India: The Onyx Custom-Made

[Woodnut]

A review of the Onyx Custom-Made fountain pen

 

Over the past year and more that I’ve been collecting Indian fountain pens, I’ve been fascinated with the efforts of a band of FPN members who are nudging India’s pen industry to upgrade their products.

 

The classic Indian fountain pen has long been the ebonite eyedropper, a direct descendant of the “reservoir” pen which, in the late 19th century, freed letter writers and office clerks from having an inkwell close at hand in order to scratch out a line at a time with a dip-nib.

 

Ebonite is the main feature that attracts most Indian pen enthusiasts. It is a wonderfully lightweight material that quickly warms to body temperature, making it extremely welcoming to hold while writing.

 

The hollow bodies of Indian eyedroppers are another attraction. The thought of filling a pen with 5 (or even 6) ml. of ink — when a standard converter holds 0.8 ml. on average — seduces first-time users with visions of having to refill the pen once, perhaps twice, a month.

 

This, though, is where romance collides with reality: only half to two-thirds of the ink in a classic Indian eyedropper is reliably useable. Run the pen’s ink supply below that level, and the pen is liable to “burp” without (much) warning, i.e., suddenly deposit an unexpected blob of ink in the midst of your deathless prose. (Nor are poets exempt.)

 

A number of FPNers have invested considerable time and effort trying to overcome the burp so as to make Indian pens more friendly for users who don’t have the patience to monitor their writing for the signs of an imminent surprise (a sudden increase in the wetness of the line, indicating that the pen’s reservoir should be refilled).

 

Hari317 is the first FPN member I remember who posted extensively about a possible solution: retrofitting the spoon-like feeds that generally come with Indian ebonite pens with a Schaeffer No-Nonsense nib and feed. (Those made by Kim & Company, of Kozhikode, in Kerala, are an exception.) Since then, Hari317 has successfully graduated to retrofitting Pelikan nibs and feeds into a variety of Indian pens.

 

The thinking behind this adaptation is that a greater number of fins/combs in a feed serve to baffle a greater amount of ink, thus avoiding a burp when ink levels become too low. One problem with this solution is the scarcity of No-Nonsense feeds, and the expense of Pelikan nibs and feeds. Then, too, the diameters of these feeds may be wider than those of the originals, requiring re-boring of the pen’s sections — an operation not many owners with a favorite pen are willing to attempt on their own, even if they have access to the necessary drill bits and taps.

 

Within the past year or so, however, Ranga, a pen manufacturer in Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, has started producing and selling several of its eyedropper models fitted with JoWo nib units. Voilà — no do-it-yourself muss, fuss and anxiety. I own a Ranga Model 3 non-retrofitted eyedropper, and can attest to the high quality of Ranga pens, though I haven’t yet acquired one in its new iteration.

 

That said, after acquiring some two dozen Indian eyedroppers, each of which I find a perfectly lovely writing instrument in its own right (right down to their Indian-manufactured nibs), I recently took a leap and purchased a custom-made pen from FPN member Mesu (no affiliation, other than being a satisfied customer). The pen is outfitted with a screw-in Schmidt nib-and-feed unit, and can be used as an eyedropper, or can be filled with a cartridge or converter. And though I don’t own a Nakaya Writer Piccolo, and have only seen photographs, this pen reminds me of it.

 

Mesu calls the pen the Onyx Custom-Made.

 

(Note: The clip is polished steel; the yellow/gold appearance in this photo is a reflection from a nearby object.)

 

(Note: The Schmidt nib is steel; the yellow/gold appearance in this photo is a reflection from a nearby object.)

 

 

1. Appearance and Design = 10/10

2. Construction and Quality = 9.9/10

 

If the Onyx were truly made of onyx, only weightlifters and gorillas would be able to write with it. In fact, the Onyx is made of black ebonite — barrel, cap and section.

 

The ends of the pen, at the cap and the barrel, are neither flat nor rounded, but instead conical, with each end rising to a gentle peak.

 

Another nice feature of its design is the way to bottom of the cap sits flush with the barrel, giving the pen, when capped, a clean, uninterrupted profile. In my experience, this is unusual in an Indian ebonite pen, and is also a welcome (if not radical) departure from profiles that often seem not to have changed from those of the 1930s and ’40s. This new profile still gives the pen a “classic” look without the design seeming to be a departure-for-departure’s-sake. (Personally, I happen to be partial to the profiles of the ’30s and ’40s, which is one reason I have assembled a collection of Indian ebonites.)

 

It’s possible in some spots to detect that the bottom edge of the cap is not absolutely flush with the body; this amounts to tenths, if not hundredths, of a millimeter. Perhaps if the pen were made of acrylic or “precious resin” rather than ebonite — that is, formed by die-cast injection molding, rather than by a craftsman who turned both pieces on a lathe — the cap and body would sit perfectly flush. If you require that in a handmade pen, be prepared to spend several hundred dollars for the time and labor required. As it is, the minute discrepancy described is invisible when the pen’s profile is examined with the naked eye, and (when detected) serves as a reminder that this is, indeed, a handcrafted pen, produced one at a time rather than in mass quantities.

