Congratulations to Jacob Chesser, the winner of last week's giveaway for one bottle of Montblanc for UNICEF limited edition turquoise ink. Please get in touch with me at joe (at) gentlemanstationer.com, or use the "Contact Me" link on the site, to claim your prize. If the prize is not claimed after one (1) week (by 11:59pm next Monday) I will pick a new winner.
Thanks again to everyone who participated!
I've been waiting for a couple of months now before publishing a review of what might be my favorite pen acquisition of the past year: the "Mauna Kea" by the Kanilea Pen Co. Kanilea is new to the scene, even if Hugh and Karol Scher, the proprietors, have been around the pen show circuit for years. Kanilea launched at last year's Washington D.C. Pen Show to much acclaim - certain models of their pens sold out immediately. Each piece in their lineup is inspired by a location or "element" in Hawaii, and is hand-turned from a custom acrylic reflecting the colors in pictures taken on family trips to the islands. Even though these pens aren't "custom" in the sense that they're designed to individual customer's specifications, every aspect of these pens has been custom-designed to the maker's specifications, and even the JoWo nib has been tuned to perfection. It's a unique product, and you're not going to find anything like it elsewhere. I don't give numbered "ratings" to reviews, but if I did I'd give the Kanilea Mauna Kea as close to a perfect score as any pen I've reviewed in the past two years.
Each Kanilea pen features a sterling silver or plated sterling silver medallion inset into the cap.
Hugh Scher turns each pen by hand, using custom acrylics made by Jonathan Brooks of the Carolina Pen Company. I don't own any of Jonathan's pens, but I can vouch for his ability as a material maker. Hugh's workmanship on the pens themselves is exceptional. With any handmade pen you should expect some degree of imperfections and inconsistency in each finished product - to a degree, that's what makes a hand-crafted pen unique - but I honestly haven't been able to find any such "flaws" on my Mauna Kea. The cap is centered, the threads are smooth, the edges rounded perfectly, and as I'll talk about a bit more later, the nib writes exceptionally well.
The depth of the material is what drew me to the Mauna Kea Model in the first place.
The depth of color and contrasting swirls of brown and white/ivory drew me to this particular model. As the name suggests, the pen is inspired by Mauna Kea, the volcano on Hawaii's "Big Island." Because the acrylic blanks are hand-poured, each Kanilea pen is unique in both color and pattern, even among the same model. In other words, my Mauna Kea has a different mix of browns, whites, and pearlescent swirls than any other Mauna Kea pen out there. When you visit Kanilea at a pen show, you'll have the opportunity to see this in person, handle the individual pens, and choose which one you like best.
The selection of Kanilea pens available at the Baltimore Pen Show, to hold and test out. (Less one Mauna Kea...)
Kanilea pens come in several different shapes, or "design profiles," but not all are available in every model. From speaking with Hugh at this year's Atlanta Pen Show, I learned that Kanilea makes each model in those profiles that best showcase the material. For example, the Mauna Kea is only available in the "Classic Flush" profile, a streamlined clipless design. Other models, such as the Pahoehoe, Nui Nalu, or Kilauea, are available in different profiles and have the option of adding a clip, which I might choose for my second Kanilea pen just to mix things up. If fountain pens aren't your thing, certain models of Kanilea pens are also available as ballpoints.
My Mauna Kea right after I purchased it, above the photograph that inspired the pen's design.
Kanilea pens use No. 6 JoWo nibs, in either polished stainless steel, two-toned gold-plated stainless steel, or 18k gold. JoWo nibs are fairly standard in the custom pen world, and most pen makers use nibs manufactured by either JoWo or Schmidt due to their reliability. JoWo nibs are also about as close as you can get to having a "universal nib unit," since most pens featuring JoWo nibs use standard screw-in nib unit, and a Kanilea nib unit, for example, should be interchangeable with a nib unit sold by Franklin-Christoph, Scriptorium, or Edison Pens.
