O.K. So What Do You Think Of The Micarta

[writingrav]

After an unconscionable wait for the pen, (ten days! by combined FedEx and USPS ((I've heard they've changed shipping methods)) it arrived today and I put it right to work. I filled it with Noodler's Brown and have been writing in my various journals and have written a letter. The truth is a have some pens that I love, Edison's, Pilot's, the Lamy 2000, a couple of Bexley's, but I can't remember a pen that felt so absolutely made for me. The feel of the micarta is just fantastic.The photos don't do it justice and are going to discourage some people. That's a shame. The weight and shape of the pen are pure perfection and the medium nib writes as smoothly as everything save perhaps my Pelikan. I am very happy with this pen.

[KrazyIvan]

I am just waiting to refill my pen bank to get one.

[Shashinjitsu]

I got mine yesterday as well, after it toured the country on the FedEx sightseeing bus. So far, I love it. The material is as I expected, maybe even better. I love the organic yet synthetic feel to it. I got the EF nib and it's a bit finer writing and a bit rougher than the nib in my 540. The flow is excellent with Fuyu-gaki ink. I look forward to the pen developing a patina with use.
Here are some shots I took before I inked it.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7136/7065089823_494241d988_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/acetonic/7065089823/)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5032/6919011264_df4e695c29_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/acetonic/6919011264/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7241/7065091457_4524694097_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/acetonic/7065091457/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7255/6919011554_3e6e0908e0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/acetonic/6919011554/)

[kenmc]

Thanks for these great photos!!!

Are the nibs interchangeable?
Wonder if they will make it available with the 1.1 stub?

[KrazyIvan]

I saw one photo comparing to a TWSBI nib and the Micarta nib seems a lot bigger.

[inky]

I am loving my Micarta. I had originally ordered a clipless version but was accidentally sent a Clipped version. Phillip offered to correct the issue but the only reason I ordered the clipless in the first place was that I was affriad ink might leak out of the hole the clip vanishes into since there is no inner cap. Phillip assured me that wouldn't be a problem so I decided to keep the clipped version. I am glad I did! Using a simple blow test into the cap, virtually no air leaks out so I'm confident the clip will not be a problem for me personally. I do like the way the clip complements the design of the Micarta. I can't wait to see how it ages.

As far as nibs go, the Micarta has a #6 nib where as the 530/540 has a #5. The feed is diffrent as well so the 540 nibs will NOT fit onto the Micarta, there may be a way to get it to fit but I don't know of it. Mine has a Fine nib and I like it, it writes more like a medium however. I'll be getting a stub whenever they come out and I hope they are as stiff as this nib!

Overall, I like the Micarta better then the 540. It's earned a spot in my daily carry next to my Edison's and 540.

Edit - I did see on another forum that someone was able to remove the Twsbi nib and put a Danitrio nib on the pen. I think it worked because the Dani was a #6 nib as well. They knocked the Twsbi nib out and slid the Dani in and now they have a 14K flex nib on their Micarta!

[Gonzo]

Finally got mine. I ilke it a lot, but was expecting a little more flex from a bigger nib. My 540 has more variation, but love the look and feel of The micarta!

[maiboo]

After I got my micarta, I decided I didn't like how mine looked with that sandy streak that I saw on it. So I anguish about whether I should call Philip and nitpick with him about it to exchange it. I was discussing it with my husband and he said that he'll fix it for me. I'm not familiar with micarta material but I thought he could sand it down or something. So a few days later, he gave the pen back to me. At first I was like what the heck, but now the more I use it, the more I like it. So for people who are afraid of staining theirs, it's easily fixed, just stain the whole thing. :D

Sorry for the poor photos, I took it with my phone.

[fountainpenkid]

The stain looks like that of a cheap violin's stain? what did you use to stain it? does it feel different? What about the threads?

Will

[maiboo]

He used mohawk wood stain on it. It really does feel different, there's no texture to it. He stained the threads too, it no longer have that fuzzy stuff on it.

[fountainpenkid]

how did you deal with the clip?

[maiboo]

he took it off, there's a screw inside.

[fountainpenkid]

ohh.. cool! could you show us a pic of the logo after the finishing?

Will

[KrazyIvan]

That looks fabulous!

[maiboo]

It's hard to zoom in with my phone on the logo. Sorry for that.

[maiboo]

That looks fabulous!

Thanks my husband just gave me a "see I told you so" look.

[KrazyIvan]

An Urushi Micarta! :cool:

[maiboo]

An Urushi Micarta! :cool:

Interesting thought, I bet Ernest Shin can turn it into that.

[KrazyIvan]

Well, your husband may also be on to something. :cool:

[SIG9]

Now that's something I'd buy. Was the two-tone intentional or a function of the micarta material?

I like it!

[maiboo]

Now that's something I'd buy. Was the two-tone intentional or a function of the micarta material?

I like it!

Yeah the cap was lighter than the barrel so when he stained it, he couldn't get it to match up.

[writingrav]

I'm tempted, but I really like it just the way it came.

[brando090]

If you guys dont like your pen, id be interested in one (preferable color code 1).

[Ziggy1333]

This is what my micarta looks like after a few months of usage :) I love how the colour is changing :)
This picture was taken in June

1129

[outbackpengeek]

This is what my micarta looks like after a few months of usage :) I love how the colour is changing :)
This picture was taken in June

1129

This photo is the first one to make me stop and think "hmm...maybe I *do* want one of these!".

[Ziggy1333]

Sweet :)

[dfurlano]

Use at your own risk... here are finishing tips for micarta.. scroll to the bottom of the page: http://www.alphaknifesupply.com/zdata-g10micarta.htm

Finishing Tips:
When you sand G10 and micarta the layers look similar to wood grain. When you are finished sanding the handle may look chalky or dull. If you want the orginal color:
1) Wash the handle thoroughly with Dawn dish soap
2) Spray the handle with WD-40
3) Wash the handle with Dawn again

[snedwos]

How feasible do people think it would be to convert the micarta to a pneumatic filler?

[jd50ae]

Actually, the more I look at it, the more I would like to try it.

[brando090]

I like how unique this material is, but ive yet to buy one.

[jacksterp]

Both of these TWSBI Micartas look gorgeous. Now I want one...

Thanks for the pics.

[fountainpenkid]

How feasible do people think it would be to convert the micarta to a pneumatic filler?

That sounds like a lot of work, but I bet one of the pen makers could do it.

[trefste_metrese]

Darnit guys - you've made me want a Micarta, if only to sand and stain it. :/

[KrazyIvan]

Pneumatic filler? You would need a sleeve to protect the Micarta from the ink. Micarta is absorbent material and will absorb ink. It will eventually seep through and stain.

[Shashinjitsu]

I put a Goulet Pens #6 Nib, Two-tone 1.5 Stub on my Micarta. I like it much better than the stock nib and it's simple to swap them out.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/8873988680_a9fe08a790_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/acetonic/8873988680/)
New Nib (http://www.flickr.com/photos/acetonic/8873988680/) by RW Sinclair (http://www.flickr.com/people/acetonic/), on Flickr

[cwent2]

Nice, what ink is that?

[Shashinjitsu]

Nice, what ink is that?
Diamine Red Dragon