What Are Your Experiences With Indian Desk-Pens?

[Savit]

I got very curious when I saw Gama Ezhuthani on ASA [https://asapens.in/eshop/fountain-pen/gama-ebonite-pens/gama-ezhuthani-ebonite-desk-fountain-pen?sort=p.price&order=ASC].

 

There are some nice pics in this thread : https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/267615-ezhuthani-desk-pen-from-gama/

1. does anybody know how such desk-pens were used (placed) on the desk traditionally [in India, or elsewhere]? Does it just lie flat on the table (if so, what prevents it from rolling)? Or does it stay on dedicated cap-holder? Or in a cup-pen-holder along with other pens?
2. If any of you regularly use such desk-pens, how do you place it on your desk?
3. [if you use such a pen] Do you like using desk-pen, and if so, what aspect attracts you to a desk-pen?
4. [if you use such a pen] Does it feel imbalanced while writing with a long desk-pen? Is the increased length of the pen a specific design feature for any functionality, or it is an aesthetic feature?
5. Are such long desk-pens unique to India or are there other traditional non-Indian vintage models with such designs?

I think there is something intrinsically very attractive about this type of pen; even when considering the practical difficulties in carrying it around....

 

Requesting everybody who have used such desk-pens [whichever model it is] to please share your experiences.... Thanks.

 

[hari317]

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/82806-ratnamson-kalam/

 

Desk pen is a western concept(like the fountain pen itself) and a lovely variety of such pens have been made.

 

The shape is derived from the dip pens that preceded the fountain pen.

I am very fond of desk sets and regularly use with the proper stand

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/250217-pilot-deskpens-flagship-dp-500-and-subordinate-dpn-200/

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/251450-platinum-desk-14k-pens-and-desk-base/page-2

 

HTH

Edited October 9, 2020 by hari317

[Savit]

Nice pens, Hari.. Do the nibs tend to dry up in the tulips? (i am assuming the pens are just placed, without an airtight barrier)..

 

It seems to me that desk-pens are a nostalgic relic of the era in which dip pens were used. Since dip-pens and ink had to be left at the desk. The long design of the desk-pens may also be a carry-over of some design feature of old dip-pens.

 

I also feel that practically nobody (or very few people) use desk-pens or pen-holders now a days, considering the sparse number of posts on desk-pens on this forum, and non-availability of desk-pens/pen-holders.

[hari317]

For that matter very few people actually use any kind of fountain pens anymore.

 

I have not used the Ratnamsons that much.

 

The pilots and platinums I have extensively used. There is no dry out. The pens and tulips are perfectly engineered.

 

Sheaffer Parker Montblanc esterbrook made some wonderful desk sets. Montblanc still does.

 

I also use a Wilson desk base with Ratnamson ebonite desk pens fitted with uniball gel refills. These are perfectly functional provided you have a suitable desk at work/ home. During this pandemic as I dont carry a pen anymore, my work desk set gets even more use.

 

Try a good pen set, the pilot ones are comparatively cheap.

[Savit]

For that matter very few people actually use any kind of fountain pens anymore.

 

I have not used the Ratnamsons that much.

 

The pilots and platinums I have extensively used. There is no dry out. The pens and tulips are perfectly engineered.

 

Sheaffer Parker Montblanc esterbrook made some wonderful desk sets. Montblanc still does.

 

I also use a Wilson desk base with Ratnamson ebonite desk pens fitted with uniball gel refills. These are perfectly functional provided you have a suitable desk at work/ home. During this pandemic as I dont carry a pen anymore, my work desk set gets even more use.

 

Try a good pen set, the pilot ones are comparatively cheap.

Good to know...

 

If I don't get a pen-holder, I think I will try something in a do-it-yourself fashion, or maybe just use a ordinary pen-stand and keep the pens capped. Or maybe just rest the pen horizontal..

[hari317]

Good to know...

 

If I don't get a pen-holder, I think I will try something in a do-it-yourself fashion, or maybe just use a ordinary pen-stand and keep the pens capped. Or maybe just rest the pen horizontal..

See a desk pen has a specific purpose. It is for quick accessibility. Use it keep it. It might also enhance the looks of your desk.

 

Will a threaded cap desk pen taking 3-4turns to uncap help with that ? If if has to be kept lying on the table then why not keep there one of the many FPs that you already have? Then there are no matching desk holders provided. Also who knows if the pens are really designed for desk holder usage ( nib pointing down always) ?

 

Thus the Indian desk pen is a flop in my opinion.

 

If you really want something functional my recommendation is in the post above.

 

If you are unsure of the long tail pen like how it will balance in your hand etc then there are pens like the rotring art pen, Lamy joy, pelikan script etc to help you experience that.

 

I hope I have made things clear from my point of view.

 

Do let us know what you finally ended up doing.

Edited October 11, 2020 by hari317

[Savit]

See a desk pen has a specific purpose. It is for quick accessibility. Use it keep it. It might also enhance the looks of your desk.

 

Will a threaded cap desk pen taking 3-4turns to uncap help with that ? If if has to be kept lying on the table then why not keep there one of the many FPs that you already have? Then there are no matching desk holders provided. Also who knows if the pens are really designed for desk holder usage ( nib pointing down always) ?

 

Thus the Indian desk pen is a flop in my opinion.

 

If you really want something functional my recommendation is in the post above.

 

If you are unsure of the long tail pen like how it will balance in your hand etc then there are pens like the rotring art pen, Lamy joy, pelikan script etc to help you experience that.

 

I hope I have made things clear from my point of view.

 

Do let us know what you finally ended up doing.

 

 

Thank you, Hari..

Your point of view makes sense to me..

A desk-pen is not on my priority wish-list; I will get one only if I find a good matching pair (like the pilot-platinum pair in your post).. I will surely share my experiences if I get one..