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Thread: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

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    Default Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    I've got a line on one of my long-standing, grail pens finally. I saw one once at the first pen show I went to and was immediately drawn to it, but I considered the price to be ridiculous ($500 firm). In my naïvety, I walked away. Since that time, I've seen photos, done research and developed a completely insane lust for this pen, which means the previous price I walked away from might only be noted in passing. It's been five years, and the deal isn't done (which is why I refuse to identify the pen until it rests in my hot hand).

    In my case, thousands were produced of this "limited edition," but I haven't seen one in person since that first pen show.

    What is the longest period you have searched for and finally found a grail pen? At some point did price really matter? Will you name the pen(s) you are looking for?

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    Member chad.trent's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    I waited three years or so to find an Esterbrook Visumaster. It wasn't an issue of waiting to find the right price. I knew what they went for and was willing to pay it. The problem was I just could never find one for sale at all. Then just a couple days ago I found one. And for a great price on top of that...

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    Senior Member fountainpenkid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    I have been searching for a Mont Blanc 142 for over a year...I've gotten quite close to buying one...and was planning on finally doing so this year, but I'm going to buy a ukulele and need all funds to go towards the cost of the instrument.
    Will
    If my p.m box is full, feel free to email me at dabantur@gmail.com.

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    Senior Member tandaina's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    I've been looking for a 142 with OBB (or OB) nib for about a year as well. But I just bought a horse and need to find a saddle... So all pen buying is on hold for probably the next year.
    ---
    Current pen rotation: way too many!

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    Senior Member Bogon07's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by fountainpenkid View Post
    I have been searching for a Mont Blanc 142 for over a year...I've gotten quite close to buying one...and was planning on finally doing so this year, but I'm going to buy a ukulele and need all funds to go towards the cost of the instrument.
    Then you can use the ukulele to "busk" for money for the MontBlanc142.
    sinistral hypergraphica - a slurry of ink
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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    My "grail" pen was one I never thought I'd be able to get due to the price. I've been collecting since 2005 (roughly) and it was a pen I've wanted shortly after I started collecting, so I guess 7-8 years now. The pen in question is the Graf Von Faber Castell Walden Woods fountain pen. I won't go into a long story of why it was a grail pen for me, but it is/was one since the day I saw it. That said I'll tell you the story of how I came across one.

    I had been on collecting binge (yeah...it was an expensive binge) for GFVC classics to complete the line-up. Something about the combination of wood and platinum/sterling silver really intrigues me, plus the craftsmanship of the pens. I knew though for the most part, that while I was able to get most of the classic line of pens at a reasonable (and most I bought for more than reasonable) price the Walden Wood pen would probably continue to elude me as they were always priced in the 500-700 range. Way more than I'd ever spend on one pen.

    Well like I said I was making my nightly perusal of eBay to see what I could find and came across what was listed as a very worn out Walden Woods Rollerball pen. The writing was completely gone, the cap was dented, but when comparing pictures to ones on the internet, it definitely was the pen. The seller wanted $175 for it as is, but I've learned to always at least ask, and I offered $150 and he took it. I figured while not a pristine example of the pen, at least I had a semblance of the pen now. I got to thinking though and on a whim e-mailed GFVC customer service to see if they'd be willing to sell me a new barrel for the pen, thinking it was a long shot. They told me no, but suggested I send it in to see if they could do anything that might help. So I got the pen, and the same day it went back out to GFVC for them to look at.

    Low and Behold a few days later I got an e-mail from their rep telling me they'd replace the barrel at no cost as long as I was fine that I'd lose the limited edition number etched on the platinum base. Believe me when I tell you I had no issue with that!

    So it arrived back home, I replaced the rollerball section with a fountain pen section I had and now I have what is/was my ultimate grail pen for way way less than I would have ever hoped to have bought it for.

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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by penguinmaster View Post
    My "grail" pen was one I never thought I'd be able to get due to the price. I've been collecting since 2005 (roughly) and it was a pen I've wanted shortly after I started collecting, so I guess 7-8 years now. The pen in question is the Graf Von Faber Castell Walden Woods fountain pen. I won't go into a long story of why it was a grail pen for me, but it is/was one since the day I saw it. That said I'll tell you the story of how I came across one.
    Cool pen and amazing story to go along with it!

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    Senior Member AndyT's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    I'm not in active pursuit, but I still have an eye open for roughly the right Waterman with exactly the right nib. I could have done with it by chucking a heap of money at the "problem", but experience suggests that it's much more satisfying to let good fortune and serendipity play their part - anyway, it's not as if I need another pen right now.

