Pen Review: TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze - What is it About These Muted Colors?

I've not formally reviewed a TWSBI since the release of the TWSBI "Kai" special edition piston filler last year, and it's been longer since I've reviewed a TWSBI ECO, so in light of TWSBI's recent blitz of new pens in a broad assortment of different color and trim combinations, this one's overdue. While I won't rehash much of what I've already written on the ECO in terms of origin, construction, design, etc. (you can read that here), I will say that it's one of my top pen recommendations in the "under $50" category.

View fullsize

The TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze (left) with Indigo Blue + Bronze (right)

The TWSBI ECO serves as one of the premier value fountain pens on the market. Priced as low as $32.99 for a pen with the standard steel trim, the ECO features a reliable piston filling system and generally appeals to a wide range of enthusiasts, from beginners looking for their first pen to experienced users who want a reliable everyday writer that doesn't break the bank. Over the past few years, TWSBI has gradually introduced variations into the ECO lineup, including the "ECO-T" (triangular section), the ECO Rose Gold (with rose gold trim), and, as shown here, the ECO “BRZ” (with bronze trim). While the rose gold and bronze trims raise the price of the ECO to $49.99, even this still amazes me somewhat as many manufacturers would have tried to price the standard ECO at $50.

View fullsize

Is “ECO BRZ” a thing now? I like it. Now I need to go matching Subaru shopping.

The pen I’m looking at today features the new bronze-toned trim. The TWSBI ECO "Caffé Bronze", as you might expect from the name, draws on coffee as its inspiration. Featuring the same faceted hexagonal cap and round barrel as the standard ECO fountain pen, TWSBI began experimenting with bronze last year, releasing it for the first time with the ECO "Indigo Blue + Bronze" model. It's proven wildly popular, especially among those looking for something similar to rose gold but perhaps with a touch less red.

View fullsize

Personally, the combination of light coffee-colored acrylic and bronze trim screams for J. Herbin “Cafe des Iles” ink.

While I enjoy rose gold trim on pens, the bronze adds a new dimension due to its deeper tone. When you combine this trim with a more muted color acrylic, like the light "caffé brown" acrylic used here, you get a pen that's perfectly tailored to my own preferences. For so many years, pen makers and manufacturers have catered to the segment of the community that wants bright, wild acrylics, but what about those of us looking for something a touch demure? TWSBI has done a good job of mixing in crazy colors (see the "Glow Green" and "Glow Purple", which actually glow in the dark) with the more subdued (see the Creme and Rose Gold, Dark Sapphire). I hope this trend continues, and that other manufacturers follow suit.

View fullsize

Overall Thoughts on the TWSBI ECO and Where to Buy

The ECO has become my default everyday TWSBI because (1) they're relatively inexpensive, and I have a handful of these pens, so don't necessarily need to worry about damage while carrying them around with me or leaving them at my office; (2) the nib writes a reliably wet line; and (3) I can post the cap, which attaches securely to the end of the pen via an o-ring. I can’t wait to see what else TWSBI has coming, as I've enjoyed most of the new additions even if they sometimes make it hard to keep up.

View fullsize

You can see a trend here: The TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze (center) with my Kaweco Art Sport in Terrazzo (right) and my recently acquired Good Made Better pocket pen.

I can’t say whether these new TWSBI releases are intended to be permanent additions to the lineup or special editions that will eventually be retired - to my knowledge, TWSBI hasn’t specified. In the past, TWSBI has typically released a color and kept it around for a year or so, replacing it with something else once interest wanes. That said, many of the new releases from 2023 and even 2022 are still available to retailers, as I've had no problem restocking so I expect there’s no immediate danger of the 2024 releases disappearing.

If you would like to support T.G.S. directly, you can purchase the TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze from our own shop, along with most other TWSBI products including pens, mechanical pencils, and inks. As I mentioned above, the specific pen shown here is priced at $49.99. All TWSBI ECO fountain pens are piston fillers, and take bottled ink only, so plan accordingly!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. We greatly appreciate your support!

Pen Review: Uni Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pen

Today's post is somewhat of a hybrid between an entry in the "Review Revisited" and "Mini Collection" series. Since I've somehow managed to collect 5 or 6 of the Uni Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pens over the years, I figured I should revisit my last review and comment some on why I enjoy this pen so much. While I consider myself a multi pen enthusiast, I really use two on a daily basis: (1) the Lamy 2000 Multi Pen, and (2) one of these various Uni Jetstream models.

