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Showing 1 of 35 conversations about:
j-e-g
306
Mar 9, 2017
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@ writerstephen ... Indeed it does indicate it should post - "The Diplomat logo also appears on the finial atop the pen’s cap, which is made from brass and offers a secure and satisfying click when closed or posted, and is fitted with an internal plastic sleeve to protect the barrel’s finish. " I don't post mine, so I don't know how much of an annoyance it would be if one does, but can not. I was interested in the Traveller because I really liked the Magnum soft touch that I got through Massdrop. Loved the pen and the nib - plenty smooth and forgiving... My hands however couldn't hang on to it.. I was worried this one might give me a similar problem..... I hope folks will take time to share their feedback when they get their Travellers :)
Mar 9, 2017
writerstephen
480
Mar 10, 2017
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j-e-gI certainly will share my feedback, as I am wont to do *grin*
So, j-e-g, are you saying you already have a Traveller and cannot post it, or that you joined this drop and are waiting like the rest of us?
Mar 10, 2017
j-e-g
306
Mar 10, 2017
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writerstephenGoodness, reading my post again, it does seem unclear. I did pick up a Magnum here on MD. I did not join this drop. I was worried about the grip. Sadly, I am not expecting a pen in the mail..... for now :) I'll count on you to let me know how you like yours...
Mar 10, 2017
writerstephen
480
Mar 10, 2017
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j-e-gThe grip looks like smooth plastic to me, which i'm usually okay with, but i will certainly post my feelings when I get my pen. Unfortunately, I was spoiled with the shipping speed for the Magnum--the Traveller seems to be back to Massdrop's glacial shipping speed. Sigh.
As for the Magnum, I too liked the nib, but almost nothing else about the pen. The nib is the only reason I took a chance on the Traveller--i know it's very slim, and i'm not sure I'm going to like that. But I love the cornflower blue, and that Diplomat nib in a metal body is enticing. And the price was right. So we shall see.
Mar 10, 2017
j-e-g
306
Mar 10, 2017
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writerstephenWell you might post your feelings.. but may or may not be posting your pen ;) Doing a little reading on some FP sites this morning with my coffee - Wondering if your clone is stevenwordsmith ? Hmmm... maybe they'll start a coffee lovers community - Might get folks to jump on drops while they're hopped up on caffeine !
Mar 10, 2017
writerstephen
480
Mar 10, 2017
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j-e-gThat's a great idea! Although I think they have some coffee stuff on the new Cooking community.
Hmm, don't know stevenwordsmith. Of course, he spells his name wrong. :)
Mar 10, 2017
j-e-g
306
Mar 10, 2017
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writerstephenWell. that explains it - I haven't ventured into the new cooking community yet. I gladly admit to being the dishwasher and clean-up crew and not the chef at my house ! I will venture over that way and check it out sometime... The chef here might want to check into it... but that may divert pen funds into cooking gadgets.... I need to consider this very carefully - LOL
Mar 10, 2017
writerstephen
480
Mar 10, 2017
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j-e-gPen funds are sacred and inviolable. ;-)
Mar 10, 2017
j-e-g
306
Mar 10, 2017
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writerstephenNegotiable here..sometimes I can look quite pitiful and get a raise in my pen "allowance" LOL True Confession : I am no scholar ( as you may have already noticed ) ... had to google inviolable - I will now toss it out next time I need pen money :)
Mar 10, 2017
writerstephen
480
Mar 10, 2017
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j-e-gHahaha, scholar or no, it's a pleasure conversing with you.
i will admit to a certain amount of sneakiness when it comes to acquiring pens. They are small and easy to conceal. Happily, many of them are inexpensive enough (and still interesting) to be inconsequential financially. Any major purchases must, of course, be cleared with the management.
