Faber-Castell Ambition Pearwood Ef

[gf1911]

Hello

 

Just received today the Faber-Castell Ambition, in Pearwood and Extra-Fine Nib (for mathematics).

 

Warning : this is a heavy-picture post. There is about 10 Mb of pictures here, and I almost did not

resize most of them (a few were reduced by 50 % but most just cropped). No white calibration, just

quick snapshots and basic cropping. Most pictures have been kept with no resizing to capture the

detail of the wood and various parts of the pen. Camera is a Canon G11 set to automatic white balance,

AV of 2.8 and Macro mode turned on, Flash on.

 

Will be compared to a pen I guess most have here : a Lamy Safari that also came with the Faber-Castell

(dark black, Fine Nib exchanged for an EF one).

 

Package came in what seemed a pretty basic white paper box. Nothing fancy here.

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_01.jpg

 

But a surprise was inside !

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_02.jpg

 

The little brown wire seems to be made of some kind of leather.

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_03.jpg

 

Inside of it, a little booklet with various pens from Faber-Castell.

 

The pen came inside of a soft-tissue cover that I guess you would be able to keep

the pen inside to protect it !

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_04.jpg

 

The texture of the wood is fantastic. It is very soft to the touch, and there is no

plastic feel at all. Not sure there is any coating over it, I will keep the pen

stored inside the soft-tissue :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_05.jpg

 

(just zoom at the picture above and check the wood texture !)

 

I selected for this pen an extra-fine Nib. I do fill pages of papers with equations,

and it is very annoying to have to stop because hands could be a little sweaty after

a few hours or writing and this kills the though flow. The nib has no little hole,

but writes fine anyway. It is a little stiff and scratchy over laser printer paper,

but glides well (you hear the scratchy sound, and don't really feel it be scratchy,

but the sound is there) :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_06.jpg

 

The pen came with a converter installed. There is no plastic on this pen anywhere:

it's all metal except the little converter reservoir

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_07.jpg

 

With the pen came a bottle of FB black ink. I do think it is standard Pelikan 4001

but while the bottle looks alike, it is 25 % bigger than the Pelikan 4001 bottles I have :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_08.jpg

 

I filled it, and was quite surprised that it almost fills full. I plunged it in the

bottle, twisted and it's full except less than a mm at the top !

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_09.jpg

 

Here is the detail of the converter :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_10.jpg

 

Now let's look at the body of the pen itself. Inside of the wood, there is some kind

of alloy that looks like brass to me and the whole inside is made of it :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_11.jpg

 

The threading is well done :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_12.jpg

 

Now let's look at the other side :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_13.jpg

 

The wood body is absolutely gorgeous. First, I considered the more expensive model,

with coconut wood, but the pearwood is not only cheaper (105 euro) but it is much more,

much more beautiful than coconut :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_14.jpg

 

The pen started to write immediatly. It is as fine as the Lamy Safari XF and it is a little

(1/10 of a mm) wider than a Twsibi EF :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_15.jpg

 

Now we can have a look at the cap part. Inside is filled with plastic :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_16.jpg

 

If you look inside the cap, there is a kind of little hole that could be some kind of

breather hole so the cap can close easily without putting air pressure on the nib and

pen when closing :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_17.jpg

 

The engraving is absolutely gorgeous. I love it. It looks great

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_18.jpg

 

Now let's compare it to a very known and basic pen I hope most of you do own :

the Lamy Safari. This one came with the Faber-Castell. When capped, both pens seem

to have a very close size :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_19.jpg

 

When cap is removed, the Safari is bigger than the Faber-Castell as you can see here :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_20.jpg

 

When writing, the fingers rest on the wood part. It is a very nice sensation, the touch

of the wood is incredible. Body is slightly smaller than the Lamy Safari.

 

Now let's compare those nibs together : there seems to be no difference between the two

brands when it comes to extra fine (I have to say that the Lamy Safari part where you put

the fingers is incredible...)

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_21.jpg

 

I love this pen. The wood touch, aspect and looks is absolutely gorgeous. This is german

quality at its best

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_22.jpg

 

This pen now adds to my little collection of pens :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_23.jpg

 

From top to bottom :

 

Twsibi Diamond 540 with EF nib, Edelstein Topaz

Cross Townsend Platinum with EF nib, Cross Black (which is Pelikan 4001 Black)

Montblanc Meisterstruck 4810 small-size, Broad nib

Faber-Castell Ambition Pearwood with EF nib, FB Black/Pelikan 4001 Black

Lamy Safari, Dark Black, EF nib, Lamy Black Ink

 

Side view :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_24.jpg

 

The other side view :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_25.jpg

 

Wood texture :

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_26.jpg

 

Texture in detail (zoom on it !)

