Pen-Fi (FPs, RBs, BPs, etc...) [56k Warning]

[mrarroyo]

Amazing the prices they are getting for the Parker 51. I wonder how much the set in pic below would sell for? (not that I am selling it was a gift from the original owner, my wife's uncle). Click on the thumbnail to view the full size pic.

Originally Posted by milkpowder

Just emailed seller about this one: http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/fo...howtopic=23971

The price is fair and consistent with the typical eBay.co.uk closing values. Of course, it's not completely original because the sac had been replaced. Maybe that would put off serious collectors.

Lots of nice 51s here! http://www.wetinc.com/pens/51%20Aero...tml#anchor1801

I want one of those burgundy gold-filled ones too, but I don't want to be suddenly spending loads of pens

matt fury: Impressive collection there! I heard that vintage MBs are much better than current ones.

[milkpowder]

Honestly, I wouldn't know: I only discovered the beauty of these Parker 51s yesterday. What is that colour called? Dove grey? Navy grey? Very nice nevertheless.

EDIT: had a look around Wet Inc. Pens. Looks like a NOS Aerometric, Lustraloy one will cost around 170USD. Expect to pay mid-200 to 300+ for one of those gold-filled ones. That said, buying from a dealer is always more experience than dealing directly with a private seller. I guess you pay a substantial premium for their expertise.

A restored one costs about 90-100+ from this "dealer" http://www.parker51.com/gpage1.html6.html

[dwchin]

This is a great thread with great photography. Some of those photos were making me seriously jealous. There's something about a good pen that's really special. I'm a stickler for Lamy pens, and my favorite inks are Private Reserve, Aurora (great, deep basic black), and of course Noodler's.

[milkpowder]

Finally secured a Parker 51!

[matt fury]

Originally Posted by milkpowder

Just emailed seller about this one: [url]

matt fury: Impressive collection there! I heard that vintage MBs are much better than current ones.

Thanks. Vintage MBs are definitely a totally different beast. The nibs actually have flex, and even the "precious resin" is made of a totally different material. Plus, the little things like engravings really make the pen look better IMO. Maybe its just in my head, but vintage MBs definitely feel more sturdy than most other vintage pens Ive used. Maybe its just because they usually have larger nibs, but I rarely feel like Im going to decimate a vintage MB by using it, unlike a lot of other older pens.

Congrats on snagging your 51, btw. Im sure youll love it.

Originally Posted by jjhatfield

Wow, you have a beautiful collection of vintage MBs. I know very little about vintage MBs, but I'm trying to learn. It was fun looking at your pictures!

If I had to venture a quick guess, I'd say that Pelikan is a 120 or 140.

Thanks too. I think MB history is pretty fascinating, but its not nearly as well documented (especially online) as, say, Parker"s.

Youre right, its either a 120 or a 140. Theres something wrong with the filler though, and I never got around to returning it to the seller for repair. Its a shame, as its got a nice flexy oblique nib iirc.

[wanderman]

does anyone know where I can find a pen that has a line thickness close to that of a .5mm pencil despite the ink bleed?

[vibin247]

I just bought a Cross ATX fountain pen in Basalt Black online direct from them, in which I probably paid too much for, but I really like to start writing longhand more in my Moleskines. It's definitely going to be my daily pen, though I'd hate to lose it. Cross has been a part of my family for years, notably with my mother, in which she still uses her 18k Century ballpoint that my father gave her for her college graduation over 25 years ago.



After a while I'd like to get a Mont Blanc Meisterstuck Le Grand 146 or 149, a big jump in price, but I'm willing to shell out and keep it as a future family heirloom.

[jjhatfield]

Originally Posted by milkpowder

Finally secured a Parker 51!

Grats! Be sure to let us know how you like it. Nothing feels quite like a 51 does, they are oddly unique writers.

Originally Posted by matt fury

Youre right, its either a 120 or a 140. Theres something wrong with the filler though, and I never got around to returning it to the seller for repair. Its a shame, as its got a nice flexy oblique nib iirc.

I'm not sure if you know Rick "The Penguin" Propas, but you might could shoot him an email. Pelikans of all models are his specialty: http://www.angelfire.com/mac/penguin0/ And a warning before anyone goes to that webpage: LOTS of really, really kick ass Pelikans, vintage and modern. Sorry about your wallet.

Originally Posted by vibin247

I just bought a Cross ATX fountain pen in Basalt Black...

After a while I'd like to get a Mont Blanc Meisterstuck 146 or Le Grand Platinum, a big jump in price, but I'm willing to shell out and keep it as a future family heirloom.

I own a Cross ATX, definitely a great writer, very smooth M nib. Not my cup of tea, so I am selling it, but still, Cross makes fine pens.

As far as a Meisterstuck goes, you can save yourself a TON of money buying used. The only problem with that is that there are tons of MB fakes out there, so let the buyer beware and all that. If you'd like to read more about learning to discern between fake and real MBs, you can check out the MB forums at www.fountainpennetwork.com. Or you can just do like me and buy Pelikans: nobody fakes Pelikans.

[vibin247]

Originally Posted by jjhatfield

As far as a Meisterstuck goes, you can save yourself a TON of money buying used. The only problem with that is that there are tons of MB fakes out there, so let the buyer beware and all that. If you'd like to read more about learning to discern between fake and real MBs, you can check out the MB forums at www.fountainpennetwork.com. Or you can just do like me and buy Pelikans: nobody fakes Pelikans.

I did get the Medium nib, because I'm starting to write with a lot less weight, since having an embossed look on the paper isn't attractive. Are the vintage Mont Blancs that much better than the new ones? I don't mind buying either, but if I'm taking a risk buying a fake or having to repair the vintage after a little while, then I might as well buy a new one.

[jjhatfield]

Originally Posted by vibin247

I did get the Medium nib, because I'm starting to write with a lot less weight, since having an embossed look on the paper isn't attractive. Are the vintage Mont Blancs that much better than the new ones? I don't mind buying either, but if I'm taking a risk buying a fake or having to repair the vintage after a little while, then I might as well buy a new one.

There is nothing wrong with modern MBs. The exception to this rule was the dreaded first model 144 released sometime in the 90s. This pen was the sole source of the MB "ink bomb" stories that circulated (pens seemingly bursting with ink for no apparent reason ), and it was also prone to cracks not only if the pen was dropped, but even if the cap was screwed on too tightly.

MB gets a bad wrap from some FP enthusiasts because they are no longer a fountain pen company, they are a luxury goods company. A lot of their advertising practices have been looked down upon (i.e. they will pay another company to put MBs in an advertisement for that company's product, in an ad which has nothing to do with FPs, weird stuff like that). So a company that used to stand for quality in a certain field "sells out": that can tend to hurt the original core demographic that kept your company alive for all those years. Think what this community would think if John Grado released some Grado Quiet Comfort 225 Noise Cancelling Headphones, or something to that effect.

Modern MBs are great pens. Waaaaaaaay overpriced, of course, but they are luxury items!

I can't speak for vintage MBs, I have never held one. But from what I've read, they are great pens.