Search the Community

This is a rather special pen to me. It belonged to my late father, and has his name hand engraved on it in one of the nicest and most elegant fonts you could imagine. He bought it new in the 1950's, and it landed in my possession when he died in 2010. I don't think he used it since the 1980's, and I think it was put away dirty to boot. So here's what was wrong with it: MAJOR (well "micro" really) dinging on the barrel and cap. Filthy everything. The metal sleeving of the blind cap and barrel were loose, nearly completely off the celluloid beneath. As you can see, no ink window was visible . . . at all. So Brad took the entire pen apart and cleaned and fixed everything (I can post photos of everything taken apart and cleaned if you'd like). He had to create a custom mandrel to facilitate getting the dimpling out of the cap. Shockingly, just about every ding came out. Per the "before" pictures, there was no ink window visible, it looked solid black. So Brad cleaned the ink window (eventually when he creates a smaller version of his striping tool, we'll restore the ink window stripes), and finally cemented the metal back on the celluloid barrel. This thing looks and feels brand new - ready for me to use a little bit and then pass on to my son. Pardon my lousy photography.

Hi everybody, I've been haunting the forum for a while now without posting anything but now I desperately need some purchase advice. As a university student I need to take a lot of notes every day. I figure 5-10 pages a day isn't all that much for some of you hardcore writers out there but for me it is and therefore need a good pen… or at least want one . My requirement for a pen is that it performs well for fast and long writing sessions. From my research so far I have narrowed it down to the Pilot Custom 823 F or 742 PO / F. I don't really care that much about the price because I'm not a collector. Therefore, I don't plan to buy another dozen of pens but only one that does exactly what I want. However, the 823 is definitely at the upper (almost painful) limit. Through my search after the ultimate writing utensil for me, I already acquired several other fountain pens (Italix, TWSBI, Pilots) but sadly none of them left me satisfied. (I included the pens that I own at the bottom.) Writing this, I feel rather awful, much like a millionaire complaining about his collection of supercars. This is whining on a high level but I’m like that. I don’t want much but I want the best or to put it more accurately: the best value for money... If I was said millionaire I would probably buy a custom Edison, or a dozenof them since money would not be an issue anymore . Now, I can’t decide between the 823F and 742PO/F/EF. I want a pilot because they offer affordable, high quality pens with fine nibs. In addition, Pilot blue and blue-black inks are waterproof, well behaved and affordable. The 823 received high grades all around in the reviews, I’ve read. The only thing I don’t like about it, is that one must unscrew the back in order to make it write. That just sounds …wrong, kind of like having a car, that only drives if you turn on the windshield wipers … Moreover, the PO nib is intriguing me. I’ve read that the PO nib only requires little pressure(1) and is good for fast and small writing(2). This sounds exactly like what I’m looking for. However, there are only few reviews around and two youtube videos in which the nib makes an awful lot of noise. What? You’re still reading? Ok then, thank you so much for taking the time to read about my conflict! I really appreciate it. If you happen to know something about the two pens in question please let me know. Cheers, Quabop Supplementary information: These are the pens I already own: -Pilot 78G F: For the price it’s certainly a stellar pen but it's also small and flimsy and has a low ink capacity. On top of that it’s rather boring… -Pilot Vanishing Point F: The clicking mechanism is very convenient and the nib is on the dry side but smooth. However, the gripping section is placed awkwardly above the ridge between the metal cap and body. In addition, it's tapered towards the tip and rather heavy which makes the pen exhausting to write with. -TWSBI 580 EF: It looks very nice, has a good size and weight but it’s too wet for taking notes on heap paper, produces a too thick line and feels slow, a little like writing with glue… -Italix Parson’s Essential fine stub: It’s very smooth. The line variation makes everything look better and it’s built very well. However, the stub is too thick as well for taking notes.

I am looking for some help regarding Pilot replacement nibs. I have a 742 custom I got with the FA #10 nib. I really liked the nib and I was going to have it sent off to grind it down to a finer point. I left it wrapped up on my desk ready to box up and ship out after work. But before I go back home someone apparently mistook it for trash and out with the garbage it went. I have been trying to find out if it is possible to buy a replacement nib only or not. So far it seems I would have to buy a whole new pen. Any info would be great, or anyone that might have an FA nib they care to sell. Thanks.