Silver Overlay Pens

[Ondina]

Noooooooooooooooooooooo! You bought the B before I could save up for it! :bonk:

How can you ruin one of the few B nibs out there?!

 

I hear you. Anytime I read someone reduces a B, my heart breaks....

I voted I prefer massive silver pens, but both are unaffordable for me anyhow. Had the good fortune to test some massive silver ones, vintage, marvelous pens. The looks, the feel...Silver is easily damaged though...dings are common.

[QM2]

I voted I prefer massive silver pens, but both are unaffordable for me anyhow. Had the good fortune to test some massive silver ones, vintage, marvelous pens. The looks, the feel...Silver is easily damaged though...dings are common.

 

You know, I've found that this really depends on the pen. Some silver pens ding, scratch and bend easily. The Sailor 1911 sterling comes to mind. Others seem to be invincible, like my Yard o Leds and the Krone overlays in the photos in this thread.

[winedoc]

I like overlays, but most may be a bit feminine for my taste.

 

Kevin

[QM2]

I like overlays, but most may be a bit feminine for my taste.

 

Kevin

 

That's my husband's take on it as well. Keeps him away from my pens : )

[wspohn]

I enjoy overlays - when they are well done. I just posted some more of the limited run Classic Pen models using this technique in another thread.

 

I own a Sheaffer Nostalgia which I find to be poorly and simply done, the workmanship not nearly up to the calibre of the vintage versions.

 

http://xs107.xs.to/xs107/06411/nostalgias1.jpg

 

I own a Waterman Edson Boucheron, and this is to me the essence of what I like in an modern overlay. It isn't too fancy, a failing I'd say many Italian pens share, and it is elegant, something few moderns attain.

 

http://www.rhodo.citymax.com/i/non-rhodo/boucheron_le.jpg

I own a Visconti Skeleton, although I fail to understand why they would take a lovely sterling filigree and coat it with titanium, a semi-gloss and compartively dead coating. High tech at the expense of spirit?

 

http://www.rhodo.citymax.com/i/non-rhodo/visc2.jpg

[QM2]

I enjoy overlays - when they are well done. I just posted some more of the limited run Classic Pen models using this technique in another thread.

 

I own a Sheaffer Nostalgia which I find to be poorly and simply done, the workmanship not nearly up to the calibre of the vintage versions.

...

I own a Waterman Edson Boucheron, and this is to me the essence of what I like in an modern overlay. It isn't too fancy, a failing I'd say many Italian pens share, and it is elegant, something few moderns attain.

...

I own a Visconti Skeleton, although I fail to understand why they would take a lovely sterling filigree and coat it with titanium, a semi-gloss and compartively dead coating. High tech at the expense of spirit?

 

I agree with your comments about Sheaffer Nostalgia and the Visconti Skeleton; for the same reasons I have always found these pens lacking spark and "soul". I never thought of the Waterman Boucheron as an overlay pen, because I thought the metal was somehow integrated with the other materials. i will have to take a closer look at how this thing is constructed the next time I see one.

[arz]

QM2, you have some lovely overlay pens. The Taj Mahal is simply stunning! It could fast become my dream pen!

 

I enjoy overlays - when they are well done. I just posted some more of the limited run Classic Pen models using this technique in another thread.

 

I own a Sheaffer Nostalgia which I find to be poorly and simply done, the workmanship not nearly up to the calibre of the vintage versions.

 

I also have a Sheaffer Nostalgia and do not share this opinion. Granted, I got it NOS at a great price through a closeout sale at Joon in NYC, but I think it's lovely and delicate with nice hammered accents on the tendrils that aren't visible in your picture. While I fear I will never own a Simpole, despite how exquisite his overlay pens appear in the pictures I've seen, Sheaffer's great pen was accessible to me (even though I had to vote lovely but unaffordable).

 

My husband expressed his chagrin at how light the Sheaffer Nostalgia is, but for me it's perfectly balanced and a great writer! I also have a Laban Labrados (fake overlay?) which was a gift which I've grown to like a lot, actually. It's one of the heftiest pens I own, though, which certainly impressed my husband (haha).

 

 

[Bryant]

Love your pens! I had not idea the Taj was soooooo big! Holy smokes!

I love Sterling overlay pens. They are my favorite for sure... Here are my overlays, with the exception of the Dickens...

 

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm78/FountainPenz/CIMG0136.jpg

[arz]

Hi Bryant,

 

Lovely pens!

