"Sharad Dandekar"

[FrankB]

Another fine review, Hari. I admire your photo skills.

 

I think the pen looks pretty good, actually. Its design reminds me of the Danitrio Tac Carry II, which is a very comfortable pen to use. I kind of like the big, overstated clip. If these pens get to the international market, I would like to get one.

[Anarosa]

Introduction:

 

Camlin is a major manufacturer of fountain pen inks in India. This company was founded by the late Mr. Sharad Dandekar. This pen is a tribute to the founder from his son in the form of a fountain pen which is embedded with the signature of the founder.

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/SD/back.jpg

 

Presentation:

 

The packing is fairly simple with an ivory colored outer jacket enclosing a faux black leather covered pen case. The box contains the pen, a piston converter and the pamphlet. One side of the pamphlet lists the features of this new pen(scan above) and the reverse contains the filling instructions.

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/SD/IMG_2779.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/SD/IMG_2780.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/SD/IMG_2781.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/SD/front.jpg

 

The Pen:

 

Looks fairly simple and ordinary at first glance. The cap is metallic and the body is claimed to be made of a high impact resin. I bought the black color, it is also available in maroon and navy blue colors. The pen feels quite solid in hand with a moderate comfortable weight. The uncapping and capping action is very precise. The clip is very well designed and it is linen shirt friendly too, clipping and unclipping is a breeze. The initials SD feature on the clip.

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/SD/IMG_2782.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/SD/IMG_2783.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/SD/IMG_2784.jpg

 

The embedded signature:

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/SD/IMG_2786.jpg

 

Filling system:

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/SD/IMG_2785.jpg

 

The filling system is C/C with international cartriges. Carts are not included with the pen but a piston converter is. I immediately refilled a Pelikan GTP cart with Waterman BB and stuck into the pen, ink start was immediate, no cart squeezing or shaking was required.

 

Writing Performance:

 

When I initially saw the nib, I thought it was too small in proportion to the overall size of the pen. However this small size combined with the profile of the section made writing a very comfortable experience. The nib is gold plated steel with SD engraved. it is quite smooth with a generous flow, the section has a gentle step in the section which I thought will be a bother but I did not notice it while holding the pen, it seems like Camlin have hit upon a balance here.

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/SD/IMG_2787.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/SD/IMG_2788.jpg

 

That is a plastic feeder.

 

A small writing sample:

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/SD/IMG_2795.jpg

 

Dimensions:

 

Capped: 137mm

Posted: 152mm

Unposted: 123mm

Barrel dia: 14.3mm

Section dia: 10.8mm, 12.7mm

 

Cost:

 

This pen retails at 600INR which is also the MSRP. It translates to about 12USD at current rates.

 

Overall Impression:

 

I had bought this pen last weekend and used it for a day at office. When I took it out yesterday to photograph and write the sample, I found that it started up instantly. The pen is not a great looker IMHO but I like it for it's comfortable. The clip is very well designed. overall I give it a

 

Regards,

Hari

 

 

Hello Hari,

 

I became a new member of The Fountain Pen Network just now. I am been reading your reviews on the 'SD' Camlin FP and Wallity. In your opinion which of the two is a better one and where in Mumbai could I purchase them both. Could you give me their tel. no. would appreciate it. I trust your judgment on the pens. Thanks

Anarosa

[hari317]

I became a new member of The Fountain Pen Network just now. I am been reading your reviews on the 'SD' Camlin FP and Wallity. In your opinion which of the two is a better one and where in Mumbai could I purchase them both. Could you give me their tel. no. would appreciate it. I trust your judgment on the pens. Thanks

Anarosa

 

Hi Anarosa,

 

Wality can be bought from Kothari pen agency on Abdul Rehman street opp. Crawford market. I bought my SD in Pune, it should be available in large stationery stores in Mumbai. Check out your local shop first or ask them to get one for you. If they carry Camel inks they should be able to get this pen from the distributor.

 

Regarding which is better, the SD and Wality are at completely different price points and are totally different pens too. Try both, since the wality costs only a fraction of the SD!

 

Regards,

Hari

 

 

[cherianmt]

where can i buy the signature camlin pen?

[georges zaslavsky]

that is a nice find

[hari317]

where can i buy the signature camlin pen?

Cherian, I assume you are from Kerala? I think, It should be available with the "pen doctor" in Cochin. It is available in major shops in Mumbai and Pune.

 

that is a nice find

Thank you Georges!

 

Regards,

Hari

 

 

[moinuddinpatel]

Lovely piece Hari

Kothari pen agency, where exactly is this, any landmark ?

 

Regards-Moin.

[I am not a number]

As ever Hari, a great review!

 

I immediately refilled a Pelikan GTP cart with Waterman BB and stuck into the pen, ink start was immediate, no cart squeezing or shaking was required.

You are living on the edge with that kind of crazy behaviour, the warranty, think of the warranty.

 

IANAN doesn't use smilies, but if he did...

[gpathy]

Woonderful pen !! Hats off to Camlin...

Thanks a bunch Hari !!

 

How is the nib? Is it flexible? can you post its flex capabilities?

 

Thanks

[hari317]

How is the nib? Is it flexible? can you post its flex capabilities?

 

Thank you for comments. No, the nib is certainly not flexible.

 

Best

hari

[Namo]

I missed that one, Hari. Nice review, and it is very pleasant to hear about other pens that the mainstream western and japanese brands!

Edited April 11, 2011 by Namo

[PenFan95]

Woah...nice and large! It seems to be a nice writer with nice, large girth...just how I like them! Pretty much a bargain for $12.

[Abhik]

Incidentally I have been using the same one for 2 weeks now. When I inked it up after a long gap of 2yrs(almost), I started liking its nice flow and immediate start in the morning! Nib is M-F in my opinion. Pen grip is comfortable, if you your normal grip is away from nib. A good gift from Hari. Thank you Hari!

Abhik.

[Inkwisitor]

Thank you Hari for your fine review,

 

News of the Camlin brand has not penetrated Scotland to my knowledge, I've certainly never come across it before. By the standards we are used to this seems remarkable value for money. I liked your handwriting sample.

[pbhat]

I picked up one from Bangalore last week and inked it today(Curiously never found one in Mumbai, the city Camlin is based). Fantastic pen and can compete with any international brand as far as quality, fit and finish is concerned. Writes more of a fine (point is not mentioned)and suits my requirement perfectly. Excellent Value for money at Rs. 600/-(INR)as far as fine writing Instruments go.

 

Excellent review Hari, the pen is exactly what you have described and commented.

pbhat

[Taurean]

Great review as usual, Hari.

I like my Camlin fountain pens and this one looks mighty impressive.

[Taurean]

I picked up a Camlin SD in Navy Blue yesterday.

I've been using it for a day and it's performing flawlessly.

 

[Rishi]

Never knew camlin produced such costly (in indian rupees) pens ...nice review again...this pen actuallly stood apart from other indian pens i have seen on this site.

[pkoko]

Any idea where one from the USA can get one of these? I really like its look but I haven't much luck to find it from US seller.

[pgupta0]

Hi Hari;

Thanks for sharing your impressions of this pen from India. Does the pen offer choice of nib widths?