What Was Your Last Impulsive Pen Acquisition?

[PithyProlix]

15 hours ago, Paul-in-SF said:

 

I was prepared for this, having heard this before. As it happens, some of my best writers are nails, or at least lack any sign of softness or flexibility (I assume that's the definition of "nail" but I'm not positive, there often seems to be some further negative implication in the term). I am fortunate to be in the position where I can afford, occasionally, to indulge my curiosity and then take a loss if I turn around and sell it on. 

 

Since you asked, I will report on it when I get it. 

 

Yes, that is how I think about nails. Of the top of my head, some other pens I have that I think of as nails are the Waterman Kultur and Expert (actually any French Waterman with a steel nib that I've tried) and the Platinum Preppy. But there are nibs that are quite stiff but still have a somewhat soft feel, like with some of Sailor's pens, for instance, and don't meet my own concept of a nail. It's not really a negative as much as a 'meh' for me. Nails tend to be reliable and 'easy' writers, I think, and that's very useful at times. (Which is funny because I often consider 'useful' to be one the highest compliments I give ...)

[PithyProlix]

A Schneider Callissima calligraphy set with 1.1mm, 1.5mm, & 1.8mm nibs.

 

Very atypical of me to not have at least a little background knowledge of what I am buying, even when I make a knee-jerk purchase such as this one. A few months ago I got an Online calligraphy set on a similarly knee-jerky [if it wasn't a word before, it is now] decision and don't regret it. Hopefully this one will turn out the same.

[Gloucesterman]

A Reform calligraphy pen - 2.3 nib, Waterman Le Man Red Rhapsody (NOS), Conklin Glider w/ a Toledo nib, black, Sheaffer Snorkel, Sheaffer lever filler (might be a Craftsman), Sheaffer Targa Regency Stripe (NOS), Gold plated Parker 75 (EF) 18k French nib, Esterbrook J w/ 1556, and something else that I can't think of right now. I was on my final walk through of a flea market in N.H. when I found the above. There was more there but not for me... have to leave some goodies for other people.

 

Due to the cancellation of the Commonwealth Pen Show I will be selling some of these here on FPN when we get our classifieds back and possibly another site or two. (Not the Bay or etsy though)

 

[AmandaW]

13 hours ago, PithyProlix said:

an Online calligraphy set on a similarly knee-jerky [if it wasn't a word before, it is now] decision and don't regret it.

I have one of those and most impressed with how well it seals. Even here it starts up first touch in spite of being forgotten for months.

[PithyProlix]

8 hours ago, AmandaW said:

I have one of those and most impressed with how well it seals. Even here it starts up first touch in spite of being forgotten for months.

 

Same - and mine's cap doesn't seem to snap on really firmly, so it's a bit surprising. The metal section isn't so great but I can live with it.

[LMpensandthings]

The - Nahvalur x Galen Leather - Midnight Blue Fountain Pen with a Broad nib

[AmandaW]

Last day of the 'end of tax year' sales... so last chance for some discounts. I caved on a green Kaweco Lilliput cos Aus$47 was hard to ignore. Choice of fine or medium, I went with the fine.

 

[PithyProlix]

On 6/28/2023 at 9:30 PM, PithyProlix said:

A Schneider Callissima calligraphy set with 1.1mm, 1.5mm, & 1.8mm nibs.

 

Very atypical of me to not have at least a little background knowledge of what I am buying, even when I make a knee-jerk purchase such as this one. A few months ago I got an Online calligraphy set on a similarly knee-jerky [if it wasn't a word before, it is now] decision and don't regret it. Hopefully this one will turn out the same.

 

Received today. Tried it ....... Regret. 😅

 

It's as if Schneider was trying to design a pen that I would hate so much that I'd complain about it on FPN. 

 

This is one of the cheapest looking/feeling pens I have ever seen, like a cheap toy from a $1 shop - no exaggeration.

• The plastic feels cheap and there are prominent seams on the barrel.
• The clip - hard to describe but ... oh, darn it, the word is gonna get bleeped but this is it: (bleep)! No, make that double (bleep)! Triple (bleep), even!
• I've only tried the 1.8mm nib. It feels really scratchy. Really rounded on the corners so not catching there. I'm tolerant of feedback but this scratchiness is just way too much for me, even.
• And it's got a Safari-style grip. I detest that grip. 
• Says "Made in Germany" on the barrel. I'm astounded that this is actually a straight-up German product.
• Wait, what??? Cult Pens sells this for £28 ??? <hahahaha>

Positive: [please note the singular usage]

• The horizontal stroke is quite thin. 

[A. Peavey]

EF Lamy 2000 from the Endless Pens sale. I couldn't pass on that price.

[Paul-in-SF]

On 6/27/2023 at 12:25 PM, Paul-in-SF said:

Since you asked, I will report on it when I get it. 

 

The "you" in the above quote was @PithyProlix, and the "it" was the Pilot Myu 701 that arrived today. 

