Hinze Pens It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Fountain Pen

Pen Review: Hinze Pens "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere"

July 30, 2022

At pen shows, it’s always Five O’Clock Somewhere! Always. Especially at the Hinze Pens table. I’ve been sitting on this review for a few months, waiting until just before a pen show when readers might be able to see and pick up a Hinze Pen for themselves. You’ll have that opportunity next week in at the 2022 Washington D.C. Pen Show, as the team from Hinze will be in attendance with a full table’s worth of pens.

This “Five O’Clock Somewhere” resin has so much contrast, and is a far cry from what “The Gentleman Stationer” typically goes for, yet somehow it works!

As I’ve sought to re-spark my interest in fountain pens and refocus my own collection, one goal has been to reduce the percentage of “stock” or “standard” pens that I own, in favor of supporting independent makers and small manufacturers. I’ve known Jim Hinze and Francisco Lopez through the show circuit for years, but had never acquired one of their pens. At this year’s Baltimore show, the pen pictured here caught my eye, and since only one pen in this particular material remained in Atlanta, I went ahead and took it home.

Starry Night Resins Five O'Clock Somewhere Patterns — There are so many different color patterns and swirls in this material that it’s easy to get lost!

This particular pen is the classic Hinze model, which features a minimalist shape designed to showcase the underlying material. In this case, the resin used is dubbed “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” by Starry Night Resins. While I love the pen itself - and I’ll discuss that more in a bit - the resin steals the show. it’s a swirled combination of purple, orange, blue, and grey, with subtle hints of pastel green and cream in the cap. While there are plenty of makers out there releasing colorful swirled acrylic pens, the use of grey, green, and cream in this pen alongside the purple and orange offered a unique color patter that I hadn’t seen before. I hope these blanks come back at some point because I’d love another pen in this material.

This side of the cap might be my favorite feature of the pen. I love the combination of light green, cream, pink, orange - there are just too many colors to name and it seems like I discovery more everyday. Sometimes I find myself staring at this pen, lost in thought.

The pen features a flat-topped, cylindrical shape with a longer section and subtly tapered barrel. It does not post by design. If I had to pick one thing about this pen that I love, it would be the longer section, which I have found exceedingly comfortable for extended writing sessions. As a lighter acrylic cartridge-converter pen, the longer tapered barrel is probaby necessary to create a good balance, one that I’d compare to the “Classic” or “Classic Flush” designs by the Kanilea Pen Company.

Hinze Pens Five O'clock Somewhere Nib — Ultimately I went with a dark blue nib - I felt this color complemented the section better than the original magenta.

A Note on Hinze Nibs

One of Hinze Pens’ trademarks are their multicolored nano-plated nibs. Unlike ordinary anodization, these nibs undergo a different process whereby they are coated in a ceramic plating that is much more durable than typical anodization. Here, I opted for a dark blue, which I felt complemented and drew out the grey-blue tones in this particular pen. (Purple or magenta would have been another option.)

Note that I did have this nib modified, so there is a small gap in the coating where Matthew Chen ground a .5mm cursive italic. Ordinarily, if you grind a coated or plated nib, there is a risk of the coating peeling back and flaking off from the area that’s been ground. So far, I’ve seen none of that with the Hinze nib, and I understand that due to the process used, there’s much lower risk of it happening. Care instructions are included with each pen, including recommendations on “safe” inks and cleaning practices.

Here’s my same pen with a different color nib, as originally shown at the Hinze Pen table at the 2022 Baltimore Pen Show back in March. You can see some additional “Five O’Clock Somewhere” pens on the right.

The inlaid finial that Hinze incorporates into their cap is a nice touch, and gives the pen a high-quality, finished appearance.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

There are many bespoke and “small-batch” penmakers out there. It’s easy to get lost and if you’re new to the fountain pen world (and the pen show world especially), to not know where to start. Hinze Pens can serve as a great starting point for those newly interested in bespoke fountain pens, or a new destination for the experienced enthusiast who enjoys unique materials in a well-made workhorse. The price point is extremely reasonable, with most pens priced from $200-250.

The Baltimore Pen Show display that initially caught my eye.

You can purchase Hinze Pens directly from the company via their website, or even better, visit them at a pen show! They will be attending the 2022 Washington, D.C. Pen Show, running from Thursday, August 4 through Sunday, August 7. Stop by and see their table. (And come see me while you’re at it!)

