Best Churchill So Far?

[@davecharvella4854]

I've had my new Bracket Brown Churchhill for a couple weeks now. Matter of fact, it's in my rotation this month. The photo on the website is great, but in no way truly represents how stunning this pen is in person. I absolutely love everything about this pen! Absolutely no regrets with my purchase! Now, after seeing your lever version, I'm going to have take another look-see! 😉

[@writerlywitterings]

I do think that the lever fill is well worth a look. If you write a lot, the ability to refill so quickly makes this a no-brainer.

[@olegkolbasenko]

Absolutely gorgeous fountain pen!

[@writerlywitterings]

Couldn't agree more!

[@JBFire97]

Such a beautiful pen, thank you for sharing!

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for watching!

[@jamesaritchie1]

I've always loved lever fill pens. One of the first pens I used as a preteen was an original Conklin Crescent Filler. I used it for a long, long time, and now have another. I've had other lever fillers, and several button fillers, and I simply love them.

[@writerlywitterings]

I've never used a Conklin, but one day I'll get one. Another simple approach, and one that any writer must love!

[@michellestephenson1680]

It’s just a handsome pen! Best adjective coming to me this morning.

[@writerlywitterings]

Couldn't agree more!

[@TheVespertineKnitter]

I am very excited to see this video. My husband has ordered one of these for my birthday but it hasn't arrived yet. Can't wait to see what you think of it!

[@writerlywitterings]

Happy birthday - I know you'll enjoy it. A brilliant design, and superb writer.

[@williamcrane1]

Beautiful pen. This is the second or third review of yours where you demonstrate the ease of filling a lever filler. Alas, I haven’t got one. Good luck with saving your files. After similar disasters with lost writing and photos I now back everything up in two different cloud servers.

[@writerlywitterings]

I think I may have to resort to a large cloud server. I just don't like tying myself into expensive, long-term concepts like that.

[@gordon8858]

Thank you for the Conway Stewart "Bracket Geen Churchill - Lever fill" I just wanted to let you know after the reviews I have seen online, I have ordered The Honey Noire lever fill. Just have to be patient now. Gordon

[@writerlywitterings]

Sorry to take so long to respond - ill health and deadlines! Ooh, I have to admit, that is a gorgeous pen. Let me know how you get on with it.

[@gordon8858]

@@writerlywitteringsThank you for your reply, sorry to hear you haven't been well lately but hope you are feeling better now. After placing my order of the Honey Noire Lever Fill fitted with a R/H Oblique nib, a 4-week period passed and then the "spoilt schoolboy" feeling with all my Christmas rolled into one Conway Stewart package. After unboxing I admired the Quality of the pen and nib Grind and the proceded to flush the system and then promptly fill it with Diamine Onyx Black. The writing experience was wonderful, and so smooth along with the weight and balance was pure delight. This now takes pride of place within my ever-increasing fountain pen collection. Thank you for your videos and I look forward to new reviews in the future. Kind regards Gordon

[@writerlywitterings]

So glad you're pleased with the pen. I have to admit, I think CS have some of the best designs, and their quality control is second to none. Happy writing!@@gordon8858

[@gordon8858]

@@writerlywitterings Many thanks, One of my first Vintage purchases over a year ago was the 1930s Conway Stewart "Italic" which was in amazing condition and after learning how to refurbish / Re sac vintage pens I purchased the items required and carried this out successfully and inked it with Diamine Rustic Brown, which I feel compliments the vintage beauty very well and along with learning cursive I most certainly have the Fountain pen Bug! Regards Gordon

[@hemantkothari909]

Mike,I was stuck in the meeting hence could not be present for your live demo,infact those pen the filling system is old as I do remember of using such a pen and it is very confident pen when you are holding it in your hand 👍

[@writerlywitterings]

It's a really good pen. Sorry you missed the chat - I did too! We had an election here, and I was a polling clerk, so couldn't take part either, sadly!

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

Looks like a really lovely writer!! I just got so e of that alt guld grun ink for my 1959 Aurora 888P! A wonderful ink!

[@writerlywitterings]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@mantabond]

We once sought to have a Churchill with lever filler installed, in the days before now. The cost was prohibitive. Now, there is hope.