Mar 10, 2017
j-e-g
306
Mar 10, 2017
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writerstephenAnd also you... The management here is actually quite good. I have one of those refillable bank cards for my "hobby" which is why I refer to it as my "allowance'. It helps when they come to enjoy using fountain pens,,, ;) My favorite words are "well if you really like it, just get it" even better is when it is followed by "just take it out of the bank". Woo Hoo !
Mar 10, 2017
writerstephen
480
Mar 10, 2017
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j-e-gThose are sweet words indeed ... my manager, too, is starting to get interested. One of my favorite things she said recently was "I love that you have a classy hobby." Score!
Mar 10, 2017
j-e-g
306
Mar 10, 2017
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writerstephenHhahahhahaha - That needs no reply - It's perfect all on it's own !
Mar 10, 2017
writerstephen
480
Mar 31, 2017
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j-e-gSo I got my Traveller, and overall i'd say it's mostly what i expected. An excellent Diplomat nib in a VERY skinny pen package. The color is nice, and the grip is good, but the posting issue ...
It does post, but not with a "click" (as it says in the description), and it's about 75% secure. In other words, if you write for a long session, chances are good you will eventually loosen the posted cap and it will come off the end of the barrel.
I've noticed that pens that post with a "click" (the Lamy Studio is a good example) have two things in common: 1. A plastic sleeve inside the cap, and 2. A grooved finial at the end of the barrel that catches onto that sleeve. Other caps might post securely by sliding very far down the barrel and thus don't have the grooved finial (Italix Parsons; Schneider ID; Lamy AL-Star), but the ones that "click" all seem to have those two characteristics. Monteverde Invincia color fusion; Parker Urban 2016 redesign; Sheaffer 300 are other examples.
The Diplomat doesn't post far enough down the barrel to be secure, nor does it have the catching finial. So, insecure posting. Overall, it's a nice pen, but since it's too small and light to be adequately balanced for my hands without posting, it won't be part of my regular rotation. One hopes the Diplomat Esteem I ordered is better.
Mar 31, 2017
j-e-g
306
Mar 31, 2017
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writerstephenBummer - Kind of a wasted nib for you... If you can't use the pen comfortably. The small size was the problem I had with the Diplomat Moderns Magnum Soft Touch :( I liked the pen as a whole and the nib was very nice, but the grip section was just too small for me to hold for any amount of time. Luckily I was able to gift it to a friend that has become interested in fountain pens ;) Just watched SBRE Brown's video/review on the Esteem, pretty positive review over all... except for the nib (go figure) The pen he reviewed had a fine nib, apparently a lot of feedback and a little dry. However, as we slowly learn each pens "PIN" number the nib may not be a problem. Always a mystery to figure out the PIN number, as in which Paper-Ink-Nib combo works for a particular pen. Just my kooky way of making the best of a pen's characteristics. On the upside, if the Esteem nib and Traveller have the same size nibs, you can swap them for the best fit :) Looking forward to hearing how you like it...
Mar 31, 2017
writerstephen
480
Mar 31, 2017
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j-e-gj-e-g!
I LOVE the PIN acronym. It fits the way I think about fountain pens perfectly. I love discovering that a pen that was too toothy or too wet just had the wrong ink inside or I was using the wrong paper. Unfortunately that's not the problem with the Traveller. But it's okay, i'll end up selling it or giving it to a friend or relative.
I should tell you that I also acquired a pen outside of massdrop (gasp!) recently. It's a Colibri Ascari--the same folks who make the fancy cigarette lighters. I got another of their pens, the Equinox, for a great deal on Touch of Modern, and I was blown away. Easily my smoothest steel nib by a long way. Only problem with the Equinox is--again--just slightly too small for my ham hands. The Ascari solves that. Large and hefty, posts beautifully, and a handsome masculine shape--and that nib! On sale for $62.50 on colibri.com right now with free shipping--on Amazon they go for ~$80 or more. Worth it.
Jeez, i have got to slow down on the pen purchases, or the management is going to get upset! Haha.
