Guider Pens: Worth it now?

[UpadhyayAbhinav]

I have been reading the posts about Guider pens on this forum recently and also interacting with the folks at Guider via Whatsapp. The current pricings are as such: Rs 7500 for Giant Ebonite and Rs 6500 for Zimbo Ebonite. All are 3 in 1 filling mechanism with German Schmidt nibs. Now, to want a purely eyedropper pen with an Indian nib would be considered a 'custom made' pen and hence even more expensive than the prices quoted above (that's what I have been told on Whatsapp by Guider). They told me that they had shifted from purely eyedropper to completely 3 in 1 mode due to flow issues reported by customers. My interest is in purely eyedropper pens and I like the Indian Kanwrite and Ambitious nibs. I have come to understand from experienced users on this forum that Guider are masters in making really huge and yet most comfortable ebonite eyedroppers, and precisely for this reason I was thinking of buying one, but now seeing the prices, I am hesitating, especially considering the prices and options available with PLP and Woodex. We all know that prices have risen tremendously recently with Guider pens. Is it still worth it to buy them? I would like to know the opinion of users here.

 

Thanks a lot in advance.

[K Singh]

1 hour ago, UpadhyayAbhinav said:

I have been reading the posts about Guider pens on this forum recently and also interacting with the folks at Guider via Whatsapp. The current pricings are as such: Rs 7500 for Giant Ebonite and Rs 6500 for Zimbo Ebonite. All are 3 in 1 filling mechanism with German Schmidt nibs. Now, to want a purely eyedropper pen with an Indian nib would be considered a 'custom made' pen and hence even more expensive than the prices quoted above (that's what I have been told on Whatsapp by Guider). They told me that they had shifted from purely eyedropper to completely 3 in 1 mode due to flow issues reported by customers. My interest is in purely eyedropper pens and I like the Indian Kanwrite and Ambitious nibs. I have come to understand from experienced users on this forum that Guider are masters in making really huge and yet most comfortable ebonite eyedroppers, and precisely for this reason I was thinking of buying one, but now seeing the prices, I am hesitating, especially considering the prices and options available with PLP and Woodex. We all know that prices have risen tremendously recently with Guider pens. Is it still worth it to buy them? I would like to know the opinion of users here.

 

Thanks a lot in advance.

Are you sure there is no miscommunication with them? It happens sometimes. Maybe you can ask them for eyedropper pen with guider nib, as they may have got confused about using Kanwrite or ambitious nib which they don't keep in stock. 

 

But if it's true that they only offer 3-in-1, then that's a sad thing indeed. And prices, to me at least, sound ridiculous, but then many Indian penmakers charge higher these days so I won't single them out. 

 

7.5K for an Indian ebonite pen is hard to digest 🤷 I like their giant ebonite though instead of their Zimbo (made a post on it earlier). As always, only you can decide what a pen is worth to you. I and others can only share our own biased opinions.

[UpadhyayAbhinav]

51 minutes ago, K Singh said:

Are you sure there is no miscommunication with them? It happens sometimes. Maybe you can ask them for eyedropper pen with guider nib, as they may have got confused about using Kanwrite or ambitious nib which they don't keep in stock. 

 

But if it's true that they only offer 3-in-1, then that's a sad thing indeed. And prices, to me at least, sound ridiculous, but then many Indian penmakers charge higher these days so I won't single them out. 

 

7.5K for an Indian ebonite pen is hard to digest 🤷 I like their giant ebonite though instead of their Zimbo (made a post on it earlier). As always, only you can decide what a pen is worth to you. I and others can only share our own biased opinions.

 

Thanks for your advice sir.

I have asked them again specifically mentioning the Guider nib and they told that price will depend on size and color, they will check specific availablity on Monday.

I did read your post on Giant and Zimbo, it was great to read it.

How has been your experience with the Giant and Zimbo? Have they ever burped? Do you replace the ebonite feed that comes with them or the original feed itself provides consistent flow?

I have a lot of 35 mm Kanwrite nibs, can they be easily swapped with the Guider stock nib? I have seen somewhere that Guider pens used to come with a smaller nib and could be swapped with a Kanwrite 28 mm nib which I currently don't have. I have read a lot here that Guider stock nibs can be a hit or a miss.

I am really sorry to trouble you with so many questions sir, but with Guider I am always feeling a communication gap and I am afraid to ask too many questions to them in case they get irritated.

[K Singh]

15 minutes ago, UpadhyayAbhinav said:

How has been your experience with the Giant and Zimbo? Have they ever burped? Do you replace the ebonite feed that comes with them or the original feed itself provides consistent flow?

I have a lot of 35 mm Kanwrite nibs, can they be easily swapped with the Guider stock nib?

It's a matter of personal preference. I prefer the Giant one over Zimbo. 

 

In my case they have never burped, but please note that burping depends on various factors, so your experience may not be same as mine. The ones with Schmidt nib units shouldn't burp though.

 

I use the original feeds only. By default guider provides the Indian no. 8 (28mm) nib for their eyedropper pens, which you can replace with Kanwrite no.8(28mm) or other equivalent size ones. The 35mm Kanwrite nibs need more adjustment at times and don't set in as deeply as the 28mm nibs without some modification.

[UpadhyayAbhinav]

14 minutes ago, K Singh said:

It's a matter of personal preference. I prefer the Giant one over Zimbo. 

 

In my case they have never burped, but please note that burping depends on various factors, so your experience may not be same as mine. The ones with Schmidt nib units shouldn't burp though.

