Green-Black Ebonite Clipless Piccolo (American made)

[donwinn]

I got this beautiful pen at the Dallas Pen Show, but have been slow to get around to reviewing it. It is definitely NOT because I don't like it. It actually is a daily user for me.

 

Appearance 5/5

 

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f277/ginoace/EbonitePiccolocrossed.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f277/ginoace/EbonitePiccolo.jpg

I would normally consider the pen to be a little short for my large hand. Uncapped, it is about 1/8 inch shorter than an uncapped Pelikan M200. The pen does not post. Capped, the pen is about 1/4 inch shorter than the same M200.

 

Fit & Finish 5/5

 

The pen is the best built pen I own, in fit and finish. It was hand made by Joe Csokay, who brought a bunch of his pens to the Dallas Pen Show. I was fortunate enough to get this one. It is perfectly smooth, and the ebonite is nicely warm to the touch, as ebonite should be. As it is clipless, there is obviously no issue with the (nonexistent) clip. The cap screws on in less than one full turn. The lack of a clip means that I must put the cap upright on the desk when I write, as it does not post.

 

Nib 4/5

 

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f277/ginoace/EbonitePiccolonib.jpg

 

The only niggle I have about the nib is that it is a touch broad for my taste. It is as fine as my Phileas F, but I really prefer a Pilot F. Other than that, the nib is perfectly smooth, no hint of tooth, and nicely wet, but not a firehose. The nib is two-tone, gold and rhodium colored. Very likely plated, as it is not marked except Iridium Point Germany. Joe told me the kit manufacturer, but I do not recall the name.

 

Filling system 4/5 Standard Schmidt converter.

 

This is the most expensive pen I own. It came from a man who has been turning pens for several years, as this is at least his second year a the Dallas Pen Show. He lives in Ohio, so if he is there, he may have another one of these. If he is there and does have one, if you like it, try it out. You might find it addictive, as I have.

 

Donnie

[zquilts]

Beautiful pen !

[jmanou]

Nice looking pen! I like that dark green color.

 

What sort of prices was this pen maker charging?

 

Thanks!

[MYU]

Interesting pen. Can you try posting higher resolution photos? Also, what brand would you call it? "Joe Csokay"?

 

~MYU

[donwinn]

Nice looking pen! I like that dark green color.

 

What sort of prices was this pen maker charging?

 

Thanks!

 

The prices Joe was charging varied by size and trim, between $150 and $300. The one I got he had priced at $200, but I traded a pen I was selling for it, because he offered the trade, and I wanted the pen. Both of us were happy with the trade, so it must have been a fair trade.

 

Donnie

[donwinn]

Interesting pen. Can you try posting higher resolution photos? Also, what brand would you call it? "Joe Csokay"?

 

~MYU

 

I will see if I can persuade my son with the Canon Eos to take some photos. That is the best I can do with my Powershot 540. I call it the Joe Csokay. I probably should email him and ask him if he has a brand name trademarked which I can use when someone asks me where I got that gorgeous pen. I think he is going to the Ohio Show, so if he is, you can ask him. He might even have another of these which you can try out first hand.

 

I am not affiliated with Joe, but I sure wish I was. He has some definitely drool-worthy pens.

 

Donnie

[BillTheEditor]

I bought the mate to this pen from Joe -- identical except mine has a clip (I wanted a clipless, but Don bought the only one he had). I can attest to the quality of the workmanship. The green is a beautiful dark, striated green, reminds me of very dark green malachite, dioptase, or chrysocolla. Good match to Noodler's Green Marine ink. The nib on mine isn't so hot, though. Not Joe's fault, it's a kit nib. I need to replace it, but that's easily done.

 

Prices at a pen show are, um, highly fluid. I got mine for a lot less than Joe was asking at first. Partly that's because of my stunning good looks and brilliant wit (I'm sure), and mainly it's because I negotiated with Joe about 15 minutes before the show closed and he was distracted by packing up. Also I think he's of the school of thought that anything you don't have to pack up and take home with you is a win. We were both happy about the outcome, I think.

 

Brand? I think mine is a Csokay ("S' OK!")

 

Added: I think Don forgot to mention, the material is a green hard rubber. Fresh, too. Rub the pen a couple of times and you get that "lovely" sulphurous fragrance loud and clear. Joe must use very fresh stock.

Edited November 7, 2008 by BillTheEditor