Kanpur writers - Desire, Heritage and Legacy

[Gunkanes]

With some effort you can adapt glorious 21k Sailor nibs in the Kanwriter Legacy fountain pens.

 

 

[Gunkanes]

The KING OF INDIAN NIBS is Back with new arsenal:

- Titanium Fude

- Gold Ultraflex EF

- Titanium Ultraflex EF

- Steel BB Ultrazoom

- BB Zoom version 2 (such an improvement!)

- BB Architect version 2 (now we are talking! oh boy, this is Architect!)

 

Over 45 nibs in their cataloge. 

 

The improvement from last order is significant. 

 

I discovered Kanwrite in 2021 looking for better nibs and a little sad because the nibs were always boring and hard as stones (jowo i am looking at you). I found Fountain Pen Revolution and recognized the source from Kanwrite so i started buying their pens. First in the home page and then contacting directly with them and they started offering me glorious nibs.

They offer two main fountain pens:

• Heritage 30$ (piston filler, cheap construction, and smelly, medium size)
• Legacy 60$ (cardbridge, better construction and three ebonite models -only the Dark Blue, Black and RedBlack-, big size -KOP comparable-)

They are focused in ofering the best value, and now there is a intermediate model called Emperor for 16$ (big one shating Legacy converter). for me (use to European quality Level) the Legacy is in the limit of quality i can tolerate. The Kanwrite Desire is another example of very basic level and price, i would avoid the Desire, but it works and its totally cheap (12€) (and for small hands).

All these models share the same housing - ebonite feeder - and stell/gold/titanium nibs. And this is important to understand their characteristics. The hardest engineering in a fountain pen is the feeder, and one example is the Pelikan M1000. Legacy feeder is in the stone age of feeder and that's the primal factor of Kanwriter that i love so much.

Legacy and Heritage provide unmatched raw ink flow rates and there is a reason for that: they made their own nibs and they are designed to work with that unmatched raw ink flow. If you try to use their nibs in other pens, the nibs will be scratchy and not fun at all. BUT, in their primal ebonite feeder, they are unique.

Housing, feeder and Nib need some adjusting until getting then right ink flow. There are so many adjustments you can perform to improve or customize your writing, and THAT is TERRIFIC. For instance: distance between the nib and the feeder, pressure of the nib over the housing, etc...

The fillable cartridge in the Legacy is so huge that you have the issues with the eyedroppers once is half empty.

As you can perceive, the ink flow is the main advantage and it hides the problems of the nibs and makes it possible to manufacture them with less noble materials and have unbeatable prices. I tried to bring the Legacy with me at work and it was not possible because i hold the pen in my troussers pockets and got inky very easy. After two "incidents" that involved clear jeans at work, the Kanwrite stayed at home. If you have a work desk and hold them there, should be ok.

So, ink incontinence is an issue and quality for european standards. But if you know them you can overcome them with caution and care (silicon grease in the screws, adjunting the fedder and nib to your liking).

The nibs are the fun part here and they are divided in:

 

• Regular (EF, F, M, B, BB and the glorious BBB). - The Normal ones -
• Semi-Flex (EF, F, M, - Normal ones but with some flex capability -
• Ultra flex (EF -the jewel of the crown-, M, B, BB) - Made for flex with nib wings removed-
• Special nibs :
  • Zoom (B Zoom, BB Zoom)
  • Architect (M, B, BB)
  • Extra - extra - fine, Fine point without point
  • Stub/Italic (B, BB)
  • Oblique (M, B, BB, Left or Right)

The nibs come in a set (housing, feeder and Nib) that can be screwed and change the nib very easily.

There are three materials: steel, titanium anbd gold.

• Steel is the usual one, Kanwrite steel is very resistant and withstands pressure without deformation. Nibs from 2€ to 10€ per nib.
• Kanwrite titanium is just outstanding, it is really soft, the ink flows perfectly over it and the feedback is addictive. 17€ per nib.
• Kanwrite gold is not very good, it's so similar to steel but the cost it is 100€.

Kanwrite is growing very fast and they are making some design decisions that change the nibs from one production time to the next. For example, I bought the Gold Ultraflex nib because a previous buyer recommended the Titanium. But at this time of production, the Titanium is exceptional, juicy and smooth, and the Gold Ultra Flex EF is mediocre to say the least. So, be careful when reading Kanwrite Nibs review because the nibs are changing quickly. Just in case, if you buy the cheap steel nibs, just buy two of then (one steel finished or two tones -beautiful ones-, and the other gold plated).

