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Grifos Galuchat Fountain Pen
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Grifos Galuchat Fountain Pen
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Product Description
Handcrafted in Italy’s Aosta Valley, the Grifos Calypso fountain pen is made from galuchat—also known as shagreen, or stingray leather. Originally used by Japanese samurai to improve the grip of their sword handles, galuchat is also valued for its beauty and water resistance, and has been a popular material for bookbinding and furniture making since the 17th century Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downzofodraziw
124
Jan 19, 2018
How is the stingray skin sourced? I'd like to understand more about the supply chain, and what sustainability practices are in place.
Stubnib
222
Grifos Pens
Jan 19, 2018
zofodraziwHello, right question. First I would like you know that stingray skins do not belong to endangered species and are not included in the CITES list (you know that CITES are a list where are listed all the endagered species with trade are limited or not allowed at all). Then we purchase them here in Italy with all the legal documents and regular invoices, our source is a big wholesaler which supply many many fashion brands of Italy. By the way we in Italy must be certified by law when purchase such kind of materials and we have regular checks (there is a special brance of our police which makes controls in the fashion companies). Also we never use any skins from endagered species but only from breeded ones and that are breeded for food reasons and have as byproduct these stuff. I hope that you find this information helpful, however if you have any follow up questions or concers, please do not hesitate. Regards. Maurizio
zofodraziw
124
Jan 20, 2018
StubnibThank you for all the details, Maurizio. I appreciate your company's responsiveness and attention to these important concerns!
TomaCzar
755
Sep 19, 2016
The wiki link on shagreen says it can be made from multiple different types of leather, however the description says stingray leather. Can we confirm that this shagreen is specifically stingray?
And if so, can we confirm that it was responsibly harvested? I don't know what that confirmation would look like, I'm a little hesitant to accept a, "Yeah, sure, why not?", but before I could, in good conscience, get in on a drop for this beautiful pen, I'd need to know that half the ocean wasn't caught/killed to get the leather to make this pen.
And if so, can we confirm that it was responsibly harvested? I don't know what that confirmation would look like, I'm a little hesitant to accept a, "Yeah, sure, why not?", but before I could, in good conscience, get in on a drop for this beautiful pen, I'd need to know that half the ocean wasn't caught/killed to get the leather to make this pen.
Stubnib
222
Grifos Pens
Sep 19, 2016
TomaCzarHello, yes these pens are made with truly stingray skins and yes you are right the word "shagreen" mean more then a type of skin but our one are from stingrays.
We never use skins from endagered species and all the skin we purchase are from official wholesalers here in Italy and we purchase them with regular invoices. I could grant you that in Italy there are pretty heavy (and right) controls on the skins made from a special branch of the Police (specialized on forest, animals and so on) and all the companies like our one or like this our wholesaler have regular inspection by them and they through invoices and the codes printed on invoices and back of the skins on could track all the steps and travels made by these skins. Further the stingray skins we use are a byproduct of the fishing industry (in Asian seas they are wide spread and people there fish them usually, so they are similar to cow leather from this point of view but more again this species of stingray do not belong to CITES list.
(If you search for the Washington convention on endagered species shortly named CITES you could find the list of the species who are endagered and you will not find stingrays).
Hoping to have give you some more details then not a simple "Yeah sure"!
Regards from Italy
Maurizio
EsKAmoMO
2
May 24, 2018
Hi Maurizio,
I love the stingray leather design, and how you take time to respond to everyone's questions and comments.
Do you have a version of the blue color but with silver hardware? Like the black version?
I love the stingray leather design, and how you take time to respond to everyone's questions and comments.
Do you have a version of the blue color but with silver hardware? Like the black version?
Stubnib
222
Grifos Pens
May 24, 2018
EsKAmoMOThank you. I feel that straight contact with customers could make the difference for a small company as our and big brands. I keep an open eye and answer while I make invoices or engrave a silver body. Today with tablet is so easy do that!
About your question... yes there is no problem to make a blue one with silver details... but the problem is how make it possible through Massdrop. This drop was made with these pen features and honestly I do not know any way to send a unique pen made with different fittings... we will produce these pens in mass and will ship to MD warehouse in bulk, then they will ship to each customer. No way to send a particular one to you I fear. .. a next drop could be made to fit your preference and I could discuss this with MD staff bun I can't Grant you... Best from Italy.
