30 November 2010

Empty Boxes

Among fountain pen enthusiasts, ball pens do not enjoy much particular favor. One of the arguments is that the essence of a ball pen is an empty box given the fact that the writing object –the ball and the ink deposit— is disposable.

Having this in mind I cannot help taking a critical look at the very successful Pilot Capless or Vanishing Point.

Six Capless pens. From left to right: Red Capless from 1964 with a 14 K gold nib. Dark green model from 1996. This model was on production in different colors between 1973 and 1998. Dark gray, silver colored and red Capless from the 2000s with either steel or 18 K gold nibs. Finally, blue Décimo from 2010 (on production since 2005).

This Pilot model was launched originally in late 1963 and several major changes and improvements have seen the light along its history. The current model in steel and some form of enamel dates from 1998. Since that date, Pilot has marketed a big number of variations including several limited editions. In 2005, a thinner and lighter version of the 1998 Capless was released as a limited edition with the name of Sesenta, and later renamed as Decimo. And in 2006, Pilot marketed the bigger Fermo, with a twisting knob to operate the nib.

Two Capless F nibs in different materials.

But the only variation on those pens lay on the external decoration. The nib (together with the feed and the ink deposit) is exactly the same for all of them, and exchanging them requires no technical ability whatsoever. Therefore, it is possible to change the box while keeping that nib we enjoy so much. Actually, the list of Capless points is quite limited:


In the past, there also existed 14 K gold nibs.

The full gamut of points in Capless nibs in 18 K gold (as of November 2010).

The Pilot Capless/Vanishing Point with all its variations is a big marketing operation backed, of course, by the response of us stylophiles. The Capless, some say, is a very collectible pen, but that obeys, I think, solely to the aspect of empty boxes—just like ball pens.

(Pilot Custom 74 – Pelikan Turquoise)

Bruno Taut
(Madrid, November 30th, 2010)
[labels: estilofilia, Pilot]

29 November 2010

Matching (I)

The controversy is always there: Is that pen original or a copy of another? Which company did father that idea?

I have already spoken in these chronicles about some cases of plagiarism, or coincidence, or inspiration…—the torpedo type of pens á la Montblanc Meisterstück, the capless idea behind the Pilot model, the black pocket pens made by the big three Japanese companies… And there are many other examples. After all, nihil noui sub sole.

Today’s matching couple are two telescopic pens with very different birthplaces. Telescopic pens can be made longer from their compact dimensions in order to become normal in size when expanded. A more detailed analysis of a telescopic pen, a Pilot Short pen with golden nib, can be seen on the Chronicle entitled "Origami".

Capped and contracted.

The older is a Pilot Short Pen originally released in 1968. It came with golden or steel nibs. It uses Pilot cartridges and the CON-20 converter.

Capped and expanded.

The second pen is a Parker Esprit, initially sold as Rotring Esprit during the 1990s. The end of the century sees how Sanford (Newell Rubbermaid’s stationery division) buys Rotring in 1998 and Parker in 2000. Some years later, the Rotring pen is modified to be marketed as a Parker model. As a result, the Esprit now uses short Parker proprietary cartridges instead of the short international ones used by the Rotring predecessor.

Uncapped and expanded.

As is often the case, the Pilot pen is rarely seen outside Japan, whereas the Rotring and Parker pens enjoyed a much wider distribution.

The nibs are very different--semi-hooded on the Pilot, uncovered on the Parker. Pilot Pen also came with a 14 K gold nib, although not in the pen displayed on the picture.

Copy, homage, inspiration or mere coincidence?

My thanks to Kinno-san.

(Parker Esprit – Parker Black)

Bruno Taut
(Madrid, November 18th, 2010)
[labels: Rotring, Parker, Pilot]

28 November 2010

Música

Today I wanted to show some more music nibs (I, II, III). I must confess my attraction for them—on top of being visually very appealing, their writing is a real pleasure. Music nibs are, in essence, a complication on the idea of a stub nib—wide vertical line and fine horizontal stroke. The addition of a second slit (third tine) simply adds more ink flow to the nib.

