Asa Pens: 3 Thumbs Up!

[NewPenMan]

OK, I don't have three thumbs, but if I did, they'd all be up.

 

Just received my 3rd order from Mr. Subramaniam, and it won't be my last.

 

The pens are excellent writers, beautiful aesthetically, and I personally prize that these miracles are hand made by artisans out of what is essentially tree sap! (The ebonite models).

 

Some have commented that there are imperfections in the pens themslves..little nicks, what have you.

 

I personally don't see them as imperfections..to me they are part of what brought them into existence, just as if you'd nicked a favorite pen, you might view it as character.

 

I feel lucky to see these little nicks; the pens are by no means made sloppily or carelessly. They are not made in perfectly-controlled manufacturing facilities, to my knowledge. Judging from you tubes, they're often in what look like garage space work areas.

 

The geek in me just can't get over how cool these pens are.

 

I recommend ASA pens without reservation, as well as the brands offered: ASA, Gama, Wality, and a few others I don't recall.

 

IMHO, if you are a pen collector or user, you owe it to yourself to get some of these excellent pens!

Edited June 3, 2017 by NewPenMan

[PS104]

Just received my 3rd order from Mr. Subramaniam, and it won't be my last.

Link ?

Thank you

[fpwriter]

OK, I don't have three thumbs, but if I did, they'd all be up.

 

Just received my 3rd order from Mr. Subramaniam, and it won't be my last.

 

The pens are excellent writers, beautiful aesthetically, and I personally prize that these miracles are hand made by artisans out of what is essentially tree sap! (The ebonite models).

 

Some have commented that there are imperfections in the pens themslves..little nicks, what have you.

 

I personally don't see them as imperfections..to me they are part of what brought them into existence, just as if you'd nicked a favorite pen, you might view it as character.

 

I feel lucky to see these little nicks; the pens are by no means made sloppily or carelessly. They are not made in perfectly-controlled manufacturing facilities, to my knowledge. Judging from you tubes, they're often in what look like garage space work areas.

 

The geek in me just can't get over how cool these pens are.

 

I recommend ASA pens without reservation, as well as the brands offered: ASA, Gama, Wality, and a few others I don't recall.

 

IMHO, if you are a pen collector or user, you owe it to yourself to get some of these excellent pens!

Hi Newpenman,

 

While your sentiments represent one side of the coin, I would like to put forth the flip side of it too.

 

Now there are a handful of pen turners in India and most of them have their own in house pen turners. To the best of my knowledge this is not true for ASA pens. They merely outsource pens to people who make pens for various manufacturers. Hence they seem to have no control over their delivery schedules and to my eyes quality too.

The substandard workmanship can't really be masked as character, that is like calling a dent in the bodywork of a car as it's design feature. The other pen makers make their pens in the exact same fashion (hand turned without the use of CNCs) yet their finishes are far superior.

I have personally had to return two pens that I ordered from ASA because the workmanship was so poor that I wouldn't gift them to my worst enemy. When I reached out to ASA with images of the poor finish (images that I may still have somewhere) I got a lame reply from the guy running the show that the pens were meant for someone else and were sent to me by mistake. Now I don't understand what sort of justification that was and why would someone else deserve such a pen but I knew arguing was futile so merely asked for the pens to be replaced and told them I would send back the crappy ones once I have received the replacement. In the end due to some goof ups in my other orders too, I got my money refunded and returned the pens and that was the end of it.

I have over ten pens that I have got made from ASA. Some of them have been finished well and some others I have simply got myself to tolerate. What I can't tolerate is the rather stupid justifications given by the owner for the lack of commitment to do a decent job. Like this one pen that I got made with some imported ebonite rods. The body and the cap look distinctly different despite being made from the same rods. Subbus justification for this was that since the material in the cap of the pen is thinner than the barrel, it can't be finished to a same level. Now this was a blatant lie since another pen maker has made a pen with the exact same ebonite rods and the finish is even for the barrel and the cap.

 

My humble submission to you sir, is please do not qualify such substandard workmanship as something to be cherished as this validates the Pen brand selling (bleep) to people. And statement such as yours will be used as a justification to other customers who complain of the shoddy finish.

