What's Up At Christof's

[stevesurf]

...hope you did lots of cork seals in the meantime...

 

Well, I'm back with some pictures of my collection again. As already said before, I didn't collect boxes. Until now. I recently had the oportunity to catch an original Pelikan 100 box from 1932-1937 complete with illustrated instruction manual in German language. I just couldn't resist. I always loved this boxes, which are quite cleverly designed. The dimensions of this simple card board boxes are exactly the lenght of the pens, diagonally! This prevents the pen from rolling around in its box. How clever is that!?!

Here the pics:

And this is a 100N box with a manual in Croatian language. Note the different proportions: That's because the Pelikan 100N is longer than the 100.

Now I think in general, matching boxes can be a quite cool adition to a collection. What do you think? Have also a look at this cool Lamy box:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8323/8124372304_f237231284_c.jpg

...perhaps, I should have more of these. But let's see what's next.

 

You are so right, Christof! What Pelikan is this? Is it simply the Pelikan 100? That's a wonderful Turquoise matching pen and box!

Edited December 19, 2012 by stevesurf

[BMG]

What Pelikan is this? Is it simply the Pelikan 100? That's a wonderful Turquoise matching pen and box!

 

Looks like a 100N to me...

[secant]

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[christof]

REVIEW TO 2012

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8221/8337098935_7037fae34d_c.jpg

 

HAPPY 2013!

Edited January 2, 2013 by christof

[pelman]

Happy New Year to you as well. I enjoy seeing all of your wonderful offerings and fantastic collection.

 

Best wishes.

[pavoni]

Happy New Year to you Christof.

 

Your thread here on the FPN has been one of its highlights (if not THE highlight) of 2012. Thank you for giving us this excellent reference and for being an absolute 'Star'. :clap1:

 

Pavoni.

[ethernautrix]

Happy New Year, Christof!

 

Looking forward to another year of what's up with you!

[tenney]

I, too, am looking forward to lots of news on what's up at Christof's!

[christof]

Here I am again with some pics. Had a very busy week and didn't find the time to post them earlier. So please forgive the short post and enjoy the pictures.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8049/8369240419_3b51fd12ec_c.jpg

 

The pen is a Soennecken 222 Superior in red lizard pattern. This was lying around until christmas holidays, because I didn't find the time for restoration of the pen. As you know do I no collect Soenneckens. So I was waiting until a good occasion comes to trade away this one. But the occasion didn't come. After disassembling and cleaning it, I realized that this pen is in perfect, near mint condition. No discoloration, no brassing, no shrinkage, no cracks and crisp imprints. Just perfect!

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8503/8370304068_ede1458dc4_c.jpg

 

Here you can see the famous click securing mechanism. It's all in the filling knob. The piston and seal looks like common Soenneckens. Note the great transparency of the barrel in the section and ink view area.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8370305498_0f14f02ca8_c.jpg

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8214/8370302234_2e9489febd_c.jpg

 

Now I think this could be a nice addition to my Pelikan lizard, Not so classy but pretty fancy, like a candy. But let's See what will happen and what's next...

 

 

Edited January 11, 2013 by christof

[dcpritch]

... After disassembling and cleaning it, I realized that this pen is in perfect, near mint condition. No discoloration, no brassing, no shrinkage, no cracks and crisp imprints. Just perfect! ... Note the great transparency of the barrel in the section and ink view area. ... Not so classy but pretty fancy, like a candy.

 

I disagree only on one thing - it is very classy. An amazing color and a beautiful pen!

[mirosc]

lovely! thank you!

I had been looking for a red lizard or herringbone a long time, but never found one that was in good shape (and if, it was already sold). So I settled for something else. You're awakening the lust again...

[fabiorr]

Really beautiful pen Christof! I have no experience with this brand.

Have you tried it? I have seen various mentions about flex nibs on Soenneckens. I wonder if its a given feature with the brand or a matter of luck as most brands, even among the ones well known for having flex nibs. Maybe you or someone familiar with the brand could share an opinion.

 

I am also curious about this clicking mechanism. What is it intended for?

 

 

Best,

Fabio

[christof]

Really beautiful pen Christof! I have no experience with this brand.

