Last Chance to Grab One: Aurora 88 Sigaro Blu

December 14, 2019

I’m in a strange place with my fountain pen hobby and with this blog. Though I’ve certainly not reviewed everything thoroughly, I’ve had the opportunity to at least write with most of the major pen brands’ flagship models. If I’m honest with myself, this realization take a little bit of the fun out of the whole experience. Things don’t feel as new, and I have to work harder to get interested in new releases, and rarely get excited about yet another Sailor Pro Gear or Aurora 88 special edition. It takes something pretty special.

These days, many so-called limited editions are basically “skins” - the exact same pen with a different barrel color or material. Sure, changing up the acrylic and trim can drastically alter the look of the pen, but it rarely changes my overall opinion on the usability or functionality of the pen. That’s why it’s uncommon for me to re-review pens based solely on changes in appearance, unless I really didn’t like the look of the pen the first time around or the company makes a particularly drastic change. For example, I recently re-reviewed the Pelikan M101N because this year’s edition spoke to me while none of the prior releases did.

In addition to a couple of modern Aurora 88s, I have one vintage pen in the black/”Nikargenta” (nickel alloy) combination.

The Aurora 88 “Sigaro Blu” represents a similar situation. I’ve reviewed the Aurora 88 in two different formats: the limited edition “Minerali” demonstrator and the blacked out “Unica Nera.” The 88 is a great pen with a classic streamlined shape that’s comfortable to use. In its current form, the Aurora 88 has been around since the 1990s, but the pen’s heritage stretches all the way back to 1947 when Aurora introduced a hooded-nib pen to compete with the Parker 51. Today the Aurora 88 is available not only in standard black and silver/gold configurations, but in a wide array of limited editions and special releases. Currently, Dan Smith has at least a dozen different versions of the Aurora 88 available for purchase.

Prior to purchasing this pen, I already knew that I liked Aurora nibs and the overall form factor of the pen, but I hadn’t found a version of the Aurora 88 that was compelling enough to boost the pen into the “daily user” category. So what drove this purchase? The lacquer finish. With the Sigaro Blu, Aurora has layered light blue streaks in a webbed pattern over black lacquer, giving the pen a blue-black or navy appearance. It’s truly distinctive, and understated in a way that’s similar to Japanese Urushi lacquerwork while still maintaining its own identity. I first had the chance to see this release in person at the 2018 Atlanta Pen Show, and since this one was an expensive purchase, I had some saving to do. Fortunately I was able to snag one at a slight discount during a year-end clearance sale at The Nibsmith.

The “Sigaro” series of lacquer pens offers a different writing experience from the standard Aurora 88. The combination of lacquer and a metal section makes for a heavier, more front-weighted pen, and the balance feels somewhat akin to the Sailor 1911 Black Luster. It’s not a perfect comparison - the 88 is a is a piston filler, making this a more substantial, heavier pen overall, but I still have no issues using this pen all day. It will post, and since the cap has a plastic insert, I’ve not had any issues with the cap threads scratching the lacquer. (Lacquer in general is pretty durable, and I don’t worry about these things anyway. I use my pens how I want to use them, and if they start showing signs of wear that’s just part of the deal.)

The fine 18k gold nib wrote perfectly out of the box, and is paired with an ebonite feed that provides generous ink flow. Aurora nibs are made in-house, and the vast majority of my experience with the brand has been positive. These nibs aren’t glassy smooth, but they’re not scratchy either (at least to me). I enjoy the tactile feel, and by not over-smoothing Aurora tends to avoid the problems other brands have with skipping and hard-starting.

I would call this a true “Western Fine.” Ink shown here is Lamy Blue-Black, a favorite workhorse.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I love this pen, to the point where I can say that the Aurora 88 Sigaro Blu is a “Top 5” pen for me. The pen has the perfect weight and balance for my hand, and I can comfortably use this pen posted or unposted for hours. This Aurora fine nib writes the perfect line for my daily needs in terms of width and wetness.

As I mentioned earlier, I acquired this pen from Dan Smith over at The Nibsmith, who still has Sigaro Blu pens in stock. Pricing on the Aurora 88 ranges from $495 to $905, and the Sigaro Blu sits at the highest price point. You’re paying an extra $200-300 for the lacquer work, so if the look does not appeal to you and your interest in the Aurora 88 lies elsewhere, there are plenty of lower-cost options to choose from.

Disclaimer: I purchased this pen with my own funds, for my own collection. The Nibsmith is a paid sponsor of this blog.

