Karas Kustoms Fountain-K Arrived

[andyslo]

Looking forward to trying out the pen, and speaking to those great guys at the LA Pen Show this weekend. I bought a pen from them last year, as I'm sure I will again this year. I hope they took my advice and bring along some of those outrageous 'Tops' they make which seem to spin forever.

[tonybelding]

Tonight the clip became loose and wobbly. I've heard this is not uncommon. I found an appropriate (small!) screwdriver, took off the clip, put a speck of threadlock compound on each screw, put it back together. It should be good.

 

This little pen has gradually been winning me over. I don't see any indication of drying out. It's about the size of an Esterbrook J but even tougher, easier to get in and out of my pocket, sharper looking (but not pretentious). It's not the most comfortable for long writing sessions -- at least in my hand, though somebody with small hands might love it.

[Legal Eagle]

I just saw these on Goulet Pens. They look really cool, I think I'll probably pick up the blue one. Thanks for the little review and photos.

Edited February 15, 2016 by Legal Eagle

[rockydoggy]

I bought one of the Karas Ink pens at last year's LA show and like it a lot. I lean toward industrial-syle, unadorned pens and the Ink fit the bill. And the weight of the aluminum model was just right. I should add that I had an issue with the pen about a month or two in and contacted the guys at Karas, who addressed it immediately--they seem willing to stand behind their products. My two reservations about the pen at the outset were the metal section and the cap threads. For me, the section's proven comfortable for long use, not slippery at all. As noted above, the cap threads can be loose unless you're careful to screw the cap all the way down. I'm thinking of putting some wax or maybe even a thin coat of lacquer on the threads to tighten them up a bit (interestingly, the early versions of Levenger's L-Tech--another metal pen I like--had this problem).

 

When I stopped by the Karas booth at the LA show on Sunday, I happened to mention that I'd be interested in pen similar to the Ink but somewhat smaller. They both pointed immediately to the Fountain K, which I'd not known was in the works. I immediately bought an aluminum model in olive green with a black section. It's a great-looking pen and has written well right from the start. I've not noticed the issue with the cap threads yet, but am on the look-out for it. Finally, nib dry-out may be my major complaint re: far too many fountain pens; I've not noticed that problem with the Karas pens and I've been using the Ink for a year now.