Airmail/wality 71J

[hari317]

Locally referred to as the Bamboo model and also in the airmail price list as such, it is the favourite of Police writers, Court clerks and accountants. It was the only mass produced ( but still hand made using hand operated compression moulding) pen in those days which had such an humongous ink capacity and a nice true fine nib. A fine nib allows faster ink drying, uses less paper to write the same matter. So traditionally a fine nib equals economy.

 

I have been buying airmails for over 21 years now... and I have seen the 71J made in a variety of colors. Some colors were never repeated. I have a special affection for this marbled pen with ink windows.

 

In the local market these are very affordable pens but still much costlier as compared to a camlin 47 but still cheaper than an Indian Parker Vector. These pens are too large for a student and are more tuned for adults who are heavy users( not in the kg sense ).

 

Personally, I have little patience for an Airmail fine nib and I like the possibility of using a variety of wider nibs.

 

In another thread someone was asking me about modifications possible on a 71J to accept third party nibs and the convenience of accepting ink cartridges. In my opinion the airmail coupled with a nice nib totally transforms the pen. However if you are fond of Indian fine nibs and the ink capacity of the ED system, the stock setup might prove perfectly adequate. In this post, I try to show what is possible to do with the 71J. I hope it is useful.

 

 

 

L-R: stock, fh452gp, fh452ct, fh31gp, Bock Conklin over stock feeder.

 

 

 

 

Cartridge, converter or Direct ED filling flexibility with the nib units.

 

To those not familiar with the size of a 71J, shown with a Lamy 2000.

 

 

 

 

Best

Hari

[biswa124]

Thanks a lot Hari for introducing me to this pen. Just ordered one. Waiting to try it out.

 

Regards,

Biswa

[sniyogy]

Thank you for showing these mods, sir. The sections have been threaded for the nib units?

I replaced the stock nib with a KW35mm a couple of years ago and I had to take off the inner cap to fit the bigger nib. Is it the same for these pens?

 

Soubhik.

[hari317]

Thanks a lot Hari for introducing me to this pen. Just ordered one. Waiting to try it out.

 

Regards,

Biswa

you are welcome Biswa.

[hari317]

Thank you for showing these mods, sir. The sections have been threaded for the nib units?

I replaced the stock nib with a KW35mm a couple of years ago and I had to take off the inner cap to fit the bigger nib. Is it the same for these pens?

 

Soubhik.

yes the sections are threaded to engage the nib unit threads. There was no need to take out the inner caps on the 71. There is sufficient space. On the 69TL/69A/69EB you have only about 19mm space so a 35mm nib has to be set really deep. But it can be done, I will share some pics later.

Edited September 14, 2020 by hari317

[cvk]

Amazing.. The Jumbo pens look awwesome.. It is amazing how similar they look to the 58C until there is a side by side size comparison. I think of Airbus A320 when I see these pens. Unfortunately, usually they are always out of stock at ASA pens and at FPR.

[hari317]

Amazing.. The Jumbo pens look awwesome.. It is amazing how similar they look to the 58C until there is a side by side size comparison. I think of Airbus A320 when I see these pens. Unfortunately, usually they are always out of stock at ASA pens and at FPR.

one way to tell the 58C and 71J apart, when they are not side by side, is by the section shape. The J has a contoured shape whereas the 58C is plain tapered.

 

You can always request the vendors. There are some listings on eBay as well.

Edited September 14, 2020 by hari317

[bk123]

Thank for sharing this model with us. This model reminds me almost similar looking Camlin FP some 35 years back. it was my Father's favorite daily writer. I hardly recall any difference in looks between this model and the camlin one. Unfortunately, I don't remember the Camlin model.

Edited September 14, 2020 by bk123

[Dimy]

Thanks for sharing hari, they look nice and nib changes look great.

