The ‘Himalaya’, From Fountain Pen Revolution

[Jamerelbe]

I do like the Himalaya - I seem to have collected a few over the years... [Bottom 3 are v2s, with #6 nibs.]

 

[mouse2cat]

On 4/27/2021 at 5:40 AM, Jamerelbe said:

I do like the Himalaya - I seem to have collected a few over the years... [Bottom 3 are v2s, with #6 nibs.]

 

 

Wow! What a collection you got there. How do you feel about the ebonite one vs the acrylic? I kind of like the vintage look of the ebonite. 

[Jamerelbe]

48 minutes ago, mouse2cat said:

 

Wow! What a collection you got there. How do you feel about the ebonite one vs the acrylic? I kind of like the vintage look of the ebonite. 

 

I think I have a marginal preference for the acrylics, but only because they're so colourful.  I suspect the ebonite material is likely to be more durable, though.  There's very little difference in terms of weight, manufacturing quality or performance - I really like them both!

 

The one thing to be aware if (if you want to buy an ebonite pen) is that removing the feed feed will require a little more effort: the friction forces that build between ebonite and ebonite are greater than for ebonite and acrylic.  

[mouse2cat]

Jamerelbe, so I have a collection of hair sticks for long hair and the acrylic ones look too much like hair sticks to me. I need my collections to look slightly different from each other... But as an art professor I could rock the most flamboyant pen at my workspace and no one would bat an eye. 

 

PS the pen bbs 267 might just be a hairstick disguised as a pen, 

[Jamerelbe]

19 minutes ago, mouse2cat said:

Jamerelbe, so I have a collection of hair sticks for long hair and the acrylic ones look too much like hair sticks to me. I need my collections to look slightly different from each other... But as an art professor I could rock the most flamboyant pen at my workspace and no one would bat an eye. 

 

PS the pen bbs 267 might just be a hairstick disguised as a pen, 

 

I suppose the Himalayas could double as hair sticks too - never have to go looking for a pen 😮??  The ebonite Himalayas are great pens, if that's your preference!

[Gawain]

I don't want to author a full review, just a word of warning.

I purchased the FPN Quickdraw with magnetic cap.

Pen is nice, writes well but dries out after a couple days.

MY FPN Quickdraw is in my box of failures.

 

Your mileage may vary.

[A Smug Dill]

7 hours ago, Gawain said:

I purchased the FPN Quickdraw with magnetic cap.

 

Which interesting forum feature is that? 😁

 

7 hours ago, Gawain said:

dries out after a couple days.

 

Thanks for the heads-up all the same.

 

Is there a FPR pen model that actually seals well enough, such that a full converter's fill of ink will not be all lost to evaporation after sitting capped and undisturbed for a month? (I'm not at all interested in filling the barrel with an eyedropper, or using one of the brand's piston-fillers; the issue here is not of ink capacity.) My usual threshold of acceptability in that regard is not drying out completely in two whole months, and consider three months to be the criterion for 'average' performance in a fountain pen that is fit for purpose.

[JNeffLind]

Gorgeous pens.  Love how deep the pattern goes, like it permeates the resin, instead of simply sitting on top.

[mouse2cat]

On 6/2/2021 at 2:17 PM, A Smug Dill said:

 

Which interesting forum feature is that? 😁

 

 

Thanks for the heads-up all the same.

 

Is there a FPR pen model that actually seals well enough, such that a full converter's fill of ink will not be all lost to evaporation after sitting capped and undisturbed for a month? (I'm not at all interested in filling the barrel with an eyedropper, or using one of the brand's piston-fillers; the issue here is not of ink capacity.) My usual threshold of acceptability in that regard is not drying out completely in two whole months, and consider three months to be the criterion for 'average' performance in a fountain pen that is fit for purpose.

 

My Himalaya V2 in ebonite is still rocking it's first fill with hardly any evaporation. (I have a bunch of pens inked and I use them slowly) When I open the cap there is condensation on the nib and grip. Which seems like it would indicate a pretty good seal to me. But I may have gotten lucky with a particularly good pen. 

