A couple of folks said they got a "Miwaku" for Christmas. I used my Christmas cash to get a Bexley Prometheus (no longer being manufactured) from Kevin, but I sure was tempted to get a Miwaku. The pictures Kevin posted a few weeks back looked beautiful. - I think buffalo horn makes a great looking pen. And the "mini-Mae West" shape has me intrigued.
I can't wait to hear first impressions of this pen from you who got one. Does anyone want to speak up?
Full Version: Danitrio "Miwaku"
The jury is still out on this pen for me. The pen is gorgeous, especially the horn material and the curvy shape. But there are a few niggling issues which hinder me from fully enjoying this pen.
One is a tiny gap on one side between the barrel and the section where it screws on. It is only visible when I hold the pen vertically against the light with the gap 90 degrees sideways. It doesn't affect the performance of the pen. The pen isn't crooked or anything. But it's there.
The other issue is while the nib does write wet after it gets started, it usually starts dry. The feed also doesn't seem to keep up with the ink flow if I use flex a lot.
The curvy barrel also takes some getting used to for my small hands. Normally, I like thick pens because they are more relaxing to hold. But with the barrel bulging out in the fold of my hand between my thumb and index finger, it is difficult to move the pen around when I "finger write". When I use "whole arm" movements, then it's OK. The pen fits snug in my hand.
Thing is I want to like this pen. I can overlook the slight cosmetic flaw in the gap. Maybe the feed just needs to get properly soaked like the Densho. Or maybe I just need to flush the pen with diluted ammonia solution. I can get used to writing with the Miwaku, as I am quite adaptable to (and in fact seek out) different writing experiences.
So the Miwaku might just turn out to be all I dreamed it would be after alll.
One is a tiny gap on one side between the barrel and the section where it screws on. It is only visible when I hold the pen vertically against the light with the gap 90 degrees sideways. It doesn't affect the performance of the pen. The pen isn't crooked or anything. But it's there.
The other issue is while the nib does write wet after it gets started, it usually starts dry. The feed also doesn't seem to keep up with the ink flow if I use flex a lot.
The curvy barrel also takes some getting used to for my small hands. Normally, I like thick pens because they are more relaxing to hold. But with the barrel bulging out in the fold of my hand between my thumb and index finger, it is difficult to move the pen around when I "finger write". When I use "whole arm" movements, then it's OK. The pen fits snug in my hand.
Thing is I want to like this pen. I can overlook the slight cosmetic flaw in the gap. Maybe the feed just needs to get properly soaked like the Densho. Or maybe I just need to flush the pen with diluted ammonia solution. I can get used to writing with the Miwaku, as I am quite adaptable to (and in fact seek out) different writing experiences.
So the Miwaku might just turn out to be all I dreamed it would be after alll.
Thanks, Nimrud. I sort of wondered about the Mae West shape. I also have hands on the small size, but I usually like pens Centennial or Etruria size. The Densho is also no problem for me. But I can visualize that bulge you speak of.
The flow issue sounds like something Kevin could take are of.
I hope the pen grows on you.
The flow issue sounds like something Kevin could take are of.
I hope the pen grows on you.
Not to give the wrong impression, the Miwaku is a very nice pen. The horn material is "warm" to the touch, somewhat like wood except harder and smoother.
The shape is "organic" yet elegant. Your eyes are caught by the curvaceous lines of the pen and your gaze lingers (much like curves of a different sort).
The pen feels balanced in the hand unposted. It is heavier than a celluloid pen, but I wouldn't describe it as a heavy pen. It does feel quite substantial in the hand. The amply proportioned section widens out into a even more generous barrel. Holding the pen has the feeling of encircling a shapely derriere with the crook of your arm.
The flexy fine nib produces very expressive lines. The flex is pretty good, on par with some of the vintage flex pens I have tried. The nib writes smooth, although as I mentioned before, it tends to start dry. There's just the right amount of feedback for me.
It's definitely a pen I would see in my regular rotation, despite a couple of blemishes.
The shape is "organic" yet elegant. Your eyes are caught by the curvaceous lines of the pen and your gaze lingers (much like curves of a different sort).
The pen feels balanced in the hand unposted. It is heavier than a celluloid pen, but I wouldn't describe it as a heavy pen. It does feel quite substantial in the hand. The amply proportioned section widens out into a even more generous barrel. Holding the pen has the feeling of encircling a shapely derriere with the crook of your arm.
The flexy fine nib produces very expressive lines. The flex is pretty good, on par with some of the vintage flex pens I have tried. The nib writes smooth, although as I mentioned before, it tends to start dry. There's just the right amount of feedback for me.
It's definitely a pen I would see in my regular rotation, despite a couple of blemishes.
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