From left, the upcoming "Reaktor" Pens: Starliner XL fountain pen, Starliner pocket fountain pen, Galaxie XL rollerball/gel, and Galaxie ballpoint

First Impressions: Karas Pen Company "Reaktor" Series

June 28, 2018

I'm pleased to announce that Karas Pen Company was kind enough to send me a review set of the "Galaxie" and "Starliner" pens from their new "Reaktor" series. These pens have been making the rounds lately, and while they're not yet available for purchase, I can see these becoming big hits that nicely complement their higher-priced Decograph (which I reviewed not too long ago).

The pens will be available in a smaller range of color options than the typical Karas pens. Options will include black, tumbled aluminum, polished aluminum, and polished aluminum with red or blue anodized sections.

Featuring midcentury modern designs inspired by the "Atomic Age" of the 1940s and 1950s, the Reaktor pens are more pocket-sized than Karas' typical offerings and designed to be manufactured for sale at a lower price point. All of them feel good in the hand and feature a slip/snap cap that works flawlessly. The cap closes and posts securely using an o-ring. The Reaktor lineup will include:

Galaxie. A clipless pocket ballpoint that ships with the Schmidt 950M pressurized refill, which is Schmidt's answer to the Fisher Space Pen. Of all the pens, this is probably my least favorite refill option, as "ballpoint gunk" tended to collect on the tip. That said, it's a Parker-style refill, so there are likely other options you can use.
Galaxie XL. A gel/rollerball pen with a clip that accepts the Pilot G2 refill, which is one of my personal favorites. Ana says the Galaxie XL also accepts the Schmidt P8126 rollerball, and since she's the refill guru I'll take her word for it!
Starliner. A clipless, pocket-sized fountain pen featuring a design that pays homage to the "flat-top" pens of the 1920s. It's short, so the pen accepts cartridges only.
Starliner XL. A more full-sized fountain pen with a clip, designed to use either cartridges or the Schmidt K5 converter.

The Starliner and Starliner XL fountain pens both use standard Bock nibs. A perfectly appropriate choice, especially at the price point.

Each of the Reaktor pens is designed around a specific refill and/or converter, and I've not had the opportunity to play around with them to see if anything else fits. Like the Decograph, these pens grew on me the more I used them. The ergonomics are very nice, especially on the "XL" series, and the pens feel much more expensive than their anticipated price point.

The Starliner XL, featuring a classic flat-top profile and engraved lines with a "3-2-1" countdown-themed pattern.

The "Galaxie" series has more of an automotive feel to it, especially on the cap.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Following up on the Decograph, the team at Karas has created yet another new series of pens that has left me with very positive first impressions. The Galaxie and Galaxie XL rollerball/ballpoint pens will be priced at $40 and $45, respectively, with the Starliner and Starliner XL fountain pens priced at $50 and $55. The "XL" pens should be released sometime in late June, early July, with the others arriving later this year. Be sure to follow the Karas Kustoms/Karas Pen Company website for updates! As I've observed elsewhere, there's not much currently on the market other than TWSBI and Lamy in that $40-60 price segment, and if Karas can figure out a way to make these pens profitable, they could have a big hit.

Disclaimer: Karas Pen Company sent me the pens featured in this review free of charge, for review purposes. Information on pricing and availability was provided to me by Karas. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

Notebook Review: Dingbats* Earth Collection A5 Notebook

June 23, 2018

I reviewed the initial Dingbats* notebook back in 2016, right after they first came onto the market. I was generally pretty impressed with the overall make of these notebooks, including the paper. Since then, Dingbats* has introduced new cover styles and seems to have grown their business nicely.

Apparently, Dingbats* had received some feedback about the paper in the initial notebooks, which was somewhat absorbent and could result in some bleedthrough and feathering with especially wet fountain pen nibs and ink. In response, they released the new "Earth Collection," which includes 100gsm coated cream paper that is more fountain pen friendly. Personally, I found the original Dingbats* paper to work more than adequately with the pens and inks that I tend to use day-to-day, but it's always good to see companies respond to what the market demands.

The new 100gsm coated cream paper is super nice, and Dingbats* has included marked tabs on the edges of the page to allow you to code/organize different sections of your notebook.

