Trouble free modern pen survey

[Blade Runner]

Of modern brands that you've owned and used, and having at least 3 pens of each brand, which have been trouble free, ie, no mechanical/cosmetic issues, no nib issues and have not malfunctioned or deteriorated unexpectedly?

 

This excludes considerations of how they look or balance, and nib exchanges for different nib size without writing problems.

 

My experience: Mont Blanc, Pilot, Cross and Aurora

My oldest MB & Pilot have been in continuous use for 14 or more years without a single problem. I have had Cross and Aurora pens for under two years without any probs.

 

J

[KCat]

well... having had more than three:

 

Pelikan

WM Phileas

I will say Namiki though I only actually own 2 but have handled 3.

 

But... those are the only modern pens I have had more than 1 of. But of course, if I had more than one of any of my other moderns, it would be an indicator that my first one or two examples were trouble free and that is why I purchased additional examples of the same pen. Which says that most of my other modern pens have left a little to be desired in terms of "proper" function/quality.

Edited March 17, 2006 by KCat

[RyanL27]

Good survey idea, Jeen!

 

From my experience:

 

Pelikan

Aurora

Sailor

Namiki - though I've only had VPs

Lamy

 

Seems it's hard to wrong with any of these.

[Thesaurus Rex]

I have never had any problems with any make of Waterman nib. They write wonderfully right out of the box. I've had five or six of them and they are all favorite pens.

 

I only have one Sailor, but it has been a pleasure from the get-go. In fact, it's so good that I feel like it might be the only Sailor pen I ever need. It's a tortoise shell Magellan and that's the pen I would rush into a burning building to save.

 

And for pure ease of use and lovely pistons, you can't go wrong with a Pelikan.

 

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Matt]

Pelikan

Sailor

Sheaffer

 

I only have one Sailor 1911, but it is excellent in every way. My Pelikans and Sheaffers are always reliable good writers, even after sitting for weeks at a time.

 

Matt C.

[Monketah]

I hope I don't jinx anything, but here goes.

 

Parker

Pelikan

Lamy

 

 

David

[Stylo]

None for me

[Piano Player]

I have five Pelikans, Four of which have been trouble free. One had to be sent back.

 

I have three Cross Townsends, all trouble free for over 10 years and used heavily. My two Cross Century Is bought in the 80s were always being adjusted. (which is why I had to have two)

 

I have Four Montblancs, one is trouble free (12 years), two became trouble free when broken in (6 years), and one bought last year which still has start-up problems.

 

I have Three Parker Duofolds (modern) all trouble free for over 15 years. My other Parkers all have (had trouble).

 

Three Waterman LeMan 100s, all real smooth, and while trouble free, I broke two with my own stupidity.

 

Years ago, I had Three Schaeffer Targas that I used so much, the finish wore off one, and two stainless steel ones eventually broke by separate accidents (But only after 10 years or more of trouble free use)

[Blorgy]

None for me

None for me too, but some have needed less alteration than others.

[Apollo]

My most trouble free pens (in no particular order):

Parker

Lamy

Pelikan

Namiki/Pilot

 

The worst:

Conklin

[KendallJ]

Well, lets see. Looking at my collection and thinking about which pens gave me problems originally, the ones that I haven't had to modify are:

 

All my Namikis (Bamboo, Impressions, VP, Pilot)

Conway Steward (100)

Nakaya (urushi)

Lamy (2000)

Sheaffers (Legacy, Intrigue, Balance)

Sailor (1911)

 

That's it. All other brands have had at least 1 pen that I tweaked. This includes:

 

Filcao

Krone

Dani Trio

Parker

Taccia

Visconti

Pelikan

Conklin

Waterman

 

I'd have to say based on the numbers that Sheaffer, and Namiki get the most trouble free. Intuitively that feels about right.

 

The one brand I personally won't buy any more of:

 

Waterman

Edited March 18, 2006 by KendallJ

[Glenn-SC]

Three or more:

Pelikan

Lamy

Namiki

Sheaffer (Balance)

Eversharp (Skyline)

 

Fewer than 3:

Parker

Rotring

Visconti

 

Worst (like none have worked well):

Conklin

Conway Stewart

 

Hit and Miss:

Waterman

Bexley

 

This does not cound the times I received Service that either helped or didn't.

Edited March 18, 2006 by Glenn-SC

[sfeinman]

Trouble free: Pelikan

 

Almost trouble fee: Montblanc

 

 

 

Troubles fixed: Aurora

Troubles not fixed: Omas

[sfeinman]

Sorry,

 

forgot one

 

Trouble: Visconti

[memphislawyer]

Sorry,

 

forgot one

 

Trouble: Visconti

what problems with what pen? i am thinking of an opera club or a wall street

 

sam

[petra]

I have at least three pens by:

 

Waterman - all trouble free

 

Pelikan - mostly trouble free (one instance of trouble that was my own fault )

 

Visconti - really big trouble, I avoid them now altogether

 

 

I have two pens by:

 

Montblance - trouble free

 

Bexley - trouble free

 

Petra

[Blade Runner]

Not music to Detroit's ears, but German and Japanese pens

making the strongest showing so far.

Sheaffer too, but concerned about their future.

 

 

J

[Goodwhiskers]

Four Lamys (two Safaris, one Safari Al-Star and one Vista, the same sections and nib type), one EF, one F, one M, one B: no trouble.

[Kees]

Best average: Sheaffer. (I’ve had six or more. The only one I really didn’t like was a Javelin. I haven’t had my Balance very long, but it seems to be a winner.)

[Mary P]

I have had trouble free modern pens from Pelikan, SHeaffer and Parker. I have also had caps crack on one modern Pelikan and one modern Sheaffer. In both cases, the manufactures' customer service took care of the problem promptly.