No video :(

Conklin Duragraph Fountain Pen Unboxing and Review with Added Omniflex Nib

Подписаться 18 тыс.

Просмотров 6 тыс.

50% 1

In my last PAS GAS episode, I looked at five fountain pens and asked viewers to select the pen I should buy. Well, here it is; the Conklin Duragraphy Matte Black and Rose Gold fountain pen with an extra Omniflex nib. I will unbox it, talk about the parts and features of the pen, provide some size comparisons and measurements and then do a writing sample. After the writing sample, I will talk about what I like and what I don't like about the pen. Please feel free to use the timestamps provided below to skip to various parts of the review.
If you like this video, don't forget to like and subscribe and hit that bell to be notified when I post new videos! You can click below to subscribe.
Links to reviews of pens mentioned in the video:
Moonman M600 tinyurl.com/sbmvjon
Kaigelu 316 tinyurl.com/v7w45wf
Jinhao Centennial tinyurl.com/ut56ky3
Picasso 915 tinyurl.com/s8vpexk
Subscribe for more fountain pen videos: tinyurl.com/rgfe4v3
Share this video with a friend:
• Conklin Duragraph Foun...
Watch next - • Penbbs 491 Fountain Pe...
Timestamps:
Unboxing 2:17
Parts and Features 8:52
Some background on Conklin 9:31
Size Comparisons and Measurements 19:25
Writing Sample 20:37
Flex Nib Sample 24:07
Likes and Dislikes 25:46
Let’s connect:
Instagram - douglasrathbun
Twitter - @djrathbun
Email - djrathbun@gmail.com
"Back in Black" by ACDC
Concerto No. 3 in F major, Op. 8, RV 293, "Spring" by Antonio Vivaldi, in HD quality!
- Classical music piece performed by: John Harrison - Violin / Robert Turizziani - Conductor / Wichita State University Chamber Players
- Music licensed by: John Harrison
- Music license: CC BY-SA 1.0

Опубликовано:

8 авг 2024

Ссылка:

Скачать:

Готовим ссылку...

Добавить в:

Мой плейлист

Посмотреть позже

Комментарии : 65

@ghostwhowalks5623 3 года назад

awesome review and I just love the random tidbits you thrown in between - Batman, the naked guy playing the piano....hilarious!!! Thanks for reviewing this pen sir.

@InkquiringMinds 3 года назад

Thank you, Chet!

@deanandreoli1975 3 года назад

Seriously, this channel is not only informative, but also real entertainment!

@InkquiringMinds 3 года назад

@@deanandreoli1975 Thanks for that, Dean! :)

@deanandreoli1975 3 года назад

@@InkquiringMinds Cheers, Doug!

@karidru5272 2 года назад

I have the Conklin Duragraph in matte black rainbow which is darn near identical to this but has the rainbow instead of the rose gold accents and I got it in omniflex of course- gotta try it if it's there- and it definitely took me a bit of time to get the hang. Once I did though- oh I'm hooked. It's my favorite pen now. I've had it for close to two years, and it still looks every bit as silky (even though it lives in my coat pocket). It's a complete firehose, and doesn't get as thin a line as you'd expect, this is all true. But it feels so buttery when you're writing, and if you like to see ink sheen, the wetness sure doesn't hurt. I enjoyed watching this video because it sounds like you enjoy the style but are realistic about its ups and downs. I don't really understand the hate this brand gets. Thanks for the detailed vid!

@Scott-wi7rm 4 года назад

Another great video sir, I being a fellow musician, have a fascination with other musicians gear, I love to see what you got in pas gas episode, thank you.

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Hey, Scott! Thanks so much!

@enchantingfountainpens6238 4 года назад

Nice clear content and good to see that u r taking all precautions

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Thanks, EFP!

@idipbananasintocoffee 4 года назад

Best intro on RU-vid! Edit: I vowed off Conklin pens after having 3/3 of them malfunction in my hands. The latest was the Duraflex, which not only did it not write, but it also broke - nib collar cracked, the converter started leaking, and then I also noticed colour chipping off the rose gold parts. I'm glad to see your pen works, but I don't think I'll be buying their products anymore regardless...

@anitasamuel-george5788 4 года назад

Nya Hue Same for me. The Omniflex flex was terrible but changed it to a Nemosine 0.6 stub or a Goulet nib and it writes much better now. But as much as I love the new colours coming out...including the black and rose gold I won't purchase them anymore. I also like posting my pens. Thanks for the review! Glad it wrote well for you!

