Pen ambulance

[sun_set_bravely]

I'm sad. My Aurora fountain pen just broke. The end with the nib broke off from the part with the threads that screws into the barrel. It's still screwed into the barrel, with the plunger stuck there, too.

I've been using it heavily for a year. When I went recently to the store where I bought it, the salesman said, "Oh, Aurora doesn't make that model anymore. It's a great starter pen. You should hold onto it." It was nothing fancy, and I can't remember the model name right now, but I've enjoyed it.

eleanor, did you mention a fountain pen hospital near you? I wonder if this is worth fixing. Or perhaps it's time for me to venture into the realm of more lasting pens.

Sigh.

Comments

Alas, poor pen!

[curmudgeon.livejournal.com]

If you paid more than $40 for it, or even if you didn't but you adore it, I'd say it's worth fixing. If you've only had it a year, perhaps it's still under warranty. If not, I highly recommend the Bromfield Pen Shop in Boston. Swathe it in bubble wrap and send it to Greg Byrne, their pen repair guy; he'll take a look at it and let you know by e-mail whether he can fix it and, if so, how much it'll cost. You can send him a check for the amount of the estimate, and he'll fix it and send it back. Or, if it turns out to be too expensive, you can let him know and he'll send it back to you at no charge.

Re: Alas, poor pen!

[curmudgeon.livejournal.com]

Yet do not let me dissuade you from getting a nicer pen.

Re: Alas, poor pen!

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

Hmm. My little pen was only $25 and although I adore it, I know when to say when. I'm filing this pen shop link away, though, as I'd love to visit it when I'm next in the Boston area. Thank you for the recommendation. Looks like they do a good business there.

[roadnotes.livejournal.com]

The Fountain Pen Hospital is at 10 Warren Street in lower Manhattan. I've never taken a pen there for repairs, but it's probably worth going in with it, and seeing what they recommend. They give excellent service in other ways, so I would think their repairs are equally good.

And looking at another fountain pen surely couldn't hurt, now could it?

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

Very exciting! I think I'm going to hold my pen for repair when I return to NYC, and start looking for a new pen now.

I knew that the wonderful fountain pen women on LJ wouldn't disappoint me. I need a little urging to find a new pen, and this is perfect. :)

[freak1c.livejournal.com]

texas art supply.

[eleanor.livejournal.com]

The Fountain Pen Hospital does great repairs. They've fixed a few things form me, are reasonably priced, and will tell you how to do basic maintance yourself. I will personally escort you, if you like, and you can then look at other pens, besides. In fact, I'll have to go next week, to have my new vintage pens checked out and looked over.

The catch is that they don't have long or weekend hours,are open M-f, 7:45-5:30.

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

Ooh! I'll be back in town next week. I'm due at work at 10a.m., so I'm willing to meet earlier, if the idea isn't too heinous to you. It would be lots of fun to look at pens together. I could use an experienced fountain pen collector standing by my side as I look for my next pen.

Re:

[eleanor.livejournal.com]

I'm usually up by 7:30, so it's not problem for me -- just pick your day, any day but Friday, which is traditionally when I sleep in a little.