Indian Pens: Which To Buy, Which To Avoid

[LWJ2]

LWJ2,

 

I was wondering about these pens as well, they seem to be a little less refined in workmanship, compared to others, and as a fair proportion of named Indian brands do not even sign their pens, I was wondering if they are as such, but it might be fruitless if we ask the vendor.

 

Also, there could very well be smaller provincial makers who just make pens without even using a trade name, so these pens might be those.

 

I'm leaning toward "smaller provincial makers" myself. These aren't as polished, but are pleasant to handle without slipping in the hand. I could put them on my lathe and apply a slurry of Bon Ami, but I really don't care that much for a mirror finish anyhow.

[Oldtimer]

My experience with FPR Indian pens: wortless. i have tried a few and had to throw them in the trashcan. Experienced extrem conditions of blurping, leaking, etc.. I had saved two Serwex nibs and I was able to insert them in a very old Pierre Cardin pen (that's what it says on the clip) that has sentimental value for me. I have had th pen for around 20 years and I tried experiemnting with the nib until I ruined it. Now it works fabulously with a SERWEX F nib. Cool.

 

Now, I am trying an eyedropper for the last time, a Wality from ASA. I was hoping to get one of the flex nibs on FPR but they don't say on which pens they fit, sooooo.... what can I do? Search the website? Too cumbersome!

Edited August 6, 2015 by Oldtimer

[MontPelikan]

Hello,

 

here is a little review of the Gama Eyas. Nice eyedropper pen.

 

Thank you for watching

 

MontPelikan

[5thhistorian]

My latest Indian pen is a Click "Aristocrat" (according to the Ebay listing) or "Tulip" (according to the packaging). Just before it arrived I saw that FPR is using this as their newest "house" pen. I really like it. A big plastic pen with a decent no. 6 nib and designed almost exactly like the original Parker Duofold. I ordered the orange version because it looks a lot like the old "Big Red". Comes with a couple of long international cartridges of blue ink, and a simple cartridge converter. The generic blue ink is too washed out for my taste so I'm going to try the included converter. The whole pen is very light, about 15-20 grams. My cost shipped was 10 USD but you can probably find it for cheaper in India.

[MontPelikan]

Hello,

 

I inked up my QUICK Majestic for a little review today:

 

 

Thank you for watching

 

MontPelikan

[Gh0st_S3c]

ASA PENS are a great buy. They are completely handmade and are extremely durable. The pens are crafted by a penmaker with decades of experience. I have an ASA Nauka and its an amazing pen. In fact I like it more than my Mont Blanc.

You can check out their website here: http://asapens.in

 

[NibsForScript]

ASA PENS are a great buy. They are completely handmade and are extremely durable. The pens are crafted by a penmaker with decades of experience. I have an ASA Nauka and its an amazing pen. In fact I like it more than my Mont Blanc.

You can check out their website here: http://asapens.in

 

I am really tempted to buy one. I like the shape of the section and location of the threads. Reminiscent of the Oldwin design. I have a pen with a similar shape made in the US and I love it. It is my favorite pen. I guess it is the fact that the"section" allows for different grip variations. I will have to jump in and order one. Thanks

[tleek]

I am a huge fan of Indian pens. I do not have as much as experience with them as many members here, but I will give you my take on them. I own two Noodler's Ahabs, a Konrad, Nib Creaper, and Acrylic Konrad, an Asa I Can, and a newly acquired FPR Himalaya that came with a free Muft. I haven't used the Muft. I also have an Airmail Ebonite eyedropper on the way. Although FPR and Noodlers are owned by Americans their pens are Indian made so I still consider them Indian pens.

 

In some ways you get what you pay for. In my limited experience the fit and finish on Indian pens isn't the greatest. Even on the Handmade Asa machine marks are slightly visible and the cap threads are a bit sticky. I ordered the Asa with a german nib upgrade, but the feed wasn't set and the tines were spread so far apart that the pen flowed inconsistently. I, however, like to tinker, and beginning the hobby with Noodler's forced me to learn to set feeds and adjust nibs. Its part of the hobby that can be really frustrating, but also something I thoroughly enjoy.

 

Also, keep in mind that most of these pens were under thirty dollars, and while you can get better fit and finish from mass produced pens for the same price, Metropolitans, Safaris etc, Indian pens have incredible character. The designs are often classic but distinct and the materials available are beautiful and affordable. I prefer vegetal resin, acrylic, and ebonite over metal bodied pens or typical injection molded plastics, and it feels great to hold and write with the giant I Can.

 

Also, consider that most handmade Indian pens are eyedroppers so you are not paying for a filling system.

 

I'd highly recommend all of the brands I have mentioned. I think you will enjoy them as much as I do, especially if you know what to expect.

 

My next Indian pen will probably be another Asa or a Gama.

[Dupontdelamare]

I am really tempted to buy one. I like the shape of the section and location of the threads. Reminiscent of the Oldwin design. I have a pen with a similar shape made in the US and I love it. It is my favorite pen. I guess it is the fact that the"section" allows for different grip variations. I will have to jump in and order one. Thanks

I went ahead and bought one when I saw Sargarbs original post from which the black bakul Nauka with paper boats comes. I confirm the same pleasure as you describe from the uninterrupted body and section as well as its sensual bakul texture. I hold my pens quite far back which makes this shape ideal, and the pen is quite big, which makes the black colour aesthetically pleasing. I bought it with a Jowo 1.1 stub, which I find incredibly directive along with the size and shape of the pen, and it has replaced the broad gold nibbed Parker that I was using before in my transcriptions of 18th century lute manuscripts for my own personal use as an amateur player.

Here is my Nauka floating over my baroque lutes rose.