Conway Stewart CHURCHILL, WINSTON or ONOTO MAGNA

[dave321]

Xmas is coming, and im thinking of treating myself to another pen.

cant quite make my mindup, all 3 are imposing pens.

the Magna has a nice large no.7 nibn and is a classic.

 

the winston is conways stewarts heaviest pen (66g)with a piston fill mechanism OR a lighter model(48g) with cartridge/converter.

the churchill is another classic british pen.

anyone have any of these pens ? comments.

as they are british pens i think a Medium nib will be ok.

all 3 similarly priced.

 

appreciate any comments , maybe im edging towards a churchill, we will see

[Doug1426]

FWIW I've had all three, and still have several of the Churchill and Onoto.  .  I sold my Winston, as it was too heavy for me to use at length. My regular Churchill  have all been a pleasure, and ditto for the Onoto. Depending upon your preference for writing comfort I would rate the Churchill number 1, followed by the Onoto.  Appearance-wise my Onoto pens come out on top, but they are some of the specialized finishes, not just the black or chased. But the CS Churchill comes in a number of very nice finishes...how can you choose just one?

[dave321]

those comments are really useful to know, particularly re the weight of the winston,

so i think it will be a churchill or onoto magna,

thank you 

 

any more comments are welcome from other members

 

[kazoolaw]

If you are concerned about weight, I can say that the original vintage Onoto Magna is not too heavy even with the cap posted.  

[Barkingpig]

I have a Churchill & an Onoto Magna & the finish of the Onoto is better to my eye & hand; Perhaps my Conway Stewart Churchill having separated from the section & having to be sent for repair makes me prefer the Onoto.

 

Both have excellent nibs & quite adequate weight without excess for long writing.  

[dave321]

i will take all these comments into consideration,

great stuff !

 

[jhataway]

I think I may have the better pen.  It is the Onoto Magna Churchill Pinstripe (no longer available).  Has a smooth #7 nib, writes like a dream, and has the distinctive pinstripe body, Churchill's initials on the cap band, and his signet ring reproduced on the cap top..

 

I have two Onoto pens, and I highly recommend the Magna line.

 

Jim Hataway

[dave321]

thank you jim

for your comments

i still cant decide between the 3 pens

 

[Targa]

I am a big fan of the Bespoke British Pens versions of the Conway Stewarts.  I have a Winston CC piston filler, and several Churchills with different nibs.  Firstly, IMHO you can't go wrong with a Churchill.  They are big sturdy pens, with well-regulated ink flow and smooth feel.  The Winston is heavy.  It is built like a tank.  It took me a little while to get used to the weight, but once you get used to it, anything else starts to feel flimsy.  

Bear in mind the nibs are easily replaceable - just look further in website and you'll find a number of nib units, or you can just get any JoWo #7 nib.  I recommend the CS branded ones because their own nibsmith tunes them and does a very good job.  And of course, the logo is right.  

I quite enjoy the piston fill mechanism on the Winston, even if it is a "captive converter".  It is quite easy to replace in case of any (unlikely) problems.  

The CS medium is a bit on the fine side vs e.g. Parker.  But smooth and damp - not too wet or too dry.  Of course you can tune it easily for more or less flow.  The Broad, however, is definitely broad.  I have a medium stub, which is phenomenal.  It is my favourite nib to use, and I swap it around to different pens.  

As for Christmas itself ....  I don't know if it is still available, but they had an "Evergreen" Churchill with red band as a Christmas pen.  Mine is specially engraved as having been made by Santa's elves themselves!

[dave321]

On 11/18/2024 at 9:23 PM, Targa said:

I am a big fan of the Bespoke British Pens versions of the Conway Stewarts.  I have a Winston CC piston filler, and several Churchills with different nibs.  Firstly, IMHO you can't go wrong with a Churchill.  They are big sturdy pens, with well-regulated ink flow and smooth feel.  The Winston is heavy.  It is built like a tank.  It took me a little while to get used to the weight, but once you get used to it, anything else starts to feel flimsy.  

Bear in mind the nibs are easily replaceable - just look further in website and you'll find a number of nib units, or you can just get any JoWo #7 nib.  I recommend the CS branded ones because their own nibsmith tunes them and does a very good job.  And of course, the logo is right.  

I quite enjoy the piston fill mechanism on the Winston, even if it is a "captive converter".  It is quite easy to replace in case of any (unlikely) problems.  

The CS medium is a bit on the fine side vs e.g. Parker.  But smooth and damp - not too wet or too dry.  Of course you can tune it easily for more or less flow.  The Broad, however, is definitely broad.  I have a medium stub, which is phenomenal.  It is my favourite nib to use, and I swap it around to different pens.  

As for Christmas itself ....  I don't know if it is still available, but they had an "Evergreen" Churchill with red band as a Christmas pen.  Mine is specially engraved as having been made by Santa's elves themselves!

regarding your comments on the piston fill Winston, you say ........... It is quite easy to replace in case of any (unlikely) problems......  What do you mean by this ? can you eleaborate. can the user replace it out of the barrel and maintain the piston like you can on a TWSBI?

i am edging my bets on aChurchill with added weight, and a cartridge converter to minimise any potential problems on the piston filling mechanism. Simple is best in my view.

