Review: Conway Stewarts!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ส.ค. 2024
- A couple of days ago I showed the unboxing of a pair of Conway Stewart pens: the Churchill in Bordeaux, with chased engraving, and the Wordsworth Classic Claret. Well, here is a short look at the newer Churchill, comparing it to my classic black model, and a quick look at the Wordsworth - which is, I have to admit, stunning in every way. If you want to see these or their other pens, go to www.conwaystewart.com, where you can see the full line-up.
As Brand Ambassador for Conway Stewart, I am glad to be able to give you a link so that you can receive a 5% discount on any Conway Stewart products bought with a pen: conwaystewart.com/michaeljecks
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Disclaimer - I have not been paid for making this video!
Cheers for now!
Mike
Hello, my good Sir.
I'm from Brazil, wich is a very complicated place do get good pens and good inks, most of them are not even available for purchase here. My collection consists on mostly peilkan inks and Jin Hao and Pilot pens. Your channel is an inspiration for me, specially to continue my writting hobby and my collection. Thank you for the great amount of information about de fountain pen world you provide to us, always with great qualiy and knowledge. Cheers ! (sorry about the English).
My dear friend,
Many thanks for your comments, which I really appreciate. I'm glad you are enjoying the videos, and I am even more glad that I can speak in English, because I promise you, your English is far better than my Portuguese! All best wishes from the UK!
Hey there Michael.. Frank here from Colorado.. I have two modern Conway Stewart fountain pens.. a lovely medium Churchill in walnut acrylic and a classic green Winston that I had ground to and ef.. these are among my very favorite. My Churchill has an engraving on the cap band--"Never Surrender" wonderful pens! I've enjoyed your books over the past few years. My local bookshop--Boulder Bookstore is happy to order them in for me.. have a lovely holiday season..
Frank in Colorado, USA
Thanks so much for that. And especially for ordering my books! I hope you really enjoy them, my friend!
Wonderful video. I love pens. I love your Channel. Thank you very much.
Thanks so much! really appreciate the comments!
I love the Churchill also but after your review of the Wordsworth, I would love it also. Thanks for the addiction quandary!
My pleasure! It's in my nature to torment other scribbling aficionados!
I own a number Conway Stewart pens. They are to be treasured! Wonderful to write!
I couldn't agree more, Joseph! Hope you have many years of use out of yours!
You sir, have hit the right cords reviewing these lovely pens. For one, did not use the, now irkingly worn out panagram "the quick brown fox..." but used the writing sample as an opportunity to communicate with your audience ...a true writer indeed!
Somehow I find the combination of shiny black with gold accents to be the epitome of elegance in pens thus loved your old churchill
The depth of wordsworth is rather inescapable it has a magnetic magical attraction to it, so glad you did fill these pens with the complimenting inks, edelstein ruby truly accentuates the stunning beauty of wordsworth
Thanks for the review
Ah! Just as I was going to make the same point about those clichéd canids...
Many thanks - getting the right colour at first, to me, seems the most logical approach to these pens - but the majority of my writing has been using Blu Mare from Rohrer & Klingner in the Churchill, and Diamine Sepia in the Wordsworth, which seem to work superbly for both pens. I love them both!
Many thanks!
Lovely video! So great to see you again! That Wordsworth is quite the beauty! And I’m completely gobsmacked that you kept your original box from your 1999 Churchill! Impressive!
I always tend to keep the presentation boxes when they're this special! The Conway Stewart boxes were always rather special because of the goodies they put inside. You're quite right about that little Wordsworth, though. A truly beautiful little pen that just felt perfect!
Wonderful video. Rarely do I covet, but that Churchill has made me sinful. I love my Nakaya and considered another, but my next pen may be a Conway Stewart. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it! I cannot argue with that as a choice. They really are lovely pens. I miss that Wordsworth already (just had to send it back, sadly).
@@writerlywitterings Very much so! I also enjoy your penmanship and thoughts on writing. Regret that you could not keep that beauty, but maybe in the future you will get another chance to add to your collection. Very best wishes.
Nice and elegant pieces! :)
Thank you! Cheers! I can't disagree with you there!
Argh! Found it! I commented some months back on another video, I knew I’d seen a video of you, using a fine Conway Stewart… looks like it’s quite a juicy nib..
