Graf Von Faber-castell Guilloche-rhodium

[hari317]

Faber Castell is a recent entrant into the Indian Stationery market and are primarily popular here for their art and drawing materials. I was really intrigued to learn that this company has a tradition of making the finest in writing implements since 1761!

 

This particular model under review appeared on the FPN marketplace a few weeks ago. It was very slightly used and offered at a very attractive price. I happened to be trawling the marketplace at that time and needless to say, pounced upon it. Stephy, the person who sold this pen to me, is a real gem. The pen was very carefully packed for its long journey to India from the US. The package arrived here quite fast.

 

The pen comes in a simple, but quite nice, cardboard folded box.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Graf%20Von%20Faber%20Castell/IMG_4317.jpg

 

The inside of the box has a pen carrier with three slots and faux wooden ends:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Graf%20Von%20Faber%20Castell/IMG_4319.jpg

 

The pen carrier tray can be removed to reveal the Guarantee booklet nestled underneath:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Graf%20Von%20Faber%20Castell/IMG_4320.jpg

 

The pen capped:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Graf%20Von%20Faber%20Castell/IMG_4321.jpg

 

Side view of the elegant spring loaded clip:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Graf%20Von%20Faber%20Castell/IMG_4322.jpg

 

The pen uncapped, the section is metallic too, Rhodium coated:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Graf%20Von%20Faber%20Castell/IMG_4323.jpg

 

The pen fills using a sturdy Faber Castell converter. The converter is international sized, so this pen can fill using small international carts as well, I used Diamine Woodland for the first fill of this pen:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Graf%20Von%20Faber%20Castell/IMG_4324.jpg

 

The plating is highly polished, the cap top acts as a concave mirror!:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Graf%20Von%20Faber%20Castell/IMG_4325.jpg

 

The logo just above the clip:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Graf%20Von%20Faber%20Castell/IMG_4326.jpg

 

The Engravings on the cap lip:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Graf%20Von%20Faber%20Castell/IMG_4327.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Graf%20Von%20Faber%20Castell/IMG_4328.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Graf%20Von%20Faber%20Castell/IMG_4329.jpg

 

The nib detail, the same logo on the nib, the nib is Rhodium coated 18K solid gold:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Graf%20Von%20Faber%20Castell/IMG_4331.jpg

 

The pen wrote well out of the box. However I felt some scratchiness and found that the nib was misaligned. It was an easy fix that was done immediately. I find that I bond more to the pens that I have worked on myself to make them better...

 

The Plastic feeder, quite efficient so far:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Graf%20Von%20Faber%20Castell/IMG_4332.jpg

 

Amazing attention to detail, the knurling pattern is present on both the ends of the pen. The barrel end is convex.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Graf%20Von%20Faber%20Castell/IMG_4333.jpg

 

The Guilloche on the Barrel:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Graf%20Von%20Faber%20Castell/IMG_4334.jpg

 

Size and heft:

 

The pen is just 5 1/8 inches capped, however the weight feels substantial. The pen is well balanced when used unposted, it becomes bottom heavy when posted. The pen is 6 1/2 inches posted.

 

Ergonomics:

 

The metal section has not bothered me so far, I was afraid it would. I guess the rhodium coating might have something to do with it. The pen happens to be just slightly shorter than 5 inches uncapped, this and the weight of the pen makes it easy for me to use the pen unposted. I usually post my pens.

 

The pen has a snap cap but I would have preferred a screw on cap.

 

Writing:

 

The pen is faithful M width writer. The flow is even. The nib is rigid but it is not a "hard like a nail" nib.

 

Filling:

 

C/C international sized. I have pens of several systems and I don't mind the C/C system, it is easy for me while travelling.

 

Cost:

 

This model retails for around 250-300USD, I bought it used, so got it for approx. half the price.

 

Conclusion:

 

The pen is substantial, well made with good attention to details, the 18K nib is a good writer, the cap and clip is stylish with a retro look. I am happy!

 

Cheers!