Pen Review Revisited: Pelikan M101N Grey-Blue Fountain Pen

December 7, 2019

I don’t revisit reviews of specific pens very often. There are so many new releases that it’s tempting to keep plowing forward and chasing the next hot thing, even though its often equally valuable to reconsider previous opinions and see whether additional experience and changing preferences lead me to different conclusions. I need to do the latter more often, and the Pelikan M101N is a case in point.

You may recall reading my review of the Pelikan M101N “Bright Red” from June 2017. At the time, the pen didn’t speak to me, and I passed on acquiring one despite the fact that it had a lot to offer: design inspired by vintage Pelikan pens from the 1930s, Pelikan’s famed workhorse piston filling system, a gorgeous (and practical) ink window, and a 14k gold nib. I thought that the size was what held me back, but after a lot of reflection, and having the opportunity to handle other editions of the Pelikan M101N, I think it was simply because the “Bright Red” version wasn’t to my taste.

The Pelikan M101N ships with a 60ml bottle of Pelikan Royal Blue ink, complete with vintage-style label. Pelikan Royal Blue is an excellent ink for everyday writing.

I can’t say the same, however, about this year’s Pelikan M101N “Grey-Blue.” As I’ve said before, the promotional photos of this pen don’t do it justice, and it’s one that you have to see in person before making a decision on it. Not to harp on the benefits of attending pen shows, but if I hadn’t had the chance to pick up this pen at a show, I never would have considered it. The stock pics make the grey-blue material look flat, almost like the generic acrylics found in kit pens, but in person it has the same vintage-style depth as other Pelikan materials. I much prefer the palladium trim to gold.

Pelikan Nibs and the Overall Writing Experience

For the most part, the Pelikan M101N offers an excellent writing experience. It’s an extremely lightweight pen for a piston filler, and after having the chance to use the pen for a more extended period of time, I’ve come to appreciate its size. Unposted, the M101N is still a bit short for anything other than quick notes, but the posted length works perfectly well for me. Fans of the Pelikan M400 Souveran should give this pen a try, though those that find the M400 too slim will probably feel the same way about the M101N.

The nib on the M101N features “Pelikan” engraved in vintage-style script, with no logo.

If there’s one thing that’s kept me from going all-in on Pelikan over the years, it’s the nibs. I don’t dislike Pelikan nibs, but I’ve always considered them a bit “blobbish,” for lack of a better term. When I say that, I mean that Pelikan nibs contain a lot of tipping material - especially the gold nibs - which not only makes them run wider than their stated nib designation but also creates a rounded line with little line variation unless you go with a stock italic or have the nib ground. (The upside to Pelikan using a lot of tipping material is that it gives nib grinders a lot to work with, making them easier to modify, or so I’ve been told.) In my experience, Pelikan nibs write very wet and can pour a lot of ink onto the page, which amplifies the effects of the tipping. I assume Pelikan does this to achieve maximum “smoothness,” which is what luxury penmakers seem to be going for these days, and to Pelikan’s credit, they manage to do this without their nibs being plagued by skipping and babies’ bottoms from overpolishing (unlike another high-end German pen company).

Still not exactly a true “extra fine” nib, but this one writes closer to its true designation out of the box than some Pelikan nibs in my collection.

I’ve generally had better luck with Pelikan stainless steel nibs, such as those on the M120 and the M20X series, and the 14k nib on the M101N, out of the box, feels closer to that writing experience than the nib on my larger Souveran pens, such as the M400, M600, and M800, most of which I’ve had modified. I still wish that the nib on this M101N wrote a finer line for an EF, but it’s still usable for my Jibun Techo planner when paired with an appropriate ink (here, the Pelikan Royal Blue included with the M101N, complete with historical bottle).

After much consideration, the M101N posted isn’t too long. It’s actually a good length for me.

Unposted, however, the Pelikan M101N is too short for anything other than the quickest of notes.

The Pelikan sizing scale, from left: M101N, M120 Iconic Blue, M400, M600, and M800. I don’t yet have a m1000. (But maybe soon?)

Takeaways and Where to Buy

The Pelikan M101N Grey-Blue will stay in my collection for the foreseeable future. It’s compact size when capped and light weight make it an excellent choice for a shirt pocket pen, and this one has seen a lot of use at the office over the past month.

Currently, site sponsor Appelboom has a couple Grey-Blue pens in stock in the extra fine and fine nib sizes. I purchased the pen pictured here from sponsor Pen Chalet during their Fountain Pen Day clearance sale, but their prices were so good that the pen sold out quickly. Barring a clearance sale, you can find the Pelikan M101N in Grey-Blue for between $480-550, though some retailers have offered flash sales with the pen priced below the $400 mark (which is crazy and absolutely makes the pen worth it). The M101N is an expensive pen, but sits towards the lower-end of Pelikan’s special and limited edition pricing scale for gold-nib pens.

