All Pens and Ephemera

Bespoke Sailor fountain pens are difficult to find. However, Sailor only makes ribbed pens for special custom orders. This is the Sailor Professional Gear Ribbed fountain pen. Stunningly attractive, like the early Waterman 100-Year Pens, this pen has an extra-special feature in its 21k gold nib. (Click the headline for close-ups.) Designed for Japanese Kanji characters, this pen is known as the Naginata Togi MF nib. We aren't sure if Sailor means "Medium-Fine," but we don't think this pen was custom made for Samuel L. Jackson. (If you know, you know.) We find it to write a very nice European/American fine line, which some might find to be a Japanese medium. Minimal wear. Includes a Sailor converter. 12.8cm capped.

Some pen historians blame the Eversharp CA line of pens for effectively bankrupting the company. Spending millions on the rights to the Biro ballpoint refill patent, the company rushed their ballpoints into production without perfecting their manufacture and use. It also slapped a lifetime warranty on the pens, and nearly all the pens failed, resulting in crippling refunds. This is the Eversharp CA from the Fifth Avenue line, the second model to include a ballpoint design. Click the headline for close-ups. This pen is burgundy with golden trim. It shows light wear but no cracks or dents. The pocket clip jiggles. Notice the coiled refill? It was the company's effort to include even more ink in each pen. We don't think there is a replacement refill that will work in this pen. 13.4cm capped.

Have you ever seen close-up photos of the roiling flames on the surface of the sun? That is what the barrels of these amazing Delta Dolcevita Millennium fountain pens look like to us. It contrasts gorgeously with the black cap and tail piece. Gold accents help, and the silver laurels around the center of the big cap ring is the icing on the cake. It might not be the longest oversized pen, but it is very girthy. Our pen includes a standard international converter and booklet. We have no idea how the booklet managed to stay with it when the box disappeared. You will write a nice medium line with its 18k gold nib. Click the headline for close-ups. Minimal wear from use. 14cm capped.

Semi-flex nibs usually go for a premium these days, but you can get a nice one here if you don't mind a small pen. Our chased black hard rubber Conklin 25P actually looks close to mint condition. Crisp imprints and chasing. No cracks. A piece of the crescent lock is missing, but the lock still works. Click the headline for close-ups. You will write a nice line from fine to about 1mm wide with its 14k gold semi-flex nib. There's a little feedback, but it won't prevent you from making the most of the writing experience. 11.1cm capped.

If you like handsome, rugged, oversized pens, the Monte Verde Giant Sequoia is for you. Our preowned pen comes complete with its original boxes. The pen is in great cosmetic conditions with only light wear from use. Also included is a working standard international converter. The steel nib is marked fine, but we find it writes a nice, firm extra-fine line. Easy to grip for hands with arthritis and other soreness issues. 14.2cm capped.

This pen doesn't work. Just want to put that out there before we tell you how wonderful it is. Aside from the fact this Sheaffer Imperial doesn't work, it is still a lovely gold-filled vintage pen. The problem is that it only takes the skinny Sheaffer cartridges that are no longer being made. It comes with a broken converter, and Sheaffer no longer has these sized converters. Otherwise the pen is nice. There's a little wear on the metal and plastic of the cap, section and barrel. No dents. The name "Miguel Castillo B" is engraved on the barrel. The thing is that you will write a buttery smooth broad line with its 14k gold nib. Click the headline for close-ups. 13.1cm capped.

Black and red make for a striking combination on this Delta Icon Fusion fountain pen. It is truly handsome, and the pen comes with its original box! Delta is a great Italian pen company, and this is another classic gem. You will write a smooth fine line that leans a little toward medium with this steel nib dressed up in 18k gold. Our preowned pen comes with a standard international converter, and it also takes like cartridges. There is a little wear from use but no cracks or gouges. Easy to grip with some nice girth. 14cm capped.

Abalone shells from California's kelp forests of the 1930s dapple this black cap and barrel of this classic Sheaffer Balance. We believe Sheaffer called the design Ebony and Pearl, but it was really abalone. Our slender, full-length vintage pen looks pretty good for 80-odd years. You'll see some scratches, wear and brassing, but there are no cracks. We restored this pen with a new ink sac. The ink-viewing window is ambered, but you can still see through it. You will write a nice fine line that some might think leans toward medium with its 14k gold nib. You might feel a little feedback on ascenders and descenders. 13.7cm capped.