The advantage of vintage is a pen that cost someone half a weeks wages in the 1930/40s has much more time and attention spent on it. It’s the equivalent of having every pen worked on by a professional nibmeister. You can buy a great gold nibbed pen for $25-$50 and the restoration is a fairly simple process. Getting the equivalent in a modern pen would be much more expensive. The risk you run on the second hand market is that you don’t know if any restorationer tried smoothing on the nib..
I definitely wouldn’t have a vintage pen as my only pen. I also agree with you that the warranties and company support are a valuable resource. However, I’m just curious as to how they write and also like the idea of holding something in my hand that was used by someone for decades. I also am curious about the build quality because so many modern pens are outsourced and questions arise about how much care and attention is given to each.
This is a very good video but it's a little simplistic in my opinion. For example, what do you consider vintage? You showcased a Sheaffer Targa in this video which is considered vintage by some people but is in many ways a totally modern pen in that it uses modern materials and cartridges and is as reliable as any cartridge pen you can buy new today. One of the best deals you can find online are vintage Pilot/Sailor/Platinum pocket pens from the 1970's. They mostly all use modern cartridges and are great writers after some cleaning. There also hasn't really been much development in the "technology" of fountain pens since the 60's or 70's, it's kind of a mature technology. They started making the Lamy 2000 (one of the most popular modern pens) in the 1960's! I agree with you that earlier pens can be temperamental. A hard rubber or ebonite pen is not a good everyday carry because it can be a brittle material. Celluloid can be temperamental but something like a properly restored Sheaffer vac-fill pen from the 1940's will last you decades, and it uses the same filling system as a modern Pilot 823. But you're totally right that product support and maintenance can be an issue, especially if you live in a country that may not have many pen repair folks. That is definitely a very important consideration.
I have been a FP user for more than 30 years, I am fascinated by writing with old pieces, but to give the idea that I want to express, my previous favorite was a Pelikan 140 and currently that place is held by an Opus 88 Omar. I only have 4 vintage pieces and 10 times more are modern pieces, however before the end of the year I have 2 vintage models that I want to buy and 3 modern ones, 1 Pilot CE, a Lamy 2000 and finally I decided on a TWSBI 580.
The history of what a vintage is been through is the alluring part of a vintage pen. Using a pen older than you I just fun to think what or where it could’ve been
yes, of course modern pens are more reliable, there's been decades of development. but i don't really think you can compare modern and vintage (pre-80's-ish) unless it's a repro of a vintage pen like the modern parker 51. anyone who gets into vintage pens isn't (shouldn't) be expecting 100% reliability and it's a given that there'll be no warranty or guarantee. for most vintage fans, restoring, maintaining and learning the quirks of the pens is a large part of the experience. these pens were manufactured during a time where people actually used them day to day so its important to keep examples clean and healthy for the future.
Good timing. I just bought three vintage Pelikans. 400 "ef" from 1950s, M20 "DF" from 1960s and M200 "b" from 1980s. Only had one vintage 140 with an OM before, which I did not like. I feel like Pelikans have less of the problems you mentioned with vintage pens..
yeah, but they do have a tendency to crack at the threads of the piston and joint between the section and barrel, especially vintage ones be gentle with them and they can last a while ;) An
I agree with modern pens. Aside from the availability of manufacturers being able to repair, exchange or adjust a pen, to have a vintage pen to perform well may require a lot of work well. Also the cost of the repair can be quite expensive, even if you attempt to to do it yourself. My oldest pen is about 40 years old. I have had it all this time when it was purchased new. Is it now considered "vintage"? It is a Parker 180. If you have a vintage Sheaffer to show, that would be a nice review.
Entirely subjective if fountain pens are your hobby. There are far more affordable and reliable pens for far less money than most fountain pens. Just about any of my ballpoint, rollerball, or gel pens get 'er done. That's not why I have more fountain pens than any other kind of pen though. It's all about the discovery and pleasure you get when you try your first gold flex nib or lay down some sheen ink with a broad nib and think to yourself "whoah....cool!" That's what this hobby is really about.
