Vintage or Modern?

[maxman]

Ok, it's time for a poll.
I like polls and I haven't made one in a while.

What is your preference?
Vintage or Modern?

I personally like modern pens. Even if they look like vintage pens, I like modern ones.

I'm not quite sure why, but when I browse ebay, I just don't want a vintage pen (My obsession with Montblanc notwithstanding).

Rationalize your choice any way you like. It's all good.
No one is going to judge you here.

Please note that there is no way to choose both. That would be making it too easy on you.

 

[Slivovitz]

It's not quite like razors, where if I want a single edge or injector, vintage is the only choice. With pens, though, I've had more luck finding pens I really like at prices I'm willing to pay among vintage offerings. Once I tried Esterbrooks I was hooked, attractive marbled celluloid lever fillers, interchangeable nibs, many of which suit my writing preferences perfectly, and generally in the $20 to $40 range. And my one gold flex nib is on an Eversharp Skyline, which I'm sure I couldn't afford in some modern incarnation.

As with razors, I also like the thought that something made in the 1930s, 40s, or 50s is continuing its useful life. Nothing against modern pens as such, though.

 

[Bob the aged Lurcher]

I like a vintage looking modern pen, I prefer the weight and the handling, saying that I have more than one vintage pen too.

 

[Austin]

I like modern pens. Thank you.

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

They don't make them like they used to... I love my Scheaffers. Touchdowns, inlaid nibs and lever fillers. Whats not to like?

 

[oc_in_fw]

Please note that there is no way to choose both. That would be making it too easy on you.

No, but it looks like someone gave another choice. I have said it before, but when you're down in Texas, Bob Wills is still the king (someone may get that)

on edit: I may not be able to chose both, but that is where I am at. There are a lot of vintage pens I like (but don't own yet). Same with modern.

 

[Isaac]

I enjoy vintage aspects, and some modern designs.

I think it is a shame that 500+ dollar pens are cartridge/converters while most of the vintage pens have a more complex lever/bulb/ or piston style of fill. And this more complex system often means more ink. I was looking at the Conway Stewart Churchill at 500+ and realized it was a cartridge/converter. That is a real shame.

While the name might not be as big as Montblanc, Visconti, Conway Stewart, I think that Brian at Edison has great value bulb filler pens. People always get a kick out of watching me fill one up at work. Heck, you can get a piston or vacuum via TWSBI for 50-80 bucks, why people at Conway Stewart or Waterman can't do the same on their flagship models is beyond me.

 

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Ok, it's time for a poll.
I like polls and I haven't made one in a while.

What is your preference?
Vintage or Modern?

I personally like modern pens. Even if they look like vintage pens, I like modern ones.

I'm not quite sure why, but when I browse ebay, I just don't want a vintage pen (My obsession with Montblanc notwithstanding).

Marc:

...modern pens for me and I too have a Montblanc obsession. I have a Montblanc "Starwalker" rollerball (RB), pen and a Montblanc 75th Anniversary Limited Edition "Mozart" ball point (BP), pen (fountain [FP], pen's are not for me because of the likehood of me being a victum of a FP ink accident).

"Soulmakers for 100 Years".

"The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium". Norbet Platt

 

[oc_in_fw]

I think it is a shame that 500+ dollar pens are cartridge/converters while most of the vintage pens have a more complex lever/bulb/ or piston style of fill. And this more complex system often means more ink. I was looking at the Conway Stewart Churchill at 500+ and realized it was a cartridge/converter. That is a real shame.

The thought of spending more than $100 on a pen with a converter is beyond me. I may be discounting a lot of pens this way, but that is my take on it.

 

[Mike H]

I have been giving this some thought, and after pondering for a while, I have come to the realization... I need a vintage Pelikan.

 

[oc_in_fw]

Marc:

...modern pens for me and I too have a Montblanc obsession. I have a Montblanc "Starwalker" rollerball (RB), pen and a Montblanc 75th Anniversary Limited Edition "Mozart" ball point (BP), pen (fountain [FP], pen's are not for me because of the likehood of me being a victum of a FP ink accident).

