What Was Your Last Impulsive Pen Acquisition?

[Puddinhead]

1 hour ago, Surlyprof said:

 

My first TWSBI (and first demonstrator).  I’ve had my eye on the grape mini for a while but couldn’t justify the purchase.  I was ordering 9 samples of purple ink from Van Ness and thought, “Wouldn’t this be the perfect time to buy that TWSBI grape mini? I can’t try out purple inks without a purple pen, right?”  I probably didn’t NEED it to try out purple inks but at least it got me free shipping!  
 

It’s a really nice pen, too.  Nice size and feel in the hand.  The EF nib is surprisingly smooth.  Holds a decent amount of ink.  The purple anodized details are a beautiful, saturated purple.  This will make a really nice, reasonably priced pen for EDC and sketching in the wild.

Looks great, nice choice! Recently bought my second TWSBI in less than 3 months because I was smitten. They are nice to write with, too!

[Jayebird]

On 1/4/2024 at 9:24 AM, OldTravelingShoe said:

This is a beautiful pen, thanks for sharing. It's a 1970s Sailor pen with leather coating, code 11-LG60. It cost ¥6,000 in the mid-1970s, after the financial crisis.

Thanks for the info!

[PithyProlix]

Was not even aware a full demonstrator Pilot Elite existed. Scratching my head about why Pilot used a "Super Quality" steel nib on this one (or any Elite, for that matter). Pen is on its way to me now.

 

 

 

And a few days ago - received yesterday - a Waterman Serenite (standard black, M nib), a pen that I was always really attracted to, but thought I would never find, much less at the great price I paid for it. Well, it really is beautiful, to my eyes at least, and I really like its ergonomics - I suppose it is a very divisive design. The nib is a blah nail, though. If I ever get the chance, assuming I decide to keep it (which is very likely), I'll have it professionally ground to an extra fine cursive italic. And now dreaming about having it finished in tamenuri or some other beautiful urushi finish ...

[Number99]

22 minutes ago, PithyProlix said:

Was not even aware a full demonstrator Pilot Elite existed. Scratching my head about why Pilot used a "Super Quality" steel nib on this one (or any Elite, for that matter). Pen is on its way to me now.

 

 

 

And a few days ago - received yesterday - a Waterman Serenite (standard black, M nib), a pen that I was always really attracted to, but thought I would never find, much less at the great price I paid for it. Well, it really is beautiful, to my eyes at least, and I really like its ergonomics - I suppose it is a very divisive design. The nib is a blah nail, though. If I ever get the chance, assuming I decide to keep it (which is very likely), I'll have it professionally ground to an extra fine cursive italic. And now dreaming about having it finished in tamenuri or some other beautiful urushi finish ...

Oh cool!

You can change the nibs to your liking.

By the way, is there a JIS mark on the nib? I can't see it clearly in the picture.

[PithyProlix]

8 minutes ago, Number99 said:

By the way, is there a JIS mark on the nib? I can't see it clearly in the picture.

 

Not visible. It looks like the part of the nib that is covered by the section is visible but I can't see anything in the seller's photos. The cap, the clip, and the nib design suggests an early Elite. I will take another look when I receive it and flush it out.

[DilettanteG]

On 1/10/2024 at 4:58 AM, Surlyprof said:

 

My first TWSBI (and first demonstrator).  I’ve had my eye on the grape mini for a while but couldn’t justify the purchase.  I was ordering 9 samples of purple ink from Van Ness and thought, “Wouldn’t this be the perfect time to buy that TWSBI grape mini? I can’t try out purple inks without a purple pen, right?”  I probably didn’t NEED it to try out purple inks but at least it got me free shipping!  
 

It’s a really nice pen, too.  Nice size and feel in the hand.  The EF nib is surprisingly smooth.  Holds a decent amount of ink.  The purple anodized details are a beautiful, saturated purple.  This will make a really nice, reasonably priced pen for EDC and sketching in the wild.

All these gorgeous pens and a substitute for my current white whale: A purple demonstrator?

 

A $5.50 Lami Safari?

 

A Pilot demonstrator?

 

You guys are killing me. I'm going go completely bonkers and attempt to buy ALL THE PENS at this rate. A score of 11/10 shopping skills to you guys.

[AmandaW]

I wanted a dark blue pen that seals well so I could try an iron gall ink (not sure which one yet). Yeah, colour coding to assist the memory. Ended up ordering a Jinhao 86.

 

The impulsive part was adding the same pen in 'Green', that looks more like a dark teal, and a colour called 'Khaki', which appears yellow-brown, a bit unusual, but definitely interesting. Could just be my screen.

