One Red Fountain Pen

[JonB55198]

Yup, here is his site: http://oneredpaperclip.blogspot.com/

[KrazyIvan]

Wow, it would have been hard for me to let go that Conklin!

[eric47]

I received my Marbled Blue Pelikan M200 today with M nib. Although the previous owner thought it was a flexible nib, one look at the nib told me that it was actually the stock steel nibs that Pelikan uses.

 

The steel nibs on the M200 typically have a bit of spring to them; there's some give to the tines hence "flexible" but not necessarily a "flex nib". Recent 14K nibs that size are often quite rigid, no spring. You'd need to find an older production 14K (and even 18K) nib to get near that spring.

 

If you want a modern "flex nib" -- comparable to vintage flex nib -- then you might have better luck looking for a square circle.

[JonB55198]

Ya, I figured maybe he had used a nib meister like Richard to add flex to a 14k nib. No big deal though, its still a great pen and one I will have fun using and reviewing.

[JonB55198]

UPDATE: I've finished running a few pistons of ink through the M200 and I will be posting a review shortly. Stay tuned and get your trigger fingers ready for a trade.

[JonB55198]

...

What about this:

Airmail 69TS, Wearever Pennant and Stypen UP for me,

The Yellow Waterman Cultur, the Parker 45 and a 'Mystery pen' (Working vintage No name German piston filler, no picture) for you?

That keeps the integrity of your game and you can even continue with 1 pen and keep the other 2 for yourself....

...

Cheers

Lex

 

I wish I knew what this "Mystery Pen" was. It has awesome flex and I love it!!

[krandallkraus]

Jonathan, I hope you're majoring in psychology. You could use this thread as your thesis.

[JonB55198]

Jonathan, I hope you're majoring in psychology. You could use this thread as your thesis.

 

thank you... I think

 

I'm excited about this thread. It has really generated alot of attention here on FPN. It has made me alot of friends. It has allowed me to try pens that I never knew existed. It has really been fun so far. I can't wait to see what the future holds.

 

As for my review of the M200 with springy (not sprung haha) M nib, I'm going to post that really soon, probably even this afternoon. I just have to get some good photos of the pen first. But, I've already created and scanned the written portion of the review.

[Lexaf]

I wish I knew what this "Mystery Pen" was. It has awesome flex and I love it!!

 

Being a somewhat older man, I'm afraid my memory is not as sharp as it used to be or should be...

Of course I remember the offer and the swap, with the 'mystery pen' as an extra, but as I did not document that one, also not when I sent it to you, I cannot exactly remember which pen it was. So: please a short description and a picture?

After I've seen it back I hope I can tell you some more about it. On the other hand, there is a chance it will not be very much or even next to nothing, otherwise it would not have been a mystery pen...

 

With the risk of going off topic:

About the flex: At this moment I am very busy and interested in the use and performance of so called flexible nibs, capable of writing with a large line variation, say between F and double or triple B.

When I sent you that mystery pen, I think it carried a steel nib, but I did not realize it was a flex nib, so It would be interesting to see a little writing sample and a description of the engraving of that nib, so I can determine the origin.

Also interesting is that after some research I found that a lot of European, especially German and French steel nibs, from the 1935 to 1955 period many times have great flex possibilities, in contrast to the common belief that only golden so called flex or even super-flex nibs can produce a large line variation. In other words: not all flex nibs are gold and not all steel nibs are nails!

Have fun...

 

Lex

[Lloyd]

Also interesting is that after some research I found that a lot of European, especially German and French steel nibs, from the 1935 to 1955 period many times have great flex possibilities, in contrast to the common belief that only golden so called flex or even super-flex nibs can produce a large line variation. In other words: not all flex nibs are gold and not all steel nibs are nails!

Have fun...

 

Lex

 

Not to take this thread off topic, Lexaf, but you should take a look at 1930's Japanese Shiro nibbed pens. These had great steel flex nibs that usually wrote XXF-B.

[Lexaf]

Also interesting is that after some research I found that a lot of European, especially German and French steel nibs, from the 1935 to 1955 period many times have great flex possibilities, in contrast to the common belief that only golden so called flex or even super-flex nibs can produce a large line variation. In other words: not all flex nibs are gold and not all steel nibs are nails!

Have fun...

 

Lex

 

Not to take this thread off topic, Lexaf, but you should take a look at 1930's Japanese Shiro nibbed pens. These had great steel flex nibs that usually wrote XXF-B.