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Thanks so much, Nya! That makes me smile! As to the Conklin, I will be keeping an eye on it for quality and longevity. If I can't get the medium nib to write so I'm satisfied, I might replace it with a black Goulet #6 when they are back shipping again.

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Thanks, Anita. I love the feel of the pen and don't mind that my Duofold-a-likes don't post. I'm considering going with another nib for this pen - perhaps a black Goulet #6.

@idipbananasintocoffee 4 года назад

@@InkquiringMinds I have two Conklin 1.1 stub nibs, and the first omniflex - none of them are good. However, the EF Goulet nib and the 1.1 Goulet stub are fantastic, at least in my experience!

@jacobus57 4 года назад

@@InkquiringMinds the issue I believe is that Conklin--as to be expected--cut an unnecessary corner to save a buck and chose not to use the Jowo feeds. Changing the nib if the feed is crap won't accomplish anything.

@deanandreoli1975 3 года назад

i was just gifted a conklin all american, in Serenity Turquoise, with the omniflex nib. i'm really digging the springiness. so much fun! Also diggin that sweet AC/DC!

@InkquiringMinds 3 года назад

Cool! Thanks, Dean!

@chrisrap52 4 года назад

Glad I have avoided any of the newer Conklins. I bought a few years ago, have a beautiful Mark Twain Cresent, but none wrote well. Build quality on most was inconsistent at best. If they are using Jowo nibs they are using the lowest cost ones. BUT your video has prompted me to revisit my Monteverde Invincia Deluxe Nighthawk (also a Yafa product), which is even stealthier & carbon fibery & bought from Goulet. My writing expectations have evolved so maybe this time it will merit a video. Rock on.

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

I'm posting a video right now for tomorrow morning as I spend the afternoon doing nib surgery on the Conklin. I'm pleased with the results. I'd be very interested in seeing the Monteverde. Thanks! :)

@barrylevitt1170 4 года назад

The nib you have might have been the last of the Bock nibs. I purchased a Duragraph about five weeks ago that had a Bock nib with baby's bottom. Pen Chalet sent out two replacement Bock nibs, still the same problem, They finally received the new JoWo extra fine nib units and the pen writes perfectly with no adjustment needed. Great looking pen, Thanks for the review.

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Thank you so much, barry!

@greatlakescruiser5720 4 года назад

Congrats on the new Pen. I, too, got a new baby today. My Marlen Aleph was delivered two days (no mail on Sunday) sooner than expected. Waiting for the ink I ordered to go with it; Diamine Earl Grey!

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Hey GLC! Earl Grey... HOT! ;)

@greatlakescruiser5720 4 года назад

@@InkquiringMinds just need a bottle of Sherlock Holmes and my English motif will be complete :-)

@kauaiphotography 4 года назад

Aloha Doug! Very nice to see this review so soon of a very attractive pen! A very comprehensive review as usual, at least for what one can do in a short time frame. Wish you had showed how the pen wrote before any tuning you did to the nib. Your findings seems to be very similar to my very recent experience with both Conklin and Monteverde, with those same medium and flex nibs. Just for clarification, only Goulet Pens offered Bock nibs because of the issues with the nibs offered by Yafa up until earlier this year when Yafa went with JoWo nibs. The flex nib (Omniflex) nib has supposedly been upgraded, but it looks as though the feed is also an issue. I also found the flex nib to be on the broad side with no pressure and to get it to flex, it took too much pressure for it be practical for normal writing. I also found the medium nib, which I believe mine is an older version, to be on the fine side and also dry writing, also with flow issues after writing for a short period of time. Take care and stay safe! Mahalo, Thomas

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Aloha, Thomas! So, now I'm confused. You say the issue was with the Jowo nibs and Goulet was offering Bock instead? So this nib I have is a Bock not a Jowo? I thought it was the other way around?? 🤔

@kauaiphotography 4 года назад

@@InkquiringMinds , sorry for the confusion. The medium nib you have should be made by JoWo for Yafa and I believe the only way you can tell is with the silver colored nibs. Where it has the Conklin logo, the new JoWo nibs no longer have the yellow/gold coloring. Unfortunately, both of my nibs are black like yours, so no way to tell for sure? Goulet was switching out the nibs (offering up Bock nibs) up until either late last year or early this year when it was official that Yafa had made the switch to the new JoWo nibs. This only applies to the non-flex nibs. Hope that clears things up? Take care, Thomas

@jorge23483 4 года назад

Nice video Doug. I have the Duragraph in Ice Blue and yes, it's terribly similar to my Duofold Big Red... so, yes, it's and American homage pen wich is totally fine. I must say, the old nib in my Duragraph was a F and it was terrible... later the nib and feed became subjects of my franken pen experiments and now the pen has better flow and even has a little of flex without the need of a separate flex nib 😂🌩️(mad scientist laugh). Good video and a shame about the finial, but as you said: maybe is a purposely esthetic choice... Te mando saludos and may you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy 🖖.

