by noon today but wasn't. (Hopefully it will be there by the time I head home from work.) I got the Masuyama 18k Medium Italic nib.

    I've heard great things about them. I plan on doing a full review once I've had some time with the pens, and I'll probably post pics here as well.

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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    My goodness, you shake the bushes & more F-C fans appear.
    Terrific!

    "sixbynineis42", thank you for some background about this company. F-C has a very attractive web-site that is fun to navigate & seems to be regularly updated. They must do most of their business from this site & attending pen shows.
    I would love to charm them into coming up for our Toronto show in November.

    "writingrav", I had to consult the F-C site to find both your models. The #66 appears to have a similar section & block threads up front as the 03 that I am waiting for. It's a model that I also considered but wasn't sure about the innovative flat on its barrel . I also considered the #25 but was told by Jim @ F-C that the section would be too thick for my small hands.
    Did you get the factory or the Masuyama broad for the #66?

    "DrChumley", thanks for posting.
    I hope that #19 is already in your hands. A really lovely pen that is just a little too large for me. The #19 was another of my possible choices.
    I'd be very curious how that 18K Masuyama italic turns out for you.

    Thanks all.
    Tintak
    Make the best of each day & be thankful.....

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    Thumbs up Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    Ill be glad to share some pics of my F~C Intrinsic 02 Anderson Pens edition. With a 1.1 stub it is a sweet writer that did not disappoint on any level. I loved the placement of the threads because they were 100% out of the way and the contrast of deep rich black and the rich blue on the final and section. Fit & finish are perfect.

    Edit to add mine is a factory steel stub.The Masuyama nib option was not available when I ordered it but it is silky smooth.





    Last edited by earthdawn; April 15th, 2014 at 03:39 PM.

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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    Quote Originally Posted by tintak View Post
    My goodness, you shake the bushes & more F-C fans appear.
    Terrific!

    "sixbynineis42", thank you for some background about this company. F-C has a very attractive web-site that is fun to navigate & seems to be regularly updated. They must do most of their business from this site & attending pen shows.
    I would love to charm them into coming up for our Toronto show in November.

    "writingrav", I had to consult the F-C site to find both your models. The #66 appears to have a similar section & block threads up front as the 03 that I am waiting for. It's a model that I also considered but wasn't sure about the innovative flat on its barrel . I also considered the #25 but was told by Jim @ F-C that the section would be too thick for my small hands.
    Did you get the factory or the Masuyama broad for the #66?

    "DrChumley", thanks for posting.
    I hope that #19 is already in your hands. A really lovely pen that is just a little too large for me. The #19 was another of my possible choices.
    I'd be very curious how that 18K Masuyama italic turns out for you.

    Thanks all.
    Tintak
    Factory broad.
    To continue to diminish the place of the handwritten in our lives is to diminish, in a small but real way, our humanity. Philip Hensher

    Dunno ergo sum

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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    I own two 29s love em both. One is an EF the other is a needle point. Both are in my current daily carry along with a SF standard Falcon and a SEF metal falcon. Easily would say the pens are of good class and great value. Their paper too. Their ink though :-(
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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    There is a quick review & photos by Murfie of the FC-model 40 here:
    http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread....oph-Model-40Po
    sinistral hypergraphica - a slurry of ink
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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    I have the 65 with 2 nibs (F and EF). i love my pen and find it difficult to let it rest while rotating through other pens. The frst time I came across them was at the Atlanta pen show several years back and went to the Dallas show with the intention of buying this pen (just needed to figure out which nib). Yes it is a c/c but easily converted to an eyedropper.

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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    I have the model 27 with their special grind medium stub. There was a problem out of the box with the cap, but they quickly replaced it under warranty; apparently there had been a bad batch. With that fixed, it's an excellent pen, nothing fancy, but a smooth writer, and a good value for $70. Because I have an impractically large number of pens, this one isn't always inked, in fact it has been several months since I last used it, but I'll get back to it.
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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    Thank you Tintak for starting this thread. I had looked briefly at them before but had dismissed them. Probably due to the CC, but it might be that I am bored of black pens. I see that I should have looekd closer.

    The fact that you can get a Masuyama needlepoint for only $15 upgrade (on the 27 and 29) and for the price of $85 or $105 respectively with the specialty (steel) nib AND free shipping anywhere in the world is pretty impressive. Unfortunately the Radiant Red is gone for the 29 but is still available on the 27.

    Kaputnik, can you comment on the balance posted with the 27? They mention it is somewhat topheavy. I like to post my pens.

    I could skip a weekend of playing bayjäger and have a nice US made pen with a near custom needlepoint and a lifetime warranty instead.

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    Senior Member Kaputnik's Avatar
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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jeph View Post
    ...The fact that you can get a Masuyama needlepoint for only $15 upgrade (on the 27 and 29)... Unfortunately the Radiant Red is gone for the 29 but is still available on the 27.

    Kaputnik, can you comment on the balance posted with the 27? They mention it is somewhat topheavy. I like to post my pens...
    I got lucky in that F-C ran a special edition for another forum I belong to, Badger and Blade (that special is now over). It was a black #27 with the chrome cap, the cap having the B&B logo and name. More importantly, one or two of the special grind nibs, like my medium stub, were available without the upgrade price on the special.

    You're right, the cap does make it feel a little topheavy, and I generally prefer to post my pens. I found that I could get used to it, but that this one pen was more comfortable unposted. Probably varies according to the size of your hands. Mine are about medium for a man.
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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    I've asked for a M40 Pocket for my upcoming birthday that I plan on using as an eyedropper. Went with the standard extra fine nib. I'll post a comment when it arrives.
    Sealed for your protection.

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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    I have 4. 2 02s, a 19 in smoke, and the tiny one.
    Love them and the $15-25 upcharge for the MM nib grinds is the best deal in pens.

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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    I have a Model 19 and love it. Bought it with a Masuyama stub that just didn't suit me, so I replaced it with a broad nib. I see another F-C pen in my future, for sure.

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    Default Re: Franklin-Christoph Pens.........?

    So, my Model 19 arrived yesterday, and it just catapulted itself right up into my Top 5, if not overtaking the #1 spot. This nib is enough to inspire involuntary singing. (Mr. Masuyama is pretty darn good at what he does. <--understatement.) There is certainly going to be another F-c pen in my future as well.

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