[@writerlywitterings]

They are increasing the range of lever-fill models, too. There is a huge demand for these pens!

[@mantabond]

@@writerlywitterings We are most relieved to hear that. Some of us lovers of tradition are fed up with the present generation of cartridge twist fillers.

[@writerlywitterings]

@@mantabond Me too! Cartridge converters have their place, but give me a decent quick-filling pen with a big reservoir every time!

[@mantabond]

@@writerlywitterings Well said, good sir.

[@angbane]

Hope your old computer keeps working while you await the new one. Guessing we'll get a look & review? A lovely pen-one of my favourite colours, & looks like it writes beautifully, especially with the gold-green ink.

[@writerlywitterings]

Sadly the old one really isn't happy right now. It's crashing several times daily, and there seems to be nothing I can do about it. Roll on the replacement - this one cannot be trusted, sadly!

[@christopherdecock4256]

I can't wait for this to come out in Bracket Brown! I might have to trade up.

[@writerlywitterings]

I don't blame you. I would expect it to be offered before long - but if you're very keen, I know Conway Stewart will build to specific orders.

[@randyselleck6703]

Beautiful pen. Thanks for reviewing it. Hope your computer transition goes well.

[@writerlywitterings]

You and me both!

[@sicilianeye]

It is a beautiful pen, but I admit to having a prejudice against lever-fill mechanisms. The idea of dealing with rubber bladders that wear out or relatively fragile levers leave me a little cold. Are my concerns completely unfounded? Do I worry too much? Am I asking silly questions? I know I don't write with fountain pens to save time. Anyway, as always, love your videos and may you have continuing good fortune.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for the comments, Sicilian - and I have to admit, I think you are worrying too much. As I said below: "I have a Sheaffer which has an internal ink sack, which I bought in the late 1970s (I think), and it's still working fine. That was presumably using old rubber technology. The newer lever-fill Conway Stewarts will, I assume, be using more reliable silicone technology, which should last much longer, I'd assume. In short, I really don't think you need to worry about replacing the internals. I anticipate my own Conway Stewart lever fill outlasting me by some decades!" I was originally concerned about the relative strength of the levers, but after using my own for some months, I really don't think it's an issue.

[@paulherman5822]

Lovely pen! And it's a lever filler? Even better, in my humble opinion. I saw the question of the durability of the ink sac and ease of replacement of one. I have plenty of vintage pens that are lever fillers, and I have several 70 year old pens that have the original sac and are still working. Kind of a rarity, really, and I'm not sure how a modern sac holds up, but from several reputable vintage restorers, they last at least a decade, if not more. Easy to replace, though it's definitely something to check on, whether the section is screwed in, or if it's got some sort of adhesive, as that takes a different way of removal. (Many vintage pens are pressure fitted, so it's just patience and maybe a soak and bit of dry heat to remove them.) Then, it's simple as getting the correct size sac, cutting it to fit, shellac in place over the nipple it fits on, bit of pure talc powder to keep it from sticking inside, reassemble. Outside of the dry time for the shellac, maybe a 5 minute thing? I've done dozens, and if I can do it with having had a stroke... 😁 Still looking for a vintage Conway Stewart 58, but I do finally have a Conway Stewart, a 286. And I love it. Thanks for the opportunity to see this lovely version of a classic styled pen!

[@writerlywitterings]

Cheers, Paul, and thanks for the explanation of the fix, too. I have some rubber sac-filler pens, and they are still fine after 40-50 years, so I'd assume these new sacs will outlive me!

[@paulherman5822]

@@writerlywitterings One can hope! Like I said, though, not sure how long the more modern sacs last, but the fails may be because of the installer, as another KZbinr, Chrisrap52, has ones he's restored that are working decades later. Pretty sure that he's using the same maker sacs as I get. There's only a few...

[@JoelTurrell]

My own bracket green Churchill is an older, C/C model. It too has no branding on the barrel, and no numbering on the barrel or end cap. Blessedly, my model posts reasonably well. As a schoolboy and later as an undergraduate, I learned to loath lever fillers (too many Esterbrooks), and to value a posted cap. Sadly, I can't afford to get one of every color.

[@writerlywitterings]

Ha! I am the opposite - I never post (except my Kawecos) and much prefer lever fillers!

