Asa Athlete: The Pen With A Character...

[mrmohitmishra]

Thank you guys. I am waiting for mine to arrive in my postbox. I was a little bit warried about the nib, but you convinced me that everything will be better then I expect.

Yup!! It would be.

[LamyOne]

Hello Mr. M.,

 

Thanks for the review - I own two Athletes - one light brown/black swirl and one dark green/black swirl; they are truly fantastic pens. I had never owned an ebonite pen before, but using them does make for a unique and pleasant writing experience. It feels very similar to polished balsa wood. Mr. S. at ASA pens was helpful; I had both of mine upgraded with Bock/Conklin German made nibs - one medium and one broad, for $8 extra, bringing each pen up to $33 a piece. I can't complain, I would pay the same for a Lamy Safari, but would not get the attractive, unique look or the huge ink capacity.

 

I would recommend an Asa Athlete to any fp user except for perhaps a neophyte; ED's are pens best suited for people who have at least a little fp experience - but if you do, then definitely give these pens a try - they make great daily writers - they even rival my Lamy Studio's for the amount of use they get.

 

Best regards,

 

Chris

 

PS: I'm also impressed with the Camlin 47 piston filler; for a pen that cost me $2.60, (including shipping from India - price breakdown from a pack of five), I am really impressed with the way the pen performs - for the price.

[mrmohitmishra]

Hello Mr. M.,

 

Thanks for the review - I own two Athletes - one light brown/black swirl and one dark green/black swirl; they are truly fantastic pens. I had never owned an ebonite pen before, but using them does make for a unique and pleasant writing experience. It feels very similar to polished balsa wood. Mr. S. at ASA pens was helpful; I had both of mine upgraded with Bock/Conklin German made nibs - one medium and one broad, for $8 extra, bringing each pen up to $33 a piece. I can't complain, I would pay the same for a Lamy Safari, but would not get the attractive, unique look or the huge ink capacity.

 

I would recommend an Asa Athlete to any fp user except for perhaps a neophyte; ED's are pens best suited for people who have at least a little fp experience - but if you do, then definitely give these pens a try - they make great daily writers - they even rival my Lamy Studio's for the amount of use they get.

 

Best regards,

 

Chris

 

PS: I'm also impressed with the Camlin 47 piston filler; for a pen that cost me $2.60, (including shipping from India - price breakdown from a pack of five), I am really impressed with the way the pen performs - for the price.

 

Well said and rightly put sir.

[mrmohitmishra]

By the way Lamy safari and Athlete have become two of my favorite pens. Though I doubt that they will remain there for long. I have ordered ASA Revolution and I am keenly waiting for it.

[cjpandya]

Beautifully reviewed! I have this pen on my next buying list I presume the feed is ebonite as well? The best part of an ebonite feed is you can alter it a little by some heating and can make to fit technically most of the nibs! Although i doubt this pen will need any nib changes.

[cjpandya]

I am thinking of ordering the ASA athlete. The ASA spear has a similar design. But a unique JoWo nib and has a converter. Have you used one of their nibs? I am a little confused as to save for the spear or go ahead with the athlete.

Edited November 30, 2014 by cjpandya

[mrmohitmishra]

I am thinking of ordering the ASA athlete. The ASA spear has a similar design. But a unique JoWo nib and has a converter. Have you used one of their nibs? I am a little confused as to save for the spear or go ahead with the athlete.

 

Thanks for your positive comments on your post. Well I found Stock Nib of ASA Athlete as good as any other nib, especially if you choose the option of FP testing. That is why I ordered Crystal LE with stock nib. Even if there is a problem the nib costs merely Rs. 50/- and a little micro mash and magnifying glass can solve all the problems. I faced one problem when I unnecessarily tried to tweak the nib. I could easily solve the same and now my Athlete is working really really fine.

 

What I loved about the nib was its fine writing, smoothness, competitiveness and connectivity with the paper. I hate glossy smooth feel when one doesn't connect with the paper. Secondly the pen is an Eyedropper but it has successfully minimised the problem of burping.

 

Therefore in my opinion, Athlete is a very desirable and worthy pen even without a German nib unit.

 

However, German nib offers triple filling option which is quite lucrative. German nib is medium and I guess as smooth as any Lamy. It writes medium therefore you would like it as you like medium nibs.

 

So in my opinion dear Mr. Pandya, Go for Athlete and then save and then Go for Spear....So would I...

[a_m]

I am thinking of ordering the ASA athlete. The ASA spear has a similar design. But a unique JoWo nib and has a converter. Have you used one of their nibs? I am a little confused as to save for the spear or go ahead with the athlete.

Try spear - unique nib. Most likely you can also fit any Indian nib of #5 to it. The stock of German nibs with ASA has the ability to do quick vanishing act. This Spear I saw was listed in night and next day when I saw that site the pen was out of stock. Athlete will always be available as its their flagship model.

[mrmohitmishra]

Try spear - unique nib. Most likely you can also fit any Indian nib of #5 to it. The stock of German nibs with ASA has the ability to do quick vanishing act. This Spear I saw was listed in night and next day when I saw that site the pen was out of stock. Athlete will always be available as its their flagship model.

Yup This is a consideration and an important one.

[cjpandya]

I am very sorry Mohitji and Anupji! I was out of town so could not reply. Apologies! As for the pen. I just checked ASA pens and the spear is not in stock yet. I suppose i will wait for some more time because the last thing i want is i buy the athlete and the next day the spear gets restocked! :-D I will go for both (As per your saying Mr. Mohit:-D) But i cannot go for both at the same time. So i thought i will consider what Mr Anup adviced. I will 1st get the spear, and as the athlete is their flagship, i can give my pen buying some breathing time and then for the athlete! ;-)

[DylanKeefe]

Thanks for the review!! I love the look of this pen....I'm just hesitating on pulling the trigger.

[mrmohitmishra]

Thanks for the review!! I love the look of this pen....I'm just hesitating on pulling the trigger.

Well I also love the looks of this pen. Its like the second most beautiful pen I have.

[a_m]

Well I also love the looks of this pen. Its like the second most beautiful pen I have.

Which one is the first ?

[mrmohitmishra]

Which one is the first ?

Crystal LE

Undoubtedly the best.

[mrmohitmishra]

So I have purchased another pen from ASA

It's Spear with a German Jowo Nib.

I agree with Anup ji, Athlete is really really good but Spear is definitely one step ahead.

Though both are wonderful pens in their own right.

[a_m]

So I have purchased another pen from ASA

It's Spear with a German Jowo Nib.

I agree with Anup ji, Athlete is really really good but Spear is definitely one step ahead.

Though both are wonderful pens in their own right.

I hope we will have the good fortune of a review ?

 

I hope ASA restocks it soon.

[mrmohitmishra]

Sir getting restocked tomorrow. Something like three pens. Called Mr. S to confirm delivery. Came to know there.

[a_m]

Sir getting restocked tomorrow. Something like three pens. Called Mr. S to confirm delivery. Came to know there.

Seems i have to play fastest finger first

[mrmohitmishra]

Sir,

You may mail him and ask him to send a pen to you...

[zdeveric]

Dear mrmohitmishra,

 

Aftre 9 days Athlete arrived. From Chennai to Zagreb.

I need your advice; Anand sent me additional nib and I wonder is it easy to take out recent nib and replace it with other?

Do I need to use force or tool?

Best regards

Zoran