Disclaimer: I purchased the pen featured in this review with my own funds, for review purposes, though Hinze Pens was kind enough to offer me a discount on the price. This post does not contain paid sponsorship or affiliate links.

Review Revisited: The Lamy 2000 4 Color Ballpoint (Multipen)

July 14, 2022

I don’t often revisit old reviews, but I’ve been in a nostalgic mood lately as I prune back my collection and decide what to keep and what I should pass along to others. I also periodically get questions about whether my opinion on certain pens I’ve recommended heavily in the past still feature prominently in my own daily use. One of those pens is the Lamy 2000 4 Color Ballpoint, more commonly referred to as the Lamy 2000 Multipen. For a refresh on my opinions of this pen, you should start by reading my original review.

Lamy 2000 Macrolon Crack — A small split in the Macrolon, which is pretty shallow and hasn’t “moved” at all since I first noticed it 2 years ago. I still use the pen without incident.

Nearly five years later, everything I said in that original review still holds true. The “gravity drive” refill system, where you rotate the pen so that the refill you desire to use faces up, continues to work flawlessly, and the pen itself has withstood significant use fairly well, including relatively heavy pocket carry and briefcase travel. My pen does have a small split in the Macrolon around mid-barrel, though it’s stable and hasn’t expanded in the two years since I first noticed it.

The Sailor Imperial Black Multipen features a .5mm mechanical pencil, which is great even though I prefer the Lamy’s form factor. (The Lamy also rattles less.)

If there is one “regret” I have with this pen, it’s that the Lamy 2000 4 Color Ballpoint doesn’t feature a mechanical pencil option. If I were able to roll with three pens and a pencil in this form factor, this pen would never leave my bag. As it stands, if I think I’m going to be in a situation where a pencil might be necessary, I’ll carry the Sailor Imperial Black Multipen instead. While that particular pen is quite a bit heavier and not as comfortable to use as the Lamy, the mechanical pencil option is a huge plus.

My Best Multipen Options from Lamy and Sailor — My two preferred multipen options: the Sailor Imperial Black and the Lamy 2000 4 Color Ballpoint.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

While I don’t use multipens in general as much as I used to, the Lamy 2000 4 Color Ballpoint still makes its way into my regular daily carry. I use the same four D1 refill options as I did five years ago (two .5mm Jetstreams in blue and red, a Lamy highlighter refill, and a standard .7mm blue-black ballpoint refill that I bought in bulk years ago and which I think is Monteverde). While this particular pen is going on six years old, and carries some “battle scars,” I’d consider it stable and a worthy investment, especially given how much use I’ve gotten from it and the fact that I only paid $50 or so. You can still get these in the U.S., though the price these days is more around $80. If this particular pen ends up breaking, I’d have no hesitation about investing in another one. I’ve linked here to Jetpens, the U.S.-based retailer that also features a wide range of D1 refills that should be compatible with the Lamy 2000 Multipen.

Disclaimer: I purchased this pen with my own funds, for my own use, years ago. This post does not contain affiliate links. The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges from the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Schon DSGN Classic Machined Pen Anniversary Edition

In Pursuit of the Perfect Patina: The Schon DSGN Machined Pen v2 Anniversary Edition

July 9, 2022

If there’s any universal rule of pen shows, it’s that I’ll walk away from the Schon DSGN table with something(s) in my pocket. This year’s Chicago Pen Show was no exception. Literally 20 minutes into what was supposed to be an “I’m just here to look” show, I was at Ian’s table finalizing the purchase of a faceted “aged copper” Pocket Six fountain pen, and one of the new “Anniversary Edition” Machined Pens in Polished Bronze. What can I say? I can’t help myself.

Schon DSGN Purchases from Chicago Pen Show 2022

A bit of a recap of the history of Schon DSGN is in order here. The company originally launched its first design - the “Machined Pen”, now the “Original Classic Machined Pen” - back in 2012. That pen defaulted to the Fisher Space Pen refill, which is an excellent option for write-anywhere pocket carry, and could also accept D1 refills using an adapter (sold separately). I have a couple of these Classic pens that I use regularly, including one in DLC-coated stainless steel and another in anodized aluminum. That said, Ian is rarely completely satisfied with any of his designs, and this year decided to offer a “redesigned” take on the Classic to celebrate more than a decade of high-quality writing instruments!

