Inexpensive, high-quality celluloid FP??

[Kelly]

Some of you know that I recently purchased and have fallen head over heels for the celluloid Tryphon Clef. It's my first celluloid, and I'm a goner! I just love the way it feels. This pen is such a steal at $75, but I'm wondering if there are others about now that I have the celluloid bug? I know there is Forever in cellloid but that pen is a tad too small for me.

 

Are there other celluloid, quality pens for under $100?? The other criterion is that the trim/clip be in silver. I'd love to splurge and get a Stipula Novecento Rex but that's not going to happen unless I win the lottery which I don't play Thanks in advance for any leads

[meanwhile]

You should probably start looking at restored vintage pens. $100 will buy you a very nice user Sheaffer Senior Balance - arguably the definitive and most influential celluloid pen. (Life is simpler in vintage collecting if you can tolerate XF nibs, btw.)

[Maja]

How about the Columbus "Academia Yamakazi" for $98.00 USD on closeout at Penhero.com?

http://www.penherostore.com/servlet/the-54...ki-Green/Detail

(no affiliation to seller except as a happy customer)

 

I haven't tried one myself, but it looks lovely...

[Kelly]

How about the Columbus "Academia Yamakazi" for $98.00 USD on closeout at Penhero.com?

http://www.penherostore.com/servlet/the-54...ki-Green/Detail

(no affiliation to seller except as a happy customer)

 

I haven't tried one myself, but it looks lovely...

If this beauty had silver fuirniture, it would be on its way to me right now Thanks for the link Maja!

[Maja]

How about the Columbus "Academia Yamakazi" for $98.00 USD on closeout at Penhero.com?

http://www.penherostore.com/servlet/the-54...ki-Green/Detail

(no affiliation to seller except as a happy customer)

 

I haven't tried one myself, but it looks lovely...

If this beauty had silver fuirniture, it would be on its way to me right now Thanks for the link Maja!

You're welcome, Kelly!

FPNer Meanwhile has a good point about vintage celluloid pens. You can find many of them for well under $100 USD.

 

I know they're not made of celluloid but I have two Stipula Duettos that I love, and they are made from cellocride. It isn't celluloid but a new material made of layered strips of material (resin?) which is supposed to be more durable than celluloid. It produces a lovely effect (and the pen has silver-colored trim!). I think it's one of the most beautiful materials I have ever seen used in a pen If you're interested, Giardino Italiano has them in two colours for 90 Euros (which is about $114 USD) on Closeout: http://www.giardino.it/pens/pens.htm?stipula/_duetto.htm (no affiliation to website)

[KendallJ]

Taccia makes some stunners. I have Imperial Portuguese in Forest.

[Kelly]

Taccia makes some stunners. I have Imperial Portuguese in Forest.

Wait a moment as I don my dunce cap...the Taccia Imp. Port is celluloid?! I own it in Forest Marble as well...it was my first real fountain pen! Are you telling me, Kendall, that all this time, I've had a celluloid?! I also own Taccia's Andante and MOP...anything else I should know? :bonk:

[saintsimon]

Taccia makes some stunners. I have Imperial Portuguese in Forest.

Wait a moment as I don my dunce cap...the Taccia Imp. Port is celluloid?! I own it in Forest Marble as well...it was my first real fountain pen! Are you telling me, Kendall, that all this time, I've had a celluloid?! I also own Taccia's Andante and MOP...anything else I should know? :bonk:

Richard's website says "Made of luxurious Italian resin" ... :ph34r:

[KendallJ]

Well, I could be wrong, but I am judging by the smell. My celluloid pens typcially have a slight odor noticable when I uncap the pens. This is distinct from acrylic resins which don't have the odor.

 

Well, shoot, I may be wrong. I just checked Richard's site and the Filcao Atlantica is acrylic and it has that smell too... Shoot.

 

Kelly, pop the cap on your Imperial and take a wiff.

[RonB]

What about Winedoc's $60 pens for $50? They look great:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...topic=16085&hl=

 

I've been thinking about getting one of these.

 

Ron

[Kelly]

What about Winedoc's $60 pens for $50? They look great:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...topic=16085&hl=

 

I've been thinking about getting one of these.

 

Ron

Thanks Ron. I have seen these from Kevin and would have easily bought one were it not for the gold accents. That's my one deal breaker. I can't do the gold

[Kelly]

Well, I could be wrong, but I am judging by the smell. My celluloid pens typcially have a slight odor noticable when I uncap the pens. This is distinct from acrylic resins which don't have the odor.

 

Well, shoot, I may be wrong. I just checked Richard's site and the Filcao Atlantica is acrylic and it has that smell too... Shoot.

 

Kelly, pop the cap on your Imperial and take a wiff.

