Pen Review: Skogsy Pens Low Volume Eyedropper

May 29, 2024

Now that we're about four weeks removed from the 2024 Chicago Pen Show, I'm in a position to share my thoughts on the first of several pens I acquired at that show, including the one featured here: the Skogsy Pens Low Volume Eyedropper! Skogsy Pens is run by Zach and Amy Skogsberg, a husband-and-wife team where Zach is the primary maker and Amy can always be found handling the business end behind the table at pen shows! It’s been delightful to get to know them over the past couple of years, and what's amazing to me is that Zach has only been making pens since 2021, yet I've found his pens to be of consistently high quality with unique designs and material combinations. My favorites include Micarta and, as shown here, polished ebonite.

Skogsy Pens Low Volume Eyedropper Uncapped — The combination of polished acrylic and ebonite is gorgeous and immediately when I saw this pen at the Skogsy Pens table I knew that I would not leave the show without it.

So What is The “Low Volume Eyedropper” System

The Low Volume Eyedropper showcases Zach’s creativity and innovation, combining beige and black ebonite for the cap and section with a polished clear acrylic barrel, drilled out to function as an eyedropper. It’s a cool look. For the uninitiated, eyedropper pens can feel intimidating. They typically involve filling the barrel of the fountain pen directly with ink using a pipette or dropper, and sealing the barrel threads with silicone grease or an o-ring. Most eyedroppers hold a LOT of ink, which newer users often perceive as risky because it can cause a big mess if the pen leaks from the barrel or section or "burps" ink out the front of the nib due to changes in air pressure or temperature. The Skogsy "Low Volume" eyedropper is an experimental design that looks to mitigate some of the everyday complications inherent in eyedropper pens, and make them more user friendly.

Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper Uncapped In-Hand — While this pen is on the shorter side for me, it’s proportionate enough in terms of diameter to maintain comfort.

The Low Volume Eyedropper - as the name implies - has been intentionally designed to hold a smaller volume of ink than your typical eyedropper in order to limit the amount of ink flowing to the feed and to allow for additional insulation of the ink chamber. (i.e., The smaller the ink chamber, the thicker the barrel, which means more material between the ink and your hand, which in turn limits temperature fluctuations that cause burping.) I understand that some additional modifications have also been made to the ebonite feed and the section to moderate the ink flow - something that can be particularly important with an eyedropper as most eyedroppers are wet writers to begin with and an ebonite feed will exacerbate that issue. I'm pleased to report that that system functions as intended: Even as I've emptied the pen, I've experienced no burping or excess flow as the eyedropper writes toward empty, and the ebonite feed maintains a steady stream of ink that's pretty much perfect for my preferences with a broad nib.

Skogsy Low Volume Capped Pen — The cap/barrel seam sits dead center. The cap is 2.75” long and the exposed portion of the barrel is the same length.

The Pen's Design: Relatively Short and Sweet with a no. 8 magna carta nib

Zach originally got into making fountain pens because he had a hard time finding a size and shape that appealed to him. As he points out in his introduction, compact pens with wider grip and barrel can be difficult to find, especially at an accessible price point. It can be even harder to find a pen with these proportions that features a larger nib - personally I feel that a No. 8 nib simply looks better on a pen of this size than a No. 6. Fortunately, lower-cost stainless steel No. 8 nibs have become more widely available as both JoWo and Magna Carta now supply them to penmakers, with Magna Carta currently the most popular. (Both the Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper and the Edison Jameson that I picked up in Chicago feature these Magna Carta nibs.)

Skogsy Pens Low Volume Eyedropper Nib Options — My pen came with two nib options. The Magna Carta has been installed since the Chicago Pen Show, but I also love that surfboard design on the JoWo No. 6! (Skogsy Pens is located in San Diego.)

I will note that the Magna Carta nibs can need some tuning, which may include not only smoothing but heat-setting the nib to the feed. This process is not terribly complicated for an experienced user to do by themselves, but if you're not comfortable performing minor work on your own nibs I would highly recommend purchasing your pen at a pen show where Zach can adjust your nib in person to fit your preferences.

Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper with Magna Carta Nib — The Magna Carta stainless steel nib features no branding. It’s a nice standard broad nib, but….

Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper Ebonite Feed — The ebonite feed is what makes the writing experience! Adding extra flow really does up the game here.

The finish on my pen is flawless. The clear acrylic barrel is polished to perfection without any noticeable tool marks, the threads are smooth, and the ebonite on the cap and section shines. And check out that swirl at the top of the cap....

Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper showing swirled ebonite on top of the cap — Perfectly centered.

