Camlin Elegante

[hari317]

Thanks for the wonderful reviews! I just got a Camlin Elegante as well after waiting for almost a month of shipping delays, and it writes excellently. Reminds me of my younger days when I used to have a Camlin ED pen with Camel Royal Blue Ink. Well, the ink never changed once in the last 20 years or so, and I am back to using a Camlin pen with it. Yay!

 

On a separate note, I am new to this forum and am pleased to have stumbled across this. I thought I was the only one to continue using fountain pens, as I could not even find ink bottles in the major stationery stores in the US and people used to look at me with a quirky expression every time I pulled out a fountain pen. I even stocked up on a LOT of ink out of fear that the ink company might go out of business. But I am glad to have been wrong! With such a vibrant community, my fears seem to have been misguided.

 

You are welcome! I feel happy to hear that you have finally managed to acquire the nostalgic Camlin fountain pen. You have arrived at the right place and now you are no longer alone in this madness. Welcome and I hope you have a great time.

[panu]

Amazon in sells Camlin SD and elegante.Is it possible that someone from US also one can buy from Amazon.in through Amazon.com by any means? My sister asks the question for it , frm California US.Anu body have any idea?

She can pay by Indian Rs from her NRO account in ICICI bank.

 

 

http://www.amazon.in/Camlin-5631829-SD-Fountain-Pen/dp/B00LY17UA2

Edited July 13, 2015 by panu

[hari317]

Amazon in sells Camlin SD and elegante.Is it possible that someone from US also one can buy from Amazon.in through Amazon.com by any means? My sister asks the question for it , frm California US.Anu body have any idea?

She can pay by Indian Rs from her NRO account in ICICI bank.

 

 

http://www.amazon.in/Camlin-5631829-SD-Fountain-Pen/dp/B00LY17UA2

you can buy from amazon.in and then receive it and send it to you sister by post. problem solved!

[rwilsonedn]

Amazon in sells Camlin SD and elegante.Is it possible that someone from US also one can buy from Amazon.in through Amazon.com by any means? My sister asks the question for it , frm California US.Anu body have any idea?

She can pay by Indian Rs from her NRO account in ICICI bank.

 

 

http://www.amazon.in/Camlin-5631829-SD-Fountain-Pen/dp/B00LY17UA2

 

Fountain Pen Revolution (http://www.fountainpenrevolution.com/camlinpens.html) currently sells both pens to the US market. Their prices are higher than retail in India, but they are reliable and convenient.

ron

[panu]

you can buy from amazon.in and then receive it and send it to you sister by post. problem solved!

 

Ha Ha.Yes i bought and sent many pens to her. And then i gave up and told her to buy her own pens online as she is never happy with one or two pens.She likes to buy many and that also as per her choice.

[rizo]

Very good review

[yash_666]

Hey Hari, it is indeed a very nice review. I have had this pen for a while now, mine is in the blue plastic finish. However, the nib on mine broke recently. Do you know where I could find replacement nibs for the same? It'll be a great help as I don't want to just throw the pen away and get a new one.

[Sagarb]

I love your review Hari..In our art world we use a word -"minimum work and maximum effect", which perfectly goes with your review..thanks Hari..I have learnt so many things from you.

BTW I have two elegantes and have three questions as well:

1. Is this feed screw type?

2. If I have to change its nib sometime, #5 30mm nib is ok to fit?

3.Do you think Elegante's nibs can be found in market?

[hari317]

1. Is this feed screw type?

no, afaik.

2. If I have to change its nib sometime, #5 30mm nib is ok to fit?

I think the Indian 5 1/2 size nib will fit(25mm length, iirc).

3.Do you think Elegante's nibs can be found in market?

i don't think so, but equivalent nibs might be available at old shops like Deccan who maintain a good inventory of spares.

 

HTH

Edited December 20, 2015 by hari317

[Sagarb]

Thanks Hari..

[ajaynatu]

Hello Ladies and Gentleman,

This is my first review in here, thought I would share some of my experience on the Elegante.

 

First of all, Hari an excellent review Superb closeup photos too giving a very realistic image of what the real thing is like.

Your review and feedback from all members has been indeed very helpful to choose between Elegante or SD.

Ordered it and glad to have bought this. It is one of the best buys this year

 

Few points I have been reading about this pen which I would like to answer. (Compared with two other pens- Parker Vector and Luxor V5)

 

1. Grip Read in couple of reviews regarding the thick grip and the "curve" at the grip which makes it awkward to hold. Honestly, have not felt so at all. The grip is pretty medium, larger than Parker Vector and comparable to the Luxor V5. It wont create any problems holding it. I am an average 5'10 and people of same build, hand and finger size wont be any problem. Also on Parker Vector the metal body starts to feel slippery due to metal, small grip and feels tiresome after writing couple of pages. Been nice to hold the Elegante and feel firm in hand, it makes one feel like holding a pen with substance .

