Recommendation: Vintage Pen For Beginner

[Justjcez]

All,

I'm a recent recipient of a Mont Blanc pen as a gift. I'm not as familiar with the pen culture, but would like to learn more. I recently started using the pen and really think it's neat. I'm looking for advice or suggestions on books about pens, and about vintage pens that even a beginner can appreciate. I've bought a couple of fountain pens to use on a regular basis, but would like to buy something interesting.

 

To add, I'm a lefty, will using a fountain pen that a right handed person has used previously make a huge difference?

 

I'll appreciate any advice or stories about this, or experiences with vintage pens that might help me make informed purchases.

 

Thanks!

- Just J

[RyanWakefield]

One word on vintage pens for beginners: Esterbrook.

They are relatively affordable and have a wide variety of nibs so you might find on that suits your left hand. As far as a book, I would recommend using that money to buy a pen. Everything you could want to know about pens you can find out on this forum, and on various websites like richardspens.com.

If you are set on a book, what kind of book do you want? Repair? General information?

[D.C. in PA]

Justjcez,

Welcome aboard. I believe you will find that inquiring here (Fountain Pen Network, or FPN) will provide you with lots of good information to aid your appreciation of FPs. Be aware that it using, appreciating, acquiring, and possibly collecting FPs can become addictive - as several of the posts here indicate. Not to worry however, it is sort of a natural progression and there are lots of us that are well into addict status who still manage to lead 'normal' lives. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

As for books, if you desire information about pens form many sources, form vintage to recent, I would recommend Fountain Pens of the World, by Andreas Lambrou. It's not cheap, but it is quite informative. It is now published and distributed by Philip Wilson Publishers, Ltd, London. If you want basic information to serve as an introduction, PenSpeak: The Secret Language of Pen Lovers by Glen Bowen might be worthwhile. It is published by World Publications, Inc., Kingwood, Texas. The specific individuals in particular positions referenced in my copy are out-of-date, but the basics are OK. If you settle on a particular interest, there are also books on individual makes and/or models of pens, Parker "51" by David & Mark Shepherd for example.

Regarding left-handed writing with a former right-hander's vintage pen, many folks point out that wear patterns form in the tipping material of pens that have been well used form many years. I don't know that the impact would be so great as to prevent success and comfort on your part, but if it is a concern, I'd recommend starting with a vintage pen for which you could acquire a new nib if necessary. A recommendation in this vein would be a Parker 51 - reliable, many examples available, can be had for less than your first born, and relatively easy to live with.

I hope all this is of some use -

D.C.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Do you know from when your MB is from?

 

Many of the 1950's to early 60's nibs on good German piston fillers can have a semi-flex nib. There are a lot of MB folks that are after the '50's pens, that have better writing nibs than the new ones.

The new ones have more bling, but are regular run of the mill regular nibs.

 

An Osmia or Osmia-Farber-Castell with a Supra nib(gold or steel), a Soennecken, a good Geha 5xx or 7xx, early 60's nib, along with the older MB's can have or Pelikan 140-400NN can have good nibs.

Some 1950's Sheaffers have great nib....some have regular nibs.

 

Swan pens from England can have semi-flex or even Flexible nibs. Those are on the whole affordable. There are two Ebay pen companies that sell "buy now" refurbished pens with the flex of the nib listed.

They are not cheap, but worth their price; they do not have to be refurbished or repaired.

 

Spend some weeks looking at Swan pens before buying....I suggest paying more and getting the nib you want in a refurbished pen.

 

Chase nibs not pens.

 

You write with nibs not pens.

 

Some times you can get lucky and get a great nib and a great pen....to many chase a great pen and are satisfied with any sort of nib at all.

 

Are or will you be a writer; a user? Then you are more interested in getting a nib that writes...on any fairly good pen.

 

Are you a collector...you will have one of this pen make and model, and one of that, and of course one of those....and they might all have @ the same Medium nib???????

 

Take your time, do not hurry.

 

Andreas Lambrau has a few books out on Fountain pens...I only have one...I should have more.