The Low Volume Eyedropper measures approximately 5.5 inches capped, 5 inches uncapped, and 6.5 inches posted. It's a very comfortable length for me to use either posted or unposted, though I think I prefer unposted as the pen feels more balanced. The gently concave, wider-diameter section offers a good grip area, and ebonite is one of my favorite materials to write with because it takes on a warm feeling in the hand. This pen practically begs to be used everyday, and offers an extremely pleasant writing experience over longer sessions at work or at home in my journal(s).

Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper Posted in-hand — The cap posts deeply and securely, though I think I prefer to use this one unposted.

What About the Ink and Paper Used in This Review?

In addition to test-driving the Low Volume Eyedropper, I used this review as an opportunity to try out a new ink and rediscover a favorite paper. I've always found brown/beige pens - and definitely clear-barreled eyedroppers - as excellent vehicles for showcasing red inks, so for this review I inked the pen up with Tom's Studio "Mulberry". Mulberry is a gorgeous deep burgundy that is what I consider a "solid color": without shading or sheen but it has a beautiful dark red hue with purple undertones.

Skogsy Low-Volume Eyedropper with Writing Sample of Tom's Studio Mulberry — What is it about brown/beige/grey pens and red inks?

As I mentioned above, the broad No. 8 Magna Carta Nib writes a bold wet line, and I had no issues with the Mulberry feathering or bleeding on the paper I've used here, which is the Blackwing "Illegal Pad". I've written before on my frustration with finding decent, reasonably priced legal-style pads capable of handling fountain pen ink, and I'm glad that Blackwing has now made these pads more widely available. Cool Note: The lined pads shown here feature a legal/steno layout, which is a lined pad with a center dividing line that we attorneys have traditionally used for various purposes such as organizing questions and corresponding answers at deposition or in court, as well as for checklists and research task management.

Skogsy Pens Low Volume eyedropper size comparison — The Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper (center), compared to two pens I’ve recently reviewed: the TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze (right) and the Kaweco Sport Piston Filler (left).

Takeaways and Where to Buy

At the Chicago Pen Show, the Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper was priced at $340, which included a stainless steel Magna Carta No. 8 nib AND an extra Jowo No. 6 section and nib with the Skogsy surfboard design. I consider this excellent value given the craftsmanship and versatility. I have not yet tried out this pen with a No. 6 nib, and I’ll be interested to see whether it changes my perception of the balance or the writing experience.

Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper Polished Ebonite Cap showing grain — The polished ebonite showcases a good bit of grain. Polished ebonite is one of my favorite fountain pen materials, and highly underrated.

As of the date of this post, Skogsy Pens does not have any Low Volume eyedroppers listed for sale on their website, as they are in the middle of Pen Show Season and stock needs to be reserved for shows (This is frequently the case with many smaller makers.) If you're interested in this particular pen, you have a few different options: Keep checking their online shop or contact them directly to place an order for a commission, follow Skogsy Pens on Instagram, or even better, visit them at a pen show! They list all upcoming shows online, and will be appearing at the Dutch Pen Show in June, the D.C. Pen Show at the beginning of August, and the San Francisco Pen Show at the end of August.

Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper Writing Sample No. 2 — Another writing sample with the Mulberry ink, this time on Midori MD Cotton Paper.

The ink and paper featured in this review can be purchased in our own shop, as we carry the entire line of Tom's Studio Fountain Pen Inks, including Mulberry. You can read more about these inks ($16 for a 50ml bottle) and view swatches here. We also sell the Blackwing "Illegal Pads", which come in packs of two pads (priced at $20) and are available in blank, dot, and classic "legal pad lined" formats.

Did you enjoy our content? Consider supporting us directly by visiting the T.G.S. Curated Shop, or pledging via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. We greatly appreciate all our reader and customer support. I purchased the Skogsy pen shown here with my own funds, for review purposes, and was not compensated for this review.

My First Fountain Pen Revisited: The Waterman Laureat

May 25, 2024

I write a lot about recommendations for a "first fountain pen", and readers/customers frequently ask me for advice on which fountain pens they should they should buy based on various price points and other criteria. BUT, I realize I haven't written much at all on my own first "nice" fountain pen: the Waterman Laureat.

Waterman Laureat Cap Band — The Laureat features the classic Waterman clip and branding around the cap band.

Waterman made the Laureat during the mid-to-late 1990s, and possibly into the early 2000s. (I'm not a vintage expert - all I know is that it's no longer available and by the time I was back into the hobby in 2010, they had disappeared from store shelves.) I purchased this particular pen in London, in 1999, when I lived in Strasbourg, France and spent many a weekend visiting friends who were studying in London at the same time. As a slimmer pen, the Laureat made for a great introduction into the world of fountain pens because at the time it felt very similar to the "stick" ballpoints and rollerballs that I regularly used in school. It slotted easily into my Filofax pen loop, and the cap was designed to post easily onto the back of the barrel. Despite the lacquered brass construction, the slim barrel meant that the pen maintained a usable weight and decent balance.