 

2. Nib and feeder: It says Fine on the nib and it is comparable to the Luxor V5 0.5 and Parker Fine nib. Few claim it is 0.7 / medium kinds. Its all about the pressure on puts when writing it. I just touch the nib on paper and rest the pen does, so would say- it is Fine. It is way too smoooooother and fluent than Parker which felt a bit rough. Parker Fine nibs give a feedback making it bit of a dragging experience. However on Elegante the nib just flows and slides over the paper. It is not only the nib but also the feeder which ensures the nib slides. The feeder ensures that there is even flow of ink through out the writing experience. The writing it leaves is slightly wet and not dry, personally i prefer that over the dry and dragging. This ensures that one gets to write about 6 pages i.e 12 sides without a refill.

 

3. Plastic construction and feel in hand: The cap is made of brass(as they say). The cap has a "matte" finish, not a glossy one. The clip and top is glossy. Gives a fair enough good contrast to add some "looks" to it when taking it out of the pocket . The pen itself- very much plastic. If I try to weigh both the cap and pen separately, roughly they feel of same weight, it is that light weight ( just a feel factor how I felt). However this does not mean it is a cheap construction. It has fallen from 2 floors down and did not crack anywhere, so would say its good strong plastic. It makes one feel pretty solid holding it. The size if compared to other two is larger. It rests pretty well in between my thumb and index finger(which parker does not, Luxor does) , hence never needed to put the clip on the rear. Without the clip it is very much balanced (Parker and Luxor both feel well balanced without the cap placed on top) , with clip Elegante and Parker feel a bit -top heavy.

 

4. Ink filling: Personally always been a fan of eyedroppers(good old school days) , however this comes with the standard piston filling( as seen in the photo by Hari). When I immersed the nib in the pen and pulled the piston it just filled half. Had to dip the whole nib till the grip when it got filled. In parker just dipping the top nib was sufficient. For Luxor pulling the whole top part out and then refuel it seemed very tedious. Some other reviews I read people have tried removing the piston converter and used it as eyedropper!!! Few said it worked , few said it leaked. Need to substantiate it. Not sure and hence wont try this out to spoil such a nice piece. If anyone has tried would love to hear your experience.

 

5. Writing after 3 weeks: For Luxor, it works immediately! Even after 6 months it worked like magic. For Parker bit of dipping, or couple of splashing out and it starts. For Elegante it did not start immediately. From school days used to have an Airmail (unfortunately misplaced it when i shifted) it used to work like a beauty even after 3 weeks. Elegante on this aspect did not fair so well. However, how many of us are not going to use their Pen for 3 weeks, always something to write, sign or pen down . It worked fairly after a break of one week.

 

6. Colour: Personally the "looks" of a pen hardly matter to me. Its the balance in hand and the nib which are the real heart and soul. We pay crazy on high class pens just for the looks. For few people this matters more- individual choice and nothing against it. Parker gives a good classy look, Luxor makes one feel more of a student than a person with authority or executive. Elegante would be a mix of both and middle of both. Neither a college going look nor an Executive look. On looks it does fair enough justice- The cap and two metal rings is all that makes it stand apart. Would have loved if they would have made more colours than Maroon, Black and Blue. Nonetheless these colours are the royal colours and pretty good than what Reynolds have- bright designs which are more for school going kids to attract them. This does enough for me.

 

7. Spare Nibs and feeder: Not sure if there are spare nibs available online. I am at a location which is 100s of km away from any civilization in a jungle or a desert and only way is to order online (thankfully speed post delivers faster than couriers ) . After using this nib, I would personally not place any other nib. I am pretty happy about it. (always good habit to have spare nibs, dont know when one drops it and needs to change).

 

8. Recommended for: Its a must for student. At this price range where one is still studying and not earning, this sounds a good buy, though not the best as Luxor beats this is VFM. Parker, would never recommend it for students. If someone wants to carry it for exams- carry 2 atleast, all due to the limited piston converter capacity. Luxor- would be best. If you are an executive sitting in a board of meetings where you want to make a statement by what you carry then there are many other alternatives. This is fair on looks and pleasure for writing .

 

9. Value for Money: For a standard person like me or a student, Luxor beats Elegante and Parker. However for a fountain pen- This is an excellent VFM

 

Well, this sums up my experience after using it. Anyone has anything more to add to this or share their side we all would love to hear it .

