Hemingway with 1950's vintage nib/feeder

[Wael El-Dasher]

First of all, a special thanks to Eric for performing this transplant. Without his expert help this would have never been possible. It was Eric that directed me to the new old stock 149 nib & feeder from the 1950's that was for sale on FPN by member Jellybelly1. I hadn't checked FPN classified for one day and could have missed it! Eric knew I was searching for such a nib for just shy of 3 years now and the thought of taking a perfectly restored vintage 149 and robbing it of its nib was too much to bear, I just couldn't get myself to destroy a vintage pen.

 

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when this pen landed on my desk (along with another special 149 that Eric sorted out, but I'll save that for another thread). Here are a couple of photos. I need to buy a better camera with macro lens.

 

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/waeleldasher/Hemingway/DSCN3730.jpg

 

As you can see, the nib sticks out much further than the 18k nib that came with the Hemingway (which also had the 149 stamp but couldn't be seen). Now the 149 stamp is clearly visible and the XF nib has good flex. It not as soft as the Paladium 136 nib I have, but it's a vast improvement over the modern nib that came with the Hemingway.

 

I am absolutely in love with this pen. I was always crazy about it but now I am positively nuts for it. I'm fond of the longer tins, the slight scratchy noise it makes on papers, the flex, the position of the nib much higher up in the section... the whole experience is now different. It is a completely different pen.

 

I have a beautiful 1950's 149 I bought from Eric last year that is also XF which I photographed below for comparision. While it's tins are longer than the nib on the Hemingway, it actually is not as flexible. Don't get me wrong, it has more flex than the modern 149's I have and it's a dream to write with, but this new nib on the Hemingway has a tad more flex. Another odd thing is the line the, 1950's 149 nib puts down, is not as fine, even though by looking at the photo, you'd imagine it would be. Still I'm fond of both very much.

 

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/waeleldasher/Hemingway/DSCN3737.jpg

 

It's interesting to note that the 149 stamp on the Hemingway is higher up in the section than the one of the vintage 149 pen, but because of the longer tins, they're about the same length in the end. Anyway I plan on getting a better camera soon and will post more photos.

 

I believe my grail pen is really this Hemingway. I question now whether I should still get a 139, but very likely I will. At this point I feel that anything I purchase will be tough to beat this Hemingway. It's a fusion of modern interpretation of the 139 and now with a vintage nib and feeder it's a fantastic pen. Also in the back of my mind I believe that I can find spare parts for it if something happens. I suspect with the 139 I will be far less likely to take it to the construction site as the prospect of finding parts, if it gets damaged, will limit its use to home and office.

 

Anyways, I just wanted to share my new pride and joy, and again, thanks Eric.

 

cheers

 

Wael

Edited May 14, 2010 by Wael El-Dasher

[hari317]

Congratulations, it looks stunning!

 

Are the vintage 50's feeder cases a direct fit into the Hemingway section as well?

 

Regards,

Hari

[Wael El-Dasher]

According to what Eric told me, yes, they fit perfectly in the feeder case. But perhaps he can comment since I didn't perform the swap.

 

cheers

 

Wael

[georges zaslavsky]

congrats on your improved hemingway :clap1:

[Ghost Plane]

Oh wow! I can see you've found your perfect combo.

[Skitch]

Gorgeous pen Wael, and what a journey!

 

Congrats!

[niksch]

The vintage 1950s feed fits inside the modern feeder case, yes. But the sleeve that holds the vintage nib and feed together does not work in the Hemingway. The Hemingway has a two-piece barrel, just like the two-piece 149 barrels we discuss here, so the modern feeder case is a necessity.

 

Eric

 

Congratulations, it looks stunning!

 

Are the vintage 50's feeder cases a direct fit into the Hemingway section as well?

 

Regards,

Hari

Edited May 14, 2010 by niksch

[hari317]

Thanks for the clarification Eric.

[Brian]

Very cool customization. Do provide some writing samples.

 

 

[kaisede]

Dream Pen...

[Wael El-Dasher]

Thanks everyone.

 

I appreciate the comments. I will post a writing sample sheet soon, but I am warning you that my handwriting is terrible, so we'll see. I was surprised that GP didn't comment on my needle point choice of nibs , so perhaps she's coming around to the notion that there is a place in pendom for XF nibs :hmm1:

 

cheers

 

Wael

[Blade Runner]

Nicest Frankenpen I've ever seen. Congrats Wael.

[niksch]

I don't know what's so "franken" about it. Frankenpen implies a pen made of mismatched parts. The original 149 nib and 149 feed were replaced with a vintage 149 nib and feed. They may not be of the same era year as the Hemingway WE, but they aren't mismatched parts.

 

And yes, the Hemingway nib is stamped 149 on the tang.

 

Nicest Frankenpen I've ever seen. Congrats Wael.

Edited May 14, 2010 by niksch

[troglokev]

I was surprised that GP didn't comment on my needle point choice of nibs , so perhaps she's coming around to the notion that there is a place in pendom for XF nibs :hmm1:

I wouldn't count on that happening any time soon.

[karmakoda]

Congrats on your exquisite pen.

That is the most appropriate pairing of pen and nib ever. Beautiful (excellent photos).

And a sophisticated bit of work by Eric. It's not easy to improve a perfect pen.

[sunnerd]

Congratulations Wael! The long tines with EF nibs are just so better looking and functionally more versatile than the modern ones.

Well done!

[Chris Chalmers]

Now that is what I call a perfect pen.......... Congratulations! I'm also waiting for writing samples please - from both pens if that is possible! I get the feeling you tuck that pen under your pillow when you go to bed! :cloud9:

[niksch]

You guys ought to see the vintage 1960s 149 I fixed up for him. I like that nib better...

 

 

[daenghafez]

Congratulations Wael! Glad you find your Grail pen and its combo too! Thanks for sharing those beautiful photos of your pens.

[sunnerd]

You guys ought to see the vintage 1960s 149 I fixed up for him. I like that nib better...

 

Eric you got another like that somewhere?

;-)