Re: A Change of Perspective.
Nothing on the web is bullet proof, even the FPG forum has recently had it's frauds and less happy buyers. The closest thing is a trusted seller with a good reputation that will let you return a purchase. It all comes with a bit of back and forth in the mail. There are a few trusted sellers on ebay, and I don't disregard them completely. Some sell used, but restored pens, others mint collectors items at various prices. The random seller will have varying quality and fix up projects, as you well know. A gem turns up now and then. Maybe there are repair services you can use if you find a good fix up pen? Ideally we should have a good pen store in every medium sized city, I don't think that will ever happen again. If a pen show turns up locally, I would attend.
For your situation I don't think there are any straight forward solution. Like you mention, it all comes down to qualities you are looking, mabye something new to discover. It all involves a bit of search, testing and trying. Keep your favorite pen and cherish it :- )
The pens you list will turn up, it's all a question of time, energy and money. I guess all the forums and blogs was originally started to form a social network related to pens, maybe there are too many individuals involved to establish closer groups of friendships.
Re: A Change of Perspective.
You could try Paolo at Zona900.com for the Aurora 88P.
Re: A Change of Perspective.
I'm in the same situation: stuck at the bottom of the world with limited access to vintage...
The Melbourne pen show is the closest that apparently has a good range of vintage pens. I'm considering a trip to see how extensive that is, but I suspect it won't hold a candle to what is on offer in the US or EU.
Re: A Change of Perspective.
@arrow, totally agree. Will have to settle for long waits.
@catbert, thanks. Forgot about that site. There's a couple on there now but I won't be able to act until after the holiday is done.
@silverlifter, indeed. That is why I mention the US in the OP (though I suspect a lot of US members are perhaps a little unaware of the extent of the vintage pen desert we inhabit over here).
Re: A Change of Perspective.
In the event that a modern ebonite pen does not float my boat, then a vintage woodgrain version would be a most suitable substitution. I wonder if I can prevail on Will. G. to keep an eye out for something? I've watched his site with keen interest for a long time now - he is one of the sellers I feel confident of (though I've yet to purchase from) -and I trust in his attention to detail in getting an old pen up and running properly. Will, the Unic might work for me if it posts securely (a bit too short if it doesn't).
Re: A Change of Perspective.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Empty_of_Clouds
In the event that a modern ebonite pen does not float my boat, then a vintage woodgrain version would be a most suitable substitution. I wonder if I can prevail on Will. G. to keep an eye out for something? I've watched his site with keen interest for a long time now - he is one of the sellers I feel confident of (though I've yet to purchase from) -and I trust in his attention to detail in getting an old pen up and running properly. Will, the Unic might work for me if it posts securely (a bit too short if it doesn't).
David, if you're interested in one of my pens, feel free to contact me a via my email redeempens at gmail (actually you've done so in the past). I don't always read every post here on FPG so I could have missed this one.
I have to double check if the UNIC is still available. I remember I sold something like that recently. Also, the UNIC does post, but I wouldn't count on it for long term use, the cap lip is quite thin, and a crack may develop sooner or later. This is not to say that vintage pens are necessarily more fragile than modern ones, but is almost a century old object after all.
Re: A Change of Perspective.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Empty_of_Clouds
In the event that a modern ebonite pen does not float my boat, then a vintage woodgrain version would be a most suitable substitution. I wonder if I can prevail on Will. G. to keep an eye out for something? I've watched his site with keen interest for a long time now - he is one of the sellers I feel confident of (though I've yet to purchase from) -and I trust in his attention to detail in getting an old pen up and running properly. Will, the Unic might work for me if it posts securely (a bit too short if it doesn't).
+1 for Will. Good ol' Penwash has a fascinating collection of pens for procurement.
Re: A Change of Perspective.
Thanks, Will, I do keep a keen eye on your page.
Re: A Change of Perspective.
Re: A Change of Perspective.
Darn!
Missed a nice looking Good Service Pen in woodgrain that went for about $120. Unfortunately I was in surgery and unable to keep abreast of the auction.
Re: A Change of Perspective.
Re: A Change of Perspective.
Bump.
Still looking for some help. :)
Re: A Change of Perspective.
As always, any helpful hints, suggestions, links or connections, are welcome.
BUMP
Re: A Change of Perspective.
GREAT DESIRED LIST OF PENS YOU HAVE THERE...............I DO NOT OWN A WTRMN 94, BUT DO OWN THE OTHERS (DUOFOLD FOAM GREEN OR SHEAFFER, CAN'T REMEMBER BUT OWN A BUNCH OF DUOFOLD'S)[/COLOR][/B] THE VARIOUS COLRS YOU WANT BEING PRETTY OLD ARE HARD TO FIND IF NOT RARE W/OUT STAINING AND YET STILL ARE PRICEY AT PRESENT VS 20 YRS AGO
GOOD LUCK IN YOUR QUEST....................[/COLOR][/B][/B][/B]
Re: A Change of Perspective.
As always, any helpful hints, suggestions, links or connections, are welcome.
BUMP
Re: A Change of Perspective.
I wonder if I should just stick with modern shop bought pens?
Re: A Change of Perspective.
Concerning the Aurora 88P your best bet is Zona900, but do not look to the pens on the website, just ask Paolo a quote for a well maintained one (if you like specify also the type of nib you prefer). Aurora 88 are so easy to found in Italy that Paolo should certainly have some.
Alfredo
Re: A Change of Perspective.
I am in the same position.
I hear tale told of the marvels of "Vintage Flex Pens", but never see any.
None in real life anyhow.
So I've stuck with working with what's available, mostly building my own.
I've been called everything you can think of for not buying a "Vintage flex pen" by most.
It still doesn't change the fact that most of the things people talk about, there's really no viable means of ever trying them out.
There are no fountain pen shops with them, there are no pen shows anymore, there are no people to see/visit/contact to try them out.
The only option is to either ignore it all...or buy something sight unseen....which is stupidly risky in today's garbage scam-filled society.
No way in...and no way out.
Love everything but this about fountain pens...Ballpoints may be the safer and less costly option.
Re: A Change of Perspective.
I have a Parker Duofold from the 40's. It was my grandfather's.
The nibs is very different from today's nibs. It is 14K gold, but rather thin - which makes it flexible, it feels fragile and it is not a smooth writer - it has some tooth.
It's certainly not like any modern nib I have - or the nib on the Parker 51. I have to write slowly with it.
I'm not trying to say it is a terrible pen - but it certainly is a different writing experience than with a modern pen.