Bexley Corona Arrives!

[stevlight]

This is a beauty of a pen. I have alot of pens to look at a the Wash Dc Pen show--it is going to be a hard decision which one to get.

 

 

 

I "Flip" almost all of my pens--have had some modified to flip by Richard Binder and John Mottishaw. I can now make a nib write the way I want flipped on my own but usually just have the pros do it. Most Mont Blanc's flip well out of the box. Just do not press down on a flipped nib and it should not be a problem.

[jameswatts]

Thanks for the reply. I am always encouraged when two people from different worlds (Oklahoma, Texas) can find common interests and passions.

:ltcapd:

 

A fellow Oklahoman appreciates that comment!

[Sigismund]

Great looking pen, nice colors, thanks for posting the review! I like that they keep the section longer with the threads back a bit - don't like gripping the threads. This one is definitely at the top of my list.

[threeamigos]

I was trying to show restraint, but this post pushed me over the top. Summer Storm - medium.

[phentrek]

I've never had a Bexley. How are the 18 k nibs?-- firm or soft...

[rdh]

There are no long term consequences to flip the nib. The reason is that the tipping material is a ball on the tip of the nib. As long as you write with the tipping material when the pen is flipped, it won't hurt the nib at all. As others have said, you or a nibmeister can adjust or smooth the tip so it is usable on both sides and you can get 2 types of writing out of 1 pen!

 

Dave

Mine doesn't have any funny smells at all.

 

And with regard to the fine nib being sort of on the fat side. . . I found that mine writes surprisingly well with the nib flipped over to the reverse, making it more like a EF.

 

That's lucky! Your feed must have been produced at a different point in the production run; or perhaps it has just had more airing.

 

Whenever faced with a medium nib (generally too wide a line for my handwriting), I have been known to flip it upside down to obtain a finer line, and have always wondered what the long term consequences would be for the nib. Can anybody tell me? I realize that some Japanese nibs are designed to be used in that manner, but what about these nibs? It is a really nice nib, and I would hate to inadvertently ruin it, but I really would prefer an EF line.

[Lady Spencerian]

I was trying to show restraint, but this post pushed me over the top. Summer Storm - medium.

 

I don't think you'll regret it. The lighter blues in the swirl pattern actually shimmer slightly, like backlit clouds. Not usually enamored of patterned resin pens, I find this one very pretty. (edited to add: I would share a photograph, were I not on dial-up)

 

Thanks to all for your reassurances regarding the flipping of the nib for an EF line (that it won't damage the nib). As Tony pointed out, the flipped F nib does write pretty nicely that way, as is. Once the initial infatuation wears off a little, I might send it back to Richard for further smoothing of the flip side.

 

I suppose I had assumed that the creation of a reversible nib involved adding more tipping material on the top of the nib. Nice to know that there is already enough there for reversible use.

 

I also agree that the elongated grip below the threads is a real treat, and very pleasant to hold.

 

To those of you who have purchased the Corona: enjoy your pens! To those who haven't: go get one now!

Edited August 5, 2011 by Lady Spencerian

[JefferyS]

My blue Corona arrived today, and it is strikingly attractive. Reminds me a bit of the Edison cappuccino look, only dark blue. Needless to say, the nib is perfect. Considering the piston fill system, the nib, the beautiful appearance, and the weight/balance, this may be the best buy in fountain pens out there right now.

 

The only scent I detect is the same scent that I associate with freshly-made acrylic pens. It is a nostalgic smell to me. Back in about 1962, I took judo lessons in Chula Vista, CA. Next to the gym was a place called "Home Craft Industries" that was a mom/pop craft supply store. The store smelled exactly like a recently made Bexley or Edison pen. At the time, I associated it with glaze used on plaster of Paris sculptures. Every time I have my Edisons next to my nose, I am taken back half a century to my youth, the Kennedy years.

[Lady Spencerian]

I've never had a Bexley. How are the 18 k nibs?-- firm or soft...

I always hesitate to answer this kind of question because the feel of a nib is so subjective, and I lack experience in judging them. I would call it a soft nib (as in responsive and yielding; which you would expect from a gold nib), with no line variation. I'm sure someone else in this thread can give you a more 'professional' response.

Edited August 5, 2011 by Lady Spencerian

[Jimmy James]

I had hoped my Corona (Lemon in broad) would be here today, but it wasn't. I guess it will be Monday for me. Now that I have seen this pen, I nearly second guess myself about the color. This is my most expensive pen so far, and I can only hope it will be as wonderful as my two prior most expensive pens (a VP and then a 2000). Thanks for the review.

