Pen Resurrection Ep 59 - 1938 Parker Royal Challenger Part ONE

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 28 чер 2024
  • This is a very special resurrection! This pen has a wonderful, storied history. I will present PART TWO next Sunday where I present the pen to Lorie.
    Please feel free to use the chapters provided below to skip to various parts of the review.
    If you like this video, don't forget to like and subscribe and hit that bell to be notified when I post new videos!
    JOIN AS A MEMBER HERE TO GET ACCESS TO PERKS:
    / @inkquiringminds
    GOLDSPOT PENS ONLINE AFFILIATE LINK (yes it works!):
    goldspot.com?aff=8
    Links:
    Richard Binder Line Width Chart (pdf):
    www.richardspens.com/pdf/strok...
    Etsy Shop for "Ink Buddy" Items:
    www.etsy.com/shop/AlliedArmor...
    My favourite brick 'n mortar pen and stationery store; Reids!
    reidstationers.com/
    Listen to my music at SoundClick:
    www.soundclick.com/artist/def...
    My UA-cam Community Tab:
    / douglasrathbun
    Get 10% off your purchase from Appelboom by using the code FRIEND at checkout!
    appelboom.com/
    Get 10% off your purchase from Cult Pens: tinyurl.com/y6g8yqal
    Subscribe for more fountain pen videos: tinyurl.com/rgfe4v3
    Share this video with a friend:
    • Pen Resurrection Ep 59...
    Watch next - • Penbbs 491 Fountain Pe...
    Chapters:
    00:00 - Start
    00:09 - Introduction
    03:38 - Triage the Pen
    05:38 - Disassembly
    10:23 - Ultrasonic
    11:34 - Nib Repair
    13:08 - Removing the Nib/Feed
    14:18 - Repairing the Nib
    18:07 - Clipping the Nib
    18:49 - Grinding a Stub Nib
    24:28 - Grinding with a Rotary Tool
    24:58 - Grinding with Micromesh
    30:19 - Polishing the Hardware
    30:57 - Polishing the Cap and Barrel
    35:05 - Thoughts and Part 2
    Let’s connect:
    Instagram - douglasrathbun
    Threads - www.threads.net/@douglasrathbun
    Email - inkquiringminds@gmail.com
    Concerto No. 3 in E major, Op. 8, RV 293, "Spring" by Antonio Vivaldi, in HD quality!
    - Classical music piece performed by: John Harrison - Violin / Robert Turizziani - Conductor / Wichita State University Chamber Players
    - Music licensed by: John Harrison
    - Music license: CC BY-SA 1.0
    CAUTION: The following video has an unusually high VHQ (video humor quotient). Viewers are advised to refrain from consuming carbonated beverages while watching. Any liquid spewing out of your nose is YOUR responsibility.
  • Навчання та стиль

КОМЕНТАРІ • 48

  • @photogman390
    @photogman390 2 місяці тому +1

    I'm just overwhelmed. The best story of a FP Journey I have ever heard. Can't wait til next Sunday.

  • @escapingdeception5799
    @escapingdeception5799 2 місяці тому +1

    That is super exciting. She will be overwhelmed with joy

  • @zeus52452
    @zeus52452 2 місяці тому +3

    Another beautiful restoration Doug. Yes, I remember the video where you did the same procedure on a different nib. I'm looking forward to Part Two!!

  • @andrewrothman7805
    @andrewrothman7805 2 місяці тому +1

    Love the back story of this pen. The title says Royal Challenger, but the video correctly calls it just a Challenger. The Royal version had herringbone panels and usually a sword clip. Love these restoration videos!

    • @InkquiringMinds
      @InkquiringMinds  2 місяці тому +2

      Thanks for the info! I got the Royal Challenger from Tony Fischier's website. But you are correct. He said that the Royal Challenger had a single wide cap band as in the Vacumatic after 1937. But I misunderstood that ALL of the Challengers after 1937 has a wide cap band including the regular, Deluxe and Royal lines.

  • @archivist17
    @archivist17 2 місяці тому +1

    So much going on in this video! What an amazing story to this pen, with so many twists and turns. And the burnisher is like a magic wand in making that angled bit of metal into a nib. Shame you couldn't save the tip, but that's an excellent job, Doug. 🖋

  • @MitchellJBridges
    @MitchellJBridges 2 місяці тому +1

    These are always my favorite videos. It's great these old pens are given a second chance to Shine again.
    My grandparents have old fountain pens, they are two old waterman pens.
    If you're interested I have two vintage pens you can repair as an heirloom from my grandparents.
    I'm Canadian btw.

    • @InkquiringMinds
      @InkquiringMinds  2 місяці тому +1

      Thanks fellow Canuck!

