Search the Community

I don't usually put an ink's name in quotation marks, but honestly, straight out of the bottle, I have no idea how Private Reserve could call this ink a blue and not blue-green at best. I suppose "Blue-Green Suede" lacks a certain…something, but not accuracy.

Serwex 1362 Red, FPR 1.0mm Stub nib The Serwex 1362 is a cheap ($6), Indian made pen sold by Fountain Pen Revolution. This pen is actually a pretty nice writer. I am always looking for new pens to review!

I recently acquired a couple of Serwex pens from my good friends at Fountain Pen Revolution. What attracted me to these pens was the chance to get a flex nib in a piston filler for the absurdly low price of $6. How did this buy work out? Initial Impressions On receiving the pens (I ordered several along with the 1362 flex), one definitely gets a sense that these are pens meant to be used rather than stared at. The red plastic of the 1362 is not especially shiny nor is the nib polished. The clip is not quite parallel to the line of the pen and is a bit loose until I tighten the cap tassie. All of this is fine since I bought these pens with tossing them into a backpack in mind. By way of comparison, I also have an Ahab in a green swirl pattern. The finish on that pen is much nicer than the Serwex. The pen is shinier, the finish more interesting, and the furniture better done. Of course, at $20, the Ahab costs more than 3x as much. Comparing something in a similar price class, I'd say the finish is comparable to a Pilot Varsty (around $3 US) but with many extras for the Serwex. Filling One the most impressive things about the 3162 is that it is a true piston filler. Just like a Montblanc, you simply twist the blind cap to move an internal plunger in and out. The system works perfectly--the twist mechanism is smooth and the ink suction excellent. For $6, this is one of the most amazing features of the pen. Writing As I mentioned at the outset, what attracted me to the pen was flex. While by no means a wet noodle, the nib is semi-flex going from F to BB with moderate pressure. Railroading happens occasionally, but is not a serious problem. The feed seems to be about to keep up with he nib, at least at the speed with which I write using flex. Compared to the Ahab, the fineness of an unflexed line of the Serwex is narrower and the amount of pressure needed to flex is also lighted. I also did not have to flddle with the nib to get it to work. So I'd rate the Serwex as better. Smells Like the Ahab, the Serwex pen stinks, quite literally. The pen has a distinct chemical odor that somewhat reminds me of vomit. The Ahab has a similar odor. You do get used to it after a while, but it definitely takes away from the experience. Bottom Line At $6, it is hard to go wrong. I've only had the pen for a couple of weeks, and it has performed fine. If this keeps up, then I'd rate the pen a strong buy. The flex makes it extremely fun to work with. Usually, when dropping below $10, you are stuck with a basic medium tippped pen, certainly if you go Chinese. The idea that you can have a pen that is both cheap to buy, but has high end features like a piston and an interesting nib selection is a bonus. Compared to the Ahab, I think the Serwex is vastly superior. Less fiddly to operate and with easier to use flex, it achieves what the Ahab aspires to, and does it cheaper as well. The only drawback is a body that definitely looks cheap. The Ahab is much more attractive.

My obsession with fountain pens began with a 25 cent Wearever circa 1954, but really took hold in junior high school when I purchased one of the first Parker 45 convertibles in 1961, which I still have. In the intervening years I've owned a lot of Parkers: 45, 51, 61, 75 and lost, replaced and repaired those a couple of times. These were follwed by a couple of Scheaffer's, two Watermann's with 18K nibs (neither of which I like, and never use), a couple of Aurora's, Namiki, Cross, and Pelikans of various models and price points. My two favorites have been that Parker 45 and a Pelikan M200, until about two weeks ago. I saw something online about the Pilot Metropolitan. I hadn't bought a fountain pen in several years but why not I thought. It was under $20. And now I find myself utterly entranced again. I am in love with this pen! I've been glued to Youtube videos and pen sites ever since. I never realized that I could actually fiddle with my pens to adjust them to me. Who knew there are so many cheap pens that are so excellent and there are so many people online who also write exclusively with fountain pens. In the last 72 hours, I've purchased a Jinhao 450, Serwex 1362, and a Noodler's Ahab Flex based upon those videos and sites and the information I've learned. I've also bought extra nibs and ebonite feed, and a pilot converter for the Metropolitan, and spent less money for all of that than I did for one of those Watermann's I hate! I'm looking forward to receiving each and playing with all of them.