Schon DSGN Pocket Pen Collection — My Schon DSGN pocket pen collection, from left: the Classic Machined Pen in DLC stainless steel; the Classic Machined Pen v.2 in polished bronze, a Classic Machined Pen v1 in aluminum, a Pocket 6 fountain pen in faceted aged copper, and a Pocket 6 fountain pen in faceted brass.

So What’s Different?

Externally, there isn’t much of a difference at all between the “Classic v1” and the new “v2” or “Anniversary Edition.” The pen retains the same cylindrical shape, with a threaded end to allow you to post the cap securely for longer writing sessions. The pen, however, now unscrews from the grip section to refill, and the interior has been modified to accept a Parker-style refill cartridge, offering significantly more versatility with respect to refill options. The pen ships by default with the excellent Uniball Jetstream SXR-600-07 (.7mm tip size), a smooth, quick-drying writer that should please most people, though the Schmidt Easyflow 9000 is also available upon request.

But the refill swap isn’t the most exciting aspect of the new pen, at least to me. As part of the redesign, the Classic Machined Pen v2 is now fully compatible with Pocket Six fountain pen and rollerball sections, meaning that you can combine parts and switch how you use this pen depending on your needs. If you’d like to purchase a full kit outright, Schon DSGN sells the pen with all three section options, though the bronze shown here is currently available with the ballpoint grip only. (If you want to use a brass fountain pen section with the bronze, it still looks great!)

Classic Machined Pen v1 vs v2 grip sections — As you can see, there is very little, if any, differences between the grip section on the v1 (left) and the v2. If you enjoyed the first, you’ll almost certainly enjoy the second.

A Note on Material Choice

A huge reason why I love Schon DSGN metal pens, and especially the brass, bronze, and copper versions, is how they develop a patina over time. This particular pen features an aluminum bronze, which I find slightly warmer than brass and which takes on a somewhat unique tone as it ages. In the photo below, you’ll see the body (which has had significantly more hand/pocket contact than the section) has taken on a completely different tone. With the exception of sterling silver, I very rarely shine or polish any of my metal pens because I enjoy the weathered, “experienced” look.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

The Classic Machined Pen v2 is a solid standby that’s served as a core EDC item since I picked it up. The rock-solid clip holds firmly to either my shirt or pants pocket, and the Jetstream SXR-600 is a longtime favorite refill. What I can’t decide is whether to stick to the .7mm tip size (which will work fine for most people) or move to the .5mm or even the .38mm.

You can purchase the Schon DSGN Classic Machined Pen v2 directly from Schon DSGN, starting at $150 for the polished brass ballpoint, $160 for the polished copper, and $170 for the polished bronze. Purchasing the full set (ballpoint plus rollerball and fountain pen adapters) adds approximately $60 to your purchase. While not inexpensive, if you’re looking for that “one pen” (or “primary pen”) for your everyday carry, especially one that you can switch from ballpoint to roller to fountain, it’s a worthy consideration.

The Schon DSGN Classic Machined Pen (far left) closer to when I first acquired it. You can see from the more recent pictures how the polished bronze has aged. The pen is pictured here, from left, with a Kaweco Liliput, a Tactile Turn Titanium Gist, and a VERY well loved Rotring 800. (Only the Schon is mine - pen club pic.)

For further reading, you can check out my reviews of other Schon DSGN pens, such as the Pocket 6 fountain pen and the engineered plastics collection, by visiting our archive.

Disclaimer: This post does not contain paid advertising or affiliate links. I purchased this pen at the 2022 Chicago Pen Show with my own funds. If you enjoyed this review, consider supporting us directly via the T.G.S. Patreon Program and purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop, which this week is running a 10% off sale on all pencils and paper to thin out our inventory. Be sure to check it out! (Discount automatically applied at checkout.)

Pen Review: Kakimori Brass Dip Nib

June 25, 2022

Kakimori’s round metal dip nibs have been among the more difficult-to-obtain stationery items this past year. Following the hype that was the Drillog Kickstarter, interest in dip nibs that could be used to easily sample inks and do calligraphy exploded, and Kakimori has come up with one of the best everyday options, at least in my opinion. (It’s also a LOT less expensive than the Drillog.)

