Workhorse Pens: Opus 88 Fountain Pens Offer Maximum Versatility

October 16, 2021

From the time Taiwanese brand Opus 88 hit the shelves in the U.S., I’ve been a fan. Combining classic pen design, the still somewhat uncommon Japanese-style eyedropper filling system, and widely available, interchangeable JoWo nibs, Opus 88 has jumped to the top of the list for many of us with writing-intensive occupations who appreciate demonstrator pens that hold a large volume of ink.

The Opus 88 Omar, left, next to the Jazz in “Holiday” finish that features dark trim.

Comfortable Streamlined Cigar or Vintage-Style Flat-Top Shapes

While Opus 88 does experiment with their design profiles (i.e., see the “Flora” which is shaped like a flower vase), their most successful designs have followed traditional streamlined (i.e., cigar-shaped) and flat-top styles. For me, these comfortable, well-balanced silhouettes are what has allowed me to evolve into a fan of more oversized pens like the Omar and the Jazz (both of which are pictured here). Originally, I had limited my dabbling in Opus 88 to the smaller “Koloro” lineup, the ebonite and acrylic demonstrators that were the first models to be released stateside. Later, after overcoming my initial hesitancy toward the modern trend of oversized pens, I had the opportunity to review the Opus 88 Omar, and later picked up the Jazz, which all things considered is probably the perfect size for me personally. The Opus 88 Jazz is slightly smaller than the Omar, with proportions approximating a Montblanc Meisterstuck 146.

The Opus 88 Jazz (right) compared against a Montblanc 149 (left).

Other Key Factors That Combine to Make Opus 88 Fountain Pens Great “Workhorse Pens”

There are many brands that make excellent fountain pens in the $100-200 range, so what kicks Opus 88 into “workhorse” territory for me personally? In addition to the comfortable shape and balance discussed above, I appreciate:

Large Ink Capacity. Pretty much any Opus 88 fountain pen is the definition of an “ink tank.” For example, in the Jazz fountain pen that’s been a daily companion for the past couple of weeks, I was able to pour in a full Vanness Pens 4ml ink sample. That should last me a while. If you have a favorite ink for your daily writing that you always like to keep on hand without worrying about refilling, the Opus 88 Japanese-style eyedropper filling system is an excellent no-frills option.
Nib Versatility. Earlier this week I wrote a piece on how you can take advantage of the interchangeability of nib units to customize your pens to suit your writing preferences, and I even used Opus 88 as an example. Both the Omar and Jazz models shown here use standard JoWo No. 6 nibs, which allows you to swap out the nib on these pens with any other JoWo-compatible nib unit, including Franklin-Christoph nibs and customized third-party options from Flexible Nib Factory. Keep in mind that certain Opus 88 models do not use JoWo No. 6 nibs, including the smaller Koloro line (which uses a JoWo No. 5), and the Bela, Flora, Flow, and Opera models, which use a Bock No. 6.
Price Point. Ok, with prices on steel nib pens featuring standard JoWo and Bock nibs pushing the $200 price point in some instances, it’s refreshing to see Opus 88 at the $125 level. While inflation, import costs, and other factors outside of anyone’s control might change that in the future, it would take a big price hike to ruin the value proposition on these pens.

For further reading on what I look for in a “Workhorse Pen,” and other examples of pens that I consider recommended daily users on that level, check out my prior post titled “Picking a Workhorse: How to Choose a Fountain Pen for an Everyday Writer.”

The ability to swap nibs in Opus 88 fountain pens is a huge part of why I’ve enjoyed them so much.

Final Thoughts and Where to Buy

As I’ve become more comfortable with customizing my pens, I’ve leaned more heavily on Opus 88 in my day-to-day writing. I currently have two models inked: the Opus 88 Omar, which is paired with a broad Franklin-Christoph S.I.G. (Stub Italic Gradient) nib, and the Opus 88 Jazz (“Holiday Finish”), paired with a Platinum 3776 14k medium nib (using a custom housing from flexible nib factory). Both of the base models cost around $120, which in today’s market of ever-escalating fountain pen prices represents exceptional value.

You can find Opus 88 at most major pen retailers, though the T.G.S. Curated Shop has begun carrying certain models directly. Please stay tuned as we expand our offerings!

Favorite finish: I do wish Caran d’Ache would introduce this matte grey finish to other models in the 849 lineup, or even the Fixpencil!

Hands-On Review: The Caran d'Ache 849 Rollerball (or "XL Ballpoint"?)

