Kung Te Cheng...or Equivalents

[truthpil]

Well, an update on the KTC/Charlie combo. It burped into the cap a couple of days ago.... Sort of a mess around the threads as a result. I've cleaned up as well as possible with paper towels, and refilled the pen. So far so good -- it doesn't seem to have clogged the nib and feed at all.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

That's good news. I haven't been able to get any of my Charlies to work without burping, even when doing the "eyedropper trick." Same story with those free FPR Mufts. So far the only eyedropper pens I have that haven't burped are the ones I had to pay for.

 

Just out of curiosity, has anyone successfully used KTC in a Nemosine Singularity? I like the fact that these pens can easily be disassembled and take standard #6 nibs. It would be a nice to have a KTC pen that I can changed nibs in depending on the writing style I'm in the mood for. Singularitys are cheap enough that one could dedicate one as a KTC pen if they work well.

[IndigoBOB]

 

That's good news. I haven't been able to get any of my Charlies to work without burping, even when doing the "eyedropper trick." Same story with those free FPR Mufts. So far the only eyedropper pens I have that haven't burped are the ones I had to pay for.

 

Just out of curiosity, has anyone successfully used KTC in a Nemosine Singularity? I like the fact that these pens can easily be disassembled and take standard #6 nibs. It would be a nice to have a KTC pen that I can changed nibs in depending on the writing style I'm in the mood for. Singularitys are cheap enough that one could dedicate one as a KTC pen if they work well.

 

 

I didn't keep my Singularity long enough to try. I had trouble with unscrewing the cap since those threads are on the section and can unscrew the section of from the barrel. I like my caps tight lol.

 

Besides that I think it's a descent pen for the price, but I also wonder if it's up to the challenge. It definitely has that cheap plastic feeling, but the nibs seem real descent, and I haven't heard word of cracking issues of Nemosine Singularity's through the grape vine. A replacement nemosine nib costs as much as a Jowo: $15.

[truthpil]

 

 

I didn't keep my Singularity long enough to try. I had trouble with unscrewing the cap since those threads are on the section and can unscrew the section of from the barrel. I like my caps tight lol.

 

Yes, this is the one major design flaw! There've been so many times I've accidently unscrewed the barrel instead of the cap because I like my caps tight too.

 

Regarding the cheap plasticy feel, the "Black Marble" edition is made of decent acrylic and feels much more substantial than the regular models. There are also "Coral" and "Blue Marble" lines with the same acrylic that were sold out for a long time, but seem to finally be available again.

Edited August 26, 2018 by TruthPil

[IndigoBOB]

 

Yes, this is the one major design flaw! There've been so many times I've accidently unscrewed the barrel instead of the cap because I like my caps tight too.

 

Regarding the cheap plasticy feel, the "Black Marble" edition is made of decent acrylic and feels much more substantial than the regular models. There are also "Coral" and "Blue Marble" lines with the same acrylic that were sold out for a long time, but seem to finally be available again.

 

 

I'll admit, that's good to know, moves me somewhat closer towards its consideration, but I am still turned off by that major design flaw, especially since it doesn't come with an inner cap.

 

When a pen doesn't come with an inner cap I especially like to make sure it's capped tightly. Heck, I like it fairly tight even when it does.

 

And the fact that Nemosine hasn't improved upon it makes me like it less lol. Judgmental, I know, but valid I think with regards to confidence in a product, though for $20 I guess it's more forgivable on a budget if you're lacking the luxury of choice.

 

It has a great dimensions, great nib versatility, but darn they got blatantly lazy with this pen's overall design lol. I really dislike that especially with how easy it would be to remedy it.

[truthpil]

Now that I finally have the perfect pen for KTC, I'm setting myself for more trouble because of my next project...

 

I want to compile my last decade or so journals from various international adventures into one edited volume and I've decided KTC and Seven Seas Writers are the prime tools to make it truly archival. The thing is, I want to use my favorite JoWo nib to write it with, a 1.1oblique cursive italic, so I need a pen that'll take a JoWo #6 nib and have the perfect flow characteristics to maintain long-term use of KTC. Any suggestions?

[IndigoBOB]

Ooooh, that's a daring objective to create such a pen. If accomplished that would be sublime.

 

An ebonite feed that can fit a #6? and is well enough made to keep it from drying out?

 

ASA comes to mind, but can they handle the high potential of drying out? And those pens can be so thick and big and oversized overall (not my preference). Orders take a long time if it's not pre-made.

 

I wonder if a Franklin Christoph Marietta could handle it. I don't have mine anymore. Can get slick with long writing sessions.

