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11201
Another pairing of pens…
Yesterday I posted a photo of two Montblancs that “l love.” That prompted one member to enquire about other pens that I love. The answer is not easy because earlier this year I sold many of my pens, mostly Montblancs, some in boxes and never inked. I simply decided I wanted to keep a smaller set of pens — about 20 — all in inked rotation — save one — with some special meaning to me from across a variety of pen manufacturers or countries. At some level there is a visceral “love “ for each one that I kept. Here are two more, both fountain pens, a Boheme on top and a 1912 below. Both have retractable nibs, the Boheme is cartridges only and the 1912 is a piston filler.
The Boheme is special to me because it is the first MB that I purchased from the local Boutique—that led to a decade-plus relationship with the Boutique Manager and a sales associate that was incredibly kind, rich, and special. They have both left, and the Boutique is now a shadow of its former self. I may never buy another pen there — no vibrancy resides there — simply another high end boutique. The 1912 is special because of its unique design and a very soft, flexible nib, so unlike most MB nibs.
I am trying very hard to resist buying any more pens — I might yet succumb to the Fitzgerald Writer’s Edition one day. When in Bozeman, MT earlier this week I discovered a delightful pen and stationary store. I was so excited I succumbed to buying my first Kaweco fountain pen in brass.
Finally, you might ask, what about the “save one? Well, the only NOS, never inked, in the box fountain pen in my collection is another Boheme. MB has discontinued this line of pens — such a shame — and I want another as back-up! I stumbled onto this pen at Stelling’s in Copenhagen a few years ago.
Another pairing of pens…
Yesterday I posted a photo of two Montblancs that “l love.” That prompted one member to enquire about other pens that I love. The answer is not easy because earlier this year I sold many of my pens, mostly Montblancs, some in boxes and never inked. I simp...
Allow me to make an unsolicited recommendation.
I had been collecting Montblanc pens for over 20 years. And while I always knew about Namiki fountain pens, I never really paid that much attention to them. One day, a few generous individuals loaned me their pens to write with. Some for just 20 minutes. ...
Thank you, Patrick, for the nice reflection about Namiki.
I know Japanese pens well — I have retained two Namikis— they are works of art — plus, one Nakaya. I have tried Sailor pens several times over the years and I have always been disappointed by the writing experience and those pens have not stayed in my col...
Oooh! Lovely collection.
You're right! I forgot you already experienced Japanese pens. Sorry, I don't remember everything, I must be getting old! Sailor is definitely a little different. There's a slight scratchy texture to Sailors which I sometimes like and I sometimes don't lik...
I”m surprised with your feelings with Sailor.
I worship the nibs and writing of that brand. Well, everyone has their preferences.
I do see two camps...
I see people who like the Sailor style of nibs, because they like the "pencil lead feedback" that the Sailor gives. And I see people who value the buttery smoothness of the Namiki. And I see a small amount of people who like both.
I have several Sailors but only
one inexpensive Pilot so I don’t have a solid opinion of this brand. By now.
I've got a friend who adores Sailor.
He still has a few Pilots and a Namiki, but he has more Sailors. He was the one who told me that many people go one direction - to the smoother Namiki/Pilot or to the scratchier Sailor. I frankly find both to be very interesting.
For 20 plus years, my main pen was a Montblanc 146.
I liked other fountain pens, but I kept on going back to the Montblanc 146. Now, my writing style has changed and I'm mainly writing letters and memos to friends. So I'm mainly using a flexible falcon nib fountain pen (from Pilot) that I enjoy very much. ...
My favorite one to write with is the Namiki Emperor.
Something about the size and feel of the nib really appeals to me. I have used all three nib sizes. Didn’t care for the fine, enjoyed the medium, but really adore the broad. I just picked up the new Montblanc 149 from The Origins collection. Haven’t had a...
Namiki Emperor is an amazing pen.
I honestly don't really use my Emperors to write with. A little weird. You must write a lot! I'm mostly writing short memos and thank you cards. So my writings are usually shorter.
I’ve always been more reluctant to spend significant
amounts of money in fountain pens than in watches. Now, you are seriously tempting me. Great reading.
One way to look at it...
Everyone can appreciate a nice car - it's not necessarily indicative of someone with taste. Even rappers and sports stars appreciate nice watches now and is no longer an indication of someone who can appreciate fine mechanics. But fountain pens are one of...
The maki-e Namikis are authentic works of art.
And there’s no periodic maintenance. Any day I go to Madrid, I see one in the flesh and who knows…
There's some maintenance and preventive maintenance.
It's important to clean the pen periodically, more often if you have dirty, perspiring, and/or oily hands. The Urushi lacquer degrades in the sunlight. It's important to avoid strong light exposure, thus, don't put the pen where there is sunlight or under...
Thanks for this valuable info.
I meant that with pens one has not to spend lots of money in the maintenance, all the contrary with watches… With your advice and considering I’m very careful, if I buy a maki-e I think I’ll pay only once.
Oh yes!
You're absolutely right there. Much less goes wrong with a pen! I won't buy Perpetual Calendars anymore. Too much goes wrong and the maintenance on this is just too much!
Perpetual calendars and annual calendars are both problematic.
In general, complex watches don't always work perfectly. The tension on the internals has to be very precise sometimes to encourage the correct changeover. Also, sometimes the leap year doesn't work, and the watch is already out of warranty by the time th...
That one is much more reliable.
In fact, that one is one of the few exceptions to the rule.
Two beautiful pens, thanks for sharing.
I didn’t know that the MB 1912 had a flex nib, it’s sadly quite hard to find quality modern flex nibs, I’ll try to check one if I can manage to find one somewhere.
Oh ok, thanks for the heads up.
I saw that you commented those nibs live in rouge et noir line. I have a rouge et noir bebe, it’s nib is as you described pliable but there is no tine separation, I really like writing with it, one of my favorite pens, I also have a Nakaya with a soft med...
1912...
I have an aversion of recent MBs in general...this said, the 1912 is indeed quite special and somehow, they managed to persuade management to do a nearly one-off nib design: more pliable, more finesse, sweeter, yet not-out-of-control writing experience. T...
I did not know this...
But then, it appears like a Renaissance based on the most recent NYT coverage of a pen show. I would have thought a trickle of visitors but it does appear to be a robust trade to say the least. In the age of data inference and machine learning, every lett...