conid A Review of the Conid Minimalistica

[sannidh]

On 4/3/2024 at 5:20 PM, hari317 said:

Nice to read your review👍

Hey @hari317 it's good to see you here .

On 4/3/2024 at 8:22 PM, whichwatch said:

This post is intended to answer questions asked by @sannidh and @vermonter.

 

The first picture below shows a comparison of the Kakari nib next to a Jowo #6 taken from an Edison pen.  To my eye, the Jowo nib looks just a bit larger and longer.

 

The double stack nib I had in the Conid Regular was done quite a few years ago by Ralph Reyes.  When I first met Ralph at one of his earliest shows, he had a double stack that I liked, but it wrote fine in regular position and BB in reverse, and I asked for the opposite.  He made one, and it has long been one of my favorite, if not my very favorite, nib.  I can no longer remember what name he gave this one.  I thought it was Sequel, but apparently that was the first one I saw that wrote BB only in reverse.  Anyway, this one has long resided in my Conid Bulkfiller.  I also have two triple stacks by Jim Crawford that I also like a lot.  Pictures of Ralph's nib also appear below.

 

The Kakari nib I chose was a Broad Architect ground by CY as one of the first group of Kakaris he introduced at the San Francisco Show last year.  I didn't like the way to wrote at first - not because of anything CY did or didn't do, but because Architect grinds are angle specific and the angle didn't quite suit my writing style.  I had the nib touched up by Kirk Speer to a better angle for me and have been quite happy with it ever since.

 

I have also included below writing samples of the Reyes stacked nib and the Kakari Broad Architect.  Ralph's two stack nib writes BB or maybe even BBB in regular position and Fine in reverse, both smoothly.  It's a work of art in my opinion.

 

The Kakari Broad Architect, now adjusted to the right angle for me, writes a proper Broad with appropriate line variation for an architect.  It writes smoothly enough, but with some feedback, which I like.  It does not write in reverse.  I enjoy this nib quite a bit, and it will remain in the Kakari which I do enjoy using.

 

I hope this answers the questions that were asked.  Thanks for your interest!

 

 

Thank you, @whichwatch. The stacked nib writes as if by near magic. It may be a tad too bold for my liking, but I appreciate the expression of the nib. Interestingly, I was reading this blog from Tokyo Station Pens (associated with CY) about stacked nibs and the trial-and-error process they had to go through to create them. On the Kakari, I was wondering whether their standard nibs are sourced from usual Bock/Jowo, although it seems it could be from Japan too. How would you rate a Kakari make against a Conid Regular ? 

[whichwatch]

Comparing the Kakari to my Conids and even my Conids to each other present a series of positives and negatives that makes it tough for me to sort out.

 

Kakaris and Conids both appear well made.  I like the shape of the Kakari, which is more like a Minimalistica than a Regular Bulkfiller.  I like that the Kakari has a screw on cap like the Conid Regular, rather than a slip cap like the Conid Minimalistica.  I find the Kakari filling system a bit more cumbersome and less intuitive to use than Conid, especially when the pen is filled with ink.  Mine seems pretty stiff to operate.  As CY claims, the Kakari is more efficient to clean than my Conids, which to me is a good positive.  Some of the other benefits he claims for the Kakari (such as piston detachable in mid stroke) are of no real value to me, though it could be a positive for other users.

 

I like both the Kakari and the Conids and plan to keep the Kakari and one of each model Conid.

[stric75]

@sannidh Thank you for posting your review. How do you travel with this Conid by plane? Does it need to be filled with ink in the man reservoir or does the smaller one need to be filled? Would you please describe a proper approach to air-travel with this fountain pen? Thanks. 

[mulrich]

You can empty the smaller reservoir into the larger one then close the blind cap to seal off the larger one. Seems to work and I haven’t had any problems. 

[Karmachanic]

1 hour ago, Mulrich said:

blind cap

 

Blind caps are most often seen on vintage pens.  A blind cap covers a piston knob.  The new Kaweco piston filler has a blind cap.  Like this

 

[mulrich]

6 hours ago, Karmachanic said:

 

Blind caps are most often seen on vintage pens.  A blind cap covers a piston knob.  The new Kaweco piston filler has a blind cap.  Like this

 

My bad. It was late when I replied and I was tired. Same basic idea still applies. 

