Lotus Shikar In Matt Black Ebonite

[steve50]

I saw Mehandiratta's post on the pen (https://mehandiratta.wordpress.com/tag/lotus-shikar/). Seemed really nice in the pics so went ahead and got one for myself. The pen is available in glossy blue, red and cumberland pattern, and matt black. I got the last one. Lotus says that ebonites come from Nikko.

 

 

I have to say, this pen is a serious contender in the market. It completely changed my ideas about Indian pens. I have a Ranga and it's nice but far from perfect. There are noticeable flaws: the shape is a bit irregular, the end part of cap is a bit off-centre, the colour and pattern of ebonite is also irregular (cap is greener than the barrel). Compared to this, Shikar is a much more refined product. I mean..you guys have to check this out...the quality is top-notch, especially the matt finish. I also like how the cap posts deeply and it feels nice when you post it.

 

 

The only thing is that this pen is huge. As you can see in the pics, Pilot 742 looks tiny next to it. I actually love the girthy grip, but for those of you who prefer smaller, slimmer pens this might not be for you.

 

 

Ah, and another thing. The nib unit (Jowo) doesn't screw in fully on mine like in Mehandiratta's pics. On their website as well, it looks like on some pens it doesn't screw in all the way. No functional issues but still I would have preferred that clean look.

 

Apart from that it's flawless.

 

[Maurizio]

Thanks for posting this. I like the looks of this pen and I like big pens. What is the cost please and do you know if they ship worldwide?

 

Went to their website and my questions answered.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Maurizio

[tvradio]

Looks interesting. I was also intrigued after seeing Mehandiratta's post about his pen. I wonder how it compares in size/feel to the Asa Nauka, which FPN has had a couple of group buys on in recent years. (1) (2)

[steve50]

Thanks for posting this. I like the looks of this pen and I like big pens. What is the cost please and do you know if they ship worldwide?

 

Went to their website and my questions answered.

It was $80 without nib unit...just so you know that there's that option too. I'm just a customer but I feel like I should advertise the company so they launch more interesting pens haha.

[steve50]

Looks interesting. I was also intrigued after seeing Mehandiratta's post about his pen. I wonder how it compares in size/feel to the Asa Nauka, which FPN has had a couple of group buys on in recent years. (1) (2)

No idea how it compares to Nauka, but this pen is not hand turned (I think) hence much more refined. The matt finish is amazing. It feels really smooth.

[hari317]

Thank you for the review. I was curious about the shikhar and am interested in getting one. I might go for the conventional golden clip.

 

Can you pls check inside the cap. Is there an inner cap? The caps rotation is stopped by the shoulder on the barrel or by the section contacting the inner cap? I could not determine this from the pics.

 

I have a model called the lotus-Vamza and I have posted a short review of it a few weeks back. I agree that the fit and finish is really top notch. They now have bock nib option too.

Edited March 8, 2018 by hari317

[steve50]

Thank you for the review. I was curious about the shikhar and am interested in getting one. I might go for the conventional golden clip.

 

Can you pls check inside the cap. Is there an inner cap? The caps rotation is stopped by the shoulder on the barrel or by the section contacting the inner cap? I could not determine this from the pics.

 

I have a model called the lotus-Vamza and I have posted a short review of it a few weeks back. I agree that the fit and finish is really top notch. They now have bock nib option too.

Hi Hari, there is an inner cap integrated into the cap - which makes it a bit heavy.

[hari317]

Hi Hari, there is an inner cap integrated into the cap - which makes it a bit heavy.

Thanks, that's good. also your feedback that the cap posts well is going to make me order one soon.

[Sagarb]

A lovely review Steve, thank you.

[LeonardoDeArko]

Nice review of a nice looking pen. Thank you Steve. Seems I have to contact the maker. Have to add another lovely Indian pen to the stable!

[markiv]

Lotus pens have really surprised me by their quality.

Superb pens. Here are a few I got from them.

[hari317]

Nice set markiv!

[southpaw]

I have the Shikhar in the Cumberland. It is a very impressive pen. I also have a Ranga 8b and 2 Asa Naukas. So if these Indian pens are delightful.

[Epr969]

Just see this now.

 

I took delivery of a Lotus Shikar a few weeks ago.

 

Its a kind of Teal blue colour with Black clip and I got it with Chrome Jowo M nib - they were out of Black nibs.

