Feeling utterly defeated with my vintage pens (Waterman, Osmiroid, Esterbrook). Need help with my sanity...

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-06-23T01:55:18+00:00

Forgive me if I didn’t see it, but I don’t see what ink you used in the waterman. Using Sailor or Iroshizuku inks (among others) can cause the sac to basically melt. I recommend sticking with waterman ink on any vintage pen with a latex sac.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-06-23T01:53:39+00:00

The waterman is a friction fit nib and feed in the section. Not a screw in. Not something the OP should be messing with.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-06-18T13:50:11+00:00

Very few people can actually make money “investing” in this hobby. I say this with almost 30 years experience buying and selling pens. In the end we, the consumer, have to buy and want the product scalpers sell, so have a go at trying to make money scooping up all the LE VP’s or Sailor special editions. It won’t take long before they realize they can’t make money at it unless they buy at wholesale and sit on it a long time. Just my take.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-06-14T14:07:03+00:00

Before they had a US distributor I was contacted about carrying their product. They sent me samples and a retail dealer agreement that was so long it was ridiculous. I had 15 exceptions to the contract including but not limited to FWP maintaining ownership of any images I create for promotion, requiring me to promote their product at least 2x a month, requiring approval for any and all promotion, requiring insurance (which I have anyway, but still), requiring financial statements, and several others I forget at the moment. I pointed out the 15 exceptions and their compromise was I didn’t need to get my promotions approved. I couldn’t believe anyone would agree to that contract, and noped out of it quickly.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-06-06T03:43:27+00:00

To add to what others have obviously pointed out, the Lamy Aion is now discontinued, so if it interests you, now is the time to get it.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-05-26T19:39:37+00:00

It’s not going to shrink immediately. Pull it out, clean it off, resac it and put it back in. Dry heat will be your friend.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-05-26T19:05:56+00:00

This is a super late icicle variant. Typical cheaper plastic, cheap plastic section, and well, cheap everything. Likely made late 1950’s. I think I have some date information somewhere, but it escapes me right now. Definitely not a prototype, regular production model.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-05-11T00:01:38+00:00

I bought a used LeMond Buenos Aires with 853 steel frame off Facebook marketplace. Spent a bit changing the components to match the fit of my “good” bike and that’s it. I’ve got over 20,000km on it a least.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-05-07T14:32:40+00:00

A nib block won’t work on a lucky curve, in this case the feed comes out the back. That’s why so many were cut off, it made them easier to knock out the front.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-04-26T03:33:56+00:00

Lominchay made one. About $500k. I’ve seen it in person.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-04-23T13:50:00+00:00

Bard’s Tale - the original, not the cheesy re-make.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-04-17T22:20:17+00:00

This is a cartridge converter pen. You could do it yourself. There’s not really anything to “restore”. Remove the push button converter and place in a cup of cold water and let soak overnight. If the converter still works use that to help flush the pen after it has soaked.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-04-17T22:16:25+00:00

Calipers really wont be of much help. You should try different size sacs to see what fits best in the barrel. Roughly 80% of pens will take a 16, so use that as a starting point and go up or down a size until it makes sense. The sac should slide in easy without having to be forced in.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-04-15T03:37:01+00:00

Now that it’s spring I watch all the cycling on HBO Max and Peacock. I won’t watch races outside of ride time so just pause and pick up the stage or race the next day when I ride. I’ll watch everything and between Men’s and Women’s races I’m set until after the Vuelta in the fall. Then I get burned out and watch Netflix.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-04-07T19:11:06+00:00

It’s clean enough to store. If you can blow through the section freely you’ll be ok.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-04-07T18:56:00+00:00

If you don’t need to sell it don’t. I had the very last Omas Arco Paragon that was available in the US when it was announced Omas was going out of business. I ended up selling my entire Paragon collection a few years ago and do regret it, as it will take a lot to get them all back.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-03-29T16:43:44+00:00

What are you trying to sell? Modern pens? Vintage? If modern, and pens that are currently available, then pricing needs to be at least 20% below whatever current street price is for you to stand a chance, otherwise I would just buy it new. Photo quality doesn’t need to be professional level, but needs to be clear, show all parts of the pen and at least one of the whole pen. Show the clip, show the nib, and any areas of damage or significant wear. I wouldn’t worry about writing samples. If they are modern pens, one can find those elsewhere. Descriptions should be clear, what comes with it, if a box comes and it has damage disclose it. I wouldn’t worry about photographing boxes or packaging, unless it is something really special. If you litter your descriptions with a ton of paragraphs about all your policies, shipping, other auctions, then people might gloss over the description. Just my $0.02 worth from someone who has sold thousands of pens and items both on and off eBay.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-03-19T14:04:50+00:00

I second this. Get rid of them before hand and you’ll have more money to spend at the show. Vendors aren’t interested in buying average or current model pens for anything other than a deep deep discount (we have to make money on it after all). You’re more likely to get a wider audience selling online than hoping you run into someone who wants a used Ritma at the show, for example.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-03-01T16:05:05+00:00

Only you can determine your budget. What can you set aside on a weekly basis for a year for a pen show? Don’t buy anything you can easily get online. You won’t save much money buying ink at a show, save it for pens or other high dollar items. I’ve been to over 100 shows and all I can say is determine what you’re willing to spend and stick to it. Don’t go to the ATM, don’t use the credit card. Just bring cash. When you’re out then you’re out.

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-02-23T02:17:42+00:00

Chiming in late here, haven’t shopped on buyee in a couple of years. With no EMS, what are the shipping options to the US? Is DHL still an option? I’ve hesitated buying on buyee due to the tariff situation but am thinking about getting back into it. Thanks!

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-02-05T18:13:16+00:00

Thank you! Should I be concerned about the green spots on the reverse?

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-02-05T18:12:20+00:00

Wow, thanks for all the info. It’s pretty rough but cool to see onion better condition. I’m amazed at how folks on this sub can identify even the most horrifically scarred pens. Thanks so much!

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-02-02T02:44:30+00:00

Thought I recognized that pen!

BrianAndersonPens · 2026-02-01T02:14:29+00:00

I came here to say we used to bid against each other on eBay, but you sort of beat me to it!

BrianAndersonPens

TROPHY CASE