September 29, 2021

Caran d’Ache’s latest release has started to gain more traction than expected, as reviewers have reacted positively to the (much) larger design and pen enthusiasts also embrace it. The curious part to me, however, is that while Caran d’Ache released this pen as what they called the “849 Rollerball,” some retailers are actively promoting this pen as the “XL Ballpoint.” The reason is simple enough: the pen takes a Parker-style refill, and there are enough gel, ballpoint, and rollerball options out there to place the 849 Rollerball in the same ballpark as versatile workhorses like the Retro 51 Tornado and Baron Fig Squire, both of which also accept ballpoint and gel Parker-style refills. Today I’ll take a closer look and talk a bit about why the 849 Rollerball has become one of my most-used everyday writers over the past few weeks.

Comparison to the Classic 849 Ballpoint

The first thing I wanted to know when Caran d’Ache first announced the 849 Rollerball was how the pen compared size-wise to the standard 849 ballpoint pen, a favorite of mine that serves as my go-to “click pen” probably 80% of the time. The Caran d’Ache 849 serves as the company’s flagship writing instrument, and is reissued every year in a wide array of special and limited edition finishes and collaborations. I have dozens of these pens, and it’s rare that you’ll find me without one clipped to my shirt pocket or in the pen slot of my notebook or planner.

Caran d’Ache says the 849n Rollerball is 28% larger than the 849 ballpoint. I had it pegged at closer to 50. Astoundingly, I didn’t notice much increased weight since the pen remains very well balanced.

So why mess with a formula that’s worked for decades? The downside to the standard Caran d’Ache 849 ballpoint is that while it works exceptionally well as a portable “jotter” pen - perfect for taking quick notes, writing checks, signing things, etc., it’s relatively slim and some might find it uncomfortable for longer writing sessions. The Caran d’Ache 849 rollerball maintains the hexagonal barrel shape - which I find comfortable - but is 28% larger without adding much weight. If I’m looking to take 2 hours worth of notes in a meeting, or spend a half-day marking up documents, I will take the 849 Rollerball option. If it can be done without adding too much weight and throwing off the balance of the pen, I find a larger barrel much more ergonomic.

I enjoy hexagonal barrels, especially where, as here, they aren’t too sharp.

The second reason is the refill. While I personally enjoy the proprietary Caran d’Ache “Goliath” ballpoint refill that ships standard in the 849 ballpoint, and Caran d’Ache is finally releasing the Goliath in more colors and tip sizes, you’re pretty much stuck with it as your only option unless you want to hack other refills and/or purchase a custom adapter from a third party. (I understand some people have had luck with certain brands of Parker-style refills in the 849 ballpoint. I have not. All of the Parker-style options I have tried are too long.)

The refill is very easy to swap out. You simply unscrew the knock and drop in the new cartridge.

The 849 Rollerball, on the other hand, is designed around a Caran d’Ache Parker-style rollerball cartridge, which in and of itself is a very nice writer that I could use regularly. It bleeds much less than the Schmidt refills that ship standard with the Retro 51 Tornado and the Baron Fig Squire, and I would definitely consider substituting this refill if you find the Schmidt too wet. That said, for daily use, I immediately swapped in the Uni Jetstream SXR-600 in .5mm, one of my favorite Parker-style options that also lives in several of my Baron Fig Squires. This hybrid ballpoint-gel refill has a fine tip that allows me to write small, dries quickly and has performed flawlessly in pretty much any pen I’ve tried.

Nothing too exciting here in the writing sample department (black rollerball refills, and all). Paper shown here is the Write Notepads Engineer’s Notebook, which also comes in pad form.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Caran d’Ache has done a nice job of updating the 849 lineup over the past several years, building on its history and maintaining the classic “hex pencil” barrel shape while also adapting to the needs of new formats. For example, the 849 fountain pen includes a cap and a rounded section, yet it doesn’t take away from the inherent “849-ness” of the pen. Similarly, they made the rollerball larger to better adapt it to longer writing sessions - something rollerball users tend to appreciate more, in my experience - though again the pen still feels like a Caran d’Ache 849.

From left, the Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoint, the Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball, and the Retro 51 Tornado.

I also think Caran d’Ache nailed the price point on this pen. At just under $50 at most retailers, the 849 Rollerball is competitive with the Retro 51 Tornado and the Baron Fig Squire, its two primary “competitors.” (I would put “competitors” in quotations because these are all very different pens, and you can’t go wrong with any one option. It just depends on which shape and/or aesthetic you prefer.)

Available colors, from left: matte grey, white, matte black, red, and blue.

Most Caran d’Ache retailers are stocking the 849 Rollerball, including our own T.G.S. Curated Shop, which has the pen priced at $48. Currently, the 849 Rollerball is available in five colors: a matte grey, a matte black, red, blue, and white. My personal favorite at the moment is the matte grey, which I selected for my own personal pen, with the white version a close second. All of the options look great, however, and I can’t wait to see whether Caran d’Ache introduced additional colors, or even makes the 849 Rollerball available for collaborations.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands we carry. By shopping with us, you are supporting original content, pen reviews, pen show events, etc. from The Gentleman Stationer. If you would like to support us even further, please consider checking out the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!

