Pen Review – Boston 43
There seems to be some conventions on doing these reviews elsewhere so I plan on closely following the work done of my predecessors. To say pen reviews are worthwhile is to underline the “R” in Review!
Appearance and Design:
It appears to be a pen or at least that seems to be how it is designed. I give it 10 skrip bottles out of 11 (because 11 is one more than 10 – and if you don’t get the reference I’m not going to help you).
Construction and Quality:
It is a hard rubber pen from the early teens. A skilled chappy is what turned this pen a 100 years ago I can surely relate! Boston quality is legendary so I give it 11 skrip bottles out of 11.
Weight:
Surprisingly it weighs much less than my car. I’m shocked that something so light weight can hold ink. The weight from the hump filler (discussed next) makes it weighty for its class so 8 skrips out of 11. Compared to the chrome on a car it is necessary.
Filling System:
This is not one of those crap piston fillers but, an honest to goodness hump filler. If it was good enough for Conklin it should be good enough for Boston. Unfortunately with the big metal hump relying on the sac resilience your sac life will be limited to probably a couple of years top. Gots to give it 5 skrips out of 11.
Nib:
The nib is 220 mm long which is maybe 14mm longer than a traditional Sheaffer nib in the 1940’s – now that is a lot of firepower! I’m not saying you could have a jet take off from that distance but, it’d be pretty close! It has a degree of flex that could be compared to the hands of a clock – they both move. Easily this one gets 9 skrips out of 11.
Costs/Value:
It can be expensive as I’ve seen versions of Boston hump fillers over $500. This one is a short black pen (I hear black pen society - just saying) with a roller clip so expect to pay $150+ which is a little pricey for a vintage pen so 7 skrips out of 11.
Overall
I’m so damned psyched to have this pen inked up! I give it an overall 9.2 skrip bottles out of 11 or 9 bottles and a couple of cartridges. I can’t understand why everyone doesn’t just run out and buy one today. Now I can write like obsidian.