[@archivist17]

Beautiful pen! I know what you mean with the dry stone wall reference. Good luck with the IT fettling!

[@writerlywitterings]

Thank you! Cheers! I will need more than mere good luck! Damn computer's crashing three times every day now. Roll on the replacement!

[@archivist17]

@@writerlywitterings I hope the bank account recovers from its trauma soon.

[@MrGyges]

Exquisite pen, exquisitely described. Apropos computer problems - good luck.

[@writerlywitterings]

Many thanks, Peter. I will need all the help I can get with this!

[@neilpiper9889]

I have a 1950s lever filler Conway Stewart 84 with a 14k gold fine stub flexy nib. The material is a celluloid black and green cracked ice finish. It stays on my desk. I use Seitz Kreuznach Palm green ink with it. .Nice to see they are still making fountain pens.How do you clean it. My daily user pen is a Jinhao X750 Shimmering sands with a Jowo 1.1 stub. Nib swapped in by me. Total cost of pen and nib £20. Cartridge converter, standard international fitting. It's in my pocket all the time. Just back from walking a boy Golden Retriever.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for that, Neil. I like the sound of the 84. I've never tried a real flex nib - that's something I'll have to try before long. Cleaning the lever-fill is just a matter of flushing several times. It does take a while, and you should shake the pen gently with water inside, to get rid of any residues, but it's no real hassle. I tend to stick to the same ink for some time, so I only flush it when I'm changing colour, really. And I do love Retrievers - although just now I need to save up for another Bernese Mountain Dog. I miss my girls!

[@vernonwellman237]

Beautiful pen. FYI - I am trying one of your novels, The Butcher of St. Peter's. I am going to listen via Audible.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks so much - I hope you like it. It was mainly based on a real murder, which really fired my imagination!

[@Richard_Barnes]

Just looking on the website and they’re showing a ‘Classic Green’ lever fill but not the ‘Bracket Green’. 🤔 I’m not sure there’s a difference 😂 they look very very similar to me. 👍🏻😃

[@writerlywitterings]

That's interesting. I'll have to go and have a look. Thanks!

[@damian5269]

Really beautiful and great review! How difficult is to change the internal sack?

[@writerlywitterings]

I have no idea. However, I have a Sheaffer which has an internal ink sack, which I bought in the late 1970s (I think), and it's still working fine. That was presumably using old rubber technology. The newer lever-fill Conway Stewarts will, I assume, be using more reliable silicone technology, which should last much longer, I'd assume. In short, I really don't think you need to worry about replacing the internals. I anticipate my own Conway Stewart lever fill outlasting me by some decades!

[@clintwhittaker2291]

The lever on my pen seems to be stuck? Does anyone know what could be the problem?

[@writerlywitterings]

It is stuck shut or open? My advice would be to speak to Conway Stewart themselves. They may need a photo, but speak to them from their website - conwaystewart.com. You'll see a "Customer Service" tab along the top, and hit that and you'll get the options. Best of luck.

[@caterinarollo]

You can't see me but my eyes are twinkling!

[@writerlywitterings]

You aren't allowed one until you have finished your exams!

[@caterinarollo]

@@writerlywitterings You bet! ... sigh

[@lfaulkner5847]

What Nib width is on the pen? sorry if you did say it on the video..

[@writerlywitterings]

This was a Medium, and a superb writer.

[@omeryehezkely3096]

A simple converter for me please. No need for trouble making sack based filling systems

[@writerlywitterings]

The filling system is so much a matter of personal choice, isn't it!

[@omeryehezkely3096]

@@writerlywitterings I agree.

[@markcollins2876]

Is a lever filler making a comeback? Should it?

[@writerlywitterings]

Yes and yes, without a doubt!

[@sharon888b]

Lovely pen. What color iMac are you getting? So many colors to choose from. Well at least more than there have been to choose from in recent iterations of the iMac.

[@writerlywitterings]

I've gone for a colour that will cheer me up every day - a bright yellow! Childish, but gorgeous. Just cannot wait to get the thing installed.

[@sharon888b]

@@writerlywitterings That’s the color I would choose if I were getting one. Yellow is such a cheery color. I'm sticking with my Mac Mini for the moment though. I do have a few yellow fountain pens though to cheer me up.