 

 

[DilettanteG]

So much for my, 'I will pace my pen purchases in 2024'  resolution. I've been collecting the Pelikan M101N special editions and found two with IB nibs: the Red Tortoiseshell and the Bright Red. So one's now in the mail and one's on hold. After I finish collecting this series I'm going to stop buying for a while. I really mean it this time!  🤞

 

Edited to add: the seller added a picture and I just realized these birds will be shipping with duotone nibs like I have on M6XXs. Sorry they'll lose that vintage look, but I do really love how those nibs write. Guess it's just another excuse to pick up some nice, flex, vintage nibs for them one of these days. I'm actually enabling myself at this point.

[carola]

2 hours ago, DilettanteG said:

So much for my, 'I will pace my pen purchases in 2024'  resolution. I've been collecting the Pelikan M101N special editions and found two with IB nibs: the Red Tortoiseshell and the Bright Red. So one's now in the mail and one's on hold. After I finish collecting this series I'm going to stop buying for a while. I really mean it this time!  🤞

 

😄👍

We all believe you.

And congrats on your acquisitions.

[PithyProlix]

Especially impulsive because this is my first Parker Vacumatic, the diaphragm needs to be replaced, and I don't really know yet what I am getting into wrt repairing it (I generally do my own repairs/restorations - there's no one else who does them here).

 

Can anyone tell me exactly which Vacumatic it is? I won't have the pen for another 2-3 days.

 

 

 

 

 

[DilettanteG]

18 hours ago, carola said:

 

😄👍

We all believe you.

And congrats on your acquisitions.

Thanks, I can almost forgive you for introducing me to the existence of the 101N Toledo. I've never coveted a Toledo before, but that is a gorgeous pen which I don't think I'll ever be willing to pony up the cash for. I can't even bring myself to add to my grail list, lest my self control weaken. I hope you find yours for some insanely low price in mint condition one of these days. 👍

[DilettanteG]

2 hours ago, PithyProlix said:

Especially impulsive because this is my first Parker Vacumatic, the diaphragm needs to be replaced, and I don't really know yet what I am getting into wrt repairing it (I generally do my own repairs/restorations - there's no one else who does them here).

 

Can anyone tell me exactly which Vacumatic it is? I won't have the pen for another 2-3 days.

 

 

 

 

 

I have no useful information to share, I just wanted to compliment you on your new pen. I inherited a Vacuumatic from my much missed father in law. I had it totally restored by Richard Binder, but broke the nib the day it arrived back from his shop by fiddling with it. Looking at yours, reminds I should get it a new nib. That Vaccumatic is too pretty to sit unused in a cabinet, even with the P51s and 75s to keep it company. I don't normally collect vintage pens, but those Parkers are solid.

[PithyProlix]

1 hour ago, DilettanteG said:

I have no useful information to share, I just wanted to compliment you on your new pen. I inherited a Vacuumatic from my much missed father in law. I had it totally restored by Richard Binder, but broke the nib the day it arrived back from his shop by fiddling with it. Looking at yours, reminds I should get it a new nib. That Vaccumatic is too pretty to sit unused in a cabinet, even with the P51s and 75s to keep it company. I don't normally collect vintage pens, but those Parkers are solid.

 

Thanks for the kind reply. Sorry for the horror story about your Vac's nib! 

 

The Vacumatic is a pen that always interested me - like many others, though - but, that said, if it wasn't at a 'no brainer' price I probably wouldn't have bought it. Seeing that nib did make me a bit googly eyed though! 

 

For Parkers, I am focusing on 1st generation 61s, lacquered 75s, and the 75-based Premier. These models - most especially the 75 - were popular in their heyday here in Thailand so there's a good supply. Vacumatics rarely come up for sale here. 

[carola]

5 hours ago, DilettanteG said:

Thanks, I can almost forgive you for introducing me to the existence of the 101N Toledo. I've never coveted a Toledo before, but that is a gorgeous pen which I don't think I'll ever be willing to pony up the cash for. I can't even bring myself to add to my grail list, lest my self control weaken. I hope you find yours for some insanely low price in mint condition one of these days. 👍

 

Thank you. It wouldn't even have to be in mint condition, repairable would do the job because I have someone who would gladly give it a professional repair. The insanely low price on the other hand... I am afraid that isn't going to happen. 🤷‍♀️

But we all need something to dream of, don't we?

[DilettanteG]

9 minutes ago, carola said:

 

Thank you. It wouldn't even have to be in mint condition, repairable would do the job because I have someone who would gladly give it a professional repair. The insanely low price on the other hand... I am afraid that isn't going to happen. 🤷‍♀️

But we all need something to dream of, don't we?

