I was totally caught by surprise when I saw the new North American exclusive Sailor ProGear Line Friends CONY Fountain Pen ($312). I squealed with delight at how cute it was! I am not familiar with the Line Friends series, but the characters look a lot like Sanrio-esque cute Japanese characters. I grew up as a Hello Kitty kid (quite the opposite to the goth teen I became, right?).

There have been some previous characters like a bear and a duck but oh, the pink CONY bunny! The design of the pen was more interesting as well.  I haven’t bought a new fountain pen for myself in awhile and then in the same week, I found the BENU Skull & Roses Crow and the CONY — the two sides of my Gemini personality, one half cute and the other, a little spooky. I hit Buy It Now and didn’t look back.

Are the current Sailor Pro Gear fountain pens quite expensive? Yes. Should I be supporting this kind of financial excessiveness? No. Did I buy it anyway? Yes.

The pen body is a mix of material colors: the cap is translucent pink with an opaque pink end cap, the body is a milky white with an opaque black end cap. The grip section (shown in a photo below) is a milky pink. The whole pen features silver hardware.

Through the milky barrel, it’s possible to see the color of the converter.

So, of course the converter is pink!

The end cap on the cap feature the smiley face of CONY.

And the best part? The engraved CONY on the nib.

I love the Sailor 14K EF nib and despite efforts to expand my nib options, for everyday journal and daily writing, I always go back to the Sailor 14K EF nib as my go-to. My first ink pick for the pen was Sailor Studio 237 but it was a bit too light with the EF nib. Monteverde Kindness is a much brighter pink than I had wanted to use but is way easier to read.

My conclusions: do I recommend that you drop over $300 for a limited edition Sailor ProGear Slim? Only if you have the cash and want a pink bunny pen. Do I recommend a ProGear Slim in general? Yes. Despite the escalating prices, the Sailor ProGear is still one of the best pens I’ve ever owned and there’s a reason why I have more than one.

DISCLAIMER: Some items included in this review were purchased with funds from our amazing Patrons. You can help support this blog by joining our Patreon. Please see the About page for more details.

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We have reviewed the classic Kaweco Sport fountain pen many times but we continue to come back to it. It is a great gateway pen and its is inexpensive enough to live in your bag or on your desk at work. So, of course, you need more than one, right?

So, over the past few weeks, I’ve acquired TWO new models into my collection: the Smooth Sage ($29, EF nib) and the Frosted Blush Pitaya ($24.50, B nib).

I must confess that this is the first Kaweco Sport with a B nib and I am surprised  how much I am enjoying it. It  isn’t as broad and the BB I tested out years ago and preformed like a Sharpie marker.

Needless to say, my recommendation is that if you’ve never purchased a Kaweco Sport, what in the world are you waiting for? There are dozens of color options and you can even upgrade to the AL-Sport if you want a shiny, and more durable version. We like those too.

DISCLAIMER: The items included in this review were provided free of charge by JetPens for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

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I don’t know precisely why I love my TWSBIs as much as I do. Sure there’s the fact that they’re sort of modern, tech-y looking with the see through barrels, and the piston filler. There’s the fact that my TWSBIs almost always start on the first go, and don’t run dry unless they are literally out of ink. The, ECOs, of which I have three, are incredibly reasonably priced so they make great entry-level fountain pens. They provide a nice, if not exceptional, writing experience. They’re available in a ton of different nib sizes. Ok… I guess I’ve given myself a few reasons.

Despite really liking my TWSBI ECOs, I’ve never actually branched out and tried any of their other pens. (I take that back, I tried the TWSBI Swipe a while ago and thought it was ok.) But this time I saw the TWSBI Diamond Mini AL in Grape (a limited edition color!; $62.50) and decided to give the more expensive model a go!

The Diamond Mini AL is TWSBI’s version of a pocket pen. It is styled similarly to the other pens, in the sense that it has a transparent plastic barrel which gives you a bird’s eye view of the piston filling system. There are differences though. The grip and part of the piston system are designed in aluminum. The barrel of the pen is faceted (hence the “Diamond” feel and look). While the ECO and the SWIPE tend to be boxier, with edges on the cap, the Diamond Mini’s edges are rounded, and the cap is tapered. Overall while the ECO is utilitarian, the Diamond Mini is a bit sleeker looking.

I decided to compare a few pens that I use as daily writers to give you a sense of size.

L to R: TWSBI Eco, TWSBI Diamond Mini AL, Kaweco AL Sport, Sailor Pro-Gear Slim.

