The Gama Supreme

[hari317]

 

My experience too.

 

So far, only Kandan of Ranga pens has been easily accessible. ASA pens seems to be as well, hope they sustain this over time.

Any pen seller is dependent on the whims and fancies of the small time pen makers who suddenly stop, frequently modify designs etc. I think ASApens might be similarly susceptible. One cannot provide what does not exist anymore. Similarly some pens are made in materials that were old stock and once the raw material is gone, its gone... what can the pen maker do?

Edited October 18, 2013 by hari317

[shrujaya]

Dear Hari...thank you so much...I received the Gama Supreme yesterday morning, and spent the whole morning appreciating its looks...it has been quite a while since I had seen a well-made and good looking ebonite pen of this size apart from the ones made by Deccan...and the ripples...wow...again, it is after a long time that I saw a good rippled ebonite FP...the last one I think was the Ratnamson Supreme Green ebonite...and in the evening I inked it with Pelikan Brilliant Black and the writing was nice, smooth, and easy...and the fact that you had fit in an 'Adv' nib I think helped the cause...

 

I only hope that this current batch of the Gama Supreme is not a one-off thing and that they would continue to produce this pen with the consistency that would build on the goodwill generated by this pen...

 

Thanks again, Hari...

 

Jai

[hari317]

 

 

Dear Jai, thanks for sharing your valuable feedback and thoughts about the pen.

 

Best

Hari

[rajmo]

 

The following procedure for filling and priming an Indian ED may be helpful:

 

1. Apply silicone grease on the section threads and screw and unscrew the section a couple of times to let the grease penetrate

 

Can you please tell where I can get silicon grease in India. The hardware shops in the place where I live show me sealant spray saying this is "silicon". My plumber tells me that sealant is washable and can be used on FP threads. Thanks

Rajan

[hari317]

 

Can you please tell where I can get silicon grease in India. The hardware shops in the place where I live show me sealant spray saying this is "silicon". My plumber tells me that sealant is washable and can be used on FP threads. Thanks

Rajan

In India? OK, buy it from the Goodwill hardware stores at Chembur Naka, Mumbai. Seriously, you need to tell where in India you are located, our country stretches from Karakoram to the Andamans!

 

Don't buy the plumber stuff. look for Metroark 211 compound.

 

Even candle wax gently rubbed to the section threads will work beautifully.

[Hema]

In India? OK, buy it from the Goodwill hardware stores at Chembur Naka, Mumbai. Seriously, you need to tell where in India you are located, our country stretches from Karakoram to the Andamans!

 

Don't buy the plumber stuff. look for Metroark 211 compound.

 

Even candle wax gently rubbed to the section threads will work beautifully.

Hi Hari,

 

I normally use Vaseline... is that okay?

[rajmo]

In India? OK, buy it from the Goodwill hardware stores at Chembur Naka, Mumbai. Seriously, you need to tell where in India you are located, our country stretches from Karakoram to the Andamans!

 

Don't buy the plumber stuff. look for Metroark 211 compound.

 

Even candle wax gently rubbed to the section threads will work beautifully.

I am from Thrissur, Kerala.

[hari317]

I am from Thrissur, Kerala.

You are a very lucky man to live in the proximity of Vadakkunnathan. Beautiful place, I have visited several times.

 

Unfortunately, I have not looked for pen related stuff at Thrissur. so I don't have any specific leads to help you.

[Hema]

You are a very lucky man to live in the proximity of Vadakkunnathan. Beautiful place, I have visited several times.

 

Unfortunately, I have not looked for pen related stuff at Thrissur. so I don't have any specific leads to help you.

Maybe it's time to make a trip Hari and share more spectacular discoveries with us

[Mesu]

I normally use Vaseline... is that okay?

 

Mr. Krishnamurthy of Meenakshi Stores suggested the same when i was looking for silicon gel/grease

[rwilsonedn]

Hari:

As you suggested, ASA pens seems to be quite willing to respond to communication. I was able to reach them through their store on eBay India. And thank you for once again finding a remarkable pen that I would not have seen otherwise. (But I'm not sure my budget thanks you.)

ron

[setriode]

Thrissur is one of perhaps three places I fantasize about retiring in. I haven't been there yet but the fantasy is lovely.

[subbucal]

I am from Thrissur, Kerala.

Sir,

 

Look for Silicon Grease at shops which sell electronic spares...Its a important paste used on Heat-sink ( a Metal used to absorb heat from IC etc). Its commonly applied by TV/radio technicians.

 

Silica Grease is a better option to Vaseline..Vaseline provides only lubrication, whereas Silica Gel is also acts as a sealant...when applied to section threads it acts as a lubricant as well as a sealant. So, ink leaks/seeps can also be minimised....Again, when you hold the section (while writing) body heat passed on to section is absorbed by the grease due to their heat absorbing properties.

