Camlin 47

[hari317]

Introduction:

 

Camlin limited is a famous manufacturer of Stationery products in India. Amongst other items they also manufacture Fountain pen inks under the brandname Camel and fountain pens under the brandname Camlin. The fountain pens feature either the Eyedropper filling system or the Piston filling system. Camlin 47 is of the piston filling type, the other piston filler model is called the Camlin sleek. Camlin Product Range

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1925.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1926.jpg

 

Writing:

 

The pen features a semi hooded steel nib whose width is around a western fine. The nib is quite smooth and makes an even and wet line.

 

Filling System:

 

The ink level can be viewed with the help of four diamond shaped windows in the barrel. The follwing photos show the window when the piston is fully retracted to fully extended. The piston system is quite smooth and probably as smooth as that on my Lamy2k, but not as smooth as the Pelikan ones.

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1927.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1928.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1929.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1930.jpg

 

The piston removed from barrel. It has three sealing rings.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1942.jpg

 

The cap is made of steel with a sturdy and easy to use clip. The pen is gripped with the help of a three finger clutch, there is a breather hole on the top side of the cap to facilitate safe capping and uncapping of the pen.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1931.jpg

 

Comfort/Ergonomics:

 

The shape of the pen is a gently tapering one with a long section which makes for a very comfortable grip.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1934.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1935.jpg

 

Serviceability:

 

The section can be easily unscrewed from the barrel for cleaning, servicing or nib replacement.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1937.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1938.jpg

 

The nib and feed are assembled into a cylindrical carrier. This carrier can be slid out from the barrel end of the section. The carrier has longitudinal grooves to adjust the angle of the nib wrt the hood.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1941.jpg

 

The Ebonite feeder removed from carrier.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1939.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1940.jpg

 

Conclusion:

 

I first used this pen in school in 1986, it is a solid and reliable writer and holds a ton of ink, but some what lesser as compared to an ED pen. it is a good pen for office or shop floor use where you want a sober pen which does not attract any attention, moreover the cost of the pen is so small that you need not worry about losing or damaging it.

Edited July 15, 2008 by hari317

[Abhik]

Hari,

Thanks for this review! I did not know this pen's existence before you mentioned it to me! Photos are good. You have explained it so well! I purchased one ED filler pen during my last holiday in India & was pleasantly surprised with its performance! Very fine & smooth nibs. Wet lines. No leaking.

You have emphasised correctly, prices are so low, even if you loose a pen or two, its not going to create any dent in your pocket.

Kind regards,

Abhik.

[HDoug]

Thanks much for the review and the pics! I had no familiarity of these pens until reading your review. Very fascinating.

 

Doug

[Sharkle]

 

Hi Hari, that is a nice looking pen! And thank you for providing such excellent and detailed pictures. Great review, and add me to the list of the previously unaware of this brand. I haven't had time to explore much of the site yet, but I will be diggng around soon enough. BTW, I really like the width of your pen. Nice colors, too, and I always appreciate an ink window.

 

[bizerkel]

That looks remarkably like the Wality 77, also an Indian piston filler. It has very nearly the same feed & nib assembly. The ink windows are triangles instead of diamonds, and the cap is more intricately designed, but they seem to be cut from a similar mold. Anybody know if there are any connections between these two companies?

 

[JulioPB]

Introduction:

 

Camlin limited is a famous manufacturer of Stationery products in India. Amongst other items they also manufacture Fountain pen inks under the brandname Camel and fountain pens under the brandname Camlin. The fountain pens feature either the Eyedropper filling system or the Piston filling system. Camlin 47 is of the piston filling type, the other piston filler model is called the Camlin sleek. Camlin Product Range

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1925.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1926.jpg

 

Writing:

 

The pen features a semi hooded steel nib whose width is around a western fine. The nib is quite smooth and makes an even and wet line.

 

Filling System:

 

The ink level can be viewed with the help of four diamond shaped windows in the barrel. The follwing photos show the window when the piston is fully retracted to fully extended. The piston system is quite smooth and probably as smooth as that on my Lamy2k, but not as smooth as the Pelikan ones.

