PPP: Ebonite Week

[penwash]

This week is an Ebonite (hard rubber, whatever you wish to call it) week for me, at first I regret the purchase of this pen last week:



Conklin Endura Jr. (just a bit shy from 5 inches capped). I thought I paid too much, but when I saw the pen, I instantly love it. I like it so much that my daughter thought I lost it when she saw me carry the pen (empty and unrestored) everywhere that day. I don't know what is it about the material, it's nice to just hold it, and I am a big fan of the design of Endura models.



Then the next day, the second ebonite pen arrived:


NOTE: The pen is more muted in person, but I want to showcase the pattern on the ebonite in the photo above. By the way, that is not a crack along the section, just grain. I checked and checked again.

This one, a vintage ebonite eyedropper from India called Mamta. Two things are different than the currently produced ones: 1) this one is regular size (5 inches capped) unlike it's more oversized brethren from Ranga, etc. 2) the ebonite looks old and full of character, unlike the more "in-your-face" swirls that modern Indian eyedroppers have.

Eye-droppers fascinate me because the thread between the section and the barrel are usually very precise and there's a lot of them, to prevent ink seeping through, I assume. This one is no different, the thread is so fine and numerous and when I fill it up with ink, no leaks.

What's with the Sheaffer F2 nib? The original Mamta Super Tipped nib is in a sorry shape, its surface has corroded and it's a boring fine. This Sheaffer F2 is soft and quite flexible. After a bit of coaxing, it fits snugly and the feed supplies enough ink for it to produce easy, continuous lines. It's staying in there.

Now, I'd like to coat this pen with Urushi lacquer. Too ambitious?

So, celebrate an Ebonite week with me. Show me your ebonite pens or tell me ebonite pens you're dreaming about.

[Empty_of_Clouds]

I have one ebonite pen from Ranga, but it has no real redeeming qualities for me so I won't show it. Been after a decent ebonite pen for ages, and I think I saw a Mamta like yours but did't know enough to take the risk (low financial status plays a big part in that decision - it's trivial for some people though). Anyway, if it was me I wouldn't urushi that bad boy, kinda kills the feel of ebonite. (If it shows up in your pen sales I want first dibs!).

[jar]

I have a few such critters, some Conklins (Cresent and Enduras), Sheaffers and Parkers and Watermans. Here are a few with a few not ebonite thrown in as well.

Most of my ebonite pens got covered over though.

[penwash]

I have one ebonite pen from Ranga, but it has no real redeeming qualities for me so I won't show it. Been after a decent ebonite pen for ages, and I think I saw a Mamta like yours but did't know enough to take the risk (low financial status plays a big part in that decision - it's trivial for some people though). Anyway, if it was me I wouldn't urushi that bad boy, kinda kills the feel of ebonite. (If it shows up in your pen sales I want first dibs!).

You are right, I won't lacquer the Conklin, but the Mamta's ebonite seems to be begging to be lacquered with something rather transparent. I've been reading and youtubing (is that even a word?) on Urushi lacquer coating and it seems that there is a technique called Fuki-Urushi that people use to enhance the pattern or grain of the material beneath it.

Thanks for the pre-dibs, but guessing from your preferences, I don't think this nib will be flexible enough for you. It's a Sheaffer F, not the FF, so it's flexible compared to a typical modern nib, but if we're talking about degrees of flexibility, this nib can do semiflex at its best, it's not a full-flex let alone a wet-noodle.

[penwash]

I have a few such critters, some Conklins (Cresent and Enduras), Sheaffers and Parkers and Watermans. Here are a few with a few not ebonite thrown in as well.

Most of my ebonite pens got covered over though.

O yeah!!
The red ebonite Conklin is my next target.

[christof]

As you, I'm in love with my new Conklin Endura. Senior sized....

Conklin Endura von -C.M.Z.-

I really love the shape and feel, but the most fantastic thing is the nib. Have a look yourself:

Conklin Endura von -c_m_z-

C.

[penwash]

C., that is one kick-butt nib. Goodness!!
I've yet scored a truly flexible Conklin nib. Someday perhaps.

