Vintage Fountain Pen Journey, Part I

[@leebalmforth2269]

I'm glad you had the pen fixed. I've only been into vintage pens for about a year. I have about 10. Mostly parker. The oldist pen i have is a parker duofold from 1946. But my favourite pen is a paker slimfold from 1958-1968. It writes so smoothly. & I love it. My favourite ink is damine ink is royal blue

[@justinartcore]

Leroy Jenkins-ing it...now I'm sold.

[@adventuredenali]

Js10Credible charge!!!!

[@dbmillan]

Is that from Wow?

[@Luudite]

LEEEEERROOOOYYYY

[@Luudite]

@@dbmillan yes :)

[@JR-lg7fd]

carl gordon jenkins gordon jenkins

[@DanielSmith_19]

"Take a leap of faith and just do it." That's the best advice I've heard yet. I'm going to close my eyes and pull the trigger on a Waterman 52. And hopefully it's the start of a beautiful if expensive journey 😂 I really clicked on this video to find out about what inks are safe to use in vintage pens but it was helpful nonetheless.

[@adventuredenali]

CD Smith marvelous! I hope the waterman 52 does not disappoint, and your fountain pen journey is full of inspiration. And really, I personally think any fountain pen ink will be safe. However, just keep in mind, some inks are harder to clean out than others and extra cleaning of a vintage pen can be really stressful on the filling mechanisms. So generally, I prefer inks that are easy to clean out and avoid permanent, sheening and glittering inks.

[@DanielSmith_19]

@@adventuredenali I've already decided against shimmering or glittering inks. Anything with a particulate really. I have been considering a sheening ink though. Something from KWZ like Discovery Green or Sheen Machine. Maybe Walk Over Vistula.

[@andyc3943]

Very nice video and interesting story, i collect vintage fountain pens here in the UK, i have some Parkers, Mentmore and Shaffer. I lovely hobby.

[@nadines.1107]

I did. it. I ordered a vintage baby. Sheaffer Balance 500 from the early 40s. Military clip. You gave me the courage to take the leap of faith. Thank you!

[@adventuredenali]

Nadine S. Oh my goodness! Congratulations!!! :D

[@nadines.1107]

@@adventuredenali thank you! Will leave a quick update once it arrives.

[@richardc6932]

I have been looking at that model of Sheaffer for some time at the website of Peyton Street Pens in Santa Cruz. Very reasonable prices and lads of antique and refurbished pens as well as new- old stock. Teri was very helpful in getting me a replacement section for a Waterman and sold me a beautiful Sheaffer Imperial III as well. Happy, Happy!

[@rachelfrombefore]

I finally pulled the trigger and got a Waterman 52 1/2 v today! I played it safe and got a restored one. I was super bummed when i got outbid on a Wahl with a no. 2 nib earlier this week😖. I’ll try again for that one!

[@miahoover9225]

I just ordered 3 vintage Sheaffers from Peyton Street Pens. They're not the really expensive ones. I'm getting pens with gold nibs for less than new plus I can imagine their stories.

[@rvg55]

Love this, thanks for sharing, really helpful. Looking forward to part 2, part 3 and so on, ha ha

[@adventuredenali]

rvgnoguera wonderful! You’re welcome!! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. I may not know the answer... but I’ll certainly try. :)

[@neilloveminecraft]

Got sheaffer balance 3, then I bought parker duofold jr, then the parker 51, parker 45, pelican m100 as you can see buying vintage is just not the friendliest thing to do to your wallet. The vintage nib are just indestructible tho

[@srivirao]

Got a refurbished esterbrooke 3 months ago. I REALLY love it. Its the only one i use now. That lever thing is irritating though. I am so grateful I began my journey . Love ur vids as usual

[@adventuredenali]

Vidsi B wonderful! What it is about the lever? I always hurt my finger under the nail trying to pull them. XD

[@srivirao]

@@adventuredenali Actually I owe it you. I never knew anything abt vintage pens until I watched your vids. The lever snaps so fast.. i am always afraid i broke something

[@jeffl3168]

The lever pivots in the middle, so press down at the far end with your fingertip to raise the end you need to grab.

[@ndubstar]

Eversharp has great vintage fountain pens. Beyond that parker 51 parker 61 But all eversharps. Then Sheaffers touchdowns lever fills etc.