The only music nibs on which I have put my hands are Japanese. And not much information can be found on the Internet about non-Japanese music nibs. I wonder if all this was a good indicator of the actual differences between Japanese and non-Japanese companies regarding nibs.

A Platinum P4 from 1950s. The clip is remarkably similar to that of Parker.

The first nib I am showing is a Platinum P4 from 1950s. It is a “shiro” nib in, of course, steel.

The engraving on the nib reads “PLATINUM / PLADIUM / (Company logo) / JIS logo / -<5>- / P-C”. Most likely, “pladium” is a misspelling.

Platinum music "shiro" nib.

The nib on the right belongs to a Pilot Super 100 (1960)--a self filling pen. The one on the left belongs to a Custom model from the late 1960s--a cartridge/converter pen.

The second nib belongs to a cartridge-converter Pilot Custom from late 1960s or early 1970s. It is very similar to the nib of the 1960 Pilot Super 100 already analyzed on these chronicles.

Pilot Custom from 1970s.

Finally, the third music nib is installed in a Pilot Custom from the 1970s. It is a more modern design.

Three different music nibs by Pilot. On the top, a Super 100 from 1960. On the left, the Pilot Custom from late 1960s. And on the right-bottom corner, a Pilot Custom from the 1970s.

The final picture show three Pilot music nibs and shows the different shape of the points.

My thanks to Mr. Yamada, nib master.

(Pilot Super 100 with music nib – Pilot Blue)

Bruno Taut
(Madrid, November 25-27th, 2010)
[labels: Pilot, Platinum, plumín, evento]

22 November 2010

Gester

Ges and Ter are the two rivers merging at the city of Torelló, the hometown of the pen company Súper T. Putting both names together, the company founder Manuel Portus got the name for one of his creations: Gester. Four different Gester models were produced –20, 40, 60, 80— albeit with a number of variations along their thirty-something years of existence.

This is the review of a recently purchased Súper T Gester from around 1970—a model 20 with a steel nib.


1. Appearance and design. (9.0/10)
This is a very appealing pen with an original design. Although originally inspired by the Parker 51, Manuel Portus managed to make a very distinctive tool. This Gester is made in navy blue plastic, with clip and cap ring in steel.


The clip deserves a close attention. It is made with a single piece of folded steel. This design was originally conceived for the model Olimpia (1960) and later adapted to the higher end Gester. This detail shows that this particular gester 20 was made around 1970.


2. Construction and quality. (8.5/10)
This pen is solidly made with good quality plastic. All the elements fit well. The piston –yes, this is a piston filler— works flawlessly despite its 40 years of age.

Certainly, one could demand higher appealing materials, but the model 20 was the entry level to the Gester pen.

Cap ring signed as "SUPER T GESTER".

3. Weight and dimensions. (9.0/10)
This is a light pen with an excellent balance, especially if unposted. Average in size, its girth is comfortable on the hand.

Dimensions:
Length capped: 134 mm.
Length open: 122 mm.
Length posted: 149 mm.
Diameter: 11 mm
Weight: 18 g


4. Nib and writing performance. (7.5/10)
This entry level pen has a very correct steel nib. It is smooth and has a very good and pleasant flow. Very rigid, no hint of giving under pressure.


The advertisements of the Gester pen in the 1950s spoke of up to 20 different nib points, but nowadays there are few chances to find them in the second hand market.

October 1956 ad. The last paragraph speaks of 20 possible nibs. Advertisement collected by Grafopasión member Claudio.

5. Filling system and maintenance. (8.5/10)
This is a piston filler. Unfortunately, there is no window to check the how much ink is left inside. On the positive side, section and barrel can easily be decoupled by unscrewing them. This eases the cleaning process and allows an easy access to the piston.

The thin metallic ring separates the section from the barrel. The inscription reads "SUPER T 'GESTER' TORELLO ESPAÑA".

