Franklin Christoph Model 20 - Vintage Green

[migo984]

Extremely happy to have just received my new Franklin Christoph Model 20 "Marietta", with a Fine #6 18k factory nib, set to a wet ink flow by Jim at F-C. In my view it's closer to a Medium, but none the worse for that. It has that slight spring to the tines, typical of gold nibs, and is nicely smooth, but with a hint of feedback. Just perfect for me.

It is a surprisingly light pen, weight-wise, with a delicate feel to the material. If you hold the pen up to the light it has a slight translucency to it; this can be seen in some of the photos below. Yet it feels sturdy enough in the hand, and has a very comfortable trumpet-shaped section, made for writing. That's an obvious statement I know, but it's surprising how many pens look great yet are impossible to actually write with, given their design/material. The shape of the Model 20 is very traditional and evocative of 1930s vintage pens. The colour is the new Vintage Green. It's gorgeous. Definitely in the olive-green range. Discrete and very tasteful.

It is supplied in a very nice maroon leather zip-up case, so much more practical than a fancy box. Great idea from F-C.

Well that's enough waffle from me: here are some photos...... (with thanks to Murfie for taking the pics)

[Bogon07]

Congratulations Migo984 - it looks lusciously beautiful like old jade.

Neat bespoke pencil case & a great match up with the ink too.

Consummate photos by Murfie as per usual.

[migo984]

Congratulations Migo984 - it looks lusciously beautiful like old jade.

Neat bespoke pencil case & a great match up with the ink too.

Consummate photos by Murfie as per usual.

Thanks Bogon - I'm really chuffed with the pen. "Old jade" is a great description; it has that apparent delicacy & fragility that belies it's robustness.

The ink match-up was inspired by you & your pens 😊

[manoeuver]

Gosh that's a nice color. I love my 20 in black, I'll be surprised if I don't end up with an F-C in this color soon...

[reprieve]

This is such a gorgeous pen. I love the color and the design--the clean lines and the curve of the section. I ordered this pen a couple of weeks ago and am hoping that it will be delivered today. I've been staking out my mailbox. Your post made me even more excited for its arrival.

How do you like the slip cap? Does it seem to seal well?

[migo984]

This is such a gorgeous pen. I love the color and the design--the clean lines and the curve of the section. I ordered this pen a couple of weeks ago and am hoping that it will be delivered today. I've been staking out my mailbox. Your post made me even more excited for its arrival.

How do you like the slip cap? Does it seem to seal well?

I'm sure you'll love the pen. I wrote 3 sides of A4 in a letter without pause yesterday and the ink flow was flawless. It seemed to love the Sailor ink I used. The nib is great and the lightweight feel is just so comfortable. And it is such a classy looking pen. Understated and elegant. I'm not one for fancy designs, heavy trims or swirly colours and patterns.

The slip cap feels very secure and fits snugly. I do like the slip cap design, cos no threads 😀. I'm leaving it overnight and will check the ink / nib situation and start-up in the morning, to see if the seal is tight. Will report back.........

[Lady Onogaro]

That is a beautiful pen, Migo! I love the sleek no frills design of it. I also love that green ink you tested it with. I'm going to have to get a bottle, I can see. And maybe a pen to go along with it.

[Jeph]

Dag nab it! I had forgotten about this pen and now you make me think about it again. I can't afford any more pens, so please stop! Well, after you give us some more feedback after more use. I agree that the design is very nice. What is that writing around the cap, below the clip? "Franklin-Christoph?" That kind of detracts from the appearance a little, but not enough to drive me away.

[VertOlive]

Fantastic photos!

To chime in (not meaning to hijack...): I also received this pen last week, my own nib is a steel 1.1 stub. I experienced it as a "jade" sort of look. Right now it's inked with an Organics Studios ink which seems too dry. Next ink should probably be a wetter sort, probably some Sailor masterpiece like migo has chosen. I'm trying to get used to the slip cap, but the pen has been inked for a week with no hard starts.

[fqgouvea]

That fine nib seems to lay down a fairly thick line... Or is that an optical illusion?


Fernando Gouvêa -- fqgouvea@roadrunner.com

[migo984]

That fine nib seems to lay down a fairly thick line... Or is that an optical illusion?