[JefferyS]

I had hoped my Corona (Lemon in broad) would be here today, but it wasn't. I guess it will be Monday for me. Now that I have seen this pen, I nearly second guess myself about the color. This is my most expensive pen so far, and I can only hope it will be as wonderful as my two prior most expensive pens (a VP and then a 2000). Thanks for the review.

I've got to believe that it will be more wonderful. It has taken all of my self control to not order a second one in the past 7 hours. That lemon color grabs me.

[Gobblecup]

I had hoped my Corona (Lemon in broad) would be here today, but it wasn't. I guess it will be Monday for me. Now that I have seen this pen, I nearly second guess myself about the color. This is my most expensive pen so far, and I can only hope it will be as wonderful as my two prior most expensive pens (a VP and then a 2000). Thanks for the review.

That lemon color grabs me.

 

Yeah, it is my top pick of the four Americana colours. I think when I have seen enough reviews of the pen I might pick up a Lemon Meringue, the big question for me is, should I go with a Steel nib or an 18k?

 

The Steel nibs on these Bexleys look a little dull to me... :hmm1:

[JefferyS]

Never had a steel nib on a Bexley. I've been so pleased with the gold nibs, I haven't strayed.

[tonybelding]

Never had a steel nib on a Bexley. I've been so pleased with the gold nibs, I haven't strayed.

 

I'm just opposite of that. I've got a total of eight steel nibs spread across my Bexleys, my Edisons, a Taccia and a New Postal pen. I've never had a gold nib for any of them, but the steel nibs have been so excellent that I haven't even been tempted to order gold.

[JefferyS]

When I typed that, I immediately thought to myself "Tony could say the same about steel". I have to believe that Bexley steel nibs don't write like nails. The price difference is considerable, enough to tempt me

[watch_art]

I've got one gold and a couple of the steels on my Edison (all the steels made by JoWo right?) and they're all fantastic. I think I like the steel ones a bit more though. That could just be due to me not worrying about them since they're cheaper. I've ground a couple down and stubbed a couple. No big deal if I ruin one - they're cheap! Well... cheap-ish.

[nm4]

Just wanted to add that my summer storm Corona (steel nib) with Richard Binder's 0.7mm CI nib arrived today. Upon opening the box it almost immediately became my favorite pen. This color combo is just amazing...there's even a pearly sheen to the pen.

 

The Corona is actually a somewhat hefty pen yet it feels wonderfully balanced in the hand. Perfect center of gravity. The piston-filler is butter smooth.

 

The cap screws in tightly and I really like the clip design.

 

The nib...wow...it's very smooth, has amazing line variation, and looks amazing. It's so large that it feels like you're painting words onto the page (MB 149 style). The nib width is just perfect for me - it looks great with miniscule sizes from 7mm all the way down to 3mm.

 

Overall, I have to say that the Corona is one of my favorite pens. It's taking all of my self restraint not to buy another...

 

Cheers,

NM

[Koyote]

Thanks for the review, Tony. It's nice to see a reasonably priced piston filler -- something to compete with the TWSBI and Lamy 2000.

[Jimmy James]

I apparently sent my Corona home instead of to work, so I got it today. This reminds me to be vigilant about where things get shipped.

 

The Lemon Meringue I got doesn't really look like the one on the website. It looks more like one of the check patterns on a modern Duofold except that it's not a check (it's more like stripes). Seeing the pen in person, I don't think I'd personally like the Summer Sunset. I think this pen is meant for a pattern.

 

I haven't filled the pen and probably won't until tomorrow. I'm straining to think of what color to use. I can tell from the size of the pen that I won't personally feel very comfortable using the pen unless posted. Unlike a TWSBI 530 which I constantly use unposted, the pen body is just a bit too short for comfort. Happily, the cap posts in a more satisfying manner than with the TWSBI even though it is posting on the filler knob.

 

The piston does seem smooth, and I think this will be a very comfortable pen. I'm a bit disappointed in the width of the nib from the certificate Richard completed, but that's just because I'm spoiled to my "broad" Lamy 2000 which writes much nearer to BB. No other broad can quite compare.

 

I'll add some additional impressions once the pen is in use.

Edited August 7, 2011 by Jimmy James

[watch_art]

I can't wait to see all these reviews and pictures you guys are going to put up!