6. Cost and value. (7.0/10)
Súper T pens were not cheap at their time. Some Gester models were more expensive than the luxury Parker 51. But Súper T pens were good quality tools.

New Old Stock Gester 60 from mid 1960s with the price sticker on it. 750 pesetas was a small fortune. In comparison, a Parker 51 at that time cost about 500 pesetas.

After years of oblivion, Súper T pens are becoming popular among Spanish stylophiles and the demand is increasing. However, it is still possible to find them for less than €100 in excellent condition.

The conclusion is that I could buy a good quality writer for an acceptable price.


7. Conclusion. (49.5/60=82.5/100)
Very well constructed pen with a reliable piston system. Smooth, but stiff nib with an excellent flow.

My thanks to fellow Grafopasión forum members Alberto, Claudio and Olga.

(Súper T Gester 20 – Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-peki)

Bruno Taut
(Madrid, November 17-21th, 2010)
[labels: Súper T]

19 November 2010

Torelló

Spanish fountain pens are basically unknown outside Spain. Their history, actually, has not yet been written and it might very well be the history of a frustration—that of the inability to generate any successful industrial enterprise. But among those failures and frustrations some pen companies created very interesting products in Spain.

Such was the case of the company Súper T, based in the city of Torelló, in Barcelona province. Manuel Portús Ribas created this company in 1942, and it was active until 1976, five years after the death of its founder.

October 1953. Súper T ad of pen models 20, 40, 60, and 80. Collected by Grafopasión member Claudio.

Súper T manufactured basically two models, named Gester and Olimpia. The first is known to be in production since 1943. There were four basic versions of it –20, 40, 60 and 80—, three of which remained in the company catalog until the mid 1970s. The very luxurious Gester 80 –“a gift for a prince”, the ads said— had a solid gold cap and disappeared from the catalog around 1957. That model is now very rare and highly sought after by collectors.

Delta de Oro prize. Photo courtesy of Olga Portus.

The Olimpia model took its name after the Olympic Games in 1960. This pen received the “Delta de Oro” prize of design in 1961 given by the Catalan Associació de Disseny Industrial del Foment de les Arts Decoratives (ADI-FAD). It was on production until the company disappeared.

Ad from September 1953 of Parker ink manufactured in Torelló. Advertisement collected by Grafopasión member Claudio.

During the 1950s Manuel Portus received an offer from Parker to buy the company. Apparently, the American company was interested in the gold plating system used by Súper T—it provided very high quality results on caps. The parties did not reach an agreement, but as a result of the negotiations, Súper T started manufacturing Parker ink –Quink— in Torelló, Spain.

Manuel Portús died in 1971 and the company passed onto his son Juan Manuel. The decline of the company started, coincidentally, at that time. The early 1970s economic crisis and the popularization of ball pens pushed Súper T into reducing production costs. The excellent quality of previous years vanished rather quickly.

Finally, the company closed down in 1976.

My thanks to fellow Grafopasión forum members Alberto, Claudio and Olga.

(Súper T Gester 20– Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-peki)

Bruno Taut
(Madrid, November 17th, 2010)
[labels: España, Súper T, Parker, fora]

16 November 2010

Madrid Pen Shops - November 2010

This chronicle, as that devoted to pen shops in Tokyo, needs a special attention to be of any utility. The updated version can be found on this page in this blog.

Madrid was my city for many years. Now I am just another visitor. A frequent visitor if you would, but a visitor nonetheless.

I started writing with fountain pens in this city. I took probably too many notes with them during my high school and college years. And I received some pens as presents from friends and relatives. But pens were hardly the obsession they are now and I never had the need to find very specialized shops.

But now I do look for pens and getting to write a list of them was almost a necessity.


View Fountain Pens in Madrid in a larger map


Second hand shops.

Anticuario López Linares
http://lopezlinares.com/
I have not visited this shop.

