Reviews of some modern fountain pens (will update)

[Cyril]

Hi to all readers! Not so long ago I reviewed a smaller model of the first year of production, and today I want to show a “oversize” version of the later years of release in the top design.

Montegrappa Reminiscence Oversize Vermeil with Palladio pattern (made in Italy) RE94

The design of this pen is a octagonal shape and is made of gold plated sterling silver. This cover design is called Vermeil, while the goldplated face should be at least 2.5 microns (for Reminiscence – 5 microns), in contrast to the more commonly used 0.25-0.4 microns. With proper care, this allows you to keep the original appearance for a long time. Filling system is cartridge/converter by international standard. Cap on thread, single-start thread, closing/opening in 1 with 1/4 turns.







Full review: http://lenskiy.org/2021/06/modern-mo...ence-oversize/

This is a lovely pen. I am sure this pen is an inspired version of a vintage??

Imagine if this has a vintage nib it will be a beautiful tool too.

Lovely penmanship Andrew !!!

[Andrew_Lensky]

This reminds me of this:

Coming soon

This is a lovely pen. I am sure this pen is an inspired version of a vintage??
Imagine if this has a vintage nib it will be a beautiful tool too.
Lovely penmanship Andrew !!!

Thanks. I have an early 1983 model with a plastic section and handcrafted hard-rubber feed - this is a great pen (I have post about this pen). But when I was writing this post, I never found a 1915 model that inspired the design of the reminiscence - so I think this is just an advertising stunt.

[Cyril]

"La Creme de La Creme " of penmanship and pen collection.
Cheers Andrew !!!

[Andrew_Lensky]

Hey! The day before yesterday I presented a review of the higher model of the Reminiscence line, and today I want to show the smaller one, about the same period of production.

Montegrappa Reminiscence Slim Sterling silver with Palladio pattern (made in Italy) RE3

The design of this pen is a same octagonal shape but little diameter and is made of sterling silver. Filling system is cartridge/converter by international standard, but unlike the first year model, any cartridges and converters of this format will fits with narrow or wide(Chinese) neck. Cap on thread, single-start thread, closing/opening in 1 with 1/3 turns.





Visual compare Montegrappa Reminiscence Slim nib vs Montegrappa Reminiscence Oversize nib



Full review: http://lenskiy.org/2021/06/modern-mo...iniscene-slim/

[Andrew_Lensky]

In my case, apparently, it really took a lot of luck to this Fortuna to make it work well

Montegrappa Fotuna w|Rose Gold plated (made in Italy) ISFOR2RC

This fountain pen is cylindrical and slightly barrel-shaped with flat tops, made of black resin. The folded design, I would say, is recognizable and resembles Miya and Extra, but without a cap it is similar to Esterbrook Estie Oversized . The filling system is a cartridge-converter by international format, but it is completed with a proprietary converter with thread to section mount. The cap is traditionally on the thread, the thread is big with pipe profile, closing/opening in 1 turn. There is a metal thread on the section but plastic in the cap.





The tip after adjusting and additional polishing



Full review: http://lenskiy.org/2021/07/modern-montegrappa-fortuna/

[Yazeh]

Love the drawing.. but I still can't get it that such an expensive pen had so many problems....glad you could make it work...

[Andrew_Lensky]

Love the drawing.. but I still can't get it that such an expensive pen had so many problems....glad you could make it work...

Thanks. I also do not understand why the manufacturers is so careless about the pens of even SE and LE editions. Apparently the time of writers has already passed, now is the time of watchers and image-makers.

[Andrew_Lensky]

Greetings friends! Today I do not have a review, but rather a short note about a replacement nib unit, or even more precisely a ground tip to smaller size.

Replacement nib unit Pelikan M101N (made in Germany)

It probably makes no sense to write about the shape of these modern nib units, they have a similar design, consisting of a plastic collar with thread and steel ring, plastic feed and nib. This nib unit from modern special edition Pelikan M101N model, based on the historical model Pelikan 100N(produced from 1937 to 1954). The diameter and thread of the collar is suitable for models from M100 to M600.







Detailed work and review: http://lenskiy.org/2021/07/ground-f-...101n-nib-unit/

[Andrew_Lensky]

Hello everyone for the second time this day! In continuation of the day’s post about re-grind the Pelikan M101N nib unit to the UEF, another nib unit, but from Conklin and with a slightly different task, but also into a thin line.

Ground to Italic EF nib from Conklin Omniflex #6 (old style)

I have already tried a similar nib, which I bought to replace the corrode original nib in the Conklin Crescent Stealth DeLuxe pen, only that nib was in steel color, and this one was in yellow color. I really didn’t like it and I later re-grind it to Drawing nib, but at the end I still replaced it to custom Noodler’s Flexible # 6. This nib is completely similar.

The nib: steel, size 6, plated by yellow material that does not like a gold plated. On the surface of the nib, under the heart-shaped breather hole, FLEX is imprinted, the company logo is Conklin in oval, the brand founding city is Toledo and country of origin USA. Do not be fooled by the Flex imprint – because this nib is quite tough, moreover, there are a lot of negative reviews on the network when, after flexing, the tines not closed and sometimes even fall off.







Detailed: http://lenskiy.org/2021/07/ground-to...klin-omniflex/

[Yazeh]

Andrew I really enjoyed your review on the Pelikan. That was truly amazing how you gave life to that nib....

[Andrew_Lensky]

Thank you, Yazeh!