While the pens vary quite a bit in length when capped, when uncapped the Diamond Mini AL and the Kaweco AL Sport aren’t that different in length. The nibs, however, do have a size differential. In terms of weight they’re very similar: The Pro Gear comes in at 19gm, the ECO at 20, the AL Sport at 21g, and finally the Diamond Mini AL is the heaviest at 23g. But that’s not a HUGE range.

So what do I think? If I’m entirely 100% honest, I don’t feel much of a writing difference between the ECO and the Diamond Mini AL. This is my first extra fine nib from TWSBI, and given that TWSBI tends to use western-style nibs, I don’t find the extra fine to be scratchy in the least. In fact I quite like it. The pen is a bit weightier in my hand, and it’s smaller in size, but I have small hands and it seems like a comfortable writer. So what would make me pay more for the Diamond AL Mini? To me, it comes down to aesthetics. The Mini is fun, and often I do prefer aluminum to plastic (see my preferences for Kawecos!), but given that I don’t see a huge writing difference, I feel like I’m more apt to stick with the ECOs than amass another collection.

Do you have a favorite TWSBI? I’d love to hear about it!

• Paper: Maruman Mnemosyne N182A Notebook – A5 – Graph ($10.00)
• Pen: TWSBI Diamond Mini AL in Grape ($62.50)
• Inks: Pilot Iroshizuku Murasaki-Shikibu (50mL for $26.00)

DISCLAIMER: Some of the items included in this review were provided to us free of charge or at a discount for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

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When is a Platinum Preppy not a Platinum Preppy? When its a Muji Fountain Pen (price not available online). In the past, I’ve acquired other pens from Muji that were “white-labelled” but none more perfectly fits this description than this Preppy.

The exterior is entirely opaque white plastic with a clear ring at the cap band. The clip is integrated into the cap and is smooth straight line with no embellishment.

The only branding is the classic “p” and the nib width indication of “03” which is the fine nib.

The pen performs just as well as a regular Preppy but with a simple, clean exterior. The Platinum nib, as always, is smooth and the snap cap makes it a great on-the-go pen. If you have access to a Muji store, I would recommend looking for this gem.

This pen was sent to me by a dear friend.

The post Mini-Review: Muji Fountain Pen appeared first on The Well-Appointed Desk.

Hidden inside the simple paperboard tube is a pen of exquisite quality and with a nib like no other. It’s the Schon DSGN “Pocket Six” Anodized Aluminum ($165) with the mind-blowing Monoc Nib unit (starting at $385).

The nib is custom made by Schon DSGN in their Philadelphia workshop and is formed from a single piece of titanium. There is so much thought and consideration in the development of this nib that I could prattle on about how it was created but I won’t do it nearly the justice it deserves. I recommend reading the details directly from Schon DSGN and even take time to watch the video.

I mean, I couldn’t even get a good clear photo of the full depth of this nib what makes you think I can talk eloquently about it?!?! But dig that star engraved on the back side of the nib! Such a nice touch!

For a comparison in size, the Pocket Six is similar in size to the Kaweco Sport but the aluminum material feels weightier and sturdier.

While the Monoc nib will fit into any pen that takes a JOWO nib unit, putting this unique nib in one of Schon DSGN’s awesome anonized aluminum fountain pen designs seems like the best way to show off its unique looks.

In writing tests, I used the pen on both Tomoe River paper and a Nakabayashi Logical Prime notebook. I purchased the fine nib but it is definitely a European fine and more comparable to a MF or medium nib for me. It’s silky smooth to write with and can be used in a wide variety of angles. The nib can be flipped over and used upside down and it writes with a slightly finer point. It can also be angled from a low- to high-writing angle without any issues. If you’ve ever had issues with fountain pen nibs do to an unusual writing angle, the Monoc nib might be the perfect option for you.

Overall, I am thrilled I can support (with help from my Patrons!) Ian and his crazy adventures in nib making. The looks and overall quality of his pens in next level. They are modern and echo to our fountain pen history at the same time. The term visionary gets thrown around a lot but what Schon DSGN is doing really is visionary.

The Monoc nib is expensive but it is made in the US using premium materials and is tested before its sent out. If you are more interested in the Pocket Six, I also can’t recommend them enough. This galactic look Pocket Six is my second Pocket Six.  The original has been a daily carry since I got it and I suspect the new galactic Monoc will join its sister, the “Ferrara Rocher” hammered brass with a custom nib from Franklin-Christoph.

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Sometimes, the best pen is the one you already have. But maybe, it just needs a little “something something”?

In this case, the pen in question is the Pilot Custom 912 ($240) which originally shipped with the FA/Falcon nib — its considered one of the softest Japanese nibs straight out of the package. It did have some nice flex but the feed could not keep up with ink flow and the nib just wasn’t flexy enough.

