So glad I found this forum...looking for recommendations

Hello - I downloaded the posts and immediately found what I was looking
for - recommendations regarding pens. I am looking for, (I am at least
partly sure about these criteria) a vintage, classic, fed from an ink
bottle, finer point (nib) type fountain pen. I know it's an open ended
question to ask for help on something like this - but I'm looking for a
writer - one with not so "wide" an imprint on the paper - big, solid, great
writer - durable - CLASSIC
what sites should I look at - who is reputable - what should I be asking
about regarding nibs, flexibility, etc - (I know a little knowledge is
dangerous) -
and finally, how can I keep from becoming completely obsessed with vintage
pens the way that I am with vintage watches?

Thanks to all for any responses - Pete in Pennsylvania -

If you don't want to get obsessed, don't buy any. AT ALL

Try a sheaffer snorkel

wrote in message
...
snip
and finally, how can I keep from becoming completely obsessed with vintage
pens the way that I am with vintage watches?

Be afraid, very afraid.

(sorry, couldn't resist - welcome to the group)


--
~~Bluesea~~
Spam is great in musubi but not in email.
Please take out the trash before sending a direct reply.

wrote in message
...
Hello - I downloaded the posts and immediately found what I was looking
for - recommendations regarding pens. I am looking for, (I am at least
partly sure about these criteria) a vintage, classic, fed from an ink
bottle, finer point (nib) type fountain pen. I know it's an open ended
question to ask for help on something like this - but I'm looking for a
writer - one with not so "wide" an imprint on the paper - big, solid,
great
writer - durable - CLASSIC
what sites should I look at - who is reputable - what should I be asking
about regarding nibs, flexibility, etc - (I know a little knowledge is
dangerous) -
and finally, how can I keep from becoming completely obsessed with vintage
pens the way that I am with vintage watches?

Thanks to all for any responses - Pete in Pennsylvania -

Are you more driven to collecting, or to the use of the pen as an impliment
for putting ink on paper (not that the two are exclusive)?

Bernie

I want to write - so I'm initially looking for a great writing instrument -
I journal daily and would like to correspond more (and get) away from a
keyboard- but the more I read about pens on the internet, the collecting
issue comes in - I suppose I would eventually gravitate toward pen
restoration as that is what I do in my watchmaking - for me it's about
learning - and the whole area of fountain pens seems absolutely
interesting -
thanks!

On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 17:36:34 -0400, wrote:

Hello - I downloaded the posts and immediately found what I was looking
for - recommendations regarding pens. I am looking for, (I am at least
partly sure about these criteria) a vintage, classic, fed from an ink
bottle, finer point (nib) type fountain pen. I know it's an open ended
question to ask for help on something like this - but I'm looking for a
writer - one with not so "wide" an imprint on the paper - big, solid, great
writer - durable - CLASSIC
what sites should I look at - who is reputable - what should I be asking
about regarding nibs, flexibility, etc - (I know a little knowledge is
dangerous) -
and finally, how can I keep from becoming completely obsessed with vintage
pens the way that I am with vintage watches?

Thanks to all for any responses - Pete in Pennsylvania -

I will let you in on a secret. English Parker Duofolds form the
fourths or fifties are what you want. They all have gold nibs with
some flex and come in several sizes. If you get a black medium size
pen it could be had for about twenty dollars. A senior in red could go
as high as sixty. I have never gotten one I don't like.

Earl Camembert wrote:

I will let you in on a secret. English Parker Duofolds form the
fourths or fifties are what you want. They all have gold nibs with
some flex and come in several sizes. If you get a black medium size
pen it could be had for about twenty dollars. A senior in red could go
as high as sixty. I have never gotten one I don't like.

totally agree - no need to collect if you have one of these; they dont seem
to come much better. not raved about much; I wonder if that's because of the
US contingent...

I think also that collectors may not write much & duofolds dont look that
special in a glass case. who knows; fashion maybe. let's hope it lasts!

jolyon

how can I keep from becoming completely obsessed with vintage
pens the way that I am with vintage watches?

You can't.

Hope this helps!

satrap

range (so what) wrote in message ...
how can I keep from becoming completely obsessed with vintage
pens the way that I am with vintage watches?

You can't.

Hope this helps!

satrap

Satrap!! where ya been??. I thought that the greatest
bureaucratically incorrect ink user had left the group. U know what?
there are some newbies who still don't know the joy of using a core.
ñ_ñ

Juan

wrote in message
...
Hello - I downloaded the posts and immediately found what I was looking
for - recommendations regarding pens. I am looking for, (I am at least
partly sure about these criteria) a vintage, classic, fed from an ink
bottle, finer point (nib) type fountain pen. I know it's an open ended
question to ask for help on something like this - but I'm looking for a
writer - one with not so "wide" an imprint on the paper - big, solid,
great
writer - durable - CLASSIC
what sites should I look at - who is reputable - what should I be asking
about regarding nibs, flexibility, etc - (I know a little knowledge is
dangerous) -
and finally, how can I keep from becoming completely obsessed with vintage
pens the way that I am with vintage watches?

Thanks to all for any responses - Pete in Pennsylvania -

Ah Peter, you may be in trouble. I started looking for a finer nibbed pen
than the one fp I owned and used on a daily basis for meeting notes, etc.
That led to a Pelikan steno from Swisher, that led to ebay, that led to an
Esterbrook J that needed a new sac, that led to Frank Dubiel and Hal Arnold
providing advice on this group, that let down the slippery slope of vintage
pen accumulating and repairing, and here I am today with well over 100 pens,
mostly old, mostly repaired by me in my "pen cave". I'm headed there now to
re-sac a Wahl Oxford and see how it writes. My suggestion for a great
vintage writer is a Parker Duofold from the 40's. I refurbished a vacumatic
filler Duofold in green/brown stripes last night and it is one of the best
writing pens I have. Nice F/M line with a firm nib, feels great in the hand
and a nice size too. Bottom line is, you can't go too wrong with the pens
from the '20's - 50's if you buy a reasonable quality brand. There is a lot
of junk out there but even brands such as Wearever have great examples of
wonderful writers. I have a Wearever Pacemaker that is a great writer and a
good looking pen. Lots to choose from, good luck! Welcome to the
obsession.

Kelly G.