Yes, it certainly was. Most of my favourite pens tend to be gushers, and this was one!
Having used the Visconti for some time, I do like the look of the Churchill. However the Wordsworth looks charming. Thank you as always!
Thanks for watching! If I was to buy another pen, it would be the Wordsworth, I think. It's very much the feel and the quality of the nib, rather than just the appearance - although that is stunning too.
With your original Conway Stewart, I would have smoked that cigar straight away!! Perhaps with a nice smokey Islay? Whilst penning an important memo to Group Capt. so and so, of course. Right!
Sadly, I had already given up smoking by the time I bought that pen. And I do think it's nice to leave the box as sold ... but as an ex-cigar smoker, I would really have liked to try that cigar for a couple of puffs ...!
A Montblanc is a bit like what Mercedes has become these days: garish and ubiquitous. A Churchill, on the other hand, is a bit like, I dunno, a Daimler DS420: antiquated yet classy. We are certain to pick a Winston one of these days.
Thanks for that, and I don't disagree. I can happily confirm that the Winston is a lovely pen - my own Detection Collection pen was based on the Winston, and has a really lovely weight and balance. Mine has a gorgeous, smooth and wet stub nib that's about 1 mm, I think.
Thanks for the review Michael. These are gorgeous pens but unfortunately, after my recent purchase of a Nettuno 1911 Black Sands, my bank account says 'no'. It's kind of like a wife except I can hide my purchases from my wife.
My wife is in charge of the bank accounts, so I have "No" squared!
Think the Wordsworth would be more my kind of thing: prefer lighter pens!; another great review: thanks:)
Fair enough! Personally, if I had been presented with these two and had to choose - and I didn't have my old Churchill - I would not hesitate to buy the Wordsworth. It's a more subtle pen in size, I think absolutely beautiful acrylic body, the perfect weight and balance, and easier to carry because of its length and girth. All in all, a gorgeous pen.
I just received my CS Duro in cherry red two days ago. Lovely pen from Conway Stewart as always but I do prefer the old-style nibs.
Good choice! I really love the old nibs (especially the two-tone on my Drake) but I have to admit, the flag nibs look really good in the flesh. I've not been able to try a Duro yet - that is one pen I'm really looking forward to testing!
Missed the opportunity of a Conway Stewart Lapis on EBay which was gorgeous: should have pulled the trigger!:)
Next time! Ooh, I would have liked one of them too. Really good colour, and since it would be the same as the new range (I think), it would be a real joy to use.
There is a Lapis Blue Duro on the Bespoke British Pens site. Not the cheapest pen but still not a ridiculous price in my opinion. I just got a Cherry Red Duro recently and it is absolutely gorgeous.
@@raphthecollector3824 I haven't had a chance to try a Duro yet. I'm really looking forward to giving one a test and review! Thanks, Raphael!
That Churchill is absolutely gorgeous and I've had my eye on one for awhile. I have two pens from the now defunct Bexley company, the Prometheus and the Monarch, which are similarly large (and the Monarch has a similar vintage look, being based on a pen from the '30s) but neither of them have the same pleasing shape or character. I'm glad this company has revived Conway Stewart. It's nice to admire these pens from afar. :)
I own five Prometheus and one Monarch pens. The Churchill is perhaps 2mm longer than the Prometheus and 2.5g heavier. As you might guess, I much prefer the Prometheus to the Monarch. If you like your Prometheus, you will love the Churchill.
@@JoelTurrell my Prometheus is a wonderful rose mottled ebonite, bought when Howard Levy still sold them on eBay without bidding...and in my top 5 favorite pens. I got it on a "Buy it Now" for $85! That's a steal as far as I'm concerned, and I'm still gobsmacked that I scored that deal. I got the Monarch at full price, but I do like it because it has a ground italic nib.
They really do seem to be a nice bunch of people, and from all I've seen and heard, they are taking customer satisfaction seriously, which is good to see. If I could, I would buy this Wordsworth myself. It's quite gorgeous!
I'm jealous now! I never had a chance to try out a Prometheus or Monarch! Thanks for your comments, both of you!