I must say that the medium nib on my Mauna Kea is, hands down, the best JoWo nib I've ever written with (and I'm not the only one to say so.) Hugh works on each nib individually before handing over your new pen, and if you visit Kanilea at the pen show, you'll have the opportunity to have Hugh adjust it to your preference, in terms of ink flow, smoothness, etc. Kanilea carries a range of JoWo nib sizes, from extra fine (EF) all the way up to a 1.1mm stub nib.
The shape of the pen makes the Mauna Kea an excellent writing instrument for longer sessions. The cylindrical profile, with the barrel tapering slightly towards the back, balances the pen nicely, and the lightweight acrylic ensures your hand won't tire. The concave section offers a comfortable grip, and the threads are both high enough on the section and smooth enough so as not to dig into your hand. You can't post the cap, but this is a larger pen so you probably wouldn't want to anyway.
If you're in the market for a unique piece to add to your collection, I highly recommend a pen from the Kanilea Pen Company. Kanilea doesn't sell through retailers (at least not yet), so you will need to purchase directly from them, either via their website or at one of the pen shows they attend. I'd highly recommend visiting them at either the upcoming DC Fountain Pen Supershow (August 3-6), or the San Francisco Pen Show (August 25-27).
It's not pictured here (because it's buried in my backyard) but the box comes wrapped in a biodegradable paper band with the Kanilea logo, which has wildflower seeds embedded in it!
Kanilea pens are not inexpensive, starting at $395, with gold nibs costing an additional $120. The price initially might seem high for an acrylic pen with a steel nib, but once you consider (1) the unique nature and cost of these particular custom acrylics; (2) the quality; (3) the fact that all Kanilea pens are entirely turned by hand; and (4) that all Kanilea pens feature a custom designed medallion crafted from sterling silver or 14K gold-plated sterling silver, the pricing makes sense. Each pen also comes with a "keepsake box" handmade from polished black walnut, which I keep on my desk and use as a pencil box. It's a high quality add-on, featuring a hidden hinge and a magnetic closure. I certainly feel that I got my money's worth.
Disclaimer: I purchased this pen with my own funds, for my own collection. I was not compensated in any way for this review.
New notebook maker Ghost Paper recently launched a unique product: what they refer to as an "embossed paper notebook." Instead of using printed lines, all structure is embossed/debossed, meaning that the lines are slightly raised or indented on the page, depending which side you are writing on. They were kind enough to send me a couple of these books for review. I've not seen anything like this before, and it's certainly an interesting idea.
“Ghost Paper Notebooks combine the freedom of a blank page with the structure of lined pages. The alternating embossed and debossed pages give a faint line that disappears in direct light. The texture is slight enough that it does not interfere with pen marks. ”
I found the embossed logo and branding on the Ghost Paper notebook to be tastefully executed. The extra-long ribbon bookmark was a somewhat odd design choice, however.
Other than the paper itself, the Ghost Paper Notebook is your fairly standard 6" by 8", 96-page softcover notebook. After spending some time with it, here's what I enjoyed about the product:
That said, despite the Ghost Paper notebook being a very attractive and well-executed product from a design standpoint, it isn't a notebook that I could personally use on a regular basis, and you can probably guess why. This paper doesn't handle fountain pens or other liquid ink/rollerball pens very well. While feathering isn't too much of an issue, wetter inks bleed and/or show through the page fairly easily. (I even saw a hint of bleedthrough with a Pilot G2, though I'm one of those who writes with a fairly heavy hand.) Of course, some people don't use liquid ink, or simply don't care about bleedthrough. A good rule of thumb here would be whether or not you can use standard Moleskine paper with your writing instrument of choice. If you can, you'll be fine, because the Ghost Paper notebook is definitely a step above Moleskine.
Ghost Paper makes a nice-looking, well-designed notebook, but I did not find it to be very versatile in terms of the types of pens I could use. For this reason, I have to limit my recommendation of this product to those of you who primarily use ballpoint pens or pencils, in which case you should be very happy with the paper.
