What Was Your Last Impulsive Pen Acquisition?

[Misfit]

3 hours ago, amberleadavis said:

I was minding my own listing on Facebook Marketplace, when I searched for fountain pen. Next thing I knew, I acquired two Visconti Millennium pens.  I have never owned a single Visconti, but now I have two.  The owner said they need new sacs, but he had never tried them.  I will keep you informed.

I have a Visconti Millennium Arc Moonlight in sky blue. It’s a crescent filler. Sounds like the pens you got. I have eight or nine Visconti pens. They get criticized, but I’m happy with all mine. I always got the stub nib when it was an option. 

[Tashi_Tsering]

Vintage "Ma-Gus" safety in silver overlay. I think, very pretty pen

[txomsy]

Regarding ultraslim pens, the trick is not a differently shaped grip, but a looser one. They weight less, and one has to relax the grip to let them fly. Way back then I would think it posed an extra burden on the pen, for it had to flow well with minimal pressure, which is a prejudice from ballpoint pen "barbarism". But that helped to make me realize that fountain pens were intended to work without pressure.  And relax.

 

Even now, I find myself gripping strongly pens when I have a strong "intention" (e.g. starting calligraphy practice). It takes some time to dissociate the hand grip from the psychological tension. Much like Zen or any other practice. And to grow confidence on (or to accept) whatever result comes out of one's relaxed hand.

 

But after so long, I find I can use almost any pen (even tiny ultra-short ringtop pens from beginning of the 20th century) without issue if I relax the grip enough and don't concentrate on forcing a nice writing.

 

You see, anything that stresses you is likely t have an effect on the grip and tiring. When writing happens spontaneously and thoughtlessly, with a fluid pen, relaxed, the pen becomes unobtrusive.

 

As for other similar pens... I got a Hastil last February, should write a review any time now.

 

Both my Slimline and Noblesse have steel nibs. I wasn't looking for one. I had broken so many pens I was looking for an all-metal one. When I asked at a tiny B&M shop, was offered this one. Initially I was skeptic, it looked like plastic, but the seller insisted it was lacquered and that it was the only all-metal (section included) he had, and the last one left, so I bought it. Didn't worry too much about the price, considering if it was, it would compensate in the long run for all the many I wouldn't break. That was circa 1990 (give or take one year), so probably not one of the first models, likely a second generation one.

 

Never looked back since. Didn't have to. Until in the last decade I decided it was time to plan on getting some for my sons, found out they were out of production (and had been for more than a decade) and fell on the tar pit of getting new pens.

 

[Gloucesterman]

8 hours ago, amberleadavis said:

What did the Pink Panther say when he stepped on an ant?

 

Dead Ant, Dead Ant....

It took a moment to get that.

Not sure it was worth the wait... LOL!

Thank you...

[PithyProlix]

43 minutes ago, txomsy said:

Regarding ultraslim pens, the trick is not a differently shaped grip, but a looser one. They weight less, and one has to relax the grip to let them fly. Way back then I would think it posed an extra burden on the pen, for it had to flow well with minimal pressure, which is a prejudice from ballpoint pen "barbarism". But that helped to make me realize that fountain pens were intended to work without pressure.  And relax.

 

Even now, I find myself gripping strongly pens when I have a strong "intention" (e.g. starting calligraphy practice). It takes some time to dissociate the hand grip from the psychological tension. Much like Zen or any other practice. And to grow confidence on (or to accept) whatever result comes out of one's relaxed hand.

 

But after so long, I find I can use almost any pen (even tiny ultra-short ringtop pens from beginning of the 20th century) without issue if I relax the grip enough and don't concentrate on forcing a nice writing.

 

You see, anything that stresses you is likely t have an effect on the grip and tiring. When writing happens spontaneously and thoughtlessly, with a fluid pen, relaxed, the pen becomes unobtrusive.

 

As for other similar pens... I got a Hastil last February, should write a review any time now.

 

Both my Slimline and Noblesse have steel nibs. I wasn't looking for one. I had broken so many pens I was looking for an all-metal one. When I asked at a tiny B&M shop, was offered this one. Initially I was skeptic, it looked like plastic, but the seller insisted it was lacquered and that it was the only all-metal (section included) he had, and the last one left, so I bought it. Didn't worry too much about the price, considering if it was, it would compensate in the long run for all the many I wouldn't break. That was circa 1990 (give or take one year), so probably not one of the first models, likely a second generation one.

