HisNibs.com update -- Washington consolation August 10th, 2014
Dear Norman,
For all of us that aren't at the D.C. Supershow this weekend, perhaps it will be some consolation we've finished unloading our pen shipment from aboard the His Nibs' airplane 'Valkyrie' http://youtu.be/Lx26dPqS0vM.
As this newsletter goes out to a mailing list of thousands of customers, please understand if there's a delay in answering your email queries or orders after one of these is sent. We will respond in order received and as soon as possible!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~in this issue * Jinhao Black Plasma with black Monteverde nib * DUKE Pinstripes * Jinhao Snakeskin * DUKE Harlequin #116 series * Jinhao White Spatter * Jinhao Wooden Chariot * Jinhao Pearl Windows * Uranus 621 series * Jinhao Moka series * DUKE 962 series -- Autumn Impressions * Jinhao Ivory * Hero Victorian * Jinhao Dragon Offspring Copper * DUKE Golden Rings * 'His Nibs' page on Facebook
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jinhao Black Plasma with black Monteverde nib
"I ordered a Jinhao pen recently from you and it was such a satisfying pen purchase after so many many years. I couldn't believe that I could get such a good fountain pen without paying an arm and a leg at some boutique pen store." R. R., Laurel, MD
"Norman, just to let you know that I am very pleased with my Jinhao Plasma pen. It performs much better than most of my much more expensive famous name pens." C. M., Denver, CO
"Dear Norman: The Jinhao Plasma arrived one day early and when I opened it both my wife and I were so impressed with the beauty of it. After flushing the converter with a touch of swan soap in the water, I filled it and was so pleased at how smoothly it writes...it is a joy to own...It is writing splendidly." V. H., Palo Alto, CA
See more colors here... - http://hisnibs.com/Plasma.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DUKE Pinstripes
"Norman, I wanted to let you know the children have arrived! I've already filled and used the Mako and it's great. I love a pen with some weight. I can already feel the same with the Pinstripe...The weight on both pens is good and the action is smoooooth! I like a weighty pen so I don't have to bear down (ballpoints). These just lay in your hand and you can guide the point. Thx again." D. H., Lexington, KY
"Dear Mr. Haase, I got the pen on Thursday, it's very nice and smooth, what ever is you do to the pen it writes beautiful, and it looks expensive, I will keep you in mind for my next purchase." G. L., San Diego, CA
More photos here... - http://hisnibs.com/pinstripes.htm
Let me first mention that this is an all-metal pen, and is not covered in snakeskin! I suppose that this pen could also have been called the Chessboard or Checkerboard, but the somewhat diffuse, slightly irregular markings more readily suggest a biological pattern.
Although of metal construction, the pen is actually quite light, and writing for extended periods with the cap posted is not a fatiguing proposition at all.
This is a full-sized pen as these things are currently adjudged, measuring 5-1/2" capped and 6-1/4" posted and a touch over 5" with cap held aside.
More here... - http://hisnibs.com/snakeskin.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DUKE Harlequin #116 series
"Hi Norman, I received the Duke pen 2 days ago [Harlequin], I have been using and really like the nib! Thank you for your prompt responses and excellent service." P. D., Edmonton, Canada
"Dear Norman: The Duke Cherry Vanilla arrived just on time as a lovely gift to me from myself on Valentine's Day. It does look good enough to eat but after the recommended soap cleansing I put it to its designated task: the writing of notes for a lecture. It is amazingly smooth with just the right sort of line. Thanks again for your service." V. H., Palo Alto, CA
"The package arrived yesterday, and the Cherry Vanilla pen is gorgeous." K. H., Hamden, CT
See both versions here... - http://hisnibs.com/duke_116.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jinhao White Spatter
"Norman, I am a little stunned by how much I like the Jinhao White Spatter. The ergonomic grip fits my hand beautifully and is very comfortable. But the big surprise is the nib, which I love. I usually prefer an F nib, but this M has great character, with just enough variation in the stroke to result in a beautiful script for me. I think I'll stick with it, and use the Monteverde F nibs elsewhere. Can I assume that the Jinhao Plasma has essentially the same nib shape? I might end up ordering one of those as well." R. S., Fort Collins, CO
"I have been on vacation since I sent in the order. So, I just got the pen. It's really quite nice. Better than I expected. I have a MB 149 and a Pelikan 800, bitter/sweet to say that the Jinhao is smoother than both of them...Thanks and I will be ordering more!!!" J. S., Chadds Ford, PA
More to see here... - http://hisnibs.com/white_spatter.htm
Ok, your first question is probably "Is that really wood"? Yes. Your second question most likely is "What kind of wood"? I don't know! I'm guessing rosewood, but I'm not really up on my types of wood.
This is an oversized pen, measuring 5-5/8" capped, 4-3/4" with cap held aside, and a theoretical 6-3/4" posted. I say theoretical because although some of the caps post on some of the pens, it's apparent that this wasn't really part of the design. I rarely post caps on any of my pens, and the size and heft of this one shows that the designers don't either. On those individual pens where the inner cap grabs a bit on the barrel-end, it's not a particularly attractive fit, and really makes the pen too 'butt-heavy' for comfortable writing.