Maurizio
Xyverz
619
Sep 19, 2016
The body of the pen is pretty, but I just can't get over that "kit" look. The "kit" look totally ruins it for me.
This, of course, leaves a pen available for somebody else who may want one.
This, of course, leaves a pen available for somebody else who may want one.
Xyverz
619
Sep 20, 2016
I'm not saying that the pen came from a kit, it's just got the look of most kit pens. Also, I really wasn't aiming to offend. If I did so, I apologize. Like I said, it really is a nice looking pen - it's just not for me. =)
Stubnib
222
Grifos Pens
Sep 20, 2016
XyverzNo need to apologize! I'm not offended. ;-) I understand you point of view, as told there is plenty of icecream tastes! Best regards!Maurizio
Stubnib
222
Grifos Pens
Sep 19, 2016
dedalianAll the fitting parts included the nib are 18 kt gold plated so "gold" yellow.
Regards
Maurizio
TheDarkTrumpet
128
Dec 9, 2016
Hi Grifos Pens.
First, I wanted to say this looks like a nice pen, and I hope other colors and options are available in the future.
One question I had was related to the type/quality of the nibs. I checked your main website, looking for writing samples - and couldn't find any. I also checked FPN and couldn't find any there either. Do you have some writing samples you're able to provide? It doesn't need to be in English, but knowing how your nibs compared to other nibs helps to determine which nib to purchase. E.g. a Fine or Extra Fine.
The other question I had is also related to the nibs. Do you do hand tuning on nibs before they are shipped? Most companies don't do this, and they either use someone else to make the nib, or they are mass manufactured. I'm a little picky on nib quality, and am curious if the gold upgrade results in a smoother writing experience (Steel Fine vs Gold Fine specifically). Is the gold nib a soft or hard gold and is there any more/much more flex compared to the steel nib?
Thanks for making your pen available on Mass Drop, and for helping answer these questions.
First, I wanted to say this looks like a nice pen, and I hope other colors and options are available in the future.
One question I had was related to the type/quality of the nibs. I checked your main website, looking for writing samples - and couldn't find any. I also checked FPN and couldn't find any there either. Do you have some writing samples you're able to provide? It doesn't need to be in English, but knowing how your nibs compared to other nibs helps to determine which nib to purchase. E.g. a Fine or Extra Fine.
The other question I had is also related to the nibs. Do you do hand tuning on nibs before they are shipped? Most companies don't do this, and they either use someone else to make the nib, or they are mass manufactured. I'm a little picky on nib quality, and am curious if the gold upgrade results in a smoother writing experience (Steel Fine vs Gold Fine specifically). Is the gold nib a soft or hard gold and is there any more/much more flex compared to the steel nib?
Thanks for making your pen available on Mass Drop, and for helping answer these questions.
TheDarkTrumpet
128
Dec 12, 2016
Do you have a link? Before I post, I *always* google first. I spent significant time reading, reviewing, etc. I have yet to see any writing samples. Unfortunately, until I see what the pen has for nib width/flex and all, I can't buy the pen. Especially if I'm going to opt for the gold nib (which I would almost certainly do). Hopefully by the next time it's listed, this info can be provided in the main summary/info section.
Stubnib
222
Grifos Pens
Dec 10, 2016
Hello, thank you for your answer. My though is that a simple wash like you do isn't enough (if there is a clot inside the ink feeder, is enoug that a fountain is leaved open for less then an hour and ink inside the feeder start to dry forming clot).
So please put your point section in a glass full of lukewarm water, add a spoon of alchool and leave it night long.
Day after wash the point under tap and try to re ink. If not enough again redo for a second night.
If also will not be enough I will explain you how disassemble nib and feeder from point section for a further and deepest cleaning. Just let me know! Regards from Italy. Maurizio
TheDarkTrumpet
128
Dec 12, 2016
What type of ink were you using in the pen? Noodlers, along with many others, seem to be more of a 'dry ink' vs a wet one. That may be part of what's going on.
Nimbusrider
37
Dec 7, 2016
Do you have any pictures of the white gold and yellow nibs? I want to see how well they match the body.
Stubnib
222
Grifos Pens
Dec 5, 2016
Cyn1cHello, thank you for your positive words.
The grip section tube (where you see the square pattern) is solid 925 silver.
Always at your disposal
Regards from Italy
Maurizio
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