• In my first order, the best ones were the Steel semiflex, i didn't like too much the ultra flex.
• In my second order (the first one contacting with Kanwriter using email) the BB Zoom was just gorgeous, and the Titanium EF, F, M, B all great writers but i learned that -for my hands- the best experience was with Legacy big.
• In my next order i realized that only some Legacy were made from ebonite and bought all of them. The ebonite mitigate some of the ink leaking issues in the cap. And they have the same price than acrylic ones, so, why not. In this order the Steel Ultraflex was the great discovery. It is different from the Fountain Pen Revolution Ultra Flex, i think the FPR one have a thinner layer of metal. But what i loved about the Kanwrite Ultraflex EF is that is an amazing EF and i used intensively. At the same time, you have some flex that make the nib really fun. The Architect versions of the nibs were not even Architect.
• In the last order the disaster was the gold ultra flex and the discovery was the titanium ultra flex. I had a Waterman Vintage nib in one of the Legacy and swapped for this Titanium Ultra Flex EF, so you can understand that must be really good. A serious improvement in the Architect nibs, with clear difference between up-down strokes and left-right. The finish of the nibs much better. And they are so polished that some of them even have baby bottom.

Therefore, some inconsistencies in the nibs and they have not yet decided when to stabilize their characteristics.

What are the best nibs for foreigners accustomed to good nibs?

• Kanwrite Ultra Flex (Steel, Titanium, Gold), it's just outstanding. The perfect EF with some line variation, similar to Pilot FA#15. You can easily add more flex with a dremel and increasing the wings. Remember, is a 3€ nib (for the steel version), so no worries. You have to get the Titanium Ultraflex, period. The Pilot FA#15 is better than the steel and gold ultraflex, but not the titanium one, it's different kind of beast.
• Kanwrite BB and BBB. Comparable to any japanese Coarse by a small fraction of the price.
• B Zoom, BB Zoom, B Architech and BB Architect are the most expensive for steel and they are just FANTASTIC. In the last order, the zoom effect and the architect have been really improved.
• Titanium Fude, just for the fun. Primal as everything that Kanwrite does but as much as fun.
• Soft Regular Titanium - EF, F, M, or B for normal writing. Juicy and good feedback, really pleasant to use.

I will keep supporting the job of Kanwrite, i love playing with new nibs and for the price of a Pilot 823 you can get a Kanwrite Ebonite Legacy with ebonite feeder and 10 nib sets. But my suggestion is first buying the 823 and then the Kanwriter. They are not intended to be your only pens (for me Vanishing Points for the job and Pilot Custom Urushi for the serious stuff). At home they completely detroned the rest. When i wan't to have joy writing i use them, almost daily. I really love the amount of ink, if sometimes it hides the shading of some inks and a 20ml bottle of ink can be used up in one month.

The ordering process from Kanwrite is slow and painful (at least in Spain with customs involved). You ask for the nib cataloge and they send you -some days after- the cataloge with some prices, than you made the order and there some back and forth mail until the payment. The cost of shipping is 30€ international UPS delivery (previously the use DHL and worked much better), if you pay by Paypal there is an extra 6% cost (not sure if 6% is correct), and then the 30% customs for Spain. So, final prices are not so cheap. With UPS the parcel took almost 1 week and you must be sending your information to UPS customs. The last order it took 2 months from Kanpur to Spain. UPS lost my parcel in New Delhi but Kanwrite send it again.

I like their products, but i prefer fun writing to visuals in a Fountain Pen. They are not meant for everybody. Kanwrite is so raw and primal, and with some portion of lottery.

 

[Cursive Child]

Thank you once again, @Gunkanes! You hooked me on Kanwrite, last year, and am really enjoying the Titanium Flex and BB Zooms. Will follow your footsteps above again!

[Gunkanes]

On 4/10/2023 at 5:48 PM, Cursive Child said:

Thank you once again, @Gunkanes! You hooked me on Kanwrite, last year, and am really enjoying the Titanium Flex and BB Zooms. Will follow your footsteps above again!

 

I am quite happy with my Kanwrite fountain pens! I asked Sandeep for a Titanium B zoom, wish me luck.

