Dunhill Sidecar Review

[StephY]

I am bothered by the fact whether or not the cap "easily unscrews" when the pen is stored in pocket or briefcase.

Two people gave different comments : IDIOPATHOS and FLASHVICTOR state it doesn't and STEPHY mentions it as a "weak point" of this pen.

It might have to do with the (male) thread between barrel and cap, which depending on the finish or version of the pen is either in "resin" or (plated) metal (brass ?). Could you please comment on that point ?

I have a "mini sidecar rollerball" with both male and female threads in plated metal; I have the habit of firmly thightening screw caps and have no bad experiences about it coming lose on this pen.

Thanks in advance for your comments !

Luc

 

The thread in my Sidecar is resin. While I used to carry it lose in my briefcase pocket I have rid myself of this habit and now carry it in a zippered pen case. Since it now rests in its own little slot, it has not unscrewed itself the way it used to.

 

It may be a characteristic of my Sidecar, I do find that the threads are not so secure. I find myself having to tighten the threads between the barrel and the section. This has not detracted from the way the pen performs, at least for me.

[Classics]

I can't believe that I don't see more reviews about this pen. I just saw this pen in the pen store and fell in love with the pen right away.

I am going to buy the Tortise Fine nib when I get a chance. Pictures do not any justice for this pen.

 

Mr Classics

[Classics]

I just picked up the Tortise SideCar fountain pen. The pen nib writes like butter.

 

Classics

[Idiopathos]

I am bothered by the fact whether or not the cap "easily unscrews" when the pen is stored in pocket or briefcase.

Two people gave different comments : IDIOPATHOS and FLASHVICTOR state it doesn't and STEPHY mentions it as a "weak point" of this pen.

It might have to do with the (male) thread between barrel and cap, which depending on the finish or version of the pen is either in "resin" or (plated) metal (brass ?). Could you please comment on that point ?

I have a "mini sidecar rollerball" with both male and female threads in plated metal; I have the habit of firmly thightening screw caps and have no bad experiences about it coming lose on this pen.

Thanks in advance for your comments !

Luc

Yes, the section of my (blue) Sidecar used to loosen itself from the barrel. Indeed, it did it all by itself, even if left in a case on my desk. Now, I just give it a good tweak to tighten it.

 

Like the AD2000, there is progressive resistence as you tighten the section in the barrel, which, I think I have read elsewhere, contributes to the suitability of Dunhill fountain pens for air travellers.

[Classics]

I have been using my new sidecar for a few weeks now and have not had any cap screw issues.

 

But I agree with Idiopatho that if the screw becomes loose, I will just tighen the screw cap.

 

Sincerely,

Mr. Classics

[Idiopathos]

The nib and ink feed are Namiki, aren't they? Indeed, one of my Dunhills came with a Pilot (aka Namiki, of course) converter.

My experience of the Sidecar is that, yes, it does write 'wide and wet' (with Diamine), which I've now come to like a lot. The nib is interesting to use and produces distinctive lines.

I find the pen very well made, as all Dunhill pens are. It certainly rivals the big names. The engine-turned metal section is practical to use and the pen as a whole has good heft.

I look forward to Dunhill's next fountain pen. (And am trying to find another AD2000, because mine is such a good pen.)

Since writing the above in early September, the Sidecar has, by early December, become my 'grab-it-and-go' pen. Its weight gives it the feeling of being robust, which encounters with the edges of desks, lamps, computer screens and two floors confirm.

 

Its converter has converted me (ouch!) to converters. It - a Pilot, of course - is capacious, easy to fill full and just works well.

 

The cap stays capped and does not unscrew in my pocket. It also posts well, because of the metal ring on the barrel. The edge of the cap is metal-lined and looks split-resistant.

 

The nib has developed, as new nibs do, and is smoother and a little more flexible, although it had both of these qualities fresh from the box. It provides a well-coloured line, with some shape on demand.

 

The issues of wetness and width have disappeared. I ascribe this to two reasons. 'Diamine' - for me, a slow ink, compared to, for example, 'Jentle'. And the width just seems narrower now the flow is slower.

