Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Introduction: It was not long before that I had bought my first ASA fountain pen that had served as the stepping stone into the vast world of handmade Indian fountain pens. Now, I’m the proud owner of two ASA Naukas- one in Tangerine, and one in the clear acrylic, TransNauka. I’m not known for my patience, so the wait time was really quite a period of impatience, but in the end, the pen makes up for everything. Now, lets get to my first review here ....



Aesthetics and design: The pen’s design is reminiscent of a boat, hence the name Nauka (meaning boat in Hindi). The cap is almost cylindrical that has a bulbous dome at the top, which literally glows in my Tangerine Nauka in the right lighting, a bit less so with the TransNauka. The barrel has a significant taper towards the nib, but also has a slightly smaller taper near the end that ends in a point. The section is cylindrical with no taper at all, which really suits my hand. The cap to section threads are located on the top of the section, so that gives the pen almost a Lamy 2000 zeppelin-ish look.


41589203275_4e82b0a696_z.jpg


42440492052_f4abc3dec8_z.jpg


28619437048_f9e578beaf_z.jpg


The looks of the pens really connect with me. The acrylics are brushed with abrasives. Some people compare this finish to a Franklin-Christoph but that is like comparing apples to oranges, since the F-C is polished on the outside, and rough on the inside, rather than brushed. I would compare it to a Lamy 2000, but slightly subtle. I imagine a Lamy 2000 demonstrator to be like this. In the right lighting, the Naukas glow. The Tangerine feels like a lava lamp. Both my Naukas are clipless and it just looks fantastic without a clip. But, that’s not going to be the case forever. I want to get some snake roll-stoppers for these Naukas, then they will be perfect for me.


40684251580_59d12ac8d5_z.jpg


28619430318_296e92ee2f_z.jpg


41589306395_84bb4172a6_z.jpg



Construction and Quality: I’m not kidding here, but my TransNauka is flawless, almost to the point of believing that its not handmade, but it really is. My Tangerine on the other hand has a few scuffs here and there, but nothing intolerable. The quality of acrylic used is also quite nice. One issue however has crept in with the TransNauka. The engraving on the cap looks like it was done hurriedly. It isn’t really crisp and clear but has a blurred look. Other than that, I’m more than satisfied.


42440547432_64c6b3d009_z.jpg


40684251580_59d12ac8d5_z.jpg


28619506338_fbbf682979_z.jpg



Filling system: The Nauka comes in two variants: a simple eyedropper system, and a 3-in-1 system. Both of mine are the latter. A 3-in-1 system means the pen can be filled with a cartridge, converter or via eyedropper. In case you decide to eyedropper it, do remember to grease the section threads to avoid leakage. As a note, Mr. Subramanium will provide a small box of silicone grease with your pen. If you order the 3-in-1 system, you also receive a Schmidt converter. I don’t like using the converter since during filling, the cap threads are covered in ink and is difficult to remove. However, due to aesthetic reasons, I use a converter in my Tangerine Nauka.


41589295745_36608ef5ff_z.jpg


42491940961_226facfe55_z.jpg




Writing comfort: The section of the TransNauka is cylindrical and has a diameter of 12mm. It makes for a comfortable grip for me, because I have unnaturally large hands for a 15 year old. It becomes slightly uncomfortable during really long writing sessions, however, it’s the most comfortable pen I own. This is true for both my Naukas. The pen can be used without posting and is really comfortable that way. The cap isn’t postable at all.


28636948518_0a696be7da_z.jpg


28636945508_366ee6a42c_z.jpg


27639362107_c9c773dd07_z.jpg


28636919618_0409428b0e_z.jpg



Writing experience: The Nauka comes with three kinds of nibs: one are the ASA branded nibs in fine, medium, and broad, and these come with the simple eyedropper variant, two are the Schmidt nib units in fine, medium and broad, three are the JoWo nib units in fine, medium and broad, both available with the 3-in-1 system.