EDIT 12/APR/2022: New information from Kanwrite - There is no Titanium B zoom available.  The Titanium Ultraflex it is called by them Soft Titanium, so, they only have the Regular and the Soft Ones (cut wings in the nib). The BBB steel nib is available but only in two colors Steel finish or Gold Plated, no dual tone. 

 

[lascosas]

I sent an email last evening to Kanpur writers last night and this morning there was a detailed email with the below price list.  Very efficient service.

 

KW Nibs Price List (USD).pdf

[lascosas]

Lets try that againKW Nibs Price List (USD).pdf

 

[lascosas]

@Gunkanes a question.

I am about to place a (large) order, and my preference is to just order the nibs with a few ebonite feeds and some housings.  They have them for their pens as well as jowo and bock.  From what you have said above, I understand that you have purchased both individual nibs and their units.  Are the nibs difficult to remove and replace in the units (housing)?

 

Oh, and thanks for all of your information.  Very helpful!  I attempted to be part of the Ambitious group #3 nib purchase but because I need to use Paypal, they were unable to include me.  Not a problem with Karwrite.

[Gunkanes]

New order from Kanwrite: 

 

1. The good parts: 

 

1.1 New ink cardridge is giant, 2.2ml of ink. The system is very ingenious and is included with Mammoth and Emperor fountain pens. 

 

 

 

 

Sailor should learn from them. 

 

The Emperor Fountain Pen (17$) is really nice sharing the ink converter with Legacy and Mammoth.

 

 

A little heavy for my taste, but nice one with a nicer clip. The cap is not screw it's click. 

 

 

 

Nice pen and quite cheap. 

 

 

Nib system is fixed, you can't unscrew the full housing, but swapping nibs it's easy, just friction fix. 

 

 

1.2. Kanwrite steel BBB nib. Solid performed, similar  to Japanese Coarse.

 

BBB left, BB right. 

 

 

 

2. The normal parts: 

 

2.1 New massive fountain pen Kanwrite Mammoth with #9 nib. 

 

 

 

 

It's a nice pen, quite cheap 80$, but they really lost a great oportunity for improving the quality of their products. The pen writes well but the nib is not bouncy enough and it's a little boring.  Magna Carta #8 nib is not so massive and better performer (https://www.magnacartapen.com/products/magneye?_pos=1&_sid=4f2d12452&_ss=r). They really -really- lost a great oportunity for a #8 nib, not so massive and with a more fun nib. But really writes well, juicy nib and great ink flow. 

 

3. The DISASTER: 

 

3.1 New version of Titanium Ultraflex EF nib.  

I think they got new machinery for titanium nibs and they create new Titanium Soft nibs. The previous one was a complete joy, similar to forged vintage gold nibs, really soft, flex and juicy.  The new version is a DISASTER with no flex at all. 

 

 

 

I'll try to contact Kanwrite in order to get the old version, but i don't have any hope. I can reckon that the rationale is because the material of the old version make the ink flow too much. The new version controls better the ink and destroy the flex experience. It's quite sad. Whatever the reason, the most impressive Kanwrite nib just dissapears for the market in an unprecedented business decision. They have something superior to Japanese and European nibs and they just stop producing it. The gold nib is slightly reminiscent of the old titanium ultraflex ef, but for $100.

 

UPDATE: I contacted Kanwrite and they will send me the old version of Titanium Ultraflex EF free of charge. 

[K Singh]

5 hours ago, Gunkanes said:

New order from Kanwrite: 

 

1. The good parts: 

 

1.1 New ink cardridge is giant, 2.2ml of ink. The system is very ingenious and is included with Mammoth and Emperor fountain pens. 

 

 

 

 

Sailor should learn from them. 

 

The Emperor Fountain Pen (17$) is really nice sharing the ink converter with Legacy and Mammoth.

 

 

A little heavy for my taste, but nice one with a nicer clip. The cap is not screw it's click. 

 

 

 

Nice pen and quite cheap. 

 

 

Nib system is fixed, you can't unscrew the full housing, but swapping nibs it's easy, just friction fix. 

 

 

1.2. Kanwrite steel BBB nib. Solid performed, similar  to Japanese Coarse.

 

BBB left, BB right. 