Hari

[eslemexe]

I saw this pen in offer for $199 in penboutique (not related), I thought in buying it but I read in some comment that isn't a great pen, at least for writing because in the aesthetics is a gorgeous pen. Is that true or you feel the nib good and smooth?

[hari317]

...but I read in some comment that isn't a great pen, at least for writing because in the aesthetics is a gorgeous pen. Is that true or you feel the nib good and smooth?

 

I think it will depend on the particular nib that you get. All the nibs that come out of the factory will have some minute differences. Mine needed just tine balancing, it is a flawless writer now. However as it is said around here, YMMV, so if the pen is on sale for a good price at a store near you, I would advise that you go there, try the pen out, write with it for some time and only buy the pen if you feel it is good for you.

 

Best,

Hari

[rwilsonedn]

Thanks for sharing a detailed review and great photos of a beautiful acquisition!

ron

[ANDY101]

Dear Hari

Now that is a beautiful pen!

Thanks for sharing.

Andy

[Silvermink]

Very cool. Faber-Castell makes some nice stuff; I'm considering picking up an Ondoro or a Graf Intuition one of these days.

[MidnightBlue]

Got one in Cognac. Classy, tough, beautiful nib and a snap cap which I prefer. Beautiful packaging..............I like that company.

Thanks

[hari317]

Thanks for sharing a detailed review and great photos of a beautiful acquisition!

ron

 

 

Dear Hari

Now that is a beautiful pen!

Thanks for sharing.

Andy

 

Thank you Ron and Andy, I had to write a review of this pen, this pen is full of details.

 

 

Very cool. Faber-Castell makes some nice stuff; I'm considering picking up an Ondoro or a Graf Intuition one of these days.

 

I just had a look at the Intuition, it is very neautiful and it seems it will have a superb grip. The Ondoro seems to be the other side of the spectrum with its steel nib and short grip but a nice faceted cap.

 

Got one in Cognac. Classy, tough, beautiful nib and a snap cap which I prefer. Beautiful packaging..............I like that company.

Thanks

 

I am just beginning to appreciate this company. Thanks!

[Montblue]

I prefer this one -available at our blog

[Bo Bo Olson]

Faber-Castell bought up Osmia, for the Osmia nibs and name. Unfortunately, eventually closed down Osmia and their fine Supra nib.

You can find Osmia pens with Osmia diamond on top and Farber Castell in small letters, Osmia-Farber-Castell with the Osmia diamond, and My Osmia-Farber-Castell, they had stopped using the Osmia diamond....rats.

A Great Osmia steel Supra semi-flex nib though. Supra nibs also came in gold.

[bluemoon]

Great review, and as usual great photos Hari. And a real nice pen indeed. I saw a variation of this in Berlin, but the price was not very attractive (Euro was very strong then). Maybe I will get one of them in future. Thanks for the nice review.

[nicholasyeo]

Graf von Faber Castell has been one of those brands I've long admired but never touched,

mainly due to the high pricing. I was really interested in the Intuition at one time, but then

decided on a Sailor. The appearance of your pen shows me that there is high attention to

detail. However, I still wonder whether the make of the Intuition, mainly the resin (aka plastic)

body, would hold up as well as yours, in metal. This holds me back.

[ericthered2004]

Great review and a lovely pen, but sadly over my $100 limit. Congrats, though, on your new acquisition.

 

regards

eric

[htdearden]

One nice feature of GvFC is the cap clip which his hinged and will slip into a pocket WITHOUT any need to lift the clip with a thumbnail. Perfect for those that keep pens in a jacket pocket during the working day...

[MidnightBlue]

Another nice feature: a nylon sleeve into which the cap goes to post. No wear. Thanks

[breaker]

very nice review and pics!

thanks

[sannidh]

Faber Castell is a recent entrant into the Indian Stationery market and are primarily popular here for their art and drawing materials. I was really intrigued to learn that this company has a tradition of making the finest in writing implements since 1761!..

 

Cheers!

Hari

 

On the design side, I feel it's again superlative, starting from cap to barrel end. Nice review again, Hari!

Is the pen a bit on the slim side ?

[hari317]

 

 

Is the pen a bit on the slim side ?

Thanks! no, not a slim pen.