Acrylic vs. Ebonite

[jdboucher]

I'm looking at a Glenmont from Edison Pens and I'm trying to decide between the acrylic and the ebonite. Whats the difference? What would you do?

[RLTodd]

There was a thread on this subject, last week, around here somewhere.

 

FWIW, my conclusion was, (1) what do you really want? and (2) if it is the over sulfured pressure cooked UV sensitive and brittle hard rubber (I'm not one who is big on euphemisms ), are you willing to take the extra bit of care to preserve it.

 

 

Best of luck.............

 

[jdboucher]

There was a thread on this subject, last week, around here somewhere.

 

FWIW, my conclusion was, (1) what do you really want? and (2) if it is the over sulfured pressure cooked UV sensitive and brittle hard rubber (I'm not one who is big on euphemisms ), are you willing to take the extra bit of care to preserve it.

 

 

Best of luck.............

 

1. I'm torn thats the thing

2. So I assume your saying the acrylic is easier to maintain. They why would I want to go with ebonite?

[RLTodd]

Yes,

 

Cellulose Nitrate replaced hard rubber because it was sturdier and easier to maintain.

 

Acrylics replaced Cellulose Nitrate because they were less flamable and more stable.

 

When a person wants a hard rubber pen they want a hard rubber pen because they want a hard rubber pen. Those who want one bad enough will make the effort to keep them up.

[JJBlanche]

RL is pretty much spot on. If you want ebonite, there should be a very clear reason (ie: you like the way it feels, etc etc). Otherwise, go with the acrylic.

[Doug C]

I have never had a problem with my ebonite pens, other than a tiny bit of oxidation on a couple of them. You really don't need to baby them.

 

Go with the ebonite, not plastic.

 

 

[simonrob]

I'm looking at a Glenmont from Edison Pens and I'm trying to decide between the acrylic and the ebonite. Whats the difference? What would you do?

 

They feel different (which of course you can't discover for yourself without touching them) and look different (as you can tell from photos - e.g. Brian Gray's). Ebonite tend to look more conservative (narrower range of colours and patterns and are less shiny); by comparison acrylic can look rather vulgar, if you're not careful (for a somewhat similar look, celluloid wins by a mile; ebonite vs celluloid is a much harder choice). But this is all subjective, of course.... As for ebonite's needing more fussing, well, yes, up to a point - but there are an awful lot of 80-year-old ebonite pens that still look pretty damn good to me.

 

Simon

[tankahn]

Just make sure you don't drop the cap. Piece of it broke off from my Stipula Ebonite pen cap.

 

I have never had a problem with my ebonite pens, other than a tiny bit of oxidation on a couple of them. You really don't need to baby them.

 

Go with the ebonite, not plastic.

 

[hamadryad11]

Ebonite also has a distinctive smell, which acrylic doesn't have. Some people really like the smell of ebonite. I, unfortunately do not. When I'm writing, the pen warms up from my hand and the smell starts to drift up towards my nose. As a result I rarely use the few ebonite pens I have, at least not for extended periods of time. I really love the look and feel of ebonite though!

 

Possibly modern ebonites don't have quite the same smell to them.

[donwinn]

I have an 80 year old Sheaffer ebonite pen, which does not smell, at least not to my allergy-ridden nose, feels wonderful to hand, and I cannot speak for its brittleness, resistance to drops, or resistance to bangs, as I am very careful with ALL my pens, even the all-metal ones.

 

If I were purchasing one from Bryan, I would get the ebonite, because I prefer the look and the feel, and am not concerned over additional maintenance. I wish I could be around to have it be 80 years old and still in good condition, but since I turn 58 next month, that is unlikely.

 

Donnie

 

[FrankB]

As some of the others have said, the responses we are giving are personal and largely subjective. In that vein, I am saving up for an Edison pen and I am going to get an ebonite model, probably a black/red Herald. I very much like the feel of ebonite, which to me is warm and inviting. The black/red has a vintage look that I enjoy. The little bit of extra care ebonite requires does not bother me.

[Robert Hughes]

Yes,

 

Cellulose Nitrate replaced hard rubber because it was sturdier and easier to maintain.

 

Acrylics replaced Cellulose Nitrate because they were less flamable and more stable.

And acrylic-bodied ballpoints replaced fountain pens, too. But I still like fountain pens, including my oldest Hard Rubber ones; they're 80 or 90 years old by now, and they are a delight to write with. I like the smell of old hard rubber pens. They have character which comes with age. Keep your HR pen out of direct sunlight and you'll have a pen that will last longer than you will.

Edited September 10, 2008 by Robert Hughes

[scogre]

Hi JD!

 

Some excellent answers above! I guess what everybody is saying is that this is one of those subjective things you'll have to decide for yourself. An acrylic pen will probably be easier to maintain over the years than the equivelant pen in either a celluloid or ebonite. But I'll also tell you that ebonite and celluloid have a different "feel" to them. For myself I would choose the ebonite (or celluloid if that is available) because of the feel. Fountain pens require a certain amount of maintenance anyway, and the extra amount required for ebonite is small compared to enjoying the pen.

 

I have one of Brian's Heralds in a green and black ebonite that is just fantastic! I have just ordered one of his new Heralds in red and black ebonite. These are pens that just really do it for me! But I will tell you that there are some acrylics that have sorely tempted me. If you're hung up on which material to get, then choose the pen you want by how it looks. You will not go wrong with one of Brian's pens.

 

Scott.