Hi fellow Fountain Pen aficionados Has anybody bought pens from Serwex Pens in Delhi (not through FountainPenRevolution)? If yes please let us know here whats your view on their service and products? Also which one of their pens is your favourite? Thanks

I have some FP experience and am considering getting some Serwex pens (http://goo.gl/Qfp9rY). I'm rather attracted by the decent reviews, nice nibs, and cheap shipping, as well as the price. Currently I have an Ahab and a Preppy. My Preppy's nib is rather stubborn (perhaps randomly so), so I'm looking for a Preppy replacement. My ink is Noodler's Polar Blue, which tends to bleed, so I'd like a really fine nib (student = cheap paper). I'm considering a Serwex 77B or 962. I'm also slowly getting better at my italic hand, so I really want a stub as well. Do any of you have experience with these pens? Do you have any advice or recommendations?

I just received my Namiki Falcon with the John Mottishaw Spencerian customization. I thought I would share my initial thoughts and how this FP compares to my Serwex MB with flex nib that I've had for a few weeks. Right out of the box both pens worked very well, but have very different feels in relation to flex pressure. Both have comparable line variations, but the Falcon goes a little further each way. Line Variation The biggest difference is the Falcon has much better thin line definition. The Falcon can produce thinner lines that are crisper that allow for extremely small loops or counter forms without lines bleeding into each other. The Serwex looks very close in the picture, but in reality the Falcon is much better at line definition - note the smallest loops and how the Falcon stays tight and clear. Another difference worth mentioning is how much sooner the Falcon can produce the thick lines. Because the nib on the Falcon flexes so easily and fast you can transition quicker and smoother. The Serwex requires a little "getting up to speed" stroke meaning the thicker lines don't always happen at the top of a stroke whereas the the Falcon can produce thick as soon as you turn on a dime. I also noticed how much easier it is to create wedge shapes with the Flacon. Because the nib snaps back faster you can sit at the start or end of a thick line for a split second and that will create the crisp wedge shape rather than tapered strokes like the Serwex. Ink Flow The second biggest difference is ink flow. The Spencerian customization includes an increase in ink flow to the feed. This REALLY shows. The Falcon just won't railroad for me. The increased ink coupled with the thinner line definition just screams quality. How John Mottishaw is able to achieve both is a mystery - I'd think one would counter the other, but they work together perfectly. Even the thinnest lines from the Falcon can produce some shading if you look closely. The Serwex railroads constantly and typically the fix is to unscrew the barrel and push a little ink up the converter into the feed. Feel/Feedback The Serwex is definitely smoother because it feels like a nail compared to the Falcon. The Falcon Spencerian tip is scratchy, but not nearly as scratchy as I anticipated, and if you have a VERY light touch it will glide. People seem to freak out in some threads about the nib grind. I find it requires a soft touch, but it's not difficult if you have experience with a fine paint brush or creating small details. The Falcon's tip is so fine that the thinnest lines require a soft yet confident quick stroke. Basically you need to know where you are going and be confident with that stroke - you can't move slowly, plotting your way around or the thin lines of the Falcon will look shaky because the nib will hit every bump in the paper grain. Move fast and soft like a ninja! If you want to move slower you need a steady and VERY light hand for the thinnest of lines or you can add a tiny amount of flex to lubricate the line a little more. You get OPTIONS!! The sound is sort of cool. Just like in the famous youtube Falcon video. SWOOSH, scraaaaaaaatch, SWOOSH, scraaaaaaatch... It's a very artsy sound. The nib bounce/rebound is very different. It surprised me just how easily the Falcon flexes. I'm use to the Serwex which requires IMO double the force. The Falcon also rebounds faster and stays right on top of the feed immediately ready to flex again. The Serwex requires a slower hand or the nib railroads. Also, because the Serwex requires more pressure and a slower hand it is a little more tiring to use, and creating smooth transitions from thin curves to thick curves is actually pretty hard compared to the Namiki. The Serwex requires so much pressure that thin to thick transitions can be abrupt and lack a smooth form. Transitions with the Falcon are easier to produce and look more natural. Customer service I'd also like to add both companies that sold me the pens were very good to deal with. I purchased the Serwex MB with a flex nib from Fountain Pen Revolution. There was no contact, and none was needed. They did included an additional Serwex eyedropper pen listed for $5 and an additional non flex nib for free. Delivery time was around 5 business days. I purchased the Namiki Falcon with the famous John Mottishaw custom Spencerian grind from Nibs.com. I asked them a few questions via email and they replied within minutes. I was actually shocked with their speed. Once I was ready to order they answered a few more questions, sent the invoice with detailed descriptions of the pen and grind and ink flow work to be done. John worked on the pen either that day or the next morning as it was ready to go in about 24 hours. I asked if they had this grind already done and in stock as the turn around time was so fast. They said no that John grinds them as the order for this pen comes in. The pen was in the mail that day (Thursday) and I received the pen on Monday! THEY ARE FAST! The pen shipped with the new redesigned Pilot box which looks a little smaller from front to back and it has a really cool, solid window in the lid. They also included an extra blue cartridge of ink and blotter paper along with the standard cartridge and standard converter. Other Thoughts When the Serwex cap is posted it spins freely which feels sort of cheap. It locks on very well, but I wish it didn't spin. That would improve the overall experience IMO. Also, the FPR flex nib could use some visual enhancements. It would be great if it was high polished and a different FPR font and orientation imprint was used. Add some scroll work and it would be a huge improvement. The Falcon's gold furniture is MUCH richer looking in person. I've looked at every picture and video on the internet of the Falcon, and the gold clip and band look even better in person - darker, richer in color. Conclusion Having both pens I love the Falcon w/Spencerian much better, but for $20 the Serwex MB flex probably can't be beat. I recommend both and would suggest to decide based on budget. The Serwex makes a better everyday writer because the nib is harder, less scratchy and cost makes this pen a tool and not an heirloom. The Falcon is more enjoyable to use IMO and screams quality. If what you desire is a great Spencerian style or thick and thin line variation then the Namiki is by far better. Fabriano paper with Noodler's Eel Turquoise and Apache Sunset.