Fernando Gouvêa -- fqgouvea@roadrunner.com

As I said in my OP, I consider the nib to be more a medium point as I asked for it to be adjusted for extra wet flow, so it will obviously write a wider line.

[gbryal]

Been thinking about this pen all day. What's wrong with me?

[migo984]

Been thinking about this pen all day. What's wrong with me?

Errr - you know a good pen when you see it? Let's face it, you need this pen. Badly! 😈😈😈😈

[migo984]

Dag nab it! I had forgotten about this pen and now you make me think about it again. I can't afford any more pens, so please stop! Well, after you give us some more feedback after more use. I agree that the design is very nice. What is that writing around the cap, below the clip? "Franklin-Christoph?" That kind of detracts from the appearance a little, but not enough to drive me away.

Yes, I was a little bit dubious about that, but it's actually almost invisible in real life. The lightbox seemed to emphasis the edges of the etched letters. It really doesn't detract IMO.

[migo984]

Fantastic photos!

To chime in (not meaning to hijack...): I also received this pen last week, my own nib is a steel 1.1 stub. I experienced it as a "jade" sort of look. Right now it's inked with an Organics Studios ink which seems too dry. Next ink should probably be a wetter sort, probably some Sailor masterpiece like migo has chosen. I'm trying to get used to the slip cap, but the pen has been inked for a week with no hard starts.

Mine is a wet writer, but even so it loves that Kobe ink. I wrote 3 A4 pages from first fill, without a single skip or missed stroke. Very smooth yet with good feedback. I dislike ultra smooth hard nibs, as I just don't feel connected to the paper somehow.

How does your steel stub write? I don't have many stubs as they don't suit my up-and-down, upright writing. I don't get the best out of them.

[inklord]

Thanks for the nice rep on your new one - I just received mine with Masuyama med stub in HPS. Love it. Did you notice the "ice" texture inside the barrel? I think that makes for the milky cloudiness. Quite nice. Have fun!

[inklord]

Congratulations Migo984 - it looks lusciously beautiful like old jade.

Neat bespoke pencil case & a great match up with the ink too.

Consummate photos by Murfie as per usual.

Thanks Bogon - I'm really chuffed with the pen. "Old jade" is a great description; it has that apparent delicacy & fragility that belies it's robustness.

The ink match-up was inspired by you & your pens 😊

Jade - that's it! I'll maybe pair it up with Organics Studio "Walt Whitman" which has that translucent jade quality as well...

[migo984]

Congratulations Migo984 - it looks lusciously beautiful like old jade.

Neat bespoke pencil case & a great match up with the ink too.

Consummate photos by Murfie as per usual.

Thanks Bogon - I'm really chuffed with the pen. "Old jade" is a great description; it has that apparent delicacy & fragility that belies it's robustness.

The ink match-up was inspired by you & your pens 

Jade - that's it! I'll maybe pair it up with Organics Studio "Walt Whitman" which has that translucent jade quality as well...

That's just reminded me. I have a bottle of Maruzen Athena Nihombashi Midori (or Green Jade) ink. I'll definitely have to try that next!

[inklord]

Congratulations Migo984 - it looks lusciously beautiful like old jade.

Neat bespoke pencil case & a great match up with the ink too.

Consummate photos by Murfie as per usual.

Thanks Bogon - I'm really chuffed with the pen. "Old jade" is a great description; it has that apparent delicacy & fragility that belies it's robustness.

The ink match-up was inspired by you & your pens 

Jade - that's it! I'll maybe pair it up with Organics Studio "Walt Whitman" which has that translucent jade quality as well...

That's just reminded me. I have a bottle of Maruzen Athena Nihombashi Midori (or Green Jade) ink. I'll definitely have to try that next!

Wow! Looks like a perfect match! I have now the greenish-grey DeAtramentis "Charles Dickens" in it... Otherwise J.Herbin "Vert Empire" and Diamine "Salamander" are waiting at the sidelines to jump in. Considering it easily holds 3.5 ml in eyedropper mode, I'll not have to change ink too soon though...

[VertOlive]

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.