This 1928 Parker is a True Blue BF set. Designed as a lower cost market entry than the Duofold, initially named “Three Fifty” and the color called “Modernistic Blue and White,” production lasted only two years. GFT. Almost always found with heavy ambering, mint sets, such as this one, are extremely hard to find and highly desirable. Extra-fine/fine nib. A hint of ambering where the barrel is protected by the cap, otherwise near mint+ (could …
Q: What pen can I use for Copperplate calligraphy? A: Many vintage fountain pens have flexible gold nibs that can offer variation from an extra-fine to broad, or fine to double-broad, etc. These nibs can be delicate and require a practiced hand, so starting off with dip nibs might be safest (and ideal) as calligraphers and the Master Penmen use dip nibs for true line variation.
What is the point of all these Sailor specialty nibs? These specialty nibs are made with particular shapes (such as the Architect grind) to allow for quick and easy brush-like writing for characters. Many people use them for Western writing now, and they are indeed quite the experience!
What’s a demonstrator? Demonstrator pens were pens produced by the factory of the company in question. They were given to salesmen/dealers to be able to demonstrate how a pen worked internally. Sometimes they were clear, or were halved to see the internal mechanism.
Q: Is a prototype more expensive than the actual model of a pen? A: In some cases, the prototype can be. They can be highly desirable, especially in the case of limited edition pens, or if the condition is mint. It depends on the pen, the model, and the market for that particular specimen, of course.
I found an old pen at a garage sale but the tines seem to be spread so far apart that it doesn’t write. This is a case of a sprung nib, where too much pressure was applied to the nib, causing it to bend past the point of springing back. A nib specialist might be able to fix it, or it may need replacing completely.
Why doesn’t my piston-filler draw up ink anymore? If the piston is not turning at all, it likely needs service in the form of cleaning and lubricating. If it is turning but no ink is being drawn up, the seal may be broken and it will need restoration/replacing.
I am a right handed writer, and have a right oblique nib but I can’t get it to work for me. Right handed writers usually use left obliques and left handed writers use right obliques – this way, when you rotate the nib into the page, it is rotating into the oblique angle and not into the tip, thus giving you a sharp, scratchy writing experience.
What’s the difference between a stub and an italic nib? An italic nib is a stub nib, but a stub nib is not necessarily an italic nib. Stub nibs have a blunt “stubby” shape at the end of the tines, so the tipping is shaped to get you broad down strokes. Italic nibs also have this, but the cross strokes tend to be thinner than that of a stub. In addition, the corners can …
My grandfather gave me an old pen of his but it doesn’t work at all! Chances are the pen needs a good cleaning and depending on the type of pen/filling system, it may need restoration. Getting in touch with a fountain pen restorer would be a good step in assessing what needs to be done to the pen.
