If I really had to pick a few pens from my pen case to call my favorite, these four would be among them: a Waterman 12, a Waterman 94, a Waterman 42, and a Pelikan 400NN, all with flex nibs (to various degrees). I think they’re beautiful, interesting pens, and the nibs are out of this world.
The No. 58 Awanyu Aztec Parker: $12.00! The original retail price was $12.00, that is. Currently, it is a little more expensive: $24.950. If you are looking for something to collect, this is an extremely rare pen – a holy grail for collectors. This pen was inspired when George Parker vacationed in Mexico and saw wonderful Aztec relics in a museum. He obtained permission to use the three armed triskelion design, the symbol of preserving …
I have read the warning on a lot of vintage pens with flexible nibs to be careful when using them. I keep reading about springing the nib. What does ”springing a nib” mean? A lot of vintage pens that have flexible nibs should be treated with care. Although they can tolerate pressure, depending on the specific nib (some are more flexible than others), you don’t want to apply so much pressure that you spring the tines. …
Flexible nibs offer line variation. They can write from an extra-fine to a double-broad, or a fine to triple-broad, or just fine to medium. The line variation will depend on the nib, and how easy it is to achieve full line variation will also vary nib to nib.
Waterman’s licensed Italian distributor used to add stunning overlays to some Waterman pens. In this case, a 1920s Safety Pen. Waterman procured such unique pieces by sending pens to major jewelry houses and allowing the artisans carte blanche in creating overlays.
What does restoring a fountain pen mean? I have some vintage fountain pens that someone told me need restoration. Assuming your fountain pens are not broken, restoration will get them back into working order. Without having then in-hand we can’t tell you exactly what’s wrong with them, but chances are it’s one of a few things: no ink flow because of dried ink in the mechanism, ossified sac that needs replacing, or mechanism repair. Having your …
If you’re looking for a flexible nib in a modern or vintage pen, you probably see a lot of nibs described as soft, springy, or extra-flessible. Although these offer some line variation and snap back from pressure, they are not full flex nibs, so be careful with how much pressure you apply. They are a lot of fun though, and add a lot of expression to ones writing!
This patent shows a section design that was to be an ornamental pen section. Looks like an inlaid nib!
I recently inherited some vintage fountain pens but I don’t know what they are. How can I find out what they are? What can I do with them? To find out what those pens are, you can always just search online based on the brands and models (if they are labeled). If they are not, we do offer appraisal services where we can have a look at your pens and give an estimate of their …
I have a Waterman 12 that is a simple, straightforward pen. It doesn’t have a fancy, complicated filling system or an ornate nib. It’s as simple as a cap and barrel, a nib, and a feed. Fill the barrel with ink and you’re good to go. I love the simplicity. Easy to clean, easy to disassemble and maintain, and writes beautifully.
