Hello Everyone, From Mayenne France.

[NEV]

Hi there.

I`ve been collecting and restoring pens for some 40 years but have become more and more disheartened by spare parts being increasingly difficult to find.

It was easy in the earlier years. Nowadays, when I ask for something as simple as a Parker 45 shell, all I hear is, "Send us your pen". People who would once sell spares, now want to repair the pen for you; understandable in some ways, as for many of such people, it is their livelihood. Bad news for DIY collectors though.

More recently made pens are by far the worst for spares availability; Waterman France being the biggest culprit, I think. For example I need a part for a Waterman pen made here about 15 years ago. No chance to find one either here or in Britain!

I think that spare parts are made just to cover faults which develop during warranty periods. After that it`s move on to make new models.

It would be interesting to hear what your experiences are on this matter - also your views.

Best regards to all.

NEV

[mitto]

Greetings and welcome to FPN. I buy pens that are not in good shape and use them as parts.

Edited November 3, 2017 by mitto

[PAKMAN]

Hello and Welcome to FPN!! Glad to have you as a member!!

[OCArt]

Welcome to our little corner of the universe from a pen user in San Diego.

[Henricum_Tropen]

Hello Nev, and welcome to FPN, from Cape Town, South Africa.

 

I am not a pen restorer so I'm not in a position to comment regarding spare parts. In South Africa, which I call a "fountain pen desert", it's only the Montblanc stores that still survive, and one or two very small privately run shops with limited inventory and brands. For the rest, the collectors and enthusiasts are basically now limited to the assistance they may get via Internet connections and advice.

[amk]

Bonjour Nev,

 

you should think about going to the London Pen Show next year. Huge parts bins where you can pick up all kinds of spare parts and broken up pens.

 

I'm living in Eure et Loir, and I make sure if I see useful parts that I pick them up - you are right it's getting harder, but I've managed to pick up handfuls of caps for BHR pens, Esterbrook nibs, and broken down pens at vide-greniers. I now have a big box of bits... not big enough to guarantee I can fix every pen that comes my way, but enough to have a go at many.

[Chrissy]

Hello and welcome to FPN.

[NEV]

Thanks everyone for your replies, thoughts and suggestions; also for your very kind welcome messages.

 

Have a good day.

 

NEV

[jar]

Welcome home. Pull up a stump and set a spell.

[ThomasB]

Hello and welcome from Baton Rouge, Louisiana...Enjoy your time here

[Wahl]

Soyez le bienvenu, Nev

[Sasha Royale]

Welcome !

 

I think your enterprise is being arrested by the " Law of Supply and Demand ".

Your complaint is neither uncommon, nor unexpected. Two possible solutions --

1. Offer more money for the spare parts.

2. Repair and restore fountain pens of current production.