Woodex Pens

[hari317]

12 minutes ago, Meghdut said:

just wanted to understand the reason behind suggesting model 15 over the model 2/3/4 as EDC/primary pen , is it because of long size?

 

the model 4 etc are too long to be carried in the average shirt pocket. Thus the short pen suggestion. I love flat top pens. The white dot is a nice touch.

[hari317]

Woodex 63: 

This model was introduced sometime in late 2024. This pen is a recreation of a very similar Deccan masterpiece that I bought in 2005 or so; the only difference being that the Deccan version had a beaky Pelikan-esque clip and had a pure ED fill setup. Unfortunately, I had sold that pen off and could never find one again at Deccan. This pen is a true ebonite jumbo as can be seen from the dimensions: 

• Capped length: 168mm
• Uncapped length: 158mm
• Posting cap length: 200mm
• Cap dia: 21mm
• Barrel dia: 19mm
• Section dia: 15mm
• Ink capacity: 5ml

 

Previously the largest Indian rod that I had encountered was 20mm in diameter (I didn’t measure the Deccan version’s diameter as those were early days for me). 

 

The fit and finish is impeccable on my piece. I am really impressed. There are zero defects or blemishes in the ebony black ebonite. 

 

I opted for the B nib as a nib unit allowing C/C operation with optional ED filling capability. 

 

I got the unmarked 40mm nib from Ambitious which has just the Ambitious logo tucked away towards the nib tail. 

 

The pen writes really well with generous flow when filled with waterman’s black ink. These are still early days. 

 

The pen is constructed really well. Has a machined in-situ inner cap. The section barrel threads have the buttress thread profile.  The clip catches the fabric smoothly with no rough edges. 

 

The pen. 

 

The pen uncapped. 

The nib. 

Side view. 

 

The plastic feeder.

Section unscrewed. 

 

The conical pen ends. 

With other Woodex models. 

L-R: 56, 4, 39, 63
 

 

Uncapped: 

L-R: 56JoWo no6, 4 KW no 35, 39 Ambitious no 40, 63 Ambitious no 40.
 

 

With other brands: 

L-R: 9019, Guider Push cap

Zimbo, JK Jumbo, 63, Kim Jumbo, Gama Kambar, Guider Super Zimbo
 

 

Uncapped: 

L-R: 9019 40mm, Guider Push cap

Zimbo no 35 , JK Jumbo no 35, 63 no 40, Kim Jumbo no 35, Gama Kambar no 40, Guider Super Zimbo Schmidt FH452
 

cheers 

Hari. 

[Harish N V]

Oh. Congratulations on your 63. Where did you find this unmarked ambitious nib that too in broad. Did you grind it to a broad 

[Harish N V]

Also how does the guider super zimbo compare in terms of girth ?

[arun.upb]

Great choice with the broad, congratulations!

[hariharan]

Though I am trying to look more and more of woodex 63, i cant take eyes of the Guider push cap version.. I am impressed that they made a push cap with this girth. 

[hari317]

49 minutes ago, Harish N V said:

Oh. Congratulations on your 63. Where did you find this unmarked ambitious nib that too in broad. Did you grind it to a broad 

Thank you. The pen with nib fitted was purchased from Woodex. 🙏🏼

[hari317]

48 minutes ago, Harish N V said:

Also how does the guider super zimbo compare in terms of girth ?

You can find the super zimbo dimensions here. 
https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/296848-the-super-zimbo/

 

[hari317]

30 minutes ago, arun.upb said:

Great choice with the broad, congratulations!

Thanks🙏🏼

[hari317]

27 minutes ago, hariharan said:

Though I am trying to look more and more of woodex 63, i cant take eyes of the Guider push cap version.. I am impressed that they made a push cap with this girth. 

Oh yes. They do. That’s an amazing pen. I have a shorter version of that as well. Same girth for pocket carry. 🙏🏼

[K Singh]

Lovely detailed post Sir 👍 

This thread itself has become a great source for info on various Woodex models.

[Harish N V]

2 hours ago, hari317 said:

You can find the super zimbo dimensions here. 
https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/296848-the-super-zimbo/

 

Thanks for your reply. The super zimbo is an absolute beast of a pen. I presume it will be comfortable 

[hari317]

1 hour ago, K Singh said:

Lovely detailed post Sir 👍 

This thread itself has become a great source for info on various Woodex models.