 

http://gilbert.fernandes.pagesperso-orange.fr/IMG_27.jpg

 

Thank for reading. Hope you liked the pictures

[terminal]

Really fun review. It was easy to read and really flowed.

 

I'm a little ignorant about this pen, is it actually made in Germany?

 

Sorry if I missed this; but how does it compare in terms of the actual writing to the Safari? Is it totally inflexible?

 

Where does it fit in with the other pens in terms of weight and the feel of the weight in the hand?

[gf1911]

Feeling after a few hours of use

 

It is more wet when writing than the Safari which looks like a dry writer to me.

It is about half heavier than the Safari in hand.

 

I prefer it to the Safari which looks too light being all plastic and very light.

 

Where is it made ?

 

Was the pen made is Germany ? There is no "Germany" mention on the pen but on the box

it says :

 

Graf von Faber-Castell 682 482

Geschenk verpackung (= Gift Box)

 

The little box inside says pen has been made and finish by hand, but it does not say where.

The booklet has this address :

 

A.W. Faber-Castell Vertrieb

D = 90546 Stein/Nurnberg, Germany

 

And two phone numbers in Germany.

 

There is no other address than the one in Germany listed in the papers with the pen.

 

I have no idea where the pen has been built. But I have found nowhere in the pen,

packaging or anything any "Made in..." with a country indicated. I do not know.

 

Flex ?

 

It is not inflexible but it does not have a lot of flex. Slightly more flexible than the Twbsi

nib, but not that much. I guess this is common is modern nibs, and especially when using very

fine nibs like I do. From 1 to 10, 1 being stiff with no flex, and 10 being flexible as an old

fountain pen, the Faber-Castell nib would be 3, and Safari Lamy 2 (I would rate the Twsibi EF

at 2 also). Slightly more flexible than the Safari but it's just about 1 or 2/10th of a millimeter.

It's a stiff nib, flex is light when pushing down the nib on the paper.

 

I dont think a very fine nib would work well being flexible. Would drop too much ink, and

you would lose the fine interest of the nib.

 

The box is very nice, sturdy and the wooden parts visible are in wood.

 

It is, by far, the most beautiful pen box I have. The wood on the box is lacquered.

Edited July 12, 2012 by gf1911

[terminal]

Thank you so much!! Great responses.... very interested in this pen. I guess the nib must just be from one of the big German makers.

[gf1911]

It is a very nice pen. I like the touch and feeling of wood, so that was a very decisive factor.

 

Please note : the wood on the pen is not lacquered at all. I have checked its surface with an USB microscope,

and the wood is polished but not covered by anything. This makes the touch of wood direct and unique.

I do have a lacquered wood nib-carrier (for use for calligraphy) and the feeling is kind of "plastic" with it.

 

Not choosing to lacquer the wood is a good idea. The feeling of the wood is very important with this pen.

This means the wood will take a darker coloration with years, and it should be cleaned after use, and

kept away from substances that are bad for wood (water especially, oil that stains it).

 

But this is the very same reason that made me choose a brass Zippo : it ages with time by taking specific

discoloration/coloration that makes it unique.

 

If you choose this pen, you will accept that it will age, color and perhaps stain itself to a darker complexion

where your fingers rest. Like unlacquered wood, it will require to be a little more cautious use.

 

A very sensual pen, where the feeling of wood, touch and warmth when used are important things.

I would suggest it to edonists

[nanahcub]

I want one

 

**makes note to self**

 

I must stop reading threads like this until I am mature enough to understand that just because I read a review of a pen that I like doesn't mean that I can have that pen.

[terminal]

I want one

 

**makes note to self**

 

I must stop reading threads like this until I am mature enough to understand that just because I read a review of a pen that I like doesn't mean that I can have that pen.

 

ditto for me

[gf1911]

I have received a reply from Faber-Castell Germany : this pen was made in Germany.

 

They told me that while they do have production units in several countries the premium pens are still made in Germany.

 

The Pearwood and Coconut in "Gift Box" sets are made in Germany, and the finish is checked by hand, and if there are any fixes to be

done they are also done by hand there before shipping.

[terminal]

WOw that's pretty surprising. That makes it quite a deal. I'm going to go take a look at it at Paradise Pen this weekend

[gf1911]

Mine did cost 105 euro at Skripta, a shop in Paris

(that's 129 $ US or 130 $ CAN)

[el.Fakir]

Hi Gilbert,

 

Thank you for this nice review. Faber-Castell is one of my most favourite brands and I especially love their wooden pens.

Tactile feel of these pens are so much nicer/richer than other plastic pens that it almost ruins the idea of using those plastic pens anymore.

Fit and finish of every Faber-Castell pen I’ve ever seen was always impeccable as well. My humble opinion is that every pen box should have at least one Faber-Castell fountain pen.