So, I enlisted the help of nib magician, Gena Salorino of Custom Nib Studio to modify the nib to her legendary “Spencerian” nib modification ($120).

I also reached out to Flexible Nib Factory for a red ebonite 3-slot feed replacement ($42).

I realize that the investment in both time and money for this pen may be more than what many folks can comfortably spend on a pen alone but I spread the expenses over the whole year making it a little less sticker-shocking.

But when we get past the cost of the pen, can we talk about how beautifully it works? The nib is so flexible. Next to a vintage “wet noodle”, the Spencerian grin on the 912 is the most flexible, accommodating nib I’ve ever used. And its smooth at the same time. Unlike writing with a dig nib which can be pokey, especially on toothier paper, the Spencerian nib grind on the Pilot 912 is smooth and silky while also being bouncy with a wide line width variation and character.

Check out the original post about the Custom 912 with the unmodified FA nib to see the difference in the line width variation.

The feed really helps the ink supply keep up with the nib’s needs. After writing for awhile, I did need to pause and let the feed keep up but I really put it through its paces. I basically covered a 12″ x 16″ page with ink. In more daily writing or a smaller scale page might have better results. I kept a scratch pad to rest the nib on to help the ink flow stay consistent.

The range of line weights and the light hand needed to create the line variations is mesmerizing. I had such a fun time just testing and writing all the sample text.

Super special nibs like this Spencerian grind is worth the investment, at least for me. If you have a dream for a special nib, save your pennies and prepare to wait (I handed my pen over to Gena in late June at the St. Louis Pen Show and I picked up the adjusted nib in San Francisco in late August). The wait is totally worth it!

Tools:

• Paper: Col-o-ring Folio ($40)
• Ink:  Sailor Manyo Hinoki (50ml bottles for $24)

The post Pen Upgrade: Pilot 912 with Custom Nib Studio Spencerian Nib (and Flexible Nib Factory Feed) appeared first on The Well-Appointed Desk.

Lunar New Year is almost here (Saturday, February 10) and we know many of you are set to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. I’ve seen a few high-end, limited edition pens to commemorate the event so I thought I’d share a few today.

Visconti Year of the Dragon 2024 LE Pen (€4.793,39 via Appelboom). No one does it like Visconti eh? This collection is limited to 224 pieces.

If you’re looking for something even more exclusive, I’m in love with the Caran D’Ache Straw Marquetry Dragon Limited Edition (only 20 pieces exist). But I love the story they’ve told.

On the other hand, for us mere mortals who are into a bit of whimsy there’s the Benu Euphoria Draco Dragon Edition ($280 via Pen Boutique).

Regardless of whether or not you add a dragon to your collection, I wish you a wonderful new year!

The post Celebrating Lunar New Year… with Pens! appeared first on The Well-Appointed Desk.

As I think I’ve mentioned, I LOVE the Kaweco AL Sport. So when I was browsing JetPens a few weeks ago, the Kaweco Perkeo caught my eye. I don’t know how I missed it before, but the limited edition Infrared ($28.50) was too interesting not to order one!

The Perkeo is modeled after the ever popular Sport pen, just in full size. It generally comes with a plastic barrel and the faceted cap, and a steel nib. The Infrared edition has the additional feature of being translucent, so you can see your ink inside!

The biggest “perk” to the Perkeo (forgive me!) is that it is a full size pen so it can accommodate a full size converter. While there is a smaller converter for the Sport, most folks just use cartridges. And given that I have a drawer full of ink bottle, this seems like a good option.

The model seems red, but I admit I also think it looks awfully close to my Franklin Christoph Pocket 20 in Salmon Glow. Which coincidentally, is roughly between the Sport and Perkeo size-wise so I’ve included it here.

What happened next in my review is that the day got away from me and I didn’t have a chance to look at a writing sample until later in the evening. I admit the picture below is totally terrible and I debated even adding it here because many of you know how a Kaweco steel nib writes.

Suffice it to say, the Perkeo is easy to hold in the hand, very lightweight (15g capped) and kind of a fun pen. Pricing for this limited edition puts it nearer to a TWSBI Eco or Lamy Safari, and I think it holds its own in comparison to those two.

• Paper: Maruman Mnemosyne N182A Inspiration Notebook A5 ($10.50)
• Pens: Franklin Christoph Pocket 20 in Salmon Glow ($145-165), Kaweco Perkeo Limited Edition Infrared ($28.50), Kaweco x Hello Kitty AL Sport (originally $158)
• Ink: J. Herbin Corail des Tropiques (10ml for $6)
  

DISCLAIMER: Some of the items included in this review were provided to us free of charge for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

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One of the best things about pen shows is discovering a new-to-me creator. At the California Pen Show, I was able to walk around a bit on Sunday and stumbled across Rubato Pen Studio.

