Vintage Flex Fountain Pens for Drawing

[@davidparrishproductions5082]

The Conklin pens are so cool. Thanks for the video, nice job!

[@singlesideman]

Thank you much. They are great pens. I hate to let go of any of them.

[@cedarbylard]

Those all look like great pens!

[@singlesideman]

Thank you! They really are. I bought them all for a good reason: they all write beautifully.

[@cesarchavarria6644]

Beautiful collection!!!

[@singlesideman]

Thank you immensely! I fell in love with them all, especially their nibs.

[@greyareaRK1]

Drool. I thought the Shaeffer was a Waterman 52 at first. Love its functional aesthetic. I'm not sure now if Waterman originated the design as so many Shaeffer designs were borrowed by other manufacturers, like Montblanc did for its 159. I suppose they all borrowed from each other back then. Some wonderfully expressive nibs.

[@singlesideman]

Thank you so much! There are significant differences in the design cues between the Waterman's and the Sheaffer black hard rubber pens, chased or otherwise, of this period, but they do have similarities too, as do most hard rubber pens of this period. I think you're referring to the Montblanc 149, not the 159. These are not my strong suit.

[@singlesideman]

Yes, the nibs are absolutely brilliant here. They represent a significant range or flexion and ease of flexion.

[@ibpopp]

Thanks for an excellent show, although I don't know how you will choose only one; I would keep them all, but that's because I abandoned socialism in the sixties. Also you could try the English stalwarts of the era: Mabie Todd 'Swan'; Onoto (made by Thomas de la Rue & Co.); and Conway Stewart (vintage, not modern.) Not all their nibs are full flex, but all are sweet writers. Wishing you many happy days in the field with pen and pad, cheers from Bruce the Aussie.

[@singlesideman]

I'm not sure what you mean by choosing one - I wasn't choosing one. It's a group of pens that have vintage flexible nibs that are suitable for drawing, making marks quickly and in all directions, unlike finer vintage flexible nibs that are for calligraphy. The reason I was willing to sell them is because I have many vintage flex fountain pens, I hadn't gotten around to using these in a while and it seemed a shame to hold on to them when I hadn't been using them and I know how hard it is for many people to find vintage flex fountain pens, especially ones with such forgiving nibs as these, it has gotten much easier for me to find pens like these now, and I do want to see more people carry on the legacy of these pens, which is all tied into my socialist view which I am very proud to say that I have not abandoned after several decades of holding that view. I'm not particularly interested in English fountain pens, I'm afraid, with the exception of a few American fountain pens that were made for the English market, such as Waterman's sterling silver Line and Dot and Barleycorn overlays. The story of the development of fountain pens is mostly an American one, and discovering that these American pens really were made tremendously well and that they were likewise tremendously innovative and well designed redeems the conceit of American exceptionalism for me, and made me realize that it was indeed true that the US didn't always make cheap garbage in a time of late stage capitalism, which is a big part of why I got into vintage fountain pens in the first place in 1983.

[@singlesideman]

That said, thank you for your kind words, and I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@xfrench]

Great. Now I want a Conklin. (Keep the Wahl).

[@singlesideman]

I replied to your email.

[@andrewweis3028]

Hi Todd - just found your site by coincidence - know of Pier Gustafson, have visited his site in the past. Wanted to find out how I get in touch with you about one of these pens. Thanks.

[@singlesideman]

Hello there. What a very small world. I'm giving first right of refusal for all of the pens to the person I made the video for, and we're going to figure out which pens he wants. When that happens I'll have a clearer idea of what's available, and we can take it from there. I believe that you are the first person to inquire after the person I made the video for. The best way to contact me is via email at [e-mail].

[@xfrench]

@@singlesideman I second that emotion.

[@AzucenaNava-Moreno]

Hi Todd - I enjoy your videos. Where can I direct message you about your pens? Thank you!

[@singlesideman]

Thank you so much! I'm giving first right of refusal for all of the pens to a dear friend for whom I made this video. There is also someone else who inquired about the pens, so I need to figure out who wants what before we can proceed, but I will definitely keep you in mind and let you know about their status. The best way to reach me is via email at [e-mail].

[@singlesideman]

Three pens have already been sold, the green Wahl, the Parker Black Line button filler, and the second Conklin Crescent, the 20. I replied to your comment with my email address a few days ago, but I still haven't heard back from you. I've received additional inquiries. Whoever replies first is next in the queue. My email address again is [e-mail].

[@cesarchavarria6644]

Treasures!!!

[@singlesideman]

Thank you so very much! I'm holding on to all of these pens for you for at least as long as it takes for you to decide which pens you'd like, and we'll figure out the rest as it happens. Enjoy!