Poor QC from Guider Pen Works

[het0314]

~~~SHARING AN EXPERIENCE OF POOR QC~~~

Just my second Guider and already experienced poor QC from Guider Pen Works. Cap rings are not set flush and there is a chip on the section filled with some kind of filler. Very visible pit marks near the cap rings.

The pen was received with ink residue, which means the pen was tested before shipping. The defects are such obvious that they could not have been undetected while testing. IMHO the pen maker should not have let this out of his workshop.
What is your take on it? Please enlighten me with your comments.

P. S.: Pen maker has agreed to a replacement in a different colour. His argument is that black ebonites are supplied in poor quality after COVID. Hence the chip is actually an air bubble which is rubber filled. I am giving the benefit of the doubt to the maker at this stage. Still, this doesn’t justify the poor fitting of the cap rings. When I asked him about the rings, the same answer: “Sir material we are sourcing is of poor quality.”🤔

[K Singh]

He is right about the quality of recent Indian Ebonite rods, especially the girthier ones. I have heard same complaint from Woodex and one more Indian penmaker earlier(I forget which one)

 

I'm assuming you are new to Indian Ebonite pens, because after a while you just get used to such minor "flaws" in the Indian ebonites. But if it really bothers you, the alternative is to go for Nikko ebonite from other Indian makers, which will significantly increase the price for a similar sized pen though and won't necessarily write any better.

 

I have had about 15 Guiders so far, with Zimbo being the smallest one, and am happy and satisfied with them. A few do have such brown spots on them and they don't bother me. But that's just me. Laxmanraoji did offer me a replacement for my Zimbo as well - it had a big pit mark - but i didn't feel it was a big issue at all and told him there was no need for it. YMMV.

[het0314]

52 minutes ago, K Singh said:

He is right about the quality of recent Indian Ebonite rods, especially the girthier ones. I have heard same complaint from Woodex and one more Indian penmaker earlier(I forget which one)

 

I'm assuming you are new to Indian Ebonite pens, because after a while you just get used to such minor "flaws" in the Indian ebonites. But if it really bothers you, the alternative is to go for Nikko ebonite from other Indian makers, which will significantly increase the price for a similar sized pen though and won't necessarily write any better.

 

I have had about 15 Guiders so far, with Zimbo being the smallest one, and am happy and satisfied with them. A few do have such brown spots on them and they don't bother me. But that's just me. Laxmanraoji did offer me a replacement for my Zimbo as well - it had a big pit mark - but i didn't feel it was a big issue at all and told him there was no need for it. YMMV.

Actually my first Guider was a Zimbo Push-cap which was flawless and a stunner. So was expecting the same with Guider Big. I think I can live with the bubble filled with rubber in the section, but the pit on the rings really stands out. I am sending the pen back for a replacement of the cap and section. This time around I will go without the rings on the cap. I think that should suffice.

[hari317]

6 minutes ago, het0314 said:

Actually my first Guider was a Zimbo Push-cap which was flawless and a stunner. So was expecting the same with Guider Big. I think I can live with the bubble filled with rubber in the section, but the pit on the rings really stands out. I am sending the pen back for a replacement of the cap and section. This time around I will go without the rings on the cap. I think that should suffice.

the rings will eventually corrode so better to go for a model without cap rings. Material defects are to be expected, the brushed finish was invented by Deccan to overcome this issue. Good luck! also we have a such a huge range of pen makers, if you did not like Guider, there are so many others to choose from.

[het0314]

3 minutes ago, hari317 said:

the rings will eventually corrode so better to go for a model without cap rings. Material defects are to be expected, the brushed finish was invented by Deccan to overcome this issue. Good luck! also we have a such a huge range of pen makers, if you did not like Guidere, there are so many others to choose from.

Thanks Sir! I have infact requested the replacement without cap rings. And actually I liked my first Guider Zimbo push-cap so much that ordered another Guider, model Big this time. My thinking was that cap rings would look good in the full-black ebonite, hence had asked to add the cap rings. But turned out a bad decision.