FWIW, my Churchill is the marbled green resin and weighs in at only 30 grams! I think that's fascinating. It feels like my Montblanc 149 in terms of weight and girth, and my medium nib is, I believe, just a bit finer than yours. I do love it, and I'm a bit of a snob about pens (and cameras and watches).
I love the look of the marbled green. I do love the Churchill - although I prefer the weight of this newer model. I'll miss it. Not, I have to admit, as much as I'll miss the Wordsworth. That is a gorgeous little pen, and lovely in the hand.
Both are very pretty pens. It was interesting how you compared the Churchill pens by referring to an example of a car made in the 1970s versus a car made in 2020. Do you really think there is such a massive difference? Which would you purchase if you owned neither and both were presented in front of you? I find it interesting because lots of people are really into vintage pens like the older Churchill.
Also, I found it somewhat humorous that you selected an ink from the most German fountain brand - Pelikan Edelstein - to fill a British pen called the Churchill. How times have changed! :)
Hi, Conor,
TO take the last comment first, I've never had a problem with Germany or Germans. I have been to Germany a few times (although sadly never to a Bierfest - but I live in hope), and love the culture and the mountains. And I really, really appreciate their inks!
I know it seems an extreme comparison, and perhaps it's not entirely justified, but (I'm just feeling the pair of them now) there does seem to be something different between the two. It could just be the weight (there is a tube of copper or brass inside the barrel of the newer version to give it more heft), but I think it's also partly the feel of the etched barrel of the new one. It makes it feel somehow more ... more valuable, I suppose. It feels stronger, more balanced, and just superior. It's very much a subjective thing, though, and I daresay many would prefer the older model in preference.
Thanks for your comments - all highly appreciated!
@@writerlywitterings Hi Michael, I hope you didn't take any offence to my thoughts about the German ink in a very British pen; I certainly did not intend it that way at all nor did I intend to suggest you ever might have had any dislike or bias against German people. It was just an observation that I thought was somewhat humorous, given the very British nature of the pen. I also enjoy Pelikan Edelstein inks, especially Tanzanite and Topaz, which I have used a lot lately. They really glisten and almost sing when they reflect the light. Very beautiful.
That is quite a good observation, actually. I think older pens tended to be lighter and (though not in this case) smaller. People seemed to value lighter pens, probably because they were used every day by the majority of people and had to be carried around by everyone. They were less esoteric than they are now, I suppose. It could also be a reflection of how people's tastes change. Perhaps a more substantive and weighty pen is appreciated more nowadays than in yesteryear. That said, most of Aurora's pens are quite light but I wouldn't consider them to lack presence. As you said, it is all very subjective. Thanks for your response. :)
I have a few of the... lets say more classic versions.
interesting cheers
I'm glad for you. I would love to collect them - but finances won't allow, sadly!
@@writerlywitterings I have limited myself to second hand finds, I have had money to by new kit off the shelf,
but...
a pair of old Pelikan's in a ebay job lot for 26 quid
if I see that again 🧐🤔😁😁😁🙏
I have wanted a conway stewart for a while, but as silly as this may sound, I am not a fan of the Union Jack flag being on the nib. I get that they are basically making up the pens now, but I really would prefer if they could stamp the nibs with conway logo.
The flag nibs are an extra when you buy their pens.
Hey Mike 🙂 some info you may be interested in - I’ve been email ‘chatting’ to Alastair at Bespoke British Pens. In the pens, those with the Black nib/grip section are fitted with the two-tone nibs usually and the pens with all colour matching sections get the flexible Gold nib. That’s why your Wordsworth Gold nib in fine was more flexible compared to the medium Churchill with the two-tone nib. A very interesting little conversation about the nibs and sections. 😀👍🏻 (P.S. I finally made an order with your discount code, thx. I’ve gone for the Churchill Turing-Welchman. My order changed having watched your brilliant reviews and having finally made my mind up. lol)
Him, Richard, and many thanks, mate. That makes so much sense! I was surprised that the Churchill really felt quite hard compared to the Wordsworth - and now I've tested the Marilyn Monroe for a few days ... well, wow! If you ever wanted a soft, flexible medium that is just heaven on paper, that is the one! Sheer perfection.
writerlywitterings, wow! Sounds incredible. Bring on the review! Thx 😀👍🏻
@@Richard_Barnes Just edited it!
