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.
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