ABOUT

My name is Vaibhav Mehandiratta [ˈʋɛːbʱʋ] .

I am an Architect by profession. Married to a beautiful girl Abhi Sharma. And I thank her for all the support and push that she has given me for following my passions.

This blog is my love for fountain pens, paper and inks and their respective reviews and my general comments. I started collecting the pens, erasers and stationary at an early age of 12 and usually used get scolded for the same for parents on collecting all these things and never using them. But now, all grown up , and with bit of funds I have started collecting arsenal of fountain pens I have, I recently thought of blogging about the same. So here I am on a new journey which will last complete lifetime.

—

Cheers & Keep Writing

69 responses to “ABOUT”

Florian Thaler

May 17, 2019

Hi, i think, i have a topic you might be interested in.

What if there was a fountain pen search, that was created and constantly updated by the fp-community?
What if due to this, all brands could be shown on that website since it’s not dependent on what a certain store sells?

This is what i am working to create!
Right now, the website has ~765 fountain pens, which is “just” a little bit more than what gouletpens offers… I want to put in way more pens though, letting people find a pen with whatever criteria they are looking for!

I’d be really interested in what you think about the website: https://www.fpfinder.com/ (=fountain pen finder)!
(if this is not a thing you want to blog about (which i would understand, it’s an unusual topic), i’d still be really interested in hearing back from you what you think about this in private)

Thanks

Florian Thaler

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Anil

June 21, 2018

Hello Vaibhav,
Great job with reviews!
It brings in confidence in ordinary people like me to look at the beauty of fountain pens and its technical reasons for its quality and price.
I am starting with fountain pens and have been gifted with 2 jinhao x750.
I would like to ask you if using Parker Quink ink a good idea on those? or could you suggest any please?
Thank you much in advance,
Anil

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Mohamed Safeer

February 20, 2018

Hi Vaibhav,
I have sent you a mail requesting your expert opinion about Indian made fountain pens.
Could you please respond ?

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1. mehandiratta
  
  February 21, 2018
  
  HI
  Please allow me sometime to reply you in detail
  
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JAPINDER SINGH

January 30, 2018

Hi Vaibhav
I just saw your post for Mega Group Buy 2 – Ranga Pens – Feb 2018. I am based in Qatar and I need to know does the amount includes shipping to Qatar or not.
Thank you so much in advance
JPS

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1. mehandiratta
  
  January 30, 2018
  
  Yes the amount includes shipping to Qatar
  
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  1. JAPINDER SINGH
    
    January 30, 2018
    
    Thanks so much for the reply. Can you share with me your email id.
    
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  2. mehandiratta
    
    January 30, 2018
    
    mehandiratta@gmail.com
    
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Fountain Pen Geek[FPG]

December 29, 2017

Hello vaibhav,
I find your reviews very informative,
I have been writting with fp’s for six years ,
I was wondering whether your going to review pens on youtube,
also I might create my own fp blog probably next year ,
I wish you the best of luck,
Regards FPG.
P.S; could you review some diamine inks
Thanks

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1. mehandiratta
  
  January 9, 2018
  
  Thank you…. Reviewing is really time consuming and needs lot of equipments especially for you tube ….
  Yes I will review some Diamine Inks for sure…
  
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  1. Fountain Pen Geek[FPG]
    
    January 11, 2018
    
    👍👍👍👍👍
    
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Swaroop Sadarjoshi

December 26, 2017

Hi Vaibhav, I was looking for some fountain pen ink reviews and landed on your blog. I must admit your passion for fountain pens is visible in every blog posts. With articulate reviews and crisp pictures your every post is pleasant to read. I am rekindling my school days hobby of fountain pens before your blog I never knew, that its a beautiful world (of fountain pens, inks etc) out there.
Thanks for sharing your insights!
Happy writing!!
Will be waiting for more!!!

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1. mehandiratta
  
  January 9, 2018
  
  Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy life and checking out my blog….
  I am sorry for late reply…
  Happy Writing to you
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
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scholarwarriorsblog

September 19, 2017

Helo vaibhav…i am sandeep…
Wanted to speak to u on phone..
Have lots of lots if queries..
Can u plz do..