 

I use the original feeds only. By default guider provides the Indian no. 8 (28mm) nib for their eyedropper pens, which you can replace with Kanwrite no.8(28mm) or other equivalent size ones. The 35mm Kanwrite nibs need more adjustment at times and don't set in as deeply as the 28mm nibs without some modification.

 

Thank you so much sir!

[het0314]

On 12/28/2024 at 7:35 PM, UpadhyayAbhinav said:

I have been reading the posts about Guider pens on this forum recently and also interacting with the folks at Guider via Whatsapp. The current pricings are as such: Rs 7500 for Giant Ebonite and Rs 6500 for Zimbo Ebonite. All are 3 in 1 filling mechanism with German Schmidt nibs. Now, to want a purely eyedropper pen with an Indian nib would be considered a 'custom made' pen and hence even more expensive than the prices quoted above (that's what I have been told on Whatsapp by Guider). They told me that they had shifted from purely eyedropper to completely 3 in 1 mode due to flow issues reported by customers. My interest is in purely eyedropper pens and I like the Indian Kanwrite and Ambitious nibs. I have come to understand from experienced users on this forum that Guider are masters in making really huge and yet most comfortable ebonite eyedroppers, and precisely for this reason I was thinking of buying one, but now seeing the prices, I am hesitating, especially considering the prices and options available with PLP and Woodex. We all know that prices have risen tremendously recently with Guider pens. Is it still worth it to buy them? I would like to know the opinion of users here.

 

Thanks a lot in advance.

Is there anything like a Guider Giant or Zimbo in the market? Probably not. That too their push-cap versions are truly unique. I had bought a Zimbo in 2022 end for about ₹5k with a Schmidt nib. And I had the same concerns about paying ₹5k then for a Guider. What I can say for sure is that prices are not going to decrease but increase with time. So if you truly want the pen, then you can get it.

[subbu68]

5 hours ago, het0314 said:

Is there anything like a Guider Giant or Zimbo in the market? Probably not. That too their push-cap versions are truly unique. I had bought a Zimbo in 2022 end for about ₹5k with a Schmidt nib. And I had the same concerns about paying ₹5k then for a Guider. What I can say for sure is that prices are not going to decrease but increase with time. So if you truly want the pen, then you can get it.

If it is dimensions, Gama Supreme and Supreme Neo are the same as Zimbo in capped length, section dia. Posted it is 5mm longer than Zimbo. They come with a Gama 35 nib and ebonite feed. I have a Supreme and it has never burped on me. Fit and finish is quite good and writing comfort probably better than Guider nibs (as I have read and dropped getting a Guider Zimbo). Supreme now sells at INR 3580/-. 

 

Gama Masterpiece is nearly same length, so also Madras.

[UpadhyayAbhinav]

1 hour ago, subbu68 said:

If it is dimensions, Gama Supreme and Supreme Neo are the same as Zimbo in capped length, section dia. Posted it is 5mm longer than Zimbo. They come with a Gama 35 nib and ebonite feed. I have a Supreme and it has never burped on me. Fit and finish is quite good and writing comfort probably better than Guider nibs (as I have read and dropped getting a Guider Zimbo). Supreme now sells at INR 3580/-. 

 

Gama Masterpiece is nearly same length, so also Madras.

 

I do have a Gama Supreme from 2021 with the stock Gama nib and ebonite feed, unfortunately mine burps when ink level gets low. However recently I have learnt the idea from @hari317 sir of holding the uncapped pen nib up with fingers wrapped around the barrel to get rid of excess heated air before starting a writing session. I hope I should be able to preclude burping now to a large extent . I have never touched or written with a Guider, just the extremely fine polishing done on their glossy ebonite giants, the cute parker style clip on big fat zimbos, the wonderful balance of their pens talked about so much on this forum and the fact that Mr Rao told me today regarding various problems in the business which are forcing prices to rise, including his advancing age, sometimes prompt me to get one before it's too late and they shut up manufacturing.

[UpadhyayAbhinav]

6 hours ago, het0314 said:

Is there anything like a Guider Giant or Zimbo in the market? Probably not. That too their push-cap versions are truly unique. I had bought a Zimbo in 2022 end for about ₹5k with a Schmidt nib. And I had the same concerns about paying ₹5k then for a Guider. What I can say for sure is that prices are not going to decrease but increase with time. So if you truly want the pen, then you can get it.

 

I agree with you sir that though there are similar pens around, if one considers all aspects there is really nothing around like Guider Zimbo and Giants! I have unfortunately splurged too much on pens this winter season (all traditional Indian eds, looking forward to reviewing them here), my conscience will need some time to pacify before another big purchase. I rue the fact that I came to know about this community and these pens so many years late in my hobby that I had already spent so much on foreign pens while rare masterful Indian manufacturers were going out of businesses, or when prices here were so low.

[lascosas]

Fountain Pen Revolution in the US has carried the Zimbo for years, always offering both the 3-1 version and eyedropper.  That is still true:

https://fprevolutionusa.com/search?type=product%2Cpage%2Carticle&options[prefix]=last&q=guider+zimbo

 

I'm not suggesting buying it from the US, just that the eyedropper version still seems to be available.

[UpadhyayAbhinav]

23 hours ago, lascosas said:

Fountain Pen Revolution in the US has carried the Zimbo for years, always offering both the 3-1 version and eyedropper.  That is still true:

https://fprevolutionusa.com/search?type=product%2Cpage%2Carticle&options[prefix]=last&q=guider+zimbo

 

I'm not suggesting buying it from the US, just that the eyedropper version still seems to be available.

 

Fountain Pen Revolution might have some old stock remaining, as of now Mr. Rao will charge more for the eyedropper version than the one with the converter (which is considered as the standard model now).