The original Conklin Glider was introduced in 1939-40 as an economy model lever filler, but met with marginal success. It could have been the times, just off the Depression years, but more likely because this pen was just not made as well as prior Conklin products. The Glider was made by the “new” Conklin Pen Co., which had recently been purchased and moved to Chicago.

This new Conklin Glider is quite the opposite. I have affection primarily for vintage pens. My new pen purchases usually are a modern reissue of the old, or at least those pens that have elements of vintage designs and filling systems. This consistently tells me that at least some pen makers are listening to us…we like vintage pens that were made when pen makers really knew how to make pens.

This is new and also very different in many ways. Blunt ends versus tapered, cartridge or piston filler versus lever filler and steel nib versus 14K. The inexpensive plastics are replaced with a stunning new resin material in colored marbles that have a great appeal. Best of all it is an impressive 5 ¾” long, slightly longer than my vintage Duofold Sr. and an identical cap girth at the lip, slightly tapering to the cap top. Handsome in the hand and gets attention sitting high in the shirt pocket. What I find very comfortable is the slight waist or taper on the section, making for a nice grip without any noticeable distraction from the barrel threads.
Lighter in weight than the Duofold, this Glider is one of the few pens I can use with the cap posted. The barrel end nests about 1 ¼” into the cap, so it is firmly placed, does not wobble and is still light enough for good control in my hand.

It was a tough decision on color, as the Tiger Eye Brown will probably be my next one. Simple decision, mostly because they are very affordable at a MSRP of only $85. for the Beyond Blue and only $ 70 for the other colors. The rhodium plated steel nib is made only in Fine or Medium, I chose the Fine. The clip and cap band is silver plated. The clip is heavily plated as I can see the back side is entirely covered as well, so there are no exposed edges that will eventually start to flake or chip. Score a nice point here for Conklin.

Right out of the box, piston converter filled with PR Tanzanite for a nice matching color. The tight piston washer gives me about an 80% fill after only two aspirations, wipe it’s nose and no hesitation on laying the ink.
This Fine nib gives me a nice hint of flex on the down stroke when I want it. I usually like medium or broad nibs because I’m a fast writer and sometimes I just get ahead of the flow with fine nibs. Lately, I’ve been messing with my dip pens again, and have again become attracted to the challenge of nib control for fine line writing. So at an affordable price, I felt I could splurge to experiment with a modern Fine nib. I really am not disappointed. Under the 10x loop, the anatomy looks great with a nicely shaped chunk of Iridium.

Off to my pads of testing papers. First I use my sample pads from pen companies, usually a harder finish that always work very well…as expected. Smooth with no rough spots on the up strokes or horizontals. I always test write my forgery signatures of Geo Washington and Thos Jefferson, I know where the shades should be and this seems a good test for nibs. Slight pressure gives me a bit of “Binder”…a sweet line, this nib is a keeper. My Tiger Eye will go to Richard Binder for a nose job to a flexy stub.

Next I test this pen on my usual papers such as Southworth 25% cotton in Ivory Antique laid, which has a slight “tooth” and my Eaton 100% cotton Connoisseur, smoother and a more quiet paper. In the past I have found that too fine a nib takes more concentration to stay on the “sweet spot” to insure a good ink flow. A slightly broader “fine” is more forgiving, and this Conklin Glider went through some writing off the sweet spot, and the Tanzanite kept right on flowing.

I recently purchased my new Beyond Blue Glider, a special production color available exclusively from PENSTOP.
Matching Roller ball is available also.

This special production Beyond Blue and other Conklin pens available from PENSTOP

Vintage Conklin images courtesy of Jim Mamoulides of PenHero
Read Jim Mamoulides article on the history of the 1939 Conklin Glider