News — Restore a vintage pen

The Mentmore Diploma first appeared in 1934 and was updated to a semi hooded version, this pen, in 1948, presumably as a response to the hooded nib of the Parker 51. The pen is a typical English button filler and holds no real surprises in the restoration process. With gentle heat, I use a hairdrier, the nib section can be removed, it's a right hand thread.  Care should be taken when using a drift and knockout block to remove the nib and feed as the hood shape and size can render it succeptible to chipping The barrel is generously proportioned, a...

The Parker Duofold has been around, in one form or another, for about a hundred years.  It started with the 'Flat top', the most famous of which was the 'Big Red', this was followed by the 'Streamline' version, the button filler, the AF, the Aerometric, and now modern cartridge/converter versions. The so called 'Aerometric', this pen, was introduced in 1953.   It is not a difficult pen to disassemble, as with most pens the difficulty arises when bits that should come apart easily don't, due to them being clogged with the residue of dried ink or the overenthusiastc application of...

A knockout block for removing a reluctant nib from a section is an essential pen repair tool.  It consists of a solid block with a number of holes of differing sizes to accommodate a range of nib sizes. A range of punch sizes to fit the section bore is also needed.  The picture shows a very substantial and versatile block which will last a lifetime and more.  As you are only ever going to buy one of these it is best to buy a good one. The photo is a block supplied by The Pendragons at Thependragons - Vintage fountain pen...

Ideally a conservative pen restorer should have very little, if any, use for abraders.  In practice it is quite different.  When dealing with a pen that a previous owner has inexpertly repaired or needs a certain type of repair it is often necessary to use an abrasive technique. If, however, a 'showroom finish, is the aim or the pen has deep scratches or dentition marks that need to be removed then an 'abrasive technique' is unavoidable. It is up to the restorer to decide what level of restoration is appropriate with respect to the surface of the pen body and the general...