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Saludos, Jorge! I think the dark logo is a choice by Conklin and good choice. The scratches have me scratching my head though. If I can't get this nib to where I like it, I think I might have to get a black Goulet nib when they are back shipping again.

@rjensen4951 4 года назад

Love your videos, and guitars. I have a Conklin midnight orange among my collection of 30 or so modern and vintage pens. How many pens have you?

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Thanks! Oh dear. I haven't counted recently. About 70 not including my wife's 10 or so.

@WhatIInk 4 года назад

The music on this fountain pen review video is better than 98% of the music videos out there...

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Thank you so much! I think I spent as much time on mixing and editing that intro as I did on the rest of the review! LOL

@sajjadhusain4146 4 года назад

I like the Conklin Duragraph on looks alone. Especially the classic, vintage-y cap styling despite rarely posting my pens when writing. Alas, I have 3 Duragraphs none of which writes properly and caused me constant trouble. It’s such a pity because Conklin is (used to be) a venerable brand. They still make attractive pens which is why I have been suckered into buying and trying Conklins in the vain hope that one of them will work splendidly straight out of the box. It has happened only once (a Mark Twain crescent filler that I love). I have tried fixing my nibs or even swapping different nibs on my other Conklin pens but it simply hasn’t worked out well. Their hyped Omniflex nibs are a scam, to put it kindly. Conklin and Monteverde are two of a kind. They make many pretty, affordable pens that are very hit & miss affairs - mostly misfiring duds in my experience. At least Monteverde has begun making a splendid series of inks since they can’t seem to make great pens. I won’t buy another Conklin. I’m keeping my Duragraph pens because I like looking at them. They are very beautiful, no denying that. Thanks, nonetheless, for the review, Doug. I love American pens, but my dollars will now only be spent adding to my beloved collection of Esterbrook, Edison and Franklin Christoph pens.

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Thanks for the informative comment, Sajjad! I have the Duragraph writing well now with a Chinese nib! :)

@huntersullivan51 4 года назад

"Good ol' U.S. ingenuity," oh how I love American exceptionalism.

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Oh no.. I didn't say that did I? ;)

@richardc6932 4 года назад

I have a Parker Duofold purchased in 1990 in black / white marble pattern and a medium nib. Love the design but always wished that I had bought another in fine. Lately I have been searching for a similar design as the Parker (and there are many) but in a different nib. I was informed that all of Goulet’s nibs are now Jowo nibs but the results and comments here have convinced me to pass on Conklin. Shame because it’s a “looker” with the rose gold trim on black and the price is right. Thanks for a great review.

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

The Black on Black might get a nibectomy soon!

@richardc6932 4 года назад

Douglas Rathbun I guess for the price you can’t complain? Be gentle Dr.

@FountainPenJourney 4 года назад

I bought two Conklin Duragraphs a couple of years ago - never again. They are terrible pens. Thanks for your review of this one Doug 👍

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Once it has the right nib in it, I quite like it! Thanks FPJ!

@jdechrist 4 года назад

Love the Rodney Dangerfield scene!

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Thanks, JC! I love Rodney! "I never got respect in high school! I used to have to share a locker with a mop!" LO

@w.j.m.91 4 года назад

"Good ol' USA ingenuity". Well, in fact, Duragraphs are most likely made in China. Conklin doesn't exactly advertise where are they made (and the lack of information kinda speaks for itself - same as Parker puts "made in somewhere" on all their pens except those made in China), but Goulet Pens informs they are "manufactured in Asia". I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they were made in the same factory as Moonman M600S or some other acrylic Chinese pens. The difference being, my Moonman M600S wrote out of the box well enough (so did Jinhao Centennial and Kaigelu 316), and the Duragraph - which costs 3-4 times the price of M600S - had a tone of problems with ink flow and scratchy nib.

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Thank you, W. J. M.! Yeah, most of those name brands moved their operations to the east decades ago. I'm finding the Moonman and Penbbs nibs superior to the Schmidts and the Bocks. But not the Pilot gold!

@nikthegreek4223 4 года назад

What is it made from?Also are these made in USA?That would be crazy!

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

It is a US company but I expect the pens are made in China. The nibs are Jowo. And the material is acrylic resin.

