Pens with heart-shaped breather holes

[tisfortorrey]

Okay, so I've found something else to add to my ever-growing list of pens: something with a heart-shaped breather hole on the nib. I just think these nibs are so unique and, well, cute, that I think I ought to add one (or more ) to my collection.

 

So, only a few things to keep in mind, and then bring on the pens! I'm mainly interested in modern pens, but am certainly willing to try a vintage pen that can be found at a reasonable (read: under $100) price. Also, I'm aware that some LE pens use this kind of breather hole as a gimmick, but I can't afford LE!

 

Thanks so much in advance!

 

Oh, also, is there a special name for this kind of breather hole, and does it serve any purpose other than aesthetics? :hmm1:

[calliej]

I have an 'eagle' nib with a heart shaped breather

 

Conway Stewart often have them and vintage can be fund for well under $100

[asexton]

Visconti has nibs with non-circular breathing holes. I don't have my Visconti in front of me, but I think they have upside-down hearts.

 

-Cody

[PigRatAndGoat]

I know that MB has a few pens that have heart shaped breather holes, but I can't name one off handedly right now. I think the Montegrappa Exressionez or whatever also has it.

[matthewst1]

Theres heaps of vintage Conway Stewarts with heart-shaped breather holes. My 388 has one. Just look for vintage CS's on eBay and the photos should do the talking.

[mjb30]

How about this? A 1940's Sheaffer Craftsman. It cost me $4.25 plus postage from fleabay.... It's actually my best writer in moleskin and glides across the page with no feathering. One pen I shall never be parted with.

 

Matt

 

[Beechwood]

Waterman Junior?

[flodoc]

Platinum 3776 nibs also have heart-shaped breather holes.

[davisgt]

Many of my vintage Waterman pens have heart-shaped breathing holes on the nibs.

 

Todd

[Okami]

Visconti has nibs with non-circular breathing holes. I don't have my Visconti in front of me, but I think they have upside-down hearts.

 

-Cody

 

 

My Visconti Van Gogh breather hole is just a )

[Daosus]

One of my favorites is a Sheaffer Snorkel (I have the Clipper model). The breather hole is tiny (but certainly a heart), the nib is a conical Triumph. I believe you might be able to pick one up for around $50 or so.

 

PS - After looking at the PenHero pages, it seems that some Snorkels have a heart-shaped hole and others have a round one, so if you're interested in purchasing one, be sure to check which is which.

[lak611]

Regarding the function of the breather hole, Wikipedia says this:

The nib usually has one slit cut down its center, to convey the ink down the nib by capillary action, as well as a "breather hole" of varying shape to promote the exchange of air for ink in the pen's reservoir. The breather hole also acts as a stress relieving point, preventing the nib from cracking longitudinally from the end of the slit from repeated flexing during use.

[richardandtracy]

The vintage Onoto's also have heart shaped breather holes. A BHR 3000 series pen dating from the 1920's can cost you £10-£20 ($20-$40) on E-bay. I have to confess none will be identified as 3000 series pens, but they'll look like black versions of the one I asked about in this thread:- https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=40712

The nib has a lot of flex, which you may or may not want.

 

Regards

 

Richard.

[Garageboy]

A lot if not all Sheaffer Balances had em

[Legal Eagle]

My Nakaya's have heart shaped breather holes..... I think?

[lak611]

A lot if not all Sheaffer Balances had em

I have a modern Sheaffer that has a cartridge/convertor fill. It is tortoiseshell color plastic. I don't remember what it is called. I bought it about 8 or 9 years ago. The nib says "Feather Touch" 18K. It has a heart shaped breather hole.

[dumdummuoi]

I was gonna say Delta Passion (heart-shaped breather to fit the name, I guess) until I saw the budget limit... I don't know of any MODERN pens under $100 that have heart-shaped breather holes, but I see lots of vintage ones pop up on the marketplace.

[lak611]

I was gonna say Delta Passion (heart-shaped breather to fit the name, I guess) until I saw the budget limit... I don't know of any MODERN pens under $100 that have heart-shaped breather holes, but I see lots of vintage ones pop up on the marketplace.

I don't remember the exact price, but I spent a lot more than $100 for my Sheaffer, and that was about 8 or 9 years ago.

[snorkeler]

I have a Sailor flighter-style pen with a heart-shaped breather hole on an F4 nib; pen cost me about $20.

[rroossinck]

Quite a good number of vintage pens with Warranted nibs have heart-shaped breathers, too. Let me dig around in my boxes of goodies and see if'n I've got something that might fit the bill.