Grandmother's Wahl pocket pen - needs help

[Krodor]

Hello! Other than 1 post 5 years ago, it's been about 7 years since I was active here on Badger and Blade. Life does what life does, I guess.

Last night, my mom pulled out a box that her mom gave her brother, who gave it to my mom, and it has some of her mom's keepsakes in it. Mom knew that I liked/used fountain pens almost exclusively for the past decade, so she said that she wanted me to have it. Pictures are below.

From the looks of it, it is a Wahl Tempoint, like this one, but with a different texture on the outside, and is embossed with my Grandmother's initials from before she got married.

Of course, I'm not interested in selling it, but I'd like to use it. However, it has been sitting in boxes for probably the last 50-60+ years. I soaked it in some water today and it was clear that blue was the last color ink that was used. After the soaking, I tried lifting the lever a bit and it was kinda gritty feeling, and the lever didn't spring back into place -- a likely sure sign that the ink sac is all crusty and dried up and dusted, I would guess. That said, the 14kt nib is in writing shape, and has a nice bit of flex to it. Unfortunately, the black (rubber?) section really doesn't want to unscrew, and I don't want to force it.

Suggestions on trustworthy folks who could replace the sac and get this little gem of mine working again? Feel free to DM me.

 

[nemo]

First off, welcome back and congrats on the beautiful family heirloom!!
The grip section is likely not screwed in but is a tight slip fit into the barrel.
Not tough (usually) to wiggle out with some soaking and dry heat, but don't crack it.
Then you've got to determine the sac size, shellac a new one on, a little talc ...

But to get a great repair for that desiccated sac I'd send it over to Danny Fudge at the Write Pen
Fast, professional, and honest work.

Working women often wore a ring-top pen around their neck on a ribbon in a retail setting.
Hers was super nice with that gold filled ornamentation.

 

[Krodor]

First off, welcome back and congrats on the beautiful family heirloom!!

Thanks! I didn't realize how much I missed the camaraderie here. I can't promise I'll be super-active again (work / large family / etc), but when I use my Blue B&B fountain pen from years ago, it keeps me from forgetting

But to get a great repair for that desiccated sac I'd send it over to Danny Fudge at the Write Pen
Fast, professional, and honest work.

Thanks, I'll have a look. I could probably figure it out, but I'm in no hurry -- better to have an experienced person do it on this go-round.

Working women often wore a ring-top pen around their neck on a ribbon in a retail setting.
Hers was super nice with that gold filled ornamentation.

This was a great, timely response, as it was almost like you were listening in to the conversation we were having. My mom was telling me that before her mom got married, she worked as a telephone operator, connecting people with the wires and whatnot like in those classic photos we've all seen. I had no idea! But I could easily see someone doing that with the pen on a chain around her neck. So cool!

 

[nemo]

My mom was telling me that before her mom got married, she worked as a telephone operator, connecting people with the wires and whatnot like in those classic photos we've all seen. I had no idea! But I could easily see someone doing that with the pen on a chain around her neck. So cool!

Called a sautoir or chatelaine

 

[Mr5x5]

Hello! Other than 1 post 5 years ago, it's been about 7 years since I was active here on Badger and Blade. Life does what life does, I guess.

Last night, my mom pulled out a box that her mom gave her brother, who gave it to my mom, and it has some of her mom's keepsakes in it. Mom knew that I liked/used fountain pens almost exclusively for the past decade, so she said that she wanted me to have it. Pictures are below.

From the looks of it, it is a Wahl Tempoint, like this one, but with a different texture on the outside, and is embossed with my Grandmother's initials from before she got married.

Of course, I'm not interested in selling it, but I'd like to use it. However, it has been sitting in boxes for probably the last 50-60+ years. I soaked it in some water today and it was clear that blue was the last color ink that was used. After the soaking, I tried lifting the lever a bit and it was kinda gritty feeling, and the lever didn't spring back into place -- a likely sure sign that the ink sac is all crusty and dried up and dusted, I would guess. That said, the 14kt nib is in writing shape, and has a nice bit of flex to it. Unfortunately, the black (rubber?) section really doesn't want to unscrew, and I don't want to force it.

Suggestions on trustworthy folks who could replace the sac and get this little gem of mine working again? Feel free to DM me.


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Welcome back! Great heirloom; I have my Aunt's that is almost identical. I find it too small to use much but still nice to have. +1 on Danny Fudge recommendation. He has done a couple for me.

 

[dojpros]

+3 re Danny Fudge. Solid work, well priced, fast turn around.

 

[KW Driver]

+5 on Danny. Quick, fast, solid work.

Welcome back. Sorta, whatever

 

[Krodor]

pen is on route to Danny as I write... thanks for the suggestions, guys! this community is fantastic.

 

[tehnothing]

I ordered the PVC pipe and ends as well as a cutter that he recommends for shipping I just haven't gotten around to contacting him.

 

[Krodor]

Danny did a fantastic job, and got the pen back to me all tidied up a couple weeks ago. Amazing work, thanks for the suggestion! The nib is wonderful flexer, likely the fanciest nib I have. And that it is stuck on the end of a pocket-sized pen is wild to me. I've been wearing the pen on my work laniard for a couple weeks now and its really special to use it like my Grandma did so many years ago. I had called up my mom and asked her what her mom's favorite color was, so I went with Diamine Blue Velvet as the lead fill after all this time. That's been used up now, and now on to Noodlers Xfeather black. Good times.

Thanks again guys, I hope all is well with you and yours.