I learned a lot from those books, which do not need to be new...I highlight or underline my book...it is a tool....a very good one.

[significantpass]

I think the difficulty of using a right-hander's pen varies according to the difference in your respective writing habits, and how much the person has used the pen. IMO, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

 

For a beginner vintage pen, I'd suggest a pen made post-war, because earlier pens tend to be more fragile. As to what pen you choose to buy, that's up to your budget and preferences. I'd recommend a Sheaffer Snorkel, because of its cool filling-system. If you get one with a Triumph nib, that would even better.

 

Just remember that there are many many different kinds of pens out there. Different nibs, filling systems, materials, etc. Go out there and discover what you like...

 

And...

[OldGriz]

Parker 51 or Parker Vacumatic.... both pens will do all you want and more..

You should have no problem using a pen that was previously used by a right hand writer.

I have sold many pens to lefties and none have had a problem....

 

BUT, make sure you purchase them from a reputable dealer or restorer so you are assured the pen is ready to write as it should

[sotto2]

Welcome J. IMHO, you can spend a lot of money and time trying to get old vintage pens fixed up to a useable condition, or you can spend the same money on a great modern pen, of which there are many, that work extremely well and can be used immediately. I have 6 or 8 "vintage" pens laying around here that I keep thinking I need to send in for restoration, but realize everytime there's something new I'd rather spend the money on.

 

That being said, like a lot of people have already mentioned, the old Parker 51s, 61s, and 75s from the mid to later 20th century (that sounds so funny) more often than not still work great and can be stumbled upon for relatively little money, especially if you consider what you'd have to spend on fixing up a "vintage" pen to make it work.

 

Whatever you decide, I think you're going to enjoy your fountain pen collecting experience and the great folks on this informative forum.

[jniforat]

parker 51,75...if restored (the 51, that is), will write forever and easy to maintain. Esterbrook's are cheaper restored ($15-$40 on the Marketplace here, depending on the mail), and FUN!

[goodguy]

3 excellent and classic vintage pens which I love, I am adding reviews I wrote of these pens.

 

1.Parker Vacumatic

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=78163

2.Sheaffer Snorkel

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=60655

3.Wahl Eversharp Skyline

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=64014

 

All 3 make excellent users and are timeless classics.

Edited August 22, 2010 by goodguy

[Glenn-SC]

You will get MANY recommendations from each and another User's favorite pen.

 

A beginners pen should be a good performed, reliable, and robust.

 

There are many inexpensive pens that can meet the first two criteria but not the last.

With a little bit more more you can get a pen that will meet all three.

 

I recommend getting a user grade Parker "51".

It will be a fantastic writer.

Will lay down ink every time the nib hits the paper.

And will work for a very very long time.

The eventual repair will be inexpensive.

[raigne]

I'm casting another vote for Esterbrook. And the main model is called the J. It's fated that you should own one, clearly. The pens are easy to find for under $50 fully restored, they are very durable, and as was mentioned there were a variety of nib sizes and styles made for them. They are easy to screw out and replace, and those can be found all over ebay and from various pen sellers like Richard Binder and Pendemonium. Additionally, each of them is unique. Most are marbled out of one of six basic colors, but there are a lot of variations in shade and patterning.

[bassopotamus]

There are lots of vintage pens out there. I'd think a little about what attributes you want in any pen, not just vintage. I have an Estrbrook J, it is neat. I want to get one in another color. It is also too small for me to use as a regular writer. But they are great to collect (and it looks like you already have some writers). A Parker 51 is another affordable classic (though more than the esterbrook). I'd also look at Eversharps. The Skyline is a really classy looking pen.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Esterbrook, comes in DJ, Double Jewel which is a medium sized pen.

The SJ is a slim version, same length.

The LJ, which I think the poster above has is a shorter thin model.

I have all three.

 

The DJ that we talk about are from 1948-60, after that the great color is gone leaving only pastel.

Single J...are transnational, from the late 30-40's are also very colorful.

 

Esterbrook is a very robust pen, in 6 colors with great pretty variations out side of black of course.

 

Go to Richard Binder's com, and look at his nib chart for Esterbrooks, you can get many different width's and flex's of the nib.