[@ypure3859]

you're great to listen to..just honest delivery..

[@adventuredenali]

Thank you very much!

[@haruyoshida9936]

Awesome video, cool story. Amazing pen. Leaving me with suspense. Can’t wait for part two.

[@MarcR1030]

An interesting filling mechanism found on some vintage models as well is a bulb filler. Worth checking out. Extremely easy to fill but sometimes a pain to clean.

[@willowt4000]

You are SO CUTE. I LOVE your channel 😍😍😍😍

[@goghfurther]

I appreciate the video :) i think it’s ok that you’re not fully knowledgeable in terms of giving someone an exact answer when they ask for beginner tips. I think when people looking are looking for information anything helps :)))

[@MD-wk3gj]

I’m shocked someone would do anything to a fountain pen as a repair or adjustment without asking first. I’m sorry for your experience but grateful you shared as a warning for us to be clear so we don’t run into the same situation.

[@singlesideman]

And this "dangerous road" of vintage fountain pens, especially vintage flex fountain pens, is generally known as a "rabbit hole" - I've been buying, collecting and using them off and on since 1983. They're endlessly fascinating and fun and addictive...

[@CraigRoccanova]

I collected a handful of vintage fountain pens back in 2016 but then I bought a Lamy 2000 and decided to get rid of all of the others :( Well here I am now 5 years later and now I am going after as many Waterman's I can! XD In just one month I went from 1 to 14... I need to slow down!

[@eileengoldenberg270]

When we can go back to being out in the world ,pen shows are the best way to collect pens.then you can try them out and talk to very knowledgeable people who restore and repair them. You just have to figure out what you want.. I attend and teach about fountain pens for sketching at the San Francisco international Pen show..

[@lyndasnart7823]

Thankyou for sharing your thoughts ☕️🌍🇦🇺

[@pinkskiestoday]

Yay, thanks for this...off to part 2. 💖

[@adventuredenali]

Pink Skies you’re welcome! And thank you!

[@ypure3859]

funny..feed back. yes..smooth beyond smooth doesn't mean perfect experience. like new and vintage camera lenses..(*wind surfing vs foiling..for surf jocks )

[@nickturner2813]

For future reference, a nib tuner who can smooth the nib to eliminate the feedback that some of us like should also be able to tune feedback back into the nib.

[@ndubstar]

All eversharps. Parker 51 61. Sheaffer touchdown or piston fill. Best vintage pens.

[@Luudite]

Okay, I confess. After watching many of your videos and a bunch of others, I did as you suggest at the beginning here and just bought one. As you say, there is a TON to learn, so I decided just to pick one and go from there. It's a Sheaffer Imperial VI that has been restored recently. I looove the look of the nib and it seems like a good writer. Vamos a ver 🙂 Of course, now I need an ink...presently thinking Iroshizuku and some samples to see what works for me and the pen. Thanks for making such lovely videos. They are always relaxing and helpful.

[@adventuredenali]

Luudite wahoo!!! Congratulations to you! I hope it’s a pen that brings forth a new adventure for you. Have fun, and best of luck finding your perfect ink match!

[@thuntz29]

Hi Alicia! I was wondering if you could make a video on budgeting for the hobby. I am an apprentice and my salary is not great. But I’d love to get into more higher end fps at some point this year. The red pelikan you got recently is just too gorgeous and I don’t want to miss it 😢

[@canadianpj]

An Oversize Balance Autograph is a really great first vintage fountain pen! Sorry about the barrel, a break at the spring bar is something that probably will not hold, a new barrel might be your only option. A good overviewish video, there is a bunch to cover for anyone who is new to fountain pens.

[@ColoradoKnitter]

This is random but I totally wondered if you were in Tucson from your scenery. I’m from Nogales ❤️

[@nadines.1107]

You made my day. Ok watching now.

[@adventuredenali]

Nadine S. Aww glad to hear it! :D

[@cliffcox7643]

My journey began with a few Crosses, but they seemed to write like any other disposable. I wondered how to make the writing like from the 1800's. And found flex pens. After that, I got 3 pilots and had them custom flexed. and have been happy ever since. Now working on Spencerian script. BTW, what ethnical mix are you?