[@writerlywitterings]

@@sharon888b It's now just gone 4:20 in the afternoon, and I've just recovered it for the second time since midday! Desperate to get a new iMac that is reliable!

[@sharon888b]

@@writerlywitterings Sounds like you're living on the edge. Hope it arrives soon.

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

Bringing the sac back??? Why???. Nooooooo! Gorgeous pen, but really don’t want that in a modern pen:(

[@writerlywitterings]

I much prefer lever fillers to cartridge convertors!

[@kennethlaycock4724]

What a load of waffle interview about an Apple computer. The main product is the pen,and then, you couldn't decide on the material of the pen. Not a convincing product review of a CS.

[@writerlywitterings]

Ah, well, sorry you didn't enjoy it.

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

That is why I don’t like modern lever systems. I don’t trust modern manufacturing processes at all. Nothing is built to last anymore.

[@writerlywitterings]

I think you can be pretty certain that these will outlast most pens. The sacs are much more robust than the old rubber type (which still last some 70 years from personal experience), and the system is quick and elegant when you are writing a lot!

[@jezbon]

Have you ever looked into using digital e-ink notepads like the Supernote A5X? I went from a mountain of notebooks to one device that allows me to travel with all my notes. Combined with the Astrohaus Freewrite, it's a dream combination for a long train trip. Also no inky hands. I do adore fountain pens and notebooks, but the practicality of emailing notebooks, copying pages and text around I've written and having so many notes in one device is starting to pay off. Work, novels, shopping lists, everything is always with me. And organising notes with its table of contents and keywords is a dream. There's an interesting film on the supernote that gives it a pen feel (rather than the usual pencil feel of other devices). I'd be so interested on your thoughts on it after using it for a month or two. Does it change/improve your workflow? Does it still give you the same joy as a fountain pen with a nice notebook? That sort of thing. I look at the Supernote doing for me and my notes what the astrohaus did for my drafting - one thing incredibly well. Well two. Notes on stories and "printing" (compile from Scrivener to PDF) and editing on a device like its an A5 book in your hand with a pen. It's amazing for proofing/annotations/editing comments, etc. So when you do jump back on the Mac you just pump out quickly the changes in Scrivener. Wonderful. No more editing with bright LED computer screens (my eyes are rubbish after 20 years of laptop use). I'd advise against Boox devices (tries to do everything, far too complicated and buggy) and the Remarkable (their business model is wonky). Anyway just a thought. 😊 P.S. love your videos!

[@writerlywitterings]

Many thanks for that, Jerome. I have tried the Remarkable, and I was quite impressed with it (that was one of the early models some three years ago). I haven't tried anything since. I have to admit, that kind of system doesn't appeal to me. I have tried Kindles for reading, for example, and I still much prefer to have paper pages. In the same way, when I make notes I am much happier with my paper notebooks and my pens. I don't know why - I cannot write books by hand, for example, I have to use a keyboard. But I suppose the simple fact is, I so rarely have to leave the house for any period that the portability is irrelevant to me. If for some reason I have to travel it's very rarely for more than a single day, and then I can use my iPad if need be. But generally I will use a B5 Odyssey notebook, which gives my mind more of a rest. I do know what you mean about editing. I find that every draft has to be printed from Scrivener, and I go through it with a red pen every time. However, when I have tried editing on other devices (iPad, Remarkable, even the really rather amazing first tablet I owned - cannot remember what it was now), I've found that they just don't work for me. I've given up on the idea. The way you describe it, it does sound interesting, but I doubt I'd be loaned one from the firm to try it out, so I fear that's probably a review too far!

[@jezbon]

@@writerlywitterings I so feel like @mentioning Ratta somehow and saying "send him a unit.. make him a believer!!!" Haha. I do know what you mean about reading. The kindle I love for when I go camping in the swag in the bush, reading under the stars is great. BUT how wonderful is a proper book? Haha. I just can't lug it all around with me sadly (home on wheels). So a literal tonne of novels would end up being the death of me. 🤣 (watch as the brakes fail and I slide into a ditch). Saying that I do have quite a few soft and hard covers I won't part with.

[@writerlywitterings]

@@jezbon Ah, it's fortunate for people like you that all my books are available as e-books! Take care, mate, and Merry Christmas!