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So I too started collecting vintage pens, I guess it's part of the game When thinking about what brand to start with I thought I shall start "at home" and get some old CSSR fountain pens, that's how I got to buy this Centropen 3068 and a Derby. Back when I was at elementary school I "stole" a pen very much like this from my mother (she was a teacher) and I remember I thought how cool this pen was so I was happy when I've found out these are still available from online sources and I got one in fair shape. The same seller had this Derby too, I like the green marble body so I took that one too. A few hours and a bunch of micromesh made the thing and after buffing it up they look quite well. The 3068 writes well, although has a very thin line (I am a "medium nib guy") but one needs to write small letters every now and then What puzzles me is that despite there are collectors of Centropens, Hardtmuths, Koh-I-Noors and their subbrands, I have not found any information on these pens, some history, years of production per type, etc... nada, nix, nothing... so I would appreciate if you know of such a wiki, blog ar person. Now, the ladies (sorry for the quality, I have never thoughts it's such a pain to shoot glossy black objects...): http://i65.tinypic.com/j9m42r.jpg http://i66.tinypic.com/2dj4gol.jpg http://i64.tinypic.com/xkw0sy.jpg

So, I'm really loving the Centropen 100820. I finally posted my video review on YouTube. So, here on this forum, I want to offer my thoughts and some pictures. The pen was made in Czechoslovakia in the early 1960s by Centropen. The company, Centropen, was actually a communist creation. Previously, there were 12 small pen manufacturers in Czechoslovakia, but they were "asked" to consolidate as one in Dačice in the 1950s. So, I think this pen is the product of the wisdom and experience of these manufacturers. In the late 1960s, Centropen got into the lower cost pen market, so they no longer make pens of this caliber. But, wow, I wish they did. I've never used anything like it. The pen and pencil came as a set in a red leather case. I love this case, though I'm a bit nervous about how to preserve the leather. It's attractive and the only branding is inside. http://squirrelscience.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Leather-Case.jpg http://squirrelscience.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Centropen-Branding.jpg This isn't my best writing sample. But, I wrote it on a receipt to show the outstanding flexibility of the nib. It is supposed to vary between "fine" and "triple broad". As far as I can tell, it does. The pen flexes and writes a good line with very little railroading or trouble of any kind. In truth, writing with this pen feels like I'm using a brush. It's that flexible. It's stunning. I thought I had a light touch with fountain pens, but I really had to relearn that with this pen. http://squirrelscience.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Writing.jpg And here is the nib in question. http://squirrelscience.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/The-Nib.jpg The pen itself is made out of a glorious brown celluloid with an amazing chatoyancy. The nib and the trim are not just gold plated. They're gold filled. This means that they don't show wear very well. http://squirrelscience.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/The-Pen-1.jpg The piston filling knob is hidden under a blind cap, like a Noodler's Konrad or some German pens. http://squirrelscience.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Filling-Knob.jpg The pen is remarkable. I knew very little about Centropen before I purchased this one. And now, I'll be on the lookout for more. It truly is a special pen. Check out the video at 3:20 for a closeup, in slow motion, of the nib in action.

Hello to all, I've been lurking on this site for quite a while now and learned a lot from many of you and for that I want to thank you. Now for the topic of this post. I recently got a fountain pen with a Ripedium Point 50 nib. These, as far as I know, were fitted in Czechoslovakian pens made by Centropen. I have a few other pens by Centropen, but this one is not marked in any way - no serial number or name apart for the inscription on the nib. It is a piston filler with an ink window. Does anyone have an idea what model this could be? Maybe a Ripet pen? Thank you!

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-15_zps0394feb5.jpg Czechoslovakian fountain pens are maybe not very well known among collectors and users but they should be for sure pointed out very loudly because of their high quality, beauty and really wonderful writing skills. The communism time brought a nationalization to the Czechoslovakian pen industry, so all private manufacturers had to decide if join a new "company" Centropen or just desapear. So, actually Centropen used ideas and design of few great manufacturers, among them the best was Ripet, Barclay, Penco. First Impression (10/10) Is just ... WOW! This particular pen I am happy to have with original box, so after opening the box, literally, it's just WOW! The pen at once is going to catch your eye and push you to take it into your hands. Appearance and Design (10/10) For all of you who appereciate the most Italian vintage, celluloid pens, Centropen might be like "one of a kind" Anyway, it's very well made of impressive colorful, shiny celluloid. Cigar shape is a classy one, we all know that, so no dissapointment at all. Both top sides of the barrel and the cap are finished with transparent, acrylic or celluloid part which gives to the pen lightness and very modern look. In addition three rings on a cap and well thought clip. Alltogether, really, really NICE pen! http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-11_zps6f9ff83e.jpghttp://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-1_zpsa30fff99.jpghttp://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-10_zpsa748785e.jpghttp://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-9_zpsf7f92d3c.jpg Weight and Dimensions (10/10) It's a quite big pen, so all "oversize" lovers will not be dissapointed. Those who loves "standard" will find this pen also very comfortable. pen with the cap screwed on: 13,3 cm / 5.25 in pen without the cap: 11,8 cm / 4.65 in pen with the cap posted: 14,4 cm / 5.66 in diameter: 1,2 cm / 0.47 in Nib and performance (10/10) Centropen used usually steel, gold plated nibs but also 14 ct gold nibs by Ripet or just Warranty. This one comes with semi-flexible M 14 ct Warranty 1st Quality nib that is really great. At least for me who really love vintage, flexible and semi-flexible nibs. It's not the smoothest one and I don't like those nibs that when writes you don't feel it all and don't hear it all, so for me this nib is 10 but for "SS" lovers (silence&smoothness) it might be around 5-6. Ebonite feed works very well with the nib. http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-16_zps44b5f8da.jpghttp://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-5_zpsc0513b4f.jpghttp://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-2_zpsf0a67c84.jpg Filling system & Maintenance (8/10) The filling system is easy to use, and holds a lot of ink. It's a piston-converter integrated with the section. Easy and nice. Also quite good to clean, it's just to remove feed and nib and then it's very easy, if not removing, like in other piston fillers - in an out water http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-8_zps22b3c07f.jpg Cost & Value (10/10) I do not regret any penny I put on this pen. And of course it's vintage and in this particular color - very rare. So, this one is not cheap and other celluloid colors and solid silver pens from this period are right now quite expensive but if you got one with similar condition I got mine, you will not regret, too ... any penny Conclusion (10/10) A beautiful piece of European history - well made, well thought with great gold nib. What to want more!

Hi guys, I recently found this fountain pen, but I know nothing about it. It seems to write very well, and I managed to fill it by pushing the end of it, and putting it in a bottle of ink to suck it up. The nib is engraved with 'centropen', and it also has the numbers 1304 and 823 engraved on it too. Does anybody know what type it is (model name perhaps), and approximately how much it is worth?