You can order the Ghost Paper Notebook directly from Ghost Paper. These notebooks are relatively expensive at $25 each, though I'd expect that price to come down some if the brand becomes established and the company can start making larger production runs.
Disclaimer: Ghost Paper provided me with these notebooks at no charge for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.
Conventional wisdom says that as you fall deeper and deeper down the stationery rabbit-hole, you start to develop a taste for more expensive products, whether that be a $1000 fountain pen or a $5 pencil. I don’t think that’s necessarily true in the sense that most people think - that you lose your enjoyment for the "simple things" - because I still enjoy a $20 Lamy Safari as much as I do a very expensive pen such as this one, just in a different way. I do think, however, that you start to develop a better sense / appreciation for why certain pens command the pricing that they do, and if your budget allows, become more willing to pay for artistry over pure function. The Montblanc for UNICEF Solitaire Doue is a great example of this.
Before I jump into a review of the pen itself, I wanted to talk a bit about the Montblanc-UNICEF partnership and the idea behind this pen (as well as the other pens in this line and the limited edition ink). UNICEF (short for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) promotes the rights and wellbeing of children around the world, especially those in impoverished and/or war-torn areas. Montblanc has partnered with UNICEF for years to raise money and awareness - more than $10 million since 2004 - but as far as I know this is the first time Montblanc has released any sort of UNICEF-themed product.
All of the Montblanc for UNICEF pens feature an inlaid sapphire.
In April, Montblanc and UNICEF announced that they would be continuing their partnership. Montblanc’s collaboration with UNICEF focuses on providing access to education, with a particular focus on helping children learn to read and write. Around the same time, Montblanc released a new line of UNICEF-themed pens, as well as a limited edition “UNICEF blue” bottle of ink. Montblanc donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these products to UNICEF.
“Montblanc, in partnership with UNICEF, aims to improve learning conditions for over 5 million children around the world by providing quality learning materials and better teaching. ”
The Montblanc website sets out the full details of the promotion: “Unicef does not endorse any brand or product. For every piece in the ‘Montblanc for UNICEF Collection’ sold from April 1 2017 to March 31 2018, Montblanc will donate 3% of the proceeds to support UNICEF and its literacy projects, with a minimum amount of $1.5 million being guaranteed by Montblanc.”
3% of each pen sold is not a huge percentage. (To illustrate, 3% would mean that for every $1000 of pen sold, UNICEF would receive $30.) That said, a major aspect of this sort of project is the raising of awareness about the organization, and kudos to Montblanc for choosing UNICEF. I’d also note that Montblanc does not appear to be making money off of a “UNICEF markup.” The pricing is similar, if not a bit lower, than their other “Solitaire Doue” limited editions such as the “Blue Hour”. Given the UNICEF model's platinum plating and trim, inlaid sapphire, and the intricate design and workmanship, this is, in all likelihood, an expensive pen for Montblanc to make and my guess is that the overall profit margin is slim. I’m not at all trying to cast shade on the Montblanc-UNICEF collaboration or any other corporate-charity partnership. UNICEF has been partnering with Montblanc for more than a dozen years, so one can only assume they find the collaboration valuable. The only reason I mention the “real numbers” behind the special edition is because (1) I know people are going to ask, and (2) someone shouldn’t purchase this pen thinking that he or she is making a $1000 contribution to UNICEF. If that’s what you want to do, you’re better off donating to UNICEF directly, and I’d invite you to visit the organization’s webpage to learn more about it.
The design on the cap is “inspired by the Rosetta Stone, an ancient artifact used to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics.”
