9 replies to this topic

[BrianMcQueen]

Going through an antique store today, I saw a combo pen/pencil in a case and inquired at the counter if I could see it (you never know if there might be a really nice nib hiding under that cap!)
After I said I was not interested, the man told me that there were some more combo pens in another cabinet. I informed him that yes, I'd like to see those as well. He then said something to me that sounded really very strange:

"We seem to sell these combination pen/pencils very quickly."

I can understand the rare combo pens from, say, Sheaffer or Waterman being snatched right up, but does anyone actually go out of their way to search for combo Stratfords or Arnolds? Those always seemed like the kinds of things you just left sitting in the display case at the antique store to gather dust.

[Jiffypens]

I don't buy them on a regular basis, however for a few bucks you can't wrong with buying them!

[david i]

Going through an antique store today, I saw a combo pen/pencil in a case and inquired at the counter if I could see it (you never know if there might be a really nice nib hiding under that cap!)
After I said I was not interested, the man told me that there were some more combo pens in another cabinet. I informed him that yes, I'd like to see those as well. He then said something to me that sounded really very strange:

"We seem to sell these combination pen/pencils very quickly."

I can understand the rare combo pens from, say, Sheaffer or Waterman being snatched right up, but does anyone actually go out of their way to search for combo Stratfords or Arnolds? Those always seemed like the kinds of things you just left sitting in the display case at the antique store to gather dust.

Hi,

Combos have their followers. On one hand, seemingly a fad product made mostly by low-tier makers, most are of low quality (usually the metal more than the plastic having major issues). They can be found quite cheaply; I've seen bags of colorful combos with steel nibs trade hands at pen shows for $1 per pen en masse. On other hand, they are pretty, they allow aggressive acquisition on a modest budget, and examples from high quality makers ("big 5", Schnell, and so forth) can command premium bucks, some at more than $1000.

My basic suggestion is to be a bit cautious. If the antique shop wants $30 for a noname' or loname' combo, that seem steep, as they trade cheaply often. On other hand, not everyone can buy bags en masse at $1 each Ebay often has quite cheap combos.

We've had some examples and threads shown here at FPB

http://fountainpenbo...3-wonder-combos

http://fountainpenbo...ew-banker-combo

http://fountainpenbo...-me-combo-alert

http://fountainpenbo...-crocker-combos

http://fountainpenbo...e-and-on-combos

This Supremacy, despite being small name, is very high quality

http://fountainpenbo...combo-supremacy

regards

david

[BrianMcQueen]

Yes, I can certainly understand the appeal of the combo pens from the big boys. They are pretty scarce, and of course carry a name with them. I watched a Waterman's red ripple combo go sky high on eBay the other day in fact. And you're right, that Supremacy looks to be a very high quality pen. I would pick one of those up myself for a few bucks. These ones that I saw at the antique store, however, were 30 bucks each for an Arnold with a gold plated nib and some no name with cheap plastic and bad metal. If the antique store in question does indeed sell those kinds of pens quickly when they get them, then kudos to them for making a sale. I just can't really imagine myself ever getting on that wagon.

[John Jenkins]

David summed it up pretty well. There is plenty of poor quality out there, but even an Arnold or Wearever in great condition can be a nifty pen to own. I don't think I've paid $30 for any combo with a steel nib (and I've got a lot of 'em). In fact, I'm sure my average cost of steel nib combos is under $5. Gold nib combos are an other story.

Of the big four, I'd say that Sheaffer probably made ten times as many combos as Parker, Wahl and Waterman combined. If you're patient, you can have a nice Sheaffer for less than $100 and, they're as good as there is.

Conklin made a decent number of combos, but these do fetch a higher price.

Diamond Point combos are a great bang for the buck in quality combos. Most DPs are pretty well made, relatively plentiful and just not as sought after.

There are many other quality combos out there. Schnells are probably the most well known that I haven't yet mentioned, but they're consistently overvalued in my opinion. Even the ringtops with out the airplane clip go for large dollars. Schnell's don't seem to wear well, so perhaps that feeds into their pricing.

Finally, I think that Waterman you mentioned, if cleaned up and advertised properly would have easily topped $1,000!

By way of contrast, here's a group of Treasure combos. They were easy to assemble. The overall quality isn't the greatest and they aren't all in fabulous condition. Still, the total cost was probably less than a decent lunch and they were fun to accumulate:



On the other hand, these two Parkers were very hard to come by and I think I could buy a McDonald's franchise for what I paid (OK, maybe a bit of hyperbole here).



John

[Hugh]

I guess it's "horses for courses", a relatively visually attractive collection of combos from the low end can be cheaply assembled. For instance some of the Wearever plastics are impressive , and a lot are good from a user perspective. I've dabbled a bit but never been "bitten" despite the few I've used on a regular basis being very good ,and as I use a pencil often as opposed to a ballpoint, rather handy!! A lot of combos made by National are decent users, a Gold Crown I used for some time very good.


Now John....come on....lets see a few more!!

Regards
Hugh

[BrianMcQueen]

Buzz,

That Waterman went for almost $850 in a poorly advertised lot of stuff. I would have liked to have gotten it, but I didn't need it that much

Also, that is a nice collection of Treasure combos!

[david i]

I'm trying to avoid starting new thread for every photo, so this one will pop in on this thread.

Here is a significant combo for your consideration. Large Schnell penselpen in red.

regards

David

[BrianMcQueen]

That is a gorgeous clip on that pen/pencil, David!

[matt]

Do combo collectors consider convertible combos a separate type?  Here are a couple of Victor convertible combos on ebay

 

http://www.ebay.com/...68AAOSwjXRXZuge

http://www.ebay.com/...fkAAOSwepJXaayz   (the second seller also has a single Victor pen, in green, missing the nib)

 

 

This article explains how the Victor is convertible, via the odd joint in the pencil.

 

http://leadheadpenci...age-160-of.html