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The Fountain Pen Community -> Modern Pens @1970 to Current -> Filling out my collection
Post Info TOPIC: Filling out my collection
bphollin


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Filling out my collection
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After a rather fast and loose year and a half of exclusive fountain pen use, I'm coming to terms with a few things as I build a collection.  Here are some thoughts, and I wouldn't mind picking the collective brain for ideas going forward.

I don't really think of myself as a collector, per se.  I don't need to have all the Safari colors or all the sizes in the Pelikan souveran line.  I thought I'd try picking up the various iterations of the Lamy 2000 pens from the start of the run until now, but I had too many of the same basic pen.  So *that* angle of collecting doesn't appeal to me.

Still, I am a terrible pack rat and accumulator!  For example, I can't ever say no to picking up a book or two if I'm at the used bookstore, even though I live a block from the library.  Same with fountain pens -- I know I don't need more, but I like the thought of having a nice library of pens.

For some reason I think 11 pens would be the ideal number for me.  That would allow me to have a broad spectrum of pens, while still having a manageable collection that won't consume too much space (or money).

Here's what I've got, and why I like it.

1. Pelikan M605, solid blue, fine nib:  This was a gift from my wife on our first wedding anniversary.  It is my most reliable writer.  The nib is wet, but not too wet, and I can usually get a huge number of pages out before I have to refill.

2. Pelikan M805, blue striped, fine stub nib:  This is one I bought myself as an early graduation present for my Masters degree (I know, I know, I just jinxed it).  It has a very wet nib and goes through pages much faster.  I think this is the biggest lenght/girth I'd want in a pen, though.  The 1000 or MB 149 would probably be too big.

3. Visconti Wall Street, blue celluloid, fine stub nib:  My god, the materials on this one!

4. Pilot/Namiki Vanishing Point, blue carbonesque, fine nib (XF in use): Go anywhere, do anything. Always in my pocket.

5. Esterbrook SJ, blue, 2668 nib: This guy always ends up at the bottom of the pile, and whenever I refill it I think "Why don't I use this more often"

6. Lamy 2000 Millennium Edition, medium nib: Very heavy, but I love the medium nib.  I sold all my other 2000s and kept this one.

So what would you suggest for the other five pens?  Since I'm already very satisfied with my collection now, these are pens that I wouldn't need to get immediately--more likely I would save for a year and get #7, then another year for #8, and so on.  And even though the above pens are mostly fairly expensive, that doesn't mean I'd limit myself to expensive pens for the next five.  For example, I gave away a Hero 329 and I think I ought not to have!

My few requirements would be along the lines that the pens need to be reliable, daily users; mostly easy to refill (I don't have a strong preference as to piston v cart v sac); something along the lines of blue or black or silver color; and robust enough that the occasional trip in my blue jeans pocket wouldn't completely wreck it.  In other words, reliable, robust, and pretty.  I don't really care about gold v steel nibs.  I only care about quality.

Here are some of the pens I've been thinking about, in no particular order.

Aurora 88:  This is on my radar mostly because Diplo raves about them!  All of the nibs I own now are smooth as glass, so I would like to try something with a little more feedback.

Parker "51" or Hero 329 or similar "51" clone:  I actually owned a few examples of this type of pen, but sold them off for one reason or another (didn't like the color, didn't use it often enough, too thin nib, etc).  Whichever one I get I'd want to be perfect.  I don't give a toot about blue diamonds or wedding band rings or buckskin colors.

Parker Duofold or Sheaffer Balance or similar:  I'd really like to own one of the "iconic" pens of yesteryear, and I'd like it to be in lapis blue.  My only concern is size.  I think anything smaller than, say, an uncapped Pelikan M600 or Lamy 2000 is too short.  Where do these fall in the size game?

Maybe something from Conway Stewart?  I share a birthday with Winston Churchill, so I think that would be an awesome way to commemorate my birthday/fountain pen hobby.  I can see this as the "last" pen.

A completely fantastic custom made pen:  Edison? Nakaya? APPLEMAN?

So... now that I've written half a novel, throw out some ideas for me to consider, or weigh in on any of these pens.  I think I might make the 10 hour drive to the LA Pen Show in Feb to try out a lot of the pens I've been thinking about.

Thanks!

Brandon


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jar


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Okay, based on your comments....

A full sized balance will be comparable to a Pelikan 600. So is an OMAS old style Milord.

An oversized Balance, modern Balance II, Old style OMAS Paragon are comparable to a Pelikan 800.

I'll try to put together some comparable size pictures for you over the weekend.

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Highbinder


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As a newbie to FPs the best way I can put across my suggestions is to maybe point you towards the the pens that appeal to me, that I plan on getting. So here goes..


Stipula Etruria Nera, they do a range of stubs too, I'd go for .9mm


Same pen above but the Gaudi, instead of piston filler it's a c/c


Pilot Custom 823, its a 'vacuum' piston filler, and a subtle demonstrator, also comes in brown or clear


Nakaya Piccolo. Japanese, clipless, beauty. Also a huge range of nibs and a customised build process (you fill out a form about your writing style)



I'd go for a densho, which I believe is the one on the far right. Instead of a c/c like the nakaya its an ED pen


Omas milord wild


Parker 51


Visconti Van Gogh in musk. Heres one I DO own.. lol..