And the new Dingbats* paper is, indeed, great with fountain pens. It's coated to better handle fountain pen ink, and feels like Rhodia or Clairefontaine. The Earth notebooks retain most of the useful features of the other versions (a pen loop, dual ribbon bookmarks, lay-flat design, rear pocket, etc.) BUT the pages are no longer perforated - a touch disappointing but perhaps necessary due to the thicker paper?

A writing sample on Dingbats* new coated paper, in cream with dot grid. No noticeable feathering or bleed whatsoever.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I'm almost finished with the Midori MD A5 that I've been using as my "work notebook"/hybrid bullet journal, and I have this Earth notebook lined up as the replacement. Note that the Dingbats* notebooks are ever-so-slightly larger than standard A5 notebooks, so if you are purchasing to fit a specific notebook cover, be aware that it may not work. For the record, I managed to fit the Earth notebook into my Nock Co. A5 Seed cover, but it was a tight squeeze.

Many thanks to Dingbats* for sending me this notebook for review! Dingbats* notebooks may be purchased directly from the Company's online store, and the Earth series starts at $22.95 with free shipping on orders over $35.

Disclaimer: Dingbats* provided me with this notebook free of charge for review purposes. This post contains affiliate links.

My Workhorse Pens: Lamy Safari "All Black" Special Edition

June 21, 2018

The Lamy Safari needs no introduction to readers of this blog. It's a "gateway pen" for a lot of people new to the hobby, and due to its reliability, low price, and overall high quality, tends to stick in the pen case long after many other entry-level pens have been sold off or cast aside in favor of "upgrades." The Safari (along with the slightly pricier AL-Star) also provides a relatively inexpensive way to collect special editions, as Lamy releases a new color of each pen for a limited time each year.

So what makes the Safari a good "Workhorse Pen"?

The Nib. The medium steel nib on the Lamy Safari is a personal favorite, and represents a true bargain at the price point. The ink flow is nearly always consistent, even if I can't see much of a difference between the medium and fine nibs. Lamy also sells inexpensive replacement nibs that you can swap in to change nib size, including a 1.1mm stub.
Size. The Safari itself is a nice size, posted or unposted. The plastic construction also makes the pen extremely light, which gives it excellent "shirt-pocketability" or, absent a pocket, the ability to clip the pen to the placket. (The wide, funky looking clip is highly functional for this purpose - the pen stays put.)
Value Proposition. The Lamy Safari is a great pen that can be found at $30 or less. Given how nice this black-on-black color combination looks, I really wish that Lamy would make the matte black (as opposed to the current "shiny black") part of the regular line.
Availability. Any specialty pen store will typically sell the Lamy Safari. Recently, Lamy has made a major marketing push that appears to be geared towards bringing its pens into mainstream consumer channels. This includes opening Lamy boutiques in cities around the world, including NYC, and placing retail displays in Barnes & Noble.

A trio of Lamy stainless steel nibs, from left: the Lamy Safari All-Black plated nib; the Lamy LX nib, and the Lamy AL-Star nib. The medium nib on the Lamy LX definitely seems wider.

The biggest potential drawbacks to the Lamy Safari as a daily workhorse are the nontraditional design (i.e., if you work in a stuffier office environment) and the triangular grip section. As to the latter, depending on how you grip your pen, you'll either be able to use it or you won't. I also wish that Lamy would include a converter, rather than a single cartridge of Lamy Blue ink, with the Safari, as many other companies like Pilot manage to do so with their entry level pens that start at even lower price points. My previous review of the Safari from a few years back addresses these issues in a bit more depth.

The pen pictured in today's review is this year's special edition Safari, the "All Black." Lamy took some flack this year for going with an "All Black" special edition, especially where they already have a "Charcoal" dark gray model in their regular lineup. I was a bit puzzled myself at the initial announcement, but now that I've had the opportunity to compare the two pens directly, I can confirm that there is a difference. Sure, it's not pronounced, but it's there.

The Lamy Safari Umber (from the standard lineup) is on the left, and the Lamy Safari All-Black, this year's special edition, is on the right.

