Screw-on cap or push-on cap?

[bbrovold]

After using some vintage and modern pens I have decided that I actually prefer to have a screwed-on cap on my pens instead of the simple push type. It just seems to fit better with the fountain pen experience and the push cap just doesn't seem to bring it all together. I guess it cheapens the experience for me.

 

Anyone feel the other way?

[RyanL27]

I don't really like snap caps (like the one on my Sheaffer Legacy), but I don't have a preference between a nice screw cap (Pelikan, vintage Sheaffer) and a nice clutch/tab cap (Parker 51, Sheaffer PFM, Lamy 2000). I find both of these equally reliable and convenient enough.

[johnr55]

It's a hassle to have to remember which type of cap is on which pen when one rotates between a bunch. In FP's I don't have any that are prone to coming loose too easily, but the Waterman Kultur and Phileas have a particularly nice snap to them. I have a bunch of Sheaffer pens and a couple of Parkers that are only friction-held and they do all right. Actually, the most irritating is a screw cap that has threads either too coarse, or is prone to unscrewing.

[D.R.Mabuse]

I'm rapidly leaning towards screw-ons. Two of my most recent purchases (in particularly my new favorite, a Haolilai #305 I just got from ISellPens) have developed a nasty habit of uncapping in my pocket.

 

Who am I to deny a healthy curiosity on the part of my pens? And,hey, the buddy system is a proven lifesaver among skilled and novice divers! Also, to their credit, the first thing they do upon diving is to release a marker stain to mark their location. All this is fine and good. However...

 

Their communal scientific inquiry would seem a tad misplaced, when these two decide to check out the latest lint deposits in the depths of my shirt pockets.

 

Needless to day, my wife is somethingless than "thrilled" at the result. You'd think my shirts cost $1,000 apiece! <_<

Edited December 23, 2006 by D.R.Mabuse

[pvdiamon]

When I started using fountain pens, I preferred the push on (with a click) type cap. I thought it a nuisance to have to screw it on and off, especially when writing intermittently, like medical charts. But I've since found that the click sometimes adds to nib creep, and the screw ons often just take a quick twist. So I've started preferring them now.

John

[pvdiamon]

When I started using fountain pens, I preferred the push on (with a click) type cap. I thought it a nuisance to have to screw it on and off, especially when writing intermittently, like medical charts. But I've since found that the click sometimes adds to nib creep, and the screw ons often just take a quick twist. So I've started preferring them now.

John

[southpaw]

It really doesn't matter to me. The type of cap the pen has may influence which pen I grab. For example, if I know I'm going to be jotting down a bunch of quick notes with time in between, I'll opt for a snap cap pen, typically a Touchdown Imperial or a PFM or maybe even a "51". Of course, there's always a VP too.

[Johnson]

I definitely prefer screw on caps. Less chance of getting kind of "stuck". My "51" has a push-push on cap that doesn't always like to cooperate coming off. Also, I feel like I could push a cap on "too far". I also feel more secure with a screw on cap in my pocket. The Pelikan screw on caps are pretty much the perfect cap to me.

 

Of course, there's always a VP too.

[Ink Stained Wretch]

I voted for screw-on caps, although of course I have both types. In fact I guess that I have a majority of push on or slip on caps. But for taking pens out of the house I really do prefer a screw-on cap.

 

During meetings I may not be making any notes for some minutes and I need to re-cap the fountain pen during that time. Clicking noises are not welcomed. The screw cap is noiseless. And when I'm near an open microphone the lack of noise from me capping and uncapping my fountain pen is a really good thing.

 

I also trust a screw-on cap to stay put more than I trust a snap-on cap to resist uncapping in my bag due to little, random forces experienced in travel.

[eightstrings]

I prefer it when a casual observer does not try to shove a twisty cap on a fine pen.

[RLTodd]

.... have developed a nasty habit of uncapping in my pocket.

That sums up my preference for the screwed on cap.

[MYU]

I guess I've been lucky--never had a pen slip off a push-on cap in my pocket. I like the clean look of the style.

 

I can see the merit of a good screw-on, as the cap is a bit more securely attached and more air tight.

 

But I can see some disadvantages:

1. Pen has to be rotated several times to release--a little more effort than one quick pull with a push-on cap.

2. Threads can get stripped, rendering the cap problematic.

3. Cap cracks can result from over tightening (historic vintage pen problem)

4. If not enough force is used in closure, cap can come loose during travel

5. Depending on the pen design, screw threads on the barrel can be unsightly.

 

I have a MB 32 and don't care for the screw threads on the ink window. But on the Aurora I own, the screw cap works very well and the barrel threads are inconspicuous.

Edited January 5, 2007 by MYU