Bexley/Classic Fountain pens, Green Tea LE.

[daveathall]

I have been waiting eagerly for this pen to be produced, Classic Fountain Pens commission a LE pen each year, this one was advertised for some time before it became available, I fell in love with the colour (color) immediately and decided that I would have one of these pens.

I have owned a number of American made products such as a Leatherman, Surefire torch and pen, Case penknives and Zippo lighters to name a few, IMHO all of these companies easily equal Germanic levels in regards to fit, finish, quality control and warranty. My purchase of a Bexley pen (American made) was in direct response to the outstanding service and quality I have previously received from the above named companies and their products.

The two companies that collaborated on this pen, Classic Fountain pens and Bexley have reinforced my opinion about superb American quality, not only in the superb service and buyer experience from CFP (once again), but also because of the beautifully crafted pen made by Bexley, I am, to coin a phrase "Chuffed to bits"

I have not had this pen long enough to give a full report but decided to show photos and give my first impressions.


I ordered the pen with a Rhodium trim (For some reason it has a gold tint in my photos, I assure you it is silver coloured). It is available in gold trim to those that prefer it. The colours are beautifully polished (lacquered?) to produce a deep shine, the clip on the cap is strong but still usable.











I was lucky or fast enough to have #2 in the series which is nicely etched on the barrel of the pen, as far as I can remember there are 50 in the rhodium trim and 100 in gold trim.



This is a large pen, I'm a feet and inches man myself but rather than get the tape measure out I have put it next to some pens that we may know the size.

Against a MB 149.






And just because I like the colours, against a Sailor Gear (Colours) and a MB 149. When one has put the pen in one's jacket pocket, it sits higher up than both the MB and the Sailor because the clip is situated further down on the cap of the pen.



The pen is either cartridge or converter fed, at the moment I have the converter fitted, filling is very smooth and precise after a couple of flushes through with warm water.



Writing with the pen is a joy, I would imagine it is between my Sailor pen and Nakaya pen for feed back, it is very smooth but one knows one is using a fountain pen, its beautiful.


Classic fountain pens and Bexley IMHO have yet again produced a wonderful, tactile and functional pen. Overall after 1 full day I give this pen a very hearty thumbs up, I love it.

[Sweramic]

Fantastic!!!!

[shandy]

Dave.
What a beauty! The attention to detail is wonderful and I think you were right to go with the rhodium trim, it really works with the green and black.

It sure is a large pen! Almost the same as the MB which is a monster. However I have found that if one is writing for great lengths of time then a larger pen both in girth and length much more comfortable!

Classic fountain pens is an apt maker for this pen. It just oozes the past and I love that!

It is amazing how memories can be stirred that are totally unrelated!

Between the age of 1 and 5 I lived just outside of portsmouth (late sixties) back then the southern bus company and railway used an almost identical shade of green and black on their transport! I would love one of these just because of that..Unfortunatley my spare cash has now been taken up for a Rolex golden opportunity, other wise I would be on this pen like a ferret down a rabbit hole

I am really looking forward to seeing some writing samples from it..As you and I are both lucky to know, the pens John sells write magnificently

Well done again Dave, that really does add to your collection..Now then, how far off is the Onoto?

[daveathall]

Thank you fellas, writing samples to follow in the next couple of days.

The Onoto should arrive before Easter.

[Lion]

Dave, what a great looking pen and I'm glad you are happy with the results. Living here in America I too enjoy the Leatherman multi-tool and W. R Case & Sons pocket knives. I collect the pocket knives and usually carry a few each day. And you sure can't beat the use of a Leatherman Enjoy your new pen!!!

[Skullring]

Beautiful Dave. Thanks for the review.

[JBat]

That's really a fabulous looking pen, Dave. Nice photos too. Congratulations!

[daveathall]

Thank you very much for all the kind comments fellas, I forgot to put a couple of un capped photos on the main post and am too late to edit in, so I have included them here.
Hope you enjoy them.











I rotated and cropped this.

[2careless]

Those are beauties Dave!
For the green tea, how do you find the balance when holding? I would imagine this is not a pen for posting (i.e. writing with the cap attached to the barrel end)? Also, is the engraving mandatory? I somehow feel the heavy fonts distract attention from the pen...
As for the Sailor, the colour is real stunning!

[daveathall]

Thank you Kai.

I have only wrote with the pen without the cap, it balances so well, I forgot to try.

I'm not sure whether the pen can be obtained without the writing on the barrel, perhaps a quick e mail to John at CFP might help, I think my photography might have high lighted it a lot more than it actually looks in real life, rather like the engraving on the DSSD, I think it may be one of those that you either like or hate, luckily I'm in the former camp.

[Lion]

Dave, very nice addition to your holding and enjoy writing with it. what color ink are you going to use???