 

There are many others who provide much higher quality and value while still staying true to making pens using a traditional manufacturing set up. Ranga, Guider and Fosfor Pens are names that come to mind. While I have only just ordered my first few pens with them, I have seen their pens with other enthusiasts in the meets and there is a clear difference in over all quality, fit and finish and attention to detail.

 

Like I said, I have over ten pens from ASA and less than 3 from all the other Indian manufacturers put together. I have decided to not purchase any more pens from ASA till they are able to get their act together.

 

I have and use pens from many pen makers both Indian and international. If we are to have local makes that can match up to what is being produced else where we have to be more genuine in accepting what is really being produced and sold rather than simply glorifying everything irrespective of its true value.

I know I have drawn a bullseye on my back by saying this and the fan boys will be here to take potshots at me but that won't stop me from calling a spade a spade. The intention is to only give a true representation of facts.

 

Cheers!

Edited June 4, 2017 by fpwriter

[NewPenMan]

Thanks you for the flip side..which India pen turners do you like/recommend?

[fpwriter]

Thanks you for the flip side..which India pen turners do you like/recommend?

Hi Newpenman

I have mentioned makers like Ranga, Guider and Fosfor in my reply above. I currently have a couple from Guider and have orders placed on both Ranga and Fosfor. But from the pens I have seen with other enthusiasts in the meets, I would recommend any of them as a better alternative to ASA, atleast at the moment based on the over all quality and finish of each one of them.

There may be more manufacturers that I am not aware of.

Cheers.

Edited June 4, 2017 by fpwriter

[joly1]

I own a ranga 4c red rippled ebonite, perfectly polished, free of any ding or lathe marks, with cap and barrel turned in the same rod, it shows that it has been made with expertise and care, I often just take it off to admire it, I could not recommand more this pen maker.

[Arkanabar]

I have an FPR Himalaya in green mottled ebonite. It has rather variable finish; a little of it is perfectly polished, but it's bakul on the section, and most of it has fine lathe lines. And there is a small rough spot in the cap, which I suspect is the result of a void in the rod from which it was turned. Other than that, I have no complaints about fit or workmanship. And none of this really bothers me, as I figure that's the trade-off when you buy a $30 handmade pen -- that they economize a bit on the polishing. A number of ASA's pens are in this price range.

 

I do not doubt that Ranga pens are quite a bit more polished, and I wouldn't mind having a No. 8 (cos it's a reasonable size, as opposed to the sort of giant pens that Indian hand-turners make so many of). But I'm still desperately poor, and can't afford such a thing.

[Kelly G]

I have a GAMA From ASA and it is quite nice in fit and finish. I can't speak to their other models. I have three Ranga's, all three are very nice. I too appreciate the craftsmanship of these hand made pens.

Edited June 5, 2017 by Kelly G

[Freddy]

Hi Newpenman,

 

While your sentiments represent one side of the coin, I would like to put forth the flip side of it too.

 

Now there are a handful of pen turners in India and most of them have their own in house pen turners. To the best of my knowledge this is not true for ASA pens. They merely outsource pens to people who make pens for various manufacturers. Hence they seem to have no control over their delivery schedules and to my eyes quality too.

The substandard workmanship can't really be masked as character, that is like calling a dent in the bodywork of a car as it's design feature. The other pen makers make their pens in the exact same fashion (hand turned without the use of CNCs) yet their finishes are far superior.

I have personally had to return two pens that I ordered from ASA because the workmanship was so poor that I wouldn't gift them to my worst enemy. When I reached out to ASA with images of the poor finish (images that I may still have somewhere) I got a lame reply from the guy running the show that the pens were meant for someone else and were sent to me by mistake. Now I don't understand what sort of justification that was and why would someone else deserve such a pen but I knew arguing was futile so merely asked for the pens to be replaced and told them I would send back the crappy ones once I have received the replacement. In the end due to some goof ups in my other orders too, I got my money refunded and returned the pens and that was the end of it.

I have over ten pens that I have got made from ASA. Some of them have been finished well and some others I have simply got myself to tolerate. What I can't tolerate is the rather stupid justifications given by the owner for the lack of commitment to do a decent job. Like this one pen that I got made with some imported ebonite rods. The body and the cap look distinctly different despite being made from the same rods. Subbus justification for this was that since the material in the cap of the pen is thinner than the barrel, it can't be finished to a same level. Now this was a blatant lie since another pen maker has made a pen with the exact same ebonite rods and the finish is even for the barrel and the cap.

