Danitrio

Sho-Hakkaku

Latest edition to Danitrio clan…Sho-Hakkaku in Ki-dame finish. Cartridge converter filling system, usual kanji script, wonderful honey colour, one of the smaller Danitrio pens. Will try and get some side by side shots of it next to the big Genkai.

It has a Fine 18ct gold nib. Has the feel of the Pilot Namiki Falcon, and a bit similar to Nakaya factory nibs, but without the pencil sensation. Quite different to the larger nibs of the ebonite-feed clad Sho-genkai and big Genki which to me write more like Omas (i.e. are excellent). I much prefer those nibs and feeds, but this small Octagon is at least a wet writer and aesthetically, probably the nicest looking of my Japanese pens.

Here it is relaxing in my new Pilot Somes leather pen tray…

Uncapped, with its fireball design Fin nib. There is some springiness there.

Kanji script…

Close-up of the clip…

Sho-Genkai

Here is my Danitrio Sho Genkai in the Tame- nuri finish.

I managed to get a good price on the Sho-Genkai after purchasing the cheaper Hakkaku model, in Kuro- keshi (matte black) finish, from a US distributer. The Sho-Genkai is the “smaller” version of the big Genkai. Similarly there is a Sho-Hakkaku, which is a smaller version of the big Hakkaku I bought…although this is still nothing in comparison to the size of a Genkai!

My original intension was actually to buy the Sho-Hakkaku or short octagon as it is commonly referred, in the Ki-dame (yellow) finish. With a crispy stub nib.

I already have four Nakaya’s; the Deskpen, 17mm portable, Piccolo and Deccapod Twist, but the flat- top style of the Danitrio’s always appealed. Of course thay are twice the price of standard- model Nakaya’s.

My Sho-Genkai has a firm Fine nib, but it actually writes like a slightly springy Western medium. The Danitrio nibs are made by Bock in Germany, which may explain the “fatness” of the Fine. Contrast this to Nakaya, who’s Fine nib’s are very fine indeed.

I managed to snag two of the last remaining Ao- Tamenuri Nakaya’s in the 17mm Portable Cigar with a soft-fine nib with added flex, and a Deccapod Twist with a firm Fine nib. I actually prefer the firm Fine nib as its very wet and smooth with a touch of feedback. Perfect for journalling in my Hobonichi Techo’s Planner

I actually find the Fine nib of the Danitrio too broad to use for journalling. The section is also much wider than I’m used to, but the pen still manages to stay light due to its ebonite material. Also important to note is the pen uses an eye- dropper filling system, and has a shut-off valve to control ink- flow. A great idea, but takes some getting used to.

Here is the Sho-Genkai with my leather Nakaya pouch. It happens to be an exact fit for it. I used to keep my Nakaya Desk pen in there but it was always rattling around (due to its tapered end and slimmer profile). I do not believe Danitrio make dedicated leather pouches for their pens, but given their quirky shapes and sizes, they probably should.

People used to Nakaya pens may expect Danitrio to be similar in terms of nibs and style. However, I find Danitrio to be quite different- far more western. The Tame- nuri finish isn’t quite as slick as Nakaya’s either. Also, Nakaya nibs are typically Asian, on the finer side and with a nice amount of feedback. These German bock nibs remind me more of Pelikan- and this pen did feel similar to the Fine-nibbed Pelikan M1000 I used to have.

However, overall I am pleased with this Danitrio purchase and glad I finally got a Genkai, even if it is the smaller one. Unfortuntely, I am now already circling in on my next pen…the long awaited Sho-Hakkaku in Ki-dame finish!