[Karmachanic]

1 hour ago, Mulrich said:

Same basic idea still applies

 

Hmm.  In my world words have meaning.  Piston knob moves the piston.  Blind cap doesn't move anything.  An apple is not an orange.  There's more than enough confusion in this world, but feel free to call one the other if it floats yer boat.  

 

And don't play with sharp objects at bed time

[sannidh]

On 4/5/2024 at 10:56 PM, whichwatch said:

Comparing the Kakari to my Conids and even my Conids to each other present a series of positives and negatives that makes it tough for me to sort out.

 

Kakaris and Conids both appear well made.  I like the shape of the Kakari, which is more like a Minimalistica than a Regular Bulkfiller.  I like that the Kakari has a screw on cap like the Conid Regular, rather than a slip cap like the Conid Minimalistica.  I find the Kakari filling system a bit more cumbersome and less intuitive to use than Conid, especially when the pen is filled with ink.  Mine seems pretty stiff to operate.  As CY claims, the Kakari is more efficient to clean than my Conids, which to me is a good positive.  Some of the other benefits he claims for the Kakari (such as piston detachable in mid stroke) are of no real value to me, though it could be a positive for other users.

 

I like both the Kakari and the Conids and plan to keep the Kakari and one of each model Conid.

Thank you @whichwatch for giving the comparison some perspective. Really appreciate that.

12 hours ago, stric75 said:

@sannidh Thank you for posting your review. How do you travel with this Conid by plane? Does it need to be filled with ink in the man reservoir or does the smaller one need to be filled? Would you please describe a proper approach to air-travel with this fountain pen? Thanks. 

Thank you @stric75. I agree with what @Mulrich has explained below. For flights, I usually empty any ink below the ink shutoff valve and above the nib/feed to the main reservoir, even if there is no discrete secondary reservoir, when using any eyedropper/vacuum filler with a sealing mechanism. Say a Pilot C823 or TWSBI VAC700. The Opus 88 Jazz & Namiki Emperor (perhaps because of the sheer volume of ink the feed absorbs) have not worked too well though 🫠

11 hours ago, Mulrich said:

You can empty the smaller reservoir into the larger one then close the blind cap to seal off the larger one. Seems to work and I haven’t had any problems. 

 

[Vermonter]

Hello @whichwatch.

 

I'm wondering if you would be open to writing a more formal comparison of the Kakari vs. Conid. I'm especially interested in differences of weight, balance, and nib wetness and quality. Also build quality — I keep reading that you can't take the Kakari apart to clean it. I can't figure out if this is really true, or really matters. I never take my MB 146 apart, and it's worked flawlessly for years!

 

In any case, I'm considering a Kakari, as Cy just wrote me that they are restocking silver versions over the next few weeks. Just unsure if I'll like it as much as my Conid Regular!

 

Thank you!

 

:0)

 

Paul

[sannidh]

On 5/6/2024 at 5:20 PM, Vermonter said:

Hello @whichwatch.

 

I'm wondering if you would be open to writing a more formal comparison of the Kakari vs. Conid. I'm especially interested in differences of weight, balance, and nib wetness and quality. Also build quality — I keep reading that you can't take the Kakari apart to clean it. I can't figure out if this is really true, or really matters. I never take my MB 146 apart, and it's worked flawlessly for years!

 

In any case, I'm considering a Kakari, as Cy just wrote me that they are restocking silver versions over the next few weeks. Just unsure if I'll like it as much as my Conid Regular!

 

Thank you!

 

:0)

 

Paul

Hello @Vermonter Did you happen to get a Kakari? How do you like it?

I happened to get one with a double stack nib (with reverse tousen grind - regular fine and BB-BBB reverse). Talked to Cy, it needs some smoothing on the regular side. Too sharp for my tastes!

Thanks,

sannidh

[Vermonter]

Hello Sannidh

 

I did end up buying a Kakari, but I sold it.

 

It's a great pen, and in my opinion the construction feels on par with Conid. However, I just didn't like the feeling of the section and balance of the pen in hand. This is certainly 95% me and my preferences, and has nothing to do with the quality of the pen. I know others love how it feels. The nib was great, too, a little dryer than the very wet Bock in the Conid.

 

You pen looks great. This nibs also look super-fun, do you like it now that it is smoothed out?

