Geha 790

[Tseg]

Thanks to Bo Bo and his going on and on about wonderful German semi-flex, maxi-flex and mighty-flex pens from the 1950's and this now defunct brand called Geha (Gay-ha) bought out by Pelikan (their main competitor) in 1990 and promptly shut down, I acquired today my 1959 Geha 790.

 

 

Appearance/design: 9/10

Construction/quality: 10/10

Weight/dimensions: 8/10

Nib performance: 10/10

Filling system: 10/10

Cost/value: 10/10

Total: 57/60

 

This is an amazing little pen, slightly smaller than my Pelikan M120 Iconic Blue. The resin feels very hard but when I shine a light to it, it does not glow red like my MB's, Pelikans and Sailors. The elegant 3 rings and pocket clip exude class and quality. It has a great piston filler and blue ink window. The 14K nib (Oblique medium stub) is absolutely amazing. Likely my favorite nib. Period. Nice flex and softness, that oblique pizzazz and smooth with a touch of feedback.

 

I got into pens thinking bigger was better... Sailor King of Pens, Pelikan M1000's, etc... This is my smallest pen and fits like a glove in my large hand unposted. I've been writing all day with it and no cramps. My Pelikan M120 threads dig into my finger after a while. I absolutely cannot feel the threads on this section. Like holding onto a magic wand. And, of course, the Geha nib has the switch to turn on the auxiliary tank if run dry. I highly recommend this pen. And fully restored ~ $150 the price is right. I would take it any day over my Pelikan M120 that is of similar price with a steel nib and less ergonomic. In fact, I would take this pen over most of my pens in my collection, especially because I like writing more than just staring at a pen.

[oneill]

Congratulations on getting a Geha, I am sure that I have one too when I am able to find it,thank you for reminding me Oneill

[Inky.Fingers]

Oh my God! Bo Bo did it again!

 

Congrads. Have fun hunting the other Geha's.

[penzel_washinkton]

Is this nib considered semi-flex?

 

The pen exudes aura of formality for me, quite interesting...

[Tseg]

Is this nib considered semi-flex?

 

The pen exudes aura of formality for me, quite interesting...

 

I'm not sure how to classify? It flexes super easily and can write a consistent fine line if one writes light. It is pretty amazing to write with.

 

Edited July 10, 2018 by Tseg

[penzel_washinkton]

Thanks for the clarification, really want a vintage flex pen recently (but more affordable ones)

[Vinamis]

Just arrived and identified as

GEHA - 14 K - OF

1957-1961

Geha Modell 790 perlgrau (pearl gray)

 

 

Cap: 61mm

Body: 93mm

Total length: 124mm

Not : 760 - 127mm - 93mm - 62.5mm - 12mm

But : 790 - 124mm - 93mm - 61mm - 12mm

 

"790 - perlgrau - Feder 14 Karat Goldfeder - schwarz, 3 Clipringe"

3-ring clip: High-end model

 

Quite an interesting investment.

It’ll be a change from my Geha 3V or 3 VN!

[OCArt]

So lovely!

[Carrau]

1 hour ago, Vinamis said:

Just arrived and identified as

GEHA - 14 K - OF

1957-1961

Geha Modell 790 perlgrau (pearl gray)

 

 

Cap: 61mm

Body: 93mm

Total length: 124mm

Not : 760 - 127mm - 93mm - 62.5mm - 12mm

But : 790 - 124mm - 93mm - 61mm - 12mm

 

"790 - perlgrau - Feder 14 Karat Goldfeder - schwarz, 3 Clipringe"

3-ring clip: High-end model

 

Quite an interesting investment.

It’ll be a change from my Geha 3V or 3 VN!

Congratulations on a beautiful instrument that I’m sure will give you much writing enjoyment.  I recently picked up a NOS GeHa 720 Regent with a flexible nib with amazing responsiveness, going from hairline to BB with only the slightest pressure.  Imagine if Pelikan had adopted the best features of GeHa upon acquisition, notably their nibs and reserve filling mechanism.

[Merrick]

Oh gosh, I'm just now comfortable in what to look for in vintage Pelikans and Montblancs, now I may have to look into Geha too...

[Carrau]

7 hours ago, Merrick said:

Oh gosh, I'm just now comfortable in what to look for in vintage Pelikans and Montblancs, now I may have to look into Geha too...

On BoBo’s recommendation years ago, I started with a school pen, which are available fairly commonly on eBay.de, and eBay.uk.  Mine had a fantastic nib despite the pen’s humble origin and purpose, and is a good bit smaller than the more standard 720/760/790 pens, but what a pen. The 725 and 736 models are also lovely and elegant appearing pens, slimmer and about the length of a Parker 51.  The  725 has an inlaid nib that resembles the nib of the Waterman Carene.  Both are also fantastic writers (see link to an old listing for a 725).

 

 

The GeHa model numbers don’t follow any pattern in terms of premium quality.  The number of rings on the cap does, however, with three rings being the highest level.  Those pens with colored binds / barrels typically are uncommon or rare to see, and this is reflected in their price as well.  Soennecken is another fantastic German pen maker from the period of vintage pens competing with MB and Pelikan, and there are others.  Penboard.de is another reliable  source for these pens (link below).  Happy hunting.

 

One thing BoBo warned me about is to avoid any GeHa pens without a piston, as the cartridges were proprietary and originals essentially unavailable.  There are a couple work around for this (there are posts on FPN).

