I got this pen today

[Pete of Killeen]

Just now, Penguincollector said:

  
 

   I think he visits Dromgooles and repairs/grinds nibs periodically, if that is in anyway close to you (I know TX distances are crazy). His instagram will have details of his wanderings. 

Yes, already looked at his schedule for the rest of the year.  I will keep him in mind for any 2025 appearance nearby.

[Mechanical]

4 hours ago, Penguincollector said:

  
 

   I think he visits Dromgooles and repairs/grinds nibs periodically, if that is in anyway close to you (I know TX distances are crazy). His instagram will have details of his wanderings. 

@Penguincollector, how do these in-store nib-grinding events usually work?  Is it a first-come first-served arrangement?  Or do people generally book up the time slots in advance?  I guess it probably varies, but just wondering what your experience is. :-)

[Penguincollector]

   

2 hours ago, Mechanical said:

@Penguincollector, how do these in-store nib-grinding events usually work?  Is it a first-come first-served arrangement?  Or do people generally book up the time slots in advance?  I guess it probably varies, but just wondering what your experience is. 🙂

 

 

    Here at Oblation, it was walk in, but there was an employee with a sign in sheet. He had a desk set up with TWSBI Ecos with all the different types of nib grinds available for you to try before your appointment. I think it depends on the nibmeister, as when Salorino came to town, there was an online appointment page on their (Salorino’s, not the store) website that was on a timer. People set alams to sign up before the event was full. Best thing to do is to check with the organizers. 
 

 

[Mechanical]

1 hour ago, Penguincollector said:

   

 

 

    Here at Oblation, it was walk in, but there was an employee with a sign in sheet. He had a desk set up with TWSBI Ecos with all the different types of nib grinds available for you to try before your appointment. I think it depends on the nibmeister, as when Salorino came to town, there was an online appointment page on their (Salorino’s, not the store) website that was on a timer. People set alams to sign up before the event was full. Best thing to do is to check with the organizers. 
 

 

 

Thanks!  This is very helpful.  I can see I'll need to be on top of things if I want to be ready for the next event like this.

 

[Penguincollector]

26 minutes ago, Mechanical said:

 

Thanks!  This is very helpful.  I can see I'll need to be on top of things if I want to be ready for the next event like this.

 

  Anytime, always happy to help!

[Driften]

I got this Sheaffer today, well it came back to me after a 30 year absence. It was my first fountain pen I bought in the mid 70's when I was in High School. I have cartridges coming tomorrow and will ink it up then. I soaked the nib for hours and not a hint of ink. I must have cleaned it well all those years ago. Many pens have come and gone, but it's special to have my first.

[inkstainedruth]

So, it's one you had growing up?  Cool!

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Driften]

2 hours ago, inkstainedruth said:

So, it's one you had growing up?  Cool!

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

It sure is. I inked it up today and it writes so much better than a $1 pen deserves to be. I expected such a thin light pen to be uncomfortable but that isn't the case. Nib is nice and smooth and the ebonite feed flows well. I am happy the pen has made it back to me after all of these years.

[Surlyprof]

On 10/17/2024 at 7:43 AM, Pete of Killeen said:

I seem to like them all; but interestingly, the Montblanc I would put in last place.  Perhaps because I bought it used.  Unless pressing firmly, it will occasionally "skip"--is that what you call it when a stroke doesn't produce ink?  When it was new I dry scribbled for a sec and could see the faintest indication of---perhaps trace ink...?  Maybe it required a more thorough cleaning? Not sure but it seems to be fine as long as I press more firmly than I do with the other pens.  Oh, and I about forgot --it has been busy the past week; I haven't even inked these latest two yet! 

 

So, Sailor Pro, Narwahl and Namiki---would be hard pressed to like one over the others---and fine or medium both seem ok to me.  Also, no preference so far as far as bottled inks, cartridge vs piston, vs convertor etc.

 

I guess I'm easy to please, so long as it writes and the style attracts me, then I'm good!

 

I received an '80's Montblanc 146 from a friend.  It obviously hadn't been used for years.  It wouldn't write or even blow bubbles in water so nothing was getting through.  I took the advice of a couple people here and soaked it in flush for several hours and that loosened it up enough for the piston to begin taking in water and pen flush.  Once I'd cleaned it enough to take ink, it was still skipping so I invested in a cheap ultrasonic cleaner.  After a few rounds in the cleaner, it now writes like a dream.  Just be sure that you don't let the water in the ultrasonic cleaner heat up and damage the pen.  The one I got had time limit settings that helped me not run it too long.  I also changed the water a few times in the process.  After that I flushed it with pen flush followed by water and then inked it.  It quickly secured Top 5 status and I've been enjoying it thoroughly.  As an added bonus, I now own an ultrasonic cleaner and our eyeglasses are spotless!