If you think the M101N Grey-Blue might interest you, I wouldn’t wait to pick one up, as the pen is already getting harder to find. Since Pelikan releases the M101N only in special edition colors, there is no “standard” version available for purchase at any given time. Pelikan typically announces the annual M101N release during the first part of the year, and stock usually lingers through Christmas, with some editions remaining available for purchase for a year or so afterward. It doesn’t look like that will be the case with the Grey-Blue, however.

Disclaimer: I purchased this pen from site sponsor Pen Chalet using affiliate credit generated through the Pen Chalet affiliate program, which is one way I support the blog and acquire products for review. This post contains affiliate links.

The Lamy Studio LX “All Black” (bottom) is shown here with the Lamy Studio “Piano Black” (top).

Workhorse Pens: The Lamy Studio LX All Black

November 16, 2019

If there’s a single series of articles that epitomize what I’m about here at The Gentleman Stationer, it’s the “Workhorse Pens” series, which focuses on those pens most suitable for everyday writing. I always end up talking about the Lamy 2000 in this context, but what about Lamy’s other popular “higher end” pen, the Studio? I consider the Studio to be one of Lamy’s best designed writing instruments, despite it receiving far less attention than the 2000 or the Safari.

The design of the Lamy Studio is streamlined and minimal, with just enough unique touches like the “propeller” clip to keep the pen interesting.

The Lamy Studio tends to fly under everyone’s radar, even my own. I often forget how great these understated pens are, and when I break them out after a long rest I end up pleasantly surprised. Recently, Lamy has shown more love to the Studio line, releasing 1-2 special editions per year. The Racing Green Studio was a favorite, and I just acquired this year’s Lamy Studio LX “All Black” release. The latter may solve a key concern that many have with the Studio - the metal section that can be slippery. The “Studio LX All Black” features a coated black section with a grippy texture, nudging this pen into potential “workhorse” territory for a wider audience. The coating also feels more durable than that found on earlier editions of the Studio, which tended to chip and flake off with heavy use, especially under the clip where it rubs against the cap.

The grip section on the Lamy Studio LX All Black is coated, which will reduce slippage for those concerned about the standard Studio metal section. To complete the “All Black” look on my Lamy Studio LX, I separately purchased a black 14k nib intende… — The grip section on the Lamy Studio LX All Black is coated, which will reduce slippage for those concerned about the standard Studio metal section. To complete the “All Black” look on my Lamy Studio LX, I separately purchased a black 14k nib intended for the Lamy Imporium.

So what do I personally enjoy about the Lamy Studio? First of all, it’s an incredibly well-balanced pen, even posted, despite having full metal (aluminum) construction. Second, the streamlined design and “propeller” clip have the potential to become as iconic as that on the Lamy 2000, though the Studio hasn’t been around as long. Third, I continue to swear by the 14k Studio nibs as one of the best values out there. Typically, Lamy only sells one or two versions of the Studio with the 14k nib included - in year’s past it has been the “Palladium” and “Piano Black” pens (the latter of which is shown here in this review). Otherwise, you’ll have to order a gold nib separately, which will run anywhere from $90-110, depending on the retailer. I used to think this was a steep markup, but now I think it’s worth it - Lamy’s 14k nibs have a touch of bounce, and on some of them I’ve even noticed some slight line variation reminiscent of an architect’s nib. Plus, any time you can have a gold nib pen for less than $200 in today’s market, you’re doing well.

The Lamy Studio LX All Black posted. Though I love this pen, I’m now even less sure what “LX” is supposed to denote. So Lamy is releasing a separate model of pen called the “Lamy LX,” but now LX is also being used as a modifier for special editions?

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I have a hard time coming up with a reason why every Lamy fan should not have at least one Studio in their collection. In addition to being an exceptional daily writer, the pen is widely available and relatively inexpensive: The standard Lamy Studio with a stainless steel nib is priced at around $80 at most retailers, with the 14k pens priced around $180. With a 10% off coupon code - easy to come by at most retailers - that gets the price to just above $160 for a gold-nib fountain pen, which represents real value.

The pens featured in this review were purchased from Pen Chalet in the U.S. and Appelboom in the Netherlands. Both retailers carry the full Lamy Studio lineup, though if you want to opt for a 14k nib, you’ll either have to purchase the “Piano Black” model or pick up a spare 14k nib from Appelboom. (If you want to build the ultimate Lamy Studio LX “All Black” model, opt for the black PVD coated 14k nib, which I believe is intended for the Lamy Imporium but fits the Studio just fine.)