Better, for writing with. But find me a modern pen as elegant as a Wahl Doric second gen. Do your new pens have an adjustable nib? And can you find your new pens at estate sales for $10-40 bucks? Convenience is great, but somehow people struggled along with these pens a hundred years ago, and maybe a little bit of toil makes it more enjoyable. Do people abandon vintage cars because they are less convenient? What impresses others more, the flashy expensive new car, or the painstakingly restored and cared for 1950 classic? Let’s see if people are as impressed by your new convenient pen as they are by my Wahl Doric sometime.
Vintage pens like Watermans, Onoto De Lau Rue, Conklin, Parker, Sheaffer, etc are a different experience than todays pens. You only have to hold one and write with a Vintage Flexible nib and you wouldn't see merit in the clickbait title. The vintage pens can be a lot of work to get right, but as with other items in life, buy the right one and most people who love writing with fountain pens, vintage and modern I have about 20 VFFP and about 6 moderns. I believe both have a place in a passionate writers collection. I will leave your audience to decide their own weighting. I notice you used a Pelikan, also have a 100N, and I had to source and have fitted an original OBBB to get real enjoyment from the Pelikan's nib time. Not so with Watermans etc etc, as standard they come with all the pleasure a writer could want. A scarce one hundred year old vintage flexible fountain pen is my fountain pen of choice, a timeline many moderns will never see.
Very good video. Vintage pens can be a fun part of one's collection, but modern ones are far better for everyday use. A good compromise are vintage C/C fillers that are not made of ebonite/celluloid. You get almost all advantages of a modern pen with some genuine nostalgia.
almost all vintage gold nibs pre 50's were finished by hand. fantastic, tuned nibs are common. getting the same thing in a modern pen is very very expensive.
The advantage of vintage is a pen that cost someone half a weeks wages in the 1930/40s has much more time and attention spent on it. It’s the equivalent of having every pen worked on by a professional nibmeister. You can buy a great gold nibbed pen for $25-$50 and the restoration is a fairly simple process. Getting the equivalent in a modern pen would be much more expensive. The risk you run on the second hand market is that you don’t know if any restorationer tried smoothing on the nib..
I definitely wouldn’t have a vintage pen as my only pen. I also agree with you that the warranties and company support are a valuable resource. However, I’m just curious as to how they write and also like the idea of holding something in my hand that was used by someone for decades. I also am curious about the build quality because so many modern pens are outsourced and questions arise about how much care and attention is given to each.
This is a very good video but it's a little simplistic in my opinion. For example, what do you consider vintage? You showcased a Sheaffer Targa in this video which is considered vintage by some people but is in many ways a totally modern pen in that it uses modern materials and cartridges and is as reliable as any cartridge pen you can buy new today. One of the best deals you can find online are vintage Pilot/Sailor/Platinum pocket pens from the 1970's. They mostly all use modern cartridges and are great writers after some cleaning.
There also hasn't really been much development in the "technology" of fountain pens since the 60's or 70's, it's kind of a mature technology. They started making the Lamy 2000 (one of the most popular modern pens) in the 1960's! I agree with you that earlier pens can be temperamental. A hard rubber or ebonite pen is not a good everyday carry because it can be a brittle material. Celluloid can be temperamental but something like a properly restored Sheaffer vac-fill pen from the 1940's will last you decades, and it uses the same filling system as a modern Pilot 823. But you're totally right that product support and maintenance can be an issue, especially if you live in a country that may not have many pen repair folks. That is definitely a very important consideration.
My school pens from the 60s with a selection of over 30 nibs worked flawlessly
I have been a FP user for more than 30 years, I am fascinated by writing with old pieces, but to give the idea that I want to express, my previous favorite was a Pelikan 140 and currently that place is held by an Opus 88 Omar. I only have 4 vintage pieces and 10 times more are modern pieces, however before the end of the year I have 2 vintage models that I want to buy and 3 modern ones, 1 Pilot CE, a Lamy 2000 and finally I decided on a TWSBI 580.