"I received the Jin Hao Wooden Chariot, and Dancing Dragons today. They are truly works of art as well as reliable smooth- writing pens that actually write better than many of my expensive European models. Thanks for your kind attention, first class service and the hand written note. I look forward to purchasing more pens from you in the near future." K. G., Columbus, OH
More here... - http://hisnibs.com/wooden_chariot.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jinhao Pearl Windows
"Dear Norman, I received the Pearl Windows fountain pen. Yikes it lovely! It writes like a dream. I'm using it for some extremely important healthful New Year journaling/processing. With purple ink. Thanks also for your gracious help in discerning the efficaciousness of my "hint" regarding this pen to my husband! It worked out perfectly!" V. S. P., Plymouth, MN
"Dear Norman, my beautiful Pearl Windows pen just arrived. When I ordered it, I wasn't sure how it would measure up to the reigning favourite (my Sapphire), but I was willing to give it a try. I was surprised at how impressive and pleasingly hefty a pen it is. After I prepped it, I loaded it up with ink and gave it a whirl. It glided gracefully across the page like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers! When I'm not using it, I keep it out just so I can admire it. It's definitely a keeper. The downside to my purchase? It's whetted my appetite for at least one more of your pens! Thanks for providing another lovely product!" C. E., Toronto, Canada
"Hallo Norman, the windows shocked me --.it is very heavy (which I love), very wide and with a firm and steady writing. I am very happy with it and left all my other pens aside for the time being -- I am impressed. If I knew i would have purchased the window panel too, guess i will very soon anyway. Thank you!" F. G., Switzerland
More photos here... - http://hisnibs.com/pearl_windows.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Uranus 621 series
"I do love that 621, it writes with the finest line of any pen (including those with "fine" nibs) that I own. It works great with the narrow ruled stationary I use at work." G. P., Topsfield, MA
"Dear Norman, I LOVE, LOVE my Petri dish colored Uranus 621 and want another one this time in purple." S. P., La Grande, OR
Read more here... - http://hisnibs.com/uranus_621.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jinhao Moka series
The Moka's surprising shape and posting method are reminiscent of two other pens that come to mind, the Monteverde/Walt Disney Sleeping Beauty, and the Montblanc Marlene Dietrich. I've read that Montblanc designed the contoured shape to be reflective of Ms. Dietrich's figure and signature trouser suits. As you can see from a web search for prices, the Moka is available for a miniscule fraction of the cost of those two pens (on Montblanc's website for instance, I've seen their pen listed for $935.00...and it only takes cartridges!).
The Moka is a slim pen where one grasps the writing section, but gracefully enlarges toward the top of the cap and the bottom of the barrel -- with the barrel end being wider. The pen measures 5-3/8" capped, 6-5/8" posted and not-quite 5" with cap held aside. However, this is one model that you'll want to post, just for its fun method of posting the cap on the inside of the barrel.
"Norman, I wanted to send a quick note to say thanks for the latest pens and ink. The Moka is a very fun pen, and a great note-taker with that fine nib. The one I've fallen in love with is the Duke 962-it's such a slim, understated design but very light, with an amazingly smooth nib. I can't get over how easily it writes! It's found its way into my shirt pocket for the last two weeks, which is a long time for me. I may very well have to buy more of those before long! C. P., Easton, PA
See more here... - http://hisnibs.com/moka.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DUKE 962 series -- Autumn Impressions
"Norman, I wanted to send a quick note to say thanks for the latest pens and ink. The Moka is a very fun pen, and a great note-taker with that fine nib. The one I've fallen in love with is the Duke 962-it's such a slim, understated design but very light, with an amazingly smooth nib. I can't get over how easily it writes! It's found its way into my shirt pocket for the last two weeks, which is a long time for me. I may very well have to buy more of those before long! C. P., Easton, PA
"Just wanted to let you know that the pens arrived and I'm very impressed with the quality given the price. These are my first non Pelikan pens, and I'm really pleased with the nib on the Duke. It's incredibly smooth and performs far better than I expected a $25 pen to. The pen is quite handsome as well!" C. S., Ithaca, NY
"Norman, the pens and ink arrived today exactly as promised. The finer point on the Pilot pen is perfect for my special project requirements. The DUKE pen is beautiful and smooth. Thank you for working with me to match my needs to the proper instruments and for the recommendation on the Private Reserve ink." J. W., San Diego, CA
See all versions here... - http://hisnibs.com/duke_962.htm
"Just a quick note to let you know that my pens arrived this morning. I have to say that these are stunning pens. After my initial excitement the first words I breathed were, "these are gorgeous pens, simply gorgeous". I also feel that the oversized nibs add to the elegance and grandeur of these pens. I can hardly wait to flush and ink them up. Just as in my previous order, I am sure they will write beautifully. Again, thank you Norman for your wonderful service and attentiveness." E. D., Ottawa, Canada