Her handcrafted mini pens were displayed on vintage cake stands like the candy-colored confections they are. Some of the pens featured charms on rings on the cap ends, others featured botanical embedded in the resin. There were pastel colors and glitter as well as shimmery tones.

She uses Schmidt nibs specifically because it allows the nibs to be interchangeable with a dip nib (specifically a Zebra G or similar). There is even mention on her web site that a brush pen unit can fit into the grip but I am a little vague about which specific model fits.

Her prices for these pens, made entirely by the creator — from the resins to the finished pens, was incredibly reasonable too. Like so much so I basically said, “Here, take my money!”

Each pen purchased at the show came in a cute little neoprene case (she let customers pick their own color so I picked lime green, of course!). Inside, she included some extra o-rings to eyedropper the pen, an empty cartridge and a full cartridge plus a syringe to fill cartridges. Since the pen is very small, a full sized converter will not fit but I think a Kaweco mini converter might fit. I will probably end up eyedropper filling mine after the cartridge I used is empty.

The pen I ended up purchasing has a shimmery pink grip section, a barrel that looks like strawberry ice cream melted into the base and a sprinkles cap. With the pink pompom on top like a cherry, the whole pen reminds me of a strawberry ice cream sundae. Or a birthday cupcake.  It just made me so happy the moment I saw it.

The cap is a golden translucent material with gold shimmer and the big metallic sprinkles embedded in the resin. It looks like magic in a pen.

The barrel section, shown above shows the same translucent golden shimmer but is layered towards the end with an array of pinky opaque colors.

The end of the barrel is threaded to accommodate the cap to make the pen a similar length to a Kaweco Sport but the Rubato Pen is a little shorter.

By the time I met up with friends for dinner on Sunday night, we discovered that all four of us had purchased a Rubato Pen independently of one another and wanted to show them off (we had all pocketed our little cases to do show-and-tell at dinner and had a good giggle when we all showed off Rubato Pen Studio pens!)

While I know Schmidt nibs aren’t everyone’s favorite, I think the reasoning behind Rubato choosing the Schmidt nib unit is a solid one. If you are someone who likes to play around with eye dropper mini pens or dip nibs and like a good sparkly pen, I highly recommend Rubato Pen Studio. It sounds like she will have a table at the SF Pen Show in August and hopefully, she will be restocking her online shop soon.

DISCLAIMER:  Some items included in this review were purchased with funds from our amazing Patrons. You can help support this blog (and keep me in ridiculous pink, pompom pens) by joining our Patreon. Please see the About page for more details.

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I have always been a fan of Opus 88 pens for their look/style. Unfortunately, they’re also often quite large pens which makes them not as comfortable for me to use. So I was thrilled a few weeks ago to find out about Goldspot’s Opus 88 Mini Fountain Pen in Sakura Cherry Blossoms ($79) and ordered one immediately.

The Sakura Cherry Blossoms is made much the way other Opus 88 models are. It features and acrylic resin body with color printed design. The mini features a #5 Jowo steel nib (available in XF, F, M, B and 1.4mm stub) and silver-colored hardware (ring and clip). It also features Opus’ eyedropper filling system which means you can just fill it with ink and go!

Opus 88’s Mini Fountain Pen fits right into the category of pocket pens, featuring a capped length of 4.75″ (12cm). While it is definitely shorter than many of the Opus 88’s, it also has slightly more girth than some of the other pocket pens I enjoy using. You can see that the Kaweco AL Sport comes in much shorter than the Cherry Blossoms, but the Franklin Christoph P45 is closer in size. I grabbed a Platinum Preppy (not really a pocket pen) just for size comparison.

Now let’s talk about the writing! I had a bit a of trouble starting this one. I don’t know if it’s that the nib and feed were a bit tight, or that I chose to fill it with Sailor Jentle Sakura Mori (I mean how could I not?), but it took me a few minutes to get the ink flowing smoothly. After that it was easy to use. I chose the fine nib, and it writes quite nicely. I can’t decide if the Sakura Mori is practical for every day writing (it’s pretty light in a fine nib), but I know I’m going to enjoy this pen for spring and many seasons to come.

• Paper: Maruman Mnemosyne N182A Inspiration Notebook A5 ($10.50)
• Pen: Opus 88 Mini Fountain Pen in Sakura Cherry Blossoms ($79)
• Ink: Sailor Jentle Sakura Mori

DISCLAIMER: Some of the items included in this review were provided to us free of charge for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

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