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Anonymous

September 6, 2017

Hi Vaibhav, Another pen enthusiast here who love to collect pens and use them however and wherever I can (spl in current day and age where keyboards and touchscreens are all around me). I found you from FPN forum. Thought to ask if you like to meet people in-person? (Of course, when I visit Delhi next time!)
– Diwakar (JustVRod @ FPN)

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1. mehandiratta
  
  September 26, 2017
  
  Would love to.. no problem ..
  
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  1. Diwakar (JustVrod)
    
    September 26, 2017
    
    Great! I’ll reach out to you when my trip is planned sometime soon !
    
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Sridhar Pandurangiah

August 12, 2017

Hi,
Nice blog, Very impressive photos. I am looking for a Ratnam & Sons – Gajendra, Unable to find it in Chennai. Any idea where I can buy one.
Sridhar

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1. mehandiratta
  
  September 26, 2017
  
  Approach them over whatsapp
  
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  1. Sridhar Pandurangiah
    
    September 27, 2017
    
    Thank you. Will do so.
    
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Anonymous

July 27, 2017

Hello Vaibhav,
You have an exceptional blog. Beautiful pictures and great effort. I am a pen enthusiast. Could you review the Hero Pens, the semi-hooded ones (330, 332, 336, 329 & 343)?

Regards,
Pradeep.S

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1. mehandiratta
  
  September 26, 2017
  
  Surely will review these … Soon
  
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VIKESH SHARMA

July 8, 2017

Lovely blog.

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1. mehandiratta
  
  July 9, 2017
  
  Thank you
  
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Nikhil Raj

May 11, 2017

Hi Vaibhav,
Its great to know a fellow fountain pen lover, but i must say your blogs do show the passion you have for them. Commendable work to help spread the love and knowledge of fountain pens.

Keep posting.

Nikhil

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1. mehandiratta
  
  May 27, 2017
  
  Thank you so much
  
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Tridib

October 12, 2016

Hi Vaibhav,

I was presently surprised to have stumbled upon you blog. I share the same passion for anything fountain pens and writing materials and presently building up a small collections.
Had some queries:
Do you know any where one can get Noodlers Ahab in Gurgaon/ India

I was excited by your review of Ranga 4C. Was not aware about Indian Handcrafted pens. Wanted to know if the Dual Tone JoWo 1.5 Calligraphy stub which you reviewed is a flexi nib for calligraphy or a standard italic nib.

I have been trying a Jinhao 886. Somehow I love this pen compared to other expensive brands I have tried. But I have problem I tried atleast two pieces which had the same problem that the ink did not flow automatically, normally after uncapping every time. I needed to be shaken or jerked to start.. Where do you get these in Gurgaon.

Lastly do you have pen club sort of thing in Gurgaon. If so can a noobie like me join

Tridib

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1. mehandiratta
  
  October 17, 2016
  
  Thanks for the follow…
  I don’t think AHAB is available in Delhi.. It is though made in India..
  
  The calligraphy nib is stub firm nib and not the flex one..
  Jinhao 886 is a Chinese pen… And inexpensive and lack quality control.. It also sometimes depends on ink.. Try changing ink..
  
  Please pm me on my email address I will connect on the main telegram club..
  
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UnconventionalGirl

July 4, 2016

Hey Vaibhav, I came across your blog while researching which fountain pen to buy next. Currently I own a couple of Parker Vectors and Platinum Preppies. I like writing with fine nibs. Could you suggest a nice Indian fountain pen to buy next? Online shopping would be better for me. Thanks.

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1. mehandiratta
  
  July 4, 2016
  
  Try asapens.in
  
  Few good pens to start with will be ASA Nauka , ASA Spear, ASA Patriot… With Spear being smallest of them all and is comparable to lamy safari in size.. If u r looking for big pen go for Nauka….
  Also if u can buy via email.. I would recommend buying Ranga Model 8… Very ergonomic design
  
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  1. UnconventionalGirl
    
    July 4, 2016
    
    Thanks, will check it out 👍🏻
    
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2. mehandiratta
  
  July 4, 2016
  
  I can connect you to Ranga Pens.. And you can pay via PayPal.. Or bank Transfer to him and he will ship u the pen..
  
