Size 6

Hoshiawase (星合せ) pens have already been covered on these chronicles. And although they are indeed original and interesting —albeit a dead end in the evolution of pens— there is only that much you can say about them. Once the description of the sealing system of the ink deposit, remember these are eyedropper pens, the rest is merely an account of the nib characteristics and of the body material and decoration.

However, that might be the fate of most fountain pens. After all, few truly innovative features there existed on this world, and those have been implemented on many different pens. In this regard, the star system has the merit of having been used only by Pilot.

The BCHR eyedropper by Pilot, from 1924.

The size 6 nib. On the section, the two stars can be seen uncrossed. Therefore, the ink channel was open.

Today´s hoshiawase pen sports a big nib—a size 6 nib. Although not the biggest for these pens, some size 8 have been reported, this is indeed a remarkable and rare pen. It dates from 1924, and its sealing system shows the earlier scheme of the hoshiawase.

An early form of hoshiawase. The element limiting the rotation of the cylinders in the section is very exposed. On later pens, this element was encircled by a groove on the outer cylinder.

As for the body, it is a black chased hard rubber (BCHR) pen.

All the elements in this pen are in pristine condition, and I doubt the owner would ever ink it.

My thanks to Mr. Niikura and to FPN member Nikolaos.

(New Clip (Arabian Ford) jumbo pen with stub nib – Unknown black ink)

Bruno Taut
April 26th, 2012
[etiquetas: Pilot, soluciones técnicas]