 

The chief question was how well I would like the way it writes. Unfortunately, this particular instance seems to be writing rather dry, and looks like taking some work to tune and smooth. I'm not sure if the ink could be the problem, I'm using a Pilot Blue cartridge of indeterminate age (the only Pilot cartridges I have are those that came with the purchase of pens). The ink is coming out kind of pale and faded, lighter than I would expect a standard blue ink to be. The only other Pilot cartridges I have are black. I do have a small Pilot converter that looks like it should fit the available length, so I can try a wetter ink. 

 

As for the pen, I like it quite well, it seems a very workmanlike and useful everyday item. It is of course one of those Japanese pocket pens, with the added cool factor of the nib integration into the whole front of the pen. I really like the size of it when posted. I think if I were still working I would be tempted to use this as an EDC, something I never did for work. 

[A Smug Dill]

Traveler's Company brass fountain pen. Actually, I've been eyeing this for weeks-to-months, back when Amazon JP items were not available through Amazon.com.au; but I never could get myself to pull the trigger for A$50 + non-nil apportioned shipping charges from Japan. Among other things, I'm wary that the F nib (with no other option) on it may not write as finely as I like.

 

However, now that I can get it on Amazon.com.au for the effective price of A$46.40, my resistance finally crumbled. I have spare Kaco Edge pens from which I can pluck the Schmidt steel F nib (which writes very finely) to swap into the Traveler's Company pen, if need be. We'll see.

[inkstainedruth]

The Gold and Black al-Star and the inks ordered with it arrived yesterday.  Found the package around 7 PM when I was running out to mail a bill; technically it didn't have to go out till the 5th, but I figured a couple of days early (when one of those was a federal holiday) wouldn't hurt.  

Plus, I have to drive about a half hour or so each way, depending on the traffic (including through a major multi-year construction zone) to my allergist's "consolidated" office now is.  Instead of walking about 3 blocks to the  bus stop, then -- after getting to downtown Pittsburgh on one of the local buses -- another block or two to the T station, then take a subway down to the Point and walk another few blocks to his old office....  which was a *lot* shorter commute distance-wise, and a LOT less expensive, too.... 

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

edited for typos

[PithyProlix]

13 hours ago, Paul-in-SF said:

 

The "you" in the above quote was @PithyProlix, and the "it" was the Pilot Myu 701 that arrived today. 

 

The chief question was how well I would like the way it writes. Unfortunately, this particular instance seems to be writing rather dry, and looks like taking some work to tune and smooth. I'm not sure if the ink could be the problem, I'm using a Pilot Blue cartridge of indeterminate age (the only Pilot cartridges I have are those that came with the purchase of pens). The ink is coming out kind of pale and faded, lighter than I would expect a standard blue ink to be. The only other Pilot cartridges I have are black. I do have a small Pilot converter that looks like it should fit the available length, so I can try a wetter ink. 

 

As for the pen, I like it quite well, it seems a very workmanlike and useful everyday item. It is of course one of those Japanese pocket pens, with the added cool factor of the nib integration into the whole front of the pen. I really like the size of it when posted. I think if I were still working I would be tempted to use this as an EDC, something I never did for work. 

 

Thanks for the first impressions.

 

Dry ink often seems to find a place to hide in feeds of second hand Japanese pens of that era, even after water flushes through clear. I always try a minute in the ultrasonic cleaner after a clear flush to see if any more ink comes out - it often does.

 

I have had two Myus and one Murex that I have inked and they were typically 'Japanese dry' but with very consistent flow - not fussy pens at all, even with inks more dry than average. I think it will come around for you. I suggest getting the nib well in tune before you consider smoothing it. 

 

Yes, it would be a nice, tough, no fuss pen to keep in your pocket or bag ... but I can almost hear the collectors think, 'sacrilegious!' If I did that I would probably make a simple felt case to slide it into. Elite pocket pens are my 'go to' pens and I often carry one that's already beat up (though a Custom 98 EF seems to have become a permanent fixture in a loop adhered to the small notepad that goes most places with me). 

[ruby.monkey]

A lever-fill Mabie Todd Cygnet stylograph. It was cheap, it looked tidy, and I do rather like tubular-nibbed writing pens.

[Karmachanic]

3776 C nib.  Because one day it will be a CI

[Paul-in-SF]

A couple of days ago I won a large-ish orange and black "Belmont" pen, apparently made by Moore for Rexall Drugs stores. It appears to have a killer nib, which is why I went for it. The seller is usually pretty reliable, so I'm hoping for the best. 

[A Smug Dill]

On 7/4/2023 at 2:31 PM, A Smug Dill said:

However, now that I can get it on Amazon.com.au for the effective price of A$46.40,

 

… and bloody Amazon dropped the price on the item by yet another few dollars, even before my order was dispatched. Luckily, in this instance I was able to cancel the item from the original order in time.

[Misfit]

@A Smug Dill I have the Factory Green version of the Traveler’s Company brass fountain pen. I read on a blog that a Kaweco nib also fits the pen. 
 

I hope you like yours. I like the one I got. 

[A Smug Dill]

54 minutes ago, Misfit said:

I read on a blog that a Kaweco nib also fits the pen. 
 

I hope you like yours.

 

Thanks. I suspect I trust Kaweco's nibs even less than the ones factory-fitted by Traveler's Company.

[AmandaW]

I went ahead with an order for a red Sailor Profit Casual with a Zoom nib.