Today’s review pens: a Scriptorium Balladeer and Schon DSGN Ultem Fountain Pen.

Spotlight On: The Nib Tailor, Featuring Architect + Inverted Architect Nib Grinds

September 18, 2021

I’ve known J.C. Ament for years, from way back when he was attending shows as an enthusiast, to when he started dabbling in nib work under his previous brand, Nibs on Point. I wanted to take a moment today to let everyone know about his latest endeavor, in which he’s embarked on nib work full time as “The Nib Tailor.” Before he took a break from pen shows, J.C. sent me two examples of his work for review: a broad “standard” Architect nib that has since lived in my Scriptorium Balladeer, and what J.C. calls an “Inverted Architect,” a nib that I’ve swapped between a bunch of different pens but which now lives in my Schon DSGN Ultem.

Before we get started looking at nib grinds, check out this eyedroppered Schon DSGN Ultem fountain pen, which is shown here holding a full 4ml ink sample!

Standard Architect Nib vs. Inverted Architect Nib

For newer readers, or those unfamiliar with specialty nib terminology, an Architect nib (also sometimes referred to as a “Hebrew Italic”) is the reverse of your classic stub or italic-style nib in that an Architect has broad cross-strokes and narrow downstrokes. If the grinder is skilled, you can usually use the reverse side as a needlepoint, or ultra-extra fine, nib.

Architect’s Nib Grind, with the signature blade-like shape. Turn the nib over and write with the tip for an extra-fine line.

An “Inverted Architect” is, well, the inverse: it’s basically a needlepoint/extra-fine nib with an Architect grind on the top, which you can use if you invert the pen. For my particular writing style and use case, the Inverted Architect serves a unique purpose: annotation and highlighting. I can use the extra-fine tip to take notes in the margins of documents, and the Architect side for highlighting/underlining, provided I select an appropriate ink color such as a bright orange or green.

“Inverted Architect” Nib Grind, with the needlepoint tip and “flat top.”

Writing samples for both a standard Architect nib (top, in Ferris Wheel Press Moss Park Green), and an Inverted Architect (bottom, in Ferris Wheel Press Main St. Marmalade), both inks courtesy of Vanness Pens.

A Word of Caution: If you’re new to fountain pens, or have never used an Architect nib, I would strongly advise you to consider borrowing one from a pen friend or visit a pen show prior to ordering this particular grind. Architect grinds can be a bit temperamental, in the sense that they can go from smooth to scratchy very quickly depending on the angle at which you hold your pen (and they’re not “butter smooth” writers to begin with, since you’re essentially making cross-strokes with a blade). It’s extremely important that the nib grinder understands your writing angle, so if you cannot visit in person, I would send multiple photos of how you hold the pen and the angle at which the nib hits the paper. That said, if you do decide that an Architect nib is for you, this grind gives your writing truly unique character. For those interested in reading further, I’ve previously written posts about various options for nib customization.

The Nib Tailor - Available Grinds and Pricing

The two nibs shown here are just a small selection of what The Nib Tailor has to offer. You can choose from pretty much any custom nib grind, and J.C. has a detailed form for you to complete alongside your inquiry. In addition to custom work (i.e., where you send in your pen), you can purchase pre-ground nibs in various styles depending on availability. Visit the Nib Tailor website for additional details. Pricing is standard, running from $25 for a simple tuning to $55-60 for more complex grinds. In addition to mail-in work and pen shows, J.C. occasionally grinds nibs in-store at Bertram’s Inkwell, and I believe he will be there this weekend. Check out his Instagram for details.

Disclaimer: This is NOT a paid advertisement. That said, I can’t recall whether J.C. gave me these nibs for free, or whether I paid for them. Either way, he’s a friend of mine but I still think he does good work. Given the increased demand for nib work, especially at pen shows, it’s great to see new faces entering the market. It keeps nib work accessible, and ensures that future generations will have the same opportunity to enjoy customized writing experiences!

Quick Look Review: The Ti Ultra Fountain Pen + Rollerball + Ballpoint

August 18, 2021

For today’s post, I thought I’d keep things local, and review a pen designed just down the road from me (well, 2 hours or so down the interstate) in Chattanooga, Tennessee. BigiDesign has made a name for themselves in the machined titanium pen market, especially with their “Ti Ultra” and “Ti Arto” designs that are engineered to accept hundreds of different refills. Today, I’ll look at the Ti Ultra, which not only has an extremely versatile refill system (compatible with 750-plus?!?) but also features a 3-in-1 design that allows you to use the Ti Ultra body as a cartridge/converter fountain pen, in addition to the rollerball/gel or ballpoint refill of your choice.

