Tag: Vintage Pens

Posted in Material, Restoration, Stories

Ink Sac Talc and Asbestos

Posted on by Danny Watts

I have to admit I was surprised to learn (years ago), that over the last 100 years pen manufacturers have made use of talc or chalk as a lubricate. This should not have surprised me, I’ve done lots of hiking and backpacking and welp let’s just leave it with I take a little bottle of baby powder (talc only) when I hit the trails.

Recently I stumbled upon a blogger, who only posts once annually, and that one time this year was last month. The topic was pen talc and asbestos. That got my attention.

Apparently, in March 1976, the New York Times published an article warning of the talc/asbestos connection but it got no one’s attention. Researchers found 10 of the 19 baby powders tested contained upwards of 20% asbestos. Got your attention now – right!

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral composed of magnesium, silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Chemically, talc is a hydrous magnesium silicate.

Asbestos is also a naturally occurring silicate mineral. When mining, both are often found in close proximity, hence the problem, there is a potential to contaminate the talc with asbestos. There are those (lawyers involved in class action lawsuits to name no one) who contend talc is naturally contaminated with asbestos.

Risks associated with talc powder stem from the toxic effects of talc dust contaminated with asbestos. Contaminated talc tends to contain highly carcinogenic forms of asbestos such as tremolite or anthophyllite. Which are more carcinogenic than chrysotile, the most-used type of asbestos. The chances of contracting cancer from a wisp of talc dust emanating from a fountain pen are minimal. However, that little wisp of white floating out of a lever slit now feels ominous, instead of satisfying.

Assuming a talc/asbestos mix is not for you, 100% pure talc (USP grade) is still available. Alternatively, how about graphite powder, a form of carbon (CAS Number: 231-955-3) is readily available everywhere, or precipitated calcium carbonate (CAS Number: 471-34-1)? This powdered chalk produced from limestone has been used for centuries in bookbinding and shoemaking. (credit: Restorer’s Art). You don’t need much, 100 grams (3.5oz) of any of these choices should be enough to last for years.

As my wife stockpiled baby powder made with talc when manufacturers announced no more talcum powder (think Seinfeld S7E9). They replaced talc with corn starch which is for soups and stews. Having a never-ending supply of talc, I will continue using unscented baby powder when I replace ink sacs.

Reference Material

Need 100% Talc? Try these Suppliers

  • Fifteen Pens (CA); Talc
  • Indy-Pen-Dance (US): Talc
  • Pen Dragons (UK): Chalk
COPYRIGHT © 2021-2023 DANNY WATTS and CHRONICLES OF A FOUTAIN PEN.
Posted in Nibs, Stories

Osmiroid Interchangeable Nibs

Posted on by Danny Watts

Osmiroid produced regular writing nibs (Rola) and their well-known calligraphy nibs. The nibs associated with Osmiroid 65 and 75 models are interchangeable with vintage Esterbrook pens as well as the Esterbrook Renew-Point nibs. The later Osmiroid models are totally different as they have the nib integrated with the section. I will not be discussing these.

An impressive choice of options

The Rola-Tip refers only to the nib type — these nibs don’t have a hard tipping element (like “iridium”), but instead, have a tip formed by rolling over the material of the nib (ordinary steel) prior to plating on the gold. The lack of hard tipping means the tip can actually wear out within our life – provided it is used frequently. Rola nibs were available in the following styles: Fine Hard, Medium Hard, Medium Soft, and Broad. I assume soft provides flexibility and welp I only have a hard one.

Except for the nipple (extended butt) on the Osmiroids, the nib/feed assembly of the Osmiroids and Esterbrooks are the same. But, the Osmiroid Italic nibs are shorter than the Osmiroid Rola nibs. That may make a difference in whether or not the nib tip collides with the inside of the cap.

Yes, the Osmiroid nib (B3) is dirty, I’m a slacker and should be ashamed of not taking better care of my stuff.

Nib reciprocity

I have 4 Osmiroid nibs all are interchangeable; three are calligraphy and one is a Rola. I bought these because I wanted calligraphy nibs and as I have many vintage Esterbrook pens I could double up on the enjoyment.

Osmiroid nib in an Esterbrook J

The calligraphy nibs write very similar to the Pilot CM nib (it is a calligraphy nib). They do not have a normal tip writing surface which means the angle of the nib to the paper is very important. They do not write well on textured paper and will dig into smooth paper if the angle is wrong.