 

https://www.peytonstreetpens.com/geha-725-goldschwinge-fountain-pen-black-plastic-w-gt-14k-left-oblique-nib-excellent-works-well.html

 

https://www.penboard.de/shop/
 

Quote

https://www.penboard.de/shop/

 

[Merrick]

2 hours ago, Carrau said:

On BoBo’s recommendation years ago, I started with a school pen, which are available fairly commonly on eBay.de, and eBay.uk.  Mine had a fantastic nib despite the pen’s humble origin and purpose, and is a good bit smaller than the more standard 720/760/790 pens, but what a pen. The 725 and 736 models are also lovely and elegant appearing pens, slimmer and about the length of a Parker 51.  The  725 has an inlaid nib that resembles the nib of the Waterman Carene.  Both are also fantastic writers (see link to an old listing for a 725).

 

 

The GeHa model numbers don’t follow any pattern in terms of premium quality.  The number of rings on the cap does, however, with three rings being the highest level.  Those pens with colored binds / barrels typically are uncommon or rare to see, and this is reflected in their price as well.  Soennecken is another fantastic German pen maker from the period of vintage pens competing with MB and Pelikan, and there are others.  Penboard.de is another reliable  source for these pens (link below).  Happy hunting.

 

One thing BoBo warned me about is to avoid any GeHa pens without a piston, as the cartridges were proprietary and originals essentially unavailable.  There are a couple work around for this (there are posts on FPN).

 

https://www.peytonstreetpens.com/geha-725-goldschwinge-fountain-pen-black-plastic-w-gt-14k-left-oblique-nib-excellent-works-well.html

 

https://www.penboard.de/shop/
 

 

Thanks for the primer! I’ll see if I can find something that isn’t too expensive to try out. 

[Penguincollector]

  I can bring a Geha to the meeting on Sunday @Merrick. Steel or gold nib? I have a steel school pen that might be a 700, and a piston  gold nibbed 722.  Have you explored the Geha information site yet? 
 

Geha

[Merrick]

8 hours ago, Penguincollector said:

  I can bring a Geha to the meeting on Sunday @Merrick. Steel or gold nib? I have a steel school pen that might be a 700, and a piston  gold nibbed 722.  Have you explored the Geha information site yet? 
 

Geha

Oh, I have not seen this site yet! Unfortunately I can’t make it to the Sunday meet, I have to take my son to a birthday party at the same time. I will be at the pen bazaar at the end of the month. 

 

However I did luck into a good price on a Geha pen online, so I’ve got one on the way.

[Penguincollector]

1 hour ago, Merrick said:

Oh, I have not seen this site yet! Unfortunately I can’t make it to the Sunday meet, I have to take my son to a birthday party at the same time. I will be at the pen bazaar at the end of the month. 

 

However I did luck into a good price on a Geha pen online, so I’ve got one on the way.

 Nice! Hope you and your family have fun at the party! 

[Merrick]

I did receive the Geha pen, one of the lower end ones with only a single ring on the top finial, and an attractive red and gold Geha badge on the lower cap trim. It does have a reserve tank. The nib is a nice flexy OBB. The pen is on the smaller side, I have to post it for proper balance. The pen seems very dry. I test every pen I get with Waterman Serenity Blue and this one writes with far less saturation than any of my vintage Pelikans or Montblancs. The line width is correct and the flow seems fine, it just lays down way less ink.

[Mercian]

1 hour ago, Merrick said:

The line width is correct and the flow seems fine, it just lays down way less ink.

 

If I were you I would flush the pen with dish-soap-in-water a couple of times, then flush it with plain water AND THEN leave the pen standing nib-down - for three-or-four full days - in plain water that is deep enough to cover (only) its nib and feed.
Doing that should enable water to work its way into - & dissolve - any old ink that might be 'clogging up' the feed channels, and thus restricting your ink flow.

You may also wish to repeat this process with a solution of white vinegar in plain water, in case any previous owner let an iron-gall ink dry out in the pen, and some iron salts have precipitated out in its feed channels.
You will then need to flush the pen with plain water a couple of times to remove the vinegar (& its smell).

 

I wish you good luck

[Merrick]

25 minutes ago, Mercian said:

 

If I were you I would flush the pen with dish-soap-in-water a couple of times, then flush it with plain water AND THEN leave the pen standing nib-down - for three-or-four full days - in plain water that is deep enough to cover (only) its nib and feed.
Doing that should enable water to work its way into - & dissolve - any old ink that might be 'clogging up' the feed channels, and thus restricting your ink flow.

You may also wish to repeat this process with a solution of white vinegar in plain water, in case any previous owner let an iron-gall ink dry out in the pen, and some iron salts have precipitated out in its feed channels.
You will then need to flush the pen with plain water a couple of times to remove the vinegar (& its smell).

 

I wish you good luck

Thanks for the suggestion! I will admit I sometimes get too eager to play with a new pen and forget the proper procedures for cleaning them out before use.

[Penguincollector]

  @Merrick Don’t forget to empty the reserve tank of any fluids as well! I forgot about it the first time I cleaned out a Geha and the ink was all watery. Push the button in with the cap riim when the barrel is empty. 

[Merrick]

12 minutes ago, Penguincollector said:

  @Merrick Don’t forget to empty the reserve tank of any fluids as well! I forgot about it the first time I cleaned out a Geha and the ink was all watery. Push the button in with the cap riim when the barrel is empty. 

Thanks for the reminder, I believe I did empty the reserve tank after cleaning it just now. I am letting it sit in water and will double check the reserve tank before filling it again.