made in india

of late, indian made pens have been my focus.

especially when they are well made and very reasonably priced.

the pens i ordered, made in india, finally arrived!

all in different ebonite colours.

(l to r: asa nauka, gama forever, wality/airmail, asa athelete and asa i will)

and below are all my current indian pens together.

pens capped.

(l to r: wality/airmail, asa athelete, skt, gama forever, asa nauka, asa i will, ranga model 5) 

pens uncapped:

(l to r: skt, wality/airmail, asa nauka, gama forever, asa athelete, asa i will, ranga model 5) 

only the asa i will and ranga model 5 are fitted with jowo nib unit.

the rest have stock indian nibs.

"the pen"

i got this no brand ebonite eyedropper fountain pen from e-bay for USD14. i believe it was made in india. at that price point, it was meant to be the pen i would tinker with and not worry about. after all, the pen's dimensions were much smaller than what i would normally prefer.

when i started writing with it, i couldn't help but admire everything that didn't fit my specifications. yes, admire. the nib was small (i was told it was #5.5 but i have no way of knowing this) and was scratchy. but it was comfortable and balanced in my hands even though the girth is less than what i'm used to.

weeks passed and i finally mustered courage to tweak the nib. i've never done that to any of my fountain pens. after applying my limited knowledge of just aligning the tines (it was misaligned to start with), i was amazed at how smoothly the nib writes now!  

i have to admit, this has become my favourite pen and it's always in my pen wrap. and it's the pen i reach out for most of the time. i did have some 'burping' action going on when my ink supply was low, but hey, i enjoy having inky fingers anyway. 

just goes to show to never underestimate anything in life. 

it might just turn out to be something you'll fall in love with... 

(size comparison shot: L to R - Lamy Safari and "the pen").

what's inked for jan 2016

for many years since i had this Danitrio cum laude, i was not able to get the nib unit out to exchange with another. it was frustrating. i was close to sending the pen to a pen expert to work on it.

first of 2016 came with a blessing i'm sure.
because at long last, i was able to unscrew the stubborn nib out and replace it.
the Danitrio nib needs some tweaking.

Danitrio cum laude

and these are the pens currently inked for this month.

(L to R): Franklin Christoph Model 02, Franklin Chrsitoph Model 66, Lamy Joy, Danitrio Mikado, Danitrio cum laude, Aurora Talentum, Sailor Profit and Kaweco Brass Sport.

Gama... not Gamma

so, i was trying hard to finish a letter to my sister.
ending 2015 with a letter that took me 4 days to write.
and i was also trying to finish the diamine blue lightning shimmering ink in my twsbi.
it's time for another pen to come into rotation.

whilst all this was going on...i bought myself a gama.
a gama fountain pen from an indian seller online.

what's the connection with the letter and ink that made me buy a pen online?
i don't know.
maybe because it just took forever to finish the letter and ink.
after all, i got myself the gama model "forever"...

corny? yes.
satisfied. immensely. :)

hello rhodia

my wife decided i needed this.

actually, i said i needed it.

so she reaffirmed it by getting it for me today.

i absolutely love this!

i think so...

after a hiatus of about 5 years, the fountain pen obsession is back.
and i think, it's worse than before.
it's like the beast is trying to make up for loss time...
the damage?
umm...about 12 new fountain pens and numerous, numerous inks in a span of less than 4 months.

and now it has turned its attention to indian made fountain pens - the ranga, gama and asa brands. it has taken down 2 already and aiming for another.

i need a superhero to save me.
ultraman maybe?
or the one punch man, the non-hero, hero (some crazy hilarious anime my kids made me watch which i am now hooked on). Check out the review here.

reminder to me - that's enough

i have 46 fountain pens. yikes. that's plenty!
anyway, this list is a reminder to me.

Sailor
1) 1911 large black, chrome trimmed (Naginata Concord nib)
2) 1911 large yellow, gold trimmed (Emperor nib)
3) 1911 large black, gold trimmed, tombo dragonfly maki-e (Naginata Cross-point nib)
4) 1911 large demonstrator, chrome trimmed (medium nib)
5) 1911 large black ribbed, chrome trimmed (Naginata Togi MediumFine nib)
6) 1911 large realo burgundy, gold trimmed (medium nib)
7) Professional Gear 3 toned red KanReki 60th Anniversary pen (medium nib)
8) King of Pen, black ebonite (King Eagle nib)
9) Susutake, aged smoked bamboo (Naginata Cross Music nib)

Pilot
10) Vanishing Point Mustard Yellow
11) Decimo blue
12) Vanishing Point Fermo Green
13) Custom 823, Clear Demonstrator Special Edition, gold trimmed, black ends, plunger type fill
14) Togidashi Maki-e Dragonfly Wing

Danitrio
15) Danitrio Mikado raw ebonite, large eyedropper, soft medium nib
16) Danitrio cum laude blue celluloid

Platinum
17) 3776 Black, Music nib

Nakaya
18) Nakaya Neo Standard long cigar red-black urushi (see previous post dated Aug 11, 2009).