I do not own an Osmiroid 65 and 75, but I do have a nice selection of vintage Esterbrook Dollar and J series pens. Let’s show off my nibs. From left to right is Rola Medium Hard, Italic Fine Straight, B3 calligraphy, and Italic Broad Straight.

I inked up an Esterbrook J with Waterman’s Serenity Blue and got to work. Except for the Rola, the other three nibs provide some flex/variation to the letters. It is interesting to note, I simply replaced each nib without emptying the pen. One of the advantages of a screw-on nib I guess. As an added bonus, I managed to minimize inky fingers and did not spill any ink as I changed out nibs.

Having 32 Esterbrook nib options plus an additional 25 Osmiroid nib options it is nearly impossible making a decision. I only need one pen and can write with all 57 nibs in a single day – way more options than any simpleton like myself can manage. This is great!

Unique Special Purpose nibs I wish I had

Osmiroid made an interesting Left-Hand series of nibs available in Rola and Italics styles. I’m right-handed but have considered acquiring one of these unique nibs just to give them a go.

Left-hand Osmiroid Nibs

I came across two Sketch nibs, one with a reservoir on top and one without. Also in their repertoire is a Music and Copperplate special purpose nib.

Osmiroid Sketch Nibs

Pretty cool don’t you think? I think it is safe to say, vintage fountain pens exciting. Especially when compared to gel, felt-tip, and roller-ball pens. Even contemporary fountain pens are boring in comparison.

COPYRIGHT © 2021-2023 DANNY WATTS and CHRONICLES OF A FOUTAIN PEN.
Posted in Pens, Reviews, Stories

It’s a new month, what’s in your pen cup?

Posted on by Danny Watts

I start the month rotating in a pen that hasn’t been in rotation since 2007. I pulled out a blue Waterman Philéas. For those not familiar, the pen is named after the Jules Verne character Phileas Fogg (Around the World in 80 Days).

The usual suspects have changed. I rotated out the Kaweco Student, replacing it with the Shaeffer Taranis. Still in rotation include the Pilot Prera, the Wing Sung 601 and the Waterman Philéas.

For March I am rotating in my Sheaffer Taranis. In part because I inked it up for a review last month and it is just a nice pen to write with.

Did you miss any of the past month’s 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 February with a review of January. 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 did the pens from last month fared? Also included is a recap of the month’s posts.
  • A Journal of Pens, For Pens, About Pens Do you keep track of your pens? Maybe with Excel, journals, index cards, or the ever favorite – nothing at all?
  • A 1950s Esterbrook Deluxe LK Model Esterbrook manufactured two “Deluxe” models. The SM model was introduced in 1949, followed by the LK model in 1955. The changes between the two models were dramatic.
  • Pen Organization in a Digital World Back story 2. For collections to truly be considered a “collection,” there needs to be some basic level of curation or organization, otherwise, it’s just clutter. I mentioned my adventures using a journal to organize and document my pens. Now I am presenting my digital solution.
  • Flat-bottom pens make the journaling world go round Fountain pens come in just about any and every size and shape imaginable. I have a preference for flat-top pens. I know “flat-top” means the top is flat, who cares about the aft end? ME, that’s who. I prefer both the cap and the aft end horizontally.
  • Jetpack, Addition through subtraction This is off-topic but I needed to vent. WordPress is going through some major changes and Jetpack is taking over. This is my experience with the conversion and welp, it hasn’t been good.
  • Sheaffer Taranis (Celtic: “Thunderer”) The Sheaffer Taranis is named after the Celtic Storm God of Thunder. This pen elicits some strong feelings polarizing the fountain pen community. The lines along the section/grip to the nib remind me of a ‘57 Chevy Belair.

In the News

Australian universities to return to ‘pen and paper’ exams after students caught using AI to write essays Australian universities have been forced to change how they run exams and other assessments amid fears students are using emerging artificial intelligence software to write essays.

The Brooklyn Public Library gives every teenager in the U.S. free access to censured books. School districts across the United States continue to censure. Remove books from school libraries that don’t align with conservative school board’s visions of the world. Books like Art Spiegelman’s Maus, The Illustrated Diary of Anne Frank, Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird–just to name a few.

