Brahman/Deccan "big black beauty"

[enricof]

My first attempt of a (kind of) pen review...

 

hari317 described it to me this way:

"The best example of a BHR ED Indian pen.

A very superb quality Black ebonite gloss finish, Gold plated trim fountain pen with a nice Made in USA 14Kt gold plated steel nib.

The pen body and rings are fitted by the elusive and now closed Brahmam pen company, engineered and finished by Deccan."

and I think this is the best possible description.

 

I suppose I can consider it my only limited edition.

 

Some details:

• glossy black ebonite, plain ED filling
• designed "vaguely ispired" from the 149 (see pic for size comparison).
• very nice writer, takes A LOT of ink and is very lightweight
• can be posted (but I prefer large pen, unposted)
• fine, firm nib, no flex and quite smooth. I increased a bit the ink flow (Hari gave it to me a little dry for my tastes)
• no blurps or any other issue (but I did not try to take it on a flight)

Some pics (they say it all):

Couple of size comparisons with a 149

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/BD-01.jpg

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/BD-02.jpg

 

Of course nib/feed cannot compare with the queen:

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/BD-03.jpg

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/BD-04.jpg

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/BD-05.jpg

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/BD-06.jpg

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/BD-15.jpg

 

Nice, elegantly simple cap:

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/BD-07.jpg

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/BD-10.jpg

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/BD-08.jpg

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/BD-09.jpg

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/BD-16.jpg

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/BD-11.jpg

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/BD-12.jpg

 

Small writing sample (Pelikan 4001 Brilliant black, I do not dare filling it with bulletproof inks...)

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/BD-13.jpg

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/BD-14.jpg

Edited July 18, 2009 by enricof

[rahulg]

I saw the exact same model at the Deccan Pen outlet, here in Hyderabad. Though the one I was shown (with great reverence) had a *gigantic* hand-crafted 14k Gold nib (not plated), with a fair amount of tipping. The owner of the branch, Mr Haleem noted that the asking price ex-showroom would be around 9000 Rupees, which translated to around 185 US Dollars, at present exchange rates (courtesy xe dot com). Great to hear you're enjoying your pen. Congrats! Kudos also to Mr Balakrishna (Hari), for spreading the word of FPs from this part of the world!

[Mr.Rene]

Hi Enrico,

nice review...

Where is this pen selling???

Regards,

Rene

[stevlight]

I do not dare filling it with bulletproof inks...)

 

WHY NOT ????

[enricof]

I do not dare filling it with bulletproof inks...)

WHY NOT ????

I should have added "not yet".

 

it holds so much ink that an "ink accident" would be of epic dimensions...

[hari317]

Some pics (they say it all):

 

Thanks for reviewing and documenting this pen Enrico, genuinely nice and honest comparison photos with the legendary pen.

 

I saw the exact same model at the Deccan Pen outlet, here in Hyderabad.

 

Rahul, did the pen look similar to this example?

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Brahmam%2014Ct/IMG_2894.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Brahmam%2014Ct/IMG_2895.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Brahmam%2014Ct/IMG_2896.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Brahmam%2014Ct/IMG_2897.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Brahmam%2014Ct/IMG_2898.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Brahmam%2014Ct/IMG_2899.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Brahmam%2014Ct/IMG_2900.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Brahmam%2014Ct/IMG_2901.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Brahmam%2014Ct/IMG_2902.jpg

with the legendary 149:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Brahmam%2014Ct/IMG_2917.jpg

 

The gold nibbed ones which I have had the privilege to handle had different clips, Only 3-4 pens were made, to my knowledge, with the clips fitted to the pen which Enrico has (the other two are in my collection). The price quoted by Haleembhai to you sounds extremely nice, I urge you to pick the pen up if still available, Brahmams once gone will never be found again. I and Jai (Shrujaya on FPN) have been chasing the elusive Brahmam pen works without much progress.

 

Best,

Hari

Edited July 19, 2009 by hari317

[enricof]

Hari, your pen is almost too much a 149 clone for my tastes, but is really gorgeous.

 

I love my 149-inspired pen (I like the simpler cap design), but your nib/feed is absolutely great.

How does that nib compare in size with the gold nibs you have for sale?

Would they fit on my feed (reconsidering a transplant )?

[hari317]

Hari, your pen is almost too much a 149 clone for my tastes, but is really gorgeous.

 

Haha we are a nation of MB and Parker fans, The pen(Leader) has been intentionally made to look like a MB as told to me by the folks at Deccan. The pens are so scarce, I took what I got. The empty space on the nib is kept for personalization by the user by name engraving etc. The feeder is actually a large cylinder of Ebonite on which the deep grooves and the slits have been cut, the feed has then been cut off at a steep angle to prevent even very low angle writers from brushing the paper while using.

 

I love my 149-inspired pen (I like the simpler cap design), but your nib/feed is absolutely great.

How does that nib compare in size with the gold nibs you have for sale?

Would they fit on my feed (reconsidering a transplant )?

 

I love the simpler lines of the Brahmam/Deccan too and also the subtler trim rings, the pen is also slightly and comfortably slimmer than the Leader.

I have sent you a reply backchannel reg your query about the gold nibs.

