In mid-July, I inked up the Conklin Empire for a review. I was so amazed when the converter was completely filled I continued using the pen until it ran dry. I am happy to say the pen did not disappoint. The first Conklin I’ve purchased that I enjoyed straight out of the box.
The usual suspects are inked up and still in use; Pilot Prera, vintage Esterbrook J, and the Scrikss 419 (with red ink).
Last month I bad-mouthed the Esterbrook JR; however, I gave it another go and this time the results were different. To be honest I believe the issue is in part caused by the nib. The pen is using a Broad nib and when the ink level gets low in the converter, there is a pressure issue and the ink stops feeding. You can read more about the review below.
For September, I am running with the used Monteverdi Invincia Black Tie pen I picked up. As I plan on publishing a review later this month, it seemed like an opportune moment to ink it up.
Did you miss any of the past month blog posts? Welp, here is your chance to catch up…
- It’s a new month, what’s in your pen cup? Let’s see how I started August with a review of July. It’s a new month and time to shelve your current choice of pens in favor of new pens or those that may be long forgotten and feeling neglected. Also, let’s review how the pens from last month fared. A recap of the month’s postings.
- Esterbrook – Made in England – Too Esterbrook, America’s Original Pen Company by the 1930s, they entered into licensing arrangements with John Mitchell to produce Esterbrook Pens in Birmingham, England. Then the acquisitions began.
- Hot, Hazy, and Humid; Their Effect on Pens and Ink Does heat and humidity impact fountain pens?
- Esterbrook Jr (‘J Reborn’) Pocket Pen Back in the day (the 40s and 50s) the Esterbrook J series was as familiar as a Bic pen. They were affordable and dependable. Kenro Industries acquired the brand, making rebirth a tenant of the company’s vision. The JR Pocket Pen is modeled after the classic Esterbrook J.
- Katz Drug, Sheaffer Pen and Serial Numbers Sheaffer Pens vs Katz Drug and the origin of the mysterious and cryptic numbering sequence associated with their Lifetime nibs. Sounds intriguing?
- #Throwback Thursday This is not a new idea, matter of fact it is probably passé. From time to time when I’m feeling inspired (or lazy), I will dig up and share an original post from yesteryear. This time I am highlighting the Ambassador pen.
- Ebonite; Mottled, Woodgrain and Ripple I love ebonite pens, especially those that are dyed a color or mottled, etc. Why you ask? Let me tell you.
In the News
I was unsuccessful in my endeavor for interesting pen news but I cannot seem to get away from book banners – they provide such great entertainment.
Book Ban Backfire: Texas School District…
“A Texas school district has pulled dozens of challenged books from its library shelves—including the Bible—just before the start of the academic year under a new policy introduced by conservative leaders. The books were snatched up due to a new compliance policy the school district’s board adopted Aug. 8. The new policy requires every once-challenged book to go through a review process.”
Musings
This feels a bit “different” than most months, not in a bad way, just a little different. Normally, I seek out pens with the owner’s name imprinted on them just so I can research the owner. I know – loser – right? Anyway, last month there was a Parker 51 I was watching with a unique name imprinted on it. I did the usual groundwork and contacted the seller, and they had the estate info, etc. Did some research on Ancestry, then I made a half-hearted bid, and lost. Meh, I simply wasn’t interested. I must be falling ill or something.
Straight from the pages of “You aren’t going to believe this….” I have 4 pens in rotation and 3 of the 4 pens ran out of ink within hours of each other. What are the odds?
COPYRIGHT © 2021-2023 DANNY WATTS and CHRONICLES OF A FOUTAIN PEN.
Chronicles of a Fountain Pen 
You have such beautiful pens. I’ll have to find a store in Chicago, go and check them out. My worry has always been making a big ink mess on my table, my paper, my hands — WORSE — I put a pen in my purse, backpack or briefcase and end up with an ink mess. That happened with a ballpoint pen once. There was no recovering from the ink mess.
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Thank you. Ink can be messy, Filling a pen is the real chance for spillage, primarily by accident ie knocking the bottle over. Most contemporary pens have filling mechanisms to compensate for accidents. The red pen in my “usual suspects” the end of the pen twists to move the plunger. It makes filling very easy. Some vintage pens have a push button plunger which is super easy to fill. Ink drying times will impact inky fingers more so. Especially if you are a lefty. Thanks for reading and the comment,
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I’m thinking of the old movies that would use the fountain pen — The Scarlet Pimpernel, Horatio Hornblower, Jane Austen… Got to join their ranks and use a fountain pen too. When I see your beautiful pens, I feel inspired.
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The monthly considerations are getting very same choice for myself. Five are rotated currently. Have been for a few months now. Added a Platignum italic to make six because it just feels great writing on hand made paper and ‘word shaping’ wise. Some nibs like to go on their own wobbly excursions. But this Platignum has a nice control and decent behaviour about it. I don’t own any of your own choices. Looking forward to the Monteverdi review. Hope it turns out to be a decent consistent and presence in your faves. Cheers.
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Spoiler alert, I’m very happy with how it writes but there is a major issue. I’ve been looking for a unique Platignum and found one. It is hooded like a Parker 51 but there may be an issue. More research required.
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I’ve let my fountain pens rest for a bit, opting for pencils lately. Doesn’t help that I also found a pretty decent gel pen (Deli brand) that puts out a line with similar ease to fountain pens. So for now, I shall live vicariously through you. How’s the CM nib on the Prera though? I was considering that once.
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The CM nib is one of my faves. I’m amazed that it writes as well as it does. The pen has been in constant use for over 6 months.
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