‘Fat’ and ‘ugly’ have been cut from Roald Dahl children’s books. Is it inclusive or censorship? Future editions of the beloved children’s books Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Twits, and The Witches will read differently. Following consultation with sensitivity readers, publishers Puffin and the Roald Dahl Story Company (acquired by streaming service Netflix in 2021) have made a series of changes throughout the books to remove language deemed offensive or insensitive to modern audiences. The changes primarily relate to descriptions of physical appearances.

COPYRIGHT © 2021-2023 DANNY WATTS and CHRONICLES OF A FOUTAIN PEN.
Posted in Collection, Pens, Stories

Flat bottom pens make the journaling world go round

Posted on by Danny Watts

Ok, this is really about Flat-Top pens, I couldn’t pass on an opportunity for a Freddy Mercury parody.

Fountain pens come in just about any and every size and shape imaginable. I have a preference for flat-top pens including those referred to as “baseball bat” & “tube” pens. Contrary to the “Balance” style pens aka torpedo or cigar shape.

Flat-top pens are characterized as having a larger, prominent cap and a smaller body. There is a noticeable step between the cap and the pen body when the pen is capped, while the cap and the bottom end horizontally. I know “flat-top” means the top is flat, so who cares about the aft end, welp I do. Ever look at a cigar before it is smoked? Flat on one end and round on the other.

Little Flat-Top History

The Sheaffer Pen Company produced Flat-Top fountain pens from 1912 until some time after the middle of the 1930s, possibly as late as 1940. It is important to note that the name flat-top (or flat-top) is a collector-coined name for the earliest Sheaffer pens. Sheaffer never referred to them as such.

The Sheaffer Pen Company produced Flat-Top fountain pens from 1912 until some time after the middle of the 1930s, possibly as late as 1940. It is important to note that the name flat-top (or flat-top) is a collector-coined name for the earliest Sheaffer pens. Sheaffer never referred to them as such.

Aesthetics of a Flat-Top & Bottom Pen

My interest in vintage pens is well established and yes Sheaffer Balance is the progenitor of torpedo or cigar shape pens and it is vintage but no. For me, it is aesthetically pleasing to see sharp angles created by the flat ends (maybe I should have named this post “Flat Ends”?). They provide a pleasant contrast to the curved tapered body of a Balance-style pen.

When I was a young man prior to attending university I was interested in architecture. I enjoyed trips which offered an opportunity to view historic architecture. Yes, I love arches but my real enjoyment was always the angles of a structure. “Good design is about the beauty of line.” A flat-top pen is all about lines. Yes, a Balance-style pen has smooth lines but I find them boring as the pen gradually begins and fades away.

Apparently, I am not in the majority. Balance-style pens are more popular, they sell better. I came across a thread on Reddit that is interesting. The contributor preferred round-end pens because “geometrical discontinuities lead to jumps in the stress of a body [pens in our case] under load or in the event of impact [drop the pen].” Interesting rationale but these are pens, not bridges.

My Pens

As mentioned, my Flat-Top pens can be categorized into two groups; fo-real Flat-Top pens and what I’ll call hybrid Flat-Top pens. Sheaffer doesn’t have a monopoly on Flat-Top pens. I have pens manufactured by Sheaffer, Parker, Osmiroid, Esterbrook, TWSBI, Pilot and Inkograph.

My pile of Flat-Top pens, according to me

Hybrid Flat-Tops are more prevalent thus I have excluded them. Pens in this category include Mabie Todd, Gold Starry, Conway Stewart, Waterman, Geo W. Heath, Esterbrook, Worth, Hero, Kaigelu, Pilot, and Sheaffer. Can you imagine the size of that pile?

Why own something that reminds me of a banana (shape not color), a torpedo, or cigarish when you could have these beauties? As is evident, my idea of a Flat-Top pen is broad. These pens have soooo much more personality and appeal – to me.

Oh, and BTW, I own Balance-style pens; however, I do not own a Sheaffer Balance pen.

COPYRIGHT © 2021-2023 DANNY WATTS and CHRONICLES OF A FOUTAIN PEN.
Posted in Pens, Reviews

A 1950s Esterbrook Deluxe LK Model

Posted on by Danny Watts

I just realized this is my first post about a pen (excluding Fountain Pen Mystery Theatre) since late November. What a loser….anyway.

Company Back Story

In 1858, entrepreneur Richard Esterbrook established the “Esterbrook Pen Company” in Camden, NJ, which would soon become one of the world’s biggest and most beloved pen makers. The company produced dip pens before concentrating on fountain pens. At its height, Esterbrook was the largest pen manufacturer in the United States, employing 600 workers, and producing 216,000,000 pens a year.