"Dear Norman, I've been meaning to write and thank you for the service you provide the fountain pen community. I love this Jinhao Ivory. It is wonderfully comfortable to write with, writes beautifully and is completely reliable. Thanks again." I. S., Philadelphia, PA
"Norm, just received the pen today in the mail. What a outstanding looking pen, especially with the large black nib. You are right it bends toward the EXF. It writes beautifully and is well balanced. I usually never post my pens. Now going back on my history studies, the pen is very Moorish in appearance. The ivory, lack of gold coloring and the black grip section and nib all add to the Moorish sociology of its appearance. I am going to make a pen rest for it out of gaboon ebony from Africa. The wood is solid black an hard as iron. I will make that in a Moorish design. Anyway Norm, a really nice pen. Thank you very much." K. K., Gardena, CA
More photos here... - http://hisnibs.com/ivory.htm
"Received the order of the Hero Victorian and the Private Reserve Black Velvet. My only regret is that I did not order two Victorians. The pen compares quite favorably with those costing three times as much, the Waterman Charleston for instance, and the near extra-fine nib is quite delightful for a modified Copperplate script style. The heft of the pen is remarkable for its size and fits my stubby fingers quite nicely. The flow of the Private Reserve black Velvet is superb, having Calligraphy ink quality. I am very satisfied with the order and hope to make further purchases." J. C., Columbia, S.C.
"Hi Norman, Just wanted to let you know that the Hero Victorian arrived this afternoon and I have been using it quite happily for several hours. The nib is nice and smooth. I primed the converter with a little water with dish detergent, just to make sure there would be no sticking of ink to the sides. Don't know if the converter needed it, but I did it anyway as a preventative. (I wish I had as much luck getting my more expensive pens going.) All together a nice pen and a good writer." M. L., Jamaica Plain, MA
"Norman, I received the ink and victorian. Both are very nice. The ink is a great color and may quickly become my favorite. The nib on the victorian is very smooth. Also good to hold. I have to write more with it to see where it fits in with the rest of my pens." P. D., Tooele, UT
See more here... - http://hisnibs.com/victorian.htm
"Hi Norman I got the pen, and I love it more than the last pen. The weight is perfect the balance is perfect the nib looked too big at first blush but after writing with it I don't think I will write with any other pen. There aren't enough words to describe how much I like this pen." D. V., Brooklyn, NY
"...But when I picked up and started writing with the Dragon's Offspring, well there was just no comparison. The Dragon's Offspring (DO) is so creamy smooth. I don't think that I have ever written with a smoother pen...The Dragon's Offspring is truly a beautiful pen and is a delight when the nib is gliding across a sheet of paper." J. S., Hazel Green, AL
"I love the Dragon's Offspring pen that my wife got me for my birthday this fall. It writes beautifully, looks gorgeous, and as we've just welcomed our third child into the world during the Year of the Dragon, it's already got great sentimental value (I wrote a letter to our new son as we settled into the delivery room using that pen). Thanks as always for such outstanding service with great pens & materials." C. P., Easton, PA
See all three versions here... - http://hisnibs.com/dragon_offspring.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DUKE Golden Rings
"I wanted to let you know my friend, Mike, safely delivered my Golden Rings pen and I can't tell you how impressed I am with it. I really like the size, the weight, and the overall good looks and quality of this pen. I was attracted to it right away on your site, and it has not disappointed me. I normally use roller ball pens and have never felt comfortable with fountain pens in the past, but this one is absolutely great. Thanks so much for making it available to us!" D.A., Kansas City, MO
"As I am making another order, I have obviously loved my previous purchases. The Duke Silver Rings has been a revelation. The ink flow is consistent and the nib is relatively smooth, although the page is still felt slightly. What makes this pen special is that it writes well on a variety of paper, even recycled copier paper. What I had purchased as a writing pen has become my grading and editing pen! I look forward to trying more Duke pens. The Pilot 78G stub has already become my favorite script pen. It seems to work well with every ink I have tried so far. The flow and nib are spectacularly consistent even when writing speedily. The Monteverde Prima (M nib) is a wonderful writer. It lays a nice fine line without any feathering. It is slightly finicky depending on the paper chosen. It is perfect on my good papers, but does have some problems with stuttering on cheap legal pads and printer/copier paper. Thanks for the great work in adjusting the nibs! " A. M., Columbus, OH
"Received the pen. Love the weight of it and the feel of it in my hand. The ink flows so smooth and the fact I can buy such a excellent quality pen so inexpensively (avoiding the word cheap) is incredible and makes fine writing instruments available to the masses." C. S., Ajax, Canada
Read more here... - http://hisnibs.com/golden_rings.htm
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Regards,
Norman Haase www.hisnibs.com
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Regards,
Norman Haase
His Nibs.com
www.hisnibs.com