All That Glitters Isn’t Golden: Fountain Pen Regret!
I never thought that it would come to this, but I have to share my thoughts on this new fountain pen that I acquired. I will not include the name of the retailer that I bought it from because they were so honest, patient and very apologetic on the behalf of Nahvalur.
I heard so many great things about this company and I don’t doubt that they have amazing pens. I have seen and held some of their gorgeous pens and was very impressed by the one my friend had so guess what, I waited it out and behold they came out with the Nahvalur Eclipse. The first of its kind, retractable. When I saw it, my heart immediately wanted it because after all, I am a fountain pen addict! Yes, collecting fountain pens is a real hobby. Don’t judge me! Lol. I searched all over the internet because I was determined to find a fountain pen retailer selling it on pre-order. After two days of searching, I found a shop based in Texas.
Four weeks later, the pen was in my possession. I couldn’t wait to get home to ink it up. Once I arrived home, I inked it with the most perfect ink, Diamine Dusted Truffle. It has the perfect combination of ink and shimmer, and the dual shading properties are amazing. I just knew it was going to be amazing once I put the pen to the paper.
*Started writing. In my mind I am thinking, “maybe this ink is too wet for this pen.” *drip *drip No, it is really dripping ink from the nib. The disappointment on my face was unmeasurable. I was literally flabbergasted that I waited all this time for a pen that was not functional.
The next day, I emailed the retailer, and they shipped out a replacement. I received the replacement two days later and guess what? The nib begin to leak again and the worst part of it all was that the top of the pen would not screw back on. At this point, I had to contact Nahvalur because this was the fault of the company.
You know the saying, “If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.” I felt very cheated of being able to experience something comparable to the Pilot Vanishing Point. However, I did find a solution on my own. The Pilot Vanishing Point’s nib unit fits the Nahvalur Eclipse. So, if you are reading this and have had the same problem, you’re welcome!
Here are six things to know before purchasing any new fountain pens:
1. Research the company, look at reviews on the internet and YouTube. If you can find a retailer, see if you are able to write with the pen before buying. Fountain pen shows are very helpful when it comes to this. If you can find one in your area, I say go for it.
2. Educate yourself on the type of ink that works well with the brand. There is a plethora of “Currently Inked” videos in which this can be helpful.
3. Know what your writing style is like. Nibs come is different shapes, sizes and lengths and understanding what your preference is will assist you in purchasing the nib that is right for you.
4. Learn about the maintenance of the pen such as how often it should be cleaned, and with what products. This is essential for those that do not want to spend hours disassembling and assembling pens for more than 15 minutes.
5. Budget wisely. If this is not a pen you have had before, consider purchasing something similar to see how it feels in your hands. There is nothing wrong with starting with an entry-level pen before exploring higher-end options.
6. Stick to what you know! My lesson in all of this is that “all that glitters isn’t golden!”
Updated on 10.19.2024:
As you know, Nahvalur sent me a replacement pen for all the trouble that I had went through with the first two replacements. After having the new and third replacement, it is safe to say that I am still having the same issue. It still leaks from the back of the nib. Of course I will be keeping this pen but this is not something that I can recommend to any of my viewers. This has been the most excruciating experience of my fountain pen journey.
