Review of the Conklin Duragraph Fountain Pen
Product Review of the Conklin Duragraph Fountain Pens
I have heard so much from customers about the Conklin Duragraph fountain pen and what a great pen it is that I decided to try one myself. I have to say that I was not disappointed. I have always liked the look of the pen especially the amber color with the black and orange resin together. The design as well as the color combination is what initially drew me to the pen.
The color on the Amber Duragraph is a mixture of orange and black resins. The amber color resin has a slight translucency while the black resin is opaque. If you look closely you can see the nib through the amber in the cap. Atop the cap and at the end of the barrel are solid black resin ends. The Conklin logo is engraved in white in this black finial on the cap. There are three chrome colored trim rings on the pen with the center band thicker than the others. This center band has the Conklin logo engraved on one side and the "Duragraph" on the other. Additionally, 6 small crescent moons, the trademarked symbol of the Conklin Pen Company, are also engraved.
The section of the pen is the same solid black resin as the finial of the cap and end of the barrel. The pen comes in two different nib colors. Originally the redesign was introduced with a two-tone chrome and gold stainless steel nib. Later Conklin introduced a black version of the nib, also stainless steel. Both colors look great but I am partial to the black nib with this pen. Engraved on the nib is "Conklin" and "Toledo USA". The breather hole on the nib is fashioned in the crescent moon shape.I love the way this pen writes! I opted for the fine nib which lays down a nice wet line. I actually feel the fine nib is slightly wider than most of the fines I am used to. I had read reviews of others that suggested the the nib actually ran finer but this was not my experience. The pen writes very smooth and I can see why so many have praised this pen. The Duragraph is a great writing experience.
The size of the Duragraph pen is ideal for me and fits my hand well. I would classify it as a mid-size pen although it may be slightly to the larger end of the spectrum. Definitely not close to the size of the Conklin All American fountain pen though. I prefer writing without the cap posted and it has good weight and balance. With the cap posted the Duragraph measures almost 7 inches so it becomes top heavy and just makes it too long to write comfortably.
The Duragraph comes in a blue leatherette box with a soft white satin interior. Included with the Conklin Duragraph fountain pen is a standard universal ink cartridge to get you started. Also included is an ink converter for the pen as well if you prefer to use bottle fountain pen inks.
The Conklin Duragraph fountain pen is also available in Forest Green, a beautiful marbled green resin, and Cracked Ice, which looks like small fragments of white and ivory ice floating in a black background. All three colors of the Duragraph look great.
Conklin was established in 1898 but faded away and was recently revived. They have recently come out with some great new redesigns of their old pen models. These recreations include the Conklin Crescent Fountain pen as well as the All American pen mentioned earlier.
Conklin Duragraph Fountain Pen Review Conclusion
So would I recommend the Conklin Duragraph fountain pen? Absolutely! Our customers rave about the pen and now I know why. The Conklin Duragraph fountain pen is great pen and a great value. It writes well, looks sharp and won't break the pocket book. The pen is well built and sturdy and comes with a lifetime warranty. The Conklin Duragraph is a quality writing tool, definitely worth the price tag.Buy the Conklin Duragraph Fountain Pens
Specs of the Conklin Duragraph Fountain Pens
Length: 5.500 in.Posted Length: 6.875 in.
Diameter: 0.563 in.
Weight: 1.000 oz.
Body/Trim: Resin
FillType: Cartridge/Converter
Conklin Duragraph Reviews from our Customers
See what our customers have to say about the Conklin Duragraph Fountain Pens. Don't just take our word for it, read actual customer reviews of the product and see what they think.
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This pen skips terribly. I have tried using the converter cartridge and universal standard cartridge and there is no difference. I am very dissatisfied.
overall: 3 out of 5
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Conklin's do not disappoint
overall: 4 out of 5
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First fountain pen in years, and it's really great! Fun to write with this one. Read a few reports about skipping, but have used it quite a bit recently, and only experience skipping when my grip on the pen slowly tilts to the side so the nib simply doesn't contact the paper. Easy fix is to just change my grip back to the correct one! Great product. None of this would have worked nearly as well if I hadn't spoken with your great rep--I wish I still had his name as he was fantastic!
overall: 5 out of 5
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Nice looking. comfortable to hold but impossible to write with. Stub nip seems to have very very poor ink flow. Takes much tapping to start flow and then must be used with the back of the nib. With much effort, almost 90 degree angle and heavy force one can scratch out a few words in the correct nib orientation but not more than a word or two before it dries up
I have an old Shaffer Calligraphy pen for signitures, very inexpensive but writes without issues. I also have some very cheap Jinhaos ($3.00) which out shine the Duragraph in terms of being able to actually use them for writing . Sorry to say, classic style but basically useless.
I have an old Shaffer Calligraphy pen for signitures, very inexpensive but writes without issues. I also have some very cheap Jinhaos ($3.00) which out shine the Duragraph in terms of being able to actually use them for writing . Sorry to say, classic style but basically useless.
overall: 3 out of 5
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This pen was a heavily discounted Final Drop Return pen. I was a bit worried about getting it at such a steep discount, but I know Pen Chalet has a great reputation and they said it was working. That being said, I love the Ice Rock Duragraph and have wanted one for a long time. When I got it, as advertised, it had been inked up and needed a bit of cleaning. The converter still had a bit of ink in it and the cap was wet inside. All that was not unexpected as it was sold as a returned inked pen. However, I cleaned it very well, flushed it, and inked it up. It writes like a dream and I feel kinda like I stole it. :)
overall: 5 out of 5
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The first pen sent didn't work. The ink didn't flow. Jen from Customer Service was extremely helpful. She sent a a new pen, which worked perfectly, plus a return mailing label so I could return the first one at no cost to me. I can't recommend Pen Chalet highly enough.
overall: 5 out of 5
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Very pleased with all aspects of purchase.
overall: 5 out of 5
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Absolutely beautiful barrel and nib on this pen. Great amounts of flex capability and always starts immediately and writes beautifully, regardless of the type of ink. Slightly lighter weight than I had anticipated, but great for longer writing sessions for me. I always receive compliments on this beautiful Amber swirled pattern.
overall: 5 out of 5
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Beautiful pen (cracked ice), very reasonably priced. Fine nib is very fine and very smooth with no feedback.
overall: 5 out of 5
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Excellent pen, excellent value! I enjoyed it so much I ordered another as a gift!
overall: 5 out of 5
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Pictures of the Conklin Duragraph Fountain Pens
Prices for the Conklin Duragraph Fountain Pens start at:
Retail:
$65.00
Sale:
$52.00