Flex nibs! I love them, the smooth wet writing, subtle line variation, the ability to bold lines into a great flourish! I know about Noodler's flex nibs, and I know Serwex from FPR makes them as well, but does anyone know any other companies that make flex or semi-flex nib pens? Also what does "#5 Flex nib" (from FPR) as opposed to "#6 Flex nib" (Noodler's)?

I just would like to let you know that I went and did it, started this new hobby! I bought an FPR Dilli Flex, Serwex 1362 Stub, Muji lookalike notebooks, Parker Quink Black and a complementary Serwex 101 pen from FPR! Here's a video I made and would like to show you guys. What do you think of me creating a video review on these things from a beginner/student's perspective? BTW, how do I embed the video? A bit new here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RysFkiEU48g Edit: Never mind, you just paste the link, huh

Hi all, Does anyone know of a good script/lettering style that would look elegant when written small (under 8mm majuscule height) with a modern flex fountain pen such as a Noodler's Ahab, Konrad, or Serwex/Dilli? These pens don't always have quick returns, but they allow the inks I use to shade to my liking. I've been using a copperplate variant, but it's just nowhere near what it needs to be to look appealing. They can't really do quick turn arounds with the hairlines/swells and it comes off just looking like lazy copperplate with too much ink. Any ideas? Feel free to post pics if you think of something. PT.

This is probably a daft question, but while I read everywhere that the Serwex MB's converter is a "Parker type", I can't seem to find out for sure if anyone's actually tried a Parker converter in it. Could some nice person with both have a quick look for me? I like the Serwex very well, but I suspect I will be falling out of love with that converter in quick time and would be happy to know there's an alternative out there if my patience finally snaps. Thanks, Al

I found the Noodler's nib creaper for 13 dollars shipped and the Serwex 162 with flex nib for 12 dollars shipped. Which one do you guys think is better? I've heard that Serwex pens are less fussy, but the video here: shows the creaper has way more flex.