 

I would suggest printing out the chart, so you can see what nibs are what, and buying a refurbished one with a better nib, in the Sales section on this com.

You save money, time and effort buy buying a pen ready to write, than gambling on Ebay, with one that will need a new sac.

 

Here I reverse my saying of get the nib first. Get the pen first, you can and will buy other nibs for it as the time goes by....

 

I can't say everyone on the com has an Esterbrook, but most who have been here a year do.

I only have ten.

 

Go to Esterbrook com...look at the pretty pens. Go to the Esterbrook section here, and find a lot of very satisfied folks.

Edited August 22, 2010 by Bo Bo Olson

[Have Fun]

I would also recommend an Esterbrook but its important to get the right model that suits you

 

The DJ double jewel is great but unfortunately too thick for my hands & I prefer the SJ model which is slightly shorter but thinner. Posted its the same length as a Skyline. Esterbrooks win over other vintage beacause of their affordability, variety & quality of nibs & easy screw fittings.

 

As I understand it The LJ is similar diameter to the SJ but longer & that is my next proposed pen

 

There are no rules regarding correct diameter or size its a matter of handling & using. eg I've had thickish pens that I love & thick pens I dislike.

the same goes for thin pens.

 

It's personal preference.

[Bo Bo Olson]

LJ is the smallest as I understand it...but there is no reason to nit pick. Posted the LJ is an acceptable writer.

[Julio]

I vote for a Pelikan 140 with a gold semi flex nib in good working order for 45 plus postage. Offer only to the Beginner

[Bo Bo Olson]

I can only second Julio's offer.

I have a 140 with a semi-flex OB, that nib is second by a hair to my best nib.

Great pen.

A Pelikan has screw out nibs....for other semi-flex nibs....come the day.

[Have Fun]

LJ is the smallest as I understand it...but there is no reason to nit pick. Posted the LJ is an acceptable writer.

 

No but just to clarify as I understand its S - small ; L - long

 

diam of my SJ 10mm length posted 150mm

from memory my DJ was diam of 12.5mm length posted 160mm?

 

over to you or someone else for the LJ diam? & length posted?

[raigne]

Have Fun's closer. Look here. LJ and J are the same length, J is fatter. SJ is diameter (approximately) of the LJ, but shorter. The purse pens are the smallest of the J series.

[Justjcez]

Whoa! I'm floored by the responses and appreciate the advice given so far! I'm a nerd who likes to do research and find things out, your sugguestions will definitely help me get started. I'll reply in one shot so as to keep it short and sweet.

 

I received a Mont Blanc 147, it's a smaller sized pen and I believe it's fairly current. It was bought at one of the boutiques. It's a really nice looking pen and I don't get to use it as often as I'm afriad I'll break it or lose it.

 

As for books, I like to have references on the subject. I'm a fan of general history and the progression of objects. How they came about to be, major people or companies that played roles in shaping the way pens are today, particular advances or systems that were used in pens, etc. Repair would be interesting, I've not had enough experience to be able to say I'd try to repair anything just yet.

 

My interest in vintage pens was mostly because of the production methods that would set them apart from current pens. When people say "they just don't make them like they used to," I'd like to know what they meant. Also, I'd like to know more about pens that would set collectors and enthusiasts apart from someone who was just "gifted" a pen. It would be nice to see a particular pen and know the owner is perhaps someone I could talk to about pens and vise versa.

 

I appreciate the advice on buying a nib and a pen rather than buying a pen itself. This is perhaps a good point, I'll pay more attention to nibs and the pen's ability to have it's nib replaced or serviced.

 

 

Honestly, I'm not the greatest when it comes to "collecting." I don't keep most of my gear in order or particularly neat. I'm looking for pens that look good but perform well as I'll be using them regularly to write letters or even take notes. Perhaps in the future I'd expect to buy pens that will tuck away neatly, but for now, I'd like function first then form.

 

Thanks again for the awesome welcome and advice, I'll scour the rest of the forums to see what other gems of info are available. I'm already enjoying the experience. :-)

- Just J