Waterman Laureat Nib and Section Up Close — You can make out the ring of ink around the base of the nib. There is also some wear to the gold plating, which is to be expected after 25 years!

Nonetheless, like a few different 1990s-era Waterman pens, the Laureat had one glaring flaw: It is, by far, the messiest fountain pen I have ever used. The Laureat features a friction-fit cap and a ribbed grip that somehow interact to pull a drop of ink from the nib whenever you cap/uncap the pen. The result is a ring of ink around the end of the section, just below the nib, that's not enough to constitute a full-on leak, but is just enough to stain your fingers. You can avoid the issue somewhat by gripping the pen higher up on the section, but I've always accepted this as my "inevitably inky fingers" fountain pen and dealt with it. Waterman pens from this era feature some of the most consistently good stainless steel nibs available, and the gold nibs are among my all-time favorite. (I have at least five vintage or “near-vintage” Watermans that see regular use.)

Waterman Laureat In-Hand — The Waterman Laureat remains an incredibly comfortable fountain pen to use.

Is There a Modern Equivalent of the Waterman Laureat?

There are a couple different options, but in terms of pure feel, the Scriveiner fountain pen that I was recently sent to review (one of which we are giving away!) are close. Scriveiner uses the same lacquered brass barrel design, and while the color options don't feature quite as much depth as the Laureat, the pens don't suffer from the "inky section" issue. Scriveiner pens use Schmidt nibs, which are some of the most consistent steel nibs on the market, and the feel of the medium nib I've been testing actually comes pretty close to the Laureat.

Waterman Laureat with Two Scriveiner Fountain Pens

For those who don't like the weight of a brass barrel, another option would be the Pilot Explorer, which has a similarly slim shape, excellent steel nib and a much lighter feel in the hand. At $25, the Explorer is also much less expensive than the Laureat was (I believe I paid close to $200 for a matching fountain pen/rollerball set?)

Waterman Laureat compared to Scriveiner and Pilot Explorer — Waterman Laureat next to a Scriveiner fountain pen (center) and the Pilot Explorer.

Finally, the modern equivalent of the Laureat in the current Waterman lineup would probably be the Waterman Hemisphere. I haven't used one of these pens, so I have no first-hand experience, but I have not heard of any ink issues like the ones that plagued the Laureat. The Hemisphere appears to feature a similar grip/inner cap to the Waterman Expert, with which I've had no such problems.

Waterman Laureat Scriveiner Comparison — The Laureat next to the Scriveiner, uncapped.

What was your first "quality" fountain pen? Do you still use it? Does it still hold up? Or did you ink it up again after many years only think "What the heck did I ever see in this?" I love to hear these stories, so please drop a line in the comments over this long weekend!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. Through Monday May 27, we are running a sale in the shop using the coupon code “SUMMERSALE” at checkout. If you enjoy our content, we greatly appreciate your support!

TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze Fountain Pen with J. Herbin Small Bottle of Cafe des Iles Ink

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

May 22, 2024

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.

TWSBI ECO Caffe Bronze and Indigo Blue Bronze Side by Side — 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.

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.

TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze Fountain Pen with Cafe des Iles writing Sample — 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.

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.

TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze fountain pen with Kaweco Art Sport and Good Made Better — 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!

Uni Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pen Collection in Toyooka Craft Case

Pen Review: Uni Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pen

May 8, 2024

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.

Jetstream Multi Pen Collection showing the various clips — 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.

Jetstream Multi Pen 4&1 and 3-slot models, showing different grips — 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.

Jetstream Multi Pen Writing Sample in all four colors + Pencil

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.

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.

Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pen Bamboo Model — 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.

Tom's Studio Studio Pocket Fountain Pens all colors on a desk

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

April 24, 2024

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.

Tom's Studio Studio Pocket, shown capped in Iris

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".

Tom's Studio Studio Pocket Fountain Pen Uncapped

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.

Tom's Studio Studio Pocket In Extended Format

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.

Tom's Studio "Studio Pocket" Fountain Pen Shown Posted in Hand

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.

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.

Tom's Studio Architect Nib Grind Angle — 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.

Tom's Studio Architect Nib Writing Sample — 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.

Tom's Studio refillable cartridge syringe system — 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!

Tom's Studio Studio Pocket in Multiple Colors — 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.