October 5, 2012
-
Pen du mois (oct’12).
This month I’m using my Sailor in medium nib, fully loaded with Rohrer & Klingner Sepia ink. Though it is a medium nib, it writes like a fine nib, as it is a Japanese size.
I don’t know the name of this particular Sailor pen but it is of a vintage design. I got it at a small stationary shop in a small town called Kuching, in Malaysia, own and run by an elderly man. The shop itself is an old one, in what looked like a run-down historical building. It was by accident that I came across this shop, as I was on the way to a museum, on foot. The collection of fountain pens available at the shop is very limited as they no longer sell as many in comparison to the old days, thus they never restocked on their inventory. What’s left are very few pieces in various brands and all of the vintage type. After a brief test of few of them pens dipped in ink, I knew I just got to have this one, especially when the price offered was ridiculously low. The shop keeper is a very helpful and pleasant man to chat with, and was very pleased with the fact that someone was still searching for a fountain pen at his shop after all the years he’s been in the business, especially someone so much younger than he is. Needless to say, my experience at the shop was worth the trip to the town.
Comments (11)
Nice. Looks like a design from the 1970s/1980s. Getting this kind of New Old Stock (NOS) can really be a bargain to get "youngtimers" (to use a car term).
I have and continue to love this pen.
A beautiful pen with an interesting back story.
That is a great story of what can happen when people actually get off their computers, get out of their house, get out of their cars and off their cellphones and actually walk around. A lot of times I really think people would be pleasantly surprised by what they can come across when they are not distracted by so many other things and actually out getting exercise and exploring their towns.
It must have been such a nice experience to be able to talk with the shop owner about your interest and how the demand has changed over the years. It really must have made his day to make a sell to you and get to talk to you. I'm sure you'll enjoy your new purchase. You'll have to write a blog with your special pens and scan to Xanga to see how they turn out !
Take care and have a wonderful weekend, bye for now.
Kyle
Now I'm guessing how many pens you'll be bringing along for your HK trip?
Your handwriting really is beautiful, Rudy.
Classy and wonderfully unique. Honestly, only someone with such nice hand writing can use one of these pens (they would be wasted on my chicken scratch).
Do you actively search for shops that carry these items or just happen chance upon them?
I have told you in the past that I love fountain pens and collect them. Whenever I am in a store and writing a cheque, the person at the register is always intrigued with it. Most of the young kids have never seen one. They sometimes ask me how much something so different would cost, and when I tell them the price, their jaw invariably drops!
@beowulf222 - yeah, i agree, nick. it does look like one that comes from the 70s or 80s. but what really attracted me the most is the fact that it's of a japanese brand and is the ONLY japanese brand fountain pen that the shop has left. well, that and i like the nib
@Fatcat723 - you have one too? AWESOME!! you have the same Pilot Custom 74 as mine, and now the same Sailor too? robert, you are a man of good taste
@christao408 - thanks chris. yeah, i'm so glad i made the trip. the shop experience was well worth it. too bad i didn't take the name card or address of the shop. i'm not sure if i could find the same shop again if i were to return to the town.
@kyle061685 - you are so right on, kyle. hope you are having a good week yourself.
@CurryPuffy - mmm... i don't know, gary. maybe just one. UNLESS... someone is requesting for more
@secade - gosh, thanks colin. it still looks like scribbles to me. i have seen handwriting far more beautiful than mine and i'm so full of envy. can't seem to write as nice as they do. sigh...
@paperblanks - thanks, daniel. but, really, one does not need to have a beautiful handwriting to write on paper. besides, the more practice you do, the better your handwriting becomes. i don't actively search for a pen shop, but when i get to travel the experience of visiting one and finding one gives that extra excitement to the experience and makes the whole trip more memorable.
@ZSA_MD - hahaha... zakiah, this is why i DON'T like showing my pens in public. i just keep them to myself and use them for my own pleasure. whenever one finds out the cost of my pen, there is a tendency of them thinking i'm a snob who likes to show off. oh well, you can't win all the time in this life time (shrugs) :p
you and your fountain pen lol
@vsan79 - hahaha.. i know, i know. i just can't help myself :p