Lamy

19 - 21) Lamy Al Star

22 - 28) Lamy Safari

Stipula
29) Stipula LE Pinocchio #13/881 brown ebonite
30) Stipula Suprema Amber 52 degrees nib - sent for repair
31) Stipula Etruria Ocean Blue - sent for repair
32) Stipula Etruria Alter Ego
33) Stipula Suprema Nuda, medium nib
34) Stipula Model T Black, titanium flex nib

Aurora
35) Aurora 88, black
36) Aurora Optima, burgundy, chrome trimmed
37) Aurora Talentum, black, chrome trimmed

Visconti
38) Visconti LE #682/1069 Casanova "The Erotic Art Pen"
39) Visconti Wall Street Celluloid Green

Others
40) Delta Dolce Vita Soiree, black
41) Parker Duofold Centennial True Blue LE #608/5000
42) Pelikan Souveran M1000, green
43) Cross Townsend, chrome trimming
44) Edison pen, the Brockton LE #42/50, orange with gold trim, medium cursive italic nib

Just in this final week of October 2015
45) TWSBI Diamond 580AL Blue + extra 1.1 stub nib
46) Kaweco Brass Sport

xx) Omas Paragon Green Arco - melted away - R.I.P.

thinking about:
- Scriptorium Pen Literati Academe Oversized in Mineral Sea Lava Explosion Alumillite

hello my TWSBI

hello pretty ones... (yes, you too, you pretty inkwell you)

can't wait to get acquainted with you.

Update Pen Collection 151019

The rest of the pens....

(pictures soon)
28) Stipula LE Pinocchio #13/881 brown ebonite
29) Stipula Suprema Amber 52 degrees nib - sent for repair
30) Stipula Etruria Ocean Blue - sent for repair
31) Stipula Etruria Alter Ego
32) Stipula Suprema Nuda, medium nib
33) Stipula Model T Black, titanium flex nib
34) Aurora 88, black
35) Aurora Optima, burgundy, chrome trimmed
36) Aurora Talentum, black, chrome trimmed
37) Delta Dolce Vita Soiree, black
38) Parker Duofold Centennial True Blue LE #608/5000
39) Pelikan Souveran M1000, green
40) Cross Townsend, chrome trimming
41) Visconti LE #682/1069 Casanova "The Erotic Art Pen"
42) Visconti Wall Street Celluloid Green
43) Edison pen, the Brockton LE #42/50, orange with gold trim, medium cursive italic nib

xx) Omas Paragon Green Arco - melted away - R.I.P.

thinking about:
- Scriptorium Pen Literati Academe Oversized in Mineral Sea Lava Explosion Alumillite with 1.1 stub nib

damaged celluloid

lesson learned.
three of my celluloid pens degraded on me.
the one beyond repair is my omas paragon arco green.
seems that the pen case is not sufficiently ventilated and caused the pen to melt.
sigh.
i've saving the nib to be put on another pen.

my stipula etruria ocean blue didn't degrade as badly.
the celluloid is warped at the cap and barrel and the piston converter is stuck.

as for my stipula suprema amber, the piston disintegrated.
the overall celluloid didn't look too badly damaged though.

the stipula pens will be sent back to the manufacturer to see what can be done to repair the damage.

note to self: provide good ventilation to celluloid pens and don't leave them too long stashed away in nothingness. once a celluloid pen starts degrading, ensure that other celluloid pens are kept separately as the 'disease' does spread in an enclosed space.

Update Pen Collection 151016 - Lamy

These are my Lamy Al Star (+3 from left) and Lamy Safari (+7) collection.
So total pens from last post = 18 + 10 = 28 pens.

Update Pen Collection 151014 (partial)

It has been a while.
A very long while.
Thankfully I made a list of my fountain pen collection in my blog because I don't exactly remember what pens I have and what nibs are on them.

You see, I have been distracted and have not been spending as much time writing.
Granted I still carry a fountain pen everywhere.
But it's mostly my Lamy Safari, a real workhorse pen.

This week, I've been inspired to start using my Sailor pens again.
The difference in writing experience is incredible.

So what do I have stashed away...?

Let's start with my Japanese made fountain pens.