 

It’s also refreshing that, for a moderately large pen, the clip catches a sizeable amount of material in a dress shirt pocket, relieving one of the fear that the pen might go flying should you bend to pick up something from the floor. (The Onyx also comes in a clipless model, should you prefer to carry your pens in your briefcase or handbag.)

 

It should be noted that the cap will not sit firmly and securely if posted. In general, I don’t cap my pens, and since this, like many Indian ebonites, has no cap ring at its bottom, posting the cap over a long period runs the risk of producing cracks in the ebonite rim, which can eventually render the cap unusable. Another aspect of the cap is that, again, like many Indian ebonite pens, some 6-1/2 turns are needed to secure the cap to the body. Some pen users find this annoying; I consider it to be an engineering design to ensure that the cap doesn’t become totally unfastened and allow ink to leak from the nib and ruin a shirt or suit jacket.

 

In the end, though, these are merely quibbles. The Onyx, at $75US, with its Schmidt nib unit, is an Indian ebonite eyedropper/cartridge/converter pen that’s affordable and resolves the fabled drawbacks of a genre of pen which have for too long dissuaded too many enthusiasts from purchasing an eyedropper.

 

3. Weight and Dimensions = 10/10

 

Not having anything other than a bathroom scale, I will dispense with offering an exact weight. However, needless to say, the Onyx, like all other ebonite pens with which I have written, is extremely light in the hand.

 

As for dimensions:

 

Capped = 1.5 cm. / 6-1/32 in.

Uncapped = 14 cm. / 5-33/64 in.

Posted = 19 cm. / 7-31/64 in.

Section width = 1.1 cm. / 7/16 in.

Barrel width = 1.4 cm. / 35/64 in.

 

If you’re familiar with these kinds of dimensions, you’ll recognize that the Onyx is on the large end of the Indian pen spectrum, but by no means in the “jumbo” class. I have a large hand and find that the Onyx fits comfortably. The section is a good width that enables my fingers to maintain a firm (but not callous-inducing) grip; and the end of the barrel rests comfortably and securely in the crook between my thumb and index finger, so there’s no need to post the cap (which would only make the pen resemble a spear or miniature vaulting pole).

 

Since a picture is proverbially worth a thousand words, it might be best to provide some photos comparing the Onyx with a series of well-known American and European pens, and then with a variety of Indian ebonite pens.

 

(Left to right): The Onyx; Montblanc 149; Pilot 743; Yard-O-Led Grand Viceroy; Parker Duofold International; Parker 51

 

As is evident, the Onyx is large. And though it is a tad longer than my Montblanc 149, I find it more comfortable to use because the section is narrower and the barrel longer. Similarly, compared with my Yard-O-Led Grand Viceroy, the Onyx is easier to use for writing sessions because it is far lighter.

 

And below is a photo of the Onyx lined up with a group of Indian ebonites of varying sizes. As can be seen, it’s not the longest or the largest — the translucent Guider Super Jumbo takes that honor. But neither is it the shortest. Goldilocks had it right when she said, “It’s just right” (at least for the dimensions of my hand).

 

(Left to right): Kim & Co. Cigar; Deccan Advocate Jr.; Ranga Model 3; the Onyx Custom-Made; Deccan Advocate; Guider Jumbo; Guider Super Jumbo

 

4. Nib and Performance = 10/10

 

I’ve already noted that the Onyx comes equipped with a screw-in Schmidt nib-and-feed unit — in my pen, a fine width, which is my preference for everyday writing. Like almost every other Schmidt nib I have, this one is smooth, with just a hint of feedback (another preference) on the inexpensive paper I usually use for drafting letters and other writing projects.

 

The nib, made of steel, is rigid, has no flex and little line variation, all of which pose no problems for me. Its ink flow is excellent and reliable and starts immediately when the tipped point touches paper.

 

What I’m looking forward to is switching out nibs, as I used to do with my Esterbrooks. Since Schmidt makes a variety of units with nibs of different widths, it will no longer be necessary to have a separate pen for each nib width.

 

5. Filling system and Maintenance = 10/10

 

The Onyx’s filling system provides a rare triple play: cartridge, converter or eyedropper. Ease of choice is a major attraction for me. A few months ago I made an 18-day tour of Sweden, Denmark and Norway, and took along the Onyx as my everyday-carry pen. Since I had been using it as an eyedropper before I departed, I emptied the barrel into a vial, flushed the barrel, inserted a converter, and inked up. When the converter ran out halfway through the tour, I switched to using standard long international cartridges; and when I returned home, I popped out the cartridge and refilled the barrel from the vial. Each of these transitions was simple and easy, and I had the pen I wanted throughout the trip.

