You don't see them very often, and there is a reason for that - but back in their day these simple and affordable writing instruments were a marvel.
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By Fran

14 thoughts on “Sharpie of the 1920’s: glass fountain pens!”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Darius Mikšys says:

    Very fine nail polish file made of sandpaper would fix the glass nib, but the line will be broader.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Lajos Winkler says:

    I've seen many glass tip dip pens being sold on eBay in the last few years. I suppose the tips can be repaired with careful flame heating, especially if it's borosilicate glass.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mark Petry says:

    that is super cool

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Skyfox says:

    Could you use a blowtorch to fire polish the chipped tip?

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Frank Calabria says:

    I remember back in the day when you took chemistry in college, you had to learn glass blowing. I wonder if you hit the tip with a little flame, if it would melt it a bit and smooth it out?

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars D S says:

    You can also use micromesh to fix the tip of a glass dip pen (somewhat). It won't be like the original tip, but it will smooth the end so that it glides better. YMMV, but it's worth trying for this neat pen.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars boredgrass says:

    I was so delighted to watch a new pen video, that I watched your first "pencils and pens" video, right after that ❤

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars flamencoprof says:

    My schooling was all pre-1970s. I remember coming across a few pens with glass nibs, but just that, a few. Not common. I can't say if they were already old, but I don't think so. They were about the same size as the metal nibbed fountain pens we used.
    Ballpoint was not considered very acceptable and even not allowed in some cases IIRC.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars brently1973 says:

    I have only used the metal ones for calligraphy.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MJ says:

    Very cool, Fran. I had not seen a glass nib pen with a filling mechanism before. Do you know who the manufacturer of this particular one was?

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tentoes says:

    Hmm. Never saw one of those. I love to write with my fountain pen. So smooth and such a light touch!

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gerry Roush says:

    I wish I knew whatever happened to my old Fischer Space pen…….
    Personally I love the new Gel pens

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gwen Patton says:

    I am carrying 3 fountain pens on me right now. One is a tool pen with level, rulers, a touch screen stylus, and a small screwdriver. It's by Monteverde, and it's an okay writer. Another is a Kickstarter I backed, the Banju. The third is an Asvine titanium piston filler that I really like.

    I've got nearly 100 fountain pens and a bunch of cheap disposables I give to interested people, or when someone asks to borrow a pen. I have a couple by Lamy I got from the NASA merch store.

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars traderjoes says:

    You have beautiful hands

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