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Mar 31, 2017
j-e-g
306
Apr 1, 2017
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writerstephenI remember that brand from back in the day.. think my dad had a lighter with his initials on it. I remember the pens with lighters, maybe little LED clock in them too ? I only recently saw that they had fountain pens. Nice to know they are of good quality - in case I take a liking to one ;) That one looks hefty - doesn't look like it will float away from your desk ! Good looking pen. I am beginning to wonder if maybe the pens aren't too small..... maybe you have extra large hands !! ;) I am not too tall... but I am from good, hearty farm stock.. so I suffer from short, stubby, garden picking fingers. So the typical ladies pens.... lovely to look at, but trying to hang on to one is like a tri-pod grip on a cooked spaghetti noodle. That Emerald of Chivor is pretty ink... sa-tur-ated to be sure.. But, I love it with the right PIN ;)
Apr 1, 2017
writerstephen
480
Apr 1, 2017
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j-e-gSaturated to the max, for sure, but gorgeous with right PIN, as you say. Bock medium, clairefontaine 90 gsm? Jackpot.
its hefty but not overly so. Actually quite attractive. They had a drop for it awhile back (rollerball fp combo). Just search Ascari If you want to see better pics than mine.
Apr 1, 2017
j-e-g
306
Apr 1, 2017
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writerstephenWent to the Colibri site - Seeing the whole pen now... completely different that what I thought from your pic. I pictured a stocky pen with a large all chrome cap Love the look and design of the finials and clip. Looks durable and techy'. and less bulky than I imagined.... Definitely a size I could manage. I love the rose gold one :) I wasn't able to find any reviews for the Ascari, but I trust when you say it's a great writer. (saw your Equinox review on Amazon ) I did note that there were folks asking what the German fill system meant - I assume it means it's the Bock nib/feed ? I would love to see the FP in this red color... Happy Saturday ! http://www.colibri.com/writing-instruments/rollerball/ascari-roller-ball.html
Apr 1, 2017
writerstephen
480
Apr 6, 2017
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j-e-gThought I replied to this already but i guess it didn't take. I think the "German refill system" refers to the actual converter.
The pen comes with a shorter version of the standard international converter. Think the Monteverde version with the clear twist piston. This converter is a good quarter inch shorter than a standard international, and thus fits in some of the smaller pens (the Equinox is a good example). It is however longer than the tiny Kaweco version.
The Ascari comes with this shorter converter, but after testing, i've determined that the LONGER standard international converter fits in this pen (but NOT the Equinox).
Now THERE'S some esoteric information for you!
OH! Also, i successfully switched nibs out of my Diplomat Magnum and into my Traveller (i think I sprang the tines of my Traveller's nib trying to see how flexible it is. Railroading all over the place). I had to use a pair of needlenose pliers (very carefully), but was able to switch them out. Perfectly interchangeable.
Apr 6, 2017
j-e-g
306
Apr 6, 2017
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writerstephenExcellent - So the better nib is in the better pen ?? I prefer converters, but if a long cartridge fit and holds more ink, I am good with that. The smaller Kaweco converter holds such a small amount. I have turned all mine into eyedroppers, which I love. I haven't checked the drops today... You know, I do my best to hold back when I get my "allowance" ... I keep asking for a raise, trying to explain that it is time for me to get some "better" pens.... LOL I have purchased a handful vintage pen to restore - Would like to have a good stash of them done in time for a pen show - Kind of like investing my allowance - in a FP-CD ;) Hey - what size nib was in that Traveller ?? I might have one that fits... but I don't have the pen to check if I have one to check.
Apr 6, 2017
writerstephen
480
Apr 6, 2017
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j-e-gI hear you. I got in on the Mystery Drop, and it was delivered today. Trying to contain myself until i get home to see if i got the F-C E-motion.
Apr 6, 2017
j-e-g
306
Apr 6, 2017
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writerstephenTake pics of your new goodies !!! I am bummed I missed it -
Apr 6, 2017
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