Pen Review: Laban Taroko in Dark Forest Acrylic

August 11, 2018

Laban set up just down the hall from the table I was working at the 2018 D.C. Pen Show, and the brand continues to surprise me, both in how nice looking their pens are - especially at the price point - and how well they write. The company, based in Taiwan, has apparently been around for quite a while, since 1981. Based on the information I’ve been able to locate online, Laban manufactures its own pens, and they offer a wide range of models in different styles and sizes.

The only branding on the Laban Taroko is "Laban" engraved on the cap band. It's a classic look somewhat reminiscent of the cap band on vintage Parker Vacumatics.

Frankly, I’ve been shocked at how much I like Laban pens. I’ve generally known of Laban as long as I’ve been in this hobby, but had never written with any of their pens until I reviewed the Laban Expression pocket fountain pen. I had, however, long admired many of their acrylics, which have a vintage look and feel to them. If you enjoy dark marble or tortoise patterns, you should definitely check out what Laban has to offer.

Comparison photo, from left: Montblanc 146 Ultra Black; Edison Menlo; Laban Taroko; Aurora Optima; and Pelikan M800.

The pen I’m reviewing here is the Laban Taroko - one of Laban’s mid-price offerings. The Taroko is a classic cigar-shaped fountain pen that I would compare in size to the Montblanc 146 or the Edison Menlo. While it’s on the larger side, because it’s an acrylic pen with a cartridge/converter filling system, the Taroko feels very light in the hand and is comfortable to use over long periods of time posted or unposted. The cap posts firmly on the body of the pen, and I experienced no issues with it rattling or falling off.

Nib and Writing Experience.

Laban nibs are engraved with the logo, which looks much better, imho, than the laser etching you see on a lot of pens at much higher price points.

The nib on the Laban is a standard two-toned stainless steel No. 6, which I peg as a Bock nib based on the design and feed. This means that the nibs should be interchangeable with other Bock No. 6 nibs (and, if your willing to experiment, No. 6 nibs from other brands as well). If you get a good one, Bock steel nibs are solid, if unremarkable, writers. The nib on my Taroko writes a rather wet line, which pleasantly surprised me, as many Bock nibs write dry and need to be adjusted out of the box. While this nib has a hint of feedback, it's not what I would call scratchy and the tines were well-adjusted out of the box. I found the Taroko's black acrylic section quite comfortable to hold for longer work sessions, as there is no dramatic step-down or sharp threads.

The one nit I had with this pen is, as others have noted, that it has a tendency to dry out if it goes unused for more than a few days, and the ink in the converter will start to evaporate if the pen is left unused for more than a couple weeks. Evaporation commonly occurs in fountain pens (especially those on the inexpensive side), but I noticed that it happened rather quickly in the Laban, probably due to the cap not sealing particularly well. This wasn’t a huge deal to me; when I have this pen inked up, I make an effort to use it, which isn’t hard given that it’s so nice-looking and such a comfortable writer.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Goldspot stocks the Laban Taroko in a wide range of acrylics, including some gorgeous, unique materials that look much more expensive than the actual price point of this pen, which is $103 retail. (Honestly, even the $130 MSRP on this pen is less than I would expect.) As mentioned above, the pen featured in this review is the Taroko in “Dark Forest” acrylic. It’s hard to find manufacturers who are still making acrylic pens in vintage-style patterns reminiscent of older celluloids, especially at the $100 price point. I saw several “must have” patterns on the Laban table at the D.C. Pen Show, so think there may be a couple more Labans in my future, including possibly one of the larger Laban Mentos.

Disclaimer: Goldspot sent me this pen free of charge, for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

Pen Review: Edison Menlo Draw Filler

July 21, 2018

My review of the Edison Menlo Draw Filler fountain pen has been in the works for nearly a year. Since I purchased this pen at last year's (2017) D.C. Pen Show, it's been in steady rotation. I've taken my time with this one because I wanted to give it a balanced write-up, which may be difficult because I like this pen so much. You may recall that I previously reviewed a slimmer eyedropper version of the Menlo, and I definitely prefer this version.

