Pen Review: Inventery Bolt Action Pen

August 15, 2018

Los Angeles-based design house Inventery has been on a tear over the past year, releasing three different series of pens: the Mechanical Pen, the Pocket Fountain Pen, and now, the Bolt Action Pen. Though its release has received less fanfare than Inventery's prior two models, the Bolt Action Pen is equally well-built and worthy of your consideration if you're looking for a heavy duty, EDC-type writing instrument.

Of the three available sizes (shown here in "Onyx" coated brass), I found the medium to be the most comfortable for the type of writing that I do. The large pen was slightly too large, and the Small/D1 pen was great for short jottings but not long s… — Of the three available sizes (shown here in "Onyx" coated brass), I found the medium to be the most comfortable for the type of writing that I do. The large pen was slightly too large, and the Small/D1 pen was great for short jottings but not long sessions (unless you have small hands).

Like the Pocket Fountain Pen, the Bolt Action Pen is (mostly) intended for pocket carry. The pen comes in three sizes, each built around a different refill. The large pen accepts Pilot G2 refills and their equivalent, and is the only one of the three that isn’t particularly portable - it’s pretty long. The medium accepts the standard Schmidt P8126/P8127 capless rollerball and Parker-style refills, and the small pen takes D1 refills. For my review, I kept the "stock" G2 and Schmidt refills in the large and medium pens, but swapped a D1 Zebra Sharbo gel refill into the smaller pen.

The small pen comes fitted with a D1 adapter that allows you to use any D1 refill.

The coated brass construction on the Bolt Action Pen feels solid, as you’d expect from Inventery. (According to the company’s website, it’s “precision machined from raw brass stock using a single tungsten blade.”). The bolt-action mechanism is tight - almost too tight at first, but it loosens up after a bit of use. Still, it’s not quite as smooth as on other similar pens I’ve used such as the MaxMadCo stainless steel and titanium pens. The thumb-stud/slider is a flathead screw, which I found that I actually prefer to the smooth “nub” or lever that a lot of bolt-action pens use, because it allows you to get a better grip. The clip on this pen is also removable, should you want to go with a more streamlined look, and it's also much tighter than the clip on the Pocket Fountain Pen. This pen will clip securely to a pocket.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Inventery products are always well-made, and the Bolt Action Pen is no exception. If you’re a fan of retractable rollerballs, and carrying them in your pocket makes you nervous, you should definitely consider the Bolt Action Pen. The mechanism takes some force to deploy, so there’s less of a chance that you’ll end up with ink stains on your pants. Plus, like Inventery’s other pens, the pen feels pretty much indestructible. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of patina and wear will develop on the black-coated ("Onyx") version, and hoping some of the brass will start showing through as it ages (kind of like the yStudio line).

A close-up of Inventery's bolt-action mechanism.

You can purchase the Bolt Action Pen directly from Inventery. The large pen sells for $80, the medium pen for $70, and the small pen for $60, which on the whole strikes me as fairly standard pricing for a machined pen of this quality.

Disclaimer: Inventery provided me with the pens featured in this review at no charge, for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated for this review. This post contains affiliate links.

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.