 

Never looked back since. Didn't have to. Until in the last decade I decided it was time to plan on getting some for my sons, found out they were out of production (and had been for more than a decade) and fell on the tar pit of getting new pens.

 

 

I've started using Japanese & Chinese calligraphy brushes a bit, mostly quite thin ones, and it requires an even looser grip than thin pens. Any tension in arm/hand/fingers is magnified when the brush hits the paper - my initial instinct is that I need to have a lot of control but that approach leads to the tension, which ends up working against me. I'm hoping more practice with the brushes leads to minimal tension in my grip and that, in turn, transfers to my fountain pen grip.

 

One of my Montblanc-made Dunhill Gemlines is one of my favorite pens - beautifully designed, built, and finished throughout, a fantastic nib, and 'it just works' - and I am looking forward to this Slimline. (I mostly love Japanese pens but that particular Dunhill will be one that will stay with me until the end of my days.)

 

I have a sterling version of the Hastil that Aurora made for Pierre Cardin. A great little pen but I still prefer the Dunhill. I need to use it more to get a better impression though. I am interested to read your forthcoming Hastil review.

 

Thanks!

[Penguincollector]

10 hours ago, amberleadavis said:

What did the Pink Panther say when he stepped on an ant?

 

Dead Ant, Dead Ant....

Thanks for the earworm, Amber! 
 

 

57 minutes ago, PithyProlix said:

I've started using Japanese & Chinese calligraphy brushes a bit, mostly quite thin ones, and it requires an even looser grip than thin pens.

I grip my pens and pencils more like a traditional brush, always have- I wonder if this is why I prefer the thin ones. The writing angle is the one difference.

[Surlyprof]

On 3/3/2023 at 8:57 AM, txomsy said:

I do not mind thin pens. I did long, long ago (45+ years), with an ultraslim pen (maybe a Targa), some 5mm diameter thin, until I realized that people had been writing huge books (and even the Encyclopedias) with feather pens, which are much thinner and lighter, so I had no real reason to consider them uncomfortable.

 

Your Montblanc Slimline is an elegant looking pen and this is a great analogy.  I may have to give my CP1 another try with feather quills in mind.

[Surlyprof]

4 hours ago, Tashi_Tsering said:

Vintage "Ma-Gus" safety in silver overlay. I think, very pretty pen

 

What a wild pen!  How does this work?  Is the nib retractable or do you attach it to write?

 

[inkstainedruth]

17 hours ago, DrDebG said:

 

Hi Ruth - This is a really good point, which made me go out and do a bit of research.   I believe that the colored nibs on the Platinum Plaisir were electroplated.  The colored nib on this pen is PVD finish.  Apparently the PVD gives the stainless steel the color but also makes it  significantly harder and more durable in the process. According to a website of a colleague of mine who does PVD finishing of stainless steel "the finish is produced through the process of PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) Titanium Ion Plating which improves the performance of stainless steel by increasing wear, scratch and corrosion resistance making its durability far superior to conventional coating methods such as electroplating or powder-coating.  The PVD process is also more environmentally friendly than processes such as electroplating and painting, with zero discharge of gas, water waste or other residue.  PVD coatings benefits are many. PVD can provide a lifetime of protection from daily cleaning, which adds durability and value to your product. "    

 

So it appears as though this isn't merely a coating but actually bonded to the stainless steel.  We shall see.  I ordered a double broad.  If I don't like it, I can swap it out for one of my other Jowo #6 nibs.  Having a silver nib to me will not detract from the pen.  

Thanks for the info.  

I'll admit I was a bit hesitant to get a Dark Lilac Safari at first, *because* of the black nib.  But several people who had black nibs on their Safaris or al-Stars assured me that they'd had no issue with the nibs.  And I haven't with any of mine either, since buying the Dark Lilac when it was released.  

And I must say, that the red nib on your pen is really pretty snazzy!

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: @amberleadavis-- Yeah, only a couple of years.  Mind you I didn't have a lot of pens back then.  I was swapping inks a lot, so flushing the pen fairly often, which may not have helped.  And of course ended up not liking the pen all that much to begin with, because it was such a dry writer (wondering now if the coating had anything to do with that); but also because the cap band was kinda cheesy and cheap looking in person (it looked better in the photos...).