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1927.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1928.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1929.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1930.jpg

 

The piston removed from barrel. It has three sealing rings.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1942.jpg

 

The cap is made of steel with a sturdy and easy to use clip. The pen is gripped with the help of a three finger clutch, there is a breather hole on the top side of the cap to facilitate safe capping and uncapping of the pen.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1931.jpg

 

Comfort/Ergonomics:

 

The shape of the pen is a gently tapering one with a long section which makes for a very comfortable grip.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1934.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1935.jpg

 

Serviceability:

 

The section can be easily unscrewed from the barrel for cleaning, servicing or nib replacement.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1937.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1938.jpg

 

The nib and feed are assembled into a cylindrical carrier. This carrier can be slid out from the barrel end of the section. The carrier has longitudinal grooves to adjust the angle of the nib wrt the hood.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1941.jpg

 

The Ebonite feeder removed from carrier.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1939.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Camlin%2047/IMG_1940.jpg

 

Conclusion:

 

I first used this pen in school in 1986, it is a solid and reliable writer and holds a ton of ink, but some what lesser as compared to an ED pen. it is a good pen for office or shop floor use where you want a sober pen which does not attract any attention, moreover the cost of the pen is so small that you need not worry about losing or damaging it.

 

 

Hi Hari:

 

Nice pens. I visited the Camlin web site, they produce nice products, but, How can they produce and sell fountain pens from Us$27 cents to one dollar?, It is amazing!!!

 

I am going to write them to see if they are willing to export some to Mexico.

 

Julio

 

[hari317]

That looks remarkably like the Wality 77, also an Indian piston filler. It has very nearly the same feed & nib assembly. The ink windows are triangles instead of diamonds, and the cap is more intricately designed, but they seem to be cut from a similar mold. Anybody know if there are any connections between these two companies?

 

Yes, these two models(Camlin 47 and Airmal 77) look very similar externally. In fact Wality sells this same 77 here with a plain steel cap which makes them look even more similar. Internally the piston and actuation mechanism have differences. The nib is different, the section ring washer thickness is much different and these two companies are in no way related.

 

The Camlin plastic also looks tougher IMHO.

 

Regards,

Hari

Edited July 16, 2008 by hari317

[graceaj]

 

 

A good-looking pen. I sure hope I'll be getting one of these. I included Camlin and Airmail/Wality specifically when I told my father to get me some Indian pens, and I hope he can find some. Seriously though, are the prices on the website what you'll get in the stores? Seems really unbelievable, if the impression I have that they're pretty well-made is correct.

[bluemoon]

Excellent review Hari, and as always, mindblowing photos . I am not familier with this model, but I do remember Camlin 'moti' very fondly, a similar pistom filler with an big open nib and a gold washed clip.

It was a truely rugged pen, of excellent quality. I used quite a few of those in my school & sophomore years. I could not find another of those now, but if I find one I will be very happy. In 2003/4 it cost around 50 rupees. A steal for its price, I must say. Of the four or five I used, not a single one ever leaked, or sufered from cracks or failed piston(that too in the hand of a school student!!!) If you know that model is available, please let me know... It will make me remember those school days just a few (or should I say very few?) years ago which now

seem so distant past..

 

 

A good-looking pen. I sure hope I'll be getting one of these. I included Camlin and Airmail/Wality specifically when I told my father to get me some Indian pens, and I hope he can find some. Seriously though, are the prices on the website what you'll get in the stores? Seems really unbelievable, if the impression I have that they're pretty well-made is correct.

 

Yes, you should try getting a few of camlin/airmail pens. They are of truely astonishing quality,

considering their price... or you may try to procure a Rathnamsan.. I have see those (though

I am not so lucky to own one.. maybe one day I will if I ever have the money or the opportunity..

they do not sell their pens in every grocery shop around..). Those are really something for the lifetime. You should ask Hari.

 

Though I do not like most of the Chinese product, here chinese pens too are available cheaply.