Just use the side of the brass nib to lay out a thick line (or fill in your Inkyconverters ink stamps)!

So what makes this dip nib so good? For starters, it’s versatile. By varying the angle of the dip pen, you can also vary the line thickness - something that’s difficult to do with your average inexpensive dip nib or cheap glass pen. For example, writing with the broad side of the Kakimori nib offers you the ability to easily swab ink samples into your notebook and add a line of handwriting, using the same pen. And if you want to swatch multiple inks quickly, all you’ll need to do is rinse the pen with water and wipe the nib off.

You can actually get a pretty fine line with the tip of the Kakimori.

You should note that this dip nib does not fit into every holder. I’m not sure what “size” it is, but none of the holders I had at my house worked, so I ordered this Sakura wood holder from Kakimori. It’s quite nice looking, and I look forward to getting some ink stains on the natural wood handle!

I’m close to declaring the Kakimori Brass Dip Nib to be the perfect ink sampling tool!

Takeaways and Where to Buy

If you’re looking for a dip nib for ink swatching, lettering, art, or just for general writing purposes, then you should definitely consider picking up the Kakimori Brass Nib. As of 2024, we carry the Kakimori metal nibs (in both brass and stainless steel) in our own shop. At $55, these nibs are not inexpensive, but they should last a long time.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Exploring Custom Nibs: Custom Nib Studio "Perspective" Grind

June 11, 2022

When I was choosing pens to take on this latest trip, I leaned heavily towards loading up on specialty nib grinds that are an absolute joy to write with, because I really want to get some fun writing done. Whether that be journaling, a bit of “work” on the blog as opposed to the store, or simply playing around with pens, inks, and nibs, I feel like I haven’t had the chance to truly step away from the grind in a while. With that in mind, it’s a complete no-brainer that one of the pens I’d choose to take with me is my Pelikan M800 featuring the “Perspective” nib grind from Gena Salorino at Custom Nib Studio. Put simply, this nib is a joy to write with, whatever your specific use case.

This grind is a bit difficult to describe. Gena’s Perspective Nib combines the vertical/horizontal line variation of an architect with the variable line-width of a Naginata as you raise or lower the writing angle. It even writes an incredibly smooth XXF point on the reverse. The result might be the most versatile nib I’ve used. The standard writing angle can best be described as a forgiving medium architect, excellent for everyday writing because it omits sharp edges while still offering character and line variation. What sets this nib apart, however, is the fact that it can serve as an “all-in-one” workhorse. For example, I typically enjoy writing with a medium nib, but also need to be able to alternately write larger and smaller to highlight/underline and annotate, respectively. The Perspective lets you do it all with one pen.

One nib, four different writing options. The ink is Laban Poseidon Green.

From underneath, the Perspective grind appears almost wedge-shaped. You can see the tipping get wider, allowing you to write a wider line as you lower the angle.

I often talk about nib grinds as a way to salvage pens that you “like” but don’t “love”. Here, I asked Gena to modify the medium nib on my Pelikan M800 Stone Garden - a true workhorse pen that wrote too broad and wet a line for the type of writing I was doing. It bled through most of the paper used in my office (since we’ve recently cut costs even more and apparently gone even cheaper.) Paired with this grind, the M800 has arguably moved into my Top 5 Personal Pens, and I plan to send at least three more pens to Gena for the “Perspective” treatment.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

While you should absolutely take this glowing review with a grain of salt, since opinions on nib grinds reflect the personal preferences and use cases of the writer, the Perspective Nib from Custom Nib Studio is currently my favorite specialty nib grind. (I will say that everyone who has tried this nib - lefties included - has enjoyed it as well.) Fans of architect and Naginata-style nibs will certainly want to give this one a try.

If I’m working, and want to emphasize something that I wrote, it’s nice to be able to lower the angle for a bold underline.

The Perspective Grind costs $55. You can read more about this and other grinds Gena offers on the Custom Nib Studio website, or you can visit them at a pen show, where they’re regular attendees, though you’ll either want to take advantage of early sign-up prior to arrival at the show, or get there very early on show days for the best chance of getting a table slot.

This review is part of a larger review series on custom nib grinds. You can follow along here. I purchased the nib grind featured in this review with my own funds, for my own use. I was not compensated for this review, and all opinions expressed are my own. The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.