Why Do You Like Vintage Pens?

[pmormack]

Could someone who really likes vintage pens -- as users -- explain to me their appeal?

 

Frankly, I don't like using something that is fragile. Also, for a resin pen, the color is faded or yellowed and probably brittle. I wouldn't wear vintage clothing either. And unless I have a display case for vintage pens or clothing that never get handled, I don't see the appeal.

 

I guess for the same reason I don't see the appeal of using 40 year old Leica cameras or 60 year old Fords. Is this a reasonable analogy to old pens?

[HesNot]

I'm not sure the analogies work unless it is fountain pens to, say, modern rollerballs. The 40 year old Leica is not as appealing due to technology shifts toward digital cameras, 60 year old Fords are significantly less reliable than a modern Corolla and for daily transportation that is a huge factor.

 

Technologically speaking there is really very little that has advanced the cause between a "51" and a modern Carene or MB. If anything, the modern c/c pen with an open nib is somewhat less technologically advanced than a "51". While some vintage pens are perhaps brittle - a good number (including all the ones I use) are just as robust as any of my modern pens and have a good deal more character.

 

But the biggest reason, for me, is that I can obtain a classic, very reliable and restored to solid writing condition vintage pen with a really nice nib for a fraction of what the same quality pen would cost in a modern/new pen.

 

Right now sitting on my desk and in use today are: a "51" cedar blue vac, a Sheaffer sentinel snorkel and a Persian blue sheaffer vintage pencil! All of them at least 30 years old and working perfectly!

[MikeLip]

I suppose from a strictly user point the attraction is, as Mr Spock would say, illogical. You can buy a new pen that writes as well as anything ever made, I guess, and if it doesn't one of the resident nibmeisters can make it behave.

 

But there is something about writing with a pen that is older than you are, and which has not just come off some assembly line. It has a history and some character lent to it by age and, often, use. There is no reason for most to be any more fragile than current pens. I have a number of Sheaffers from the 40s and 50s that seem like they will outlast me!

 

40 year old Leicas are a pain in the rear to use compared to a modern SLR or even a modern rangefinder (if you can still find one being made that is). And arguably they aren't as good technically as current cameras. But still, I'd love to have one because they are jewels and still awesomely capable cameras once you get past their peculiarities.

 

As for old Fords, eh. More of a GM guy myself!

[Green Maned Lion]

I often write with a 70 year old Sheaffer Lifetime Balance and matching pencil. It has a certain feel to it. Its not very... prcatical, I admit. But it was a hell of a pen for the $40 I paid for it and it really nice looking and good in the hand. If you want practical, easy, and safe, go buy a bic stic.

[Bill]

I don't think the analogy works because the technology stagnated. If the ballpoint or rollerball had never been invented, we would now have the best performing and most innovative fountain pens in the history of humankind and would be laughing at the old technology.

 

That is not the case.

 

Bill

[goodguy]

For me a vintage pen is like a jewel that is to be apreciated.But at the same time I see no reason not to use it.Old pens can write as good as a new pen if not even better.The Parker 51 is a perfect example for a pen that if you treat right will probably out live us all.

Also Sheaffer Snorkels,TM,PFM are reliable pens and excellent writers.

I also own a Waterman 52 that writes just great with its flex nib and I believe the pen is 70-80 years old.

My 30 year old MB 149 looks,feels and writes like its brand new.

 

Writing with a new or old pen isnt a matter of age but a matter of what you like and enjoy to write with .

[umenohana]

I love my old Swan made in 1925, because it flexes well. It's also got a metal body, so I feel more welcome to use it everyday.

 

-Hana

[Taki]

I like and use both vintge and modern pens. I think some vintage pens such as "51"s are as sturdy as modern pens,if not sturdier. After all they survived all these years

[OldGriz]

Frankly, I don't like using something that is fragile. Also, for a resin pen, the color is faded or yellowed and probably brittle.

pmormack

 

From the statement I quoted, it sounds like you have never really handled a quality vintage pen. I have vintage pens dating back to the early 1920's... hard black rubber and beautiful writing pens that are as good as the day they were made. I have also seen some vintage pens offered that I would not pay a $0.10 for because they were made by second or third tier manufacturers that did not use quality materials.