Thank you. Sometimes when I have to look up something I check this thread. It’s like my Woodex diary. I must post the other Woodex models here too. I have more than I have shown here. 🙏🏼

[hari317]

35 minutes ago, Harish N V said:

Thanks for your reply. The super zimbo is an absolute beast of a pen. I presume it will be comfortable 

It’s a nice beast. But it mostly remains uninked. I have so many pens to use. 🙏🏼

[K Singh]

30 minutes ago, hari317 said:

I must post the other Woodex models here too. I have more than I have shown here

That would be nice Sir 👍 Enthusiasts will benefit from it for years to come.

[misalignedtines]

On 8/3/2021 at 7:49 PM, hari317 said:

 

 

Alongside my ever inked Deccan Advocate from 2004:

 

 

 

I'm curious about the Deccan Advocate. I was wondering how the cap seal on the pen is? Does the top of the section rest on a ledge inside the cap? I find these are the best seals. Have you faced any issues of hardstarts? 

My ever inked pen is an Airmail 71JT with Noodler's Black. It's never hard started even after a month of non use. Runs till the last drop without burping( has a modified feed and nib that I carefully set initially). 

I was looking for a good ebonite addition and have shortlisted the  Deccan Advocate Or Woodex Model #4.

 

[hari317]

13 minutes ago, misalignedtines said:

I'm curious about the Deccan Advocate. I was wondering how the cap seal on the pen is? Does the top of the section rest on a ledge inside the cap? I find these are the best seals. Have you faced any issues of hardstarts? 

The Woodex model 4 and the older Deccan Advocates are excellent pens. Now Deccan has a new pen turner and I am not aware of their current quality level.

The Woodex 4 is properly made with an in-situ machined air tight inner cap. No hardstarts/dryouts IME.  

[Meghdut]

I have bought a few Woodex so far and very happy with them. The Woodex 6 burped once in pocket otherwise okay.

 

But recently got a Woodex 39 and having a hard start issue. While it writes, it is writing very well with a smooth and wet flow. But even when capped immediately, after sometime, it's skipping one letter at start. If kept overnight, capped, sometimes I need to shake and force a drop out before it starts writing again.

 

I have tried cleaning the section with running water with no luck. Any suggestions please?

 

[misalignedtines]

4 hours ago, Meghdut said:

I have bought a few Woodex so far and very happy with them. The Woodex 6 burped once in pocket otherwise okay.

 

But recently got a Woodex 39 and having a hard start issue. While it writes, it is writing very well with a smooth and wet flow. But even when capped immediately, after sometime, it's skipping one letter at start. If kept overnight, capped, sometimes I need to shake and force a drop out before it starts writing again.

 

I have tried cleaning the section with running water with no luck. Any suggestions please?

 

One thing you can try is flushing the section with soapy water. You can purchase a bulb syringe from a pharmacy. It's used for cleaning ears. Mix a few drops of dishwashing soap in a bowl of water. Fill the bulb syringe with the soapy water and flush the section a few times. 

Once you have finished the bowl of soapy water, repeat the process with plain water. Once finished, shake out the excess water and then let the section then dry on a tissue. 

Next, make sure to prime the feed. 

Fill your fountain barrel till ink level reaches the bottom of the threads. Then screw in the section. When you have two turns remaining, hold the pen nib side down over your inkpot and fully screw it in. A few drops of ink will be pushed out into the inkpot. 

Your pen should be ready to write.

 

If your pen is hardstarting or skipping sometimes it's because it's been sitting in a cup for too long. Some pens function better when stored horizontally. 

 

And finally all inks tend to have different properties that not only affect the colour but how they behave in the pen. Certain dry inks may flow better in wetter pens. And certain wet flowing inks are better suited in dry pens. This is a process of trial and error or you can get the inks properties from numerous reviews online. Ebonite feeds flow much better than plastic feeds in this regard. But sometimes annoying issues of pen hardstarting or skipping can be solved by just replacing the ink. 

 

Keep in mind, you'd do well to repeat the first process and flush out your pen with the bulb syringe before changing inks. Sometimes two inks that don't get along can mix and cause some funny business in the pen. 

 

 

Be patient. I've come across stubborn pens that needed some understanding and love to function perfectly. You'll get there. All the best.  

[hari317]

17 hours ago, Meghdut said:

But recently got a Woodex 39 and having a hard start issue.

whats the nib setup on your 39?

Friction fit nib over an ebonite feed? Pure ED.

or a screw in nib unit with a plastic feed? 3 in 1