 

My humble submission to you sir, is please do not qualify such substandard workmanship as something to be cherished as this validates the Pen brand selling (bleep) to people. And statement such as yours will be used as a justification to other customers who complain of the shoddy finish.

 

There are many others who provide much higher quality and value while still staying true to making pens using a traditional manufacturing set up. Ranga, Guider and Fosfor Pens are names that come to mind. While I have only just ordered my first few pens with them, I have seen their pens with other enthusiasts in the meets and there is a clear difference in over all quality, fit and finish and attention to detail.

 

Like I said, I have over ten pens from ASA and less than 3 from all the other Indian manufacturers put together. I have decided to not purchase any more pens from ASA till they are able to get their act together.

 

I have and use pens from many pen makers both Indian and international. If we are to have local makes that can match up to what is being produced else where we have to be more genuine in accepting what is really being produced and sold rather than simply glorifying everything irrespective of its true value.

I know I have drawn a bullseye on my back by saying this and the fan boys will be here to take potshots at me but that won't stop me from calling a spade a spade. The intention is to only give a true representation of facts.

 

Cheers!

 

Welcome..fpwriter....After reading every post {21} that you made here {FPN}....Your above personal opinion

is without merit....i. e. hogwash.....'Tis of course my personal opinion and you should provide evidence..You claim to have 7 Asa Nauka and waiting

on 2 more.......herehttps://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/313186-asa-nauka-in-blue-and-red-ebonite/?p=3700895

Additionally..you claim to have perhaps a dozen or so Asa pens.....So..in your opinion only 2 or 3 are problematic....

 

I have over a baker's dozen pens from Asa..without any issues whatsoever....Re Fosfor pens...he is a one man operation

and has made a number of custom pens for me..without any issues....The other companies you mentioned..I also

have many pens from them..no problemo..whatsoever..If I did I would make contact and work out a solution....Not

bellyache publicly....My prerogative....................Of course this is my personal opinion and yours has..will..may vary....

 

Redacting: How is the puppy doing?

 

Still your friend and mine..

 

Fred

Edited June 5, 2017 by Freddy

[fpwriter]

 

Welcome..fpwriter....After reading every post {21} that you made here {FPN}....Your above personal opinion

is without merit....i. e. hogwash.....'Tis of course my personal opinion and you should provide evidence..You claim to have 7 Asa Nauka and waiting

on 2 more.......herehttps://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/313186-asa-nauka-in-blue-and-red-ebonite/?p=3700895

Additionally..you claim to have perhaps a dozen or so Asa pens.....So..in your opinion only 2 or 3 are problematic....

 

I have over a baker's dozen pens from Asa..without any issues whatsoever....Re Fosfor pens...he is a one man operation

and has made a number of custom pens for me..without any issues....The other companies you mentioned..I also

have many pens from them..no problemo..whatsoever..If I did I would make contact and work out a solution....Not

bellyache publicly....My prerogative....................Of course this is my personal opinion and yours has..will..may vary....

 

Redacting: How is the puppy doing?

 

Still your friend and mine..

 

Fred

Hi Fred.

Thanks for forming your opinion and calling mine hogwash.

Though I need to prove nothing to you or anyone else, I will refute your statement only because I wouldn't want anyone else to blindly follow the over rated praises for a sub standard product.

 

My name is Kshitij Shetty and I am from Mumbai, India. I leave it to Mr. Subramaniam of ASA pens to confirm the following:

1. The total number of pens I got from him.

*I got into ASA pens relatively earlier as compared to getting pens from other makes so frankly I do not remember the exact number but my conservative estimate is that I have over 10 of his pens.

 

2. Out of the total, how many pens were delivered to me within the promised delivery time. Or rather if even one single pen was ever delivered to me without me having to follow up with him repeatedly and after multiple failed dates promised by him.

 

3. How many times have I written to him informing him that there has been an issue with the fit or finish of the pen and provided images of the said pens.

*most of the times when this happened, he offered for me to send the pens back to and said he will rework them and return them. But I decided against it cause it would take forever for a pen to come back from him (more on this later).

 

3. Wether or not he has given me reasons like,

"The pen was meant for someone else and not you hence the issues with it" and "the cap is thinner than the barrel so can't be polished to the same level as the barrel"

when i have complained about issues in the pens.

