Did I Pay A Premium?

[flummoxed]

Most stationary stores or pen stores in Bangalore do not seem to stock "Indian" FPs (they seem to sell a fair amount of Jinhao, Baoer, Pilot, Hero, etc.), I decided to check a few stores in Avenue Road today.

It was quite unfortunate, as the stores that I was pointed to were shut today (I hope they were only having a really long lunch break and hadn't closed the stores!). When I did press a few storekeepers (only those which were manned by the gray haired men), they pulled out a few dusty boxes of the Click Ebonites and the Click demonstrators. My aim was to pick up a few ebonites or acrylics from one of the few older Indian manufacturers, I was quite surprised by my inability to find any of the other lovely pens discussed here on FPN. I guess I didn't ask the right questions or find the right stores today.

However, I did stumple on this store called Meenakshi Stores run by one Mr. Krishna Murthy, who had a few Airmails. Unable to return empty handed, I succumbed and ended up paying Rs. 840 for the following for plastic, metal and acryclic Airmails. All of them seem to have the same Fine Airmail steel nibs with finned ebonite feed. I have just dipped them and used them so far, nothing more. Will review them soon. Given, this was a first time FP shopping attempt, can the more knowledgeable folk here chip in and let me know if I paid a premium for them? Does Airmail still manufacture these pens? Or are these new pens manufactured by a new entity under the Airmail brand? Or Are these pens just new old stock?

[flummoxed]

Just inked the red pen, here is a quick sample.

 

[a_m]

Considering avg of 210, its pretty good price.

 

Haggling might have reduced total by 50 or max 100.

[deepak23]

Street price for the 69TL (the 2nd pen) is Rs. 200-250, For the 71 (3rd pen) around 250-300. The 4th is a variant of the 69 and that too retails for the same price range. So I guess you got a fair deal.

[flummoxed]

Considering avg of 210, its pretty good price.

 

Haggling might have reduced total by 50 or max 100.

 

Thank you!

 

Street price for the 69TL (the 2nd pen) is Rs. 200-250, For the 71 (3rd pen) around 250-300. The 4th is a variant of the 69 and that too retails for the same price range. So I guess you got a fair deal.

 

Thanks for identifying the pens, that was very helpful. I'm currently using the 69TL and the 71, they work like a charm.

 

I think I've found myself a very good deal, from what I found here: http://asapens.in/eshop/fountain-pen/wality-fountain-pen

Edited January 26, 2015 by flummoxed

[rajavikrama]

Mr. Krishna Murthy sells with very less margins. You will find the pens expensive with him only when he pays a high price to get them. As Hari has quoted in many posts, he is a nice man.

[flummoxed]

Mr. Krishna Murthy sells with very less margins. You will find the pens expensive with him only when he pays a high price to get them. As Hari has quoted in many posts, he is a nice man.

 

Great to know, I do plan to visit him again to buy another of the 69TL, I liked the nib on it.

[mrmohitmishra]

Just inked the red pen, here is a quick sample.

 

 

 

My experience has been similar. It is out of use for now.

[a_m]

 

 

My experience has been similar. It is out of use for now.

These single tone nibs are very difficult to smooth. I have tried 4-5 of these nibs - but none worked out satisfactory.

 

 

However the dual tones are altogether a different story

 

The smaller single tone nibs of 67T can be smoothened much easily

Edited February 11, 2015 by anup