14 replies to this topic

[Andrew W]

It's definitely been forever since I've posted, here, but I couldn't resist. I found this little gem a while ago on eBay. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252351383099

 

Rather unassuming lot of pens, until you take a close look at one of the Balances. 

Hello there, odd looking nib on an oversized(?) Balance. Wonder what it says up close...

 

 

For a university student, I think the 'beer money' has been well spent.

[sloegin]

Well done.

[Madame Stylo]

Please explain further. I'm guessing it's not a white dot pen, so no "Lifetime" nib, but why is having a Feathertouch one so special?

[Andrew W]

Please explain further. I'm guessing it's not a white dot pen, so no "Lifetime" nib, but why is having a Feathertouch one so special?

 

Feathertouch nibs typically come in #5 or, rather uncommonly, #7 sizes on Balances of this era. The #8 seen here, however, is a really odd duck in this case, turning up on what looks to be an oversized Balance, with a questionably not present white dot. From what I've found on googling, there's about zero documentation as to how and why these nibs are on these pens. Or even exist.

 

As to whether it's a white dot pen, I'm actually not sure of that myself. I'm still eagerly waiting for this one to ship and make its way to me. Once it does, I'll take better photos.

[david i]

A great find. There is- of course- more to this pen than the #8 nib. The White Dot is not present, which is uncommon for OS but which is expected with this nib. There is more anomaly present to this pen.   Here's a pertinent pic I did year or so back.  Only shot ever done showing so many colors (all the colors?) as non-White-Dot OS.

 

 

regards

 

David

[Madame Stylo]

Ah! So it's the size of the Feathertouch nib.  I've only come across them on smaller pens, I didn't know there were bigger ones too. Thanks for the information. I'll watch for more pictures.

[Andrew W]

A great find. There is- of course- more to this pen than the #8 nib. The White Dot is not present, which is uncommon for OS but which is expected with this nib. There is more anomaly present to this pen.   Here's a pertinent pic I did year or so back.  Only shot ever done showing so many colors (all the colors?) as non-White-Dot OS.

 

 

regards

 

David

*snipped image out

 

That's a gorgeous set of non-WD OS Balances, I have to say. I'm a little curious though, what do you mean by more anomaly? Regarding the lack of white dot, I'm pretty confident in saying that there's probably no white dot, but I'm not sure what else would be odd about this pen. This is my first real foray into Balances of this era, barring an impulse-bought vac-fil I got quite some time ago.

[david i]

 

That's a gorgeous set of non-WD OS Balances, I have to say. I'm a little curious though, what do you mean by more anomaly? Regarding the lack of white dot, I'm pretty confident in saying that there's probably no white dot, but I'm not sure what else would be odd about this pen. This is my first real foray into Balances of this era, barring an impulse-bought vac-fil I got quite some time ago.

 

 

Notice the width of the cap-band on your pen. Look at the image of the five pens above...

 

regards

 

david

[david i]

BTW, this conversation shows the power of the message board, vs our similar chat on Facebook. This thread will be archived and available for decades to come.

[Andrew W]

I see it now. Didn't even notice that at first, thanks

[matt]

The cap band isn't as wide as a white dot pen? But...three of David's pens have wider cap bands than the other two.

[david i]

The cap band isn't as wide as a white dot pen? But...three of David's pens have wider cap bands than the other two.

 

Interesting, no?

 

-d

[FarmBoy]

BTW, this conversation shows the power of the message board, vs our similar chat on Facebook. This thread will be archived and available for decades to come.

You should play here more.  The management isn't so bad.

[david i]

 

BTW, this conversation shows the power of the message board, vs our similar chat on Facebook. This thread will be archived and available for decades to come.

You should play here more.  The management isn't so bad.

 

 

Soon, Todd. Thnks for the kind words

 

The Facebook group has ballooned from 150 people to what might be 6000 at our 2nd year marker in 5 weeks.  Very active.  Sucking up time. And, I need to clear 3000 spam applications here. While I'm renovating the NYC apartment and working out of town.   Hope this month or next though.

 

regards

 

david

[Norm]

I could be wrong but I seem to recall reading that Sheaffer considered all their two tone nibs as Feather Touch but on the White Dot pens, they put Lifetime on the nib instead of Feather Touch. I think there were some ads referring to two tone Lifetime nibs as Feather Touch nibs.