 

Now I leave it to the owner of ASA pens to honestly answer the above three questions and you can make your mind up about how much of what I say is true and how much is hogwash.

 

Yes I may have made 21 posts only to date and most of it may have been only about ASA. I am relatively new to the hobby and though there are Montblancs, Nakayas, Lamys and Pilots among my small collection of pens, I think enough has been presented in the forums about them in all aspects and there is little or nothing I can add of value to discussions about them.

 

Also I am not sure how well versed you are with the Indian pen community but I can give you multiple examples of people who have been waiting for over one year to get back the pens they have paid for in full and returned to subbu for some or the other kind of repair and are yet to receive them back despite repeated follow ups with subbu. If subbu refutes this, I can name the customers with their permission.

 

If subbu can refute any of the above statements made by me, I will gladly share screenshots of my multiple conversations with him where I have complained to him directly about quality and delivery issues. Can also provide the images of the said problematic pens too if required.

 

You might be having your own opinion but I suggest you consider the possibility of someone with only 21 posts also to be capable of speaking the truth.

 

Beyond this if you still consider your opinion to be the gospel then more power to you. And if every member on this forum is of the opinion that only good things need to be said and other realities are to be hidden then so be it. Let more newbies go ahead and buy 10 pens from a maker based on exaggerated reviews only to realise their folly later.

 

Cheers!

Kshitij

 

P.s- My dog is doing fine, he's a year and half now. No longer chews on pens. So kind of you to drag him into your comments to make you opinion seem valid.

Edited June 5, 2017 by fpwriter

[Freddy]

Hi Fred.

Thanks for forming your opinion and calling mine hogwash.

Though I need to prove nothing to you or anyone else, I will refute your statement only because I wouldn't want anyone else to blindly follow the over rated praises for a sub standard product.

 

My name is Kshitij Shetty and I am from Mumbai, India. I leave it to Mr. Subramaniam of ASA pens to confirm the following:

1. The total number of pens I got from him.

*I got into ASA pens relatively earlier as compared to getting pens from other makes so frankly I do not remember the exact number but my conservative estimate is that I have over 10 of his pens.

 

2. Out of the total, how many pens were delivered to me within the promised delivery time. Or rather if even one single pen was ever delivered to me without me having to follow up with him repeatedly and after multiple failed dates promised by him.

 

3. How many times have I written to him informing him that there has been an issue with the fit or finish of the pen and provided images of the said pens.

*most of the times when this happened, he offered for me to send the pens back to and said he will rework them and return them. But I decided against it cause it would take forever for a pen to come back from him (more on this later).

 

3. Wether or not he has given me reasons like,

"The pen was meant for someone else and not you hence the issues with it" and "the cap is thinner than the barrel so can't be polished to the same level as the barrel"

when i have complained about issues in the pens.

 

No I leave it to the owner of ASA pens to honestly answer the above three questions and you can make your mind up about how much of what I say is true and how much is hogwash.

 

Yes I may have made 21 posts only to date and most of it may have been only about ASA. I am relatively new to the hobby and though there are Montblancs, Nakayas, Lamys and Pilots among my small collection of pens, I think enough has been presented in the forums about them in all aspects and there is little or nothing I can add of value to discussions about them.

 

Also I am not sure how well versed you are with the Indian pen community but I can give you multiple examples of people who have been waiting for over one year to get back the pens they have paid for in full and returned to subbu for some or the other kind of repair and are yet to receive them back despite repeated follow ups with subbu. If subbu refutes this, I can name the customers with their permission.

 

If subbu can refute any of the above statements made by me, I will gladly share screenshots of my conversations with him where I have complained to him directly about quality and delivery issues. Can also provide the images of the said problematic pens.

 

You might be having your own opinion but I suggest you consider the possibility of someone with only 21 posts also to be capable of speaking the truth.

 

Beyond this if you still consider your opinion to be the gospel then more power to you. And if every member on this forum is of the opinion that only good things need to be said and other realities are to be hidden then so be it. Let more newbies go ahead and buy 10 pens from a maker based on exaggerated reviews only to realise their folly later.

 

Cheers!