[Targa]

On 11/22/2024 at 2:36 PM, dave321 said:

regarding your comments on the piston fill Winston, you say ........... It is quite easy to replace in case of any (unlikely) problems......  What do you mean by this ? can you eleaborate. can the user replace it out of the barrel and maintain the piston like you can on a TWSBI?

i am edging my bets on aChurchill with added weight, and a cartridge converter to minimise any potential problems on the piston filling mechanism. Simple is best in my view.

I’m sorry to be slow in responding… I have been mega- busy, and I want to get a bit of time to get some photos of the Winston taken apart so you (all) can see the piston filling components.  I will try for tomorrow or Friday.

[Doug C]

I have a Churchill and a Marlborough. Both ebonite, lever fill and light weight. 

They are both lovely pens.

 

[Targa]

On 11/22/2024 at 2:36 PM, dave321 said:

regarding your comments on the piston fill Winston, you say ........... It is quite easy to replace in case of any (unlikely) problems......  What do you mean by this ? can you eleaborate. can the user replace it out of the barrel and maintain the piston like you can on a TWSBI?

i am edging my bets on aChurchill with added weight, and a cartridge converter to minimise any potential problems on the piston filling mechanism. Simple is best in my view.

OK, some pics.  This is a Winston with the the "piston fill".  I know some have hesitation calling it a piston filler since it is a "captive converter" ttype, but in many ways I think it is better in that service is so easy.  The Pelikan 800 and 1000 are exceptions to that - they too are very easy to service, if you have the right little wrench.  

Anyway:

- Let's start with just filling the pen, no fussing.  The nib is long, so filling directly from a bottle is limited once the bottle is below about ½.  The Churchill and Winston (and other CS) pens fit very nicely into the Pineider ink pot.  (I have not tried the Visconti one - the Pineider is about ⅓ the cost and works great. )

-  OK, meanwhile, just what is the filler and why is it so easy to service?  Firstly, the barrel is easily removed.  The CS folks put a bit of shellac on the threads, just like most "sealed" pens, though maybe a bit less.  In this pen, it gave way to just a bit of force, but if it is stiffer, a warming up with e.g. a hair dryer will soften it, so you can just screw it open.  I have not replaced the shellac on mine - I like to open it up for better cleaning if I am going to put into a box for a  while, and it screws tightly enough without.  As you can see, the reservoir is just a a 1 ml converter - but a high quality screw-in one, to fit threads inside the section.  The nice part is that they will sell you replacements, though I expect it would be along while before it wears out, unless you are a monk working on a new illuminated bible or something.  (I am not a monk, by any stretch, but I am a bit paranoid about always having a supply of parts (for everything including e.g. mechanical watches, so I ordered spares). And if it ever does need lubrication the twisty-knob end also simply screws off.  

Also seen is the screw-in nib unit.  They will sell you additional (or replacement) nib units, so if you want line variation, or you drop your pen nib-tip-down, it's quicker and probably cheaper than  getting a nibsmith to repair.  

 

Oh, BTW, when I say the broad nib is indeed broad, I show you the proof.

 

So my bottom line on this one is:

-  Yes it is heavy.  It takes a short while to get used to that, but afterwards it becomes part of the pleasure.  

-  It is strong.  It is not going to crack or snap if it falls out of your pocket

-  It is modular and simmple to service or to get replacement parts.

In short, it is my favourite, and IMHO BEST pen ever.  With the Christmas Churchill a close second.  

[Targa]

BTW, while I have a fancy set up for nice photos, these were just done with an Apple iPhone 15 Pro.  I should have done a sticky-roll clean up for cat hairs, though.  

[dave321]

many thanks for your time to show us the innards of the Winston pen, and how to dissemble. I am sure this is useful for many mebers here.

i have finally decided , and have just ordered a ChurchilL in Bracket Green, cartidge converter, Broad 18ct nib.

a xmas present to myself !!

 

[dave321]

just looking at the pics and it seems that CS have basically used a standard cartridge converter (although it does screw in) and fitted an extra brass tube bit on the end to connect with the knurled nob, under the blind end cap. Ok the converter may be made of brass and have screw threads,  but that's a pretty clever way to reduce costs and sell it as something other than what is essentially a converter. Very clever, and effective.

[Doug C]

7 minutes ago, dave321 said:

just looking at the pics and it seems that CS have basically used a standard cartridge converter (although it does screw in) and fitted an extra brass tube bit on the end to connect with the knurled nob, under the blind end cap. Ok the converter may be made of brass and have screw threads,  but that's a pretty clever way to reduce costs and sell it as something other than what is essentially a converter. Very clever, and effective.

I think they know people understand it's a CC fill. CS will sometimes put a brass sleeve in for 'feel' or 'balance'.

 

You can get a Churchill with lever fill.  I have one.