That’s a nice looking pen 🙂 hmm, I am off to go searching for said pen! 😆 Does it really feel that much better than your original then? Or did you mean not as good? Thx Mike 👍🏻 I also like a thicker pen too, having been used to those from the start really. Although when I got my Pilot Custom 823, I quite enjoyed the narrower pen and grip. Oh the decisions my friend, the decisions. lol
Hi, again, Richard,
Yes, the newer Churchill has a MUCH better weight to it. It's more the feel of the pen I was looking for when I bought my first. To be fair, I don't regret buying it, and I had many good years of use from it, but the newer version is significantly better. However, if I had the choice, I'd buy the Wordsworth. That has the weigh, the balance, and the portability. Absolutely gorgeous!
writerlywitterings, hi Mike, am back for another look as I may order that Wordsworth! I just wanted to say, use your Churchill regardless of scratches. As one day, it’ll be found in its box and it’s never been used! (I think you may know what I’m hinting at here). Get it out Mike and enjoy what you’ve got. Like me you have a watch that isn’t cheap, yet we’ve both worn them for years and enjoy them. Your Churchill is the same Sir. Give it some journaling love my friend! I’m off to potentially spend some cash and thanks for the 5% code as well. Much appreciated.
@@Richard_Barnes I am pretty sure you cannot go wrong with the Wordsworth, and I reckon it'll become one of your favourite daily carries. Really good - in every way, really! My Churchill is still used - but I use it less than the Drake. The Drake in solid silver just makes me feel good when I use it. The Churchill was used for a good ten years or so, at home and out and about, and I still love it, but it has won enough nicks and scratches now! Mind you, Conway Stewart (damn, I forgot to mention this) send out cleaning/polishing cloths with their pens now. I'll have to try that on the old Churchill and see how well it works!
If you do buy the Wordsworth, do please mention the video so CS can monitor the success of the idea!
writerlywitterings, for you Sir, of course I will. I have my little words of wisdom ready to copy and paste 👍🏻
@@Richard_Barnes Enjoy!
Sir I want to buy fountain pen which is best for beginners please suggest me as well as give me link to buy it if possible sir
Thank you 🙏
Hi, Hirensinh, and thanks for the question.
It is really, really difficult to recommend a pen for a beginner. The various models are different sizes for different sized hands, they weigh more or less, they function differently. The nibs are broader or slimmer, to allow for, say, fine Japanese writing or more fat European writing. It is all a matter of personal taste.
If you are a true beginner, I would recommend either a simple cartridge-filling pen (Kaweco Sport, Pilot Preppy) or one that is easy to understand and fill (TWSBI Go).
There are many pleasures in using a fountain pen: one is the variety of ink colours, another is the feel and pleasure of seeing the ink flowing straight onto the page. Many of us think that a real pen gives the best experience you can have while writing. But for you to understand and enjoy that feeling, the most important thing is to try many different pens and see how you feel about them. Do you prefer a wider pen barrel, one with a narrower grip section, one that is longer, or shorter? All these little details matter, and you will only really be able to tell that for yourself. I would recommend any of the three I have mentioned. The Pilot Preppy (or the Prera) are very reasonably priced. Something like a Lamy or Kaweco is a little more expensive, but still well under £20 (in UK money - sorry, I don't know where you live!).
My best advice would be to go to a company where there are many pens, tell the owner how much you can afford, and test all the pens in that kind of price range. I'm sure you will enjoy trying them all, and you will soon discover the type of pen you really enjoy using!
Best of luck!
@@writerlywitterings Thanks a lot sir now I'm living in Malta and I'm from India.
Next month I will be in India.
Huzzah - more pen porn! Cyclists always say that the ideal number of bicycles to own is one more than they currently have. I suspect that fountain pen aficionados' internal dialogue on hearing this is "just one?". Thanks for another few minutes of escape from that C word in to a much gentler place!
Also, let's be honest Michael - you were never going to dislike a Conway Stewart :-).
Hi, Robu,
Yeah, you're right. I love all the CS range (apart from possibly the Regency). These are different in feel, though. I love these new flex nibs! And when you talk about bikes ... well, it would be just one of each model in my case!
Is that a Cuban cigar?
I think so! Churchill liked his cigars, and I think this was one of his favourite brands, from memory.