In a panicked, nervous state and unable to sleep, I thought I'd calm myself by trying out a few pens. I've been torn with the idea of which pens I want to keep and which I want to sell. I have a few vintage pens and though they are all nice in their own ways, I've been looking for a low cost, high quality way of getting the most out of the inks I love. I like an ink that gives strong shading characteristics. So, the ideal pen for me is a flex pen that actually doesn't write too wetly. My Noodler's Ahab (which I've modified as described here) gives nice flex, but it doesn't really "do" anything like hairlines, returns are a bit slow for my tastes, and it writes so wetly that you don't get a chance to really do any shading. You just get a fat, wet line. Anyhow, these are 5 different samples I did with Noodler's Golden Brown (sample 1 must have had a little leftover blue in it). I'd like to know what you think of each pen and why specifically. Note: Please excuse the overall sad quality of the scan and the handwriting. This is my first post! I think I'll take a note from everybody else and just do a photograph in the future for this sort of thing.

Before going into the actual review of the pen, I would like to recap part of my experience with fountain pens. I used to write with fountain pens from secondary to high school and I ceased when I started attending university, for sake of ease (that is what I thought those days). I still remember my green Pelikano and red Auretta, the short blue cartridges and some questions about their mutual incompatibility ... I started again some years ago out of curiosity and since then I have focused on affordable pens: in spite of the fact I am a product manager in a high tech company (... sort of ...), I use to write down notes by hand, so a pen is first of all a work instrument, then it must be reliable, available and cheap. My search of the perfect balance of quality, functionality, features and appearance has not yet finished and never will, of course. On the contrary, I learnt a lot of things that I am more and more fascinated by, like construction materials and technologies, filling systems, behaviour of different combination of inks and nibs and so on. And knowledge of product increased too: I started from the "classic" manufacturers and I bought an Aurora Ypsilon, a short afterwards I got a black Lamy Safari as an everyday writer, since I felt the former being too ... luxurious (but I do like a lot my Ypsilon!). Then came Chinese products and converters: a Baoer 79, some Baoer 388, a Baoer 100 (my first review: see here) and many more. Then, looking for a cheap piston filler (a Lamy 2000 is definitely out of budget) I discovered Fountain Pen Revolution and I became a loyal customer. Indian pens are joys and sorrows, their average quality is lower than Chinese products, but I feel the latter soulless and the former more related to me, and they can hold surprises for you, like the Serwex 962. Today I own four Serwex 962: a red, a dark blue, a green and a black one and I first came into possession of the black one as a bonus pen, added to an order from FPR that included a Camlin 47, a Serwex 1362 and a couple of Serwex 362. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8679638356_db97dcbb27_z.jpg Array of Serwex 962 di S.R.GE, su Flickr I was happy of having the opportunity to try that pen: I had already noticed it on FPR site and I read an internet review of it, together with its big sister, the 362. My first impression was quite positive: the pen is small and well proportioned, even if its design is quite linear and simple, so I bought three more, to complete the colour set. Let's go into details. Appearance & Design: 6/10 First of all, Serwex 962 is a piston filler: a solution that is rarely found in this price range. General aspect of this pen may be defined utilitarian: sleek and linear when capped, a bit less harmonious when uncapped. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8679641042_83f3546312_z.jpg Serwex 962 di S.R.GE, su Flickr The cap is satin-finished metal, while the body is plastic with smooth finish and pleasant feel; barrel and section are separated by a yellow transparent plastic segment, that acts as ink level check window - in the later part of the review, I will refer to the ink window as part of the section. The nib can be really defined as minimalist, as it is really small, but linear, tidy and somehow elegant. Cap is screw-type and has a most linear clip, whose colour can change depending on sample, from gold yellow to steel grey; the former is a better solution, since it couples very well with the standard golden nib. On the thread side the cap has smooth finished band where brand name SERWEX is engraved: the band finishing stands out on the cap, a quite sophisticate detail that I would not expect from a pen that is made to be simple (but not easy, indeed ...!). http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/8678527565_da92fcb69f_z.jpg Serwex 962: cap comparison di S.R.GE, su Flickr When uncapped, the pen seems a bit rough: although it is overall slim, section and barrel have different width and being the section very thin, the edge between the two has a noticeable width, that breaks body's harmony. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8679640426_d6beec44f2_z.jpg Serwex 962 uncapped di S.R.GE, su Flickr Construction & Quality: 6/10 The Serwex 962 is a simple pen and it has an overall sturdy appeal, and indeed no remarks can be done to construction of pen's body: the piston knob is perfectly connected to the barrel and when the former is well tightened in working position, it almost disappears. I may have some concerns about plastics, that have a cheap look and feel and the typical smell of Indian pens! Quality of material seems to vary from sample to sample, in fact my black one has a failure into the ink window, as shown in the picture below: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8400/8678526923_22c7990acc_z.jpg Serwex 962: section defect di S.R.GE, su Flickr Again, the cap of the black one has a manufacturing flaw: the rim of the opening has a kind of crack as shown below: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8678525443_c2bbf1bdf1_z.jpg Serwex 962: cap defect di S.R.GE, su Flickr Such defects do not appear into the other three units, indicating some variability in quality of materials and workmanship. Weight & Dimensions: 7/10 First of all, some figures: the pen capped is 135mm long, 116mm uncapped, the maximum diameter is 10mm and 8mm at section and it weights about 13g filled. Being the cap screw-type, it will be unlikely used posted, also considering that inner threads could damage barrel plastics; this is not a problem for me as I hardly write with fountain pen posted. Nevertheless, I feel Serwex 962 very nimble, light and, in a word, handy; as I said in a previous review, I am not for bulky pens, especially at work, but I think this pen could not be comfortable for everyone, since it can be felt as really thin, also because the section is thinner than barrel. Nib & Performance: 7/10 Serwex 962 comes with just fine nib and it can hardly be replaced with a different one, being it so small. The nib is a standard design, gold plated unit, even if very thin and carries an incision saying "IRIDIUM POINT" (uh ...?), while "SERWEX" is engraved on the feed below, even if is very hard to be seen. Here again there is some variability from sample to sample, both in line width and in tactile feeling. Common properties are: nib rigidity, direct consequence of its shape and size, the substantial wetness of flow and prompt start. The line is fine, a bit wider than expected from such a slim nib. What is different: the black and green samples have a thinner markthe blue and green sample have some slight skipping, especially when performing close curves and more evident in the blue onethe blue sample is slightly more scratchy than the other threethe blue sample has a sort of square line, while the other three are more smooth.As a general consideration, this model has a pleasant behaviour, with partial exception of the blue one: I tried a bit of tuning with partial success, aligning tines and enlarging them a bit, but without grinding, a technique I do not like, since tailors the nib too much to my hand. Here below a writing sample of the four pens - I apologise for my bad writing. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8538/8679636468_babee312cb_b.jpg Serwex 962: Writing Sample di S.R.GE, su Flickr Filling System & Maintenance: 8/10 As anticipated, this sleek pen is a piston filler; ink capacity is limited by the reduced section, but arguably it can hold more ink than a couple of short cartridges and definitely more than a Chinese or Indian standard converter. The piston works well, but as always, performances and quality are not homogeneous: the green one is hard to push down and the black one presents a potentially defective gasket, because moving the piston up and down after having emptied the pen, it does not perfectly clean ink from the check window as expected, but actually I have never detected ink leakage from piston knob as predictable in case of infiltration through the piston. Filling operation is very easy, the system sips ink quite up to full capacity and very few cleaning is needed at end. I noticed a slight tendency to blot when the pen is almost empty; I think the cause may be similar to what happens to eyedroppers in the same condition: probably because barrel is quite thin, the hand warmth could heat the air inside, making it expand and eject the ink. Maintenance is limited to the nib, that is easy to be extracted, being friction-fit. I saw on Fountain Pen Revolution site the pen completely dismantled, piston mechanism included, but at moment I have not been able to figure out how to remove piston, worm and knob. I noticed on the back of the knob a sort of round seal, maybe it is a cap for a screw, but I have not had dare to try. Cost & Value: 7/10 As told, I received the first sample new as bonus pen from Kevin at Fountain Pen Revolution, but its price is 7$ on that site: buying a bunch, the 2$ of shipping cost can be easily amortised (actually, I recently noticed shipping at FPR is now 3$ ... after all I am a Genoese: very, very worst of Scots!). Anyhow, even 10$ for a piston filler is worth to try: the result is a reliable, sturdy pen for every day use. Conclusion (Final score: 39/60) My final verdict about Serwex 962 is a mixture of positive and less positive opinions, but no really negative issues arise. The pen writes well after all and it needs less tuning than other cheap pens I tried, in fact I bought four for every day use. Its look is sleek and unbalanced at same time, cheap, but with sophisticated solutions. What I like is its linear appearance, especially when capped, its handiness and nib performances in most cases. In few words: simple, not easy, but handy.