Bexley Owners Club 2009

[AltecGreen]

I just joined this forum so I offer up this review of a recent acquisition.

 

 

First Impression:9/10

 

 

 

This pen is my first Bexley. I was ordering a Nakaya celluloid pen and figure if I’m getting one pen why not get two. The ebonite body of the pen caught my eye so I ordered this pen in olive. The pen arrived in a standard Bexley box with the all important Bexley owner’s registration card. Out of the box, the polished ebonite catches the eye and the pen feels really good in the hands. The first thing I noticed was how light the pen was given it's size.

 

 

 

 

Appearance:9/10

 

 

 

The most attractive and beguiling aspect of the pen is beautiful ebonite. The pen has a very attractive satin sheen that is very smooth to the touch. The two-tone nib fits the trim very nicely. The fit and finish of the metal trim is good but not necessarily the best. This is a minor point since it doesn’t detract from the ebonite. The machining of the ebonite was first rate. There is almost no gap between the cap and the barrel when the cap is screwed into the body of the pen. The pen is engraved with with the name of the pen series an the number of the pen in the series. The engraving is low key and the font fits the style of the pen. The lettering is a bit small but this helps not to detract from the rest of the pen. The pen captures a very classic look. If you are looking for something avant garde or plain weird, I would look somewhere else.

 

 

 

 

Design/Size/Weight:10/10

 

The pen is on the large size of medium being the largest pen I own. The ebonite is extremely light and makes this pen the lightest I own. Fully loaded with ink, it is a tad lighter than my Omas Orange/Blue Bologna and the Nakaya Jade celluloid that I own. The pen is extremely comfortable to hold and has a balanced feel both posted and unposted. The ebonite gives this pen a distinct feel that is different than celluloid or resin. Definitely very different than my Graf von Faber Castell Guilloche and Caran d'Ache Ecridor Chevron which are slim and hefty.

 

 

 

 

From left to right: Graf von Faber Castell Guilloche, Nakaya Jade Celluloid, Platinum Koi Celluloid, Bexley 2009 Owners Club, OMAS Bologna, Caran d'Ache Ecridor Chevron, and Pilot Custom 74

 

 

Nib:10/10

 

This pen has a 18 k two tone nib. I ordered this pen with a fine nib and it was tuned by John Mottishaw. The nib size is typical for a western/europoean fine and lays down a nice wet line filled with Pilot Iroshizuku Shin Ryo-ku. The nib writes buttery smooth when using a light hand. Using a little more pressure, there is a a touch of feedback. I find this pen writes a bit smoother than my Omas Bologna and comparable to my Nakaya Jade celluloid. Both the 2009 Bexley Owner’s Club and the Nakaya were tuned by John Mottishaw so that may be the reason. There is a bit of flex in the nib but no one will mistake this for a true flex nib.

 

 

 

 

Filling System:9/10

 

This pen uses a cartridge/converter system so not much to say here. Everything works as advertised. If this pen were a piston filler, the weight balance would be different, so a C/C system is not a bad idea if you like a nice light pen. Using this pen with a cartridge would yield an incredibly light pen.

 

 

 

Cost and Value:9/10

 

This category is almost as subjective as aesthetics. This is not an inexpensive pen but the total package was well done and the ebonite finish does really stand out.

 

 

Conclusion:9/10

 

This pen is an excellent writer with a nice balance for a sizeable pen. This is a really comfortable pen to use because of the shape and weight. This has become my current daily writer. This was my first Bexley so I had no strong expectations.

[Ken W]

Thanks for the review. I have been waiting for a review of this pen, and pleased to hear that you are enjoying it.

 

Best regards,

 

Ken

[ianmedium]

That is an exquisit pen you have there, Ebonite is such a wonderful material !

[FrankB]

I have been waiting for a review of this pen model, and you did it very well. Thank you.

 

The ebonite is lovely. I just assumed the pen would write well, but it is good to have confirmation.

[hardyb]

I received one in the red and black ebonite with a Bexley stub nib. Love it! Very nice performer. Borrowed photo below:

[Rufus]

I love my 2009 in red/balck ebonite with a luscious medium nib. The styling of the pen is exquisite and it feels very well balanced in my hand unposted (I don't post any of my pens). As with all my other 28 Bexleys, it is a joy to behold and to write with.

[Frits B]

I would not have rated appearance as 9/10, for the simple reason that I cannot understand why it should be so obvious that the barrel is made out of three slices, not counting the section. This can not only be felt but also seen as the pattern is not continuous. This pen is essentially the same pen as the Parkville Pen LE of 2004 where the barrel is in one piece and the pattern in the ebonite even continues on the section.

 

In all other respects I can fully agree with this review .

[JFT]

Thank you for the review and congratulation for a beautiful pen. I have yet to buy my first Bexley but pen like these make me wish to get it fast so I can get an owner club afterward

[MidnightBlue]

When I got mine all I could see was the join. Bexley responded very promptly explaining the technical reasons for the join . Now I have no concern. (By the way, that nib is a dream)

Edited February 15, 2009 by MidnightBlue

[MidnightBlue]

When I got mine all I could see was the join. Bexley responded very promptly explaining the technical reasons for the join. I quote,"Too long to properly cut as one piece. It will deflect at this length, material and diameter. Also, to balance the two piece look that must be in the cap for it to work.) So, there you go. (By the way, that nib is a dream)

 

[IDP]

This is my first Bexley pen and I bought it from Richard Binder. It is absolutely beautiful and writes incredibly well. On a scale of 1-10 this pen is a solid 9.

 

Also the lightness of this pen is simply remarkable given its size. I recommend this pen and Bexley highly.

[MidnightBlue]

Just thought I'd drop you all a line I received from Bexley about the join in the rubber.

"Too long to properly cut as one piece. It will deflect at this length, material and diameter. Also, to balance the two piece look that must be in the cap for it to work."

I'd like you thoughts.

Thanks

[Frits B]

Just thought I'd drop you all a line I received from Bexley about the join in the rubber.

"Too long to properly cut as one piece. It will deflect at this length, material and diameter. Also, to balance the two piece look that must be in the cap for it to work."

I'd like you thoughts.

Thanks

For what it is worth: the barrel of the Parkville Pen 2006 LE is just as long but slightly thinner, and in one piece. Its cap is in two pieces like the BOC's but hardly visible as the pattern hides the join better. I don't really mind the join in the barrel, but it would have been nice if it were less obvious, that's all. As it is, the Parkville Pen's LE just looks better finished. Both pens are excellent writers, no doubt about that.

 

BTW, if it wasn't clear already, both pens are hard rubber, so it's not a matter of plastic vs. hard rubber.

Edited February 24, 2009 by Frits B

[georges zaslavsky]

a superb pen

[AltecGreen]

Woops! Accidently killed the pics while trying to reduce the size.

 

I've re-posted the pics in a smaller size.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Peter from Sherwood Park]

Thank you for this review -- it looks like a great pen!