Kshitij

 

P.s- My dogs doing fine, he's a year and half now. No longer chews on pens. So kind of you to drag him to make you opinion seem valid.

 

That was quick..Kshitij...I'm not the one claiming any wrong doing... you are..not me the burden is on you and

no one else.....Provide something other than Hearsay......Take care...good luck and I'm glad your pup is

no longer teething................................................................

 

Still your friend and mine........

 

Fred

listenn' to RadioDeluxe with John Pizzaelli and getting ready for an early am swim..................

 

Adios from North Shore LI NY..........................Gold Coast

[fpwriter]

Fred,

You commented saying everything mentioned by me was hogwash, to which I have presented pin pointed facts and left ASA pens to confirm or refute them. If they refute, I have already mentioned I will provide screenshots of my conversations with the owner of ASA pens to validate each and every point made by me.

 

Now you are calling my personal first hand experience as hearsay. I think you are one of the fan boys who believes in sweet singing about things they like without even accepting that someone else may have a completely different experience.

I have tolerated your allegations on me as best as I could. I dont feel the urge or "burden" of having to clarify any further to you. I will simply choose to ignore your comments as unwanted noise just like I ignore the absolutely terrible posts you make on the handwritten post thread. You can continue trying to take potshots at me or my post, it will not change the fact that I have got several ASA pens and I am super disgusted with their substandard products and the attitude with which they conduct business and treat customers.

 

Cheers!

Kshitij.

Edited June 5, 2017 by fpwriter

[Lloyd]

Thanks to all for their honest opinions and remaining civil. It's nice to know that there's still people passionate about our hobby.

[Freddy]

Fred,

You commented saying everything mentioned by me was hogwash, to which I have presented pin pointed facts and left ASA pens to confirm or refute them. If they refute, I have already mentioned I will provide screenshots of my conversations with the owner of ASA pens to validate each and every point made by me.

 

Now you are calling my personal first hand experience as hearsay. I think you are one of the fan boys who believes in sweet singing about things they like without even accepting that someone else may have a completely different experience.

I have tolerated your allegations on me as best as I could. I dont feel the urge or "burden" of having to clarify any further to you. I will simply choose to ignore your comments as unwanted noise just like I ignore the absolutely terrible posts you make on the handwritten post thread. You can continue trying to take potshots at me or my post, it will not change the fact that I have got several ASA pens and I am super disgusted with their substandard products and the attitude with which they conduct business and treat customers.

 

Cheers!

Kshitij.

 

Again..Kshitij....Still your prerogative......Young man..your words speak volumes re your character......

 

Take care and good luck....................................

 

Still your friend and mine

 

Fred

[Cryptos]

 

Again..Kshitij....Still your prerogative......Young man..your words speak volumes re your character......

 

Take care and good luck....................................

 

Still your friend and mine

 

Fred

 

And your condescension speaks volumes re yours.

 

fpwriter has offered an account of his personal experiences. His account is just as valid as the next man's . What you (Freddy) have said leaves me wondering what your agenda/motivation really is.

[Freddy]

 

And your condescension speaks volumes re yours.

 

fpwriter has offered an account of his personal experiences. His account is just as valid as the next man's . What you (Freddy) have said leaves me wondering what your agenda/motivation really is.

 

 

Pal..ain't No Agenda.....At All.....EoC...

 

Take care......................

 

Fred

[Cryptos]

Then I suggest that you accept his opinion as you expect others to accept yours.

 

 

best regards,

 

EoC

[ian1964]

 

Again..Kshitij....Still your prerogative......Young man..your words speak volumes re your character......

 

Take care and good luck....................................

 

Still your friend and mine

 

Fred

Your opinions are no more or less valid but your insults do highlight the obvious flaws in your own character

[Freddy]

Then I suggest that you accept his opinion as you expect others to accept yours.

 

 

best regards,

 

EoC

 

Pal....I don't expect any one to accept my valid opinion....Whatsoever......

 

Again......No motivation.....Nor any agenda.....I find recent replies......Fasinatin'

 

Take care......................................

 

Still your friend and mine.............................

 

Fred

who is listenin' to WHRB 95.3 FM......Afternoon Concert.....

[Lloyd]

 

Pal....I don't expect any one to accept my valid opinion....Whatsoever......

 

Still your friend and mine.............................

 

The validity of this opinion is in doubt.