Vintage Conklin Nozac question

[Susan3141]

Hi,

I'm thinking about purchasing a gorgeous vintage Conklin Nozac with a Toledo factory nib (I've read that once Conklin moved to Chicago there were quality issues). The thing is that this is an expensive pen ($700 range), and I tend to have bad luck with vintage pens. Since this is not one of the more popular vintage pens, I'm worried that I'll spend a lot of money, and if the pen needs repair, I won't be able to find someone experienced enough to repair it.

Does anyone have any information on vintage Nozacs and whether or not they are reliable?

Thanks,

Susan

[HughC]

For $700 you should be able to buy a fully restored one with warranty. If it doesn't come with both at that price....run away...quickly !! Check out http://www.petespenshop.com /conklin.htm#nozac (http://www.petespenshop.com/conklin.htm#nozac) for a price and quality guide.

Regards
Hugh

[Susan3141]

It is fully restored and seems in keeping with the prices on Pete's site. As for warranty, I'll have to ask.


For $700 you should be able to buy a fully restored one with warranty. If it doesn't come with both at that price....run away...quickly !! Check out http://www.petespenshop.com /conklin.htm#nozac (http://www.petespenshop.com/conklin.htm#nozac) for a price and quality guide.

Regards
Hugh

[Procyon]

Hi Susan,

The Nozac is a great pen, and if properly restored, is quite reliable. I agree with Hugh - for that price you should get a fully restored pen with a warranty. Also, I would say that, for $700, you should be getting the large size pen - often called the 700M size. I would only pay this price to a well-established seller. I have purchased several Nozacs (mostly on eBay) that the seller claimed to be working. They, in fact, were not. I didn't mind too much, because I sort of like to repair them. If the piston has been repaired with O-rings, they can get sticky - especially if they sit for a long while without being used. If you use the pen regularly this shouldn't be a problem.

You are right about Conklin making cheaper pens after moving to Chicago. However, the Nozacs made there still seem to be high quality pens - and are pretty scarce. Most of the pens made there were cheap lever-fillers.

Good luck with your purchase.

[Susan3141]

It's a Senior Penline red brick color with a medium stub cushon nib, but it's on FPN (shhhhh) so it won't have a warranty. The seller said these are freshly restored, and he sells a lot on FPN, so he seems plenty trustworthy to me. Still, I wonder if it's the best idea.

[Special K]

If you're not sure, don't buy it.