Pen Review: What's with the Lamy LX?

July 14, 2018

Lamy caused a lot of shoulders to shrug a couple years ago when they released the Lamy "LX," which to many people looked just like a pricier Lamy AL-Star in three new color options and a new nib. And honestly, that's really what it is, though I do like both the redesigned nib and the new color schemes.

The Lamy LX features a redesigned black-plated steel nib. Sharp looking!

There's not too much new here to review. The Lamy LX is very much an "upgraded" version of the AL-Star, and the functionality is the same. Let's be clear: you're paying a premium for looks, from the "iPhone-style" anodizing, to the redesigned nib, to the premium packaging. All of this boosts the price of the LX to $50+ at most retailers, compared to $38 for a standard AL-Star. Whether or not the upgrade is worth it to you depends on your own aesthetic preference, and I will say that the redesigned nib looks stellar. It also feels slightly stiffer than the standard Lamy Safari/AL-Star stainless steel nib, so if you prefer a true "nail," you might want to consider this pen. If you missed my earlier review of the Lamy AL-Star, you can check it out here. It's a great pen, but I think over time I've come to prefer the Safari since it's lighter and better balanced, IMHO.

The Lamy LX nib (left) compared against the AL-Star nib (right).

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Again, don't buy a Lamy LX thinking that you're going to get something other than an AL-Star, at least as far as the core writing experience is concerned. That said, I'm not sorry that I have this "ruthenium" pen in my collection - it looks great, and the nib writes smoothly with no hiccups.

You can purchase the Lamy LX from our sponsor Pen Chalet, which currently has them on sale at $49, before any applicable coupon codes or further discounts. The LX is available in four colors: Gold, Palladium, Rose Gold, and Ruthenium, which will match up well with whatever color iPhone you carry (assuming you're an Apple fan).

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink from Pen Chalet using affiliate credit. I was not compensated monetarily for this review, though this post does contain affiliate links.

Pen Review: Ensso PIUMA Minimalist Fountain Pen

July 4, 2018

Continuing a recent trend here at The Gentleman Stationer, next up for review is the Ensso PIUMA, a pen with its origins on Kickstarter but that has since transitioned to the regular market. Like the KOSMOS Ink, which I recently reviewed, you might be tempted to write off the PIUMA as just another one of many “minimalist pen” Kickstarter projects. And this is, in fact, an ultra-minimal pen. (Ensso describes it as “an investigation of liberating a fountain pen from all unnecessary components and ornaments.”) The versions Ensso sent me for review are machined aluminum cigars, with hardly any branding, no clip, and no other adornments. This pen definitely appeals to someone looking for a specific style, and if the minimal machined design tempts you, the Ensso PIUMA is an exceptionally nice writing instrument.

The PIUMA is intended to be used unposted.  While the pen will technically post, the cap wobbles when posted and I suspect the threads on the cap will eventually scratch the barrel. — The PIUMA is intended to be used unposted. While the pen will technically post, the cap wobbles when posted and I suspect the threads on the cap will eventually scratch the barrel.

According to the Ensso website, “Piuma” is the Italian word for “feather,” and the name fits well. Both the raw aluminum and black anodized versions of the PIUMA fountain pen are exceptionally lightweight. Aluminum is a light metal to begin with, but the design and balance are such that I sometimes forgot the PIUMA was a metal pen at all. The thread sit very high up on the section, which is a good thing for a metal pen, because it leaves a lot of gripping area and sometimes metal threads can be sharp.

Quality here is top-notch. The anodization on the black pen has no noticeable flaws, and the machining looks good as well. The cap closes seamlessly with no gap or unevenness. If I had one issue to raise, it’s that the metal threads squeak a bit when unscrewing the cap. This isn’t something unique to the PIUMA - it’s just what happens with metal-on-metal threads, but I thought I’d mention it because the sound has a “nails-on-a-chalkboard” effect for some people. Personally, it doesn’t bother me.

I don't know if Ensso tunes their nibs prior to shipping, but the Bock nibs on my two PIUMA pens are some of the best Bocks that I've used. The ink flow is steady with no starvation issues that you sometimes see with the standard Bock feed.

As I mentioned, the Ensso branding is unobtrusive. I also like the font.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Among the various “minimalist” machined fountain pens that I’ve had the opportunity to try, the Ensso PIUMA and the recently reviewed KOSMOS ink have easily been the best. They each take a different approach to the ultra-minimal fountain pen, and both are excellent in their own right.

You can purchase the Ensso PIUMA fountain pen directly from the Ensso website. There are several different finishes and materials available, including Black Aluminum, Raw Aluminum (both of which are pictured here), Brass, Titanium, and Stonewashed Titanium. Aluminum pens start at $79, Brass at $99, and Titanium at $139. The base prices include a Bock stainless steel nib, but a titanium nib option is also available for a slight upcharge. Ensso does include a Schmidt K5 converter with each pen.

Disclaimer: Ensso sent me the pens featured in this review free of charge.