Edison bulb filler, but I'd probably get a Pearl in a different colour..

:)



-- Edited by Highbinder on Friday 20th of November 2009 07:14:05 PM

-- Edited by DWL on Friday 20th of November 2009 10:08:09 PM

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bphollin


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jar, even that basic information is good to know. I'd appreciate any pics you could swing. 

Highbinder, most of those are gorgeous. I always like and then forget about the Etruria. Maybe something to do with the price tag cryashamed

I'm kind of leaning toward an Edison next, but I haven't found a material I'm in love with.  I like the look of the #76, or maybe a Glenmont in blue lapis ala the 1935 Pelikan Originals or Parker Duofolds.  For a long time I had it in my head that I'd want a Pelikan re-make until I held one this summer.  It is a nice pen, but way too small.  I love that material though.

One good thing about not having much hobby money is that I can daydream for a looooong time about these things biggrin


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georges zaslavsky


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May I suggest you some pens:
Nettuno 1911 se limited edition for the spannish market



Parker Duofold Big Red Senior Flat top single band



Pelikan Söveran M1000



Sheaffer Balance Vac fill Oversize



French made parker VS and French made parker vacumatic oversize maxima known as the La Plume model




Waterman Laureat and Waterman 1st generation expert



Waterman le man 100 in fontainebleau wood




hope it can help you in your future decisions

best regards

georges

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jar


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bphollin wrote:

jar, even that basic information is good to know. I'd appreciate any pics you could swing.



Okay, using the Pelikan 600 and 800 as the size reference, see if this helps.

 

From left to right: two full sized Balance pens, first is a 1000 vac-fill, second an Autograph; old style OMAS Milord; Pelikan 600; Balance Oversize then a modern Balance II; Sheaffer Senior Flat Top; Conway Stewart Duro, 100; OMAS old style Paragon; Pelikan 800.

And here are a few more Balance samples to give you an idea of size variations.

From left to right: small Autograph, nudder small one, 875 with Military clip, 1000, full size Autograph, oversize Balance, Balance II and the Senior Flat Top.



-- Edited by jar on Saturday 21st of November 2009 09:53:08 AM

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bphollin


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Georges, thank you for your recommendations. I've long admired your taste in FPs. I must say that I had a bad encounter with a Waterman Phileas. I know I shouldn't dislike an entire brand because I got a bad entry-level pen, but I've never have warmed to Waterman. Perhaps I should give them a second look. There is a local pen shop that stocks a full line. I've been tempted to test the Edson and Serinite, but I can't quite imagine using them as daily pens I could use most anywhere.

Jar, your photo comparisons are most helpful. I think I've got to make room for a Balance, perhaps in the 1000 size. You obviously have many models. Is there a size or two that you like best?

Off to FPN to read more about Sheaffer Balances and Waterman offerings...

Thanks guys,

Brandon

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jar


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bphollin wrote:

Jar, your photo comparisons are most helpful. I think I've got to make room for a Balance, perhaps in the 1000 size. You obviously have many models. Is there a size or two that you like best?



Glad they helped. And no, I have never found a Balance I did not like.



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georges zaslavsky


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bphollin wrote:

Georges, thank you for your recommendations. I've long admired your taste in FPs. I must say that I had a bad encounter with a Waterman Phileas. I know I shouldn't dislike an entire brand because I got a bad entry-level pen, but I've never have warmed to Waterman. Perhaps I should give them a second look. There is a local pen shop that stocks a full line. I've been tempted to test the Edson and Serinite, but I can't quite imagine using them as daily pens I could use most anywhere.

Jar, your photo comparisons are most helpful. I think I've got to make room for a Balance, perhaps in the 1000 size. You obviously have many models. Is there a size or two that you like best?

Off to FPN to read more about Sheaffer Balances and Waterman offerings...

Thanks guys,

Brandon


Hi bphollin

Personnally I perfer the OS vac filled balance because they hold a ton of ink and you can't go wrong with their lifetime nib. I never had a bad waterman but I always testwrite my pens in my favorite pen shop before I buy them. I have tried both the edson and the serenite but for me both have a disgusting design and utterly mediocre nibs which are rigid as pitchforks. The quality is far to meet the quality of the leman and the gentleman lines.

Take your time before any purchase and of course testwrite the pen to the max before purchasing it.

good luck and best regards

georges

 



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InkaFX


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All beautiful pens listed, even though I as most people have my own favorites.
I'd like a Marine Green Sheaffer's Balance Vaccum-Fil pen with the Mil-Clip properly restored.
I actually have one of those, looks nearly mint NOS but the plunger rod was rusted through when I got it.
Another I'd REALLY love to have some day, a NOS Parker Senior Maxima Vacumatic, maybe Emerald Pearl Celluloid but preferably in Azure Blue [love the Azure Blue color with stacked-coin cap!].
I'd like to one day also own a Pelikan M1050 vermeil in green stripes, would likely have to trade for non-pen items like custom knives and Minox cameras to get one at this point.
As you can most likely tell, I like large pens, overall lengths capped @ 5-1/2" or longer preferred and barrel diameters of 1/2" or better.
I've honestly all the pens I want and them some, each one a writer despite rarity/collectivity, although there are always those that still capture my eye and imagination.

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