Esterbrook manufactured two “Deluxe” models. The SM model was introduced in 1949, followed by the LK model in 1955. All Deluxe pens featured a metal cap. The SMs were available originally with a friction fit cap, with later models adopting a screw cap. The SM model featured double jeweled ends like the Model J.

The later LK’s model introduced a variety of changes. Only screw top caps were available and the double jeweled ends were replaced with stepped ends similar to the end caps seen on a 1941 Parker 51.

Other reviewers have mentioned the plastic used in the LK seems to be a little softer than the plastic used in the SM model. This softness lends to the LK model susceptible to scratches resulting from the posting of the cap and general use. I have not inspected an SM model so I cannot say for sure.

My Pen

My pen is Emerald Green, with minor scratches on the barrel, but none on the cap. There is a mark on the barrel possibly caused by posting the cap. The lever and pen clip are stainless steel. The filler lever is the “spoon” style. Levers on the Deluxe changed along with the J series from the “fishtail” or “spade” shaped lever replaced by the “spoon” shaped lever around 1952.

Other than the obvious (it’s a good-looking pen) it came sporting a medium 2312 Italic nib. As I am a big fan of Relief or oblique-style nibs, how could I turn this down?

The restoration was simple, I replaced the ink sac, and cleaned the pen with a Sunshine Cloth.

The cap is detailed with horizontal rings beginning above a cap ring and continuing to the stepped end cap. The cap threads in the barrel are part of a metal ring – I am glad it was not plastic. Operating the cap on/off requires 1 full turn, which is nice.

Esterbrook Deluxe LK

Honestly, I am not thrilled with the section. I prefer the section found on the SM model. The section on the LK is devoid of character and there isn’t even a flair around the end by the nib.

How does it write you ask, welp I’m glad you asked.

The 2312 nib is very similar to the Pilot CM nib – neither has a traditional writing surface (see below). This nib is not a smooth writer. Like the CM, it is a matter of finding the correct angle for the nib in relationship to the paper. This nib is used and may need some smoothing.

I do like the abundance of line variance this steel nib provides. In all likelihood, I will swap out this nib for a 2314 Relief or a 9312 (but I need to find one first).

Pilot M vs 2312 Italic M

The pen has been in service now for a couple weeks. I’ve come to notice an issue, the pen leaks – not a lot just enough to have a case of inky fingers. Not in the traditional sense, I am finding ink around the section by the nib. I am watching for a pattern. Trying to discern if the leak is from the screw on nib, if the ink sac is not true, or if is it caused when the cap is not tightly secured.

Vital Statistics

  • Capped Length: 130mm
  • Uncapped Length: 115mm
  • Barrel Diameter: 10.5mm
  • Cap Diameter: 12mm
  • Weighs in at, 18g

Reference Material

COPYRIGHT © 2021-2023 DANNY WATTS and CHRONICLES OF A FOUTAIN PEN.
Posted in Pens, Reviews, Stories

It’s a new month, what’s in your pen cup?

Posted on by Danny Watts

I start the month rotating in a 1941 Parker vertically striped Duofold (button-filled model). She may be pretty but the filler is not working correctly preventing the ink sac from filling properly.

I rotated her out and decided to keep the Wing Sung 601 hooded demonstrator (a blatant Parker 51 knockoff) in the rotation.

The usual suspects have changed. I rotated out the Pilot Prera with the CM nib in favor of a Prera with a medium nib. The Wing Sung 601 is getting a workout and the Kaweco Student is still in rotation. All demonstrators this month.

For February I dug up a pen that hasn’t been in rotation since 2007. I pulled out a blue Waterman Philéas. For those not familiar, the pen is named after the Jules Verne character Phileas Fogg (Around the World in 80 Days)

A quick search of eBay for this pen, imagine the shock and horror when I saw the asking prices. Time for the reunion.

