To swim with the sharks... or not?
To swim with the sharks... or not?
Last edited by Empty_of_Clouds; May 13th, 2022 at 02:04 AM.
Wish I could help you, but you know way more about pens than I do. I'd probably buy something beautiful if it were a pure splurge; the uniqueness of the nib would be secondary. But that is me. I have all the pens I need to write with, but I still don't own a truly beautiful work of art. But your collection is likely quite different.
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Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)
How about an Omas Paragon (old style)? Piston filler, no metal trim ring on the section, bouncy nib, ebonite feed?
Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)
I'd consider a 1950s OMAS 557/F. I had one in college and it is such a grand, comfortable, timeless pen. Very well built. Wonderful bouncy-yet-useable nibs too. I don't think there's anything made today that will give you the refinement of it, barring some sort of custom work, which iirc you have explored more than many...
Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)
One of my favourite modern pens is the Parker Duofold:
in my humble opinion, it's one of the best made pens ever (although there are a couple of goldrings too much...)
Another very well made modern pen is the Pelikan M101N series.
Last edited by christof; August 25th, 2021 at 08:38 AM.
catbert (December 22nd, 2022), Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)
These are great pens with no doubt. I have the smaller 555 and can say that it is excellent:
OMAS Extra 555 by C.M.Z, auf Flickr
catbert (December 22nd, 2022), Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022), fountainpenkid (August 24th, 2021), pyiyha (March 26th, 2022)
The new Leonardo Magico is interesting, partly because I'm a sucker for piston fillers.
I wish they have (or planning to release) ones in ebonite.
If you don't like the stock nib, find the one you like that is about the same size and replace it.
As for having pens that is not constantly being used, that's what (to me) a collection is.
One day I may want to use one of those pens. If I let them all go now, what can I do then?
Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)
EoC-- Have a pen that takes a #6 Jowo or Bock screw-in nib? You might try Kirk Speer's "Secretary of de Flex" that he custom produces. I think Detman101 is head over heels on his purchase. And Detman has purchased a few nibs from other nibgrinders that he wasn't thrilled with.
https://www.penrealm.com/product/sec...flex-nib-unit/
I see Kirk also produces an even flexier nib model in 14k if you have the money for it. Drop Detman101 a PM and he'll probably be able to tell you the pros and cons of his nib. I've purchased a few bottles of ink from Kirk and he's a reliable seller. You've probably met him on Zoom at one of the Texas Pen Club meetings.
Last edited by junglejim; August 24th, 2021 at 10:12 AM.
Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)
To throw some others into the mix:
* Ebonite King of Pen
* Yukari Royale
* Santini
* Onoto Magna
Vintage. Cursive italic. Iron gall.
Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)
Got to say that I agree about the Parker Duofold International, and I was able to but a gold plated one at the DC show, a pen that I had been looking for some quite some time. It is a classic pen, and available in a range of nibs, not as many as in the past, but still quite a few.
Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)
EOC, I recommend you get a used 149 from a trusted member of the pen community. It’s a classic and a must have for a veteran pen collector such as yourself. Best of luck in your hunt!
Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)
I don't know if you're still looking for a Parker 51 but if you are, Ernesto has some nice ones over at Parker51.com. Although it is vintage a P51 can very well be a trusted EDC pen.
Last edited by carlos.q; August 24th, 2021 at 06:38 PM.
Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)
I agree with Eric the Red: a used MB 146 or 149. It may take some patience to wait for the right deal. However, there are a lot of them out there, and something should come up eventually.
Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)
There are better sellers than Gary Lehrer. I’ve never been impressed with his offerings. The pens are sometimes overrated and the prices inflated.,
I used to prefer Japanese sellers, but it’s been difficult and more expensive to buy from Japan since Covid.
Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022), fountainpenkid (August 24th, 2021)
I have heard (and once or twice tried) post-celluloid MB 146/149 have some great nibs with bounce/character at a more affordable price than the OMAS I suggested (or rare modern Duofolds). (A monetary aside, probably ill-advised: I think you've mentioned that you have about 30 pens recently though--surely they are worth in sum a good deal more than the money you might spend on this single pen. Of course everyone weighs these things differently, but I think sometimes people get lost (I used to often fall prey to this) in the value of a single pen. If a pen really speaks to you and is worth a fraction of the value you already have invested in them, I say give it a good thought and get it. It'll probably be worth it.)
Last edited by fountainpenkid; August 24th, 2021 at 09:24 PM. Reason: removed content
Don't ask yourself what pen to buy, ask yourself what attributes do you feel are lacking in your current favorites. If you come up empty handed, be content and buy yourself and your closest friends a nice meal.
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M: I came here for a good argument.
A: No you didn't; no, you came here for an argument.
M: An argument isn't just contradiction.
A: It can be.
M: No it can't. An argument is a connected series of statements intended to establish a proposition.
A: No it isn't.
M: Yes it is! It's not just contradiction.
A: Look, if I argue with you, I must take up a contrary position.
M: Yes, but that's not just saying 'No it isn't.'
A: Yes it is!
M: No it isn't!
AzJon (August 25th, 2021), Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022), fountainpenkid (August 24th, 2021), silverlifter (August 24th, 2021)
Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022), Lloyd (August 24th, 2021)
I disagree with this completely. If you use Paypal Goods&Services or anything that uses a credit card there's almost no financial risk, just some risk of inconvenience.
To be fair though, it seems like you don't want another pen based on the tenor of your responses. If you know what style/features you want then work with a maker and get a totally custom pen. It's not all that complicated. I recommend Lotus ... very good to work with and not very expensive.
Last edited by scud80; August 24th, 2021 at 10:40 PM.
Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)
Right now, sounds like you don't need a new pen and you're casting about for things to do with the money. If nothing appeals, set the money aside and you have an emergency budget for that pen you suddenly and quite unreasonably fall in love with.
Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022), fountainpenkid (August 25th, 2021), Lloyd (August 25th, 2021), rkesey (February 9th, 2022)
EOC. Save your money for the time when you are sure. Only you will know when that is.
Malcolm
Empty_of_Clouds (October 12th, 2022)
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