 

Best,

Hari

 

[rahulg]

Dear Hari,

 

Contrary to your suggestion, the pen I saw at the shop was the exact same model, as described by Enrico, with the longish clip. Unfortunately, shelling out 9 Grand (Rupees) would be stretching my budget too much. The shop however still has the pen on display at the Ameerpet branch, should you be interested.

 

As for me, I'm quite happy hunting for junkers at the Sunday flea market.

 

 

Cheers

[hari317]

Contrary to your suggestion, the pen I saw at the shop was the exact same model, as described by Enrico, with the longish clip. <snip>The shop however still has the pen on display at the Ameerpet branch<snip>

 

Thanks for the heads up, I have not visited the Ameerpet branch yet, my haunts being the RP Road and the Abids branches. Maybe on my next visit to Hyderabad...

 

[enricof]

Hi Enrico,

nice review...

Where is this pen selling???

Regards,

Rene

 

As you have understood from the discussion between our Indian colleagues, finding them is not precisely easy.

 

I suggest you keep an eye on Hari's FS posts...

 

[enricof]

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/new_nib/BD-1-1.jpg

 

Well, I wasn't fully satisfied with the original nib (a bit boring), so I decided to swap it with one from Hari317.

 

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/new_nib/BD-2-1.jpg

 

It took some effort, but now I'm happy with the results.

Many thanks to Hari and Eric Wilson for the useful tips, that helped a lot (it was only my second transplant).

 

The pen has maintained her qualities (no skip or dry-up, the "feel" and smell scent of ebonite, lightweight and very well balanced), but has acquired some "personality".

 

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/new_nib/BD-3-1.jpg

 

With the new nib, the pen is much funnier to use.

You get very different results according to how you push on it.

 

How do you say? "A picture is worth thousand words."?

 

Soft mode - no pressure (some self-control needed)

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/new_nib/BD-4-1.jpg

 

Temper mode - some pressure, without trying to control it - mood-depending results

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/new_nib/BD-5.jpg

 

Flex mode - if only I was able to control it...

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/new_nib/BD-6.jpg

 

In term of look, the nib is about the same size of the original, with a little more ornament.

Still a bit small for the barrel, IMHO.

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/new_nib/BD-9.jpg

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/new_nib/BD-12.jpg

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/new_nib/BD-10.jpg

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/new_nib/BD-11.jpg

 

And now, with my favourite larger nibs.

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/enricofacchin/Brahman-Deccan/new_nib/BD-8.jpg

 

From top:

• monster GP nib on Varuna Rajan (my first transplant, thanks Hari!)
• Stipula on Brahman/Deccan
• Sheaffer OS Balance
• Pilot Custom 823
• MB 149 (who else?)
• Parker Duofold Centennial
• Waterman Man 100

[eckiethump]

I can attest to the fact that this is a very elegant and extremely well made pen. Unlike Enrico, I prefer a pen posted even one of this size. This pen is very well balanced and does not tire the hand in use.

 

Flex writing and nibs does take practise, or for some lucky people natural aptitude. Differing flex nibs demand differing writing styles, this pen and nib are very responsive, not in any way falling into the "diificult" to use category.

 

Well wrote out and concise review from Enrico, who as a client, has been a pleasure to work for, Jack agrees !!!

 

Eric

[hari317]

Enrico, I really liked the group shot, the gallery of all your big nibs, but I am surprised to see M1000 missing! The only stock gold nib bigger than the Stipula no 35(Bock #6) would be the 149's nib, I find the shoulders of the M1000's nib too narrow for its length(my personal opinion), I wish spares of the 149 were available.

 

Best,

Hari

 

[enricof]

Enrico, I really liked the group shot, the gallery of all your big nibs, but I am surprised to see M1000 missing! The only stock gold nib bigger than the Stipula no 35(Bock #6) would be the 149's nib, I find the shoulders of the M1000's nib too narrow for its length(my personal opinion), I wish spares of the 149 were available.

 

Best,

Hari

 

Yes, I agree the M1000 is definetely missing (not my fault, my wife doesn't allow me... :embarrassed_smile: ).

My recent 823 craze did some damage to my account.

 

Still in the wishlist, not this year unless I stumble on a nice cheap user grade one.

 

I must also do some group photos of my Indian HR EDs (I think a flock of seven deserves it), but I was waiting for a certain MP... .

Edited September 8, 2009 by enricof

[MOVIESTAR]

very nice

[returnofpenguy]

Enrico, very nice review and shots of your pens. I have got to get one.

[rahulg]

I am not too sure how this will work, but the telephone number for the Ameerpet branch of Deccan is +91 040 6678 6455. You could ask for Mr Haleem, the senior proprietor of the branch and third generation among the Siddique pen seller family.

He's usually helpful and could arrange for the pen to be shipped. I'm not 100% sure about it though, but I reckoned it's worth a try

Regards,

Rahul

[returnofpenguy]

I am not too sure how this will work, but the telephone number for the Ameerpet branch of Deccan is +91 040 6678 6455. You could ask for Mr Haleem, the senior proprietor of the branch and third generation among the Siddique pen seller family.

He's usually helpful and could arrange for the pen to be shipped. I'm not 100% sure about it though, but I reckoned it's worth a try

Regards,

Rahul

 

Thanks Rahul. This will help.

[georges zaslavsky]

nice comparison , but I am astonished to see that the original deccan nib was an usa made one :hmm1:

Edited December 12, 2009 by georges zaslavsky