Sep

23

Upcoming Restoration Sale Sneak Peak

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Here’s a sneak peak at some pens that I’ll be putting up for sale sometime soonish.  I’ll be finishing up restorations as quickly as I can and I’ll get everything posted ASAP.  Some highlights: nice dip pen, 1945 Parker Vacumatic, pastel Esterbrook purse pen, a couple transitional J’s, Parker Jotter set, and plenty more!

PICT1161 PICT1160

Aug

27

Help with a “51″ Restoration

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Hey everyone, I could sure use a hand with something.  I while back, my mother managed to score a sumgai deal on a “51″ and “51″ set at a rummage sale for $1.50.  Yes, you can imagine my elation.  The first one was an old vac that restored beautifully.  The second… I’ve had trouble.

First, the feed was broken and the breather tube was rotted.  Luckily, I found someone with a brand new pair of both that they were willing to give me.  Only, the feed was broken in shipping.  So, I need a new feed again.  So not a huge deal there (I hope).  That’s the first part.

The second part is… sadder.  In disassembling the pen, I set the parts down in the case.  I became distracted by needing to leave town the rest of the day, and when I’d returned, I noticed the cap had rolled up next to the old breather tube.  Turns out, this didn’t mix.  The damp tube literally ate away a line down the steel on the cap.  See the photos below.  So, now I also need a cap that goes with a 1949 “51″, the style with the longer art deco arrow and mother of pearl jewel.

So that’s what I need.  A feed and a cap.  If you can help me out, please contact me and let me know if there’s some kind of deal we can reach.  I’d love to get this pen tip top shape again.

Aug

14

A great example of flex

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Many of you have undoubtedly seen this video from azavalia1 where he demonstrates using a Swan 4500 wet noodle.  I think it bears sharing for everyone who hasn’t, because it’s a marvelous example of a flex nib, and a beautiful sample of his handwriting.  Writing with a flex nib naturally takes some getting used to, as you discover when and where to increase or decrease pressure to create line variations.  I highly recommend starting out with something like an Esterbrook J with a 9128 nib, because it’s easy to learn on, but useful enough to carry you along after you’ve perfected it.

Sep

11

And you thought you had expensive pens!

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I just had to share this clip. Eight made each year of this Mont Blanc pen. Heirloom indeed!

London Jewelers features the Montblanc $160,000 fountain pen. 4,810 diamonds set in a platinum case. Only eight are made. A close look at this unusual writing instrument.

Aug

20

Experience with a Namiki Vanishing Point

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Namiki Vanishing PointFew pens have been capable of developing the legacy that the Namiki Vanishing Point has. I recently came across a Namiki Vanishing Point over at the FPN Marketplace while browsing for something new to add to my collection. I’ve liked the design of them ever since I got to play with one that a buddy of mine had in his office (Thanks Roy!). I did some research on the pens, and discovered that my favorites were the later Namiki models of the Vanishing Point that were released before Pilot took over the branding. What sold me on this particular model was the single piece clip/end design. It was sleek and attractive, and I liked the finish on them more than the Pilots, which have a pressed on clip.

Needless to say, when luck happened to flow my way and just such a pen came up on FPN for $80, I jumped on it. It was a good deal, and the timing was perfect, since I wasn’t broke for a change. To date, this is the most expensive pen that I have bought (yeah, I know, I’m a cheapskate). I will certainly say that it is money well spent. At least in pen terms. I don’t think there’s any way to make someone who isn’t a pen person understand how more than $10 on a pen can be well spent, am I right? Read more