    • @MitchellJBridges
      @MitchellJBridges 2 місяці тому +1

      ​@@InkquiringMinds I actually have 3 waterman pens sorry.

  • @johnsomers8269
    @johnsomers8269 2 місяці тому +1

    What a beautiful history and a fabulous restoration. Nice to see the PFM as well! I have a box-o-pens that I hope to in the pony express soon!

    • @InkquiringMinds
      @InkquiringMinds  2 місяці тому +1

      I took the PFM to the Calgary Pen Club yesterday and only let Murray and Janice touch it!! 😊

  • @paulmchugh1430
    @paulmchugh1430 2 місяці тому +1

    I thought the history of the pen's life as well as the backstory was fascinating. The condition of the pen, especially the nib was worthy of the effort you made. Cutting the nib was perhaps the only economical way to make the nib work. I understand that completely as I had my father-in-law's pen re-tipped and that was a costly procedure. As with the history of this pen, it was gifted to my father-in-law when he went into the Navy during WWII. I guess it was a thing to do then.
    The body of the pen turned out amazing.
    Looking forward to Part 2 of this resurrection.

    • @InkquiringMinds
      @InkquiringMinds  2 місяці тому +4

      I just now got off the phone with Lorie and she’s over the moon!

  • @wittwittwer1043
    @wittwittwer1043 2 місяці тому +2

    My Pappy was a Company Commander of combat engineers when he wrote this letter to the woman who was to become my Mom. It has pictures in it, but they did not copy when I transferred the image here:
    Camp Bowie, Texas
    July 6, 1942 [Monday]
    Dearest Phyllis,
    How do you think my new pen writes? I bought me a new “Guaranteed Forever” parker today. This makes writing a pleasure, almost.
    This morning I was introduced to our Colonel. He is a swell fellow as far as I’m concerned. He seems to know what he is talking about.
    I have been temporarily assigned to “A” Co. It doesn’t have any men in it yet, but it soon will have.
    Don’t mention this to anyone, but I think I will be “A” Companies new Commanding Officer unless they get a batch more officers. There isn’t anything I would like better, unless it would be to have you here.
    I’m mad at myself for not at least asking you to marry me
    [2]
    when we could have done. I don’t know when we will get another chance as good as that.
    I was just talking to the officer that is with me in “A” Co. he is ok but he has only been in the army one month. He is R.O.T.C. Maybe I will be a Company Commander. My fingers are honed.
    Darling would you consider getting married the next time I get a leave? Remember I’m a bad bargain. I’m in the army, and I’ll be here [at Fort Bowie] about 3 mo., maybe.
    Well I kept my promise anyway, at least I started to write.
    Tomorrow night I promise to tell you all about this place if there isn’t something the Colonel wants us to work on.
    Goodnight, Love [no signature]
    [ED: I have made edits in brackets. Pappy is referring to a Parker 51 fountain pen. Designed with a “hooded” nib and tested in 1939, it was introduced to the marketplace in 1941. The introductory price was $12.50 ($255.82 in 2023's money). Production stopped in 1972. It became and remains today an iconic design, and China sells a knock-off called the ‘Hero 100.’ General Eisenhower signed Germany's surrender documents with a Parker ’51.]
    [Tbe items below indicate the pictures that I placed in the letter as illustrations.]
    GLADE WITTWER-PAPPY
    PHYLLIS LIGHTNER-MOM
    PARKER 51 FOUNTAIN PEN
    HERO 100S WITHOUT CAPS
    51ST ENGR RGT INSIGNIA

    • @InkquiringMinds
      @InkquiringMinds  2 місяці тому +1

      Wow! Thanks for sharing, @wittwittwer1043! General MacArthur signed the Japanese surrender with an old Parker Duofold "Big Red". It was Eisenhower that signed the surrender of the Germans with a Parker 51.

    • @wittwittwer1043
      @wittwittwer1043 2 місяці тому

      @@InkquiringMindsThanks for the correction. I'll make the correction to my notes in that letter.

  • @Copperplate_1969
    @Copperplate_1969 2 місяці тому +3

    Your videos are increasingly masterful! I could watch for hours. Thank you so much!
    The story behind this pen is so heartwarming! I’m looking forward to Lorie’s reaction.
    Nice cap! 🎵 My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends 🎵 ;)
    If I catch the person saying not-so-nice things about you, they’ll get a nasty surprise!
    This is not a lecture on perfect manicure (although it could be, because see below), but an fp channel, where a very well-groomed gentleman demonstrates artisanal techniques.
    So please move to the forefront of your mind, that absolutely EVERY part of your body is perfect and beautiful! Although I would have to investigate some of them in more detail, but I'm pretty sure ;)
    Eventually I'll have to come over and knead and/or shake you until you've internalized you’re groovy