[Lexaf]

I really like the Endura! Fantastic material and graet color, this red and black Ebonite. Nice model design too.
Further:

I'd like to coat this pen with Urushi lacquer. Too ambitious?

Oh please! do not lacquer this wonderful vintage India pen! The red and black ebonite is beautiful as it is! When you lacquer it, even if it is with precious Urushi, you'd destroy the the authenticity and the character of the pen! ( just my 2 cents...)

[ethernautrix]

CHRISTOF! Wow, Christof is on fpgeeks! Hooray! Christof, I love your photos and your writing samples!

As for the topic -- my ebonite pens are, em, covered with urushi. (Hehe!) LOVE my Nakayas. I might have an ebonite Sheaffer Flat-Top (ca. 1920s), but it might be celluloid.

[christof]

CHRISTOF! Wow, Christof is on fpgeeks! Hooray! Christof, I love your photos and your writing samples!

Thank you Lisa. Actually, beeing here on FPG's is like refinding lots of good old friends. It's just me who is late to the party. But now I'm here.
C.

[penwash]

I really like the Endura! Fantastic material and graet color, this red and black Ebonite. Nice model design too.
Further:

I'd like to coat this pen with Urushi lacquer. Too ambitious?

Oh please! do not lacquer this wonderful vintage India pen! The red and black ebonite is beautiful as it is! When you lacquer it, even if it is with precious Urushi, you'd destroy the the authenticity and the character of the pen! ( just my 2 cents...)

Lexaf, on the Mamta, I hear you and I also would like to showcase the ebonite pattern (more brown and black rather than red as the photo suggested). I am probably dreaming but I thought there is a type of Urushi lacquering technique that enhances the existing pattern on the material instead of covering them up. I'm waiting for some Urushi expert to chime in.

[jar]

Jess for fun, here is one of the prettiest red ripple patterned pens I own but with one serous problem that would likely make it inappropriate for this topic.

[Lexaf]

Jess for fun, here is one of the prettiest red ripple patterned pens I own but with one serous problem that would likely make it inappropriate for this topic.

Lovely pen. So, what is the problem that makes it inappropriate for this topic?

[jar]

Lovely pen. So, what is the problem that makes it inappropriate for this topic?

It's celluloid and not ebonite.

[Woody]

Such nice pictures guys. I've got an Edison Herald, and an Edison Goulet Premier. I'll post a couple of pics if it gets warmer outside. Fall on the Canadian prairies. Jar, how do you keep the ebonite so shiny?

[FredRydr]

Since a valuable celluloid pen was showing irreversible signs of age (a 139), I've been shifting my collection away from pretty celluloid to hard rubber, and I haven't regretted it. I'm partial to the red and black hard rubber. I recommend Mark Hoover's new de-oxidiser to bring out the beauty of these pens.

Fred

[Lexaf]

Lovely pen. So, what is the problem that makes it inappropriate for this topic?

It's celluloid and not ebonite.

Wow! Great! That's fun!
Then - thanks to the gorgeous quality of the pictures - this is one of the best red/black ebonite 'imitations' I have ever seen! And I do not have anything against beautiful celluloid either! What's inside? Cartridge/Converter system, piston, or??...

[jar]

Lovely pen. So, what is the problem that makes it inappropriate for this topic?

It's celluloid and not ebonite.

Wow! Great! That's fun!
Then - thanks to the gorgeous quality of the pictures - this is one of the best red/black ebonite 'imitations' I have ever seen! And I do not have anything against beautiful celluloid either! What's inside? Cartridge/Converter system, piston, or??...

Standard international cartridge converter filled but the end cap can be unscrewed to allow access to the converter knob.

[gbryal]

ebonite_pens.jpg

(l-r: Edison Hudson in Black Ebonite, Edison Herald in Lavender/Black Ebonite, FPR Triveni, FPR Triveni Jr., FPR Triveni, Noodler's Neponset, Ranga 8 in bakul black ebonite, Ranga 3 in bakul green/black ebonite, Ranga 3 in yellow/black ebonite)

[penwash]

I restored the ebonite Conklin Endura and found out that big nib produces some of the thinnest lines I've ever witnessed.