View fullsize

All of the various renditions of the Uni Jetstream multi pens use different materials in the body and grip section.

My Use Case For Multi Pens

Long-time readers of the blog know that I'm a fairly prolific reader and serial annotator, both in my day job and my personal life. For me, multi pens are one of the ultimate annotation tools because they allow you to mark up documents in multiple colors (different colors for different types of notes), and an added mechanical pencil option is a great bonus because it allows you to erase as necessary. The multi pen is a lifesaver when I'm traveling - particularly when I'm working on a airplane - as it eliminates the need to have multiple writing instruments available and minimizes the risk of something getting lost or falling under the seat. Multi pens are also great for when you want to read out on the patio, work on the couch, or another similar context in which you're not necessarily seated and/or writing on a flat surface.

View fullsize

If I had to pick a favorite to use daily, it would probably be the versions with the bamboo grip. It’s quite tactile and I imagine they will age/patina with time. The Karimoku edition is not bamboo, but rather reclaimed wood from furniture manufacturing, if I’m not mistaken. It also features a ceramic-like coating (possibly Cerakote or something similar).

What Makes a Good Multi Pen?

For me, because I’m not necessarily using this particular pen to write a novel, it all comes down to the refill and how reliable it is. While the Lamy 2000 Multi Pen (ok, "4-Color Ballpoint") might be one of the most versatile multi pens because it accepts universal D1 refills, I find myself using Uni Jetstream refills nearly exclusively in all of my ballpoints, so I've also managed to accumulate a significant collection of the Uni Jetstream 4&1 and 3&1 multi pens. These take a proprietary cartridge, but because I’m pretty much all-in on the Jetstream at this point, I don’t care as much. The "&1" refers to the added mechanical pencil - something the Lamy 2000 doesn't have.

View fullsize

The 4&1 contains four different Jetstream refills: black, blue, red, and green. All of them write smoothly. It can be extremely difficult to find decent ballpoints in colors other than black and blue, but the red and green refills here write a legible line and have been reliable over time. Jetstream refills tend to last forever without drying up, something that's especially important with a multi pen where you might not use a specific color on a daily basis.

View fullsize

While some might find the Jetstream 4&1 too large for their hand, I personally find it fairly comfortable due to its light weight. Uni makes this pen with multiple grip styles, however, so be sure to choose the one most comfortable for you. For example, those who tend to grip their pen hard might want to avoid the metal section models in favor of the gel grip, while the plastic and bamboo options present more of a middle ground.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

And this brings us to the "mini collection" portion of this post. At last count, I have in my personal collection six of these Uni Jetstream Multi Pens in various finishes: two of the standard Bamboo models, one model in the limited edition Karimoku finish, one metal-grip "Tokyo Bike" special release, one Tokyo Bike 3-color (no mechanical pencil), and a standard black gel grip 4&1. Five of the six pens are the 4&1 model, so I'm pretty much sold on that version. And yes, I know there are countless more editions and releases out there, but I can only use so many multi pens, and I plan to just pick them up as I come across them "in the wild" as opposed to tracking them down via eBay, etc.

If you’re interested in hearing more about why I like this pen, and multi pens in general, check out this YouTube video that I recently released that discusses how the Uni Jetstream 4&1 compares to other favorites, including the Lamy 2000.

View fullsize

From left: Sage, Mimosa Yellow, Oregano, Blue-Grey, and Gerbera Pink.

In the meantime, in the interest of making this long-time personal favorite more accessible, I did order an assortment of the Bamboo-grip 4&1 Multi Pens for the shop. I currently have them in five muted pastel shades, including Mimosa Yellow, Oregano Green, Blue Grey, Gerbera Pink, and Sage. If you've never tried a good multi pen, this is an excellent place to start, given the combination of quality and price point ($25). The four included starter refills will last you a very long time, but if you think you might want more, or need to replace refills in an existing Jetstream Multi Pen, we sell all colors, as well as .5mm Uni mechanical pencil leads.

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

Pen Review: Tom's Studio "The Studio Pocket" Fountain Pen (and Architect Nib!)

So why did I choose to review this relatively new, niche product during the T.G.S. 10th Anniversary month? Because it provides a great example of just how much the community has changed in the past decade-plus, both from an enthusiast and retail perspective.