Disclaimer: I purchased the two pens pictured in this review using store credit provided by Pen Chalet and Appelboom.

Two Lamy Studios (LX All Black and Piano Black) compared against the Lamy 2000 (in 100th Anniversary Bauhaus Blue). The Studio is a slightly slimmer pen than the 2000, but just as well balanced and comfortable to use.

Pen Review: Visconti Mirage Fountain Pen

November 13, 2019

Last year, Visconti introduced several lower-priced products into their lineup, in an attempt to diversify away from the ultra-high end pens for which the brand has become known. Until now, even Visconti pens with steel nibs approached $200, but the new Visconti Breeze and Visconti Mirage are both consistently priced at a much lower, and, dare I say it, almost entry level price point? The Breeze can be found at sub-$100, depending on your retailer, and Visconti has emerged as a player in a segment of the pen market that is becoming increasingly competitive.

I love the resin on this pen. Previously, to get pens in similar patterns you would have to shell out for a Visconti Van Gogh or a Visconti Rembrandt.

The pen featured in this review is the Mirage - priced slightly higher than the Breeze - and it presents quite a bit of value. Here, Visconti has managed to offer a quality writer at a reasonable price, while still incorporating the luxury spirit of the brand and retaining the brand’s hallmarks, such as the iconic Visconti clip. My favorite aspects of this pen include:

Material. Appelboom sent me the “Amber” Mirage to review, and it’s made from a beautiful vegetal resin reminiscent of some of the Visconti Van Gogh pens, specifically my “Vincent’s Chair” edition, though this material has a touch more orange/brown to it. The body of the pen features a soft hexagonal design that is comfortable to hold, and the rounded facets, combined with the clip, make this a great pen for work because it’s not going to roll off a desk.

Cap Design. I love how Visconti still includes its signature “Arc” clip on these lower-priced pens. Though some people react strongly to the shape, I’m a fan, and I think the clip adds a lot of sophistication to what would otherwise be a relatively ordinary pen design. The cap also features a magnetic twist closure, which feels quite secure with no wiggle when capped. The one feature of the Mirage I could do without is the oversized cap band, which I found a bit much, especially the word “MIRAGE” written across the front.
Nib. In terms of an out-of-the-box writing experience, I’ve found that Visconti’s steel nibs write better than their much more expensive palladium offerings. Though the steel nibs sometimes need a bit of smoothing, they aren’t so wet as to be unusable on anything but the most fountain-pen friendly paper, which is the issue I’ve had with more expensive Visconti pens. The steel nib on this Mirage is an excellent writer, but I do wish Visconti had opted for a larger No. 6 nib instead of this No. 5. It always strikes me as a bit awkward to have a smaller nib on a full-size pen.

If Visconti is going to go with this oversized cap band, why not continue the etching all the way around and omit the “Mirage” engraving? I don’t mind subtle branding, and “Visconti” etched on the clip doesn’t set me off, but there’s no need to go f… — If Visconti is going to go with this oversized cap band, why not continue the etching all the way around and omit the “Mirage” engraving? I don’t mind subtle branding, and “Visconti” etched on the clip doesn’t set me off, but there’s no need to go further than that.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I only had a brief time with the Mirage, since it was sent to me on loan from Appelboom and needs to go home to the Netherlands, but I came away impressed. I’m glad to see Visconti expand their lineup to include a wider variety of pens at different price points, and I hope this trend continues, especially if they can maintain consistent quality control. Visconti’s signature “Arc” clip immediately makes the Mirage look like a much more expensive pen, and if you’re a fan of Visconti’s designs, this pen would be a great introduction to the brand. Personally, the biggest thing holding me back from acquiring a Mirage for my own personal collection is the nib, which writes quite well but in my opinion looks disproportionately small on the pen.

You can purchase the Visconti Mirage from our sponsor Appelboom, currently priced at around $130, depending on the exchange rate. The Mirage comes in six different colors: Amber, Azure Blue, Coral, Emerald Green, Horn Grey, and Night Blue. Appelboom also carries the full range of Visconti pens, including the Breeze, the flagship Homo Sapiens, and a wide array of limited and special editions.

Disclaimer: Our sponsor Appelboom loaned me this pen for review purposes, free of charge. This post may contain affiliate links. Many thanks to Appelboom for making this review possible.

