Franklin Christoph Model 20 - Vintage Green

[inklord]

So far, the un-meistered nib drags a bit; I have refilled it with Pelikan Turmaline and, on Tomoe paper, it writes very smoothly but the line is not quite as crisp as my Edison.

Hm. The 'masuyama'd' med. stub on mine is quite wet and throws a well-defined line (with the inherent line variation). Floss the nib-slit a bit?

[Zhivago]

Beautiful pen. Could you say how wet the flow is on a 1-10 scale? 7, perhaps?

Does anyone else think F-C should lose the four diamonds on the crown? They are already on the clip; one set of them is enough. I'd just have the F on the top (perhaps make it slightly larger).

[migo984]

Beautiful pen. Could you say how wet the flow is on a 1-10 scale? 7, perhaps?

Yes, it is beautiful. Very subtle; not an in-your-face pen.

I'd say it is an 8 minimum, probably a 9. As I mentioned in previous posts I had it adjusted for a wetter flow before it was shipped to me. I don't like dry writers.

[inklord]

Beautiful pen. Could you say how wet the flow is on a 1-10 scale? 7, perhaps?

Yes, it is beautiful. Very subtle; not an in-your-face pen.

I'd say it is an 8 minimum, probably a 9. As I mentioned in previous posts I had it adjusted for a wetter flow before it was shipped to me. I don't like dry writers.

That agrees with my experience - both my F-C pens are, unadjusted, about 7 regarding flow..

[Zhivago]

9 seems a stretch. I think your nib would be doing the backstroke in ink with a 9.

[migo984]

9 seems a stretch. I think your nib would be doing the backstroke in ink with a 9.

It's very wet.

[Zhivago]

I understand; but at some point the ink would start pooling, etc., and become unusable or close to it.

I think Richard Binder's 'factory setting' is six, and that is wet but not too wet. A seven or so would be really wet but still useable.

I'm no expert; just my two cents.

[migo984]

I understand; but at some point the ink would start pooling, etc., and become unusable or close to it.

I think Richard Binder's 'factory setting' is six, and that is wet but not too wet. A seven or so would be really wet but still useable.

I'm no expert; just my two cents.

I don't bother or really care about what Richard Binder does or says. That's just my judgement and how I compare that nib to my others. As I said, an 8 maybe a 9.

[Zhivago]

lol; okay. It is just a number. You seem happy with the pen and how it writes; that is what counts. I only brought it up because I'm considering the same pen, but have never had flow adjusted by anyone at F-C. Thanks for the information.

[VertOlive]

Does anyone else think F-C should lose the four diamonds on the crown? They are already on the clip; one set of them is enough. I'd just have the F on the top (perhaps make it slightly larger).

I really like the diamonds, and especially the fact the motif is repeated on the cap.

[Zhivago]

Does anyone else think F-C should lose the four diamonds on the crown? They are already on the clip; one set of them is enough. I'd just have the F on the top (perhaps make it slightly larger).

I really like the diamonds, and especially the fact the motif is repeated on the cap.

Fair enough. I just prefer minimal branding and don't always like when a motif is used more than once. I think F-C also has/had the saying 'four diamonds in your pocket' as one of their slogans or mottos. But it isn't actually four, it is eight.

[reprieve]

My pen arrived over the weekend. My initial impressions are that I really, really like it.

The color is a bit milkier than I expected but I think it's a pretty shade. It's different enough from their signature emerald green--I already have a pen in that color and was worried that the vintage green would be too similar but it's not. I like the slip cap a lot. It feels secure. It hasn't dried out yet and has started right up every time I've reached for it, even after sitting overnight. The curve of the section is really comfortable in my hand.

I ordered the Masuyama needlepoint, since I hadn't tried that nib yet, and it's surprisingly smooth. It's similar in width to a Japanese extra fine nib but has a lot less feedback. Flow is very controlled, too, which I like in this fine of a nib so that the line remains thin and crisp.

I haven't bought a pen from Franklin Christoph since they've started packaging their pens in a leather pen pouch. That's such a brilliant idea! It draws attention to their leather line and it provides their customers with a practical case that they can keep using. I think I like the case as much as the pen!

[inklord]

Thanks, reprieve, especially for your comments about Mr. Masuyama's needlepoint. I had been wondering about how this extra fine nib feels in writing... Do you think it could at all be used in cursive writing?
And yes, that leather pouch is amazing. A local leather worker to whom I showed the pouch said that it is about a $ 15.- to 20.- value - compare that to the otherwise pretty useless 'gift box'.

[migo984]

Thumbs up from me too for the leather pen pouch. Such a good idea and it's very good quality too. I like the colour (maroon) and the discrete embossed F-C logo.

As promised, here's an update on the effectiveness of the slip cap:

It appears to create a tight & effective seal. You do have to press quite firmly to seat it correctly. The material looks very delicate so I was a bit hesitant to push it on hard enough at first, but you soon get the hang of it.

I left the pen sitting for a day and it started up immediately after un-capping. Full ink flow from the first stroke. I didn't clean all traces of ink from the nib before capping, so there was a small smear of wet ink along the slit and a slick on one tine when I capped it. This was still fully wet after a day. No signs or spots of dried ink anywhere on or around the nib. I'd say the slip-cap design is a good 'un 😊

I'm more used to the light weight of the pen now and it feels well-made in my hand. I don't post my pens, and I'd be reluctant to do so with this pen - I think it might possibly quickly affect/scuff the surface? Others who post their caps might want to comment on this......

[reprieve]

Thanks, reprieve, especially for your comments about Mr. Masuyama's needlepoint. I had been wondering about how this extra fine nib feels in writing... Do you think it could at all be used in cursive writing?
And yes, that leather pouch is amazing. A local leather worker to whom I showed the pouch said that it is about a $ 15.- to 20.- value - compare that to the otherwise pretty useless 'gift box'.

My regular handwriting is a print/cursive hybrid--so it's not traditional cursive writing, but it's not unconnected block lettering either--and I'm finding the nib to be very smooth especially given that it is such a, well, needlepoint. I've tried out a variety of superfine nibs, mostly of the Japanese variety (Platinum/Nakaya, Sailor, Pilot, etc.), and all of them have had a lot more feedback than the F-C Masuyama nib. I'm really happy with it.

[manoeuver]

you got me.

Preordered one today. Went for the 18K MM needlepoint. Anticipation!!!!

[reprieve]

you got me.

Preordered one today. Went for the 18K MM needlepoint. Anticipation!!!!

Congrats! Let us know how you like the 18k needlepoint. Mine is the steel version, but I am thinking about getting a gold nib unit for another pen.

[reprieve]

Did anyone else see the maroon Mariettas that were posted in the F-C stockroom? They're sold out already, which is probably good for me because I wouldn't have been able to resist. Look how lovely it is in red:

[migo984]

Did anyone else see the maroon Mariettas that were posted in the F-C stockroom? They're sold out already, which is probably good for me because I wouldn't have been able to resist. Look how lovely it is in red:

Beautiful!

[Bogon07]

The Maroon version makes me think about old mantelpiece radios.

I sort of wish FC had put a thin orange or dark red band either the cap and barrel finials or just on the end of the grip before the threads.