In the early 2010s, when I first rediscovered fountain pens and stationery as a serious interest, the range of available products was still limited to your traditional "legacy" brands (Parker, Sheaffer, Waterman, Montblanc, Aurora, Omas, etc.). Sure, there were a lot of great pens available - including many I wish I had purchased at original retail and currently covet a great deal - but the market lacked many of the offbeat, original designs from smaller makers at a lower price point. There certainly weren't many "pocket" fountain pens available, as that product category didn't take off until Kaweco expanded the Sport lineup and began introducing other popular designs such as the Liliput.

View fullsize

Today, smaller brands from independent makers and/or designers proliferate, such as Tom's Studio, which started out as a very small calligraphy-focused maker but which has gradually expanded into fountain pens, refillable fineliners, fountain pen inks, and even a recently released mechanical pencil. I reviewed the "Lumos" fineliner pens a week or so back, and in the meantime have been looking at two different fountain pens: the "Studio" and "Studio Pocket".

View fullsize

The most interesting design aspect of the Studio Pocket fountain pen is that there are no threads on the cap or barrel. The cap closes using two o-rings embedded into grooves in the barrel section, and this is also how the pen posts. (While o-rings are made of rubber and won't last forever, this type of generic black o-ring is easily replaceable.) Thus far, I've had no issues with the cap staying on the pen or the pen posting securely. I love that there are no threads to interfere with the grip.

View fullsize

Second, when you post the Studio Pocket, it extends to a much larger writing instrument that you typically see with pocket fountain pens. Made from machined aluminum, the faceted cap adds length without adding much weight at all. The pen rests comfortably in my hand and feels well-balanced. Sometimes manufacturers go for designs that are visually interesting but don't really end up working in the "real world" - i.e., when you actually want to write with the pen. This isn't such a situation. Per their own website, Tom's Studio pays careful attention to things like balance and ergonomics. It's not just lip service.

View fullsize

So far my experience writing with the Tom's Studio "Studio Pocket" has been largely positive. In addition to the o-ring posting mechanism, a hallmark of the pen is the long textured section, which is intended to make the Studio Pocket usable regardless of how you hold your pen. The texture comes from machined micro-grooves, which are increasingly common in the machined pen world as a way to minimize the slippage that will inevitably occur with an untextured metal grip.

View fullsize

But What About That Architect Nib:)

Yes, the Architect nib. In recent months, Tom's Studio has received much attention for their interchangeable nib units, which now includes a "Pro Flex" (Zebra G Calligraphy setup), a "Semi-Flex" (your typical stainless steel nib with a longer slit down the midde), a "Cursive Italic" (which I've found to be more of a traditional italic, but that's a matter of preference), and the Architect. So far, the Pro-flex and Architect Nibs are the best of the bunch. This is an amazingly smooth, broad architect-style nib, which at $19 offers incredible value, especially to those who have never tried an architect nib and have been hesitant to send a prized pen off to a nibgrinder simply to experiment. For those new to fountain pens, an architect nib is ground to a wedge-like shape, with narrower downstrokes and broader cross strokes. (You often hear it described as a "reverse stub.") Please note that Tom’s Studio nibs are only compatible with Tom’s Studio pens. These are specially made to fit the Studio and Studio Pocket, and while you may be able to swap them into different housings, I have not experimented with this and it’s not an advertised feature.

View fullsize

I've found broader architect nibs to be more forgiving of writing angles, making this a better option for a stock nib than a finer grind as it should work for more people.

View fullsize

You can read more about why I enjoy architect-style nibs (as well as other nib grinds) in this post. Over the years, the architect has become a favorite custom grind of mine, and it seems crazy that you can now get a stock architect that’s this good at this price point. The narrow downstrokes are compatible with my smaller handwriting, and I love the angular look it lends to my notes. The writing sample shown here is with the stock Tom’s Studio black ink cartridge on Clairefontaine paper.

View fullsize

The Studio Pocket is a pocket fountain pen, and marketed as cartridge-only. Each pen ships with a converter/syringe device that you can use to refill your spent cartridges with the ink of your choice.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I've been thoroughly enjoying the Studio Pocket, which I opted for in the dark purple "Iris" color. I immediately swapped out the stock fine nib and have been using the Architect's nib nearly exclusively, and I'm fairly confident it will remain installed in this pen indefinitely. The more I use this pen, the more I appreciate the faceted design. It's both a roll-stop and a satisfying fidget toy to roll around in your hand!

The Studio Pocket comes in seven different colors. From left: Black, Sage, Ivy, Wisteria, Iris, Mulberry, and Blush.

