A First-Look Review Of The Indian "limited Edition" Gama Kuyil

[aswinsainarain]

Below is a hand-written review of my newest acquisition. This is an ebonite pen from Gem and Co., Chennai, India, called Gama Kuyil, purchased from ASA pens, Chennai, India.

 

[a copy of this review will be posted to fpensnme.blogspot.in].

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Size comparison with Ranga Handmade Duofold and Jinhao (or Bulow) X450.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rwilsonedn]

Congratulations on a beautiful-looking pen, and thanks for a great review! The long sample of handwriting is especially useful, as it shows the pen's behavior over a number of pages--something that is hard to determine even in a pen store (unless the salesperson is very, very patient ...)

And thanks for showing off your fine handwriting, too.

ron

[Scribblesoften]

Thanks for the very thorough review. The size comparison photo was also helpful. This pen has been on the bubble for me. It may be my next purchase if I like the nib on my Gama Hawk when it arrives.

[mhguda]

Thanks for reviewing one of my recent acquisitions! I did not realize that the Kuyil is a limited edition, that means for me too it's a first LE ever - wow.

My experience is if possible even more positive than yours, as it has never hesitated; the ink flow is consistent, very wet, and starts immediately even after a few days lying idle. It's simply a wonderful pen, I'm glad I got mine, LE or no!

[aswinsainarain]

I understand that only a few Gama Kuyils were made by Gem & Co. specifically for ASA pens. Yes, it is a lovely pen. Good to know that it stays wet even after a few days of non-use; I have not left it alone yet!

[hari317]

Thanks for sharing your impressions.

 

I have a couple of Izumos. all are lacquer covered, some have the matte lacquer covering, the base material (wood/ebonite) is smooth. On the Kuyil there is no coating, the pen's surface is sanded by hand using emery paper to give it the matte finish. They do a good job of it.

 

I have seen that 5 petal logo on the nibs of Taiwanese origin. I have a guess(no evidence) that the stock steel nib of Gama and Ratnamson supreme (branded "Genius") are also of a similar origin. The MB logo on the other hand is 6 pointed.

 

The feed sticking out is a better thing IMO from the "block free air bubble transfer into the barrel" point of view.

 

HTH.

[hari317]

BTW, I am amazed a Wality spare nib was included. The Wality nib measures a mere 28mm in length, the nib on the Kuyil measures 35mm. HTH.

[a_m]

BTW, I am amazed a Wality spare nib was included. The Wality nib measures a mere 28mm in length, the nib on the Kuyil measures 35mm. HTH.

I have found that the wality nib also fits pretty well with the same gama feed. At times i have found it as a way for flood control.

[hari317]

The feeder diameter is the same 6.35mm even for the so called no 8 wality nib. Only the feeder length changes between the wality no 8 and the 35mm kuyil nibs, so in principle, it is possible to fit the smaller nib into the kuyil, only that it will look odd and cannot be deemed an appropriate spare for the stock nib(it is a different matter if the smaller nib was included to serve as a good luck charm to ward off flooding problems ).

Edited March 2, 2014 by hari317

[sirtoti]

Thanks for this "hand-made review". I'm not too fond of indian eyedroppers, but this one has nice looks and, given your handwritten report, a good behaviour.

[notimetoulouse]

Thanks for this in depth review - I have a Gama Hawk and Gama Raja in the post from Sh. Subramaniam jee as I type this, and I'm really looking forward to theiaarrival next week.

My first two Indian eyedroppers were Rangas, and, after a little nib tweaking to get the flow sorted out, they are classy writers. I now visit ASAPENS once a

month and add to my Indian pen collection. There is just something about owning and using a pen hand made by Indian craftsmen that really appeals to me.

Once again, thanks for taking the time to write this review and help me with my next choice of Indian eyedropper.

And a hats off too to ASAPENS - customer service as it used to be when the world was a nicer place.

Edited March 27, 2014 by notimetoulouse