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  1. UnconventionalGirl
    
    July 4, 2016
    
    sure… That would be great… Thanks 👍🏻
    
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Dhruv

June 12, 2016

Hi Vaibhav,

I must say you have put together a lot of good reviews together in one place!

I have recently gotten into fountain pens and discovered your blog while searching for reviews on the Pilot Custom 74. A nice and detailed review by you indeed. After trying many “starter” fountain pens like Pilot Metropolitan, Lamy Safari, Faber Castell Ambition etc., I was looking to get my first gold nib pen and hence the search for information. I have finally zeroed in on a Sailor Pro Gear with a MF nib.

Would you be aware of any fountain pen clubs in/around Delhi NCR where members can share experiences and ask questions; for instance I was searching for information on importing pens to India but could not find specific and accurate information.

Keep up the good work!

Many Thanks,
Dhruv Sharma.

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1. mehandiratta
  
  June 14, 2016
  
  Sailor is a good brand. However you must try it before you buy it.
  I have never been a Sailor fan of normal nibs.
  Only specialty nibs like Naginata or Nagahara nibs excite me.
  
  Yes there is a Telegram group of fountain pen club and we keep often meeting once a month.
  You can pm me your phone no. At my email address. I will share link
  
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Amadeus W.

June 10, 2016

Hi Vaibhav
Could I ask you for some help, promoting my blog? Yours runs well, as I can see.
How, would you say, could I entice people to comment? Comments tell me that I am on the right path, what people want to know through which I get inspiration for writing. I guess, it is a snowball effect, once it started it will progress.
The other question is, how to invite readers to follow the blog. I have only 5 followers, which makes it hardly worth while to write a post.

You know my blog. Any suggestion would be most appreciated

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1. mehandiratta
  
  June 10, 2016
  
  Sir.. It will slowly pick up. I will also share about your blog in my circle..
  Also weekly entry to blog helps…
  
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  1. Amadeus W.
    
    June 10, 2016
    
    Thank you for sharing my blog…
    What do you mean by weekly entry?
    
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  2. mehandiratta
    
    June 10, 2016
    
    The entries to the blog should be constant.. So that all followers have an blog entry to read per week..
    
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  3. Amadeus W.
    
    June 10, 2016
    
    Ah, see what you mean… question: “how do I get the followers in the first place?” At the moment, I have 30 to 50 visitors a day… but have only 4 followers
    
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2. mehandiratta
  
  June 10, 2016
  
  Please also use good theme… Really helps
  
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  1. Amadeus W.
    
    June 10, 2016
    
    What do you think about the theme I use at the moment? I recently changed it to improve readability, a friend recommended it.
    
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Rav Odedra

June 7, 2016

Sir,

I have been reading your blog for some time now and I really, enjoy it. Your handwriting is beautiful and the same can be said for your choice of colours.

I would like to start using a fountain pen, so what would you recommend? (I don’t intend to collect and I live in Gujarat)
Also, is Krishna brand ink available in Gujarat?

Thank you, and keep up the good work.

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1. mehandiratta
  
  June 7, 2016
  
  First of all thank you for the compliment..
  Starting fountain pen I recommend would be Pilot Metropolitan or Lamy Safari amongst the non Indian pens…
  Amongst made in India pen I would recommend you ASA Daily with option of Schmidt Nib..
  
  Krishna Inks are available on ebay India and is available for shipping pan India
  
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  1. Rav Odedra
    
    June 9, 2016
    
    Thanks!
    
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Vikas Bargale

April 26, 2016

Hi , I must say you are doing a great job to reignite the fountain pen hobby in India. Keep it up. Saw your review of Sarawati notepad. Thanks for that. Yes , we don’t get Rhodia, Clairfontain and Tomoe river in India, but came across beautiful notepad on Flipkart. It’s Fabriano from Italy. The paper is really good and they are absolutely worth for the money. They are my daily driver for cursive handwriting practices. They are available by cash on delivery also. Please try them and you won’t regret.