[nikoskard]

The box and whole packaging is from faber castell premium series Graf Von, wich is mainly hand made in Germany.

The fountain pen you got as you said is from Ambition series, and not a Graf Von pen.

Is the same pen as my E-Motion and Loom from faber castell. As I said in other post, these are super pens for the money, and smooth wonderfull steel nibs.

I am sure you will enjoy your pen a lot.

Edited July 15, 2012 by nikoskard

[georges zaslavsky]

congrats on a nice review Btw you seem to be wearing a Rolex am I correct?

[gf1911]

It's a Sub, the previous smaller model. This one is from 1998/99 and a 16613 model.

I have since removed the bracelet and replaced it with a blue shark leather one from ABC (Ateliers du Bracelet Parisien).

The gold was too visible, and we have people in France having their gold stolen from them, because gold price has went up

a lot, so people mug you on street if you carry a gold bracelet or chain around your neck (some old person did die of it,

he was pushed to the ground and his head did hit the pavement).

 

That's not my favorite. From most to less worn is a Vector from Suunto (dark green with heart-rate) with tissue/scratch bracelet

(since at least 2 weeks, the only one I wear). Then an Omega Speedmaster, Hesalite/Steel model (the only one : hand-wound),

and that Sub that spends 10 monthes or so sleeping on a drawer per year).

[humsin]

How come you got the Graf von packaging??

[GnosticMoron]

Where were you able to obtain the EF nib for the Ambition? I've only ever seen it sold with F, M, or B.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

Very nice pen. The converter you have there is an off the shelf Schmidt K2 with special marking on the band. (The ink markings usually wear off). If you want, you can get the Schmidt K5 converter instead. That one is the one sold as the Pelikan converter and sold with many pens. If you get the Pelikan C499, that is an off the shelf K5 with no markings. The quality is a lot better than the K2 and it's made by the same company.

 

Dillon

[gf1911]

How come you got the Graf von packaging??

 

That pen came in that packaging. You get it if you ask for the "Gift Box" version.

[gf1911]

Where were you able to obtain the EF nib for the Ambition? I've only ever seen it sold with F, M, or B.

 

In a french shop called Skripta. They mainly sell online and their shop is open but not everyday

(they have moved to selling mostly on Internet, so the shop is not opened as much as before).

 

I write maths, especially crytography-related, and I have a passion for quantum physics, gravity and

condensed matter but that's a hobby.

 

I wanted a pen with a very fine nib so I could write equations and have the little upperscript and lowerscript

parts be legible (having to rewrite pages of demonstrations a few monthes after having wrote them being no fun

when you get stuck and cant read yourself).

 

This pen has become my maths pen. I use it with Rohrer and Klingner Verdigris. Even with such a very fine Nib,

this ink makes this pen a wet writer. When using Salix, it had trouble flowing (Salix is an Iron-Gall Waterproof

ink from Rohrer and Klingner).

 

The EF nib is available. So either you order just the Nib and fit it on your pen, or you can order the pen in

EF Nib. Sometimes you have to ask for a specific order to get one.

 

I wrote about 100 pages or so of equations since I have the pen, so I could scan a page if you want to see how the

pen writes. I love this pen. The wood has no lacquer, so you "feel" raw wood under your fingers. The wood did not stain

at all (I do keep my hands clean though and wipe the pen after using it).

[gf1911]

Hi,

 

Very nice pen. The converter you have there is an off the shelf Schmidt K2 with special marking on the band. (The ink markings usually wear off). If you want, you can get the Schmidt K5 converter instead. That one is the one sold as the Pelikan converter and sold with many pens. If you get the Pelikan C499, that is an off the shelf K5 with no markings. The quality is a lot better than the K2 and it's made by the same company.

 

Dillon

 

This pen uses standard international cartridges. If you do fit one inside of it, the pen has exactly the dimensions for one.

When there is an international long-size cartridge inside of it, and screwed, the cartridge touches the end of the pen inside.

This means that if the pen is transported and takes shocks, the cartridge cannot "leave" its seat and fill the pen with ink.

There is no space inside once screwed... This is very clever. Screwing the body fits the cartridge and it cannot move back anymore.

 

The paint on the back of the converter has started to wear, as you said. Yes.

 

I am gonna order a Pelikan converter and fit it. The fit for the converter is very good with the one sold with the pen,

but I want a converter I can open to clean it. I have not been able to "unscrew" the back end of the converter to clean it inside,

the same way I am able to do with my Cross Townsend converter and this annoys me.

 

I am interested in a link to a shop in UK if possible, otherwise elsewhere (I am living in France) where I could order a few of those Pelikan-built converters you talk about.