Calle Conde de Aranda 6
28001 Madrid
Tel: 914 351 049

Calle Claudio Coello 60
28001 Madrid
Tel: 915 762 648


Antigüedades El Campillo.
http://www.antiguedadeselcampillo.com/
An antique shop with some pens. Irregular condition.

Calle Fernández Oviedo 8
28002 Madrid
Tel: 915 152 264


Club de Estilográficas de España
http://www.clubestilograficas.com/
High quality vintage pens. The owners are specialized in early 20th century US American pens. Good selection of inks associated to tinteros.com. New pens of the brand Romillopens. English and French spoken.
Repair service available.

Ronda de Segovia 20
28005 Madrid
Tel: 914 619 079


Gráficas Santa Cruz
http://www.gsantacruz.com/
Never visited this shop.

Calle Rafael Calvo 40
28010 Madrid
Tel: 913 082 330


Trade Art S. L. - Julia Gusano
http://www.juliagusano.com/?language=en
Nice shop with lots of vintage pens. The owner is a well known collector of Parker 51. Julia Gusano speaks English.
Repair service available

Calle Zurbano 84 - Segundo patio
28010 Madrid
Tel: 914 417 784


T & T Reparaciones

Never visited. Nominally, a repair center.

Calle Fenelón 18 Local 2B
28022 Madrid
Tel: 659 654 261
email: tonigomez1@hotmail.com



New-pen shops.

Carranza Estilográficas - Papelería Técnica Carranza
http://www.papeleria-tecnica.net/
New pens and an acceptable selection of inks. Very friendly attention. Pens are sold with a 5% discount. As of Novemeber 2010, this shop does not carry Lamy pens.

Carranza 8
28004 Madrid
Tel: 914 486 494


Estilográficas Sacristán
http://www.sacristan.com/
Very traditional shop in Madrid. Specialized in high end pens.

Calle Mayor 27
28013 Madrid
Tel: 913 633 576


Papelería Coplan

Small selection. Some new old stock pens.

Calle Marcenado 34
28002 Madrid
Tel: 914 152 687


Papelería Jomar
http://www.jomarpapeleria.com/
I have never visited this shop.

Calle General Diaz Porlier 7
28001 Madrid
Tel: 914 351 895


Papelería Manuel Martín

I have never visited this shop.

Calle Santa Engracia 60
28013 Madrid
Tel: 914 473 571


Papelería Rey

http://www.papeleriarey.com/
High end pens. Hardly any discount.

Avda. Ciudad de Barcelona 144
28007 Madrid
Tel: 914 341 099


Papelería Salazar
http://www.papeleriasalazar.es/
Good selection of pens and inks, but not much technical knowledge. Very polite and attentive service.

Calle Luchana 7-9
28010 Madrid
Tel: 914 461 848


Papelería Técnica Sancer
http://www.sancer.com/
From cheap fountain pens to high end. Some new old stock pens.

Calle Fernández de los Ríos 93
28015 Madrid
Tel: 915 496 344

Calle Fernando el Católico 77
28015 Madrid
Tel: 915 496 344


Romero Papelerías

Out of business.


(Pilot Elite Silver cap pocket pen – Sailor Red Brown)

Bruno Taut
(Madrid, November 13-16, 2010)
[labels: Madrid, mercado]

11 November 2010

Heritage 92

Para Kinno-san, amigo.

Pen review: Pilot Custom Heritage 92.

A common complaint among stylophiles fond of Japanese pens is the lack of exciting filling systems in modern pens—cartridge/converter is the system of choice among Japanese companies. The primary exception to this rule are the oversized and expensive Namiki eyedroppers. In recent years, however, some self-filling pens have shown up in the market. The plunger filler Pilot Custom 823, and the piston filler Sailor Realo were these newcomers among the three big Japanese companies. The much smaller company Katoseisakusho also produces some piston fillers, but those pens are seldom spotted in stationary shops in Tokyo.

Such was the pen scene up to this past October when Pilot released another demonstrator pen with a self-filling mechanism—the Custom Heritage 92.

The Pilot Custom Heritage 92.

