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Six long-gone pens I miss — and what I’ve done about it

I am an inveterate pen seller. I’ve bought and sold about 125 pens in the last few years, and I don’t regret it. When I realise a pen isn’t for me, I release it to help someone else on their pen journey. I lose money on each pen I sell, but I consider it a “trial fee”, or the cost of experience.

But there are some pens I miss. I don’t necessarily regret selling them, but I have such fond memories of them that I sometimes wish they were still in my collection. Here’s a quick tour of these rose-tinted nostalgic pens.

Pilot 912 FA

The 912 FA was one of my first “proper” pens, and I sold it when I realised that it was a bit small for me, and that I am rubbish at flex, and just hurt my poor left wrist contorting myself into the proper posture to use it. But the nib really was a cracker. I’ve tried lots of flex nibs since then: Aurora’s fine flex and the Wahl-Eversharp Superflex, for example. And none of them hold a candle to the #10 FA on the 912. 

Platinum 3776 UEF

Another pen I miss because of the nib. The 3776 is too small for me, and too plasticky in construction. But it has great nibs, and for me the Ultra Extra Fine is the best of the bunch. My example wrote a true needlepoint with no scratchiness and no fuss. And the slip-and-seal cap meant it never dried out, no matter how long I left it.

Franklin-Christoph Pocket 66

Another pen from my more innocent days. I thought this pen was hideously expensive at the time, with its fine steel nib, flown across the Atlantic just for me. I was lucky enough to get one of the “Coke bottle” antique glass finishes, and I lovely how beautiful and comfortable it was (despite staining it with Emerald of Chivor). I sold it, then bought a Model 02, which in some respects is an even better pen, which I inexplicably sold.

Funnily enough, a new Model 02 in Smoke and Ice arrived today, with a Mike Masuyama fine cursive italic nib. It’s a blinder, and I’m so pleased to have a Franklin-Christoph back in my collection.

Pilot Myu

I still go ga-ga for how the Pilot Myu looks, and I managed to get one (and sell it) for way less than the current market rate. Realistically, it was not the pen for me — it’s like holding a slippery pencil stub, and the dry nib didn’t suit my preferences at all.

But the idea of the beautiful integral nib and robust stainless construction has obviously stuck with me. I’ve since bought a Lamy 2000 Stainless Steel, the beefcake version of the Myu, and I’ve also ordered the Murex, the longer, grippier big brother.

Sheaffer Legacy Heritage Deepcut Palladium

I still have another Legacy, in gold. But I wish I hadn’t sold this one. These pens are almost impossible to find now, and the palladium version was beautiful. With a practical cartridge-converter filler, slip cap and inlaid nib, it was the best of modern convenience and classic Sheaffer good looks. If I see another for a good price, I will buy it again.

Montblanc Rouge et Noir

I had lots of good reasons to sell this pen. It’s a mystery filler. It’s too skinny. The metal section is a little slippery. But it’s a beauty of a pen, with the best extra fine nib I’ve ever used — and with a snake head on it, to boot! I am seriously considering trying to buy this pen back.

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5 Comments

  1. Sidd

    I bought a Rouge et Noir EF after reading your review. It really is a fantastic nib and perhaps my favourite fine nib so far.

    Thanks for sharing your experiences!

    • Anthony

      Glad you’re enjoying the Montblanc! Fine choice ☺️

  2. Andy

    I don’t even know why I frequent your blog so often. I just go green with envy!

    I’d love a falcon. Before that though, I need an Optima and an m800 to be considered a worthwhile hobbyist.

    You never mention much about the m series. Do they bore you?

    • Anthony

      The Pelikan M? I have had an M400 which was lovely but too small. I had an M205, which had an amazing steel nib. And I’ve had three M800s, of which one remains, an Ocean Swirl. The nibs are OK in my view, the italic broad an exception. I also had an M1000, which is a lovely pen but ultimately I decided the nib was just too mushy for my style. I love how Pelikan builds pens, and they’re very practical!

  3. Debi Humphrey

    Love all those pens, especially the Franklin-Christoph. I have a Model 45 in the “coke glass” iteration – I got it at the 2016 Colorado Pen Show. It turned out to be a fantastic writer and I totally love it.

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