 

 

 

2. The normal parts: 

 

2.1 New massive fountain pen Kanwrite Mammoth with #9 nib. 

 

 

 

 

It's a nice pen, quite cheap 80$, but they really lost a great oportunity for improving the quality of their products. The pen writes well but the nib is not bouncy enough and it's a little boring.  Magna Carta #8 nib is not so massive and better performer (https://www.magnacartapen.com/products/magneye?_pos=1&_sid=4f2d12452&_ss=r). They really -really- lost a great oportunity for a #8 nib, not so massive and with a more fun nib. But really writes well, juicy nib and great ink flow. 

 

3. The DISASTER: 

 

3.1 New version of Titanium Ultraflex EF nib.  

I think they got new machinery for titanium nibs and they create new Titanium Soft nibs. The previous one was a complete joy, similar to forged vintage gold nibs, really soft, flex and juicy.  The new version is a DISASTER with no flex at all. 

 

 

 

I'll try to contact Kanwrite in order to get the old version, but i don't have any hope. I can reckon that the rationale is because the material of the old version make the ink flow too much. The new version controls better the ink and destroy the flex experience. It's quite sad. Whatever the reason, the most impressive Kanwrite nib just dissapears for the market in an unprecedented business decision. They have something superior to Japanese and European nibs and they just stop producing it. The gold nib is slightly reminiscent of the old titanium ultraflex ef, but for $100.

Thanks for the detailed review. I too am happy with my Kanwrite steel nibs.

 

The Kanwrite Mammoth deserves a separate post on its own since many here won't know about it. I am not a fan of this particular design, so will wait for the nibs to become available separately. And for anyone who likes this design, I'd say go directly for the gold nib version of mammoth and skip this one. At about only 11k more than this steel one, it's very well priced.

 

The nib slit itself is of different length on those two titanium nibs. Just show them the picture of your earlier nib, perhaps it's still available. They have something called as ultra ultra flex too, so best to ensure from them only if they still have your older design nib. Sometimes it can get confusing.

[amberleadavis]

On 5/13/2022 at 6:08 AM, Gunkanes said:

At the end of the year will be a new music flex nib.

 

 

 

 

Ooooooo that look cool

[OCArt]

Wow, anyone know where to order the Kanrite music nibs shown above??

[K Singh]

1 hour ago, OCArt said:

Wow, anyone know where to order the Kanrite music nibs shown above??

I don't think they have launched the music nib yet. You can find their contact details on their website https://kanpurwriters.com/

 

Best to email them and ask for their catalogue. Their website may not be updated with latest products.

[OCArt]

Just now, K Singh said:

I don't think they have launched the music nib yet. You can find their contact details on their website https://kanpurwriters.com/

 

Best to email them and ask for their catalogue. Their website may not be updated with latest products.

Thanks!  

[Gunkanes]

https://www.bluedewpens.com/shop/p/flex-nibs

 

The Blue Dew Flex Nibs can be easily adapted to Kanwrite system feeder with very good result.  I took the risk only ordering the nibs, not the pens, and they worked great in Kanwrite housing and feeder. You can even use the BlueDewPen feed in the Kanwrite Housing. 

[OCArt]

The BlueDew nib units also screw directly into the Asvine vac-filler and probably many more Chinese pens.

 

1 hour ago, Gunkanes said:

https://www.bluedewpens.com/shop/p/flex-nibs

 

The Blue Dew Flex Nibs can be easily adapted to Kanwrite system feeder with very good result.  I took the risk only ordering the nibs, not the pens, and they worked great in Kanwrite housing and feeder. You can even use the BlueDewPen feed in the Kanwrite Housing. 

 

[Gunkanes]

6 hours ago, OCArt said:

The BlueDew nib units also screw directly into the Asvine vac-filler and probably many more Chinese pens.

 

 

 

Good to know, thank you. 

[Gunkanes]

Update from the Titanium Nib new version disaster: 

 

I received 3 x titanium ultraflex EF nibs, 1 x titanium ultraflex fine, 1 x titanium ultraflex medium and 1 x titanium ultraflex bold. 

 

The good old titanium nibs from kanwrite are back. The Medium and Bold version are good but not so good as the EF and F i don't know why. Bouncy, juicy and beautiful ones. 

[lascosas]

Thank you very much.  All of your updates are very helpful.  I just put in a request for an order (I'm waiting for them to send me a Paypal total) and now I will add back in some titanium nibs.