 

Ahab-Jowo? If you can stand the smell and the weird grip section, but is that really the pen you want to write about your adventures/travels with?

 

If the Noodler's Konrad could fit a Jowo I'd recommend it, but that's not compatible anymore across the board anymore.

 

Maybe custom order an Ebonite fed pen from ranga that can fit a Jowo or such, but that has a risk of uncertainty and you don't want to throw money away.

 

You are in the realm of exploration and thus may be in the realm of greater risk taking.

 

PenBBS 309-Jowo-F, especially a tuned Jowo-F the likes of what Linda Kennedy can do?

[truthpil]

Ooooh, that's a daring objective to create such a pen. If accomplished that would be sublime.

 

An ebonite feed that can fit a #6? and is well enough made to keep it from drying out?

 

ASA comes to mind, but can they handle the high potential of drying out? And those pens can be so thick and big and oversized overall (not my preference). Orders take a long time if it's not pre-made.

 

I have an eyedropper AsaGenius currently holding my OCI nib and it's a perfect combo with no drying out problems, I'm just about nervous about putting such a crazy ink in such a precious pen. I was planning on buying another AsaGenius set up with a JoWo nib unit and converter, so maybe after I get that one I'll be brave enough to experiment with the other. The thickness on those is the widest I can tolerate but feels so comfortable because the pen is so light and nicely textured.

 

PenBBS 309-Jowo-F, especially a tuned Jowo-F the likes of what Linda Kennedy can do?

 

I was considering just dropping my JoWo OCI into my Penbbs, but this past week when I was using the pen with Sailor Miruai I had a hard start every morning when I went to write. If Sailor hard starts, then KTC will be a nightmare.

[IndigoBOB]

 

I have an eyedropper AsaGenius currently holding my OCI nib and it's a perfect combo with no drying out problems, I'm just about nervous about putting such a crazy ink in such a precious pen. I was planning on buying another AsaGenius set up with a JoWo nib unit and converter, so maybe after I get that one I'll be brave enough to experiment with the other. The thickness on those is the widest I can tolerate but feels so comfortable because the pen is so light and nicely textured.

 

 

I was considering just dropping my JoWo OCI into my Penbbs, but this past week when I was using the pen with Sailor Miruai I had a hard start every morning when I went to write. If Sailor hard starts, then KTC will be a nightmare.

 

 

I don't blame you on the ink choice. I'm picking up a Pelikan m205 this upcoming week , my first big pen purchase that I've really gone into without apprehension, knowing what I want (bullseye), having tried one out already, and all that stars-aligning stuff...

 

...and lets just say my ink choices from what I have to use have substantially dwindled lol, excluding a vast majority of my Noodler's inks from what I may use lol.

 

Let's just say I have some Pelikan Edelstein Tanzanite and Iroshizuku Take-Sumi that have been waiting for this pen purchase

 

BUT it is a good excuse to get another pen that fits you so well!

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I'm sorry to hear that about your PenBBS.

 

I've decommissioned mine indefinitely for my Pilot Prera.

[truthpil]

 

 

I don't blame you on the ink choice. I'm picking up a Pelikan m205 this upcoming week , my first big pen purchase that I've really gone into without apprehension, knowing what I want (bullseye), having tried one out already, and all that stars-aligning stuff...

 

...and lets just say my ink choices from what I have to use have substantially dwindled lol, excluding a vast majority of my Noodler's inks from what I may use lol.

 

 

Congratulations on an excellent pen choice! My first "nice" pen was a Pelikan M215 which, sadly, doesn't see much use because I don't like bringing such a nice pen out of the house while living in a third world country haha. Mine currently has in it a firehose wet noodle CN BB stub originally from a Pelikan 100N. It's hard to find paper that can withstand so much ink, but it's a load of fun to flex with!

 

Did you mean that your ink choices are dwindling because of what you feel comfortable putting in the new pen?

I totally understand, Pelikan nibs aren't the easiest to clean out so it has meant no bulletproof crazy inks in mine.

 

 

 

I'm sorry to hear that about your PenBBS.

 

I've decommissioned mine indefinitely for my Pilot Prera.

 

With the 309, I think it may have junk been an ink compatibility issue or the fact that the pen was almost out of ink at the time.

I've never had any hard starts with the pen before and it's one of my most beautiful and reliable pens. I'll get another just as soon as they release or re-release one in a color I want!

 

What made you choose the Prera over the Penbbs 309? Carry-ability?

 

 

ASA comes to mind, but can they handle the high potential of drying out? And those pens can be so thick and big and oversized overall (not my preference). Orders take a long time if it's not pre-made.

