Search found 27 matches

by btine
September 17th, 2018, 11:23 pm
Forum: Other/off-topics
Topic: One pen, one ink
Replies: 8
Views: 79415

Argument Füll-Fix 104 F piston filler (Georg Karasch), 1939

"Argument" - Füllhalterfabrik in Berlin was owned by Georg Karasch. The company manufactured fountain pens and mechanical pencils from the early 20s to 60s. The location changed several times: Berlin O 34 Frankfurter Allee 353 Berlin SW 68 Kurassierstrasse 3 (the buildings were destroyed during WWII...
by btine
August 3rd, 2018, 2:40 pm
Forum: Different brands
Topic: Mabie Todd Blackbird Guide
Replies: 25
Views: 40107

Re: 1911, and they are dandies, too! Well, 1910

To dispel any doubts about the early debut, according to the article in the WES from July 2012 the introduction of the Blackbird was preceded by the postcard advertising campaign which started in May 1910: https://issuu.com/wes-journal/docs/journal?embed_cta=read_more&embed_context=embed&embed_domai...
by btine
August 2nd, 2018, 10:34 am
Forum: Other/off-topics
Topic: One pen, one ink
Replies: 8
Views: 79415

Pelikan 28 Silvexa - brief review

I've been using Pelikan 28 Silvexa for well over two weeks. The 14kt nib was slightly bent, but, instead of reviving it, I decided to try a steel EF nib from a Pelikano. Well, the nib is only a little short of being splendid; it's as fine as EF should be, smoother than expected and the grey colour o...
by btine
July 3rd, 2018, 7:18 pm
Forum: Different brands
Topic: Wabeck
Replies: 11
Views: 4665

Re: Wabeck

Hi, I don't think many people visit this site and you may want to try reposting the question on the German language version of the forum. Anyway, some time ago there was a short discussion on the company behind the Wabeck pens: https://www.penexchange.de/forum_neu/viewtopic.php?t=6829 If you open it...
by btine
July 3rd, 2018, 6:38 pm
Forum: Other/off-topics
Topic: One pen, one ink
Replies: 8
Views: 79415

Golden Star 565

For many years, it seemed natural that if I wanted a pen I would just walk in to a stationary shop and pick one. When fountain pens became a hobby, suddenly finding a right one started to be much more complicated. You think not only about the fine or medium nib, a suitable price point or a particula...
by btine
June 25th, 2018, 1:15 pm
Forum: Different brands
Topic: Mabie Todd Blackbird Guide
Replies: 25
Views: 40107

The end

As I have already stated in the introduction I don't pursue Blackbirds anymore and what I have learnt belongs to the past. I did my best to present what I know but I'm aware there are more of my own assumptions than facts and the guide contains plenty of unsubstantiated claims and errors. I'm leavin...
by btine
June 25th, 2018, 12:38 pm
Forum: Different brands
Topic: Mabie Todd Blackbird Guide
Replies: 25
Views: 40107

A few final observations

Blackbird bird imprint Swan people were rather consistent when stamping the Blackibird logo on pens. It's usually characteristic to a specific model or a group of contemporary models. However, the Blackirds before the introduction of celluloid had a number of differently looking birds imprinted. Mo...
by btine
June 24th, 2018, 10:30 am
Forum: Different brands
Topic: Mabie Todd Blackbird Guide
Replies: 25
Views: 40107

Spanish Gaviotas, since 1923

According to the blog Pluma Hispana Gaviota was registered as a brand in Spain in 1923.

http://plumahispana.blogspot.com/2015/03/gaviota.html
by btine
June 23rd, 2018, 9:23 pm
Forum: Different brands
Topic: Mabie Todd Blackbird Guide
Replies: 25
Views: 40107

Blackbird quality

Blackbirds formed the economy line of Mabie Todd pens in the UK but I think it's wrong to call them second tier pens. Many then contemporary pens were of much worse quality and function. Blackbirds probably still felt premium when compared the other brands' top offerings. In terms of the material us...
by btine
June 23rd, 2018, 12:39 pm
Forum: Different brands
Topic: Mabie Todd Blackbird Guide
Replies: 25
Views: 40107

Mystery G3 and the Blackbird code

By the late 20s British Mabie Todd didn't use any sophisticated system to stamp Blackbird model designations on their pens. One can guess that there was no need to have any because of a rather limited variety of colours, sizes or finishes. There were the Standard type (dropper filler with the slip-o...