Video Time Markers:

  • Conklin History – (0:14)
  • Price – (0:53)
  • Unboxing – (1:25)
  • Color Options – (2:43)
  • Features – (3:58)
  • Comparable Pens – (6:12)
  • Nib Information – (8:47)
  • Filling Mechanisms – (13:18)
  • Inking it Up – (15:45)
  • How it Writes – (17:18)

I’d like to introduce to you the Conklin Duragraph, a recent edition to the Conklin line of pens and GouletPens.com.

The Conklin Pen Company was established in 1898 and is still regarded as one of the most significant and innovative manufacturers from what is today known as the Golden Era of fountain pens. The Duragraph was originally released by Conklin in 1923,  This pen pays homage to the classic designs of the vintage Conklin era.

 

***Updated March 2020***
Conklin Duragraph in Forest Green

 

The new Duragraph collection draws its inspiration from the rich heritage of the Conklin brand, which was purchased and revived by Yafa in 2009. The rebooted model is manufactured overseas, assembled and distributed from Canoga Park, California, and pays tribute to its roots with a TOLEDO, USA engraving on its nib (the company was founded in Toledo, Ohio).
Inlaid engraving on Amber Duragraph

 

The Duragraph comes in a variety of resins.  They’re turned from solid cast-resins that give the material a beautiful depth and pearlescence that you typically only see on pens much more expensive than these. Starting at $56 (starting list price of $70), this is a great “step up” pen for many newer fountain pens users who know a little more what they like, and want a professional and stately pen.

Conklin Duragraph in Ice Blue

At 26g the pen is a pretty average weight, with a bit of back-weight when posted due to the long length. For larger-handed individuals, the pen is quite comfortable both posted and unposed. Those with smaller hands who hold their pens closer to the nib will likely want to unpost.

Conklin Duragraph in Cracked Ice

There are some nice embellishments on the pen, including an inlaid Conklin logo engraving on the finial of the cap, a center band with a  subtle crescent engraving around the Duragraph name, and black accents on the grip and finials to really give the pen a vintage look. The clip is a little tight, so you will only want to clip this on relatively this pockets like on dress shirts. The threads on the grip of the pen are very subtle, comfortable even if you hold your fingers directly on the pen. There is a very small and subtle step from the threads to the pen body that are hardly noticeable even if you hold your pen way back on the grip.

 

The Duragraph is available in a JoWo nib unit in all nib sizes from extra fine to or 1.1mm stub nib, and the Conklin Omniflex nib. The nibs are smooth with a bit of feedback to them in the EF and F nibs. The nibs are all #6 size and are made by JoWo. Additionally, there are replacement nib units available in silver and black if you want to change up the look of your pen or try a different nib size out.

 

Conklin two-tone stainless steel nib

The Duragraph is a standard international cartridge/converter pen and includes a pair of cartridges and a threaded converter. This is a great pen for changing out your inks a lot for you serial ink samplers out there, especially if you have a bulb syringe and you know this sweet pen cleaning trick! Unfortunately, the pen won’t fit standard international long cartridges, and can’t be converted to an eyedropper fill either, given that the threads on the back of the grip are exposed metal and will corrode with prolonged ink exposure. This part isn’t made of stainless steel like the nib.

Threaded standard international converter on Cracked Ice Duragraph

So that’s a roundup of the Conklin Duragraph! You can get more details and specs at GouletPens.com, and pick one up for yourself! If you have any other questions about it, feel free to ask in the comments.

Write On,
Brian Goulet