 

I ended up going for it and putting a couple squirts of KTC into my eyedropper AsaGenius with JoWo OCI nib. It writes perfectly with no skipping or drying out, most likely due to the juicy ebonite feed. I let it sit for a hour and no hard start afterward. The real test will be leaving it overnight and see how it works in the morning. If the AsaGenius can maintain KTC with hard starts, clogging of the feed, or burping near the end of the fill, then this combo will be another go-to KTC one for me and the solution to my journaling desires. I'll keep you posted...

[IndigoBOB]

 

Congratulations on an excellent pen choice! My first "nice" pen was a Pelikan M215 which, sadly, doesn't see much use because I don't like bringing such a nice pen out of the house while living in a third world country haha. Mine currently has in it a firehose wet noodle CN BB stub originally from a Pelikan 100N. It's hard to find paper that can withstand so much ink, but it's a load of fun to flex with!

 

Did you mean that your ink choices are dwindling because of what you feel comfortable putting in the new pen?

I totally understand, Pelikan nibs aren't the easiest to clean out so it has meant no bulletproof crazy inks in mine.

 

 

 

With the 309, I think it may have junk been an ink compatibility issue or the fact that the pen was almost out of ink at the time.

I've never had any hard starts with the pen before and it's one of my most beautiful and reliable pens. I'll get another just as soon as they release or re-release one in a color I want!

 

What made you choose the Prera over the Penbbs 309? Carry-ability?

 

 

 

I ended up going for it and putting a couple squirts of KTC into my eyedropper AsaGenius with JoWo OCI nib. It writes perfectly with no skipping or drying out, most likely due to the juicy ebonite feed. I let it sit for a hour and no hard start afterward. The real test will be leaving it overnight and see how it works in the morning. If the AsaGenius can maintain KTC with hard starts, clogging of the feed, or burping near the end of the fill, then this combo will be another go-to KTC one for me and the solution to my journaling desires. I'll keep you posted...

 

 

Precisely. I'm only comfortable using a fraction of my inks with what will be my new m20x for the purpose of easy maintenance and optimal functionality.

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I dislike the PenBBS nibs and Jowo's didn't fit my 309 as securely as I wanted them to unless I applied sufficiently substantial pressure. But when I did that with my Franklin-Christoph M nib, which I loved, it never wrote the same nor did it feel as good again.

 

Someone measured the 309's feed at 6.5mm, which I think made it prone to augmenting the shape of some of my #6 Jowo's, particularly that F-C nib . I did have a Jowo that fit well, but it was edgy.

 

I think PenBBS is good, but I don't think it's that great. I wouldn't give it to my Nieces nor Nephew as a gift due to the problems I've had, and that's one of my tests for how good a pen really is.

---------------------------

 

Overall, I simply really like the way my Prera-M writes and feels with HOD.

 

I like Jowo Mediums, but I have fallen out of love with their rigidity. They'll always be a friend, but I'm searching for love .

 

Also, I'm just kind of sick of spending money on Chinese pens, Starter pens, tinkering pens, and rigid nail-like steel nibs I need tuned.

 

I rather save my money and get something like a Pelikan. I rather have one great pen than 10 good pens.

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I've actually grown to love using/inking only 1 fountain pen at a time and carrying it in my smaller Franklin-Christoph 2 pen case I fill the rest of with an easyflow9000 ballpoint and a Gelly Roll, all of which fit securely and comfortably.

 

I love the Easyflow9000 ballpoint especially in my rOtring Tikky for Fine lines, EDC, and seminars so I don't have to keep capping and uncapping. It's smooth, effortless, and doesn't require pressure like other ballpoints.

 

I love the Gelly Roll 08 Royal Blues because they are wet, permanent, effortless, silky smooth, a deep blue indigo, and have proven to be a great backup for my fountain pen if it runs dry.

 

And both the easyflow9000-Tikky and Gelly Roll are good for long writing sessions if need be.

 

Only having 1 FP inked at a time in conjunction with that Easyflow Ballpoint and Gelly Roll is so worry free, easy maintenance, and complete for what I need that I don't want to go back to having any other setup lol.

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That's wonderful to hear about the ASA! I hope it works out for you. If that doesn't work I don't know what will lol.

 

I've personally put the KTC on hiatus indefinitely, but I do hope to hear that it continues to work out .

[truthpil]

 

That's wonderful to hear about the ASA! I hope it works out for you. If that doesn't work I don't know what will lol.

 

I've personally put the KTC on hiatus indefinitely, but I do hope to hear that it continues to work out .

 

Now on Day 3 of the AsaGenius + KTC combination with no problems at all. Each morning, after a twelve-hour hiatus, the pen writes a perfectly wet line immediately after uncapping. No dry out or clogging issues to date. I'm very pleased with the writing experience. It seems like KTC really likes big wet ebonite feeds!

[IndigoBOB]

This is very good news!!

 

And it's ebonite

 

Alright... You have raised my dashed hopes and reminded me of why I started this search .

 

I don't know if I'll pick up an ASA immediately, but I've definitely added a #5 Fine Jowo to the top of my list for my FPR Himalaya. And if that fails... an ASA Genius.

 

I'm primarily a medium nib user, but since I've been using my Pilot Prera Fine I've been getting used to writing with a finer nib. It's breaking me in to that realm re-fine-ing my writing lol

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Thank you very much for taking the time to try that out and reporting back. I don't want to jinx anything, but that sounds great and it's a bit of a relief...

 

You must be pretty excited!!

 

Those words will be a pleasure to write and completely safe

[truthpil]

This is very good news!!

 

And it's ebonite

 

Alright... You have raised my dashed hopes and reminded me of why I started this search .

 

I don't know if I'll pick up an ASA immediately, but I've definitely added a #5 Fine Jowo to the top of my list for my FPR Himalaya. And if that fails... an ASA Genius.

 

I'm primarily a medium nib user, but since I've been using my Pilot Prera Fine I've been getting used to writing with a finer nib. It's breaking me in to that realm re-fine-ing my writing lol

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Thank you very much for taking the time to try that out and reporting back. I don't want to jinx anything, but that sounds great and it's a bit of a relief...

 

You must be pretty excited!!

 

Those words will be a pleasure to write and completely safe

 

I just checked and the AsaGenius is still just $27 including shipping if you want the eyedropper version with stock fine nib. It comes with a gloriously huge, long, and deeply channeled feed that matches perfectly with any JoWo #6 I've put in it. I went for the matte black version and love the texture.

 

For $50 you can have it made into a C/C pen with a JoWo #5 or #6 nib unit of your choice. That's what I plan to do for my second one, the only downside being that you get the plastic JoWo feed instead of that huge ebonite one.

 

Heck, if you go ahead and get the eyedropper version and end up not liking it, I'll gladly buy it off you the next time I'm in the States!

 

It's funny, my story kind of goes the opposite way. I used to have pretty small handwriting and remember being angry that my Pelikan 215's EF was too broad. Now I use juicy oblique 1.1 stubs and broad nibs whenever possible and EF nibs only see the light of day for marginal notations in textbooks.

[IndigoBOB]

 

I just checked and the AsaGenius is still just $27 including shipping if you want the eyedropper version with stock fine nib. It comes with a gloriously huge, long, and deeply channeled feed that matches perfectly with any JoWo #6 I've put in it. I went for the matte black version and love the texture.

 

For $50 you can have it made into a C/C pen with a JoWo #5 or #6 nib unit of your choice. That's what I plan to do for my second one, the only downside being that you get the plastic JoWo feed instead of that huge ebonite one.

 

Heck, if you go ahead and get the eyedropper version and end up not liking it, I'll gladly buy it off you the next time I'm in the States!

 

It's funny, my story kind of goes the opposite way. I used to have pretty small handwriting and remember being angry that my Pelikan 215's EF was too broad. Now I use juicy oblique 1.1 stubs and broad nibs whenever possible and EF nibs only see the light of day for marginal notations in textbooks.

 

 

I am going to wait on that, but I'm not going to dismiss it, but keep it on my list.

 

I've gone the way of the softer nibs/ gold, and what not. I am ordering a new Pelikan m20x tomorrow (paycheck) and a couple notebooks and that will be my budget for pen and equipment for a while. Next on my list would be a Lamy 2K-M, then... we'll see.

 

But I have had good results out of my FPR Himalaya with KTC if I use a Jowo with it. But before with a Medium Jowo the line was far too thick and I hadn't gotten use to using nor liking a Fine Jowo nib until now so I'll probably bridge that gap to a functional KTC pen with just a $15 Fine #5 Jowo with a pen I do like already.

[truthpil]

 

 

I am going to wait on that, but I'm not going to dismiss it, but keep it on my list.

 

I've gone the way of the softer nibs/ gold, and what not. I am ordering a new Pelikan m20x tomorrow (paycheck) and a couple notebooks and that will be my budget for pen and equipment for a while. Next on my list would be a Lamy 2K-M, then... we'll see.

 

But I have had good results out of my FPR Himalaya with KTC if I use a Jowo with it. But before with a Medium Jowo the line was far too thick and I hadn't gotten use to using nor liking a Fine Jowo nib until now so I'll probably bridge that gap to a functional KTC pen with just a $15 Fine #5 Jowo with a pen I do like already.