[bravo3_7]

Those are just beautiful. Wow, please do not make me a fan of this too ... watches are expensive enough!!! :)

[shandy]

Originally Posted by bravo3_7

Those are just beautiful. Wow, please do not make me a fan of this too ... watches are expensive enough!!! :)

Hang around here long enough...We will tempt you to the dark side

[Lion]

Yup, listening to Ian and/or Richard will make a believer out of you in no time at all. Get ready to open your purse strings!!! LOL!!!

[bigmikebee]

great shot of the pen and nice comentary. enjoy it!

[Bisquitlips]

That is a lovely pen!

Now we need a writing sample please!

[daveathall]

Here is a quick sample using Noodlers Blue/Black ink on a Moleskine pocket notebook.

Bexley has a Medium nib.
Nakaya has a double broad nib.
Sailor has a medium or broad nib, I cant remember.
Mont Blanc 149 has a medium nib.

[Lol-x]

Noodlers blue/black is one of my favorites

Wow you keep your 149 shiny new

Very interesting how the Nakaya 'double broad' is about the same width as a Montblanc 'medium'

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Noodlers blue/black is one of my favorites

Wow you keep your 149 shiny new

Very interesting how the Nakaya 'double broad' is about the same width as a Montblanc 'medium'

I use a small amount of Renaissance wax, it is used by the British museum and restoration experts, it basically can be used on any surface, it is magic stuff. I bought that 149 in 1997.

http://www.picreator.co.uk/articles/...ssance_wax.htm Its sold in single tins on Amazon, I have no connection with either company.

[Lion]

Dave, I use the Renaissance wax as well on my knife collection but it didn't occur to me to use it on my pens.....Thanx for the tip!!!

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by Lion

Dave, I use the Renaissance wax as well on my knife collection but it didn't occur to me to use it on my pens.....Thanx for the tip!!!

That's what I originally got it for Leo, marvellous stuff.

[Lion]

Originally Posted by daveathall

That's what I originally got it for Leo, marvellous stuff.

And you do not have to use much.....just a little goes a long way!!!

[JBat]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I use a small amount of Renaissance wax, it is used by the British museum and restoration experts, it basically can be used on any surface, it is magic stuff. I bought that 149 in 1997.

http://www.picreator.co.uk/articles/...ssance_wax.htm Its sold in single tins on Amazon, I have no connection with either company.

Originally Posted by Lion

Dave, I use the Renaissance wax as well on my knife collection but it didn't occur to me to use it on my pens.....Thanx for the tip!!!

Where do you get it?

[Lion]

Originally Posted by JBat

Where do you get it?

John, I bought it thru a knife distributor a couple of years ago and I really do not remember where. I imagine if you Goggle Renaissance Wax you will get some listings. I'm sorry I do not remember!!!

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by JBat

Where do you get it?

John Ive just looked on the USA Amazon $15, worth every penny or should I say cent.

[shandy]

For those of us in the great white north here is the Canadian distributor!
http://www.on-the-edge.ca/renwax.htm

Thanks For the tip Dave. I am going to get a tub!

Thank goodness as well that you see the green in that ink.I thought my eyes were going

[shandy]

Dave, excellent writing sample showing the nib differences! It really shows how the Nakaya Nibs run on the lean side in comparison to MB.Boy I would love to see a comparison of a Nakaya double b and a Mont blanc double b! Anyone have one of those combinations so we can see??

Also. the bexly nib looks like it lays down a lovely line of ink just as bexly's are known for, add in John's magic and it must be a sheer joy to write with!

That noodlers ink looks great. I have just refilled my pens with noodlers standard Brown ink..My favorite brown ink, lot's of shading and depth

Now it might be my eyes but I am sure I have seen this in your writing samples before with the noodlers ink. Does it have a slight green tint to it? I really like it, must pick up some when I am at my next pen club meet!

Not long for the Onoto to come now either. This will be the first new one I will have seen outside the factory pictures..Can't wait!

[JBat]

Dave, thanks for the writing samples. Very revealing.

[daveathall]

I am glad you said that Ian, the green tint is so subtle in the Noodlers Blue/Black that I thought it was just me.

I have been promised the Onoto for before Easter so should arrive anytime soon.

[JBat]

Originally Posted by Lion

John, I bought it thru a knife distributor a couple of years ago and I really do not remember where. I imagine if you Goggle Renaissance Wax you will get some listings. I'm sorry I do not remember!!!

No worries, Leo!

Originally Posted by daveathall

I am glad you said that Ian, the green tint is so subtle in the Noodlers Blue/Black that I thought it was just me.

I have been promised the Onoto for before Easter so should arrive anytime soon.

Thanks, Dave!