[hari317]

Hari:

As you suggested, ASA pens seems to be quite willing to respond to communication. I was able to reach them through their store on eBay India. And thank you for once again finding a remarkable pen that I would not have seen otherwise. (But I'm not sure my budget thanks you.)

ron

Thank you Ron, buying from ASAPENS I am sure your wallet will only be delighted.

[subbucal]

Sir,

 

Look for Silicon Grease at shops which sell electronic spares...Its a important paste used on Heat-sink ( a Metal used to absorb heat from IC etc). Its commonly applied by TV/radio technicians.

 

Silica Grease is a better option to Vaseline..Vaseline provides only lubrication, whereas Silica Gel is also acts as a sealant...when applied to section threads it acts as a lubricant as well as a sealant. So, ink leaks/seeps can also be minimised....Again, when you hold the section (while writing) body heat passed on to section is absorbed by the grease due to their heat absorbing properties.

While buying Silicon Grease ensure its Pure Silicon Grease....it should not be mixed with Alumina powder, as it may have adverse effect on the threads...look for Metroark 211...

[majorworks]

Thank you Ron, buying from ASAPENS I am sure your wallet will only be delighted.

 

Hari:

 

I'm thinking about ordering a Gama Supreme. Could you comment on, or even post a photo, of the pen in comparison to a Ratnamson Supreme in terms of size?

 

Thanks,

David

[hari317]

 

Hari:

 

I'm thinking about ordering a Gama Supreme. Could you comment on, or even post a photo, of the pen in comparison to a Ratnamson Supreme in terms of size?

 

Thanks,

David

Clash of the Supremes... Ok, I just now located and took out my Ratnamson Supreme to provide the pics, pls forgive the quick grainy images, working with a handheld camera

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/GamaSupreme/IMG_9177.jpg

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/GamaSupreme/IMG_9180.jpg

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/GamaSupreme/IMG_9183.jpg

 

HTH

 

Hari

[majorworks]

Ask and ye shall receive... thanks, Hari. Wow, it's a little bigger than the Ratnamson! Well, that doesn't scare me (as he pulls out his Varuna Gajendra and steps in to face Adam Wainwright...).

 

The only thing about the Gama that doesn't grab me is the cap ring. I'm not crazy about that way of having it at the very end of the cap. I like the Ratnamson's slightly set-back, two-ring style better. I'd like the Gama more if it had no cap ring at all vs. what it does have.

 

What does appeal to me vs. the Ratnamson is the Gama's longer and thicker section. I like 'em fat.

 

Thanks again for the comparison photos!

[hari317]

Ask and ye shall receive... thanks, Hari. Wow, it's a little bigger than the Ratnamson! Well, that doesn't scare me (as he pulls out his Varuna Gajendra and steps in to face Adam Wainwright...).

 

The only thing about the Gama that doesn't grab me is the cap ring. I'm not crazy about that way of having it at the very end of the cap. I like the Ratnamson's slightly set-back, two-ring style better. I'd like the Gama more if it had no cap ring at all vs. what it does have.

 

What does appeal to me vs. the Ratnamson is the Gama's longer and thicker section. I like 'em fat.

 

Thanks again for the comparison photos!

 

Yes, it is a nice thick pen, in fact, it is the thickest Indian Ebonite pen that I have seen to date...

 

If you see the pic where I show the inner cap, you will notice that the cap's lip thins down, so this metal ring has a functional requirement to be there to provide a long service life to the cap.

 

I am sure the aesthetics can be improved, there is a huge scope, I think Gem should do that, develop on this solid foundation.

[Sudhir]

Sir,

 

Look for Silicon Grease at shops which sell electronic spares...Its a important paste used on Heat-sink ( a Metal used to absorb heat from IC etc). Its commonly applied by TV/radio technicians.

 

Silica Grease is a better option to Vaseline..Vaseline provides only lubrication, whereas Silica Gel is also acts as a sealant...when applied to section threads it acts as a lubricant as well as a sealant. So, ink leaks/seeps can also be minimised....Again, when you hold the section (while writing) body heat passed on to section is absorbed by the grease due to their heat absorbing properties.

 

You should be able to get Heat-sink paste at a computer repair shop as well. It is used to insulate almost all CPUs. If you have a PC repair guy or a shop, ask them to get the heat-sink paste.

 

I have also used Silicone lubricant in highly viscous liquid form - it came as a lubricant for my treadmill. It is a bit like the silicone you get along with TWSBI pens, but in mega quantities. So you can also check out a fitness shop as well. Most treadmills come with silicone lubricant in either bottles (viscous liquid) or spray form. The sprays are tricky to use, but the bottles come with nozzle and are really easy to use. I typically use an ear bud to dip into the bottle and apply the lubricant.

 

But the best option is Metroark 211 - it is quite commonly available.