Sailor

(left to right)
1) 1911 large black, chrome trimmed (Naginata Concord nib)
2) 1911 large yellow, gold trimmed (Emperor nib)
3) 1911 large black, gold trimmed, tombo dragonfly maki-e (Naginata Cross-point nib)
4) 1911 large demonstrator, chrome trimmed (medium nib)
5) 1911 large black ribbed, chrome trimmed (Naginata Togi MediumFine nib)
6) 1911 large realo burgundy, gold trimmed (medium nib)
7) Professional Gear 3 toned red KanReki 60th Anniversary pen (medium nib)
8) King of Pen, black ebonite (King Eagle nib)
9) Susutake, aged smoked bamboo (Naginata Cross Music nib)

Pilot

(left to right)
10) Vanishing Point Mustard Yellow
11) Decimo blue
12) Vanishing Point Fermo Green
13) Custom 823, Clear Demonstrator Special Edition, gold trimmed, black ends, plunger type fill
14) Togidashi Maki-e Dragonfly Wing

Danitrio (not Japanese)

(top to bottom)
15) Danitrio Mikado raw ebonite, large eyedropper, soft medium nib
16) Danitrio cum laude blue celluloid

Platinum

17) 3776 Black, Music nib

Nakaya

18) Nakaya Neo Standard long cigar red-black urushi (see previous post dated Aug 11, 2009).

Ok. Next post, the Italians.
By the way, I just had a look at my Italian pens, and some of them have melted! Argh!

Note to self: I really have to get better looking pictures of these pens.

missed it

i thought about my fountain pens today.
so i sat down and uncapped my sailor "king of pen" with king eagle nib and put nib to paper.
despite being inked and left aside for three months, the inked flowed without hesitation.
there was no dryness to the nib.
just perfection.

and i realised how much i missed writing.
(picture of my "king of pen" resting among my other japanese fountain pens)

inked!

first day of work for the new year.
and four pens inked and ready.

sheaffer desk set

and this sheaffer desk set, was a gift from an uncle in melaka.
he was so pleased i visited him that he gave it to me.
in perfect condition.
i wonder what else he has in his secret stash now...

strikingly beautiful

My sister's gift to me.



Sailor's striking orange leather pen wrap
and Stipula's beautiful black Model T fountain pen.

nakaya neo standard

nakaya.

i have this.

long size cigar (clipless) fountain pen in kuro-tamenuri (black-red) urushi lacquer.

still among the top 3 favourite fountain pen in my collection.

yesterday, i saw something new from nakaya on www.nibs.com

the nakaya neo standard.

in heki-tamenuri (brown-green) urushi lacquer.

oh man, i so want this!

i really, really want this.

this can easily be my favourite pen.

i won't want another.

(of course, i know i'm lying to myself saying that).

but for now, i want this!
really, really bad.

and i want the music nib on this.

oh, before i forget,

photos in this entry are borrowed from www.nibs.com

my collection 090822

updates to my fountain pen collection.

1) Sailor 1911 large black, chrome trimmed, Naginata Concord nib
2) Sailor 1911 large black, gold trimmed, tombo dragonfly maki-e, Naginata Cross-point nib
3) Sailor 1911 large black ribbed, chrome trimmed, Naginata Togi nib
4) Sailor 1911 large yellow, gold trimmed, Naginata Cross Music nib
5) Sailor 1911 large demonstrator, chrome trimmed, medium nib
6) Sailor Susutake, aged smoked bamboo, Naginata Emperor nib
7) Sailor King of Pen, black ebonite, King Eagle nib.
8) Sailor Professional Gear 3 toned red KanReki 60th Anniversary pen
9) Pilot VP Yellow
10) Pilot Fermo Green
11) Pilot Custom 823, gold trimmed, black ends, SE clear demonstrator
12) Pilot dragonfly wings maki-e
13) Danitrio Mikado raw ebonite, soft medium nib
14) Danitrio cum laude blue celluloid
15) Stipula LE Pinocchio #13/881 brown ebonite
16) Stipula Suprema Amber 52 degrees nib
17) Stipula Etruria Ocean Blue
18) Stipula Etruria Alter Ego
19) Stipula Suprema Nuda, medium nib
20) Stipula Model T, titanium flex nib *new*
21) Aurora 88, black
22) Aurora Optima, burgundy, chrome trimmed
23) Aurora Talentum, black, chrome trimmed
xx) Aurora Archivi Storici *given to kakak*
24) Delta Dolce Vita Soiree, black
25) Parker Duofold Centennial True Blue LE #608/5000
26) Pelikan Souveran M1000, green
27) Waterman Kultur, blue demonstrator
28) Lamy Safari LE blue
29) Lamy Safari LE lime green
30) Lamy Safari LE orange
31) Lamy Al Star Silver blue
32) Cross Townsend, chrome trimming
33) Laban Kaiser, pseudo ivory chrome trimming
34) Omas Paragon Green Arco
35) Visconti LE #682/1069 Casanova "The Erotic Art Pen"
36) Nakaya long cigar red-black urushi
37) Edison pen, the Brockton LE #42/50, orange with gold trim, medium cursive italic nib

thinking about:
- Nakaya Neo Standard with music nib
- Sailor Sapporo Demonstrator green

my collection 090724

updates to my fountain pen collection.