Mine are the #6 JoWo nibs. The TransNauka has a fine nib in steel with no plating. It writes really well. It has a distinct feel of feedback, that’s not as unpleasant as my Platinum 14k medium nib. The fine JoWo nib is not really quite a fine. Its almost a fine-medium, that edges more towards the medium. Its wider than my Platinum 14k medium. But it’s a remarkable nib. The Tangerine has a 1.1 stub in steel, with a two-tone finish. This nib is really fun to write. It also has some feedback, but I quite like it. The line variation is also excellent and for me, the nib can be used for daily writing. But both nibs were dry out of the box, which was an easy fix. I have also tried the medium, but it feels characterless to me, so I ground it into a stub and that nib resides in one of my Deccan Advocates.


42440586512_57616c660f_z.jpg


42491948961_5c55fa0708_z.jpg


41787470274_cfc28e4a19_z.jpg


Pricing: The Naukas are priced well. The regular TransNauka cost me 2400 INR without GST. The Tangerine commands a slight premium, at 3200 INR including GST. The international buyers will haver to pay more for many reasons involved, which I am unaware of. In my opinion, the pen is well worth the price, considering its handmade, has a JoWo nib, and is really comfortable.


Final Thoughts: In the end, you get a really nice pen, with nice looks, great comfort, and reliable writing at a great price. If it was not for my Platinum 3776 Century Chartres blue, with that medium nib and mind-blowing resin, this would have been my favorite pen. The Naukas are a close second, I look forward to owning two more in the Aqua Blue acrylic and a brushed black ebonite. Only I happen to not have the funds for that. I hope my reviews are helpful to someone, and if they are, then mission accomplished.


41607573505_b098e550e5_z.jpg


P.S. The photos were taken with a Nikkon D5300 and edited using Polarr Photo Editor for Windows. And in case you are wondering about the surface that my pens are on in the photos, that is a Pearl Jingle Cajon with an awesome rough finish.


Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 17
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Aditkamath26

    9

  • kazoolaw

    1

  • ingolf

    1

  • opsguy

    1

Your photos and review are so very well done-thanks for sharing about a pen I've long been interested in.

 

gary

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for your review.

 

I agree that the Nauka clear acrylic pens are beautiful pens. I also own two of those pens. It´s very nice to watch the ink flow into the section and into the nib (and finally onto paper).

A little drawback is to clean the pens, especially when using certain inks. E.g. the use of "Kobe #25 Tarumi Apricot" is very difficult to clean as it is a very intense ink.

But nevertheless the Nauka are prize-worthy and beautiful pens.

 

Have fun.

 

Regards, Ingolf.

https://schreibkultur.requirements.de ... my blog - currently in German only

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wonderful review and great photos! I like the way those pens look. A very nice design. I'll see where I might be able to try one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Your photos and review are so very well done-thanks for sharing about a pen I've long been interested in.

 

gary

Thank you, Gary. I must say, take the plunge and order it either in one of the acrylics, or the matte black ebonite. If you have an India visiting friend, you could have him buy the pen for you for much less.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for your review.

 

I agree that the Nauka clear acrylic pens are beautiful pens. I also own two of those pens. It´s very nice to watch the ink flow into the section and into the nib (and finally onto paper).

A little drawback is to clean the pens, especially when using certain inks. E.g. the use of "Kobe #25 Tarumi Apricot" is very difficult to clean as it is a very intense ink.

But nevertheless the Nauka are prize-worthy and beautiful pens.

 

Have fun.

 

Regards, Ingolf.

 

I agree about the cleaning aspect. If you have a staining ink in it, best of luck getting it out especially through the threads. It would be nice to see your Naukas as well. Which ones do you have?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wonderful review and great photos! I like the way those pens look. A very nice design. I'll see where I might be able to try one.

 

Thank you! Well if you are trying the pens purely to check comfort, if you find pens like the Montblanc 149 or Pelikan M1000, or the Delta DolceVita comfortable, you will love the Nauka. Its light enough to feel comfortable and in case you don't like JoWo's standard nibs, you can order without the nibs and get a separate unit from FPnibs.com based in Spain.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nicely structured review and thank you for writing and preparing it. These photographs make me realize the versatility of the design. In these translucent materials, the pens look modern, and in rippled ebonite they look clasically Indian. In some acrylics they look like rare oversized pens from the 1930s.