First Impressions: KOSMOS Ink Fountain Pen

June 30, 2018

Confession: I had stopped backing pens on Kickstarter a while ago, and honestly had lost interest in the platform, because I felt that a lot of the Kickstarter pens out there weren't doing enough to innovate and distinguish themselves from one another. So, I unfortunately missed the launch of the KOSMOS ink, the newest offering from German design house Stilform. When they reached out and asked whether I'd be willing to review their pen, I was pleased to see something truly different, in terms of both design and functionality. The original KOSMOS pen won a Red Dot design award back in 2016, and Stilform recently learned that the KOSMOS ink has won the 2018 Red Dot award!

Most of the attention this pen has received focuses on the KOSMOS ink's magnetic cap, and for good reason. The cap not only closes securely, but it realigns itself so that the facets on the cap line up with the facets on the body. To uncap the pen, all you need to do is twist the cap slightly and it pops off - magnetic force once again!

The manufacturing quality on this pen appears excellent. The facets line up, and the magnetic cap is shockingly accurate in terms of how well it orients the cap/body facets without having to be adjusted.

But my favorite aspect of this pen isn't the magnetic cap - it's the double-faceted body. I enjoy the streamlined design of clipless pens, but the "roll off the table factor" prevents them from being something I use regularly at work. The KOSMOS fixes this issue by adding facets on two sides. (Note, KOSMOS also offers the opportunity to add a clip to your pen, which also looks cool though I haven't seen it in person.)

I'll also add that the anodization on this pen is high quality. There are no visible flaws on my prototype and the texture feels great in the hand.

Since the cap and the body are the same diameter with no taper, the KOSMOS isn't going to post. I didn't find that to be an issue, since this pen has near-perfect balance. The section provides a lot of gripping area, without any cap threads to dig into your fingers. It's a very comfortable writing experience.

KOSMOS ink uses Bock nibs, which is a perfectly appropriate choice. I had no issues with the fine nib that shipped with my pen. The filling system is cartridge/converter, and the prototype I received included a Pelikan "long" cartridge.

Takeaways and Where to Buy (Updated)

The KOSMOS ink has now closed on Kickstarter, and with the project raising more than €260,000 with more than 2600 backers. That's an incredible performance for a fountain pen Kickstarter, and after having the opportunity to test this pen out for myself, I think the backers are going to be happy. The pricing seems fair as well, with aluminum pens starting at around $69 USD, and a titanium version also available for about $127 USD. While the Kickstarter project has closed, Stilform has opened up an Indiegogo page, and if this pen interests you, you can still back the project here. There are also several potential add-ons, including pen cases, stands, a converter, and a clip (as mentioned above).

Disclaimer: Many thanks to the team at Stilform for providing me with a review unit, free of charge.

Also note that this is a "First Impressions" post, of a pen that I tested over the course of a couple days in advance of the Kickstarter ending. Should my conclusions change after long-term use, I will of course update this review.

From left, the upcoming "Reaktor" Pens: Starliner XL fountain pen, Starliner pocket fountain pen, Galaxie XL rollerball/gel, and Galaxie ballpoint

First Impressions: Karas Pen Company "Reaktor" Series

June 28, 2018

I'm pleased to announce that Karas Pen Company was kind enough to send me a review set of the "Galaxie" and "Starliner" pens from their new "Reaktor" series. These pens have been making the rounds lately, and while they're not yet available for purchase, I can see these becoming big hits that nicely complement their higher-priced Decograph (which I reviewed not too long ago).

The pens will be available in a smaller range of color options than the typical Karas pens. Options will include black, tumbled aluminum, polished aluminum, and polished aluminum with red or blue anodized sections.

Featuring midcentury modern designs inspired by the "Atomic Age" of the 1940s and 1950s, the Reaktor pens are more pocket-sized than Karas' typical offerings and designed to be manufactured for sale at a lower price point. All of them feel good in the hand and feature a slip/snap cap that works flawlessly. The cap closes and posts securely using an o-ring. The Reaktor lineup will include:

Galaxie. A clipless pocket ballpoint that ships with the Schmidt 950M pressurized refill, which is Schmidt's answer to the Fisher Space Pen. Of all the pens, this is probably my least favorite refill option, as "ballpoint gunk" tended to collect on the tip. That said, it's a Parker-style refill, so there are likely other options you can use.
Galaxie XL. A gel/rollerball pen with a clip that accepts the Pilot G2 refill, which is one of my personal favorites. Ana says the Galaxie XL also accepts the Schmidt P8126 rollerball, and since she's the refill guru I'll take her word for it!
Starliner. A clipless, pocket-sized fountain pen featuring a design that pays homage to the "flat-top" pens of the 1920s. It's short, so the pen accepts cartridges only.
Starliner XL. A more full-sized fountain pen with a clip, designed to use either cartridges or the Schmidt K5 converter.

The Starliner and Starliner XL fountain pens both use standard Bock nibs. A perfectly appropriate choice, especially at the price point.