Not all vintage pens are faded yellowed and brittle resins. I have Parker Vacumatics that are as good and stable as the day they came out of the factory,

My Parker 51 Vacs and Aeros will stand the test of time and write as good or better than a lot of the modern pens.

Yes as I stated, some vintage pens are not worth restoring to writing condition, but if you purchase a name brand pen in one of their better models, you will end up with a sweet writing piece of history.

Another reason I like my vintage pens is the nibs. For the most part, I can purchase and restore a good vintage pen with a fantastic writing nib for a lot less money than I would spend on a high end gold nibbed modern pen that might or might not write as smoothly. Personally, and this is only my opinion, the modern pen makers have forgotten what it takes to make a nib write perfectly out of the box.

Price wise, you can also find some fantastic deals on vintage pens, IF you know what to look for. One of my best deals is a 2nd Generation Azure Blue Parker Vacumatic with a smooth as silk fine nib that cost me about $25.00 including parts for restoration. Yes that is an exception... but then again, there are others of us out there that make it a point to really look for that special pen and we have also made it a point to learn how to do the proper restoration so it will write again.

I have a few modern pens, mostly Pelikans, that I really like... but when I grab a pen to leave the house with... it is generally a 50-70 yr old pen that I trust to work perfectly.

[futhark]

I use both vintage pens and 50+ year old Leicas. I like the aesthetics of using both kinds of tools. What I could not do is put them on shelves or in drawers and just look at them. The fun part is using them.

 

Sometimes when I use my Conway Stewarts from the 30s and 40s I wonder if a Londoner once used them to write letters about The Blitz to their relatives in the country.

Gerry

[Maja]

In addition to what others have stated so eloquently above , I find that most (all?) of the vintage pens in my collection are lighter in weight than almost all of my modern pens (other than my cheap school pens). I find it difficult to write with a heavy pen....

[jd50ae]

For me it has nothing to do with technology or price. It was a better time.

[Vintage Pens Fan]

Could someone who really likes vintage pens -- as users -- explain to me their appeal?

 

Frankly, I don't like using something that is fragile. Also, for a resin pen, the color is faded or yellowed and probably brittle. I wouldn't wear vintage clothing either. And unless I have a display case for vintage pens or clothing that never get handled, I don't see the appeal.

 

Holding & writing a vintage pen brings me back decades in time. I feel like I am holding a part of past history in my hand. I am now holding a "51" which was given to me by my father; this pen is the bond between 1) time frame of now & then; 2) my dad & I both use it- the feeling is indescribable.

I also like the fact that most of the old pens are now out of production. I can go out & spend $1000 to buy a LE MB within 24 hrs. But it will be much more difficult to get a 1940s Moore Starlight, or a 1950s gold filled Snorkel Triumph. (I happen to have both; they cost much less but write as good as any pens.)

 

Also, I disagree that vintage pens are fragile. All my vintage pens are fully functional, & most of them are at least over 40years old. This prove to me that they are anything but fragile.

 

I guess we FPs lovers are irrational people; otherwise why spend any money buying expensive pens (modern or vintage). Logically a 50 cents BIC will write perfectly & get the job done...

 

Just my 2 cents,

 

David

[amh210]

I use an ever-changing mix of vintage and modern pens. Most of the vintage pens, notably Sheaffer, had better/smoother nibs. Most of my vintage pens are lever fillers, so I can repair themselves reliably which is not something I could do with a modern piston-fill such as a Pelikan. Most of my vintage user pens are exceedingly sturdy, there is nothing fragile about an Esterbrook J.