We've recently launched Tom's Studio as a brand in the T.G.S. Curated Shop, and it's been a popular addition. The Lumos fineliners sold out nearly immediately, and we plan to restock them as soon as possible. On the fountain pen side, we have both the original "Studio" fountain pen and the "Studio Pocket" shown here. We currently offer the Studio Pocket in either a fine or medium nib, priced at $108. Specialty nibs are sold separately, though with our next order we may consider stocking the fountain pens with the specialty nibs installed. (That's a bit of an investment, so it totally depends on the overall level of interest.) I do think that $108 +$19 for a pocket fountain pen with two nibs, one of which is a pre-ground architect, represents a decent deal, especially if you're experimenting for the first time with an architect nib and don't want to lay out $50+ for a custom grind.

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

Kaweco Sport Piston Filler: Initial Impressions of a Long-Awaited "Upgrade"!

Well, it's here! After years of speculation, and much anticipation, Kaweco has released the piston filler version of the Kaweco Sport. Rather than design a completely new pen, Kaweco adapted the existing AL Sport fountain pen by adding an integrated clip and, of course, the piston filler. What are my initial thoughts? Let's take a closer look.

View fullsize

The pen ships in this commemorative tin, complete with a vintage-style bottle of ink.

Initial Impressions of the Design

From the moment you open the box, there's no confusing this pen with anything other than a modern Kaweco Sport fountain pen. As mentioned, the body design draws on the existing AL Sport line, though Kaweco has added the integrated clip from the current Art Sport lineup and the now-discontinued “Luxe” model. There's also a gold band at the blind cap, which you remove to access the piston mechanism.

View fullsize

I’m sold on the integrated clip. It’s a matter of preference, but I was always a fan of the now-discontinued “Sport Luxe” pens that had this same look.

In terms of size, feel, and overall setup, you shouldn't notice much of a difference between the Sport Piston Filler and the existing AL Sport line. My red AL Sport shown below weighs 18g, and my 3/4 full Kaweco Sport Piston Filler weighs 24g. While the piston adds some weight, given the Sport's small size, I don't really notice it.

The pen posts nicely, and the ink window allows you to see how much ink you still have in reserve.

The biggest difference in the body is the vintage-style ink window, which allows you to see the ink level in the pen. The piston filler holds more ink than a cartridge, certainly holds more ink than the small Kaweco Sport “Mini” converter, and while it's not quite at eyedropper level, you don't have to deal with silicone grease, ink burping, and other considerations that pop up when you pour ink directly into the barrel.

Remove the blind cap to access the piston knob and refill the pen.

The piston design on this pen is a bit unique. You access the piston by removing the blind cap to reveal the piston knob. Why would Kaweco do this? I suspect it’s because nearly everyone posts the cap on the back of the Kaweco Sport as they write, and this design minimizes the risk of the piston accidentally engaging and expelling ink while writing.

Nib and Writing Experience

The first thing I noticed after inking up my medium piston Sport for the first time was how much the standard Kaweco nib benefitted from the increased ink flow the piston mechanism offered. Piston fillers often deliver a more consistent flow of ink to the nib and feed than cartridge/converter pens, which in turn makes the pen feel like a smoother writer. I find this effect more pronounced with smaller No. 4 and No. 5 nibs. Again, this is strictly a matter of personal preference, but the medium nib in the pen I chose for myself is excellent. (It's also possible that a higher degree of quality control went into the nibs on the $165 pen than goes into the standard $28 Sport. One would hope so.)

View fullsize

The Kaweco Sport Piston Filler uses the same nib as the other Kaweco Sports, but the nib unit is different. My understanding is that Kaweco will start selling replacement nib units specific to this pen.

I won't write much more on the writing experience - I've previously reviewed multiple versions of the Kaweco Sport and the feel of this pen in the hand as you write isn't significantly different. You either like these smaller pens or you don't, and nothing about the filling system really changes that.

View fullsize

"But I Like the Vintage One Better...."

Initial reactions to the Kaweco Sport Piston Filler have been mixed, not necessarily due to the pen itself but rather because nobody knew what to expect, with expectations all over the place. Some, frankly, were wildly unrealistic. (I'm not sure in what world people were expecting an inexpensive piston filling Kaweco fountain pen with a 14k gold nib, or an exact replica of vintage pens featuring materials that can’t be sourced.)