Have you tried it? I have seen various mentions about flex nibs on Soenneckens. I wonder if its a given feature with the brand or a matter of luck as most brands, even among the ones well known for having flex nibs. Maybe you or someone familiar with the brand could share an opinion.

 

I am also curious about this clicking mechanism. What is it intended for?

 

 

Best,

Fabio

 

 

Fabio

 

My own experience is that most of the Soennecken nibs I ever have tried are really great nibs. Smooth, responsive and flexible. Just nibs of great quality. Compareable to Waterman's nibs. But that's just me...

 

Second, the click mechanism is a safety feature for not turning the filling knob if you don't want to do it. Not really necessary in my humble opinion but unique.

That's all.

Edited January 11, 2013 by christof

[pavoni]

After Christof kindly alerted me to the Soennecken brand, I managed to acquire the same red lizard pattern but in the smaller 222 'Lady' version. I agree with dcpritch, very classy and a beautiful pen.

 

I agree with Christof's view on Soennecken nibs, they really are great nibs and, as for the click on this excellent piston-filler, whilst an unnecessary luxury, I am now used to the pull and twist, and the sound, which I find rather reassuring.

 

Great to see you back again Christof and thanks for your ever so helpful pictures of the dis-assembled pen :clap1:

 

Pavoni.

Edited January 12, 2013 by pavoni

[tenney]

Wow, what a great looking pen! I wouldn't normally be attracted to a red pen, but I am to this one Christof.

 

I agree about Soennecken nibs. I had no idea that there was even a famous (or not) click securing mechanism.

[christof]

Surprise, surprise!

 

I've got a new pen.....back from repair.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8054/8379423763_762b1e1cdb_c.jpg

 

It's a MB 138 as you can see. I met again my friend (yes, the one who gave me the lizard Pelikan) and he showed me this MB 138. The filler was broken and he wanted me to repair that for him. Well, I had to explain him how difficult these fillers are designed and that I would be unable to do that. Then we talked about several things which could be done with this pen, but at the end of our meeting I made him an offer which he could not refuse. To cut a long story short: The pen is mine now and after a difficult but very fast repair job done by my friend and FPN member Fountainbel, the pen is fine again.

 

I would love to write about the difficulty of this mechanism and how Francis did resolve this demanding challenge, but Francis already did... see H E R E :

 

So what is left to me is to show my pics of the pen...

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8225/8380859360_15b42963f1_c.jpg

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8076/8379779893_b1a98bdb1d_c.jpg

 

This 138 has been made during WWII. That's why there is a steel nib fitted. A very smooth and flexible double broad one by the way.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8496/8380860358_94f82a3b30_c.jpg

 

Francis did a fantastic job and he also sent me a section drawing to explain how these fillers work and what is the weak points of the system. I love this drawing and with Francis friendly permission I'd like show it to you.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8095/8379777275_73b3d22eb4_c.jpg

 

And this is how the repaired telescope filling unit looks:

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8212/8380502968_e95c41cef0_c.jpg

 

Well in my opinion, Francis is definitely an technical artist (does this term exist? - probably not but it fits!) Thank you Francis!

 

Edited January 14, 2013 by christof

[rhr2010]

As usual great pen, great photos, great repair job (great Fountainbel!), and great friend! Quite an asset that friend, but where does he get all those wonderful pens?

 

Montblanc 13X are fantastic pens, not easy at all to find and they command such a huge premium. I wonder if production was very limited, anybody knows? Especially the 139 and 138 go for so much money that you can almost buy a small used car with that money...but of course a MB is for life, a used car not...

I only have a MB 134, my pen is war time version as well. It was very beaten up, with some cracks and some chips and I "rebuilt" and fixed it over time, with MEK and patience. When I got it, it was really a piece of junk, now it is presentable. Hope over time to get a 136, 138 and 139, without having to take a mortgage...

[ethernautrix]

The Mb 138 is so beautiful....

[dcpritch]

OMG Christof, these pens you are showing us ...

[Soot]

139 - ✓

138 - ✓

136 - Yet to be acquired.

134 - Yet to be acquired.

132 - Yet to be acquired.

 

Three more pens to go, Christof. But since you already scored the two harder-to-acquire pens, the remaining three should be a breeze. Btw, is that a Steel nib or a Palladium nib?