I instantly fell in love with the material on this pen, which reminds me of the swirls on the Visconti Homo Sapiens "London Fog."

The Edison Pen Company has been around for as long as I've been in the hobby (2013). My first custom pen was actually an Edison Mina that I picked up at my first pen show. Edison is located in Huron, Ohio and is run by Brian and Andrea Gray, who are absolutely awesome people who you should get to know when you visit a show. If you have the opportunity, the best way to learn about the various models of Edison pens isn't necessarily by reading online reviews, but by going to a pen show and spending some time at the Edison table discussing and handling the pens. I've purchased all of my Edison pens in person and have never come away disappointed.

This particular model, the Menlo, was initially released to showcase Brian's "pump filler" mechanism, a modern version of the traditional "vacumatic" filling system that incorporates a rubber sac, or diaphragm, to pump ink into the barrel. As most vintage pen aficionados are aware, however, rubber pen sacs don't last forever, and Brian started exploring ways in which he could combine the ink capacity of the pump filler with something that was easier to maintain and clean. The "draw filler" functions like a syringe. For a demonstration, check out this video.

A shot of the nib peeking through the transparent swirl acrylic.

What I Like/Love about the Menlo Draw Filler

Construction. From the moment you pick it up, you notice that this pen is obviously sturdy and well-made. It's also gorgeous to look at. Brian has been making pens for a long time, and his experience shows in the quality of the end product.
Weight. To me, the Menlo represents the Edison pen with the perfect combination of design and functionality. The pen looks great without sacrificing usability, especially in terms of size, weight, and balance. I absolutely love the fact that the draw filler gives you the ink capacity of a piston filler (and perhaps more) without the added weight of a piston filler. As a result, you can use the Menlo posted or unposted without dramatically altering the balance of the pen, which is a huge plus for me.
Nib system and General Writing Experience. Like other Edison pens, the Menlo uses JoWo nibs, and each is hand tuned prior to shipping the pen. If you purchase from Edison at a show, they will adjust the nib for smoothness, ink flow, etc. with you there at the table. Also, since the ink is in contact with the back of the feed, as opposed to flowing through the narrow converter, my draw filler tends to be a wetter, smoother writer than my standard cartridge/converter pens, similar to an eyedropper (without the mess from filling).

Are there any drawbacks to the Menlo? Not many that I can think of. If you're a serial ink-switcher, and the ability to change inks regularly is important, you may want to forego the draw or pummp filler since they make the pen more difficult to flush and clean than your typical cartridge/converter system. That said, Edison can also make you a cartridge/converter Menlo. Another thing to note is that if you choose a Menlo with a special filling system - either the pump or the draw filler - the nib and feed have to be customized for the filling system and you will not be able to swap nibs out as easily as you would with a standard JoWo nib unit.

For comparison purposes, from left: Platinum 3776 in Chartres Blue; Pilot Custom 823; Edison Menlo; Sailor 1911 Black Luster; and Montblanc 146.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

The Edison Menlo is a fantastic fountain pen, and if you're in the market for a lightweight pen with a massive ink capacity to serve as your primary daily writer, it's easily one of your best options. I purchased this Edison Menlo at the 2017 D.C. Pen Show, at the Edison Pens table. Since the Menlo is part of the Edison Pens "Signature Line," it's considered a custom pen, though Edison keeps a selection of pens in stock that are available for order at any time. You can view their current stock of Menlo pump and draw fillers here. If you'd like a Menlo made in a specific material or configuration, reach out to Edison Pens via their website.

Pricing is fairly standard across the entire Edison Signature Line. Cartridge/converter pens start at $275 with a steel nib and $375 with an 18k gold nib. A different filling system, (bulb, pump, pneumatic, or draw filler, pictured here) adds $100 to the price, so the pen featured in this review would cost $375. Some specific materials may be more expensive than standard acrylic, and Edison also offers nib customizations.

Disclaimer: I paid for the pen featured in this review with my own money. I was not compensated in any way for this review.

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.