I was told by a retailer that Conway Stewart pens are no longer available in the black ebonite (the material pictured on this image from the CS website).



This is probably a question for Mary: Do you know whether these will ever be available again, and if so when? I know there is the woodgrain ebonite, but I was interested specifically in the black.

Many thanks,
QM2

The problem is material supply. All the black ebonite that CS has was used and no more was available from that particular supplier of suitable quality and another supplier has not been engaged. Shame, because we get lots of requests for black ebonite Churchills and each time we ask Conway Stewart we get the same answer!

HTH,

Martin

Wow - now I really regret not getting the ebonite Churchill when I got my Classic Black one.

Hopefully they'll find a new supplier.

I think it was the Duro Heritage that I thought looked really impressive and if it had been ebonite then I would have bought it in a shot, but as it was resin I decided not to. I definitely love my two ebonite Conway Stewarts - both the black and the woodgrain.

They do say on several sellers' websites that they will work with you on finding special materials for bespoke pens, even beyond what is already listed -- so it is surprising that they would not be able to find black ebonite. I imagine that would be such a popular choice from customers.

Mary, what say you?....

Hey! I have some black ebonite rods around! Do you think if I sent them - say - enough for ten pens, they would trade me a finished pen for that? It wouldn't even need to be chased (but it would be nice!).

Scott.

Hi,

The Black Ebonite is one of my favourites as well! I had the opportunity to work with Internet Pens in producing the model 100 out of chased back ebonite with silver trim (picture below). This edition is sold out, however there is an article in Stylophiles magazine detailing additional images and information http://www.stylophilesonline.com/09-05/09doc.htm



The Conway Stewart Churchill black ebonite limited edition is also sold out. We have several new designs and limited editions scheduled to be launched during this year and I will keep you updated with information and images.

Kind regards,

Mary Burke

Hi Mary,

I do know about the Doctor's pen and the LE, but as you said they are long sold out. My question was not about future limited editions, but about the future availability of black ebonite for bespoke pens. Will black ebonite ever become available again as a bespoke material in the future, or is that not likely? What are the options, if any, if we would like to have a bespoke CS pen -- namely, a Churchill -- made in black ebonite?

Thanks,
QM2

Hi,

There is not, as far as I am aware, a supply issue with the Black Ebonite. There is, however, a supply issue with the Red Ripple as the manufacturer could not replicate the striation of the ripple and hence the fact that we now offer the Woodgrain as an alternative.

Red Ripple


Woodgrain


The Black Ebonite engraved design for the Churchill is a sold out edition. We are looking at trials for in-house engraving on new Black Ebonite editions but we are not ready to publish the results.

I know that you can order the Woodgrain Ebonite as a bespoke for any model, but need to check concerning the Black Ebonite. Are you interested in ordering the Black Ebonite in a smooth finish or with an engraving?

Kind regards,

Mary Burke

Thanks for the reply Mary; I am definitely interested in black only, not any of the woodgrains. My husband fell in love with the engraved version on the picture of the Churchill I linked in the initial post. But he might go for the smooth as well, I will have to ask. We both like the look of chased hard rubber though, so engraved is always better.

The reason we want black and not woodgrain, is that we were considering ordering a special set of 2: one black ebonite (preferably chased), and the other ivory casein; a "husband and wife" pair for our next anniversary. Initially we were thinking of Dandies, but I was told these cannot be made in either casein or ebonite. Then my husband saw the Churchill and really liked it. So if the ebonite ever becomes available again, and the price is manageable, we would really like to get these for each other.

QM2

Hi,

I'll check on the price and availability and will keep you updated.

Ebonite and Casein -- a lovely set!



FYI, the list price in the US for Churchill fountain pen in Ebonite and Casein is $750 each. You can choose silver or gold trim at no extra cost. Available filling mechanism for the Ebonite is C/C or Lever Fill, however the Casein is only available in C/C. Nib grades: Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, Extra Broad, Italic Fine, Italic Medium and Italic Broad.

Kind regards,

Mary Burke

I notice that the trim ring on the black ebonite Churchills is larger than the trim rings on the resin and casein Churchills. I think I like the looks of the wider trim ring better than the narrower one.

I own two resin Churchills, and they are great pens. I might be persuaded to buy a black ebonite if it comes back into production -- especially if I can get it with the wide gold trim ring!

Yes, my husband says the same thing: If we are able to get an ebonite and casein set, he wants both with the wide band that's on the ebonite.

Fun Casein facts:WackyScientist - Casein Plastic

# The American Dairy Council's ad campaign featuring celebrities with milk mustaches and the headline "Got Milk?" was translated in Mexico as "Are You Lactating?"
# Twelve or more cows are called a flink.
# The Sanskrit word for war means "desire for more cows."

Do casein pens dissolve in sweaty palms?