Asvine P36

[J120]

EF-Bock .9mm Bock option. 

$31-42 on flagship store. 

This pen gives me Conid vibes. I would like to see this used on the V169.

[Karmachanic]

With nibs EF to B, including Bock.  So much for no new pens in '23.

[early]

Very compelling design considering similar Conids are between $1000 and impossible to get. Compare to Conid Bulkfiller Kingsize Streamline (#8). I do think this should have been a vac filler (which Asvine knows how to do well).

At a glance the P36 is based off of the Moonman T1 -> Asvine P30. Piston knob looks the same as the P30.

A vac filler version would probably be based on the V169, which interestingly also has a very similar piston knob to the non-Streamline CONID.

[Karmachanic]

1 hour ago, early said:

I do think this should have been a vac filler

 

 Wouldn't object to an eyedropper with shut-off valve either.

 

 

 

 

 

[PHHPHD]

Darn it.   Just had to order one.  After Atlanta I knew I was done for the year (8 new pens, 3 vintage and 5 contemporary), but I'm only human.  

[J120]

Pen Supplier on Aliexpress is charging 46.80 for the Asvine nib versus 56.79 for the Bock. A bit of a markup but you're not shipping a single pen from Taobao so it all balances out.  I am waiting to see what the Amazon price is going to be. 

[Karmachanic]

33 minutes ago, J120 said:

Pen Supplier on Aliexpress is charging 46.80 for the Asvine nib versus 56.79 for the Bock

 

I already have a handful of ground Bock nibs, so I'll go in that direction.  I'll wait a bit to see if the price comes down, but I don't find $57 off-putting.

[early]

On 4/8/2023 at 5:31 PM, Karmachanic said:

 

I already have a handful of ground Bock nibs, so I'll go in that direction.  I'll wait a bit to see if the price comes down, but I don't find $57 off-putting.

+$10 for a Bock unit is well priced IMO. The Asvine collar is really tight, and in my experience most nibs don't fit. I hope Bock option confirms that cap clearance shouldn't be an issue. Go for Bock.

 

Asvine Amazon listing is up at $55.00, I don't think the price is going to fall too much from here.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1X8QMWM

[Waltz For Zizi]

On 4/8/2023 at 7:46 PM, Karmachanic said:

 

 Wouldn't object to an eyedropper with shut-off valve either.

 

 

 

 

 

Do you really travel that often with a plane that you need a shut off valve? I personally find it annoying to have to unscrew the back every time I need to write more than a few lines.

[Karmachanic]

32 minutes ago, Waltz For Zizi said:

I personally find it annoying to have to unscrew the back every time I need to write more than a few lines.

 

Leave it open 2mm.  That aside it would look aesthetically "cleaner" without the piston mechanism.  A la bulkfiller.

[socialmoth]

I know it's shallow, but I really wish they changed their name or logo. Everything about it seems perfect, save for that (and it's pretty hard to ignore it).

[Waltz For Zizi]

Is there mentioned what grade of titanium alloy they use?

[VillersCotterets]

8 hours ago, Waltz For Zizi said:

Is there mentioned what grade of titanium alloy they use?

No. In the promotional material, there are only generalities about the use of titanium in aviation for its heat resistance, its lightness and the fact that it is more difficult to machine than ordinary materials. That's it.

[ukini]

I bought this pen, Asvine P36 with Bock broad nib. And I'd like to write a short passage asking for your input, it is not a full-fledged review, though.

My problem is the nib. I don't have experience with Bock nibs, so can't compare whether it is normal (Bock) or there is any problem. Right now I have Sailor PGS in medium and Pelikan M200 in Fine.

 

So, I don't really enjoy writing with my Asvine. It is smoother than Sailor PGS, there isn't much feedback. But it seems that the nib is relatively dry. For example, if I try to write on a paper with only a slight touch the pen won't write. But Sailor and Pelikan will write as usual. To do some writing I have to press the Asvine with moderate or relatively high pressure.

 

I thought that maybe the Bock nib has a baby's bottom, but after checking some videos and looking with a lope I can't find any signs of that.

 

Also I tried to make it wetter by pressing the nib on a nail and on a paper surface, but results are short-term.

 

It got better after I switched to wetter ink, in my case it is a Diamine Copper.

 

The situation is the worst when I am writing on a regular photocopy paper. It seems as if the ink supply is not enough, especially on upwards strokes and, partially, on horizontal strokes. And, overall, the nib drags on that kind of regular paper, although it is a broad nib, it is supposed to be smooth(er). But it is bearable on Japanese fp friendly paper.

 

Basically, I don't enjoy the nib as much as my other pens. What would be your recommendations? Shall I keep it, is it a normal experience for a Bock nib?

Thank you!

[txoko]

That is essentially my experience with Bock nibs.  I have found them all dry and, simply put, I don't like them.  I have a few that are working pretty well, but all are on the dry side and most I have found most unpleasant.  The brass sheet or other way of spreading the tines for better ink flow doesn't seem to work on the Bocks.  I will take an Asvine nib over a Bock all day every day.  The Bocks seem to be high quality and are consistent.  Just the wrong consistency.  Put a different nib on that P36 and you have a great pen.

[ukini]

7 hours ago, txoko said:

That is essentially my experience with Bock nibs.  I have found them all dry and, simply put, I don't like them.  I have a few that are working pretty well, but all are on the dry side and most I have found most unpleasant.  The brass sheet or other way of spreading the tines for better ink flow doesn't seem to work on the Bocks.  I will take an Asvine nib over a Bock all day every day.  The Bocks seem to be high quality and are consistent.  Just the wrong consistency.  Put a different nib on that P36 and you have a great pen.

Thank you! Probably I will follow your advice.

[ukini]

Just an update. I tried wetter inks on my Asvine P36 (Bock Broad) pen. The nib was too dry. First it was Diamine Ancient Copper. Result was better that my blue Pilot or black Lamy inks. But still not that satisfactory. And yesterday I tried a Noodler's Ink -- Blue American Eel. It was much better. So, probably I will keep the pen, otherwise it the experience was frustrating.

[ukini]

Yesterday I saw a Youtube video where a man was talking about his Carene purchase. The pen was used and really dry. So he fixed it by increasing the slit between tines with a metal sheet. I also did that to my Bock nib. I used aluminium foil in several layers. Also used some force to spread the tines. I can see a gap between tines. At the end the nib became really wet and smooth writer. I believe it would be better to use that special tool, but, anyway, the result is visible.

 

Before that, even though I was using a wet ink, the Bock Broad nib was relatively dry and nothing special. But right now it is gorgeous.

[AceNinja]

2 hours ago, ukini said:

 fixed it by increasing the slit between tines with a metal sheet. 

some of my Jinhao steel nib is also the same, arrived with the tine too tight out of the box.  The written line is dry, ink flow not good.  Then, after widening the tine gap, it become good ink flow and gorgeous.

 

 

[Semionaut]

Be aware, however, that this fountain pen company fails big time to give technical support to customers and some issues might be a steep challenge for us to solve. This one below is an interesting one: water accumulation in the rear part of the piston. The amazing issue with all these fountain pens is the lack of information about where to get the tool to loosen the piston mechanism. The wrench, in this case, is a very one-of-a-kind type of tool that I'm not able to purchase by itself. Any of you know where I may be able to get a flat wrench 1.5 mm thick with an opening of 7.5 mm?