Did you miss any of the past month’s 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 January with a review of December. 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 did the pens from last month fared? Also included is a recap of the month’s postings, Pen news, attempted murder by ink, and Jolabokaflod.
  • The (Wish) List 2023 A wish list can be for anything, from a birthday to a future home or (of course) a pen collection. As I stumble across pens that catch my eye but are not something I’m looking for, I add them to Evernote for reference in the future. Instead of a New Year’s resolution, I present my pen wish list….
  • Original Ink Cartridge… Created by a Pencil Co. The Waterman C/F was the pen that introduced modern plastic ink cartridges in 1953. But, did you know that ink cartridges were introduced 60 years prior by a pencil company?
  • #ThrowbackThursday From time to time when I’m feeling uninspired (or lazy) I will dig up a blast from yesteryear. In this flashback, I’m highlighting a Keystone pen I purchased.
  • A Christmas Miracle, nah just Dumb Luck Christmas Miracle, maybe it is just dumb luck. I stumbled upon a 70-year-old Conway Stewart pen and Pencil set in superb condition just in time for me to buy, and for my wife to gift to me.
  • Year of the Rabbit (how about the pen) So starts the year of the Rabbit. I thought I’d highlight the Chinese-sourced pens I own.
  • Majorelle Blue (Ink) by Any Other Name Have you ever seen the color of houses in Marrakech? It resonates with me. I searched for a pen ink by the name “Moroccan Blue,” “Marrakech Blue,” or “Majorelle Blue” to no avail. Then I stumbled upon a post on FPN of a blue ink so intense as to glaze upon it “hurt” the eyes of the reader. Wanta know what I found?

In the News

Again, absolutely nothing exciting happened in the world of pens last month. Then I found this heartwarming story… “Little Afghan girl in Kabul selling pens to support her family. “If I bought them all would you be happy?” She smiled and said yes,” When a woman asks how much the pen costs, the little seller says 20 cents. She inquires if she may purchase all of the pens. The vendor agrees, and the woman pays her. “You paid me too much,” the girl complains. The woman then hands her a few more currency notes, then the little girl’s face brightens.

Sherlock Holmes Amongst Books to Enter Public Domain in 2023 “The long-running contested copyright dispute over Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s tales of a whipsmart detective — which has even ensnared Enola Holmes — will finally come to an end as the 1927 copyrights expiring Jan. 1 include Conan Doyle’s last Sherlock Holmes work.” Certain works by Ernest Hemingway, Louis Armstrong, and Laurel and Hardy can also legally be shared, performed, or sampled without permission or cost.

In case you are not familiar, today starts InCoWriMo. What’s that you ask? It is International Correspondence Writing Month. There is also a National version but why keep it to ourselves. So pull out your fancy stationery and fountain pens (don’t forget ink!) and write to someone whether they are near or far.

COPYRIGHT © 2021-2023 DANNY WATTS and CHRONICLES OF A FOUTAIN PEN.
Posted in Pens, Reviews

A Christmas Miracle, nah just Dumb Luck

Posted on by Danny Watts

So I was looking, for a pen and pencil set, barely looking but looking. As I had not found anything for my wife to gift to me, I was resigned to finding nothing under the tree. But then in late November, I stumbled upon a BEAUtiful Conway Stewart set – it must be a Christmas miracle! Ok, maybe it isn’t a Christmas Miracle, nah it is just dumb luck. I stumbled upon a Conway Stewart #15 pen and Nippy #3 Pencil set in superb condition. The box is immaculate, and the instructions are included.

Conway Stewart #15 and Nippy #3

As you may recall from my Not For The Lactose Intolerant – Conway Stewart No. 15 post, production of the Model 15 spanned a decade beginning 1952. As with many vintage Conway Stewarts, this model is a fairly small pen (which is preferable, as I have small hands). Plus my find is casein, both pen, and pencil. Making the find all the more impressive, the age of the set is 60-70 years old.

Use instructions to prevent me from damaging the pen or pencil

As mentioned, I’m confident the pen and pencil are casein. Neither smells of camphor, and each has wavy striations (veins) and an irregular colorful pattern. Plus the instructions clearly state under no circumstances immerse the pen in water. Casein will expand by about 10% and become very soft losing its shape in as little as 2 hours = damaged beyond repair.

Neither the pen or the pencil have been impaired by major scratches, nor is there any brassing of the gold plate. The pen does need a new ink sac. The lever is frozen in place by the old hard sac.

Pencil and Pen logos are crisp and well defined

The only damage could be related to the manufacture of the pen. There appears to be an abnormality in the filler lever slot. The lever appears to show signs of ink stains from leakage of the original sac.

How about the veins in the pen.

The nib is a medium flex, 14k Conway Stewart 1A. Let’s dip the nib into some ink and see how well she writes.

