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Hello everyone,
When I bring my Danitrio collection to the pen shows, I keep being asked about the Danitrio raw ebonite pens. I’m trying to gauge overall interest. Do you think that there is a lot of interest in these pens again (Mikado, Takumi, Genkai bodies). I know there used to be massive demand for them back many years ago.
Image of one of them that I grabbed online:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...f1523d245c.jpg
Iirc the Danitrio Raw was first introduced back around 2006 by Kevin (Winedoc) at FPN. It was originally an experiment to gauge interest and then became a "must-have" pen because it was very inexpensive compared to the other urushi Danitrio models. Initial price was around $155US and came with a plain wooden box and a plain clip could be added on. It had the 18kt gold Fireball nib and had a plastic feed that was later changed out to ebonite when ink starvation problems arose with the soft "flex" nib upgrade. I think the very last Danitrio Raws were sold around early 2009.
The reason the Danitrio Raw was discontinued was because the Japanese lathe-maker who worked on these pens passed away. ( I think he was in his 70's.) He basically charged very little for his work and Danitrio passed on the huge cost savings to Winedoc. Attempts to have other Japanese lathe-makers create these pens at around the same cost of the original maker were unsuccessful.
Would there be an interest? I'm sure there would be if they were a fraction of the cost of the Urushi version. Again, it depends on how much you would charge for the new Danitrio Raw. And then there is turn-around time. Conid Bulkfillers are extremely popular but people don't want to wait 4+ months or longer to get one made and delivered.
All the Best.
I'd be interested as I'm tired of acrylic pens that, for many of them, have all the charm of a BIC crystal and a multi-colored gumball joined in unholy wedlock.
I also love ebonite.
Sg
Yes, I would definitely be interested at the right price point. Particularly if they do a Hyotan raw ebonite.
I don't know if I'd be interested in the "RAW" ebonite, but the Danitrio Mae West (now called Hyotan) was traded to me, originally called raw ebonite, but after a few emails with Danitrio, turns out what I had was instead Recession Urushi. Basically where the urushi is rubbed on rather than painted on, giving it more of a matte finish rather than a high gloss finish.
They stated they did this primarily because the raw (with no urushi) was turning green after a few months.
http://i.imgur.com/w7Yw9jp.jpg
That I wouldn't mind seeing more often as opposed to straight raw ebonite which will discolor eventually. (And the matte but not completely dull appearance would be rather attractive to me, especially in the way it feels).
I would be interested, especially if it featured a Japanese style eyedropper shut off valve.
For just raw ebonite, one can buy a Ranga and add on a gold Bock nib.
If there are any typos in this post, I blame Tapatalk!
Thanks guys for the feedback. Definitely wanted to understand people’s opinion on it to see if it is something to bring back to Danitrio to consider. Danitrio definitely won’t be able to create the original raw ebonite from back in the day but could probably create a tribute to it; the prices would definitely not be the aforementioned prices of back in the day unfortunately as the 18k gold nib in itself definitely exceeds it with the current value of gold.
Keep us posted urushipen!
Perhaps a bottle of Mark Hoover's deoxidizer should be included with every pen!Quote:
Originally Posted by KBeezie
Is there a "home" treatment one can apply to raw ebonite to prevent or slow down oxidation?
Thanks.
I don't think so. I have seen some people advising the use of waxes of various kinds but these are all problematic and they are very, very hard to remove once applied. Don't expose the pen to light too much and keep it away from water.
If you guys are into pipe smoking, you will have to care for ebonite/vulcanite stems also. What we basically do is wipie off the surface after every use, dont expose them extended period of heat and light. Try obsidian pipe stem oil though, they are really good at preventing oxidisation.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
And never feed it ink after midnight...Quote:
Originally Posted by Deb
You could buy a Danitrio with urushi and then strip the coating off of it. 😂
If there are any typos in this post, I blame Tapatalk!
Absolutely!!! Especially the ones with the shutoff valve.
Thanks for the heads up about Mark Hoover. I ordered a bottle of his Restoration Balm and an extra-fine and fine polish just in case. As I have no vintage ebonites (yet) I want to protect my Indian ebonites and so far have no discolorations to remove.Quote:
Originally Posted by FredRydrPerhaps a bottle of Mark Hoover's deoxidizer should be included with every pen!Quote:
Originally Posted by KBeezie
As a lifelong woodworker, I know the value of 'a little dab will do ya' so I'll be very conservative in its application and will try it on relatively inexpensive ebonites first.
I ordered it Friday and Mark had it shipped immediately so it should arrive Tuesday. He also has some very nice old ebonite pens that are tempting me.
Thanks again, Fred. Good info.