 

What's the second one from the left? Thanks, arz

[Italicist]

What beautiful pens, everyone! I've never owned a pen with a silver overlay, but not because they don't look magnificent to me. Simpole's patterns in the Art Nouveau style are especially beautiful, I think.

[QM2]

Love your pens! I had not idea the Taj was soooooo big! Holy smokes!

I love Sterling overlay pens. They are my favorite for sure... Here are my overlays, with the exception of the Dickens...

 

Oh yes, the Taj Mahal is enormous. When it is closed, it does not even look like a pen -- more like an unconventional container of some sort.

 

I love Sterling overlay pens. They are my favorite for sure... Here are my overlays, with the exception of the Dickens...

 

I want that Montegrappa Priveledge, Visconti Romanica and MB Proust!

 

If you count solid overlays, I have the Bexley "Brains" OC 2008 on your photo, and also this:

 

http://queenmargot.com/pelm710_3.jpg

[Bryant]

Hi Bryant,

 

Lovely pens!

 

What's the second one from the left? Thanks, arz

Thanks Arz, that one is Montblanc Patron of the Arts Andrew Carnegie...

Here are a few more pics...

 

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm78/FountainPenz/CIMG0127-3.jpg

 

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm78/FountainPenz/CIMG0132-1.jpg

 

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm78/FountainPenz/CIMG0133-1.jpg

 

 

 

 

Edited October 22, 2008 by Bryant

[Bryant]

What beautiful pens, everyone! I've never owned a pen with a silver overlay, but not because they don't look magnificent to me. Simpole's patterns in the Art Nouveau style are especially beautiful, I think.

I agree! I would love to have one of his pens! He does amazing work!

[FrankB]

QM2 asked:

 

"Frank, which do you own?"

 

Sorry. I lost track of this thread.

 

I just have a Colibri from a number of years ago. I forget the model name. The pen material is a green/black resin and the overlay is a floral pattern. I am sure it is silver plate, but it has yet to tarnish. It has a steel M nib that writes surprizingly well. When I saw the pen I thought I had at last found an overlay pen that was affordable, under $100. So, I can say I have an overlay. But I look on the pens in this thread with a high degree of envy.

[QM2]

QM2 asked:

 

"Frank, which do you own?"

 

Sorry. I lost track of this thread.

 

I just have a Colibri from a number of years ago. I forget the model name. The pen material is a green/black resin and the overlay is a floral pattern. I am sure it is silver plate, but it has yet to tarnish. It has a steel M nib that writes surprizingly well. When I saw the pen I thought I had at last found an overlay pen that was affordable, under $100. So, I can say I have an overlay. But I look on the pens in this thread with a high degree of envy.

 

Neat, never heard of it before. There is one on ebay now that is described as lacquered brass with silver overlay, steel nib.

It is listed for $65 on Buy Now, if anyone is interested (no affiliation). Looks nice.

http://cgi.ebay.com/COLIBRI-BLACK-SILVER-O...9QQcmdZViewItem

Edited October 22, 2008 by QM2

[wspohn]

I agree with your comments about Sheaffer Nostalgia and the Visconti Skeleton; for the same reasons I have always found these pens lacking spark and "soul". I never thought of the Waterman Boucheron as an overlay pen, because I thought the metal was somehow integrated with the other materials. i will have to take a closer look at how this thing is constructed the next time I see one.

 

 

The Boucheron is a solid 18K fretwork overlay on the barrel. On the nib section, I believe the gold is integrated into the section material - I must take a look!

[wspohn]

I enjoy overlays - when they are well done. I just posted some more of the limited run Classic Pen models using this technique in another thread.

 

I own a Sheaffer Nostalgia which I find to be poorly and simply done, the workmanship not nearly up to the calibre of the vintage versions.

 

I also have a Sheaffer Nostalgia and do not share this opinion. Granted, I got it NOS at a great price through a closeout sale at Joon in NYC, but I think it's lovely and delicate with nice hammered accents on the tendrils that aren't visible in your picture.

 

The Nostalgia looks pretty good - unless you happen to have a nice vintage overlay to compare it with, in which case I stand by my cheap and simple characterization of the workmanship. FWIW, I've never had any issue with the weight of it.

[QM2]

I have now posted a review of the Taj Mahal : )

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=80266

 

http://queenmargot.com/taj_mahal2.jpg

 

http://queenmargot.com/taj_mahal6.jpg

[Rufus]

I've yet to come across one, either vintage or modern, that I like and would buy.

[Bryant]

I've yet to come across one, either vintage or modern, that I like and would buy.

The Bexley Owners is pretty much one yes?