    • @InkquiringMinds
      @InkquiringMinds  2 місяці тому +2

      I will endeavor to internalize my groove for your edification! 🥰

    • @Copperplate_1969
      @Copperplate_1969 2 місяці тому +1

      @@InkquiringMinds It's actually totally embarrassing how late my penny drops sometimes. LMAO right now. Thanks for this sweet good night story

  • @strshooter7399
    @strshooter7399 2 місяці тому +1

    Look, you have done a magnificent job Doug ! Outside of a …new ~ old stock, even used nib, I don’t know who could have done better with the condition of the old nib. Super good work 🤗👏👍😎

  • @viggen232003
    @viggen232003 2 місяці тому +1

    Excellent job. But, honestly, after all the successful restorations you did, I didn't have the slightest doubt that you would be successful this time too. Good luck for part II

  • @konradyearwood5845
    @konradyearwood5845 2 місяці тому +1

    If you had any doubt that Doug is a true fountain pen afficionado who else would knock up a construction design sketch with a fancy vintage Sheaffer fountain pen? 🤣🤣

  • @jamesbenton8347
    @jamesbenton8347 2 місяці тому +1

    Well done!!

  • @alfonsomanjarres9727
    @alfonsomanjarres9727 2 місяці тому +1

    Good. I use almost same technique . I use a dremel to grind off just the tipping material and then 1000 emery paper to shape it, and to then polish up to 10000 emery paper. I don't make stub nibs, I make Obliques and I love them.

  • @willemgroenewegen5934
    @willemgroenewegen5934 2 місяці тому +1

    Nail clippers, wow, really going at it hammers and tongs this time. Was there any tipping left after that? Amazing how you managed to straighten and smooth that over. That takes guts!

    • @InkquiringMinds
      @InkquiringMinds  2 місяці тому +1

      Not at all. It disappeared in an instant.

  • @georgeparapadakis
    @georgeparapadakis 2 місяці тому +1

    I wish I could give it a few more thumbs up! 👍 👍 Thoroughly enjoyed this. What an amazing story and a great resurrection. Was that a PFM II that I spied taking notes? ;-)

  • @ichirofakename
    @ichirofakename 2 місяці тому +1

    What an elaborate process. You win.
    What does "wow" mean?

  • @kenblair2538
    @kenblair2538 2 місяці тому +1

    WOW ! You sure like a challenge , Doug. Is it even possible , to install a modern nib ? Thanks. KB.

    • @InkquiringMinds
      @InkquiringMinds  2 місяці тому +2

      Yes I would think so. A #5 in this case.

  • @ibpopp
    @ibpopp 2 місяці тому

    Nail clippers! Made the soles of my feet tingle with horror--but it worked; so the proof is in the pudding.
    Nice to see one of my favourite film clips, the Appalachian dancers. Was that Pete Seeger?
    Cheers from the Dingoes.

    • @InkquiringMinds
      @InkquiringMinds  2 місяці тому +1

      Glad you enjoyed it! I didn’t see Pete!

  • @kimkristensen5476
    @kimkristensen5476 2 місяці тому +1

    I love to see your videos of resurrection off old pens...
    Just a question tho... isn't there something about 14k gold and ammonia don't play well together?
    I've stopped using ammonia in my pen flush because of those rumors I just won't take the chance..

    • @InkquiringMinds
      @InkquiringMinds  2 місяці тому +2

      The ammonia in pen flush is so dilute it isn’t harmful. It is one one part ammonia to nine parts distilled water. That is less than the recommended 1:6 ratio suggested for cleaning jewelry. I wouldn’t leave it overnight and only put it in the ultrasonic for at most 10 minutes.

  • @oscarmedina1597
    @oscarmedina1597 2 місяці тому +1

    The pen looks great! I just wonder why you didn’t work on that bent tine a little more. I know you’ve had a tine break in the past; were you afraid it would happen again? Maybe if you work slowly on it with your nib tool you could get it a little straighter. It writes very well though, so maybe it’s not worth the risk.

    • @InkquiringMinds
      @InkquiringMinds  2 місяці тому +2

      It isn’t worth the risk. It already had a deep score underneath. Any more flexing and it will snap.

    • @oscarmedina1597
      @oscarmedina1597 2 місяці тому +1

      @@InkquiringMinds It makes sense. You did a really good job with the stub end.

  • @NitroHDB
    @NitroHDB 2 місяці тому +3

    Super useful video Doug, and very timely - just got a Waterman's #3 which is in great condition other than for the nib being all bent up.. The video is like peering into my future.. I also got a Mark 1 Vacumatic with a lockdown filler, with the back end blind cap having been chewed on. Spent last night seeing if I can print a new one and polish it up to look similar to the opaque black pen... I was surprised at how well it came out..