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    Senior Member kaisnowbird's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by AndyT View Post
    I'm not in active pursuit, but I still have an eye open for roughly the right Waterman with exactly the right nib. I could have done with it by chucking a heap of money at the "problem", but experience suggests that it's much more satisfying to let good fortune and serendipity play their part - anyway, it's not as if I need another pen right now.
    Same here, except I'm not very actively looking for a particular Parker 51 for sentimental reasons.
    Kai

    "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." -- Lao Tzu


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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by AndyT View Post
    I'm not in active pursuit, but I still have an eye open for roughly the right Waterman with exactly the right nib. I could have done with it by chucking a heap of money at the "problem", but experience suggests that it's much more satisfying to let good fortune and serendipity play their part - anyway, it's not as if I need another pen right now.
    This is my philosophy as well. I'd love to find that perfect vintage music nib and that perfect stub-nibbed Sheaffer Snorkel, and I'm keeping my eyes open, but I'm not actively looking. Eventually the pens will find me.

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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    If I could ever afford an Omas 360 (old style) I would get one. I am still kicking myself for missing out on an auction where I could have had it for $113 IIRC.
    Fountain Pen Sith Lord | Daakusaido | Everything in one spot

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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    I suppose the only pen I'm actively searching for is a Montblanc Hemingway. It's not an issue of finding one, but rather finding one at a price I'd consider to be a good deal. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find one to purchase for under $2000.

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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    I searched for a Montblanc Masterpiece in Coral red. It took a year or so but I finally found one. It is a no. 25 push knob filler overhauled by Francis from FPN. I love the push knob fillers. all the ease of a button filler with no chance of losing a blind cap.



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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by Bogon07 View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by fountainpenkid View Post
    I have been searching for a Mont Blanc 142 for over a year...I've gotten quite close to buying one...and was planning on finally doing so this year, but I'm going to buy a ukulele and need all funds to go towards the cost of the instrument.
    Then you can use the ukulele to "busk" for money for the MontBlanc142.
    I have busked before, when I was younger. If you're young and fearless, people love plopping the cash in. But I don' think the same thing would happen today. I am going to NYC this spring though so I could try, although the ukulele is custom and takes months to build. (and is going to cost over $1000).
    Will
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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by KrazyIvan View Post
    If I could ever afford an Omas 360 (old style) I would get one. I am still kicking myself for missing out on an auction where I could have had it for $113 IIRC.
    Sometimes those old style Omases go for nothing. I see the same thing with the Dama model...some have sold under $100.
    Will
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    Senior Member Bogon07's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by fountainpenkid View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Bogon07 View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by fountainpenkid View Post
    I have been searching for a Mont Blanc 142 for over a year...I've gotten quite close to buying one...and was planning on finally doing so this year, but I'm going to buy a ukulele and need all funds to go towards the cost of the instrument.
    Then you can use the ukulele to "busk" for money for the MontBlanc142.
    I have busked before, when I was younger. If you're young and fearless, people love plopping the cash in. But I don' think the same thing would happen today. I am going to NYC this spring though so I could try, although the ukulele is custom and takes months to build. (and is going to cost over $1000).
    Gosh you will have to be careful with it when you get it.

    The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain do some very entertaining versions of popular songs.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=pLgJ7pk0X-s

    One of my grail pens is the Visconti Mudejar Art 2007 & the other a Pelikan Cobra

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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by KrazyIvan View Post
    If I could ever afford an Omas 360 (old style) I would get one. I am still kicking myself for missing out on an auction where I could have had it for $113 IIRC.
    But you never know how high that bidder could have gone to up in such cases. Particularly if you get into a bidding war.

    The new translucent triangular body 360s are quite attractive too. Mrs Bogon is checking some out in Florence this week she has already commented on the texture.
    sinistral hypergraphica - a slurry of ink
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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by Bogon07 View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by KrazyIvan View Post
    If I could ever afford an Omas 360 (old style) I would get one. I am still kicking myself for missing out on an auction where I could have had it for $113 IIRC.
    But you never know how high that bidder could have gone to up in such cases. Particularly if you get into a bidding war.

    The new translucent triangular body 360s are quite attractive too. Mrs Bogon is checking some out in Florence this week she has already commented on the texture.
    True, but that's what it ended at and I should have upped my bid before going to lunch.
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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    Quote Originally Posted by Bogon07 View Post
    The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain do some very entertaining versions of popular songs.
    Oh yes, indeed.

    Given my location, just up t'road from Haworth, this is my favourite:


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    Default Re: Pursuit of Seni-Mythical Grail Pens

    Always wanted the Omas 360 Vision Clear Myself!

    :-)
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