On to the pencil, the mechanism controlling the ingress/egress of the lead is stiff but functional. When the conical tip was removed I was treated to much lint and fuzz. The pen came with one piece of lead, the extras are normally stored around the central “lead carrier” accessible once the tip section is removed.

Vital Statistics Pen

  • Capped Length: 126.5mm
  • Uncapped Length: 114mm
  • Barrel Diameter: 11.5mm
  • Cap Diameter: 13mm
  • Weighs in at, 14g

Vital Statistics Pencil

  • Length: 112mm
  • Barrel Diameter: 10mm
  • Weighs in at, 13g.
COPYRIGHT © 2021-2023 DANNY WATTS and CHRONICLES OF A FOUTAIN PEN.
Posted in Pens, Restoration, Stories

#ThrowbackThursday

Posted on by Danny Watts

Oops, I’m doing it yet again, the good news, this is the last TBT post till May. In this flashback, I’m highlighting a Keystone pen I purchased. Overall in very good shape and attractive, but some idiot tried to “restore” it and did some really bad things. Sound interesting? Click the Ping Back below to read the full story.

Keystone: A Brand, A Model or Wearever.

Excerpt

“Keystone was also a pen model name used by David Kahn, Inc. for one of the Wearever pens. Kahn, a manufacturing company operating in New Jersey, was founded in 1896 by David Kahn, a Jewish immigrant. Kahn’s company manufactured ornate pencil cases, mechanical pencils, and pens. The Wearever brand of fountain pens was introduced circa 1918. In the late 1920s, Kahn adopted the injection molding process developed in Germany, making them the first manufacturer to produce injection-molded pens.

This Keystone is a model, or is it a brand name …. we know that Wearever used Keystone as one of its model names, and this pen looks very much like the Jefferson pens produced by Wearever. I’m inclined to believe this pen is one of the Wearever models known as Keystone.”

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COPYRIGHT © 2021-2023 DANNY WATTS and CHRONICLES OF A FOUTAIN PEN.
Posted in Pens, Stories

Original Ink Cartridge… Created by a Pencil Co.

Posted on by Danny Watts

The Waterman C/F was the pen that introduced modern plastic ink cartridges in 1953. But, did you know that ink cartridges were introduced 60 years prior. As odd as it sounds, a pencil company known primarily for its cheap novelty pens and pencils is credited for introducing prefilled ink cartridges in a variety of different colors.

The Eagle Pencil, Co. ink cartridge filling pens were patented in 1890. A hand-blown glass vial supplied pre-filled with ink and closed with a cork. To install, remove the cork and the vial is coupled over a soft white rubber nipple on the back side of the section, much like contemporary cartridges. The pen (nib holder) was sold in a box with 3 ink vials and a dozen nibs.

Photo credit: Vintage Pen Doctor

The next significant advance in ink cartridge design occurred during the 1920s, with the introduction of the John Hancock cartridge pen. This pen made use of ink cartridges of copper tubing. Copper is a soft pliable metal, thus the cartridge was easily subjected to bending and other malformations.

In 1936, JiF-Waterman introduced a line of pens utilizing glass ink cartridges. JiF glass cartridge pens closely resemble the 3, 3V, 32, and 92V models. Waterman glass cartridges are substantial and can be refilled and reused indefinitely. They were originally sealed with a cork stopper.

The 1950s saw the introduction of plastic as we know it, thus heralding the immensely popular cartridge filler pens. Plastic ink cartridges were not just for fountain pens, they precipitated the rise of the ball-point pen.

Cartridges of glass or metal are very rigid requiring a special seal fitting at the back of the section. This fitting was typically cork or rubber which deteriorates with time. Contemporary cartridges of plastic are flexible, and self-sealing instead of the pen. Plus modern cartridges are molded plastic; cheaper to manufacture and introduce greater tolerance levels.

If you have contemporary pens but yearn for a more vintage feel, consider the Noodler’s 308 cartridge. The cartridge is designed for use in their Ahab or Neponset models. Might have to buy a new pen to enjoy the vintage feel.

Can’t finish without a brief discussion on contemporary ink cartridges. With mass production and standardization, buying contemporary ink cartridges should be a no-brainer. Buy cartridges, insert one into your pen and start writing – right? Nope.

The first time I bought cartridges for my Hemisphere I nearly had a nervous breakdown. Some cartridges only work on one brand of pen, some work on lots of pens… and they all look alike until there is a cartridge lineup.