As an aside, I'm not sure why pen companies decided to double down on the black pen/black trim theme this year, but I assume it's because this color combination has been selling really well. Black pens offer an understated look preferred by many professionals, myself included. In addition to the Lamy Safari All Black, I've recently reviewed the Aurora Talentum "Black Ops" and the Sailor Reglus "Night Black."

A comparison shot of a few similar models of Lamy pens, from left: Lamy Safari All-Black special edition; Lamy AL-Star Vibrant Pink special edition; and the Lamy LX "Ruthenium."

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I received the pen featured in this review from site Pen Chalet. Pen Chalet carries a wide range of Lamy fountain pens, including the Safari. Currently, they still have the All Black special edition in stock, but eventually they will sell out and Lamy will not make any more, so if you'd like to add one of these to your rotation, pick one up. As I mentioned above, if you don't manage to snag an All-Black, the standard edition "Charcoal" color is a close match, but not exact.

Disclaimer: I was not paid or compensated for the content of this review, and all opinions here are my own.

First Impressions: Aurora Talentum "Black Ops"

June 16, 2018

It's the summer of the "Stealth Pen", or at least it is for me. I've been thinking for years that pens with black-plated trim - sometimes referred to as "stealth pens" or "blacked out" models - were a fad or trend that would quickly pass. Well, that was back in 2012 or so when I first got back into the hobby and picked up a matte black Pilot Vanishing Point. Fast forward to six years later, where I just received my fourth black-plated Sailor and am very much enjoying this recent release from Aurora, the Talentum "Full Black" or "Black Ops" model. Though I've only had the pen for a couple weeks, I wanted to expedite this review / first impressions post since I've heard availability is somewhat scarce and people might have to act quickly in order to secure a pen.

I love the combination of the matte-black resin and ruthenium trim. It looks especially sharp on the Talentum's cap, which features a metal "crown" of sorts.

What I Like About the Aurora Talentum "Black Ops"

Looks. Though I'm obviously biased towards the "all-black" look, the Talentum Black Ops is a beautiful pen. Among all the various models Aurora offers, the Talentum never really caught my eye until now. Unposted, the shape and size remind me somewhat of a Nakaya Neo-Standard. Posted, it's longer, but still a touch shorter than a Lamy AL-Star or Safari.
The Nib. The black 14k nib is gorgeous. I understand that part of the reason this pen took so long to actually hit the market is because Aurora took their time getting the plating right. They did a great job. Some black-plated nibs can be a little skippy, or even squeak when you write, but this one is a firm, smooth writer with just a hint of the tooth that Aurora is known for. This particular nib is a fine, though the ebonite feed makes it a bit wet, so some might characterize this nib as more of a F-M (Fine-Medium).
Postability. Unlike the Nakaya, the cap on the Talentum posts, and sits fairly deeply on the barrel. Although the Talentum is a larger pen, posting doesn't make it unwieldy for me. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that this Aurora uses a cartridge-converter filling system, and is therefore lighter-weight.

The barrel of the Aurora Talentum has a slight taper.

IMHO, Aurora absolutely killed it with this black-plated nib.

Is There Anything I Don't Particularly Like?

Me personally? No. Depending on your preferences, however, others may find the Talentum too long, especially posted. While it's definitely on the longer end of what I can comfortably use, the pen's light weight and good balance prevent the length from being an issue. I'm glad this is a cartridge-converter pen because the weight of a piston filling system seems like it would have been too much. (It also serves to keep the cost down.)

Posted, the Aurora Talentum Black Ops is about the same size as the Lamy LX/AL-Star (top) and the Lamy Safari (bottom). The Talentum is a bit shorter.

Another size comparison, from left: Lamy 2000, Aurora Talentum Black Ops, Platinum 3776 (Shungyo limited edition), and Pilot Custom 823.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

If you're a fan of pens with ruthenium trim, consider ordering one of these now. The Talentum "Full Black" or "Black Ops" is currently available for purchase at sponsor Pen Chalet, priced at $360 before any applicable coupon code or promotion. In addition to the pen featured here, there is also a "Full Metal" version with a ruthenium-plated metal cap, which is more expensive at $460. While expensive, the price point for the resin-cap version comes in well below the Sailor Pro Gear Imperial Black or 1911 Black Luster, and it's unusual to find a pen with these specs - especially the ebonite feed - at this price point. As I mentioned up top, please keep in mind that these are my initial impressions, as I've only had the pen for a couple weeks. If anything changes, I will of course update this post or publish a revised review based on any issues that may arise during longer-term use.