[@maureencarlton759]

Leeeeerrrroooooyyyyy Jenkins!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ndubstar]

Best new pen probably pelikan m200 or 400.

[@pasttenseSara]

I think we all have some semblance of a 'Sheaffer story'. My first and most beloved Sheaffer got sold off 'in the divorce', 15 years ago. :( I so very much miss it. It was a 1970s gold plated Imperial with a squeeze converter ... probably the most vintage as I have gone in my collection. I even have one on my 'watch list' on eBay, and I've been trying to justify pulling the trigger for about a week now. However, the pull towards the other 3 or 4 pens on the top of my list might win out. Anyways ... I appreciate you tackling the subject and helping out those looking down the rabbit hole. :)

[@adventuredenali]

Rick Hoover I think you’re right in that. You’re not the first to make mention of the “Sheaffer Story.” I wonder what it is about the Sheaffer. I too often have another Sheaffer pen, like the one that broke, in my shopping cart or watch list. Always wanting to replace that one. But maybe, we aren’t meant to replace the pens we’ve “lost.” Perhaps we remember them, and move forward with new ones. :) It’s a very deep rabbit hole, and there’s hardly any light! I’ve been wanting to do this, but it’s really difficult to approach. I hope something in it all will be helpful. :)

[@pasttenseSara]

@@adventuredenali Those nibs ... I think it's all in those lovely nibs. Their appeal draws me in as few others do. The best to you and your ultimate decision whether to replace or ??? repair the Sheaffer.

[@teresa8287]

Wonderful information!!

[@adventuredenali]

Teresa thank you!

[@singlesideman]

The model number has no relation to how flexible the nib is. The only reason that a Waterman's 52 1/2V was mentioned at all, and why a #2 Wahl nib was mentioned, is because they are among the most common vintage pens that also had a fairly high incidence of having flexible nibs. I would definitely recommend Wahl All Metal Pens from the twenties and even more so than the Waterman's lever fillers from the twenties I would recommend the "regular type" pens from the previous decade, which are eyedropper pens where the 5 prefix is replaced by a 1, like the 12 or the 14 or 15. Also, early non-Duofold Parkers from the twenties and earlier (usually marked 'Lucky Curve') often have excellent flexible nibs.

[@laurameszaros9547]

Appelboom Pens have, I believe, just launched a pre-owned dimension to their business, with an emphasis on pens that have vintage, heritage or specialty interest. Looks pricey to me, but if you have the pennies, really delicious.

[@vintagelife5195]

I didnt know you were in Tucson. Have you been to the breakfast stop? That place is my favorite restaurant when I go there. Also love a sonoran dog!

[@adventuredenali]

Vintage Life believe it or not, I haven’t! Perhaps I should, then I can really claim to be a Tucsonan. Sonoran dogs are fun! :D

[@vintagelife5195]

@@adventuredenali Its a little breakfast diner with a nice Mexican family running it. They have great prices and awesome service. The food is great! I love a breakfast burrito! They do lots of other stuff too. If you end up going after the lockdown, let me know how it was.

[@tonibuus]

Amazing video as always. What do you do for work and have you been effected by the virus?

[@adventuredenali]

Anthony Friars hello there! I have been under “stay at home” orders since March 16. I work as a school teacher and so, am still employed. We are finishing out the school year with weekly packets, zoom presentations and KZbin videos. It’s all rather unpleasant, but I am grateful for the income and the health. My city, Tucson, seems to have been minimally impacted, but we are all still taking precautions. How about you? What are you days like now?

[@victorz3199]

Got a bit behind in some videos and just catching up: 1. Re: the cracked Sheaffer, I strongly suspect that more "professional" restorers would be able to patch up the pen, though it would likely be more costly than having someone attempt it locally. Only you know what the pen is worth to you; I suspect it has far more meaning to you than it has monetary value. 2. Re: the "bonus tuning" of the nib: I would be _SO_ upset if someone did something as irreversible as that to something as personal the nib of a favourite fountain pen -- each is unique and precious as is. You controlled yourself well as you relayed that part of the story [but not completely :)].

[@nauci]

I did not expect a LEEEEEEEEEEROY JENKINNNNNS here of all places.