Last month I purchased two hero and two wing sung for Rs 60/- ( 1$ = 40 (+/-1 )Rs.). Those are

very good to convert non fp people...

[Aysedasi]

Really good review Hari, thank you

[georges zaslavsky]

quite interesting pen

[pbhat]

quite interesting pen

I have used Camlin 47 grey coloured for about 2 years in the mid 1970's when I was at Primary school. I have fond memories of this pen and was facinated with ink filing system which was unique to me and I used to demonstrate it to my classmates. I think the pen is still lying inside my desk in our old house.

 

After going through the full circle of ball point and gel pens, I am now a reborn fountain pen enthusiast and my pick is Sheaffer Targa from NOS bought at Mumbai uninked which I have put to daily use. Writing pleasure gets a full new meaning with fountain pens and with my Targa.

[ZeissIkon]

Nice pens. I visited the Camlin web site, they produce nice products, but, How can they produce and sell fountain pens from Us$27 cents to one dollar?, It is amazing!!!

 

Probably has to do with being able to source labor at a couple dollars a day -- same way the Chinese do it, in other words.

[hari317]

I have used Camlin 47 grey coloured for about 2 years in the mid 1970's when I was at Primary school. I have fond memories of this pen and was facinated with ink filing system which was unique to me and I used to demonstrate it to my classmates. I think the pen is still lying inside my desk in our old house.

 

After going through the full circle of ball point and gel pens, I am now a reborn fountain pen enthusiast and my pick is Sheaffer Targa from NOS bought at Mumbai uninked which I have put to daily use. Writing pleasure gets a full new meaning with fountain pens and with my Targa.

 

Thanks for that input, I thought the pen was introduced in the mid 80s when I was a student. Targa is a nice pen, may I ask the shop where you bought it from in Mumbai?

 

Best,

Hari

 

 

[kethiemann]

What are marvelous review. This looks like the Parker 45 semi hoode nib style. I am working in Delhi. I see you are in Mumbai so I'm hoping I will also be able to pick one of these up here.

[hari317]

What are marvelous review. This looks like the Parker 45 semi hoode nib style. I am working in Delhi. I see you are in Mumbai so I'm hoping I will also be able to pick one of these up here.

 

These should be available in Delhi, just try to spot stationery shops selling stuff to students. This pen is based on the Montblanc Monterosa piston filler pens from the 60s and 70s.

[Rishi]

Very nice review Hari...it reminded me of my school days when handling a FP means one of the finger tip will always be blue...well it will encourage the indian pen manufacturers aswell....u doing a gud job..

[agraguy]

quote:" I am not familier with this model, but I do remember Camlin 'moti' very fondly, a similar pistom filler with an big open nib and a gold washed clip."

 

 

it was Chelpark Moti which also Hari has reviewed. by d way, i also want chelpark moti for curiosity.

[bk123]

What are marvelous review. This looks like the Parker 45 semi hoode nib style. I am working in Delhi. I see you are in Mumbai so I'm hoping I will also be able to pick one of these up here.

 

These should be available in Delhi, just try to spot stationery shops selling stuff to students. This pen is based on the Montblanc Monterosa piston filler pens from the 60s and 70s.

 

Thanks Hari for such a detailed review. I would rather name you as "Senior Pen Surgeon" Hari :notworthy1:

 

Kethiemann, you can purchase these camlin sleek FP online at www.studyneeds.com. Please search there as camlin fountain pen otherwise you will not be able to find these pens from direct links there. It's a new website and there is some problem with direct links in the website. But search is working good. Price is INR 52.

In case you are not able to get these pens please let me know or call me (9871571404)I will try to find these for you.

[agraguy]

please compare this pen with other indian models. Do you like this pen. i have right now only trinity, 47 and some cheaper chelpark models. i am not happy(for strange reason not known for me myself) with for 47 though it writes flawlessly. perhpaps this is not giving me the 'feeling' of big open nibs. waiting for your comments.

Edited March 22, 2012 by agraguy