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Thread: Inexpensive but writes like butter

  1. #1
    Member Roe D Hym's Avatar
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    Default Inexpensive but writes like butter

    I saw this pen at Etsy, the seller being Gretel Creates, and was drawn by the design. The price was so inexpensive I thought I would give it a try. The total cost to send it from the UK to the USA was $4.66 for the pen and $7.32 for the shipping. It took 11 days to cross the pond which ain't bad these days. Here are the specs: Nib = Medium and stainless steel. Length capped = 145mm. Length posted = 162mm. Width = 13mm. Section width (middle) = 10.6mm. Weight = I have to get a scale but it is on the light side. Converter/cartridge is standard. The converter is interesting as it does not twist but has a sliding mechanism. Closure = snap.

    Now for the review. Given the price, it is doubtful the pen is made in the UK and likely is made in China. Wherever it was made, it was made well. A couple things stand out. When posted the cap fits just a little past the barrel ring but stops just before the floral design. One can cap and not mar the floral design. Someone did their homework. Secondly, the nib came "out of the box" (actually cellophane wrapper) very smooth. I did a couple of passes on micromesh 12,000 and the nib is buttery smooth. The ink flows without any pressure, does not hesitate and is medium wet. For $12 I do not have any complaints and really enjoy the performance. The floral print adds a nice touch from the usual designs.

    The pen is plastic but the clip is metal unless my magnet on my refrigerator is attracted to metal and plastic. The barrel will take a long cartridge. For those who like inexpensive pens which function well beyond the price, this pen is a winner.


    By the way, the person behind Gretel Creates is helpful and communicative which made the shopping experience that much better. She has some interesting things for sale at her site.

    pen 1.jpg
    pen 2.jpg
    Last edited by Roe D Hym; July 27th, 2020 at 06:12 PM.

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  3. #2
    Member Roe D Hym's Avatar
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    Default Re: Inexpensive but writes like butter

    As a follow up, I have a porcelain cup at work and handling the pen and then the cup I was struck how the pen feels more like porcelain and not the run of the mill plastic.

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    Senior Member Yazeh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Inexpensive but writes like butter

    I have the same. I'm not a fan of it. Those converters while practical and easy to clean evaporate like there's no tomorrow...but glad you like them....
    However, I'm glad you like them.....

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    Senior Member Ole Juul's Avatar
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    Default Re: Inexpensive but writes like butter

    Quote Originally Posted by Yazeh View Post
    I have the same. I'm not a fan of it. Those converters while practical and easy to clean evaporate like there's no tomorrow...
    Those converters specifically? Or sliding ones in general?

    My two Kaweco pens use a mini converter which slides in the same way, and I haven't found a problem yet. Perhaps because I use the ink faster than it evaporates. I'm only using four pens at the moment, so none of them sit very long.

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    Senior Member Yazeh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Inexpensive but writes like butter

    Quote Originally Posted by Ole Juul View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Yazeh View Post
    I have the same. I'm not a fan of it. Those converters while practical and easy to clean evaporate like there's no tomorrow...
    Those converters specifically? Or sliding ones in general?

    My two Kaweco pens use a mini converter which slides in the same way, and I haven't found a problem yet. Perhaps because I use the ink faster than it evaporates. I'm only using four pens at the moment, so none of them sit very long.
    Yes, the sliding converters are awful. Often, when I'm rinsing them, the ink just slides out the piston side....but then again, maybe I have too many pens inked

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    Member Roe D Hym's Avatar
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    Default Re: Inexpensive but writes like butter

    Thankfully I have a few standard converters as the sliding one, which is a new type to me, only filled half-way. I have a couple of boxes of long Waterman cartridges so I can use them in a pinch. Hey, the pen cost $12 door to door so having a so-so converter is not the end of the world. I like the look and feel of the pen--like china plates and cups from back in the day.

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    Senior Member FredRydr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Inexpensive but writes like butter

    What does butter write like, anyway?

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    calamus (August 21st, 2020)

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    Senior Member azkid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Inexpensive but writes like butter

    Quote Originally Posted by FredRydr View Post
    What does butter write like, anyway?
    Like margarine?

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    SchaumburgSwan (August 12th, 2020)

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    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
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    Default Re: Inexpensive but writes like butter

    Quote Originally Posted by FredRydr View Post
    What does butter write like, anyway?
    You don't actually write with butter, you inject a turkey and then write with the turkey.



    P.S. I wish I had something to say about the pen. If it makes you happy, that's all that counts. More often than not, a snap can pen will tend to dry out more quickly than a screw-cap pen, but so much of it has to do with design and build quality.
    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

    ~ Benjamin Franklin

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    CoffeeForTheAdmiral (November 29th, 2021), oldstoat (August 3rd, 2020), Ole Juul (July 29th, 2020)

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    Senior Member FredRydr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Inexpensive but writes like butter

    Quote Originally Posted by Jon Szanto View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by FredRydr View Post
    What does butter write like, anyway?
    You don't actually write with butter, you inject a turkey and then write with the turkey....
    There is a rafter of turkeys that keeps walking across the lawn. I'll grab one of them and give your suggestion a try.

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    Member Roe D Hym's Avatar
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    Default Re: Inexpensive but writes like butter

    Jon, I hear you on the snap vs screw cap. I prefer a screw cap but for less than $5 I guess one cannot have it all.

    Fred, be careful with those turkeys. They can be mean birds. We have had a few incidents in the Boston area where wild turkeys have attacked people walking down the street. Then again, maybe the people were filled with Wild Turkey and were "attacked" by robins or sparrows.

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    Senior Member Cyril's Avatar
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    Default Re: Inexpensive but writes like butter

    Nice one!!!
    I like this pen and I have a real Ceramic pen. The barrel and the Cap are inlaid with ceramic and metal. Very heavy and solid. But I am sure if it falls down go into pieces.
    It is a white pen with a blue Dragon. The pen is made fron China and have a fine nib with feedback which is my preference.

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    azkid (August 12th, 2020)

  20. #13
    Member Roe D Hym's Avatar
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    Default Re: Inexpensive but writes like butter

    Just saw on e-bay the exact same pen with a Jinhao name.

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