That's why they call it a grail. Maybe go watch Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade to prep? I'm sure it's 100% factual.😄

[DilettanteG]

3 hours ago, PithyProlix said:

 

Thanks for the kind reply. Sorry for the horror story about your Vac's nib! 

 

The Vacumatic is a pen that always interested me - like many others, though - but, that said, if it wasn't at a 'no brainer' price I probably wouldn't have bought it. Seeing that nib did make me a bit googly eyed though! 

 

For Parkers, I am focusing on 1st generation 61s, lacquered 75s, and the 75-based Premier. These models - most especially the 75 - were popular in their heyday here in Thailand so there's a good supply. Vacumatics rarely come up for sale here. 

I should go on the Parker forum and see what they can tell me about the Vacumatic and the three 75s I inherited. Sadly, I know nothing about the 61s, though I love my 51s. I think I've got a fine, a broad, and a stub. Nothing rare or fancy, but a pleasure to use. Of course, I put a lot of Noodler's through them, so the sacs might be done for. I'll have to check if I ever stop obsessing about Pelikans.

[inkstainedruth]

@PithyProlix  Does the pen have a date code (should be somewhere around the imprint)?  Hard to tell what the size is, but I'm guessing that it's maybe a 3rd Generation (with the plastic plunger) from the shape of the  blind cap on the end of the barrel -- maybe a Major, from the style of the cap band.  
I just took a look at the article on Vacs at parkercollector.com (my go-to site for all things Parker pen) and it appears that color is called "Golden Brown".   There is also an article on that site for the different date codes Parker used, BTW.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

edited for typos

[ralfstc]

11 hours ago, PithyProlix said:

Can anyone tell me exactly which Vacumatic it is? I won't have the pen for another 2-3 days.

 

This is a nice example of Canadian production. It has a two-digit date code (1950) as far as I can tell, and Canadian Vacs continued for quite some time after the end of production in the States. It's definitely a vac nib, I believe, but I'm struck by the shape, which seems a little less rhomboid-ish than many vac nibs.

 

Based on cap band and proportions, I'd suggest it's a long major, but you'll need to check measurements to be sure.

 

Replacing diaphragms isn't technically difficult, but it does require patience, attention to detail, and a few tricks, which you can find on most "how to repair vacs" sites. There are a couple of easy mistakes to watch for that you wouldn't realize you'd made until putting the pen back together (for example getting all of the old diaphragm off the seat). On the other hand, the celluloid on these pens is pretty tough, so you don't have to worry about the darn thing falling apart (e.g. Sheaffer plunger filler celluloid).

 

Good luck!

 

Ralf

[PithyProlix]

11 hours ago, inkstainedruth said:

@PithyProlix  Does the pen have a date code (should be somewhere around the imprint)?  Hard to tell what the size is, but I'm guessing that it's maybe a 3rd Generation (with the plastic plunger) from the shape of the  blind cap on the end of the barrel -- maybe a Major, from the style of the cap band.  
I just took a look at the article on Vacs at parkercollector.com (my go-to site for all things Parker pen) and it appears that color is called "Golden Brown".   There is also an article on that site for the different date codes Parker used, BTW.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

edited for typos

 

Yes, I've read through the articles on parkercollector.com - also the ones on Richard Binder's and David Nishimura's sites.

 

The code on both the barrel imprint and nib is "50", so 1950. I think the complete color name is Golden Brown Pearl. When I get it in my hands I will measure it and nail down the specific model.

 

Thank you for the info.

[PithyProlix]

8 hours ago, ralfstc said:

 

This is a nice example of Canadian production. It has a two-digit date code (1950) as far as I can tell, and Canadian Vacs continued for quite some time after the end of production in the States. It's definitely a vac nib, I believe, but I'm struck by the shape, which seems a little less rhomboid-ish than many vac nibs.

 

Based on cap band and proportions, I'd suggest it's a long major, but you'll need to check measurements to be sure.

 

Replacing diaphragms isn't technically difficult, but it does require patience, attention to detail, and a few tricks, which you can find on most "how to repair vacs" sites. There are a couple of easy mistakes to watch for that you wouldn't realize you'd made until putting the pen back together (for example getting all of the old diaphragm off the seat). On the other hand, the celluloid on these pens is pretty tough, so you don't have to worry about the darn thing falling apart (e.g. Sheaffer plunger filler celluloid).

 

Good luck!

 

Ralf

 

Thanks for the info! I now see measurements on Richard Binder's site that should indicate the particular model.