Photo credit Unsharpen.com

Reference Material

COPYRIGHT © 2021-2023 DANNY WATTS and CHRONICLES OF A FOUTAIN PEN.
Posted in Pens, Reviews, Stories

It’s a new month, what’s in your pen cup?

Posted on by Danny Watts

Last month I reviewed the Conway Stewart No. 15 pen. I really enjoyed the pen. I enjoyed the feel, and how it writes – I usually have issues with vintage 14k nibs, but not this one. I used the pen for the entire month. It took a couple days to grow accustomed to the flexibility of the nib. The nib did not let me down. I was so impressed I bought a No. 15 pen and pencil set – used maybe 1 time – more on them in the future.

The usual suspects starting the year are the Pilot Prera and the Kaweco Student. New to the list is the 1951 Parker Stripped Duofold.

For the New Year, I am inking up a 1941 Parker vertically striped Duofold (button-filled model).

She may be pretty but the filler is not working correctly preventing the ink sac from filling properly. Ugh! I’ll probably switch to the 51.

Is this pretty or what

Did you miss any of the past month’s 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 December with a review of November. 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 did the pens from last month fare? Also included is a recap of the month’s postings, Pen news and book banners do it again.
  • “Missed by that much” or How I learned I was conceited and needed to appreciate others I was reviewing my “unpurchases,” purchases that didn’t happen. These are unpurchased because I failed to think the unthinkable – that someone wanted these pens more than I did and that I wasn’t entitled to them after all.
  • The Fountain Pen Mystery Theatre Presents Welcome to the Fountain Pen Mystery Theatre, where “it may be said with a degree of assurance that not everything that meets the eye is as it appears.” In this episode, our hero (Maisie Dobbs) unravels the Secret of the Jade Pen.
  • Doodle Journal My current journal is nearing the end and heading to the recycling bin. With it will go a bunch of doodles. Time to share before they become lost to memory.
  • #ThrowbackThursday From time to time when I’m feeling uninspired (or lazy) – it is December so we know I’m lazy. I figured my Doodling post was lame-o, so I decided to supplement it with a blast from yesteryear. This time I am presenting a pen only been manufactured for a year and is hard to find.
  • It’s winter time, who doesn’t enjoy a hooded … Pen Having a hood over the nib seems like a great idea – the pen resists drying out, does well with temperamental inks, and is a must when you make ink that needs a special pen. Some great ideas die hard.

This month I experienced an interesting milestone, the publication of Fountain Pen Mystery Theatre generated more visitors from the UK than the US – a first. Thank you UK viewership.

In the News

Absolutely nothing exciting happened in the world of pens last month. The annual state of the Fountain Pen Market report was released. As I am not paying $3,300 per copy, I will merely mention some of the dedacted highlights. “According to this study, The 2022 boom of the Fountain Pen Market is projected to continue through 2029. Over the next Seven years, the Fountain Pen Market will register an amazing spike in CAGR (compound annual growth rate) in phrases of revenue.” In this summary, I corrected numerous errors – you would think the report would have been edited at this bargain price before advertising it.

I did find this amusing. Ink Attack on Maha Minister. Police dropped the attempt to murder charge against three persons arrested for allegedly throwing ink at a state minister. This occurred in the Pune district of Maharashtra, east of Mumbai. Personally, I felt ink is preferable to other substances they could have thrown.

Banned book author Ashley Hope (that is a subversive name) Perez discusses finding humanity in the darkness. Her book Out of Darkness, banned in several Texas school districts, is based on the true events of 1937, when a natural gas explosion at a school in New London, Texas, killed nearly 300 students and teachers. Goes to show you, don’t mess with Big Oil Texas.

Musings

Some years ago, I read about the Icelander tradition of giving books to each other on Christmas Eve and then spending the evening reading. Iceland “has more writers, more books published and more books read, per capita than anywhere else in the world.” I was intrigued. For years my wife and I spent every Christmas Eve at Barnes and Noble picking out books for the kids and each other. Adopting as our tradition was no big leap.

Throughout each year, I look for books to present to each family member and some chocolate. Time and opportunity permitting, I buy hand-crafted chocolates. This year the chocolate came from Pollinator Chocolate, while the books gifted were: At the Water’s Edge, The Historian, Brida, The Hollow Places, and A Tale of Magic.

Why not start your own tradition? Read more about Jolabokaflod, or “Christmas Book Flood,” and the Icelander Christmas Eve book tradition.

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