Now, on to the pen itself. The particular model featured in this review is the Solitaire Doue Classique (145). What does that mean? For starters, the 145 signals that it’s Montblanc’s smaller cartridge-converter pen, as opposed to the larger, piston-filling 146 or 149. (It’s not the smallest fountain pen Montblanc makes. That honor goes to the "W.A. Mozart".) From what I can gather, Montblanc uses “Solitaire Doue” to signify that the pen has a metal cap, which on this pen is platinum plated and engraved with the first letter of alphabets / calligraphies from around the world. Like all models in the Montblanc for UNICEF line, the cap also features an inlaid 1.3mm sapphire. With so many different design elements, you might worry that they would clash or look “too busy,” but Montblanc brings them all together very nicely. Overall, this is a very understated and classy writing instrument that I wouldn't hesitate to break out anywhere, especially in a business meeting.
In my opinion, the Montblanc for UNICEF line has some of the better-looking special edition pens that Montblanc has released.
The barrel is Montblanc’s standard polished “precious resin,” with a twist: a metal end cap, which has the effect of nicely balancing the pen when using it unposted. Presumably, the design is inspired by the metal piston nobs that Montblanc has included on certain of its piston fillers, such as the Meisterstuck 146 Ultra Black. I initially wondered why they would include a similar feature on the cartridge-converter Classique, but after writing with this pen I understood. Despite its comparatively small size, the Solitaire Doue Classique is an extremely comfortable writer. The standard all-resin Classique, which I’ve owned in the past, it a touch too light for me to use without posting the cap, which as all Montblanc owners know will scratch the resin over time if you're not careful.
The nib on the Solitaire Doue writes a nice wet line, and I had no trouble with ink starvation, hard starts, or skipping. As with my Heritage 1912, the quality control was exceptional.
The UNICEF Solitaire Doue features a rhodium-plated 18k gold nib, which is not only very soft but, to me, slightly stubbish. This particular pen has a fine nib that writes more like a medium. I’d compare it favorably to the nib on my Heritage 1912, meaning that it’s soft and offers a touch of line variation, but wouldn't be considered flexible or semi-flex. I’ve personally enjoyed Montblanc’s smaller rhodium-plated nibs more than the larger nibs that appear on the 146 or 149, which tend to be more firm.
Along with the pen, Appelboom sent over a bottle of the limited edition Montblanc for UNICEF Ink, which is UNICEF’s signature turquoise. It’s a beautiful color, which has just a touch of sheen and a lot of depth. Like all Montblanc inks, it flows well, dries quickly, and has limited feathering and bleed. I’ll definitely be picking up a bottle of UNICEF blue in the future, but this particular bottle will be given away on the blog early next week, courtesy of Appelboom!
The pens in the Montblanc for UNICEF line are easily some of my favorite Montblanc special editions in years, and this particular pen is my favorite of the bunch. Barring some unforeseen major expense disrupting my plans, this pen won’t be making its way back to the Netherlands. I enjoy the design, which serves as a nice conversation piece, and the nib on this pen is nothing short of phenomenal. While they're not within my budget, you may also want to check out several other items in the Montblanc for UNICEF collection, including the UNICEF 146, the Blue Solitaire 146, and the Skeleton 149 models.
You can currently purchase this pen (and the ink!) from Appelboom in Laren, the Netherlands. Pricing with VAT included is $1033; without VAT the price is $855. Appelboom is an authorized Montblanc retailer that carries the full Montblanc line, and can fit your pen with one of Montblanc’s specialty nibs such as an oblique broad (OB), oblique medium (OM), or double broad (BB) if you so desire.
Disclaimer: Appelboom loaned me this pen and the ink free of charge for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.
After a bit of a hiatus, I recently started publishing ink reviews again. "The ink review" can be a staple of the pen blogger's repertoire, especially when a blog is young and you find yourself having to finance most of your own content (i.e., buy stuff to review). Ink samples come cheap, and most of us pen nerds have a nearly endless supply of ink at home anyway.
The flip side of this is that the ink review space is crowded, with many excellent blogs specializing in ink alone. In order to get your ink reviews to stand out, you need to do something unique to develop your own "take" on things. Otherwise, you risk getting lost in the crowd. My standard ink reviews are admittedly nothing special, and don't get as much attention as a lot of the other content I publish.