 

Outof hte bok it wrote ok....maybe a little dry for my personal liking but ok.

 

Seeing as I wasnt entirely happy with the colour of the nib I went and ordered a black rhodium plated one from FPnibsin Spain...even got my initials on it.

 

Worrying about the lack of wetness I went and ordered the ebonite feed with housing unit from Flexible Nib factory.

 

Eventually had all the pieces and put it together......like wow, this puppy is wet.....I love it !!

 

Have to say a few things about Lotus and the pen;

- they were very responsive and good to work with...answered email quickly..super helpful

- the pen is very well finished

- my cap has no inner cap...this may be as I asked for almost no taper on the grip section and no "lip" at the end of the grip section - maybe this make it impossible to have an inner cap ??? not too worried..they done a great job

- I asked for my pen to be a little longer in the barrel area....I wanted my overall length (incl nib) be be approx 138mm (up from 131mm)...no problem they done this.

 

Overall I love it...and it came in a little cotton stitched pen holder....nice touch !!

 

I'll post some photos once I get them off my phone !

 

Ok, got photos - note the pen looks more "royal blue" in the pics whereas in real life its more teal/bluey/green colour, under a loupe the material has millions of tiny black particles in its makeup...barely visible to the naked eye..

 

Thanks.

Eric.

 

Edited August 16, 2019 by Epr969

[KingsCountyWriter]

I received a Lotus Shikhar about 2 months ago, just as school was ending. It arrived promptly at the estimated shipping time of about 3 weeks.

 

I also got a matte black writer, with a medium steel nib. Im not sure whether its Jowo or Bock. Ive been using it as an eyedropper, Im Im still trying to get the timing correct in terms of refilling. Ive experienced some burping, and on occasion when I uncap the pen, its section is covered in ink.

 

Outside of those mishaps, I love the pen. It is an EC and as I keep it in a cloth case, I havent had to be concerned with seeing a stained pocket on my pants. The weight is wonderful, it posts smooth and cleanly, and writes like a wet charm (but not too wet).

 

If anyone has any tips as to how to control the leakage and burping, I would appreciate it. I love the volume of ink it carries and dont want to see it on my pants anytime soon.

[s_t_e_v_e]

Got one for myself a couple of months ago and it exceeded my expectations just like some of the other owners here. Lotus has excellent customer service, quick response time, excellent craftsmanship and timely delivery.

 

I got mine customized for a #8 bock nib as I feel the large size of the pen would look better with a large nib, and it does. The #6 nibs don't look out of place at all but I do like the #8 nib on it better. I also got an extra section made in titanium just so I could make the pen a bit heavier if I feel like. I don't mind metal sections, I kinda like them

 

Here are some pics:

 

 

[steve50]

I love the customisations people have got on their Shikar! The blue ebonite looks lovely too. As for eyedroppering, I don't think there is any real solution to burping. Obviously the ink chamber is huge and that'll make it burp easily. I just use them with converters because it's hassle free that way. But I'm eyeing some Japanese style eyedroppers at the moment which don't have this problem.

[Epr969]

Wow, I love that number 8 nib !!

 

Did Lotus supply the nibs or did you ???

 

Can you get ebonite feeds for the #8 nibs or do they come supplied with them ????

 

I like my nibs quite wet writing...i.e. after I write the "The quick brown fox....." sentence I go back and try smear the word "brown" with my finger and I like it still to be wet and smear....if it doesnt then the pen is too dry writing for me.......(I mainly use Diamine inks)

 

Damn you have me thinking again now !!!!

 

Eric.

[s_t_e_v_e]

Wow, I love that number 8 nib !!

 

Did Lotus supply the nibs or did you ???

 

Can you get ebonite feeds for the #8 nibs or do they come supplied with them ????

 

I like my nibs quite wet writing...i.e. after I write the "The quick brown fox....." sentence I go back and try smear the word "brown" with my finger and I like it still to be wet and smear....if it doesnt then the pen is too dry writing for me.......(I mainly use Diamine inks)

 

Damn you have me thinking again now !!!!

 

Eric.

 

 

I bought the #8 nibs from beaufort.co.uk. The nibs came as a whole unit, feed and housing included.

I don't know for sure if Lotus can provide the #8 nibs. You can ask them directly, they usually respond quickly.

[TheDutchGuy]

I’m impressed. And interested. Very interested. When I was with my former employer I used to visit Mumbai regularly. Does Lotus also have a shop there?