 

Importantly, many vintage pens are good values as writers. Even some 2nd and 3rd tier manufacturers. I have no hesitation to smooth a nib or re-sac a no-name pen or a low end National, Padfield, or Ambassador if it appeals to me esthetically and would be amusing to use.

 

There is also the "fun quotient" to consider in that writing with a BHR Waterman from the WWI era is just a kick! One of the women working in my office is over 80's and she enjoys it when I tell her that the pen I'm using today is older than she is.

 

Andy

[Patrick Hand]

I bought a pen (1940's unknown German Manufacture) for $25.00 because it had a flexable nib.... Right now , I can't adford to have a modern pen's nib ground to fine (or extra fine) with flex....

 

I wonder if a Londoner once used them to write letters about The Blitz to their relatives in the country.

I don't think I want to know who was using a German pen in the 1940's ( I hope that did not type out wrong... )

[psfred]

There are three reasons (well, four, but the last one doesn't count):

 

I can get a top of the line, very nicely working pen for a small fraction of what a nice pen costs today.

 

Vintage pens were sold as work-a-day tools, by and large (with the exception of the 14kt gold bodied ones, etc). Most of the delelopment money and effort went into the actual functiono of the pen. They are lighter (very few metal bodied pens) and usually a very nice diameter. In other words, tools, not pocket bling to show off how much money you can spend on "fashion accessories". A Pelikan 1000 may write OK, but I'm willing to bet not better than ANY of my Triumph nibbed Sheaffers or Parker 51s.

 

I like the looks of them much better -- a Parker 51 in dark colors or a dark colored Sheaffer TD or Snorkel is unobtrusive while writing very nicely. I don't use flashy gold filled pens, I don't really want anyone to notice what I'm using, they are for me, not the public to drool on.

 

Fourth, I've wanted a Snork since I was little and they were still made, and now I've got a pile of them!

 

Peter

[southpaw]

Many have already addressed the original question well, but for me it's:

1) more bang for the buck

2) most modern pens are c/c fillers and I prefer a self-filler

3) a sense of history when writing

4) a sense of class and style that's missing from many modern pens

5) vintage pens are first and foremost writers, with very few being pocket jewelry

6) flex - there's virtually no substitute for vintage flex

 

I use a mix of modern and vintage, but most often gravitate toward the vintage. Whether it's an 80 year old red ripple hard rubber wet noodle Waterman, a 40s Sheaffer Vac filler, a 42 blue striped Duofold, or a PFM or Imperial, they're just hard to beat.

[johnr55]

I don't see the analogy working between FP's and either cameras or cars. As a prior poster said, most good vintage pens will outlast us all if given reasonable care. I've owned some of my pens nearly 40 years now, and they are no more fragile than my newest purchase. I am a Leica and Rollei user, and own some prewar; they will also outlast me. Keep in mind, if you are old enough, that older automobiles, while requiring more maintenance than new ones, are also able to be maintained by normal people.

 

I like old pens for the same reason I like old watches, which I also collect: I like knowing that someone before me delighted in buying or receiving them, took care of them, and now I can enjoy them, too. In this disposable society, it is a true pleasure to me to own things that I know will be used again, after I'm gone.

[Russ]

Maja and Southpaw got it right:

 

Vintage pens excel at

 

- light weight

 

- nibs with a sensitivity and finesse unmatched today

 

- just the right barrel diameter

 

- budget pricing

 

Vintage offers performance. Sometimes looks. Sometimes both.

[penmanila]

vintage pens tend to be sensible, built for work rather than for display or collection purposes; they have strong, clean, uncluttered lines, graced here and there by small touches of elegance (like the wahl gold seal), nothing over the top. they were made before pen designers and marketers went wild with "limited editions" (not all of them bad, mind you, maybe not even most of them).

 

on the other hand, i'd like to say that many modern pens have had the problems of vintage pens worked out of their systems--ie, converters vs. bladders/levers.

 

my collection has a good mix of both--the vintage pens i keep for posterity, the modern ones i use for work.