So, I’ve recently been looking at pens from a certain company that has been around for a long time (read: over 100 years). They have a line of pens that have become quite iconic with both collectors and aficionados, and is still being produced today with only a few changes from the original version(s). The question is: when is it a good idea to consider buying a second hand / vintage pen instead of a new pen?
If you’re thinking of any kind of vintage pen that doesn’t take cartridges, i.e. a lever or piston filler or any other sort with rubber components in it, also factor in that you’ll probably have to replace the bladder or piston seals or whatever it uses as soon as you get it. So have a source for parts on hand for that, and know how to do it or be prepared to pay someone to do it just to restore that old pen to basic functioning condition.
I have a couple of “old”-ish pens, like from the 1960s or 70s. They’re all cartridge fillers. I can’t be bothered with all of the above.
Fair points. I don’t think sourcing parts is going to be a problem (I’m considering a vintage Pelikan - which seems to be well supported). I think it was @backtoanalog@mastodon.social who mentioned finding a pen that has already been restored – which is a good idea, IMO. Better to pay a bit extra for a pen that is in good working condition, rather than wading into the deep-end and trying to a restore a pen without experience.
(One thought I have in that area: if I want to get into restoration, it’d probably be worth looking at second hand stores locally for pens that I won’t have to invest a lot in… That way a failure won’t be a financial disaster.)