Keep in mind that the modern company we know as "Kaweco" is different from the legacy company that produced vintage “Sport” fountain pens. Much like "the new Esterbrook", the rights to the Kaweco name were acquired by a new manufacturer who began making modern pens inspired by the heritage designs.

View fullsize

My vintage Kaweco Sport from the early 1970s (right) next to the modern pen. For a more fulsome comparison, check out this YouTube video, which includes writing samples.

I believe this context is important to understand because creating a piston filling Kaweco Sport is not as simple as "turning on the old machines". As with most vintage pens, the machines and tooling used to make the pens likely don't exist anymore - much less in workable condition - and the gold nibs and other materials used in the vintage manufacturing are either much more expensive or entirely unavailable to modern manufacturers. A piston-filling Kaweco Sport in a vintage-style body different from Kaweco's current lineup, featuring a 14k gold nib, would easily top $200, and I would probably pitch it closer to $300+.

View fullsize

On the "Value Proposition" and Appreciating Trade-Offs

Now for some “market discussion”: There has been a lot of talk about the price point of the Kaweco Sport Piston Filler ($165), which many believe is too high. While the pen is certainly not inexpensive, I don’t see how a German-manufactured piston fountain pen from a mainline brand could cost less than $130 given the realities of the market. (At some point in the future, we might see some minor price drop on this pen as we did with the Art Sport, thus I’m calling $130 as the ultimate floor here even thought the price currently sits at $165 for the pen / $175 for the pen+ink set. A cheaper pen would almost certainly be a resin model.)

Will we see more colors of the Kaweco Sport Piston? Probably eventually, but not right away.

Does it represent "good value"? Frankly, I’m not sure how a piston-filling pocket fountain pen, styled in very specific manner, can even be viewed from a “value” perspective. I see this as a niche product that will likely appeal to a smaller number of people than something like a TWSBI demonstrator. The price reflects that. If what you're looking for is a durable pocket fountain pen with a decent nib that easy to refill and costs as little as $28, that already exists in the form of the standard Kaweco Sport. You can also purchase the AL Sport for $90, which is virtually identical to the piston filler (albeit with different trim and minus the integrated clip). Honestly, the price point here surprised me in a very different way from most people, as I was expecting $200+, especially after the $300+ Ebonite Sport release.

And, yes, if you really want a gold nib, and you prefer the vintage styling, those are very much available on the secondary market (an entirely different set of considerations unique to vintage pens and their maintenance).

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I'm enjoying the new Kaweco Sport. Like most Kaweco releases, the build quality feels high, and Kaweco has done a nice job translating the piston filling system to the existing AL Sport format. Because smaller nibs can sometimes be stingy with ink flow, the piston mechanism seems to vastly improves the writing experience for those who enjoy a wetter nib, and for this reason alone the Sport Piston Filler will likely become my default Kaweco for when I want to do a lot of actual writing, as opposed to quicker notetaking on the go.

View fullsize

You can purchase the new Kaweco Sport Piston Filler at most Kaweco retailers, including directly from us via the T.G.S. Curated Shop. We currently stock the pen in a gift set that ships in a commemorative tin with a bottle of Kaweco Royal Blue ink for $175. The pen on its own sells for $165, and after this initial shipment Kaweco will begin stocking retailers with stand-alone pens. It will be interesting to see whether this takes off, with more colors available, or whether it remains a one-off in the overall lineup!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. We greatly appreciate your direct support!

Exploring New Formats: Lamy AL-Star Rollerball and Mechanical Pencil

Over the years when evaluating the latest releases from Lamy (and most other brands), my default has been to review the fountain pen and, occasionally, the ballpoint. But what about the rollerball? As I was writing last week's review on the Tom's Studio Lumos fineliner, I was struck by the simplicity of writing with basic black ink, and the focus it allowed in terms of not being distracted by all the various elements that go into writing with a fountain pen. When I decided to do my initial review of the new Lamy AL-Star pens that arrived last week, I pulled one of the Fiery AL-Star Rollerballs and the Aquatic .5mm mechanical pencil - two formats that don't receive a lot of attention.

The Lamy AL-Star Rollerball: Taking a Second Look

We sell a fair number of Lamy AL-Star and Safari rollerball pens, but it's not a format I've personally used very much. It's only fair that I take one for a test drive, right? So far, the experience has been mostly positive, and largely consistent with the writing experience offered by other rollerball pens using a standard medium refill. The pen itself looks nearly identical to the AL-Star fountain pen, with the exception that there is no "cutout" in the barrel to allow you to view the ink level in the cartridge or converter. (This feature would serve no purpose in a rollerball pen, as you can't view the ink level in a metal refill, and it would look pretty ugly to see the silver peeking out, IMHO.) The grip is the same, as is the overall feel and balance of the pen.

