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Instead of hijacking a different thread, I thought I'd make a separate post. It was pointed out to me that ebonite may not be as finicky as I assumed, that is to say: my only ebonite experience is with vintage pens that tend to have a decent amount of oxidation on them. Fear of oxidation keeps me from buying ebonite pens as EDC.
Anyhow, what are some of your favorite modern ebonite pens? Why? Is it the color pattern? The quality of the hard rubber itself? The price-point?
Lets hear it!
I've had a couple of FPR Triveni ebonite pens in various colours. Decnt, inexpensive pens with a variety of nibs to choose among.
SEM Limited Edition Ebonite - Shawn Newton Prospector
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Ranga 3C
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Ranga Bamboo
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Varuna Bamboo
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Nice..!Quote:
Originally Posted by fountainpagan
That ebonite reminds me of Fordite.Quote:
Originally Posted by SIRNice..!Quote:
Originally Posted by fountainpagan
Nice collection!
The only modern ebonite I own (used to have a huge Gama Kuyil) is this Danitrio Mae West (the shape is now called Hyotan), I originally received it as a "raw ebonite" version, but upon receiving it I could see that it was not raw. I inquired with Danitrio to find out that the model I had was from the early 2000s, made with Japanese Ebonite, but also had what they called 'recession urushi' applied to it, where it was cheaper than painting on the urushi lacquer rather it was rubbed on giving it a slightly matte look. They seemed to suggest it was sort of rare, but I'm not quite sure what their idea of 'rare' is numerically speaking.
The feed is also Japanese ebonite, hand carved in Japan, and is fitted with the older Jowo "T" nib, an 18K Factory stub. I really like the urushi finish on it, but the ebonite portion lends to it's weight and how heat seems to be distributed thru the pen body as I hold it. Feels very strong yet is light.
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If you are searching for modern pens in ebonite, Brian Gray's Edison Pen Co. offers various colors and patterns of ebonite in his standard pen models or custom-turned to your specifications. A quick search brings up 1,327 images of Edison Pens made of ebonite! https://edisonpenco.smugmug.com/sear...onite&c=photos Here're just two:
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I own several modern ebonite pens. Two are Edison Pens. One is an LE pen made for the Badger & Blade forum it is a dark blue/black ebonite. The other is one of his custom series pens, a Pearl in Cumberland ebonite. It is marketed as a red ebonite, but it is more of deep orange and black ebonite that looks like wood grain. I have another pen from Kim & Co, an Indian eyedropper pen that is massive (it's fitted with a No. 10 nib, and it looks aesthetically pleasing). It has a black swirl ebonite that looks mostly black, but in the right light, you can see some subtle swirls. I also have a Cumberland ebonite Lamy Safari barrel made for one of my pens. Oh! I forgot, I also have a Peyton Street Pens Ranga 4CS. It's a Sheaffer inlaid nib section with a ebonite barrel and cap in Marine Green.
I would not fret over oxidation. It's something that happens over a very long-term, and you can do things to mitigate it. When storing the pens, just keep them away from strong UV light. I keep mine in a pen box and have had them for several years; no oxidation has happened. The good thing about Edison Pens is that Brian will polish up any of his pens if it seems like they are losing that luster.
While I own far pricier ebonite pens (including a few Danitrios and a Platinum), my Ranga in bakul black ebonite was made to the specs I requested, was inexpensive, and is flawless. The threading is immaculate; the cap's thread's terminate in a sort of bayonet action.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KrazyIvan
Pretty much what he said, my vintage Swan (bout 100 years old or just about from before 1920) is still pretty strong. When not using or inked I keep it stored in it's own box away from all my other pens (I do not store hard rubber pens along with anything I have that contains celluloid such as my other vintage swan or my modern Aurora Afrika, as the off-gasing if occurs will attack the celluloid).
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Well, that's good to know.Quote:
Originally Posted by KBeezie
Deccan, in black bakul finish ebonite. ASA Nauka, black. And a Parker 51.
I must explain; Howard Levy re-created the 51 in green streaky ebonite (I suppose that makes it a Parker-Bexley or perhaps a Bexley-Parker). It's a darling!
Attachment 43278
Not me favorite modern hard rubber...just currently usin'.
But I do like 'em.....
Fred
Second lotus. Excellent price for a handmade pen with high end japense ebonite fitted for bock or jowo.
Edison Pen Co. (custom) Pearlette in Denim Blue Ebonite
Attachment 43303
Great review, I'm not too sure about the colors of these pens though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bold2013
How do we determine the ebonite is "high end"? And what makes it so? (Other than price.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Bold2013
Don't own any Japanese ebonite, but 'high end' to me would have no weird inclusions from manufacture that I see in a lot of Indian pens that look like clumps or granules in the material. Same goes for excessive pock-marks in the ebonite itself.Quote:
Originally Posted by FredRydrHow do we determine the ebonite is "high end"? And what makes it so? (Other than price.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Bold2013
It’s ebonite from Nikko (same company used by Eboya and some of Shawn Newton’s work). I have had many Indian ebonite pens and lotus is a huge step above par and for the price you can’t go wrong.
I would like to know which of the above eye-droppers can be used down to empty tank without burping. I have a lovely ebonite Indian pen but don't use it because burping is a major issue.