"Soulmakers for 100 Years".

"The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium". Norbet Platt

I can do some incredibly clumsy things sometimes, but I have never had a fountain pen accident- and I have two that are eyedropper filled using only silicone grease on the threads. I get inky fingers after filling a pens, sure, but never any messy accident.

 

[oc_in_fw]

I have been giving this some thought, and after pondering for a while, I have come to the realization... I need a vintage Pelikan.

I think we all do.

 

[Isaac]

The thought of spending more than $100 on a pen with a converter is beyond me. I may be discounting a lot of pens this way, but that is my take on it.

Unfortunately, sometimes one loves the look of a pen, and will be stuck with the fact that it is a cartridge/converter. I have seven MB pens, and two of them happen to be cartridge. One was a 144 from my grandmother, and the other is the 100 anniversary FP. It has a retractable nib, and unfortunately is only cartridge. I love the pen's look, but it bugs me that the pen is only cartridge.

 

[oc_in_fw]

Unfortunately, sometimes one loves the look of a pen, and will be stuck with the fact that it is a cartridge/converter. I have seven MB pens, and two of them happen to be cartridge. One was a 144 from my grandmother, and the other is the 100 anniversary FP. It has a retractable nib, and unfortunately is only cartridge. I love the pen's look, but it bugs me that the pen is only cartridge.

Luckily, I haven't faced that dilemna (yet). I don't want it to appear as I am slamming others for doing this, and I apologize if I offended anyone- it's just me.

 

[Isaac]

Luckily, I haven't faced that dilemna (yet). I don't want it to appear as I am slamming others for doing this, and I apologize if I offended anyone- it's just me.

I myself didn't take any offense. I myself prefer not to go the cartridge/converter route if at all possible as well.

 

[Doc4]

I think it is a shame that 500+ dollar pens are cartridge/converters while most of the vintage pens have a more complex lever/bulb/ or piston style of fill. And this more complex system often means more ink. I was looking at the Conway Stewart Churchill at 500+ and realized it was a cartridge/converter. That is a real shame.

I have a somewhat different take on the whole converter vs.built-in-filler debate.

Assuming that the modern pens I buy now are destined to become future vintage desirables ... that they will be getting use for the next century or more ... I'd rather they have easy-to-replace converters rather than built-in send-it-away-to-fix pistons and so forth.

No doubt in 100 years Sailor converters that fit current models may be hard to find ... but I suspect easier to find than pieces to rebuild broken TWSBI plungers.

 

[Isaac]

I have a somewhat different take on the whole converter vs.built-in-filler debate.

Assuming that the modern pens I buy now are destined to become future vintage desirables ... that they will be getting use for the next century or more ... I'd rather they have easy-to-replace converters rather than built-in send-it-away-to-fix pistons and so forth.

No doubt in 100 years Sailor converters that fit current models may be hard to find ... but I suspect easier to find than pieces to rebuild broken TWSBI plungers.

I am not sure about that. As we still have methods to fix plungers and sac filled pens today from almost 100 years ago. I think one would be hard pressed to find cartridges that fit a pen if they cease to be produced. I think "bulk" ink will always be produced in some fashion.

 

[Doc4]

Vive le Roi!

I would be leaning toward the vintage nibs as my preference, were it not for the great things that the Japanese are doing with their modern fountain pens, both in terms of Sailor specialty nibs ... maki-e, urushi, &c pen bodies ... just can't put those in second place.

 

[Isaac]

I really wish I had sprung and bought Brian's Pearl Urushi project. That was such a beautiful pen...

 

[maxman]

Marc:

...modern pens for me and I too have a Montblanc obsession. I have a Montblanc "Starwalker" rollerball (RB), pen and a Montblanc 75th Anniversary Limited Edition "Mozart" ball point (BP), pen (fountain [FP], pen's are not for me because of the likehood of me being a victum of a FP ink accident).

"Soulmakers for 100 Years".

"The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium". Norbet Platt

I borrowed my Dad's camera and I intend to learn to take nice pictures. I will be photographing my MB collection.
I'll surely let you know when I do.