1. Appearance and design. (8.5/10)
This pen is a perfect transparent demonstrator with silver accents. The 14 K gold nib is rhodiated. Shape-wise, this pen is basically a torpedo with flat ends.

The clip has a new design that departs from the classic ball-ended Pilot clip. There is no inscription on it, and the Pilot brand is signed only on the nib.

The nib inside the cap. The translucent gray sheet is clearly visible.

Inside the cap, the nib is covered by a grayish translucent plastic, probably to hide both ink stains and condensation.


2. Construction and quality. (9.0/10)
Everything fits and works perfectly out of the box. The cap adjusts tightly to the barrel end, and the piston is very smooth in its function.

The pen, posted.

The pen, so far, has little use, but its construction materials look very correct and do not show any scratch.


3. Weight and dimensions. (8.0/10)
This pen is basically a Custom 74 with a piston filling system and flat ends. The Heritage 92 is heavier than its cartridge/converter relative. It is well balanced, especially if unposted.

Dimensions:
Length capped: 137 mm.
Length open: 121 mm.
Length posted: 151 mm.
Diameter: 13.5 mm
Weight: 20 g (dry).

Custom 74 and Custom Heritage 92, side by side.

4. Nib and writing performance. (7.0/10)
This pen, as the Custom 74, uses size-5 14 K gold nibs, but only four of the eleven possible points are available on the Heritage 92: F, FM, M and B. I can see no real reasons for this policy. Pilot seems unable to combine exciting nibs with interesting filling systems.

The nib and the feed.

This unit in particular is equipped with an FM nib. Thin, smooth, and with a nicely wet flow. But also rigid and uncharacteristic. There is no problem in swapping nibs among Pilot pens with size-5 nibs other than the possible change in color.

In conclusion, good writing nib, albeit boring; very small selection of nibs.


5. Filling system and maintenance. (8.0/10)
The selling point of this pen is the filling system—a piston filler à la Pelikan. And indeed this pen looks like a Pelikan.

The piston, half way.

The piston knob.

The piston works very smoothly and holds about 1.2 ml of ink, which is only 0.2 ml more than the 1.0 ml capacity of the Pilot CON-70 converter available for most of the Custom series of pens. And this capacity is smaller than that of similar piston fillers by Pelikan or Twsbi. Being a self-filler, this pen is harder to clean than a cartridge converter, but the nib and feed set can easily be removed from the section.

A different issue is the coloration the barrel might acquire in direct contact with inks. Not much can be said as of now as this is a newly released pen.


6. Cost and value. (5.5/10)
In the Japanese market, this pen costs JPY 15000 (plus 5% tax)—JPY 5000 more expensive than the very similar Custom 74 or Custom Heritage 91. The 92’s looks and filling mechanism are more exciting, but the nib selection is also a lot more limited with no possibility to choose music or coarse or soft nibs. And should we want a demonstrator, we could also get the transparent version of the Custom 74.

If compared to other brands, Twsbi and Pelikan offer similar products. Twsbi 530’s price is less than one third of the Pilot´s; and the Pelikan M200 costs, in Japan, JPY 10000 (plus 5% tax). Both of them use steel nibs.

Therefore, I tend to think that those extra JPY 5000 are a steep overprice for a piston whose performance is comparable to that of the converter CON-70.


7. Conclusion. (46.5/60=77.5/100)
Nice looking pen, but the piston filler comes at an extra cost of JPY 5000, and is associated to a very limited number of nibs. Other than this, the Custom Heritage 92 is a nice writer with a good supply of ink.

ADDENDUM March 17th, 2011: A correction was added--the CON-70 converter has a capacity of only 1.0 ml instead of the 1.4 ml some sources claimed, and a careful measurement of the ink deposit showed a capacity of only 1.2 ml.

(Pilot Custom Heritage 92 – Pelikan Turquoise)

Bruno Taut
(Madrid, November 11th, 2010)
[labels: Pilot, Pelikan, Twsbi]