[sannidh]

2 minutes ago, Vermonter said:

Hello Sannidh

 

I did end up buying a Kakari, but I sold it.

 

It's a great pen, and in my opinion the construction feels on par with Conid. However, I just didn't like the feeling of the section and balance of the pen in hand. This is certainly 95% me and my preferences, and has nothing to do with the quality of the pen. I know others love how it feels. The nib was great, too, a little dryer than the very wet Bock in the Conid.

 

You pen looks great. This nibs also look super-fun, do you like it now that it is smoothed out?

Thank you for sharing  @Vermonter. I do understand the difference in balance when you compare it with a Conid. I kind of feel sad that you didn't like it much, given the level of enthusiasm we both had after @whichwatch had posted the pictures. I kind of think it's inclined towards the balance of a metallic kingsize demo (again 90% me). Oh the nib still needs to be smoothened out, I am planning to get it done on my next trip to SF. CY talks about three more models in Stationery Fest 2024 - priced at $1000, $300 and $100.

[donnweinberg]

I purchased a Kyuseido Kakari with a broad nib from the Kyuseido folks at the Washington, D.C. Supershow in early August.  I paid $600 for it, and that is its retail price.  I saw the video on You-Tube about how to fill and unfill it.  It filled very well using the pump mechanism, which requires close attention and some practice to use correctly.  By the way, the other (easier) way to fill it is to unscrew the section, use a filling tool (hypodermic syringe or similar item) to put the ink directly into the pen, and then screw the section back in (there is an O-Ring to prevent leakage).  I was disappointed in the nib; although springy, it definitely needs some work (smoothing?), as it did not write smoothly or consistently, even when I loosened the screw-pump to allow better flow.  

[stephanos]

Thanks for an excellent and entertaining review.

 

I share your enthusiasm for Conids in general, and the Minimalistica in particular.

I've had my Minimalistica since buying it from Conid directly at the London Pen Show in 2015. I also have a Kingsize Bulkfiller CAISO (cap actuated ink shut off) and a standard Kingsize - bought at the 2016 and 2017 London Pen Show, respectively - but the Minimalistica remains my favourite. I reviewed the pen back in 2015, and I still agree with my review, nearly a decade later.

I wish you many years of enjoyment with it!

[sannidh]

On 8/31/2024 at 8:55 PM, donnweinberg said:

I purchased a Kyuseido Kakari with a broad nib from the Kyuseido folks at the Washington, D.C. Supershow in early August.  I paid $600 for it, and that is its retail price.  I saw the video on You-Tube about how to fill and unfill it.  It filled very well using the pump mechanism, which requires close attention and some practice to use correctly.  By the way, the other (easier) way to fill it is to unscrew the section, use a filling tool (hypodermic syringe or similar item) to put the ink directly into the pen, and then screw the section back in (there is an O-Ring to prevent leakage).  I was disappointed in the nib; although springy, it definitely needs some work (smoothing?), as it did not write smoothly or consistently, even when I loosened the screw-pump to allow better flow.  

It's just unfortunate if you don't like the experience of writing with the pen after paying $$$ and expecting a lovable writing experience. I do expect a dud nib every time, I buy a Visconti and it never failed to disappoint. But I would not expect the same from a Conid or let's say a Kakari, because they are made to order with focussed attention to each order. That's their whole value selling proposition for charging $$$.

I had passed on special instructions with the order notes that the nib should be ground to a fine (not EF) for the regular side. It's just sad, that it was not attended to. Having said that, Cy was supportive enough with options for me to send the pen back to US or Japan. My concern is that the problem should not be there in the first place.

On 9/4/2024 at 2:27 AM, stephanos said:

Thanks for an excellent and entertaining review.

 

I share your enthusiasm for Conids in general, and the Minimalistica in particular.

I've had my Minimalistica since buying it from Conid directly at the London Pen Show in 2015. I also have a Kingsize Bulkfiller CAISO (cap actuated ink shut off) and a standard Kingsize - bought at the 2016 and 2017 London Pen Show, respectively - but the Minimalistica remains my favourite. I reviewed the pen back in 2015, and I still agree with my review, nearly a decade later.

I wish you many years of enjoyment with it!

Thank you @stephanos. I remember reading your awesome review long time back, I think it was probably the first review of a minimalistica here.