Rob Kake is a magician renowned for his incredible performances and mind-boggling tricks. His unique style and charisma have made him one of the most sought-after magicians in the world, with a devoted fan following. Rob's magic is not just about the tricks themselves, but the entire experience he creates for his audience. From the moment he steps onto the stage, he captivates everyone with his confident and enigmatic presence. His seamless blend of humor, mystery, and suspense keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the next astonishing trick. One of Rob's signature acts is his ability to make objects disappear and reappear seemingly out of thin air.
Now at the start I was very much averse to vintage pens – I thought they might be unreliable, it would be hard to find the parts, a risky purchase.
This might sound simple, but actually it took a LONG time to find pens like that I made a lot of mistakes and had to kiss a lot of frogs before I found pens I was happy with. Even seasoned pen addicts may never drop a few grand on some hand-painted maki-e or full raden beast, but many of us have tried urushi, and fallen in love.
One of Rob's signature acts is his ability to make objects disappear and reappear seemingly out of thin air. Whether it is a deck of cards, a coin, or even a live animal, Rob always manages to leave the audience in awe with his flawless execution. His precise hand movements and sleight of hand techniques are a testament to his dedication and years of practice.
Fountain Pen Review: Pilot Custom 912 FA Nib (Falcon)
The Pilot Custom 912 with the FA (Falcon ) nib ($240) is unique pen. While it’s often compared to the Namiki Pilot Falcon fountain pen, they are not the same beast. For starters, the 912 only comes in black and features a 14K gold nib with side cuts to help increase the range of flex. The Namiki Pilot Falcon is available in several colors or metal body and an unusually-shaped 14K nib. Prices for the Falcon are $180-240 depending on barrel material.
The nib shape is clearly visible in the images above and below. The side cut looks like a hole punch took a bite out of the nib.
I borrowed the photo above of the Pilot Namiki Falcon from Parka Blogs. I don’t own a Namiki Falcon Fountain Pen so I can’t do a side-by-side. But after doing my own copious internet research, I came to the conclusion that it wasn’t worth purchasing both or saving a few dollars and buying the Pilot Namiki Falcon over the 912 with FA nib.
Inside, the 912 includes the Pilot CON-70 converter which is the pump action converter. The Namiki Falcon ships with a standard CON-40 twist converter.
The real magic of the Custom 912 with FA nib is obviously the way that it writes. There is very pleasant bounce and flex with the FA nib. To be honest, it flexed more than I expected it to do.
As a lefty, I tested the nib in overhand and side writing as well as traditional under writing. All directions worked but the side and overhand writing lost a good deal of the line variation because I was pushing the nib on the paper rather than pulling it (which is what causes the tines with open and create the desired thick strokes). At some angles, since the nib is so fine, there was some scratchiness — more so with over writing tha side writing. To get the most out of a flex nib like the Custom 912, you really need to be able to write from below so that your down strokes are thick and your upstrokes are thin.
While the 912 FA is not a “wet noodle” in terms of flex, it’s a good option for using a light touch and adding some thicks and thins to your everyday writing rather than pushing it to extremes. Part of this stems from the fact that the plastic feed will not keep up with the amount of ink necessary for excessive flax writing. As seen in my writing sample above, too much flex writing with cause the nib to be depleted of ink until gravity forces more ink into the feed fins.
To increase the ink flow, I think I will invest in an ebonite feed from Flexible Nib Studios (approx. $42). Do you own a Namiki Falcon or the 912 FA? Have you upgraded the feed in yours?
Final Thoughts
Overall, I am pleased with the out-of-the-box performance of the Pilot Custom 912 with FA nib. To be honest, I am more pleased than I thought I would be. While there are some ink flow feed issues with regular flex use, its not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Do I wish the 912 was available in other finishes? Heck, yeah I do. But for a workhorse, off-the-shelf flex nib, the 912 FA is probably the best quality for the price. I’ve had a couple other modern flex pens (Aurora. pardon the pun, springs to mind) and they have been stiffer nibs overall. If you have a heavy hand, I wouldn’t recommend the 912 FA because it is a light, fine nib but if your goal is to find a modern flex pen, the Pilot 912 FA is the best I’ve tried thus far.
DISCLAIMER: The items included in this review were provided free of charge by Pen Chalet for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.
Another aspect that sets Rob apart is his ability to connect with his audience on a deeper level. He has a way of making his magic feel personal, as if each trick is meant exclusively for the person observing it. Whether he is performing for a crowd of thousands or an intimate gathering, Rob has the remarkable ability to make each individual feel like they are part of the magic. Beyond his on-stage performances, Rob is also actively involved in teaching and mentoring aspiring magicians. He believes in the power of sharing his knowledge and experiences to inspire the next generation of illusionists. Rob's passion for magic shines through in his teachings, as he encourages his students to explore their creativity and push the boundaries of what is possible. In addition to his live performances and teaching, Rob has also made numerous appearances on television shows and has been featured in various documentaries and publications. His fame extends far beyond the magic community, as people from all walks of life appreciate his artistry and talent. The magic of Rob Kake goes beyond the tricks and illusions. It is an experience that transports the audience into a world of wonder and disbelief. His ability to captivate, entertain, and inspire is a testament to his exceptional talent and passion for his craft. Rob Kake truly is a magician like no other, a master of his art, and a source of endless fascination..
Reviews for "Unlocking the enigma of Rob Kake's magic"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Magic of Rob Kake." The magic tricks were predictable and unimpressive. There was no wow factor or any originality in his performance. I felt like I was watching a generic magician from a children's birthday party. The pacing was also off, with awkward pauses and unnecessary banter between tricks. Overall, I found it to be a waste of time and money.
2. Mark - 2/5 stars - "The Magic of Rob Kake" had potential, but it fell short for me. While some of the illusions were interesting, they were poorly executed, and it was easy to spot how they were done. The show lacked the awe and wonder that I expected from a magic performance. Additionally, Rob's personality and stage presence were underwhelming, making it difficult to fully engage with the show. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a truly magical experience.
3. Jennifer - 2/5 stars - I attended "The Magic of Rob Kake" with high hopes, but unfortunately, it failed to meet my expectations. The tricks were mostly unimpressive and lacked any innovation. It felt like I had seen them all before. The show also lacked a cohesive theme or narrative, making it feel disjointed. While Rob Kake seemed like a nice person, his performance lacked the charisma and stage presence necessary to captivate the audience. Overall, it was a lackluster experience that left me wanting more.
4. Mike - 1/5 stars - I was thoroughly disappointed with "The Magic of Rob Kake." The tricks were mundane, and it was evident how they were executed. The show lacked any sense of surprise or wonder. The pacing was slow, and there were moments of awkwardness in between tricks. It felt like a amateurish performance rather than a professional magic show. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking an exciting and captivating experience.