Noodler's Dixie #10 - A Hidden Gem!

December 23, 2018

Over a realtively short period of time, I've purchased a number of Noodler's pens. Almost all are Ahabs with one Neponset in ebonite as are the Boston Safety Pens but more about them some other time. However, rapidly becoming clear favourites are the ebonite Konrad pens, named by Nathan 'Dixie #10'. I just love these pens (and I confess, the wonderful aroma of ebonite!) and this is just a brief review/comment. Many of you will be familiar with the Konrad et al, and the nib is the same as the Ahab. Further details are all over this site too.

Currently available in one colour 'Red Rebellion' (I got mine from Pure Pens in the UK) each one is an individual. This is down to the manufacturing process and colouring of the ebonite. I believe there was another colour - similar to the Chestnut BSP - but Ross hasn't had any and even Goulet are not showing any stock.

They are simple piston-fillers with a blind cap covering the filler knob. The picture above shows this removed on the right-hand pen and this particular one is a (poor!) example of one of the other sorts of finish in the ebonite that can be expected. Basically, the pens are either mainly black or mainly red, both with really attractive marbling in black.

I've not removed the nib and feed on any of mine, simply because there has been no need. They all write perfectly for me, straight out of the boxes. Almost certainly, the user can adjust the nibe with the same simplicity as on Ahab pens. Incidentally, the one acrylic Konrad I've got behaves in exactly the same way - the colours are just somewhat brighter!

Lastly, the piston mechanism can be removed - carefully but intentionally - by removing the blind cap and then gently unscrewing the unit by gripping it just above the top of the barrel. This would be the way to apply a little more silicone to the piston etc IF required.

All in all, I'm really pleased with these pens. The ones pictured are filled with Noodler's Air Corps Blue Black (writing example) and Noodler's Walnut in the other. Borealis Black in another is an absolute dream to write with - so smooth - an loads of different papers. Well worth the expense and I reckon they are great value for money.

And as the festive day is almost upon us, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy & Healthy New Year. And may I leave you with a few pertinent alterations to a well-known Christmas song:

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas,

my true-love gave to me...

12 Diaries Planning

11 Papers Bleeding

10 Nibs a’Skipping

9 Bottles Leaking

8 Tines mis-Lining

7 Swans a’Filling

6 LE Specials

5 Golden Inks

4 Calling Cards

3 French Pens

2 Turkish Seals

And a dip-pen that is out of warranty!

Edited December 23, 2018 by The Good Captain

December 24, 2018

Every time I manage to get to the Commonwealth Pen Show (which has been a few times now) I drop hints at Nathan Tardif that he *really* should be getting more ebonite Konrads out on the market (just imagine one in some of the awesome colors the ebonite Neponsets come in in the smaller sized Konrad.... Because I would buy another one in a heartbeat (I have one of the earlier ones -- Methuselah Pine Cone Ripple).

I'm not overly keen on the two color ones like the Dixies (while at the same time going "but... but... that's basically what all your Pelikan M200 and M400 series pens are like.... " So I live in hope....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

December 25, 2018

Every time I manage to get to the Commonwealth Pen Show (which has been a few times now) I drop hints at Nathan Tardif that he *really* should be getting more ebonite Konrads out on the market (just imagine one in some of the awesome colors the ebonite Neponsets come in in the smaller sized Konrad.... Because I would buy another one in a heartbeat (I have one of the earlier ones -- Methuselah Pine Cone Ripple).
I'm not overly keen on the two color ones like the Dixies (while at the same time going "but... but... that's basically what all your Pelikan M200 and M400 series pens are like.... " So I live in hope....
Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

I quite agree. My Neponset is the ebonite Chickamauga and it's striking. I really like the Dixies and see what you mean about the M4000s! We'll just see what happens.

March 16, 2019

Hello, I apologize that I am 3 months late, however...

I was curious about the finials on Noodler's Dixie #10s. I currently own three Noodler's Dixie #10s in Red Rebellion. Two of them have solid black, non-stamped finials, while the other has a red "Dixie #10" stamped into the finial.

The videos on Nathan Tardif's YouTube channel appear to show a red stamped finial each time a Dixie appears...

So, does any one else have a solid black finial on a Noodler's Dixie, does it happen to be a first-run production, or does the current production run come not stamped?

All three came with "Dixie #10" instruction inserts, but the solid finial pens have a different sheet than does the stamped version.

(EDIT)

Two links of note:

PenChalet's video has a Methuselah Dixie with a black finial:

and

Nathan Tardif's original video about the Dixie #10:

Thank you to anyone who is of assistance.

Edited March 16, 2019 by Boyd100

March 16, 2019

The current pictures on gouletpens.com show the red stamped finial. I have a Dixie #10 that has a plain black finial. Maybe the plain black were just an earlier run.

March 17, 2019

The current pictures on gouletpens.com show the red stamped finial. I have a Dixie #10 that has a plain black finial. Maybe the plain black were just an earlier run.

I think this is the case. Mine all have the red stamping.

January 29, 2020

I first was very brave and rational and decided that since I had just placed an order for the Triple Tail, the Dixie couldn't make it to my humble abode.... then it turns out there was a mistake in shipping and the TT was sent all the way to US (from the UK). So I gave in. (Actually found out the TT is arriving tomorrow)

I'm really happy with this pen - in terms of looks it's unlike anything I have. I wonder if I won't find the ink window a bit too big for my taste - for now I have some black ink so that doesn't bother me. The nib offers a tad more line variation than my Ahab (which I love), actually closer to FPR flex nib. It's not as smooth as the Ahab but that's something I suppose some micromesh can fix. It's my first piston and first ebonite pen - hurray !!

I also like the red stamping on the cap,