I was thinking of getting a Conklin Duragraph.

January 21, 2024

Update: I purchased a conklin duragraph, red nights with a fine nib. So far it writes nicely.

January 21, 2024

On 12/19/2023 at 8:10 AM, txoko said:

Being very late to the party, this may no longer be relevant, but if one wanted to try out a Duragraph, Vanness has their limited edition version on sale for about 25 bucks, if they are still available. I have a passel of Duragraphs which I like very much. Vanness has had this limited edition for quite some time, but I wasn't going to pay full freight for another Duragraph given the number I already had. But recently, maybe last month (things have been moving at hyperpeed of late so time is, uh, relative), they had it on sale. At that price I was helpless. I don't recall the advert mentioning it, but it is a numbered limited edition, as I discovered when I was examining my catch. It is engraved on the barrel. Given the length of time they had been on offer, I was surprised that mine is number 25 of 200. If they are still available, it would be a relatively painless way to sample a Duragraph.

As to nibs, I will leave that to others. Early on I bought several nib section units and have changed things around until I was satisfied. Generally, I find the nibs to be excellent, but I think I had an issue with a Medium and maybe an Omniflex. But I primarily reside in the Fine and Extra Fine realm and I don't think I have had any problems. If I did I just put one of the other units in and the problem was solved. But I am a fan of the Duragraph so factor that in when deciding.

Well if you mean the Duragraph Green Swirl, the FP version is still on sale at Vanness (1/21/24) but at $35 US (the rollerball version is on sale for $25).

I keep looking at the Purple Nights Duragraph (especially since I was able to hold one at OPS a couple of months ago, and know now that it would be an okay size and weight for me) but haven't decided on a nib width. I ended up getting a different pen -- a Monteverde Strata --with an Omniflex nib but have been underwhelmed by the nib performance: not nearly as much flex as I'd been expecting from all the hype. But I already had a Strata in a different color and with a different nib, so I knew that wouldn't be too heavy a pen for me -- and it was a LOT less expensive than a Duragraph would have been, just to try an Omniflex nib out.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth