Kan Write Heritage Flex Pen Review

I bought this pen through e-bay last month for Rs 1275/- (approximately $19) and as advised, flushed it out before inking it. It is a clear demonstrator with a push plunger filler, which holds a lot of ink. The fit and the finish of the pen is beautiful. It is made of some celluloid derivative but the transparency is flawless. It has a steel nib with a long slit in the middle which is supposed to give it the flex. It is 5 1/2 inches capped and 6 3/8 inches posted. It sits very well in the hand .

I inked it with Sheaffer’s Scrip Purple ink. The plunger filler is very easy to operate, more like a syringe. So you dip the pen in ink and pull up the plunger…

The nib was smooth but a little grinding and adjustment of feed to get the right flow was what did the trick. Now the nib is buttery smooth and the flex, although a little more pressure is required in comparison to my Swan,Eversharp or Waterman, whom I give 10/10, this would be 8.5/10. 

It goes from Medium to Double Broad when flexed creating delightful inflections in the script (see sample ).

Value for money flex pen, especially for people who want to learn penmanship with flex nibs!! I got to know that it is manufactured at Kanpur, in India. 

A pen worth its weight in gold! I am going to order a few more so that they can be filled with different coloured inks and sit on the desk, ready for the work!!!

German researchers find that majority of fountain pen collectors are middle aged, highly educated males

German researchers Professor Dr. Michael Steiner at the University Witten / Herdecke and Christine Arden from the University of Muenster conducted a study in late 2014 to gain insights into fountain pen collectors’ next intended purchases and their reaction when facing an out-of-stock situation. Inky Passion received a PDF copy of the report through email yesterday.

The study enlisted the help of manufacturer Pelikan and was publicised on a variety of online sites. It found that a majority of fountain pen collectors are middle aged, highly educated males who possess at least 7 high priced writing instruments.

A total of 1823 respondents were surveyed from eight countries which included the USA, Germany, Canada, UK, Australia, Singapore, Austria and the Netherlands. The participants were recruited through the Pelikan Newsletter, FPGeeks.com and a variety of online sites and forums.

Among other things, the survey found that the average age of fountain pen collectors was 42 years old, and that 80% of them were male. A majority of respondents were highly educated, with at least 88% having graduated from high school and 59% holding at least a university degree.

On average, the respondents owned a total of 22 writing instruments. However, the mean value was affected by outliers who owned up to 500 writing instruments. A median 50% of respondents possessed at least 7 high priced writing instruments.

Brands cited as respondents’ next intended purchase included (in order) – Pelikan, Mont Blanc, Pilot, Visconti, Nakaya, Sailor, Lamy, Namiki, Omas, Parker, Graf von Faber Castell, Waterman, TWSBI, Caran d’Ache followed by other brands. The findings were however noted to be unrepresentative because a substantial amount of respondents were recruited via a Pelikan newsletter.

The survey also found that the internet is today a major distribution channel for fountain pens, but that retailers still play a crucial part. It noted that many consumers rely on online forums and corporate websites for information about fountain pens.

The study analysed consumers’ reactions when a product was out-of-stock. One significant finding was that regular products which were out-of-stock “increases negative emotions towards the brand and ultimately decreases in its re-purchase probability”. It added, “negative emotions have a significantly stronger negative effect on re-purchase probability” of Special Edition products.

It concluded that a situation where a product was “out-of-stock also influences brand perceptions as it increases respondents’ interest in a brand. Out-of-stocks thus have a negative as well as a positive effect. However, overall, the negative impact prevails.”

Meteore

Meteore fountain pen by a French pen manufacturer "La Pluma de Oro" was the rage in 1920s as they made very high quality nibs. This pen with 14k solid gold trim and semi-flex nib in marbled ebonite was a star of 1923. The other great pens by Meteore after the success of this pen were Pullman and Safety. 

This Meteore 62 has a shamrock shaped side filler with Meteore 
etched on it. The cap and barrel also has Meteore, D&D, Paris, Unis 18 France and 62 printed on it. I have cleaned out the pen, buffed it slightly and re-sacked it. Now it is writing like a dream. 

The cap and barrel also has Meteore, D&D, Paris, Unis 18 France and 62 printed on it. The company, sadly closed down in 1956, as it could not withstand the ball-pen onslaught.

I have cleaned out the pen, buffed it slightly and re-sacked it. Now it is writing like a dream. 

Pelikan Souveran M600

Pelikan is a German, yet Swiss-incorporated manufacturer of fountain pens and other writing, office and art equipment, credited with the invention of the differential-piston filling method. Their "true" history began with the model "100" and the modified 100N (both fountain pens), which sparked the genesis of the company's distinctive styling.

The modern-day range includes a flagship line called the Majesty, a sterling silver and palladium plated fountain pen, rollerball pen and ball pen. The more popular Souverän (meaning Sovereign) line consists of the very small M300, small M400, medium M600, large M800 and oversized M1000. Pelikan is notable for manufacturing many of their pens using Cellulose acetate, instead of the more modern plastics used by most other major pen makers.

There is also a more modest "Classic" (née Traditional) line of pens, which is really an extension of the Souverän line. They are mechanically very similar, but less elaborately decorated, and shipped with gold-plated stainless steel nibs, rather than the solid gold nibs of the Souverän pens. This line includes the 200 and 150. The Souverän and Classic lines are also notable for their easily replaced nibs, which are mostly interchangeable. Many of the pen models are also available as ballpoints, mechanical pencils; their model designations have the same number as the corresponding fountain pen, but a different prefix letter. M for the fountain pens using the piston filling mechanism; P for the fountain pens which take ink cartridges, K for ball pens, R for rollerball and D for mechanical pencils. Pelikan is also a manufacturer of Limited Edition pieces, their first being the acclaimed "Blue Ocean" Demonstrator in 1993 leading to current 'Eternal Ice'.

Pelikan also makes entry-level fountain pens and fountain pens for school pupils, for example "Pelikano" and "Future,". Pelikan's entry level fountain pen ink is called Pelikan 4001, while it has a higher grade ink called Edelstein Ink. Pelikan also makes Pelikan Fount India, a deep black Indian ink which, unlike most Indian inks, can be used in fountain pens. It is very water-resistant.

My Souveran M600 with 14 k broad nib

Parker Duofold

The Duofold is the pen that actually made the Parker Company one of the greatest pen-manufacturers of the world. Until the Duofold few pens were made of anything but black rubber. Parker found a method to make the rubber in a red-orange colour, and when the pens began to sell they really sold. The Duofolds had their world premier in early 1921. Within a few months the Duofold was the best selling high priced pen on the market. the red Duofolds was something of a risky venture since Parker previously, in the early 1900's, had tried marketing a red pen, the Red Giant, which was disastrous. Especially the cap proved very brittle and the guarantee became very expensive. The production came to an abrupt halt.

In 1928 the cap bands on the Senior and Junior Duofolds were split into two to match the Lady, which broad band earlier had been split into three. The overall design, however, stayed the same.

Here is my 1928 Parker Dufold Senior, "the Big Red", with a medium 14k nib...a wonderful inheritance!

Ganesh - The Divine Scribe

Ganesha, the elephant-headed one, is one of the most popular deities of India. All auspicious events begin with an invocation to him. He is invoked before an act of business or trade, or before laying the first stone of a new building.

Ganesha is usually portrayed as having the head of an elephant and the body of a huge-bellied man. In some depictions he is standing, whilst in others he may he dancing or sitting. As with the iconography of other Indian deities, the number of heads or arms an image of Ganesha possesses may vary. Ganesha is often shown wearing a serpent for a girdle and riding a mouse.

Significantly, unlike other deities of the Hindu pantheon, there are no strict rules or canons binding the form his worship may take. He may be revered in any form. Ganesha is addressed in hymn and prayer by many different titles such as Vinayaka (remover of hindrances), or Vakratunda (of the twisted trunk). Prayers to Ganesha ask for the removal of obstacles from the path of the devotee, and for success in one’s endeavours.

Ganesha is considered to be the Lord of letters and learning. In Sanskrit, the word buddhi is a feminine noun that is variously translated as intelligence, wisdom, or intellect. The concept of buddhi is closely associated with the personality of Ganesha, especially in the Puranic period, when many stories stress his cleverness and love of intelligence.

The most interesting story concerning Ganesha is the belief that he was the scribe who wrote the Mahabharata. Maharshi Ved Vyas was instructed to write the epic by the Gods. He wanted it to be written down by the most knowledgeable one in the universe. Lord Brahma asked Maharshi to visit Lord Shiva and beg for his son SIDDHIDATA GANESHA to be allowed for the task. Lord Ganesha had a clause: While reciting the verses, if Ved Vyas stopped for a while, and Ganesha would have to stop because of the same; he would terminate his writing of the epic and Maharshi would have to search for another writer.That is, Maharshi would have to recite the entire epic at one go, without pausing at all.

Maharshi Ved Vyas agreed to this. However he himself put forth another condition: He told the Lord that he would have to understand every hymn, every verse before penning it down. He put this condition with the idea that he would be reciting something very tough; and while Ganesha would be pondering upon its meaning, he would get a scope to take a few moments of rest

However that was not the case with Lord Ganesha. He completed penning down the sacred hymns even before the sage had thought of the next. In the mean time, the pen He used for writing down the verses, began to wear away. Aware of His earlier condition, and not finding out any other alternative, the Lord pulled out his left tusk and used it to complete writing the great epic Mahabharata.

Omas Italia 90

At the end of the First World War (1915-1918), the story and development of OMAS began. Motivated by commercial considerations, the company's founder, Cavaliere Armando Simoni, moved closer to a world for him not yet fully explored: American soldiers had been among the first to make use of fountain pens, and these had been brought into Italy by those service men returning from the front, helping to spread their use. Young Simoni's indisputably considerable skills in the field of precision mechanics led him to set up a service to repair and recondition fountain pens, up to the complete reconstruction of difficult to find components. At a time when the current concept of service networks for international products was unthinkable, he was a true pioneer.

Simoni was often heard to repeat, “A pen must make writing pleasurable.” If writing is the key to a man’s soul then OMAS designs speak about their creator. Simoni was an admirer of Greek culture, as the forerunner of Roman, hence, modern Italian, and pursued his passion for classical studies, in the creation of objects with a balanced design. As well as aesthetic considerations, Armando Simoni had been, since childhood, interested in the mechanics of small-scale apparatus and intricate instrumentation. Convergence of these two passions produced chirographic pieces of archetypal style and functionality: One of his earliest inspirations, the famous twelve-sided Arte Italiana model, reminiscent of a Doric column, is still produced today, and has become a world-renowned classic in the luxury pen market.

In 1925, at age 34, he had accumulated sufficient knowledge of chirographic instruments, and the inks employed in their use, to found OMAS (Officina Meccanica Armando Simoni). Simoni’s love of technical challenges resulted in the endless creation of surprising models; from the fountain pen with two nibs, to the series with the transparent ink holder, to emphasise lucent beauty. These exclusive items demonstrate the creative force of their designer. He was nominated Cavaliere della Corona d'Italia—Knight of the Italian Crown—and thereafter acquired the moniker il Cavaliere.

When the Second World War broke out, OMAS's activities were scaled back, but never stopped, despite the scarcity of the gold required to make the nibs. The use of Permanium, an alloy with comparable technical characteristics, turned out to be a happy substitute for the precious metal. With the end of the war and the industrial recovery, OMAS once again amazed with the legendary 361, a fountain pen with a tapering aerodynamic shape, protected by international patent, fitted with a nib designed to offer simultaneously flexible or rigid writing and even the possibility of drawing.

The new noble status of Simoni was extended to the firm as the small Bologna-based workshop was transformed into a world famous company. When Armando Simoni died in 1958, the OMAS tradition continued under the guidance of his daughter Raffaella and son-in-law Angelo Malaguti. The company philosophy remained unchanged, while the collections were innovative, responding to the tastes of changing times. In 1983, his eighteen-year-old grandson Gianluca joined the company, and immediately demonstrated his natural talent by personally designing the majority of the publicity material. Going on to confirm his abilities, he designed a collection dedicated to his beloved father who had died prematurely.

In 1988, with the IX Centenary dedicated to the 900th anniversary of the University of Bologna, OMAS began a long series of official collections commemorating the most important historical, cultural events of our time: the Treaty of Maastricht, the 3000 Years of Jerusalem, the Return of Hong Kong to China, the 50th anniversary of the FAO, the 50th anniversary of UNICEF, Roma 2000 dedicated to the year 2000, and the Third Millennium, the Soccer World Cup in italy in 1990 to name just a few. The excellent quality and extraordinary inventiveness of OMAS pens sparked the interest of the world-renowned producer of luxury goods LVMH (Moët Hennessy—Louis Vuitton), and in May 2000 OMAS became part of this group.

Today the pens are still manufactured according to the highest standards that have distinguished them since 1925 and with the distinctive OMAS “O” still adorning the cap, in collections such as the instantly recognisable 360, the Bologna, and the Arte Italiana Arco. Extending the tradition of commemorating and celebrating world cultures, and momentous events are recent limited and special editions such as the Aleksandr Pushkin. These and exquisite pieces restate in art and engineering, Simoni’s original philosophy of and for creating, at once, the most elegant and utilitarian scrivening implements.

Here is the Italia 90 with 14k medium nib in jade green, resting at the feet of Lord Ganesh, the scribe of the Gods!

Caran d'Ache

Located in Geneva since its inception in 1915, Caran d’Ache is committed to creating and developing writing and drawing instruments combining the finest materials with the most advanced, innovative skills – including some that are extremely rare, such as the exceptional art of authentic Chinese lacquer done by hand in the ancestral manner.

Caran d’Ache is the pen name by which Russian-born French illustrator, Emmanuel Poiré, achieved worldwide renown in the 19th century. The choice turned out to be a salient one, since “karandash” is the Russian term for “pencil” and in turn comes from the Turkish root “kara tash” which refers to black stone – the origins of graphite.

This natural material found in the mountains of Switzerland gave rise to the first Swiss pencil factory set up in Geneva in 1915. Nine years later, in the hands of its founder, the visionary Arnold Schweitzer, it took the name of the famous illustrator and became known as Caran d’Ache.

The company has manufactured high quality writing instruments for a 100 years now, catering only to the higher income groups and has managed to beat the onslaught of the “ball pens”. The pens are still hand made at the original facility under strict supervision by highly trained craftsmen. 

Conway Stewart

Conway Stewart Wellington with medium 18k nib...

When you buy this, you are buying a 100 year old treasured, British brand name.  
Each pen is hand crafted in England from the finest materials available by some of the world's most skilled craftsman. Conway Stewart pens are not "mass produced".
Conway Stewart uses only the finest 18 carat solid gold and rhodium plated gold nibs and bands in its pens.
Each pen bears a unique hallmark engraved at the assay office, the world accepted independent recognition of precious metal quality.
Conway Stewart offers all new customers a 100 year guarantee with each pen, during which it will repair or replace a pen free of charge if there is a defect due to faulty materials or workmanship. This excludes defects arising from accidental damage, misuse or wear and tear.
Conway Stewart is the only manufacturer who continues to use traditional materials and filling mechanisms that were used in the Golden Era of the fountain pen (lever fill, button fill) with the option of the modern converter cartridge for today’s users.
No other pen manufacturer offers as wide a selection of high quality resins. Conway Stewart prides itself in obtaining high quality resins – its materials have depth, which is not the case with many other resin pens.
Every pen has an identification number on the barrel which is recorded. This number authenticates the writing instrument and gives the consumer peace of mind that they are not purchasing a counterfeit.
Each pen is delivered in its own high quality Conway Stewart branded presentation box.
Conway Stewart pens have graced the finest hands. Distinguished users include the H M the Queen, American Presidents, British Prime Ministers and Heads of State from around the World.
Conway Stewart pens are a chosen gift of the British Government and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, among others.
Every pen made by hand, and not mass produced on large factory lines.
Each pen goes through meticulous quality control checks before leaving the premises. Conway Stewart is diligent in making sure that each pen is tested for optimum writing performance before it leaves the premises. A skilled craftsman test-writes the writing instrument for smooth quality writing pleasure and a further test is conducted by another skilled technician for ink flow and aesthetics.
Eight x 18 carat solid gold nib grades to satisfy even the most discerning writer. Each nib is made to the most stringent specification.
Conway Stewart models are available in different sizes – length and girth – as well as different weights to satisfy every user’s requirements and all pens come with a choice of converter cartridge as the filing mechanism.
Heavier than average coating of gold on all Conway Stewart clips to reduce tarnishing in years to come.
Conway Stewart writing instruments have been recognized by Pen World International Readers’ Choice awards as ‘prize winners’ – Model 100, Best Pen Brand Icon 2006; Churchill, Best Pen, Retro Styling in the 2001; Duro was nominated as Best Pen, Future Classic in the 2005.
Ultimate confidence in a hand-made, quality British product which can be cherished by not only you, but by future generations.
So sad that this iconic pen maker was forced into retainer ship and closed due to lack of demand in 2014!! Delighted for I have one!!!

Montegrappa

The Company's name is indicative of the location of the manufacturing facility. ELMO is the Italian interpretation of the name of one of the Founders who was of German origin, Eng. Heinrich Helm. MONTEGRAPPA is the name of the famous mountain which rises to a height of 1775 meters and dominates the Bassanese landscape.

The manufacturing facility was housed in a most impressive building which was formerly an ancient location of a Thermo-Electric Power Plant and was suitably adapted to the needs of the creative minds of the two partners. Even today MONTEGRAPPA is enjoying the fruit of its labours in the same building. At the beginning production was concentrated mainly on the manufacture of gold nibs with iridium and the processing of ebonite and precious metals culminating in the introduction of piston filling pens. ELMO-MONTEGRAPPA was one of the pioneers in the manufacture of writing instruments made from galalith and celluloid and their endeavours enabled them to become leaders in their domestic market. 

Close to the ELMO-MONTEGRAPPA factory was situated the Villa Azzalin, which during the conflict. was converted into a field hospital. Two volunteer ambulance drivers for the Italian Red Cross at that time were the famous writers Ernest Hemingway and John Dos Passos, both of whom spent many happy hours visiting the factory and experimenting and testing various MONTEGRAPPA fountain pens. and availing themselves of the Company's "after-sales service". In 1921 the Marzotto family acquired a majority interest which gave them control of ELMO-MONTEGRAPPA, and their marketing activity resulted in wider distribution, public awareness and appreciation of the quality and design of MONTEGRAPPA Pens. During the Second World War the Bassano del Grappa area was subjected to considerable military activity precipitating the loss of valuable raw materials. Records show the difficulties involved in obtaining certain metals which necessitated the manufacture of glass nibs. In 1946 a fire in the celluloid store caused the complete destruction of an entire section of the factory where records of co-operation with WATERMAN and other large companies were kept. 

Following the fire, the management decided to discontinue the use of celluloid and concentrate their efforts using precious metals i.e. gold and silver. 

From the hands of MONTEGRAPPA‘s technicians exciting new models were introduced which were acknowledged from competitors for their originality. 

The introduction and worldwide acceptance of the revolutionary ball point pen from the USA. severely affected the sales of Fountain Pens; not only MONTEGRAPPA's but many other famous makes. The progressive decline in the demand for MONTEGRAPPA products depressed the Marzotto's shareholders to such an extent that a decision was made to dispose of the Company. Although this was MONTEGRAPPA's darkest period the entrepreneurial Aquila family purchased the Company. The new proprietors brought a new stimulus to the company and it was unanimously decided that the best way to restore the reputation of MONTEGRAPPA was by relaunching the original models which had made former generations proud owners of MONTEGRAPPA writing instruments. In I983 the first reproduction version of the 1915 MONTEGRAPPA Reminiscence was successfully introduced to the market. 

At that time the company became a market leader in the fervent world of writing, being the first to suggest the revival of pens which had enjoyed favour in past epochs. 

The classical design and exquisite taste coupled with its variety of models enabled the subsequent Reminiscence range by MONTEGRAPPA to penetrate not only the domestic market but also many export markets. 

In 1992, to commemorate the 8oth Anniversary of the foundation of MONTEGRAPPA, a limited edition fountain pen of only 1,912 pieces was produced for worldwide distribution in 1993. The 80th Anniversary fountain pen typified the craftsmanship of MONTEGRAPPA writing instruments from Italy's oldest pen factory. This signaled the beginning of the production, on an annual basis, of numbered limited edition pens appealing especially to a more exclusive and discerning audience.

This is why writing with a MONTEGRAPPA is a privilege, “THE PRIVILEGE OF A LIFETIME".

My Montegrappa Fortuna, a gift from my wife on our 25th wedding anniversary...

The Swadeshi Pen

The Swadeshi Pen

Ratnam Pens, which were known as ‘swadeshi' pens during the freedom ovement, brought fame to Rajahmundry and the pen-maker, K.V. Ratnam. Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, S. Kasturiranga Iyanger of The Hindu, Indira Gandhi, V.V. Giri, Ramnath Goenka of the Indian Express, and Archibald Nye, Governor of Madras, were known to have used them.

When Gandhiji gave a call to boycott foreign goods, Ratnam was involved in making lithographic blocks, methim, in 1921. Gandhiji advised him to make something that would be utilitarian and affordable to the common man.

Ratnam made a pen in Ebonite and sent it to Gandhiji. The Mahatma wrote to him on July 16, 1935from Wardha: “Dear Ratnam, I must thank you for the fountain pen you sent me… I have needed it and [it] seems to be a good substitute to the foreign pen, once in the bazaar. Yours sincerely, M.K. Gandhi, 16.7.1935.”

When Congress leaders met in Kakinada in 1937, Nehru travelled to Rajahmundry to see Nyapathi Subba Rao Pantulu, one of the founders of The Hindu. Together they went to Ratnam Pens and bought a pen each.

‘Ratnam Pens' thus gained popularity across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and even elsewhere in the country and the world.

A small, traditional house on Fort gate Street serves as the workshop today. Popularly known as the ‘Kotagummam' of Rajahmundry, the house has a sign board: “Pioneers of Pen Industry in India since 1932, K.V. Ratnam & Sons, Ratnam Ball Pen Works, Mfrs: Swadeshi ‘Ratnamson' pens, 14 CT-Gold Nibs.”

Mr. Murthy says each pen took two days to make.

Mr Siva Ratnam, the present owner, is a wonderful man. He sent me these two pens by post, so beautifully packed, that the eagerness to see the pens made me open it! I am so proud to hold this piece of our history!

Amore di Penne Stilografiche - My love for fountain pens

It was in Class 7 that we were introduced to writing with pen and ink in the year 1974 and my parents bought me a Pilot fountain pen from National Pen Store in Nabha( a small town in Punjab, capital of erstwhile princely state, now famous for Punjab Public School and Horlicks factory) for a sum of Rs. 30/-. It has a pneumatic filler, writes like a dream and after 40 years I still have it. Another pen that was issued from the school stationery shop was a President with eyedropper filler. That fat, black and orange pen which leaked ink if you forgot to put Vaseline on the threads after refilling, was lost and I am still looking for one!

This was the period when the ball pens and roller balls had not made inroads in to our lives. no major exams could be written with any other but a fountain pen. So, for next five years we wrote with fountain pens and that  was when I fell in love with fountain pens, inks and different types of paper.