Hi Kendall - what's strange is that my Taccia MOP and Imp Port has the smell but the actual Clef, which I know for certain is celluloid, does not. I'm totally confused now.

[Neecerie]

Taken from http://www.collectics.com/education_plastic.html

 

is this brief paragraph telling how you would test for celluloid.

 

 

 

Celluloid was one of the first plastics to be widely used in making jewelry. Celluloid was originally developed in England in the 1850s but first commercialized in 1868 by John Wesley Hyatt, whose company eventually became the American Celluloid and Chemical Manufacturing Company-- subsequently the Celanese Corporation. Jewelry made of celluloid dates to about 1900 and was quite popular during the art deco period. Celluloid has characteristics which are different from other plastics. Celluloid items tend to be thinner and lighter than Bakelite, and it is definitely more brittle and can crack when heated to higher temperatures. Some celluloid pieces can even be flammable, and while more brittle than Bakelite it can still be bent or twisted. Under hot water, most celluloid has a smell like vinegar or old camphor. Celluloid jewelry can be damaged by moisture, temperature extremes, or chemicals. Celluloid that has been stored in a closed environment for long periods can also dull quite dramatically and even crack

[tryphon]

Well, I could be wrong, but I am judging by the smell. My celluloid pens typcially have a slight odor noticable when I uncap the pens. This is distinct from acrylic resins which don't have the odor.

 

Well, shoot, I may be wrong. I just checked Richard's site and the Filcao Atlantica is acrylic and it has that smell too... Shoot.

 

Kelly, pop the cap on your Imperial and take a wiff.

Hi Kendall - what's strange is that my Taccia MOP and Imp Port has the smell but the actual Clef, which I know for certain is celluloid, does not. I'm totally confused now.

There are two types of plastics that can truly be called "Celluloid" (even though this was the trade name of a particular brand, way back in the 20s).

The most common in modern pens is Cellulose acetate. THis is the material used for the Clef and for the old style FILCAO Leaders. Cellulose acetate is nearly odorless, does not burn easily (Movie film made of acetate was called "safety film") and has the tactile feel and depth that is so special to celluloid.

The celluloid used in the 30s and 40s was the original "celluloid", aka Cellulose Nitrate. This material has a strong camphor smell, burns very easily and violently. It has a great depth and feels superb to the touch. Because of its flammability, it is no longer manufactured in the US and Western Europe. It is still being made in China.

All celluloid (Nitrate and Acetate) is unstable at first and needs to be aged under controlled conditions for at least one year (although it may still be unstable. Two years are needed in my opinion.

The Columbus Yamazaki Academia is one of the last pens to have been made in Cellulose Nitrate and is a modern day classic.

I have a soft spot for cellulose nitrate pens, especially modern ones, that tend to be rare. Visconti made a few, as did Columbus and Platinum and a few others.

Edited October 4, 2006 by tryphon

[KendallJ]

Giovanni,

 

What the Columbia / Atlantica series made out of? Mine has a smell, which I think is camphor-like...

[Maja]

Found a few Asian pens which are celluloid--the Genius "Great Minds" series of pens:

http://www.hisnibs.com/great_minds.htm

(note the furniture is silver in tone!)

I have the red one and in person, it looks just like how it appears on the HisNibs.com site (no affiliation to seller)

[sonia_simone]

Wow, those "Great Minds" are awfully pretty. Tempting, tempting.

 

The celluloids that winedoc has are wonderful, but the furniture is indeed honking GOLD. Not my favorite either but I love the Alphaplus that I got from him.

 

See? There I am being so very open-minded.

[tryphon]

Giovanni,

 

What the Columbia / Atlantica series made out of? Mine has a smell, which I think is camphor-like...

The Columbia and Atlanticas are made of acrylic resin.

Some Columbia prototypes were made in a tiger-tail pattern celluloid (Acetate)

[tryphon]

Many modern pens that claim to be made of celluloid are, in fact, made of acrylic resins. Some Montegrappa pens fall in this category. Many acrylics have nice patterns and swirls and almost look like celluloid.

Italian celluloid maker Mazzucchelli has moved production to China and many penmakers who used italian celluloid are retooling to use acrylics.

I have looked at many pens from the Far East which were looking for a US distributor and claimed to make pens of celluloid, but the pens were, in fact, turned out of acrylic resin.

[RonB]

It will probably be hard to beat Tryphon's Clef, but I agree with Meanwhile and Maja about vintage celluloid pens, especially the Sheaffer Balance. I love their striated pens, like this one below:

 

PS They are usually very reasonably priced, especially on ebay. However, they usually need a little nib work and a new ink sac (which is easy to replace). You could ask OldGriz if he has one for sale, or post a WTB in the marketplace.

Edited October 4, 2006 by RonB