@mrpilotsapien7705 4 года назад

i TOO, DID THE SAME THING WITH MY BELOVED CONKLIN DURAGRAPGH/FLEX BLACK MATTE- ROSE GOLD (inner thought: Oh! I love this pen!)..... BUT OPPOSITE..... CAUSE I SUCK AT FLEX....... (WITH DRAMATIC TEARS WELLING UP)....... AND I SPRUNG THE NIB!!!!! (BWAHHAHAHAAAAHAAAAA BOOO HOOO). sooooo I just ordered a fine nib unit and was ok. Indeed this pen is nice looking! My daily carry when I want to look cool when the need to write is needed in a public setting. also,........... THANKS ALOT!!!! NOW IM GOING TO BINGE WATCH THE MOVIES AND SHOWS YOU EXPRESSED ON THE SCREEN. (CALL IT A MOVIE BINGE WATCH "RELAPSE")........NYUK NYUK NYUK.... I WAS CLEAN AND SOBER FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS...... BUT OVER ALL, THANK YOU FOR THIS REVIEW! SEE YOU LATER i HAVE TO GO TAKE MY VITAMEETA- MEJAMIMS......VITAMEETAVEGITA-BLES.... (no, that doesnt sound right...) ARGH! YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!!!!! YEARS OF WATCHING THE RERUNS AND STILL CANT GET IT RIGHT. GUESS I WAS TOO BUSY LAUGHING AT THE EFFECTS IT DID TO LUCY........ HA!

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

You're a nut MR Pilot Sapien! You can stay! :) LOL

@jimkrieger776 4 года назад

I think the flexible nib was too wet because you flooded the feed. Perhaps you can try again by filling the pen normally, drying off the excess ink with a paper towel or cloth, then writing. Or fill the cartridge with a syringe, and let the pen sit until ink flows into the feed. Good luck!

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Thanks for this Jim! I took your advice and cleaned the pen out, re-inked it using the standard dipping the nib and drawing ink with the converter method and tried again. You will see the results as I did a video of it and inserted into a video I was editing on doing some nib surgery on the Conklin. The video will be up tomorrow morning (this morning at this rate).

@axelsommerfeldt9020 4 года назад

AFAIK the old nibs did (and the OmniFlex nibs still do) not come from Bock but from an Asian nib manufacturer instead. And your problem with the OmniFlex nib reflects my problem with Conklin nibs in the past: There was no consistency. Some nibs delivered too less ink on the paper and only wrote with pressure, some were quite ok, some were bad, some were good, some delivered too much ink on the paper (like yours) etc. They really were hit-and-miss, and since the OmniFlex nibs are still coming from the same old manufacturer (and not from JoWo) these still are.

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

That's excellent information Axel! Thanks.

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

I wanted to pin a note here for those who love and support Goulet Pens. I've just watched the recording of their live stream from the other day and Rachel mentioned something important. Even though they are not shipping right now, they are still taking orders on their website, and your credit cards will be charged before items are eventually (in a month??) shipped. This will HELP THEIR REVENUE STREAM because they need to stay in business. Rachel also confirmed that they are paying ALL OF THEIR EMPLOYEES 100% for the next four weeks while on furlough. Support them if you can. www.gouletpens.com.

@JoelTurrell 4 года назад

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." I personally have not criticized Chinese pen makers for copying, paying homage, or plagiarizing designs such as the Duofold. I have criticized that Chinese.outfit who have faithfully copied onto the Fake Sonnet, the Parker name and logo. It is even worse that selling "Rollex" watches on a street corner in NYC. (I purchased my $95 Rollex in the '80s aa a joke to watch folks when they realized it was a fake, and couldn't decide how to mention that to me.) BTW, the Rollex was a good timekeeper for 3 years, at which age it usually died.

@InkquiringMinds 4 года назад

Hey, Joel! :) The fake Sonnet IS a total forgery. They have the name Parker on the pen and they are selling them as 100% geniune Parker Sonnets. That IS totally wrong. However, anyone who thinks they are getting an actual 14k gold nibbed Parker Sonnet for $10 is sadly deluded. I was surprised at how well the fake wrote though. Longevity is definitely one of the differences with the genuine article.

@bzmudaifyd 3 года назад

Why the gloves?

@InkquiringMinds 3 года назад

This was the height of the first wave of Covid-19. When I got packages in the mail, I would wear latex gloves to handle them and then, once I had sanitized everything, I discarded the gloves. I use Lysol wipes now but back in March 2020 the shelves were empty of that product.