That makes perfect sense. Didn't you have a Lamy 2K before and returned it? I'm thinking about getting a 2K OBB and having Linda regrind it to an OCI for me hehe.

[IndigoBOB]

That makes perfect sense. Didn't you have a Lamy 2K before and returned it? I'm thinking about getting a 2K OBB and having Linda regrind it to an OCI for me hehe.

 

 

I did give the L2K a trial, but it was a Fine nib. Not good for me. I very much dislike that sweet spot on the Fine, and it wasn't very smooth. I was expecting the wetter inkflow to lubrcate the nib more, and I also expected the size be closer to an average Medium nib like some said, but it turned out to be too feedbacky for me and remaining too much in the realm of a Fine nib.

 

A lamy 2K Medium would be quite alright for me, and in fact I've tested one out briefly and liked it immediately.

 

But I want to pick it up at Nibs.com so it comes pre-adjusted. I was considering getting the Lamy 2K from them over the Pelikan m20x, but the Medium is on backorder, but even if it wasn't I'd prefer the Pelikan m20x right now because it fits more of my preferences at the moment.

 

But yes, even as I'm preparing or my Pelikan m20x purchase I can feel the L2K-M moving to "next" on my list lol. You know that how that goes lolol.

[truthpil]

 

But yes, even as I'm preparing or my Pelikan m20x purchase I can feel the L2K-M moving to "next" on my list lol. You know that how that goes lolol.

 

To make matters worse, cultpens.com has a stellar deal on L2Ks right now. Ends up being something like $120 with free tracked shipping with 8 different nib options. Ohh so tempting to grab one and send it to Pendleton Brown to be turned into an oblique BLS.

[IndigoBOB]

 

To make matters worse, cultpens.com has a stellar deal on L2Ks right now. Ends up being something like $120 with free tracked shipping with 8 different nib options. Ohh so tempting to grab one and send it to Pendleton Brown to be turned into an oblique BLS.

 

 

Oh wow, that is hard to resist lol. Good luck, because it really is one of the best fountain pens of all time, and one of the best values out there... especially in a Medium, but that's my biased preference of course.

 

...Heck, why resists if it fits the bill for you *Devil horns over the smiley face *

 

Well, I just purchased my Pelikan m205 Demonstrator so my wallet has lost enough will to consider lol.

 

But that L2K-M is next on my list, though.

[truthpil]

 

 

Oh wow, that is hard to resist lol. Good luck, because it really is one of the best fountain pens of all time, and one of the best values out there... especially in a Medium, but that's my biased preference of course.

 

 

Well, I just blew my FP budget by a long shot on somewhat of a grail pen for me, so no more pen purchases for the rest of this year (except for Chinese pens, of course). Looks like the L2K will have to wait another year or so, but I might not even bother because it would take so much work to get the nib even close to the way I want it. Once this Pre-war Soennecken with flexy OB stub I just bought arrives in the mail, I doubt I'll be satisfied with any modern oblique stub again haha. My mouth is watering just thinking about that big flexible stub!

 

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As for my recent KTC + AsaGenius combination, things are going very well! I had to leave the pen unused for two days and this morning it wrote immediately without any hard starts. Flow is still perfect. I think the key really is the huge ebonite feed AsaPens uses. I mean this feed if HUGE. Is makes the feeds on the Ahab and Konrad look puny.

[IndigoBOB]

I think you have found a wonderful KTC pen!! This just went on my list...

 

...It's behind the Lamy 2k, but I thank you very much for testing that out!

 

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Yes, I don't want to buy a Lamy 2K unless it's from Nibs.com right now. I want something not just looked at, but prepared and worked on and tuned right ahead of time ready to be great OOTB... as great as a $100+ pen better be lol.

 

I don't want to spend hundreds on a pen that isn't perfect OOTB, especially when I can get it pretuned by a reputed nibmeister. I could get a normal L2K and send it to a nibmeister, and I'd consider that, especially with Mike Masuyama, but I rather just get it at nibs.com and have it ready OOTB for the same price I'd get it untuned elsewhere.

 

I'm not surprised the Lamy 2k-M is on backorder right now at nibs.com lol In fact the Lamy 2k-M is sold out in many shops right now. Lamy can't keep up.

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Unfortunately, Linda Kennedy's Indy-Pen-Dance website doesn't sell L2K's. They do sell other good pens, which I'd buy from her knowing she's looked at them and tuned them. She's amazing.

 

I wish Mike Masuyama sold pens off his sight.