New feature page for the Northland Age Best nibs

Starting today, and to continue fortnightly in the Northland Age, G. A. McKenzie Ltd. of Kaitaia announce the beginning of their special “New Feature Page.”

This page will give viewpoints on items of topical interest, a regular ‘recipe feature,” details of the latest record releases in “Record Roundup,” news of new appliances on the market in “What’s New?” some “Handy Hints,” a column on “Show Folk,” and other news of demonstrations and points of interest.

We at G.A. McKenzie Ltd. invite you to read and enjoy our Fortnightly News Feature and hope that it may bring some pleasure into your home.

We appreciate new ideas too, so if you have any that could assist us in the production of this page, please write to Box 55, Kaitaia, and let us hear them.

Bye now!

June 8, 1965 Medium or fine nibs seemed to be the most suitable for school use, though some nibs were too soft and the points tended to splay and write double.

Most of the nibs could be replaced and the most convenient one was the screw-in type which could be changed quickly without special skill and while the pen was full, provided it was held upright.

Some pens had a transparent body and this allowed ink level to be checked. Only one or two pens leaked, but in a number the ink flowed too freely or not freely enough or erratically.

The metal of some pen clips was too light or too soft with little spring in it. After a time the clip opened and would not hold the pen firmly in the pocket, even if bent back again. On two brands the clips came off.

The questionnaire included a wide range of remarks such as “this pen is awful,” “this pen is an excellent pen,” “the nib is a bit iffy,” “this is a blotty pen,” “it is a good pen but it has a wiggly cap and the filling is awful,” “pocket clip breaks too quickly,” and “I hate this pen because I can’t do my work properly.”

June 6, 1965