Disclaimer: I have an affiliate relationship with Pen Chalet, which generates store credit that I can use to purchase pens such as this one for review. I was not paid or compensated for the content of this review, and all opinions here are my own.

The Talentum Black Ops is a great looking addition to your everyday kit, shown here alongside the gray-face Raven Venture automatic watch.

Pen Review: Sailor Reglus Night Black

June 13, 2018

Though Japanese pen company Sailor makes a wide range of pens, and releases new special editions on a near-monthly basis, most of these pens feature gold nibs and, accordingly, a relatively high price point. Over the past year or so, this has started to change somewhat, as pens that were previously Japan-only have found their way into worldwide circulation, including steel-nib models such as the pen that I'm reviewing today, the Reglus. I was perhaps most happy to see that Sailor has incorporated into the "Night Black" and brown Reglus models the same ion-plated black trim that it uses on the Pro Gear Imperial Black and the 1911 Black Luster. Overall, the Reglus exceeded my expectations, and offers a high-end Sailor writing experience at a very reasonable price point.

Sailor makes several pens with black ion-plated trim. From left: Reglus "Night Black", Pro Gear Imperial Black, 1911 Black Luster, and 1911 Standard Demonstrator (special-edition from Nagasawa Department Store in Kobe, Japan)

Build Quality and Writing Experience

The Reglus is a Sailor pen, so of course it's well made. The biggest thing to note is that the Reglus is significantly slimmer than any other pen from Sailor that I've used, including the 1911 Standard or the Pro Gear Slim. The girth will probably determine whether you like this pen - if you have larger hands or prefer a more substantial writing instrument, you may want to stick with the Pro Gear or 1911 lines, or even the ProColor if you prefer a steel nib. Personally, I've found the Reglus to be a comfortable writer, though I do use it posted to give the pen better weight and balance. Sometimes a slimmer pen is a handy tool to have in the arsenal, because it fits in notebook/planner pen loops and is more portable for certain situations.

As far as steel nibs go, the medium ion-plated steel nib on the Reglus is outstanding. It's firm and smooth, and I dare say I can't tell too much of a difference between the steel nib on the Reglus and some Sailor 14k nibs I've used in the past. (Another pen I've reviewed that features Sailor stainless steel nibs is the Taccia Spectrum.) As you would expect at this price point, and from Sailor in general, this is a cartridge-converter pen that uses the typical Sailor proprietary converter.

The nib on the Sailor Reglus is slightly smaller than the typical 1911/Pro Gear nibs, and has a different, slightly more understated, engraving. I like the look!

Takeaways and Where to Buy

The Reglus is a welcome addition to Sailor's lineup, and I hope it becomes more widely available. Sailor's nib technology continues to impress me, and it's great to see that they can largely duplicate the smooth, firm writing experience of their gold nibs in a stainless-steel package. This pen would be a great option for someone tempted by the Pro Gear Imperial Black or Black Luster fountain pens, but who doesn't want to spend at the $200-400 price point. Be aware, however, that it is a slimmer pen than either of those two models.

Currently, one of the few retailers who stocks this particular model is The Pen Company, who graciously sent me this pen for review. The Reglus is available in several colors: black or brown with black ion-plated trim, or black, white, bordeaux, or blue with rhodium-plated trim. The black-trim models cost around $100 USD, with the standard rhodium trim versions running around $89 USD, though prices may vary with the exchange rate. Many thanks to The Pen Company for making this review possible!

Disclaimer: The pen featured in this review was sent to me free of charge by The Pen Company for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Further Reading

What I Like About the Aurora Talentum "Black Ops"

Is There Anything I Don't Particularly Like?

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Build Quality and Writing Experience

Takeaways and Where to Buy

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