 

If I see another Sidecar at a reasonable price, I shall certainly buy it.

By the end of April, I'm quite irritated by my Sidecar. Filled with Quink now, it is seeing more use than all my other pens put together.

 

[Idiopathos]

The nib and ink feed are Namiki, aren't they? Indeed, one of my Dunhills came with a Pilot (aka Namiki, of course) converter.

My experience of the Sidecar is that, yes, it does write 'wide and wet' (with Diamine), which I've now come to like a lot. The nib is interesting to use and produces distinctive lines.

I find the pen very well made, as all Dunhill pens are. It certainly rivals the big names. The engine-turned metal section is practical to use and the pen as a whole has good heft.

I look forward to Dunhill's next fountain pen. (And am trying to find another AD2000, because mine is such a good pen.)

Since writing the above in early September, the Sidecar has, by early December, become my 'grab-it-and-go' pen. Its weight gives it the feeling of being robust, which encounters with the edges of desks, lamps, computer screens and two floors confirm.

 

Its converter has converted me (ouch!) to converters. It - a Pilot, of course - is capacious, easy to fill full and just works well.

 

The cap stays capped and does not unscrew in my pocket. It also posts well, because of the metal ring on the barrel. The edge of the cap is metal-lined and looks split-resistant.

 

The nib has developed, as new nibs do, and is smoother and a little more flexible, although it had both of these qualities fresh from the box. It provides a well-coloured line, with some shape on demand.

 

The issues of wetness and width have disappeared. I ascribe this to two reasons. 'Diamine' - for me, a slow ink, compared to, for example, 'Jentle'. And the width just seems narrower now the flow is slower.

 

If I see another Sidecar at a reasonable price, I shall certainly buy it.

And now, the best part of 6 months later, the Sidecar keeps most of my other pens at home. The Visconti Wall Street sees the light of day once or twice a month. And that's it. I really must make the effort to take the others out to play. The trouble is that the Sidecar just does every pen job I need so well.

[flodoc]

The nib and ink feed are Namiki, aren't they? Indeed, one of my Dunhills came with a Pilot (aka Namiki, of course) converter.

My experience of the Sidecar is that, yes, it does write 'wide and wet' (with Diamine), which I've now come to like a lot. The nib is interesting to use and produces distinctive lines.

I find the pen very well made, as all Dunhill pens are. It certainly rivals the big names. The engine-turned metal section is practical to use and the pen as a whole has good heft.

I look forward to Dunhill's next fountain pen. (And am trying to find another AD2000, because mine is such a good pen.)

Since writing the above in early September, the Sidecar has, by early December, become my 'grab-it-and-go' pen. Its weight gives it the feeling of being robust, which encounters with the edges of desks, lamps, computer screens and two floors confirm.

 

Its converter has converted me (ouch!) to converters. It - a Pilot, of course - is capacious, easy to fill full and just works well.

 

The cap stays capped and does not unscrew in my pocket. It also posts well, because of the metal ring on the barrel. The edge of the cap is metal-lined and looks split-resistant.

 

The nib has developed, as new nibs do, and is smoother and a little more flexible, although it had both of these qualities fresh from the box. It provides a well-coloured line, with some shape on demand.

 

The issues of wetness and width have disappeared. I ascribe this to two reasons. 'Diamine' - for me, a slow ink, compared to, for example, 'Jentle'. And the width just seems narrower now the flow is slower.

 

If I see another Sidecar at a reasonable price, I shall certainly buy it.

 

I also have a blue Sidecar with medium nib. The nib and feed is very similar to a Montblanc 144 nib and feed, so I suspect they are made by the same manufacturer. Also, the Namiki nibs and sections tend to be larger and the converter has a very wide mouth as opposed to the European standard. I also have three AD2000 Dunhills that do have Namiki nibs and converters. Apparently not all Dunhill nibs, feeds and sections come from the same source.

 

[mr goldfink]

I can't believe that I don't see more reviews about this pen. I just saw this pen in the pen store and fell in love with the pen right away.

I am going to buy the Tortise Fine nib when I get a chance. Pictures do not any justice for this pen.

