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Custom Clipless Lhotse Fountain Pen
in Grass-Blackberry Ebonite.

(Click each photo to view larger views)

Grass-Blackberry Lhotse_capped Grass-Blackberry Lhotse_uncap-1 Grass-Blackberry Lhotse_closeup-1 Grass-Blackberry Lhotse_ruler-1 Grass-Blackberry Lhotse_ruler-2

Grass-Blackberry Lhotse_uncap-2 Grass-Blackberry Lhotse_closeup-2 Grass-Blackberry Lhotse_pattern-1 Grass-Blackberry Lhotse_pattern-2 Grass-Blackberry Lhotse_pattern-3


Scroll down to the bottom to see the specs and other info about this pen.


 



A
bout the Name:
The Lhotse (pronounced "loat---as in goat-- say") is named after Mount Lhotse, the fourth highest mountain on earth. Lhotse is best known for its proximity to mount Everest and the fact that climbers ascending the "standard route" on that peak spend some time on its northwest face. And in fact Lhotse has the smallest topographical prominence value of any the other mountains in it's group.

Lhotse Dimensions:
The Lhotse shape is known as a "cigar", and is one of the most iconic and popular clipless fountain pen styles ever made. It has a gradual taper from the center (joint) out to either end, ending in a nice round-over. The clipless style and short length allows the pen to be very portable. It can easily fit in a pocket, purse, briefcase or knapsack. The standard length is about 5 1/2", but it can be ordered in any custom size between 5" and 6" (or even longer if desired). The pen uses a standard Cartridge/Converter inking system. It can be fitted with a #5 or #6 nib. Nib finishes available for STEEL nibs are: 2-tone, polished steel, Black Oxide (#6 only), or Ruthenium (#5 only). Current tip sizes are x-fine, fine, medium, broad, and two italics (1.1 both; 1.4 for #5 only, and 1.5 for #6 only). 14 & 18K Gold nibs are also available as a special order.

Lhotse MAGNUM:
The Lhotse MAGNUM is a larger version of the Lhotse that is 18% larger. The MAGNUM has a capped length of 6 1/2" (165 mm) and a diameter of .71" (18 mm). The threads are also larger than the original to maintain the scale. The only part of the pen that isn't scaled up is the nib. The MAGNUM uses the same #6 nib as the original size. This is because a larger nib isn't available in steel. But if you would prefer a larger nib, PELIKAN offers a larger nib in their M1000, as does Bock in their type 380. But both are only available in 18k, so the upgrade cost would be much more expensive vs the standard #6 steel nib.

Lhotse Options and Upgrades:
The Lhotse is another pen style that allows for a few upgrades and options. You could add metal accent bands to the base of the cap, or add a HIDDEN RING clip (see the Tortoise Shell). The accent bands are available in several finishes (24k gold, nickel or Rhodium, and come in a variety of diameters with widths from 1 to 4mm (n 1mm increments). As stated above, you can also upgrade your pen with a 14k or 18k gold nib.

Inking system upgrades... Because of the style of the barrel, The Lhotse is not very conducive to adding a blind-cap for a piston or button filler. But it can be ordered as Lever-filler, Bulb-filler, or Eyedropper.

I also offer a variety of hand-made Pen Props and Pen Buttons. You can order a Pen Prop in a material to match your pen, or any one of the wooden styles made in a variety of stained or dyed colors. The Pen Buttons are available for any of the clipless pens.



About this Pen and Material:

The material used for this pen is Ebonite from a German company called SEM (SEM is an acronym for Schönberger Ebonite Manufaktur). The color is simply called Grass-Blackberry for the two colors that are mixed with the black base. SEM offers a large selection of colors that are offered in one of three patterns: a) Solid color; b) Swirl; and c) Mottled (also referred to as 'flower' or '8-swirl' depending on the supplier). Solid of course is an individual color. Swirl is a color mixed with black in a circular swirl pattern that's visible at the end of the rods. The Mottled pattern when viewed on the end has kind of a flower shape. Both patterns have the colors running lengthwise along the blank, but the Mottled pattern creates a more defined woodgrain or cathedral effect along the length. And when you mix three of the colors as you have here in the Grass-Blackberry (two colors plus the black), it creates a feathered effect. These bring to mind peacock feathers.

Most material sold as pen blanks are only 5" to 6" long, so it requires at least two blanks to make a pen--basically one for the cap, the other for the barrel. Not a problem on some pen styles. But with some styles like the Lhotse, if you have material with a defined pattern along the length, you would't want the pattern broken up at the joint. So most of the time, it's best to select material with a random pattern so you don't have it mismatched at the joint where the cap and barrel meet. However there are some materials that are available as 'double-length' blanks. Or as it can be with the ebonite, even much longer rods. So if you are using these longer blanks and plan the layout of the blanks correctly, you can match the pattern at the joint so the pattern flows along the entire length of the pen. Doing so creates a little extra work, but I like to do this whenever possible. Depending on where you buy the Ebonite, it can be available in rods of a meter or more long. Matching the pattern at the joint requires cutting the blanks (roughly) in half and using one piece for the cap, the other for the barrel and having a butt joint where they come together. The 'extra work' mentioned earlier requires adding a piece to the front of the barrel for the threads. I like to use a contrasting color, so here I used solid black Ebonite for the Barrel threads as well as the Section.

This Pens Specifications:
Color / Material: Primary: Grass-Blackberry SEM Ebonite /
Secondary: Solid Black SEM Ebonite.
Length: Capped 5.53" / Uncapped 5.0".
Diameter: Center .60" / Ends .51".
Nib: Fine tip Polished Steel #6 Jowo.
Filling System: C/C.