[hari317]

Thank for sharing this model with us. This model reminds me almost similar looking Camlin FP some 35 years back. it was my Father's favorite daily writer. I hardly recall any difference in looks between this model and the camlin one. Unfortunately, I don't remember the Camlin model.

 

I was unaware of the Camlin version having never seen one. During my time in the 80s as a student, only the plain color versions like the 22 etc were available.

 

Thanks for sharing hari, they look nice and nib changes look great.

thanks!

[bk123]

 

I was unaware of the Camlin version having never seen one. During my time in the 80s as a student, only the plain color versions like the 22 etc were available.

 

thanks!

There was one. There was no chrome top and bottom like this Wality model though. The cap and body were almost similar having same size chrome band in the cap. I will try to locate that whenever I visit my home town and share the pictures

[hari317]

There was one. There was no chrome top and bottom like this Wality model though. The cap and body were almost similar having same size chrome band in the cap. I will try to locate that whenever I visit my home town and share the pictures

oh that will be wonderful.

[bk123]

found a good post on camlin models with pictures here: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/303531-c-for-camlin/

[hari317]

found a good post on camlin models with pictures here: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/303531-c-for-camlin/

Indeed a wonderful retrospective by our Dr Sree. I think the 22 is closest to the 71J even though I suspect it is much smaller than it and has a clear ink window rather than with bars and is in solid colors.

[antarmukhee]

found a good post on camlin models with pictures here: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/303531-c-for-camlin/

 

Nice post.

Among these which all models are still in production by Kokuyo? I am aware of only Trinity, Elegante and SD..

[antarmukhee]

 

 

Locally referred to as the Bamboo model and also in the airmail price list as such, it is the favourite of Police writers, Court clerks and accountants. It was the only mass produced ( but still hand made using hand operated compression moulding) pen in those days which had such an humongous ink capacity and a nice true fine nib. A fine nib allows faster ink drying, uses less paper to write the same matter. So traditionally a fine nib equals economy.

 

Hari

Just out of curiosity, is this (and other Wality pens or fountain pens) still popular in Maharashtra?

 

Among the different Wality pens, is the stock nib quality the same, or it is better for 'adult' pens and poor for 'student' pens?

[hari317]

 

Nice post.

Among these which all models are still in production by Kokuyo? I am aware of only Trinity, Elegante and SD..

https://www.kokuyocamlin.com/product/fountain-pen-ink-fountain-pens-cartridge-fountain-pen/economy-range-of-fountain-pens-28-108-6.html

[hari317]

 

Just out of curiosity, is this (and other Wality pens or fountain pens) still popular in Maharashtra?

 

Among the different Wality pens, is the stock nib quality the same, or it is better for 'adult' pens and poor for 'student' pens?

Apparently yes from the fact that the stocks are usually pre booked from the Mumbai distributor ( he's a very nice person) months in advance and there is a production backlog and deficit. In short there is more demand than supply.

 

The nib quality does not vary IME between the stock no 8 and no 5.5 nibs. Some nibs are really excellent. Some are very scratchy. Most are passable. You have only F as default option. If you like F, try their stock nibs first. You might be perfectly happy with the performance.

[antarmukhee]

https://www.kokuyocamlin.com/product/fountain-pen-ink-fountain-pens-cartridge-fountain-pen/economy-range-of-fountain-pens-28-108-6.html

 

Thanks.. I have never seen most of the models in any retail shops.. Except trinity and Elegante.. Which is why I was under the impression that they are not in production.

[hari317]

 

Thanks.. I have never seen most of the models in any retail shops.. Except trinity and Elegante.. Which is why I was under the impression that they are not in production.

there is some distribution issue. Camlins were not that easily available in mumbai even 15 years back. In my area there was only one small shop who used to carry the 47. Even he used to sell the pen only after issuing dire warnings against overly turning the piston knob.

 

Contact Abhay pens in Aurangabad, they stock camlin pens. I have bought from them.

Edited September 16, 2020 by hari317