[kazoolaw]

You have a very good friend.  Nice job reviving the 146.

[EricTheRed]

Thanks for the useful information.  Might be time to get an ultrasonic cleaner …

[Pete of Killeen]

11 hours ago, Surlyprof said:

 

I received an '80's Montblanc 146 from a friend.  It obviously hadn't been used for years.  It wouldn't write or even blow bubbles in water so nothing was getting through.  I took the advice of a couple people here and soaked it in flush for several hours and that loosened it up enough for the piston to begin taking in water and pen flush.  Once I'd cleaned it enough to take ink, it was still skipping so I invested in a cheap ultrasonic cleaner.  After a few rounds in the cleaner, it now writes like a dream.  Just be sure that you don't let the water in the ultrasonic cleaner heat up and damage the pen.  The one I got had time limit settings that helped me not run it too long.  I also changed the water a few times in the process.  After that I flushed it with pen flush followed by water and then inked it.  It quickly secured Top 5 status and I've been enjoying it thoroughly.  As an added bonus, I now own an ultrasonic cleaner and our eyeglasses are spotless!

Have an ultrasonic but it is proprietary for records.  When I get time I will play (clean them better, maybe take a brass sheet, try a different ink) with my 2 pens that I feel act up somewhat.  One used, and one new but years old. My other 4 pens write like a champ. It is just "funny" that the two that would be the most expensive if I paid full price are the two misbehaving---but I guess that does come with age..haha.

[Surlyprof]

11 hours ago, kazoolaw said:

You have a very good friend.  Nice job reviving the 146.

A very good friend indeed!

[Penguincollector]

@Pete of Killeen I saw that Kirk will be at Dromgooles again  on November 21-23 for walk ins, if that MB is still giving you trouble next month. 

[Pete of Killeen]

23 hours ago, Penguincollector said:

@Pete of Killeen I saw that Kirk will be at Dromgooles again  on November 21-23 for walk ins, if that MB is still giving you trouble next month. 

Thanks! If it was Thanksgiving weekend I'd go.  But I work all day Friday--I am not going to wake up at 430 AM Sat to make the 3 hour drive to Houston to perhaps possibly wait hours....seeing as it is walk in and not appointment based.  Sometime soon I will look into what I can do on my own.  Actually been so busy I havent written with the pens in the last 2 days!  Last resort I can send it in to one of the two places I see that offer 12 to 16 week turn around times.  Or put up with it. Both the 2 pens do write pretty well  if held just right and with a firm pressure.

Edited October 25 by Pete of Killeen

[dms525]

I have a weakness for Brooks' PM1 resin, so, although I already had a Leonard MZG 2.0 in PM1, I ordered another but in a matte rather than glossy finish. I love its look, and the matte finish has a surprisingly nice feel. The pen in a matte finish is the one on top.

 

 

David

[Penguincollector]

  I’m so overwhelmed with how cute this is! It’s my new Sailor PGS that celebrates the aquarium in Sapporo’s rockhopper Penguin exhibit. It’s part of a series that celebrates the colors of Sapporo. 
 

 

 

 

 

[Mechanical]

What a nice set, @Penguincollector!  This is the first time I’ve seen a Sailor with a custom etched nib.  

 

Also that ink bottle!  Is it actually a Sailor Ink?

 

 

[Mercian]

14 hours ago, Penguincollector said:

I’m so overwhelmed with how cute this is! It’s my new Sailor PGS that celebrates the aquarium in Sapporo’s rockhopper Penguin exhibit. It’s part of a series that celebrates the colors of Sapporo.

 

That set is really attractive!

 

I especially like the postcard of the two Rockhoppers holding the pen & the ink 😊

(The pen with the special nib itself is also 'kinda nice' 😉)

[Penguincollector]

1 hour ago, Mechanical said:

What a nice set, @Penguincollector!  This is the first time I’ve seen a Sailor with a custom etched nib.  

 

Also that ink bottle!  Is it actually a Sailor Ink?

 

 

 

  Thanks! I don’t know if the ink was made by Sailor for Daimaru Fujii Central, the store selling this limited edition, or if the store themselves made the ink, because on the Sailor ink website, they made it seem like this store is known for their local ink. 
 

ETA: ink was made by Sailor’s ink blender Ishimaru for this pen.
 

1 hour ago, Mercian said:

 

That set is really attractive!

 

I especially like the postcard of the two Rockhoppers holding the pen & the ink 😊

(The pen with the special nib itself is also 'kinda nice' 😉)

  Thank you! The rockhopper postcard also has cute doodles on the back. The pen is kinda nice, huh‽ 😉 

Edited October 26 by Penguincollector
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