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Showing results for tags 'esterbrook-like'.
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I've been collecting Levenger True Writer (TW) pens, mostly FPs, since 1999, when they first were introduced. I've got 84 of them (some duplicates), comprising about 2/3 of what's been issued; the ones I didn't get either I didn't want or I missed their availability. I'd like to post photos of the collection. In this new Topic, I don't see the ability to post photos, as the "Post Options" on the right of this typing box (when typing) doesn't show the box for "Enable HTML," for some reason. I'm hoping that after this initial post, that box will appear so I can post photos. Even using the Upload option near the top of the screen, I can upload and copy to this box, but without "Enable HTML," the photos won't show up. Any help here would be appreciated. On the Levenger site, under "True Writer" you can find the history of the pen and photos of the various colors/materials in which the pen can be found, along with the month-and-year when each was issued. I like the TW as a vintage Esterbrook-inspired pen (though a bit thicker), and I like that over time, so many different colors and materials for the pen have been issued. The TW FP comes with a Stainless Steel (SS) nib. Depending on the issue, the nib either is one-tone SS or two-tone SS with some GP. Sometimes the difference between models merely is that the same color scheme has, in the one case, all SS trim and, in the other, GP trim. The FPs write smoothly with their standard SS nibs (I prefer at least a Medium nib or wider), but I like replacing them, here-and-there, with same-sized medium 14K gold nibs (made by Schmidt), which provide more springiness to the writing experience. There are also Rollerball (RB) and Ballpoint (BP) models, the BP taking Parker refills. There have been reports on FPN about some cases of cracking or breaking off of the plastic (if that's what many are made of) in various places, particularly on the earlier-made models. I have not experienced that problem myself, but then I don't write with any one of my TWs with any regularity, so I haven't subjected mine to the stresses that others have. With the very first issue -- the green one in 1999 -- the cap band got loose and came off after a few years. However, I used a small amount of super-glue to put it back on, and it looks as good as new, so to speak. My impression from watching Ebay offerings of the TWs is that they have not increased much in market value, at least the more common (albeit retired) ones that I've seen placed for sale. I have no idea whether, for example, the very first 1999 TW, in green, would sell for a premium. I don't sell pens at this point, but only collect, so I won't be testing that question myself. Some on FPN have wondered about the identity of the manufacturer of these pens. I have no idea. They use German-made nibs, but that doesn't help at all with identifying the manufacturer of the pens. Well, let's hope that after this post, I will be able to post photos.
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