 

Using Parker Quink as Camlin Royal blue seems a lot "wattery". Quink fades away after few months which is my concern. Missing the good old Chelpark.

Still looking for that PERFECT COMBINATION OF BLUE which still remains elusive and is yet to be discovered .

Edited May 4, 2016 by ajaynatu

[nis1598la]

Camlin is a very old stationery goods manufacturer based in my city Mumbai in India. The majority stake of the company was sold last year by the son of the founder, to the Japanese stationery giant Kokuyo. Speculation was rife about the future of Camlin, but it appears that under the Kokuyo management, Camlin is going to continue to make more fountain pens. The Elegante is the first new model to come out, and the Sharad Dandekar aka SD pen has also been re-issued with some price adjustments.

 

The Elegante is a cartridge converter pen, features a plated brass snap cap and can be filled as an ED in addition to C/C, thanks to the fine section threads. The nib is gold plated steel with a nicely finned modern plastic feeder.

 

The pen comes packed in a simple triangular carboard packing with a slide out cardboard pen tray. i immediately discarded the packing after taking pics

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Camlin%20Elegante/IMG_8086.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Camlin%20Elegante/IMG_8087.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Camlin%20Elegante/IMG_8088.jpg

 

 

The Pen:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Camlin%20Elegante/IMG_8089.jpg

 

Uncapped:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Camlin%20Elegante/IMG_8090.jpg

 

Opened to show the slide converter:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Camlin%20Elegante/IMG_8091.jpg

 

The GP steel nib:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Camlin%20Elegante/IMG_8092.jpg

 

Finned Plastic feeder:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Camlin%20Elegante/IMG_8093.jpg

 

Fine section threads permit use of the pen in ED mode:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Camlin%20Elegante/IMG_8094.jpg

 

Glamour shot!

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Camlin%20Elegante/IMG_8095.jpg

 

Writing sample:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/Camlin%20Elegante/IMG_8097.jpg

 

The pen is very well built in my opinion, considering the 180INR (3.5USD approximately) that I paid for it. The pen wrote consistently well from the first stroke itself. Superb achievement Camlin-Kokuyo!

 

Cheers!

Hari

[nis1598la]

hi from where I can this pen?? plz tell me

[Sagarb]

hi from where I can this pen?? plz tell me

http://www.amazon.in/Camlin-Elegante-Fountain-Pen-Black/dp/B00LY17RHI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462863756&sr=8-1&keywords=camlin+fountain+pen

[ajaynatu]

Has anyone tried filling ink without the converter, as eye dropper ... ?

[hari317]

Hello Ladies and Gentleman,

This is my first review in here,...

Nice review, thanks!

[stationeryhutindia]

What a detailed review..!!

But is it as good as Parker - Vector Standard CT Fountain Pen? Since the price range of both the pens is somewhat similar as I just checked here: http://www.stationeryhut.in/Vector-Standard-CT-Fountain-Pen-Black

[ajaynatu]

What a detailed review..!!

But is it as good as Parker - Vector Standard CT Fountain Pen? Since the price range of both the pens is somewhat similar as I just checked here: http://www.stationeryhut.in/Vector-Standard-CT-Fountain-Pen-Black

Apologies for the extreme delayed reply!!!!

 

I would strongly suggest you go for this . There will never be; should not be any doubt in choosing it. "Price never decides how a pen would write; its in the pens construction and in the designers' understanding how well he 'understands' a writer.

After using many different Parkers- there are in my least favourite pens! Total waste of money! Will never accept it even if offered free!!!!!! :angry: :angry:

 

Go for it , eyes shut!!!! Will never regret going for Camlin . Parker- you 'may' regret within 3-4weeks.

[ajaynatu]

Nice review, thanks!

Thank you Hari.

Apologies for the delayed reply.

 

With a right Pen in hand, looking for a right ink. Already searching for one in other forums.

Hope to find something which would flow with the 'wet writing' of Elegante.

 

Enjoying writing every page with this :)

 

Is it possible to get spare nibs for Elegante? Have been searching online, have not been lucky so far.

[drmukherjee]

Thank you Hari.

Apologies for the delayed reply.

 

With a right Pen in hand, looking for a right ink. Already searching for one in other forums.

Hope to find something which would flow with the 'wet writing' of Elegante.

 

Enjoying writing every page with this :)

 

Is it possible to get spare nibs for Elegante? Have been searching online, have not been lucky so far.

Use Kanwrite #5 .5 awesome nibs and fits in elegante