This year I decided to focus more on the brands as a whole, rather than doing a lot of reviews of individual inks, in part because the distinct manufacturer and brand trends and identities are what really interest me about stationery in the first place. You may have noticed my broader-scope reviews of Blackstone Inks, Bookbinders, and Robert Oster. So what's up next? Well, in what might be my favorite "brand revitalization" story in the past couple years, Monteverde has completely overhauled their ink lineup and launched over 30 new colors. I've had the opportunity to use four different colors over the past couple months, and I'm impressed.
Monteverde is a brand that's owned by Yafa, a large pen company that also owns Conklin and distributes Italian brands Delta and Stipula. Monteverde has been selling their own inks for a while, and previously featured a standard color lineup of black, blue, green, brown, etc. While I've tried these inks, and they were certainly serviceable, I don't recall them being nearly as vibrant as the new colors. In truth, they were fairly boring. (Somewhere around here, I still have a bottle of a dark gray ink they gave away to attendees at one of the past D.C. Pen Shows....)
What do we know about Monteverde's new inks? For starters, they're made in Austria, and the rumor is that the inks come from the same factory that makes Montblanc. I have no idea whether it's true or not, but I will note that the new Monteverde inks behave similarly to Montblanc inks, in terms of dry time, feathering, etc. That is, the inks dry very quickly, even with a wet nib on Tomoe River paper, and the feathering and bleed-through is minimal, even on cheap copy paper. In case you haven’t noticed, these properties are basically my “gold standards” for inks. I often feel that I'm repeating myself, saying the inks that I use are “well-behaved” in this sense, but given the cheap paper that I have to use daily at work, if an ink bleeds and feathers all over the place, it’s useless to me. A “good” ink for my purposes also needs to dry quickly, since I generally take a lot of notes in a short period of time, and have to be able to turn the page without wondering whether or not the ink’s going to smear. Monteverde credits "ITF" - Ink Treatment Formula - which apparently is some sort of additive (probably a lubricant) designed to improve ink flow and "stave off clogging and corroding." I can’t vouch for these claims, but I will say that so far, Monteverde’s new inks check all of my boxes in terms of usability.
While the Moonstone is more muted, the Burgundy, Chaorite, and Mandarin Orange are vibrant, and definitely stand out on the page.
I’ve tried four different bottles of this ink so far: Moonstone, Chaorite, Mandarin Orange, and Napa Burgundy. I've enjoyed them all, but my current favorites are probably the Burgundy (of course) and the Chaorite. Some specific comments on each one in turn:
Another shot of the Moonstone, in a broader nib, showing a bit of shading.
What's next on my list: Olivine, Topaz, and Fireopal. I'd also like to try out a turquoise or another light blue (Caribbean Blue, perhaps?) and see whether I can find an ink that comes close to the Montblanc UNICEF Blue. As I mentioned in a recent review, Lamy Turquoise is close to the UNICEF, but the Montblanc has a richness and sheen to it that Lamy can't quite match.
Note: Monteverde/Yafa appears to have divided these inks into two groups, the "Gemstone" collection, which is where inks such as Chaorite, Olivine, Topaz, etc. are grouped, and standard "fountain pen inks". Most retailers seem to have them all listed together, and while I don't know for sure whether there's any difference between the two groups of ink other than color and naming conventions, I suspect not.
Monteverde inks are widely available. I purchased the inks featured in this review from Pen Chalet, which stocks the entire line. Right now, Monteverde inks might be the number one price/value proposition out there. You can get a 30 ml bottle for $8, or a 90ml bottle for $13.50, which is an absolutely insane deal. If you prefer cartridges, or simply like to have a couple packs of cartridges lying around for travel or working outside the house, most, if not all, of these colors are available in 12 packs of cartridges for under $5.
Disclaimer: I purchased these inks from Pen Chalet for my own use. This post does contain affiliate links.