 

As for maintenance, I simply take standard precautions for an ebonite pen: keep it out of direct sunlight so that the finish doesn’t discolor; store it in a pouch, box or draw when not in use; and occasionally wipe it down with a microfiber cloth to remove oils deposited by my hand. Such precautions are a small price in return for the light weight and warmth-in-hand of an ebonite pen.

 

6. Cost and Value = 10/10

 

The Onyx costs $75US, which is currently at the higher end of the price range for many Indian ebonite pens. But this is an instance in which added cost reflects truly added value: a Schmidt nib and an ink delivery system that take the form of an eyedropper (without worries about burping), a cartridge or a converter. There are still only a few pens which offer such variety of choice in such a pleasing, well-designed package.

 

7. Conclusion 59.9 / 60

 

It goes without saying (but I’ll note it anyway) that judgments about fountain pens are highly and purely subjective. To my mind (and my hand) the Onyx scores 59.9 out of a possible 60 points. Is it the “perfect” pen? Let me answer that question with a well-known observation: The perfect is the enemy of the good. This, to my mind, is an excellent pen. I’m a writer, and the Onyx does what I want and need it to do: it starts instantly and writes continuously without tiring or cramping my hand. As icing on the cake, this is a good-looking pen, one that you won’t have to explain away or make excuses for (at least until some bozo asks, “You still use a fountain pen?”).

 

On the other hand, you may prefer a smaller pen or a thinner one; you may prefer to post your cap; you may prefer not to turn the cap 6-1/2 times to secure it shut. If so, this might not be the pen for you, and that’s a legitimate, individual judgment.

 

But in all the important qualities enumerated above, this is an excellent pen, worthy of attention and consideration by fountain pen enthusiasts as an example of the promising evolution of Indian ebonite pens.

[mhguda]

Woodnut: thank you for an excellent review of one of my favorite pens. Thanks also for putting into words why I love this pen so much. My history with this pen is slightly different from your story, but I also got the pen from Mesu, in my case as one of a pair.

I had bought two of her acrylic Olivers with Schmidt M nibs, which I liked qua looks but found too broad for my taste, and so I ended up acquiring, with the help of yet another Indian FPN co-member, two Schmidt F screw-in nib units - only to find that the Olivers had been slightly adapted, and did not allow screwing out their nib housing units!

I solved that problem by a different route, and so had two Schmidt nib units without a fitting pen body. Here, Mesu came to the rescue, and offered to have a pen body made to house my nib units. She offered a choice of designs, and this was one. I jumped at it, and also got the same pen in a clipless body. I never knew she had a name for it - in my pen database, I call them my Guider Nakaya clones, because yes, they remind me of Nakayas. When I got them Mesu did not have the converters so those were shipped to me afterwards, and I started using them with the standard long converters, filled by syringe with the ink of my choice. And your experience with them precisely mirrors my own - they always write, they are comfortable to hold, they are beautiful to look at - and they are slightly different one from the other so your hand also feels that this is an individually crafted piece of functional art. I am very glad to have been part of the process that led to having this pen made.

[tbarrow]

Thank you for a great review Woodnut. How do i contact Mr.Mesu?

 

Which store did you purchase the huge black and white pens?

[Rose Nibs]

Outstanding review that addresses all my questions about Indian pens.

[Woodnut]

tbarrow -- Thank you for your comment; much appreciated!

 

You can see the pens Mesu has to offer in the Classified section: Writing Instruments/Emerald, then scroll until you see her name near a photo of a pen being offered. I don't know whether she has any Guider Super Jumbos (the big white one) in stock. It's a marvelous pen -- huge, light in hand (it helps if you have a big hand), holds a sea of ink, and starts writing immediately even when it has been sitting nib up for weeks.

 

Thanks again!

[S-K]

thanks Woodnut,

very nice and detailed review

[mehandiratta]

Looks amazing,.... i wonder what if this can be done in other colors... especially different ebonite..... apart from regular brown, green and black....

[Mesu]

Looks amazing,.... i wonder what if this can be done in other colors... especially different ebonite..... apart from regular brown, green and black....

 

It can be made in burgundy ripple and deep blue ripple ebonite too.

[a_m]

Very nice review.

[PDW]

Excellent review of a pen whose looks seem to me to capture the essence of an FP. Don't ask me why, but it does ...

[mrmohitmishra]

Such a fluent prose sir. It was a sheer delight reading it. I get it that the pen is an epitome of craftsmanship, but your review has

 

certainly made it more appealing.

[Lexaf]

Ordered one from Mesu. It has to come all the way from India to the Netherlands, so I'll have to be patient for some time.

Cant wait to have it in my hands and try it out myself.

[sannidh]

thank you

[AD64]

Thank you for this informative review.

[Sagarb]

A superb review...

[Mitinder]

Superb review..am ordering one right now!

[flummoxed]

Congratulations on the pen Woodnut. I bought a pair (both clipless), a black and a blue-black ripple from Mesu and both are absolutely amazing pens.