The fact that Platinum no longer carries the coated nibs?  That says VOLUMES....  And the fact that Safaris aren't that much more expensive than Plaisirs (only about four bucks US in difference; and only about $10 difference between a Plaisir an al-Star) doesn't say much that's good about the Plaisirs...). 

[Tashi_Tsering]

1 hour ago, Surlyprof said:

 

What a wild pen!  How does this work?  Is the nib retractable or do you attach it to write?

 

Yes, nib retractable, such as other safety pens. This pen is very close to Waterman’s 42 — same size, same shape, same mechanism, etc. Ma-Gus — less known Italian company, founded in Milano in 1929 by Gustavo Mayer (Ma-Gus — Ma from MAyer, Gus — from GUStavo). Gustavo was  collaborate with Montegrappa, so possible, this pen was made by Mantegrappa (but not exact). 
 

Pen works ok — just drop ink into the barrel, turn knob on the end of barrel to extract nib and wrote. When you done, retract nib and close the cap. When you retract nib, it is important to hold the pen with the nib up, in other case ink came out. Nib are on stif side, wet enough, line is something between European Fine/Extra Fine. Little bit feedbacky. 
 

PS Sorry for my english

[Surlyprof]

24 minutes ago, Tashi_Tsering said:

Yes, nib retractable, such as other safety pens. This pen is very close to Waterman’s 42 — same size, same shape, same mechanism, etc. Ma-Gus — less known Italian company, founded in Milano in 1929 by Gustavo Mayer (Ma-Gus — Ma from MAyer, Gus — from GUStavo). Gustavo was  collaborate with Montegrappa, so possible, this pen was made by Mantegrappa (but not exact). 
 

Pen works ok — just drop ink into the barrel, turn knob on the end of barrel to extract nib and wrote. When you done, retract nib and close the cap. When you retract nib, it is important to hold the pen with the nib up, in other case ink came out. Nib are on stif side, wet enough, line is something between European Fine/Extra Fine. Little bit feedbacky. 
 

PS Sorry for my english

 

Thank you for your very clear explanation.  Sounds like a very interesting pen.

[gweimer1]

Ahead of the three pens, I got this today, and discovered one of my customers was right.  You can definitely modify a Rotring Variant for Esterbrook nibs.

[Mercian]

2 hours ago, Tashi_Tsering said:

Yes, nib retractable, such as other safety pens. This pen is very close to Waterman’s 42 — same size, same shape, same mechanism, etc. Ma-Gus — less known Italian company, founded in Milano in 1929 by Gustavo Mayer (Ma-Gus — Ma from MAyer, Gus — from GUStavo).

As this pen has a nib that appears and disappears again ‘as if by magic’, it seems clear to me that its brand name must really be ‘Magus’ 😉

 

Sorry everyone. I’ll get me coat.

[Ink Stained Wretch]

19 hours ago, amberleadavis said:

What did the Pink Panther say when he stepped on an ant?

 

Dead Ant, Dead Ant....

 

I looked at this any number of times today and I just didn't get it at all 😕. I asked my wife and she figured it out in less than ten seconds 🤦‍♂️. Good grief.

[ParramattaPaul]

3 hours ago, Ink Stained Wretch said:

 

I looked at this any number of times today and I just didn't get it at all 😕. I asked my wife and she figured it out in less than ten seconds 🤦‍♂️. Good grief.

 

 

[Ink Stained Wretch]

10 hours ago, ParramattaPaul said:

 

 

 

Yeah, that's it. She explained it to me.

[Mercian]

17 hours ago, gweimer1 said:

…a Rotring Variant…

Is that the world’s shortest grip section? And it includes threads too?

😮

 

It might well be a fantastic, robust, reliable pen - especially when paired with the Esterbrook nib of one’s choice - but that grip section gives me The Fear 😢

[essayfaire]

I think the Pink Panther joke is very funny!

 

And I am intrigued by a retractable model of which I knew nothing... May have to remedy that but I'm trying not to be impulsive.

[Carrau]

19 hours ago, Ink Stained Wretch said:

Good grief.

And that’s another cartoon/comic strip reference (see Charlie Brown for details).

[amberleadavis]

On 3/4/2023 at 12:01 AM, Misfit said:

I have a Visconti Millennium Arc Moonlight in sky blue. It’s a crescent filler. Sounds like the pens you got. I have eight or nine Visconti pens. They get criticized, but I’m happy with all mine. I always got the stub nib when it was an option. 

 

I think that is what mine is.