[@adventuredenali]

Hahahah! I’ve played a lot of video games in my day. XD

[@nauci]

@@adventuredenali I love that 🥰 I'm afraid to watch more of your videos or I might wind up with an even more expensive *vintage* fountain pen collecting trying to convince myself I could possibly have good handwriting someday, but I love your videos! I ADORE greyhounds and ferrets and it makes me so happy how you really live your aesthetic 🥰 such a bright spot in some tough times! Turning my anxiety thoughts into ooooo pretty ink via pages of writing has been *so* crucial lately.

[@nauci]

Welp. It happened. I tried so hard, and got so far, but in the end, I bought a beeeaaauuutiful Waterman 52 1/2 V in wood grain ebonite in remarkable condition with a very flexible nib, and I am vibrating with excitement for it to arrive. It was impossible not to after watching dozens and dozens of your videos. I did *enormously* improve my cursive handwriting in the months since my last comment, so I hope I'll be able to do this nib justice the way you do! I can only hope that this is the only pen I'll need and I don't start down a 40 pen journey...

[@SebastienQUIB2023]

Hi Alicia! Thank’s to share your experience with us! So cool ! (I’m Dorie on IG hi hi)

[@adventuredenali]

Sébastien GALLEGO hello! Thanks for saying hi, and also giving me context as to who you are :D

[@abigailhortencia5901]

I have a Parker fountain pen from 1971 never use can consider it vintage?

[@adventuredenali]

Abigail Hortencia I honestly don’t know. It’s kind of a funny thing. With furniture there’s a certain year requirement to be an “antique.” At least that’s my understanding. But some pens, even old ones, aren’t called vintage... and I’m not sure why. Maybe it has something to do when the same model is still being created? Like the Lamy2000, I think that’s been around since the 60s, but I don’t think they’d call it vintage. I wish i knew. I’d probably just call it vintage anyway xD

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

I think vintage means 20 years in French? Retro just means something from the past, so I would say something from the 70s is definitely vintage, since stuff from the Early 2000's is already considered retro and we gen z have nostalgia for lol

[@spellboundnotes]

Lol Leeroy Jenkins! 😂Have you ever played WoW? I don't really game anymore, but I appreciate the reference!

[@adventuredenali]

spellbound notes I played EverQuest II among many other mmos. Those were very fun days. Raiding and chatting with friends.

[@spellboundnotes]

@@adventuredenali Same!! I raided in WoW and played a whole lot of Guild Wars 2. Ugh, I miss it but I have a baby now lol.

[@brodeyleembruggen9910]

🖋️

[@ShaifN]

Nice video, the crack cracked my heart.

[@adventuredenali]

Shaif N yeah, mine too a little bit. Still, I cherish that funny little pen.

[@ShaifN]

@@adventuredenali a pen is more than just a writing utility. It shared our Joy's, sorrows, pain, doubts and happiness. #todeep

[@charlesjacques750]

Is there a book that you suggest?

[@MrAndrew1953]

An easy less risky way to get is to pick up a few Chinese knock offs.

[@cindyskimmyhorn4779]

I love your stories! Have you thought about this more, favorite ink? 😂😂

[@adventuredenali]

Cindy Skimmyhorn ahahaha you’re funny! Don’t make me do it! I can not choose! Hahaha!

[@peggywilliams8229]

Have you tried Robert Oster Lipstick

[@adventuredenali]

Peggy Williams no I haven’t! Have you?

[@peggywilliams8229]

@@adventuredenali yes I love it

[@peggywilliams8229]

@@adventuredenali it is a deep rich red

[@peggywilliams8229]

Waski squirrel used a rob o jade the other day I loved but haven't been able to find it

[@peggywilliams8229]

I wonder if he was mixed up it looked alot like olivine

[@Iron-Father]

You are stunning, thank you

[@noecanalesjr.8970]

Yes my eyes were on the pen and not you. I swear. Don’t quote me on it. I’m lying. Love did it

[@adventuredenali]

Cheesy Horror hahaha thank you, made me smile.

[@noecanalesjr.8970]

AdventureDenali just appreciating the beautiful things in life! Hope all is well!

[@Lowkster]

You are beautiful

[@leopoldoparada76]

Hi baby, please kindly relax yourself!