[A Smug Dill]

10 minutes ago, mouse2cat said:

But I may have gotten lucky with a particularly good pen.

 

I'd say so.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/gallery/image/1597-my-fpr-himalaya-v1-in-emerald-green-acrylic-has-a-leaky-cap/

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/gallery/image/1596-my-fpr-himalaya-pens-have-leaky-caps/

 

[Jamerelbe]

I haven't had issues with my Himalayas drying out - but there's a simple solution to the problem @A Smug Dill has identified, if it's a problem for you: The finial screws off, and applying silicone grease to the threads that affix it to the cap will reduce, if not eliminate, any air leakage (and consequent ink dry-out) arising from that quarter.  

[Sk33t3r]

I never realized that Fountain Pen Revolution was so close to me and that they even had a small storefront. After reading this review I wandered by their store yesterday after work and grabbed one of the Himalaya V2 pens in full ebonite. It is the brown and black version. Anyway, I inked it up this morning and played with it some at work where it'll get used. The pen feels great! The nib is very smooth and pretty wet when using Noodler's Antifascist Blue. It's a keeper for sure and has me wanting another.

[Jamerelbe]

41 minutes ago, Sk33t3r said:

I never realized that Fountain Pen Revolution was so close to me and that they even had a small storefront. After reading this review I wandered by their store yesterday after work and grabbed one of the Himalaya V2 pens in full ebonite. It is the brown and black version. Anyway, I inked it up this morning and played with it some at work where it'll get used. The pen feels great! The nib is very smooth and pretty wet when using Noodler's Antifascist Blue. It's a keeper for sure and has me wanting another.

 

Glad to hear you're enjoying your new pen - and yes, Kevin's had a storefront for a couple of years now.  No branches our outposts in Australia, sadly, so I'm still reliant on international shipping to get my pens.

 

The Himalaya V2s had some problems with nibs and feeds when they first came out, but Kevin's been tinkering and adjusting the product line ever since - I would expect they'd generally write well out of the box now, whereas my first V2 (purchased 2 years ago?) needed some aftermarket care to get a consistent flow.

[peroride]

On 6/14/2021 at 6:08 AM, Jamerelbe said:

applying silicone grease to the threads that affix it to the cap will reduce, if not eliminate, any air leakage

Excellent! Thank you for that gem. I was thinking makeshift plastic cap liners but your idea makes total sense 👋

[mouse2cat]

On 6/13/2021 at 11:05 PM, A Smug Dill said:

 

I'd say so.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/gallery/image/1597-my-fpr-himalaya-v1-in-emerald-green-acrylic-has-a-leaky-cap/

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/gallery/image/1596-my-fpr-himalaya-pens-have-leaky-caps/

 

 

Smug, these all look like issues with the v1 and its my v2 that seems more airtight. My v1 is certainly splashier and dries out faster. lol Esp uncapping it after that airplane flight. Still love that messy little pen. 

[A Smug Dill]

3 minutes ago, mouse2cat said:

Smug, these all look like issues with the v1 and its my v2 that seems more airtight.

 

I see. Well, on account of my experience with the six Himalaya v1 pens I have, I've written off FPR completely for future purchases. Quite frankly, most Chinese pens at a similar price point as the Indian-made Himalaya will likely please me far better.

[mouse2cat]

9 minutes ago, A Smug Dill said:

 

I see. Well, on account of my experience with the six Himalaya v1 pens I have, I've written off FPR completely for future purchases. Quite frankly, most Chinese pens at a similar price point as the Indian-made Himalaya will likely please me far better.

 

Fair enough. I am using this for sketching so being able to flex out a little wetter line on watercolor paper works well for me. I don't generally use this pen for writing because it's just way too wet for most papers. 

 

I think the build of the V2 is a distinct improvement over the v1 but I totally understand if your experience is enough for you decide you are looking for something different in a pen at this price.