Reviews and articles on Fountain Pen Network

 

CHINA, JAPAN, AND INDIA

Hua Hong Blue Belter | Penbbs 456 | Stationery | ASA Nauka in Dartmoor and Ebonite | ASA Azaadi | ASA Bheeshma | ASA Halwa | Ranga Model 8 and 8b | Ranga Emperor

ITALY AND THE UK

FILCAO Roxi | FILCAO Atlantica | Italix Churchman's Prescriptor

USA, INK, AND EXPERIMENTS

Bexley Prometheus | Route 54 Motor Oil | Black Swan in Icelandic Minty Bathwater | Robert Oster Aqua | Diamine Emerald Green | Mr. Pen Radiant Blue | Three Oysters Giwa | Flex Nib Modifications | Rollstoppers

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nicely structured review and thank you for writing and preparing it. These photographs make me realize the versatility of the design. In these translucent materials, the pens look modern, and in rippled ebonite they look clasically Indian. In some acrylics they look like rare oversized pens from the 1930s.

I agree with you completely. I would personally like this pen in a Conway Stewart Amber blank or an Omas Arco celluloide.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Hmm. $34 for one in broad.... I might have to do this.

Selling a boatload of restored, fairly rare, vintage Japanese gold nib pens, click here to see (more added as I finish restoring them)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very nice review and you have a beautiful handwriting.

 

Thank you for the kind words Mr Srinivas!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

SUPERB REVIEW!

 

Thank you. I love your photographs and editing and you are a big inspiration for photos.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmm. $34 for one in broad.... I might have to do this.

 

Its well worth it, and I will recommend it whole heartedly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 11 months later...

Great review and photos. Thank you.

 

I ordered the Aqua Nauka and it has shipped. Cannot wait to try it.

 

Cheers

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Most Contributions

    1. amberleadavis
      amberleadavis
      43844
    2. PAKMAN
      PAKMAN
      33494
    3. Ghost Plane
      Ghost Plane
      28220
    4. inkstainedruth
      inkstainedruth
      26624
    5. jar
      jar
      26101
  • Upcoming Events

  • Blog Comments

    • Shanghai Knife Dude
      I have the Sailor Naginata and some fancy blade nibs coming after 2022 by a number of new workshop from China.  With all my respect, IMHO, they are all (bleep) in doing chinese characters.  Go use a bush, or at least a bush pen. 
    • A Smug Dill
      It is the reason why I'm so keen on the idea of a personal library — of pens, nibs, inks, paper products, etc. — and spent so much money, as well as time and effort, to “build” it for myself (because I can't simply remember everything, especially as I'm getting older fast) and my wife, so that we can “know”; and, instead of just disposing of what displeased us, or even just not good enough to be “given the time of day” against competition from >500 other pens and >500 other inks for our at
    • adamselene
      Agreed.  And I think it’s good to be aware of this early on and think about at the point of buying rather than rationalizing a purchase..
    • A Smug Dill
      Alas, one cannot know “good” without some idea of “bad” against which to contrast; and, as one of my former bosses (back when I was in my twenties) used to say, “on the scale of good to bad…”, it's a spectrum, not a dichotomy. Whereas subjectively acceptable (or tolerable) and unacceptable may well be a dichotomy to someone, and finding whether the threshold or cusp between them lies takes experiencing many degrees of less-than-ideal, especially if the decision is somehow influenced by factors o
    • adamselene
      I got my first real fountain pen on my 60th birthday and many hundreds of pens later I’ve often thought of what I should’ve known in the beginning. I have many pens, the majority of which have some objectionable feature. If they are too delicate, or can’t be posted, or they are too precious to face losing , still they are users, but only in very limited environments..  I have a big disliking for pens that have the cap jump into the air and fly off. I object to Pens that dry out, or leave blobs o
  • Chatbox

    You don't have permission to chat.
    Load More
  • Files






×
×
  • Create New...