Graf von faber castell classic sterling silver fountain pen

[Alfian]

I want to ask about gvfc classic sterling silver fountain pen, do any one have experience with this pen? I'm considering to buy it, as to the material is it a full solid sterling silver or just silver plating? Because I read in some online pen shop detail it is only silver plated. Considering it has 925 stamp, do all of pen that have 925 stamp mean that it made from solid sterling silver or some of them may be just silver plated? About the maintenance and durability of sterling silver is it durable and how about the maintenance? And the last question do gvfc sterling worth the price compare to other sterling silver pen? Thankyou for all responses and answer, I really appreciate it and excuse me for all long question

[jar]

Yes, it is not silver plated but Sterling silver. Unlike the rest of the GvFC Classic line the cap top is double rimmed. I don't have that GvFC Classic but do have several others; the Pernambuco, the Ebony Anello and the Grenadilla and they are superb pens from a company with perhaps the best after sales service I have ever experienced.

http://www.fototime.com/EB50EB884E08D8E/large.jpg

Let me add about comparisons with other Sterling silver pens.

I would suggest a few to consider in the same general quality and price range where I do have experience. First are the pens from Yard-o-Led. They come in a variety of sizes.

The Ferrari da Varese pens are perhaps less flashy and somewhet more subdued with the exception of the Botticelli.

Waterman makes several fantastic Sterling silver pens, particularly the Gentleman and Man 100.

My two personal favorites are those from Montegrappa and Sheaffer.

Here are a few of my Sterling silver Montegrappas.

My Montegrappa 80th Anniversary

http://www.fototime.com/7BE35CBF5DA737F/large.jpg

The Eleganza family: from top, Eleganza, Privilege, Privilege Deco

http://www.fototime.com/36C0889AA90DF35/large.jpg

Some Sheaffer Sterling silver models.

http://www.fototime.com/2B4F4393524FA7C/large.jpg

A Yard-o-Led Viceroy Grand Victorian

http://www.fototime.com/269544FAF7AFBE2/large.jpg

[da vinci]

Wonderful pictures and helpful post Jar :thumb:

I have a GvFC Intuition in terracotta and find the nib an excellent writer in comparison to other pens in that price range.

[Alfian]

Yes, it is not silver plated but Sterling silver. Unlike the rest of the GvFC Classic line the cap top is double rimmed. I don't have that GvFC Classic but do have several others; the Pernambuco, the Ebony Anello and the Grenadilla and they are superb pens from a company with perhaps the best after sales service I have ever experienced.

http://www.fototime.com/EB50EB884E08D8E/large.jpg

Let me add about comparisons with other Sterling silver pens.

I would suggest a few to consider in the same general quality and price range where I do have experience. First are the pens from Yard-o-Led. They come in a variety of sizes.

The Ferrari da Varese pens are perhaps less flashy and somewhet more subdued with the exception of the Botticelli.

Waterman makes several fantastic Sterling silver pens, particularly the Gentleman and Man 100.

My two personal favorites are those from Montegrappa and Sheaffer.

Here are a few of my Sterling silver Montegrappas.

My Montegrappa 80th Anniversary

http://www.fototime.com/7BE35CBF5DA737F/large.jpg

The Eleganza family: from top, Eleganza, Privilege, Privilege Deco

http://www.fototime.com/36C0889AA90DF35/large.jpg

Some Sheaffer Sterling silver models.

http://www.fototime.com/2B4F4393524FA7C/large.jpg

A Yard-o-Led Viceroy Grand Victorian

http://www.fototime.com/269544FAF7AFBE2/large.jpg

Thankyou for the great photos and information ! I absolutly adore the sterling silver pens, I also like the yard o led pens but never got a chance to buy one because it's hard to find the seller outside UK. But I don't have any sterling pen now, so I want to know the information about it first before buying it. Is it going to tarnish in everyday use ? And is it hard to maintain? Also is it going to take scratch considering silver is a soft metal also, thanks !

[Alfian]

Wonderful pictures and helpful post Jar :thumb:

I have a GvFC Intuition in terracotta and find the nib an excellent writer in comparison to other pens in that price range.

Great! Thank you for your information ! :)

[jar]

Thankyou for the great photos and information ! I absolutly adore the sterling silver pens, I also like the yard o led pens but never got a chance to buy one because it's hard to find the seller outside UK. But I don't have any sterling pen now, so I want to know the information about it first before buying it. Is it going to tarnish in everyday use ? And is it hard to maintain? Also is it going to take scratch considering silver is a soft metal also, thanks !

Sterling silver develops a patina over time but can be removed with the simple silver cloth that is supplied with almost every pen or can be found at any Jewelery store. If used regularly there is almost no maintenance. Yes, you can get scratches but they just add character. I'm using one of the Sheaffer Legacy Sterling silver pens today.

Here is a story (http://montegrappa-history.com/introduction.html) about a pen I found once that may help.

[Alfian]

Thankyou for the great photos and information ! I absolutly adore the sterling silver pens, I also like the yard o led pens but never got a chance to buy one because it's hard to find the seller outside UK. But I don't have any sterling pen now, so I want to know the information about it first before buying it. Is it going to tarnish in everyday use ? And is it hard to maintain? Also is it going to take scratch considering silver is a soft metal also, thanks !

Sterling silver develops a patina over time but can be removed with the simple silver cloth that is supplied with almost every pen or can be found at any Jewelery store. If used regularly there is almost no maintenance. Yes, you can get scratches but they just add character. I'm using one of the Sheaffer Legacy Sterling silver pens today.

Here is a story (http://montegrappa-history.com/introduction.html) about a pen I found once that may help.

What a great collection you got there, thanks for sharing to us. I want to ask you another question, considering you have another model of GVFC which is not sterling silver model, as i know the metal parts of pernambuco finish, ebony, etc are using platinum plated finish on the metal parts such as the section and cap. Another finish is gold plated model on classic anello, do you find the plating will easy wear off ? Or do you think the best option is sterling silver ? Thankyou :)

[jar]

What a great collection you got there, thanks for sharing to us. I want to ask you another question, considering you have another model of GVFC which is not sterling silver model, as i know the metal parts of pernambuco finish, ebony, etc are using platinum plated finish on the metal parts such as the section and cap. Another finish is gold plated model on classic anello, do you find the plating will easy wear off ? Or do you think the best option is sterling silver ? Thankyou :)

I have found no plating wear but GvFC also has a lifetime warranty and great customer service. Also, their pens can be ordered with resin, plated or Sterling silver sections.

That said, I love the feel of Sterling silver. There is simply nothing quite like it whether it's pens or tableware.

[Chrissy]

I think you will generally find that good plating on expensive pens will last for a long time.

However, the 925 stamp always means silver (925 parts of silver per 1000 parts of metal) and it will always look good after a quick wipe with a silver cloth.