I backed the Ti Ultra on Kickstarter, so in the box I received the “Stonewashed” pen made from grade 5 titanium, with both rollerball/ballpoint and fountain pen nib sections. The fountain pen function is self-explanatory - you simply screw the nib section into the pen body, and fill/use like any other cartridge/converter fountain pen. BigiDesign uses No. 6 Bock titanium nibs, which typically are decent writers, though they sometimes need to be tuned out of the box. I’ve not written with this one, as the fountain pen functionality is not what drew me to the Ti Ultra and it’s slimmer sibling, the Ti Arto. Rather, for me the true value lies in the pen’s ability to use nearly any conceivable rollerball, gel, or ballpoint refill when coupled with BigiDesign’s patent-pending clutch-style refill system.

Unscrewing the front portion of the section opens the clutch system. You insert the refill of your choice, and tighten the front, like you would with the bit on a handheld drill.

The system closes securely around the tip of the refill, and I’ve not had any issues with a refill coming loose while writing. Shown here is a Uni Signo 207 installed in the Ti Ultra.

I don’t have a large number of machined pens designed to accept specific refills, so the ability to rotate hundreds of different options through a single pen body is quite useful to me. As such, I’ve had both the Ti Arto and Ti Ultra pens in my arsenal for a couple years now, and they get regular use. Of the two, I would probably say that I prefer the slimmer Ti Arto, but that’s mainly due to the placement of the threads on the grip. Given how I hold the pen, the threads on the Ti Ultra - which are near the tip - sometimes rub my fingers as I write, leading to an uncomfortable writing experience over longer sessions. The threads on the Ti Arto are higher up, which eliminates the issue.

Grip sections compared on the Ti Ultra, left, and the Ti Arto, right.

While the BigiDesign pens have received a good deal of attention from the “pen press” over the years, the niche nature of the product and the higher price point has held back this particular model. The Ti Ultra pen runs $240 on the BigiDesign website, though discount codes are available. You do get a lot for your money, especially if you value the fountain pen option, but it’s a higher price than many are willing to pay for an edc-style machined pen. The Ti Arto is priced more in the sweet spot of this segment, at $85 for a still-versatile titanium pen that accepts “only” 200+ refills. If you have very specific needs in terms of preferred refills, BigiDesign has a list of compatible refills under the listings for both the Ti Arto and the Ti Ultra, which I would encourage you to read before making a purchasing decision.

Disclaimer: I purchased the pens pictured in this review with my own funds, for my own personal collection. This post does not contain affiliate links. Going forward, T.G.S is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!

First Impressions: The TWSBI Swipe is a Steal

August 3, 2021

Last week, TWSBI released their new “Swipe” fountain pen, which is the first TWSBI pen to utilize a cartridge/converter filling system. But this isn’t your typical C/C fountain pen - the Swipe ships with not one, but two different style converters, plus a cartridge. Not only does this represent great value, since most companies make you pay $5 for the privilege of purchasing a single converter separately, but TWSBI has adopted a larger, high-capacity design that’s 2-3 times as large as your typical standard international converter. (Just take a look at the pics!)

All this is included with your purchase. The spring can be used for extra security if you want to ensure that your cartridge stays seated in the pen barrel, though it’s not essential. You simply drop the spring into the barrel behind your cartridge.

My favorite of the two TWSBI Swipe Converters is the plunger-style converter, like the filling system in the TWSBI Go fountain pen. It’s easy to both fill and flush.

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The TWSBI Swipe Converter, bottom, compared against a standard international converter, top. I’ve not taken an official measurement, but I’ve read elsewhere that the Swipe converter holds well over 1ml of ink.

I’ve been writing with the Swipe for three days straight, and so far I love it. It’s lighter than the ECO due to the absence of the piston, while offering a similar writing experience since they use the same nib. While I initially had concerns about the clip, it fits just fine over a shirt pocket and holds the fabric securely.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Frankly, the TWSBI Swipe could be a game-changer in the sense that many oft-recommended pens at the sub-$30 price point are now arguably a less attractive proposition because you have to pay to purchase a converter separately. The TWSBI Swipe is priced at $26.99, and it’s hard to find something competitive in terms of value or versatility, given everything that is included in that purchase. A 10-pack of cartridges can also be purchased for $6 in three different colors, and they ship in this great business card style clamshell case. Both the pens and cartridges are now available in the shop!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of TWSBI and all other brands we carry. By shopping with us, you are supporting original content, pen reviews, pen show events, etc. from The Gentleman Stationer. If you would like to support us even further, please consider checking out the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!