 

Mr Classics

 

Hey Mr Classics - I totally agree with you. This really is a classic pen. I have just bought the tortoise with a medium nib and a black one as well to boot.

 

I could not resist as after having waited some 3 years to get one for a good price a local store let these babies go for a very good price. I didn't think this day would come for like Montblanc it seems that Dunhill have tight control on what promotions retailers can offer customers to maintain brand value.

 

I am very happy with these pens. Take this from someone who only owns 3 modern pens - the two Dunhills and a Faber Castell e-Motion in chevron lacquer (another beauty of a pen with great girth and a super fluid line). I rarely deviate from vintage unless a modern pen really catches my attention. The Sidecar did as did the e-Motion.

Edited June 29, 2008 by mr goldfink

[Robin]

Hi Mr Goldfink in Edinburgh!

 

Where did you get the good deal on the sidecar?

 

I bought a black rollerball last month, and a nice FP would really go along nicely.....

 

 

[georges zaslavsky]

I tried the side car but I still prefer the ad 2000 that I own over it. The nib on the ad 2000 is more smooth and more consistent.

[Classics]

I can't believe that I don't see more reviews about this pen. I just saw this pen in the pen store and fell in love with the pen right away.

I am going to buy the Tortise Fine nib when I get a chance. Pictures do not any justice for this pen.

 

Mr Classics

 

Hey Mr Classics - I totally agree with you. This really is a classic pen. I have just bought the tortoise with a medium nib and a black one as well to boot.

 

I could not resist as after having waited some 3 years to get one for a good price a local store let these babies go for a very good price. I didn't think this day would come for like Montblanc it seems that Dunhill have tight control on what promotions retailers can offer customers to maintain brand value.

 

I am very happy with these pens. Take this from someone who only owns 3 modern pens - the two Dunhills and a Faber Castell e-Motion in chevron lacquer (another beauty of a pen with great girth and a super fluid line). I rarely deviate from vintage unless a modern pen really catches my attention. The Sidecar did as did the e-Motion.

 

 

I am glad that you finally found a great price for the pen. I bought mine from world lux.com.

The first pen came damaged, but they exchanged the pen ASAP for me.

The colors on his pen is great. Truely Classic!

 

Regards........

classics

[Idiopathos]

Several more months down the road and the Sidecar (and the Rolex) are just getting too much use.

 

They do share qualities, of course: reliability, robustness and practicality.

 

However, other pens and watches are being neglected.

[mr goldfink]

Hi Mr Goldfink in Edinburgh!

 

Where did you get the good deal on the sidecar?

 

I bought a black rollerball last month, and a nice FP would really go along nicely.....

 

Hey Robin

 

Try Harvey Nicks in St Andrew Square. (First Floor) They have one Sidecar FP left and it is in royal blue. Grab it while you can - the price tag is way too hard to beat even when you check out US and South East Asian online outlets.

 

Let me know how you like it....

 

Cheers

 

Goldie

[mr goldfink]

I tried the side car but I still prefer the ad 2000 that I own over it. The nib on the ad 2000 is more smooth and more consistent.

 

This may be true but the Sidecar is aesthetically the superior model and me, being a man, love with my eyes...

 

Cheers

 

 

[mr goldfink]

Several more months down the road and the Sidecar (and the Rolex) are just getting too much use.

 

They do share qualities, of course: reliability, robustness and practicality.

 

However, other pens and watches are being neglected.

 

It is a superb modern pen but to be honest I am far more likely to use my vintage MB 146 for daily use oweing to its super responsive 1950s nib. But on decadent occasions I haul out the weighty Dunhill and enjoy the opulence of it all.

[bilbok]

Is $230 for a blue Turtle shell with M nib a good price ?

 

Many people say they bought theirs at hefty discount.

 

How much is a hefty discount for this pen ?

[penwala]

Are people talking about the mini version or the regular size?

[penwala]

Is $230 for a blue Turtle shell with M nib a good price ?

 

Many people say they bought theirs at hefty discount.

 

How much is a hefty discount for this pen ?

Actually I would like to know the price as well