1) Sailor 1911 large black, chrome trimmed, Naginata Concord nib
2) Sailor 1911 large black, gold trimmed, tombo dragonfly maki-e, Naginata Cross-point nib
3) Sailor 1911 large black ribbed, chrome trimmed, Naginata Togi nib
4) Sailor 1911 large yellow, gold trimmed, Naginata Cross Music nib
5) Sailor 1911 large demonstrator, chrome trimmed, medium nib
6) Sailor Susutake, aged smoked bamboo, Naginata Emperor nib
7) Sailor King of Pen, black ebonite, King Eagle nib.
8) Sailor Professional Gear 3 toned red KanReki 60th Anniversary pen
9) Pilot VP Yellow
10) Pilot Fermo Green
11) Pilot Custom 823, gold trimmed, black ends, SE clear demonstrator
12) Pilot dragonfly wings maki-e
13) Danitrio Mikado raw ebonite, soft medium nib
14) Danitrio cum laude blue celluloid
15) Stipula LE Pinocchio #13/881 brown ebonite
16) Stipula Suprema Amber 52 degrees nib
17) Stipula Etruria Ocean Blue
18) Stipula Etruria Alter Ego
19) Stipula Suprema Nuda, medium nib. *welcome back*
20) Aurora 88, black
21) Aurora Optima, burgundy, chrome trimmed
22) Aurora Talentum, black, chrome trimmed
23) Aurora Archivi Storici
24) Delta Dolce Vita Soiree, black
25) Parker Duofold Centennial True Blue LE #608/5000
26) Pelikan Souveran M1000, green
27) Waterman Kultur, blue demonstrator
28) Lamy Safari LE blue
29) Lamy Safari LE lime green
30) Lamy Safari LE orange
31) Lamy Al Star Silver blue
32) Cross Townsend, chrome trimming
33) Laban Kaiser, pseudo ivory chrome trimming
34) Omas Paragon Green Arco
35) Visconti LE #682/1069 Casanova "The Erotic Art Pen"
36) Nakaya long cigar red-black urushi
37) Edison pen, the Brockton LE #42/50, orange with gold trim, medium cursive italic nib

thinking about:
- Faber Castell Intuition
- Sailor Sapporo Demonstrator green

my collection 090706

yes, this is a boring entry. bla, bla, bla.
i'm still doing it.
for those pens back in my folds, *welcome back*. i missed you much.
for the new additions, welcome. i promise to love you. i already do.

updates to my fountain pen collection.

1) Sailor 1911 large black, chrome trimmed, Naginata Concord nib
2) Sailor 1911 large black, gold trimmed, tombo dragonfly maki-e, Naginata Cross-point nib
3) Sailor 1911 large black ribbed, chrome trimmed, Naginata Togi nib
4) Sailor 1911 large yellow, gold trimmed, Naginata Cross Music nib
5) Sailor 1911 large demonstrator, chrome trimmed, medium nib
6) Sailor Susutake, aged smoked bamboo, Naginata Emperor nib
7) Sailor King of Pen, black ebonite, King Eagle nib. *welcome back*
8) Sailor Professional Gear 3 toned red KanReki 60th Anniversary pen *new*
9)Pilot VP Yellow
10) Pilot Fermo Green
11) Pilot Custom 823, gold trimmed, black ends, SE clear demonstrator
12) Pilot dragonfly wings maki-e
13) Danitrio Mikado raw ebonite, soft medium nib
14) Danitrio cum laude brown celluloid
15) Stipula LE Pinocchio #13/881 brown ebonite
16) Stipula Suprema Amber 52 degrees nib
17) Stipula Etruria Ocean Blue
18) Stipula Etruria Alter Ego
19) Stipula Suprema Nuda, medium nib. *welcome back*
20) Aurora 88, black
21) Aurora Optima, burgundy, chrome trimmed
22) Aurora Talentum, black, chrome trimmed
23) Aurora Archivi Storici
24) Delta Dolce Vita Soiree, black
25) Parker Duofold Centennial True Blue LE #608/5000
26) Pelikan Souveran M1000, green
27) Waterman Kultur, blue demonstrator
28) Lamy Safari LE blue
29) Lamy Safari LE lime green
30) Lamy Safari LE orange
31) Lamy Al Star Silver blue
32) Cross Townsend, chrome trimming
33) Laban Kaiser, pseudo ivory chrome trimming
34) Omas Paragon Green Arco
35) Visconti LE #682/1069 Casanova "The Erotic Art Pen"
36) Nakaya long cigar red-black urushi *new*
37) Edison pen, the Brockton LE #42/50, orange with gold trim, medium cursive italic nib *new*

coming:
- Faber Castell Intuition
- Danitrio cum laude blue celluloid