I personally don't like more than three turns on my pens, but most Indian ebonite pens (except my Lotus Student and Ranga 8B) have more turns. Hence the push-cap design is a big win for me. To add to the value the section to barrel threads are very well machined, and that stunning seamless design. I didn't had exposure to Guider Push-caps until recently. I always wanted to buy a seamless ebonite pen, and ASA-Nauka was on my wishlist. But the cap turns was a turn-off. When I saw Guider push-caps it ticked all my boxes.

Hoping that the new section for my big doesn't have this pit, and obviously going for cap without rings which solves the other issue I had.

[K Singh]

52 minutes ago, het0314 said:

Actually my first Guider was a Zimbo Push-cap which was flawless and a stunner. So was expecting the same with Guider Big. I think I can live with the bubble filled with rubber in the section, but the pit on the rings really stands out. I am sending the pen back for a replacement of the cap and section. This time around I will go without the rings on the cap. I think that should suffice.

I too prefer caps without rings when possible. That Zimbo looks quite good 👍

[Spatil]

Wow, a "push cap" ebonite pen, didn't knew such a pen existed. I am very much tempted to get one but without a clip and cap band. How does the cap seals? Don't want a pen which dries out within a week or so. And are there other pens or pen markers doing similar job?

 

[K Singh]

3 hours ago, Spatil said:

Wow, a "push cap" ebonite pen, didn't knew such a pen existed. I am very much tempted to get one but without a clip and cap band. How does the cap seals? Don't want a pen which dries out within a week or so. And are there other pens or pen markers doing similar job?

 

The cap seals perfectly. Never faced any dryout issues with mine. Guider offers several designs in push-cap. Just ask them.

[het0314]

14 hours ago, Spatil said:

Wow, a "push cap" ebonite pen, didn't knew such a pen existed. I am very much tempted to get one but without a clip and cap band. How does the cap seals? Don't want a pen which dries out within a week or so. And are there other pens or pen markers doing similar job?

 

The push-cap is very well made. Fits securely and easily uncaps. The machining is one of the best amongst Indian ebonite pen makers. Very smooth section to barrel threads, no sharp edges. If you are planning to buy certainly go for cap without cap rings and select ebonite colours other than black. Other colours may have some colour mix or black specs adding to the beauty of the overall pen, but the black may have pits in the body. Current prices are ₹4000 for the Big and ₹5000 for the Zimbo including delivery with Schmidt nibs and converter. He may charge you ₹200 extra for clipless as he will make the pen specifically for you. Depending on his mood. Also you have to be very persistent about exactly what you want. I mean colour, clipless, push-caps, etc. He will try to sell you what he currently has. But if you are persistent he will agree to make according to your specifications and also show other colour/ pattern possibilities. Very responsive over WhatsApp, but best ordered over a telephonic conversation. He speaks and understands broken Hindi and English. I would certainly recommend the Zimbo if you don't mind big pens, as it is better value for money than the Big at ₹4000. Yes a 40mm nib would look much better on the Zimbo. You can also send him the nib unit. All the best!

[Spatil]

1 hour ago, het0314 said:

Other colours may have some colour mix or black specs adding to the beauty of the overall pen, but the black may have pits in the body

🤔 Do other colours don't have pits or they somehow covered up? Honestly I don't know much about ebonites or in what manner/craftsmanship it is available in pens in market.

Also, is it that some ebonites are more prone to discoloration (sunlight/water) or wearing?

[het0314]

6 hours ago, Spatil said:

🤔 Do other colours don't have pits or they somehow covered up? Honestly I don't know much about ebonites or in what manner/craftsmanship it is available in pens in market.

Also, is it that some ebonites are more prone to discoloration (sunlight/water) or wearing?

IMO if you don't have much experience in ebonite pens, I would suggest Ranga or Lotus. You hardly can go wrong with these two. Just keep in mind for Mottled/ Rippled patterned ebonites you don't usually get what you see. Expect minor to major differences in pattern. For your other queries I will leave it to other experts to answer. Laxmanrao garu told me that black ebonite rods are coming of poor quality. Ebonites and UV don't go well together that I know. Also I always store my uninked ebonite pens with a silica gel, as a couple have developed mould before. 

P.S.: I have received the replacement of Guider Big. And it's awesome.