Each of the Reaktor pens is designed around a specific refill and/or converter, and I've not had the opportunity to play around with them to see if anything else fits. Like the Decograph, these pens grew on me the more I used them. The ergonomics are very nice, especially on the "XL" series, and the pens feel much more expensive than their anticipated price point.

The Starliner XL, featuring a classic flat-top profile and engraved lines with a "3-2-1" countdown-themed pattern.

The "Galaxie" series has more of an automotive feel to it, especially on the cap.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Following up on the Decograph, the team at Karas has created yet another new series of pens that has left me with very positive first impressions. The Galaxie and Galaxie XL rollerball/ballpoint pens will be priced at $40 and $45, respectively, with the Starliner and Starliner XL fountain pens priced at $50 and $55. The "XL" pens should be released sometime in late June, early July, with the others arriving later this year. Be sure to follow the Karas Kustoms/Karas Pen Company website for updates! As I've observed elsewhere, there's not much currently on the market other than TWSBI and Lamy in that $40-60 price segment, and if Karas can figure out a way to make these pens profitable, they could have a big hit.

Disclaimer: Karas Pen Company sent me the pens featured in this review free of charge, for review purposes. Information on pricing and availability was provided to me by Karas. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

First Impressions: Aurora Talentum "Black Ops"

June 16, 2018

It's the summer of the "Stealth Pen", or at least it is for me. I've been thinking for years that pens with black-plated trim - sometimes referred to as "stealth pens" or "blacked out" models - were a fad or trend that would quickly pass. Well, that was back in 2012 or so when I first got back into the hobby and picked up a matte black Pilot Vanishing Point. Fast forward to six years later, where I just received my fourth black-plated Sailor and am very much enjoying this recent release from Aurora, the Talentum "Full Black" or "Black Ops" model. Though I've only had the pen for a couple weeks, I wanted to expedite this review / first impressions post since I've heard availability is somewhat scarce and people might have to act quickly in order to secure a pen.

I love the combination of the matte-black resin and ruthenium trim. It looks especially sharp on the Talentum's cap, which features a metal "crown" of sorts.

What I Like About the Aurora Talentum "Black Ops"

Looks. Though I'm obviously biased towards the "all-black" look, the Talentum Black Ops is a beautiful pen. Among all the various models Aurora offers, the Talentum never really caught my eye until now. Unposted, the shape and size remind me somewhat of a Nakaya Neo-Standard. Posted, it's longer, but still a touch shorter than a Lamy AL-Star or Safari.
The Nib. The black 14k nib is gorgeous. I understand that part of the reason this pen took so long to actually hit the market is because Aurora took their time getting the plating right. They did a great job. Some black-plated nibs can be a little skippy, or even squeak when you write, but this one is a firm, smooth writer with just a hint of the tooth that Aurora is known for. This particular nib is a fine, though the ebonite feed makes it a bit wet, so some might characterize this nib as more of a F-M (Fine-Medium).
Postability. Unlike the Nakaya, the cap on the Talentum posts, and sits fairly deeply on the barrel. Although the Talentum is a larger pen, posting doesn't make it unwieldy for me. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that this Aurora uses a cartridge-converter filling system, and is therefore lighter-weight.

The barrel of the Aurora Talentum has a slight taper.

IMHO, Aurora absolutely killed it with this black-plated nib.

Is There Anything I Don't Particularly Like?

Me personally? No. Depending on your preferences, however, others may find the Talentum too long, especially posted. While it's definitely on the longer end of what I can comfortably use, the pen's light weight and good balance prevent the length from being an issue. I'm glad this is a cartridge-converter pen because the weight of a piston filling system seems like it would have been too much. (It also serves to keep the cost down.)

Posted, the Aurora Talentum Black Ops is about the same size as the Lamy LX/AL-Star (top) and the Lamy Safari (bottom). The Talentum is a bit shorter.

Another size comparison, from left: Lamy 2000, Aurora Talentum Black Ops, Platinum 3776 (Shungyo limited edition), and Pilot Custom 823.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

If you're a fan of pens with ruthenium trim, consider ordering one of these now. The Talentum "Full Black" or "Black Ops" is currently available for purchase at sponsor Pen Chalet, priced at $360 before any applicable coupon code or promotion. In addition to the pen featured here, there is also a "Full Metal" version with a ruthenium-plated metal cap, which is more expensive at $460. While expensive, the price point for the resin-cap version comes in well below the Sailor Pro Gear Imperial Black or 1911 Black Luster, and it's unusual to find a pen with these specs - especially the ebonite feed - at this price point. As I mentioned up top, please keep in mind that these are my initial impressions, as I've only had the pen for a couple weeks. If anything changes, I will of course update this post or publish a revised review based on any issues that may arise during longer-term use.

Disclaimer: I have an affiliate relationship with Pen Chalet, which generates store credit that I can use to purchase pens such as this one for review. I was not paid or compensated for the content of this review, and all opinions here are my own.

The Talentum Black Ops is a great looking addition to your everyday kit, shown here alongside the gray-face Raven Venture automatic watch.