 

As I do not want to interfere in Jon's fantastic topic about the 'trading game' and this flex nib story is indeed way off topic I decided to open a new topic on that subject: 'Flex nibs - steel vs gold'

So for my reply on your reaction , Lloyd, please look here: Flex nibs...

 

Jon, I hope your next trade will be even more spectacular than the last one. And I still hope to be able to tell you more about the 'mystery pen' so I hope to see pictures and specs here.

 

Edited for typo's

Edited October 21, 2011 by Lexaf

[JonB55198]

Lex,

I'll put up some pictures as soon as I can. It isn't SUPER flexible. But it has some nice flex to it. A bit more than the noodlers flex pens offer.

-Jon

[JonB55198]

Also, I just checked the pen, and you were right LEX, it does have a gold plated steel nib. But, it does have ok flex to it. I'm going to put up some samples and pictures later on

[Lexaf]

Also, I just checked the pen, and you were right LEX, it does have a gold plated steel nib. But, it does have ok flex to it. I'm going to put up some samples and pictures later on

 

Great! Just take your time, post some nice pics, details and all and I'll do my best to write something about it that makes sense... :hmm1:

[JonB55198]

FPN,

 

Here is the review of the current pen in my possession, the Pelikan M200 Blue Marble with Steel M-Nib: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/206914-pelikan-m200-blue-marble/.

 

Here is the link to the WTT ad in the Classifieds section of FPN: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/classifieds/item/3922-wtt-pelikan-m200-blue-marble/. If any of you would like to trade for this pen, please send me a PM or just post right here in this forum. Thanks.

 

-Jon

Edited October 26, 2011 by JonB55198

[JonB55198]

Hi Friends,

 

This One Red Fountain Pen idea is really picking up steam. Less than 5 hours after posting my review and WTT posts, I recieved an offer to trade the Blue Marbled M200 for a Vintage 140 with EF Flex nib. But, before I commit, I'd like your advice on if this is a trade that will move me in the general direction that I need to move to meet my goal. Facts that I'm considering:

• There is a little bit of brassing on the clip and ring. But, it is minor.
  
• The 140 has an EF flex nib, which may be one of the more desirable nibs.
  
• The M200 in Blue marble is now VERY hard to find and is selling new for $120. But, i'm not sure how much a used one in excellent condition is worth.
  

 

So what do you think? Would you make this trade if you were me?

Here are some photos of the pen being offered up for trade:

 

 

[kopio]

Ok....here's my two cents....

 

First off, the Marbled Blue m200 isn't really that hard to find. I googled "Pelican m200 Blue Marble" and found at least 3 sellers on the first page. Prices ranged from $85 (VG used) to $130 new. It is by no means a rare pen, not only that, it is not one of Pelikan's particularly high end pens.

 

Second, for me...Vintage is much more desirable than new. The fact that it is a vintage Pelikan with x-fine flex in my opinion makes it VERY desirable! The next question I would have is....is it a factory flex, or has it been Binderized?

 

Really as far as value goes...it might just be a wash, but with an EF flex nib, you can target a specific group of people that would be willing to pay a little more for something they really want to add to their collection.

[JonB55198]

Ok....here's my two cents....

 

First off, the Marbled Blue m200 isn't really that hard to find. I googled "Pelican m200 Blue Marble" and found at least 3 sellers on the first page. Prices ranged from $85 (VG used) to $130 new. It is by no means a rare pen, not only that, it is not one of Pelikan's particularly high end pens.

 

Second, for me...Vintage is much more desirable than new. The fact that it is a vintage Pelikan with x-fine flex in my opinion makes it VERY desirable! The next question I would have is....is it a factory flex, or has it been Binderized?

 

Really as far as value goes...it might just be a wash, but with an EF flex nib, you can target a specific group of people that would be willing to pay a little more for something they really want to add to their collection.

 

These are great points you bring up. I think it is a good trade too

 

Any other opinions? I like being well-informed.

[Maja]

Jon, is the Pelikan 140 in good working condition---ie. is the piston-filler mechanism in good shape? That could be a deal-breaker. If it works well and the nib is in good condition (ie. the tines are not damaged), then if I were you, I'd pull the trigger on the Pel 140 trade. The Pelikan M200 in blue is a nice pen, but the 140 has a gold nib and those old Pelikan nibs are verrrry nice. Just my 2 cents (I own two 140s---both nice writers)

[Dimitrios_P]

Go for it and I am wishing you a happy journey towards your goal.

 

Very good idea.