Pen Review: Yookers Refillable Felt-Tip Pens

November 6, 2019

One of the more intriguing products to catch my eye over the past few months is a series of “refillable felt-tip pens” from Yookers, a brand that seemingly came out of nowhere but apparently ran two highly successful Kickstarters. (I don’t follow Kickstarter all that closely, so the fact that I missed out doesn’t mean much.) After fountain pens, felt-tip or fiber-tip pens have a special spot in my pen case, dating all the way back to the red Papermate Flair pens I used in school. Picking up one of the Yookers pens was a no-brainer.

I opted for the “Matte Black Lacquer” version of the Yookers Metis, of course!

Before I get started on the pen: what about the Company? I could locate very little information about Yookers or the individuals behind it, even on the Yookers website. The “About” section describes Yookers as “a union between passionate people from different universes who decided to innovate together,” along with a paragraph of additional marketing-speak. Their Kickstarter page is even more vague, describing Yookers as “the blending studio.” (???) There’s nothing wrong with owners of companies wanting to maintain privacy and discretion - hey, I value my own privacy and take steps to protect it - but I’d like a bit more information here. Both Kickstarters indicate that Yookers is based in Hong Kong, and I would venture that they have some relationship with Yafa, the owner/distributor of Monteverde pens and inks. Personally, I think the design of the Yookers pens bears a strong resemblance to Monteverde pens, as do their ink bottles, so it could be some sort of joint venture.

Yookers already has a fairly extensive lineup of pens, and seems to have ramped up production quickly. The original “Refillable Felt-Tip Pen” first appeared on Kickstarter last year, and Yookers has since launched a second Kickstarter project for a different pen design called the “Eros". The Yookers website features additional pens, priced anywhere from $12-$55.

So what about the pens themselves? Well, they’re mostly as advertised. The refillable felt-tip mechanism works well, and I’ve had no difficulty cleaning out the tip to change colors, no leaks, or anything else of that sort. The Yookers pen writes like your typical felt-tip pen. However, before you run out and drop up to $50 on one, here are a few considerations:

Filling the Pen. The Yookers pens use a cartridge/converter filling system, but you cannot fill the pen through the tip - you have to fill the converter directly either by dipping the end of the converter into an ink bottle or using a syringe. If you want to use your collection of bottled ink, the process of filling will be messier than your typical fountain pen. Of course, you can also use cartridges.
Writing Experience. The Yookers felt-tip writes very well, and feels like a Pilot Razor Point, Papermate Flair Marker, or one of your other standard office-supply store pens in an upgraded body. That said, fountain pen ink is water based, whereas your standard disposable felt-tip pens use pigmented ink or something more permanent. You’ll probably notice that the Yookers felt-tip doesn’t write a particularly dark line, probably because the smaller tip doesn’t allow for a large volume of ink to pass through onto the paper, unlike a fountain pen. I’m going to experiment with more saturated or permanent inks to see what works best.
Replacement Tips. Eventually, all felt-tips wear out and need to be replaced. Yookers sells replacement tips for $6 each. However, you don’t replace just the tip - you replace the entire front section of the pen. While they may have decided to do this for convenience sake, and figured that replacing just the smaller tip would be too difficult for most people to do without increasing the risk of the pen leaking, etc., it strikes me as a lot of wasted metal and plastic to throw out the entire section. Moreover, as other have observed, if you decide to invest in a Yookers pen as a key part of your writing/drawing kit, you are betting that Yookers will be around to manufacture the replacements for the foreseeable future. If you really like this pen, I would go ahead and stock up on replacement tips, which Yookers says will last about a year, depending on use, writing pressure, etc.

The Yookers pen probably works best unposted. As shown in the next picture, the cap doesn’t post deeply and sits awkwardly on the back.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I enjoy my Yookers Metis refillable fiber-tip pen, and it’s one of the more unique stationery products to have been released in the past year. The pen functions as intended, seems very well-made, and the price point is more than fair. I do, however, wish that I knew more about the company, especially since you will be investing in a proprietary system should you decide to make the Yookers pen a central part of your writing kit.

You can purchase the Yookers Metis refillable fiber-tip pen from our sponsors at Pen Chalet. The “Metis,” which is the pen with a metal body, currently retails for $42, but if you prefer to test out the refillable fiber-tip technology at a lower price point, the Yookers “Yooth” pen features a plastic barrel and comes in at less than $10. Replacement tips/sections cost around $6.

Disclaimer: I purchased this pen from site Sponsor Pen Chalet using store credit generated through the Pen Chalet affiliate program. This post contains affiliate links. Many thanks to Pen Chalet for making this review possible.