How to pick a great vintage
pen and flexible nib
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We are frequently asked where to find "one of these great vintage
pens I hear about". The ones with the kind with the nib not made
today that is expressive and writes like our grandparents wrote. Having
spent some time at pen shows and flea markets myself looking for just
such an animal, I have a few words of advice.
1. Look for a likely candidate. Pens with great flexible nibs are usually
found in pre-1940 models. Look for Waterman's, Wahl and Wahl Eversharp,
Mabie Todd, Swan, Conklin, and much less frequently in Parker and Sheaffer's.
If you want flex, avoid anything called "manifold" or nibs showing
a lot of thickness. In fact, flexible nibs became much less common after
Parker introduced the Duofold, Sheaffer's the Lifetime nib, Conklin the
Endura and Swan the Eternal. Many of these nibs were introduced after the
widespread use of carbon paper for businesses with the intent of making
multiple copies.
2. Give the nib the thumbnail test. That is, holding the pen in your writing hand, gently press the tip of the nib against the thumbnail of your other hand. If you experience some springiness or "softness" look further at this pen.
3. If you get to this point, take ink and paper with you so that you can see how the pen writes and how if feels on paper. A little scratchiness, or "tooth" on an extra-fine flexible nib should be acceptable. You will hear a light "scritching" sound as the tips pass over the surface of the paper.
4. Inspect the nib closely under good light for cracks, bent tines and chipped or missing tipping. This will require either very good eyes, a loupe or both. (I use a loupe and at the shop a microscope.) Even if the nib has some flaws, realize that, although it may be expensive to restore, a great flexible nib is worth some effort.
5. Finally, inspect the pen for cracks at the cap lip by running your thumbnail gently around the inner circle and for cracks in the barrel where the section meets. Barrels are often replaceable, caps are more difficult. A bad bladder on a lever or button filler is a trivial repair and not one that should deter you from acquiring a pen with a great nib. Often, these nibs came in eyedropper filled pens. This too should not deter you from the purchase of a great writer.
1. Look for a likely candidate. Pens with great flexible nibs are usually
found in pre-1940 models. Look for Waterman's, Wahl and Wahl Eversharp,
Mabie Todd, Swan, Conklin, and much less frequently in Parker and Sheaffer's.
If you want flex, avoid anything called "manifold" or nibs showing
a lot of thickness. In fact, flexible nibs became much less common after
Parker introduced the Duofold, Sheaffer's the Lifetime nib, Conklin the
Endura and Swan the Eternal. Many of these nibs were introduced after the
widespread use of carbon paper for businesses with the intent of making
multiple copies. 2. Give the nib the thumbnail test. That is, holding the pen in your writing hand, gently press the tip of the nib against the thumbnail of your other hand. If you experience some springiness or "softness" look further at this pen.
3. If you get to this point, take ink and paper with you so that you can see how the pen writes and how if feels on paper. A little scratchiness, or "tooth" on an extra-fine flexible nib should be acceptable. You will hear a light "scritching" sound as the tips pass over the surface of the paper.
4. Inspect the nib closely under good light for cracks, bent tines and chipped or missing tipping. This will require either very good eyes, a loupe or both. (I use a loupe and at the shop a microscope.) Even if the nib has some flaws, realize that, although it may be expensive to restore, a great flexible nib is worth some effort.
5. Finally, inspect the pen for cracks at the cap lip by running your thumbnail gently around the inner circle and for cracks in the barrel where the section meets. Barrels are often replaceable, caps are more difficult. A bad bladder on a lever or button filler is a trivial repair and not one that should deter you from acquiring a pen with a great nib. Often, these nibs came in eyedropper filled pens. This too should not deter you from the purchase of a great writer.