The history of what a vintage is been through is the alluring part of a vintage pen. Using a pen older than you I just fun to think what or where it could’ve been
yes, of course modern pens are more reliable, there's been decades of development. but i don't really think you can compare modern and vintage (pre-80's-ish) unless it's a repro of a vintage pen like the modern parker 51. anyone who gets into vintage pens isn't (shouldn't) be expecting 100% reliability and it's a given that there'll be no warranty or guarantee. for most vintage fans, restoring, maintaining and learning the quirks of the pens is a large part of the experience. these pens were manufactured during a time where people actually used them day to day so its important to keep examples clean and healthy for the future.
Which one is the best beginner pen from your point of view.
And do you have a substitute for pilot 823
Good timing. I just bought three vintage Pelikans. 400 "ef" from 1950s, M20 "DF" from 1960s and M200 "b" from 1980s.
Only had one vintage 140 with an OM before, which I did not like.
I feel like Pelikans have less of the problems you mentioned with vintage pens..
yeah, but they do have a tendency to crack at the threads of the piston and joint between the section and barrel, especially vintage ones
be gentle with them and they can last a while ;)
An
I agree with modern pens. Aside from the availability of manufacturers being able to repair, exchange or adjust a pen, to have a vintage pen to perform well may require a lot of work well. Also the cost of the repair can be quite expensive, even if you attempt to to do it yourself.
My oldest pen is about 40 years old. I have had it all this time when it was purchased new. Is it now considered "vintage"? It is a Parker 180.
If you have a vintage Sheaffer to show, that would be a nice review.
a few coming to the channel ;)
in my eyes, anything that has a cartridge converter is not vintage lol
An
Entirely subjective if fountain pens are your hobby. There are far more affordable and reliable pens for far less money than most fountain pens. Just about any of my ballpoint, rollerball, or gel pens get 'er done. That's not why I have more fountain pens than any other kind of pen though. It's all about the discovery and pleasure you get when you try your first gold flex nib or lay down some sheen ink with a broad nib and think to yourself "whoah....cool!" That's what this hobby is really about.
Better, for writing with. But find me a modern pen as elegant as a Wahl Doric second gen. Do your new pens have an adjustable nib? And can you find your new pens at estate sales for $10-40 bucks? Convenience is great, but somehow people struggled along with these pens a hundred years ago, and maybe a little bit of toil makes it more enjoyable. Do people abandon vintage cars because they are less convenient? What impresses others more, the flashy expensive new car, or the painstakingly restored and cared for 1950 classic? Let’s see if people are as impressed by your new convenient pen as they are by my Wahl Doric sometime.
Where can we see what you have for sale?
check out instagram.com/awritingguy.shop for the available items :)
An
Vintage pens like Watermans, Onoto De Lau Rue, Conklin, Parker, Sheaffer, etc are a different experience than todays pens. You only have to hold one and write with a Vintage Flexible nib and you wouldn't see merit in the clickbait title.
The vintage pens can be a lot of work to get right, but as with other items in life, buy the right one and most people who love writing with fountain pens, vintage and modern
I have about 20 VFFP and about 6 moderns.
I believe both have a place in a passionate writers collection.
I will leave your audience to decide their own weighting.
I notice you used a Pelikan, also have a 100N, and I had to source and have fitted an original OBBB to get real enjoyment from the Pelikan's nib time.
Not so with Watermans etc etc, as standard they come with all the pleasure a writer could want.
A scarce one hundred year old vintage flexible fountain pen is my fountain pen of choice, a timeline many moderns will never see.
Very good video. Vintage pens can be a fun part of one's collection, but modern ones are far better for everyday use.
A good compromise are vintage C/C fillers that are not made of ebonite/celluloid. You get almost all advantages of a modern pen with some genuine nostalgia.
best take!
An
To my mind, the only reason to buy a vintage pen are the wet noodle nibs, since you can't get that with a modern pen.
almost all vintage gold nibs pre 50's were finished by hand. fantastic, tuned nibs are common. getting the same thing in a modern pen is very very expensive.
@@littletweeter1327 Getting a pen tuned is very very expensive?
you'll be surprised
@@awritingguyAWG Is that a new video teaser?