Regards,
Dr. Vikas Bargale

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1. mehandiratta
  
  April 26, 2016
  
  Well I have those also… Will review the same…
  Thank you for the appreciation.. I am humbled..
  
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2. Rav Odedra
  
  July 11, 2016
  
  I was out of India so I decided that I will purchase ASA Pen when I get back.
  
  In the mean time I purchased a Jinhao X450, Hero 7022 (cheaper one) and I am waiting for Pilot 78G, Baoer 388 and a Yongsheng pen.
  
  I am really enjoying fountain pens, partly thanks your blog posts and reviews. I have found the Hero to be to my liking rather than the Jinhao and I suggest you try it (only equivalent of 200INR but probably cheaper due to lower shipping cost).
  
  Best wishes.
  
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  1. mehandiratta
    
    July 11, 2016
    
    I will try for sure..
    
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Nikhil

April 17, 2016

Hey Vaibhav

Great to come across your blog. I have myself picked up a love for fountain pens and have been following websites and literature by Goulet, SBrown, etc and then came across someone who is doing the same in India…and doing good.

It would be good to know more about your collection and also on from where do you procure your pens and inks. I did import a couple of Twsbi pens but had to pay up lot of customs too. Then there are shops like pensavenue and pensindia

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1. mehandiratta
  
  April 18, 2016
  
  Hi Nikhil..
  Thank you so much for appreciation… I am humbled…
  Yes.. I would definitely share list of pens I currently own.. along with the inks and papers…
  Well I import lot of pens.. but I buy them as gifts as it avoids custom hassle…
  Also I am soon doing article of fountain pen shops in Delhi Series.. soon
  
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  1. Nikhil
    
    April 18, 2016
    
    Great
    
    Infact on reading your reviews on ASA, I have myself ordered a couple of them and eagerly await them now. Also the Krishna ink set.
    Didnt know made in India also has so much to offer.
    
    Cheers!!
    
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  2. mehandiratta
    
    April 18, 2016
    
    Enjoy brother.. Cheers
    
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Larry Berrones

March 18, 2016

How much are these pens, where do I look up the price and order at?

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1. mehandiratta
  
  March 18, 2016
  
  Try asapens.in
  
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Mayur

March 15, 2016

Great description and presentation!
In one of the pen reviews, you have used Chelpark Turquoise Blue ink. Do you know where I can buy it from? I am having a hard time getting it in pune.

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1. mehandiratta
  
  March 15, 2016
  
  I will share it with you.. Please PM me on my email address at mehandiratta@gmail.com
  
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  1. enticer86
    
    May 8, 2017
    
    i am going to mail you too
    
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  2. mehandiratta
    
    May 27, 2017
    
    Sure
    
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lovehappily

February 1, 2016

I am pleased to meet you. I look forward to reading more of your posts.

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1. mehandiratta
  
  February 1, 2016
  
  M happy to get connected.. Will stay connected
  
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  1. lovehappily
    
    February 1, 2016
    
    It’s nice to be connected with you. I am following you now, so I can’t wait to read more.
    
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CA.Josekutty Jacob

October 9, 2015

Great effort Mr. Vaibhav,

Your posts are really beautiful and informative.

Best wishes for all your future endeavours.

Regards,

CA.Josekutty Jacob

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1. mehandiratta
  
  October 18, 2015
  
  Thank you sir
  
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priyasharmafiction

April 3, 2015

Great blog and lovey photos. I will check out ASA pens on the strength of your reviews. Keep posting!

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1. mehandiratta
  
  April 3, 2015
  
  Thank You….Keep following….will come up with more reviews…..
  
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kurleymcd

March 23, 2015

Hi, I shared your blog on a slack group set up by the pen addict (penaddict.com), it’s been well received. If interested in joining the growing community of pen fanatics contact Brad Dowdy to ask in (@dowdyism on Twitter).

Karol.

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1. mehandiratta
  
  March 24, 2015
  
  Oh thats awesome
  
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2. mehandiratta
  
  March 24, 2015
  
  Thank you so much… Really appreciate that.. Will contact brad
  
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