[Andrew_Lensky]

Hi, to continuation of two previous posts about nib grinding. Of course, this work will seem dubious to most (including me) because this nib is untipped and this will sooner or later affect to the line width. Nevertheless, work is work and I have a desire to share my experience.

Ground to Italic EF nib from Conklin Stub 1.1 (made in USA)

This nib unit is completely identical to the previously shown Conklin Omniflex except that it is made from ordinary stainless steel but without tip, because the shape of this nib is Stub. Almost all manufacturers of modern steel nibs of Stub format make them without tip because the contact surface of the nib with the paper is very large, which reduces friction and abrasion of the end of nib. And even if the tip starts to wear off to sweetspot, it won’t have a big impact on the result.







Details about: http://lenskiy.org/2021/07/ground-to...klin-stub-1-1/

[Yazeh]

I enjoy reading your post. But even more the sketches. I especially enjoyed your Omniflex sketch. How the face is alive and three dimensional. Thanks a lot!
I would be curious to know the inks you used in general.

[Andrew_Lensky]

Thank you, Yazeh! I use every ink I have from time to time( http://lenskiy.org/2019/01/fountain-pen-ink-colorama/ ), but for sketch on order I use only Platinum Carbon Black and Montblanc Permanent Black because they are fade resistant and waterproof ( http://lenskiy.org/2020/06/fountain-...out-test-2020/ ). For watercolor techniques (Inkquarelle http://lenskiy.org/2020/03/chaiku-inkquarelle/ ) I like to use Parker Black Ink because they have wide chromatography. Now I plan to buy and try the Rehrer N Klinger SketchInk series, but so far there is no extra money .

[Andrew_Lensky]

Welcome all! This year my summer “in Italian” style and today I have another “big” Montegrappa in every sense of the word.

Montegrappa Privilege Deco Oversize in Moonstone (Pearl) Grey Resin with Art Deco pattern (made in Italy) ISPLP3SJ

This model is currently the last of the Reminiscence theme, so the shape (silver overlay) is based on the same octagonal shape, but the end of body and cap ring are rounded. The base material is a pearlescent gray resin with sterling silver parts. The silver edges are decorated by beautiful guilloche called Art Deco. Filling system is cartridge-converter by international format. Cap on thread with “long” closing/opening in 3 turns and single-start thread.









Full review: http://lenskiy.org/2021/07/modern-mo...deco-oversize/

[gnat9]

Hello everyone for the second time this day! In continuation of the day’s post about re-grind the Pelikan M101N nib unit to the UEF, another nib unit, but from Conklin and with a slightly different task, but also into a thin line.

Ground to Italic EF nib from Conklin Omniflex #6 (old style)

I have already tried a similar nib, which I bought to replace the corrode original nib in the Conklin Crescent Stealth DeLuxe pen, only that nib was in steel color, and this one was in yellow color. I really didn’t like it and I later re-grind it to Drawing nib, but at the end I still replaced it to custom Noodler’s Flexible # 6. This nib is completely similar.

The nib: steel, size 6, plated by yellow material that does not like a gold plated. On the surface of the nib, under the heart-shaped breather hole, FLEX is imprinted, the company logo is Conklin in oval, the brand founding city is Toledo and country of origin USA. Do not be fooled by the Flex imprint – because this nib is quite tough, moreover, there are a lot of negative reviews on the network when, after flexing, the tines not closed and sometimes even fall off.

Don't know what's more beautiful, your pen or your handwriting. I wish I could write like that

[Andrew_Lensky]

Don't know what's more beautiful, your pen or your handwriting. I wish I could write like that

Thank you very much!

[Andrew_Lensky]

Avtoruchka “Soyuz” AR-102 (АР2.1.102 У) - (made in USSR) 1987

Since this model is the successor of the AR-96(one review and second review) model, it almost completely repeats its design with minor changes. The pen itself is one of the variants of the most common design in the USSR production(late period) with a piston filling system. The transparent plastic ink reservoir is screwed into the section by left-hand thread, but some refer this construct to modern built-in(captive) converters. Inside the container there is a piston with silicone head and plastic rod, which are driven by a plastic knob, fastened with a plastic nut from the end of the ink tank. The cap (on friction) and the body are made of brushed steel color metal, one of the most wear-resistant versions. Differences from the higher model AR-96 are: a) the absence of a transparent, orange ink window for controlling the ink level, which is why the section itself has become a little longer; b) the cap top is made of metal and of higher height; c) clip of the same steel color as the body.









Full review: http://lenskiy.org/2021/08/modern-av...z-ar-102-ussr/

[Andrew_Lensky]

Visconti Homo Sapiens Dark Age, Midi, Piston filler (made in Italy)

Actually, this model is completely identical to the models of the Homo Sapiens series: designed in cylindrical shape with slightly rounded ends. The body material is made of a special material based on basalt lava and special resin. The filling system is defined by the manufacturer as piston, but in fact it is a build-in converter (captive converter). The cap is made of the same material and is attached to a special bayonet, named by the manufacturer as a Hook safe lock. The only significant difference between this model and the classic Homo Sapiens is the coating of all metal accents by shiny black by galvanic treatment.







Full review: http://lenskiy.org/2021/08/modern-vi...dark-age-midi/

[Yazeh]

Andrew really enjoyed your blog on Visconti. I wonder if it's coincidence that both the former and Montegrappa suffer from quality control?
The difference between the two nibs is quite significant, both being fine.
But most of all I enjoyed your sketch. I study them religiously