Fountain Pens with Nib Size: XF

Parker made the first great leap in filling-systems in 40 or so years when it invented the Vacumatic filler. The Parker Vacumatic didn't have a traditional ink sac but a rubber diaphragm and a hollow barrel. It holds substantially more ink than most traditional sac fillers. We restored this emerald pearl beauty from 1945 with a new diaphragm. As a blue-diamond model, it originally was more expensive and came with a guarantee for the lifetime of the original owner. This model is quite handsome. No cracks but the cap band has a couple mini-dents in it. A few other scratches and nicks are hidden will by the high-gloss finish on the cap and barrel. Its original 14k gold nib writes a smooth extra-fine line. This is the major size. Click the headline for close-ups. 12.9cm capped.

Will it be the burgundy-marble streamlined design or the rare two-toned nib that creates instant salivation in fans of the original Parker Duofold? Click the headline for close-ups to decide for yourself. This vintage pen is a Junior size set that has been fully restored with a new ink sac. No cracks will be found on either instrument. The pen cap has a couple short deep scratches, but they should not deter most collectors and users. The imprint on the barrel is clear. Still working is the 1.1mm lead pencil that has a classic refill cassette in it with one spare lead and a retro-fitted fresh eraser. The pencil shows wear from use, but it has been a reliable friend of writers for nearly 100 years! The rare two-tone 14k gold nib writes an extra-fine line with a little feedback.

It is Mish-Mosh Monday, and we have an especially unique oversized Sheaffer Balance for you. If you can't see what is very different with the pen in the regular photo, click the headline for a close-up of the nib. Yep. That's an oversized Parker Vacumatic Maxima nib with almost perfect two-tone plating over the 14k gold! You can imagine our surprise when we found it this way in the wild. Also unique is that this is an oversized Sheaffer Balance without a white dot! These were only made 1934 and possibly early into 1935. Its original nib might be the exceedingly rare #8 Sheaffer. The Sheaffer cap and barrel are in excellent condition with deep imprints, no cracks, no brassing and only light wear from use. We restored the pen with a new ink sac. We tested it, and it writes a wet, extra-fine line with a little feedback, as most XF nibs are wont. Oh, and it has the original Sheaffer inkfeed! The best of Parker and Sheaffer combined! 14cm capped.

Better experts than I can ascertain whether this is a true Sheaffer Half-Balance Transitional fountain pen or some past repairman's efforts to make a fresh pen out of parts. It has even, consistent moderate wear and discoloration throughout the pen. It has the hump clip with a flattened ball. There's brassing on the end of the lever. A 1mm hairline crack goes from the lip of the cap to under the cap band. This repairman restored the vintage pen with a fresh ink sac. Click the headline for close-ups. Whatever it is, it is priced to be a good daily driver for experts or newbies wanting to experiment with vintage. Its 14k gold nib writes a dry extra-fine line with a little feedback due to its firmness. 12cm capped.

What a difference a week makes. Last week we called a Sheaffer Targa modern, but we're calling this sterling silver Sheaffer Targa a vintage pen. Wasn't it Ralph Waldo Emerson who called "consistency the hobgoblin of little minds"? Anyhow, in 1980s parlance, this silver Targa is choice. No dents. No significant scratches. There's only light surface wear on the silver from use. The section grip looks a little more scuffed, but there is no significant damage. We include a new Sheaffer converter with this preowned luxury pen, but it also can write with Sheaffer cartridges. Click the headline for a close-up of its inlaid 14k gold nib. You'll write a buttery smooth extra-fine to fine line with it. 13.6cm capped.

People risked their lives to build this pen! Those are real abalone shells set in this Sheaffer Balance Lifetime Junior. Twirl the pen in the light, and it is incredible watching the many shades of light reflecting of the lacquered shells. Real divers had to get them. We've restored this handsome vintage pen with a new ink sac. Lulu B. Hoyt once owned this pen. Although we have no idea who she is, she did have her name imprinted on this classic writing instrument. Click the headline for a close-up. No cracks in the pen, but there are moderate signs of wear from use. Its original two-tone 14k gold nib writes a buttery smooth extra-fine to fine line. 12.1cm capped.

Parker 75 pens could probably be considered the last daily, luxury fountain pen put out in mass production of the fountain pen era. Originally released in the 1960s, this is a more modern French-made Parker 75. We love the chrome barley pattern. The pen is in good general condition, but there are a couple little dents in the barrel. The biggest one is easy to miss, as it is no larger than the head of one of those colorful sewing pins, so we circled it in the photo. The nasty red oval makes it look worse that it is. Almost nobody would notice it at a casual glance. The pen fills with cartridges or a modern Parker converter, which is included. The nib can be rotated for a better writing angle with the ergonomical section grip. Its 14k gold nib writes an extra-fine line. 12.9cm capped.

Parker 51 fountain pens were already the classy flagship of the company's line in the 1950s, but it really added an extra something else when it made the 14k gold-filled Signet edition! Our vintage pen is DENT FREE! The only wear on the barrel is where the cap closes over the nib! Everything else is either light wear or no wear. It has a great "pli-glass" sac that still looks fairly fresh and works well. You'll write a firm, extra-fine line with its original 14k gold nib. A real treat for using or displaying. 14cm capped.