Balance in the hand is very similar to the AL-Star fountain pen, posted or unposted.

With respect to the writing experience, it all comes down to whether you enjoy writing with a rollerball pen, which typically write a wetter line than a ballpoint or gel pen. The refills contain very dark pigmented liquid ink, and in a wider tip size, have a tendency to bleed through paper - even good paper such as the Lamy notebook in the photos below, or Tomoe River (!?!). That said, if you want a pen that writes a smooth, bold black/blue line, breaking out a rollerball can be quite satisfying. Yesterday I spent most of the afternoon outlining the main ideas for a legal brief on a legal pad, and while I had some show-through and feathering from the rollerball cartridge on the thinner paper, I would compare the experience to working with a marker on a whiteboard. There was no need for me to write small, as my primary goal was to get the "big ideas" on paper so that I could later organize them into a coherent rough draft. For this, the rollerball was perfect, especially since I didn’t plan to preserve this writing for posterity.

View fullsize

View fullsize

Pro Tip: I hardly ever purchase rollerball cartridges in bulk. Over the years, I've noticed that they don't age well (across brands), and can become skippy and dry out quickly. For that reason I typically purchase rollerball refills in smaller batches, if not one at a time, as I need them.

Lamy AL-Star Mechanical Pencil: Rotate to Your Heart’s Content

One of the curious decisions Lamy made during this recent product cycle was to release the AL-Star .5mm mechanical pencil in the new "Aquatic" finish. Why do one color but not the other? Regardless, I'm enjoying this new pencil and somewhat disagree with critics of the design, particularly those who dislike the molded grip on the AL-Star and Safari mechanical pencils.

AL-Star and Safari Grip Sections are triangular, meaning that you can rotate them as needed (at least in the non-fountain pen versions).

The major gripe that I hear is that the molded grip supposedly prevents users from rotating the mechanical pencil as you write. Some - but not all - users rotate their pencil in order to prevent flat edges from forming on the lead and to maintain a sharp point. (Uni's Kuru-Toga pencils do this automatically, which is their key selling point.)

The AL-Star Grip Section, viewed sideways.

I don't consider that critique entirely on-point for a couple of reasons. First, the molded grip on both the Safari and AL-Star is symmetrical and triangular, so rotating the pencil shouldn't affect your grip too much as long as you are someone who can actually use the AL-Star or Safari. (The molded section just doesn’t work for some people given issues of comfort and how they hold the pen/pencil.) If you rotate the pencil, there will be three different angles at which the grip remains the same. I don't personally use the molded grip to guide finger placement, as Lamy intends, and have no issue resting my fingers on top of the triangular edges, so this has never been a problem for me as someone who does rotate their mechanical pencils as I write.

For my own purposes, I wanted to find out whether the weight of the pen would affect lead breakage in the .5mm size. The AL-Star and Safari mechanical pencils are bigger pencils with a thicker diameter, and the AL-Star is metal. My concerns turned out to be unfounded. The pencil writes nicely, even with the thicker aluminum barrel. Those who sometimes find standard mechanical pencils too thin should definitely check this one out.

The fountain pen barrels in Aquatic and Fiery, for comparison purposes.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

A couple of years ago I reviewed the Lamy Safari ballpoint for the first time and (virtually) kicked myself for not testing one out sooner. The same goes for the rollerball and mechanical pencil versions of the AL-Star. I'm liking both of these and may even take a pass on the fountain pen versions of the new releases as I seek to diversify my personal collection.

The AL-Star ballpoint in Fiery and Aquatic, also for comparison purposes. I like the colored sections that complement the overall tone of the pen.

We currently stock the entire range of the Lamy AL-Star "Fiery" and "Aquatic" pens (and pencil), as well as remaining stock of other special and limited edition AL-Star finishes from recent years. Priced at $28 for the rollerball and $16 for the mechanical pencil, The Lamy AL-Star represents good value and should serve you well over the long-term, despite sitting at what many consider an entry-level price point. We also have all the refills you may need, should you wish to change ink color and tip size from the stock black medium rollerball refill, or swap out the stock HB mechanical pencil lead.

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