Pen Review: Ensso PIUMA Minimalist Fountain Pen

Continuing a recent trend here at The Gentleman Stationer, next up for review is the Ensso PIUMA, a pen with its origins on Kickstarter but that has since transitioned to the regular market. Like the KOSMOS Ink, which I recently reviewed, you might be tempted to write off the PIUMA as just another one of many “minimalist pen” Kickstarter projects. And this is, in fact, an ultra-minimal pen. (Ensso describes it as “an investigation of liberating a fountain pen from all unnecessary components and ornaments.”) The versions Ensso sent me for review are machined aluminum cigars, with hardly any branding, no clip, and no other adornments. This pen definitely appeals to someone looking for a specific style, and if the minimal machined design tempts you, the Ensso PIUMA is an exceptionally nice writing instrument.

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The PIUMA is intended to be used unposted.  While the pen will technically post, the cap wobbles when posted and I suspect the threads on the cap will eventually scratch the barrel.

According to the Ensso website, “Piuma” is the Italian word for “feather,” and the name fits well. Both the raw aluminum and black anodized versions of the PIUMA fountain pen are exceptionally lightweight. Aluminum is a light metal to begin with, but the design and balance are such that I sometimes forgot the PIUMA was a metal pen at all. The thread sit very high up on the section, which is a good thing for a metal pen, because it leaves a lot of gripping area and sometimes metal threads can be sharp.

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Quality here is top-notch. The anodization on the black pen has no noticeable flaws, and the machining looks good as well. The cap closes seamlessly with no gap or unevenness. If I had one issue to raise, it’s that the metal threads squeak a bit when unscrewing the cap. This isn’t something unique to the PIUMA - it’s just what happens with metal-on-metal threads, but I thought I’d mention it because the sound has a “nails-on-a-chalkboard” effect for some people. Personally, it doesn’t bother me.     

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I don't know if Ensso tunes their nibs prior to shipping, but the Bock nibs on my two PIUMA pens are some of the best Bocks that I've used. The ink flow is steady with no starvation issues that you sometimes see with the standard Bock feed. 

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As I mentioned, the Ensso branding is unobtrusive. I also like the font. 

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Among the various “minimalist” machined fountain pens that I’ve had the opportunity to try, the Ensso PIUMA and the recently reviewed KOSMOS ink have easily been the best. They each take a different approach to the ultra-minimal fountain pen, and both are excellent in their own right.

You can purchase the Ensso PIUMA fountain pen directly from the Ensso website. There are several different finishes and materials available, including Black Aluminum, Raw Aluminum (both of which are pictured here), Brass, Titanium, and Stonewashed Titanium. Aluminum pens start at $79, Brass at $99, and Titanium at $139. The base prices include a Bock stainless steel nib, but a titanium nib option is also available for a slight upcharge. Ensso does include a Schmidt K5 converter with each pen. 

Disclaimer: Ensso sent me the pens featured in this review free of charge. 

First Impressions: KOSMOS Ink Fountain Pen

Confession: I had stopped backing pens on Kickstarter a while ago, and honestly had lost interest in the platform, because I felt that a lot of the Kickstarter pens out there weren't doing enough to innovate and distinguish themselves from one another. So, I unfortunately missed the launch of the KOSMOS ink, the newest offering from German design house Stilform. When they reached out and asked whether I'd be willing to review their pen, I was pleased to see something truly different, in terms of both design and functionality. The original KOSMOS pen won a Red Dot design award back in 2016, and Stilform recently learned that the KOSMOS ink has won the 2018 Red Dot award! 

Most of the attention this pen has received focuses on the KOSMOS ink's magnetic cap, and for good reason. The cap not only closes securely, but it realigns itself so that the facets on the cap line up with the facets on the body. To uncap the pen, all you need to do is twist the cap slightly and it pops off - magnetic force once again! 

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The manufacturing quality on this pen appears excellent. The facets line up, and the magnetic cap is shockingly accurate in terms of how well it orients the cap/body facets without having to be adjusted. 

But my favorite aspect of this pen isn't the magnetic cap - it's the double-faceted body. I enjoy the streamlined design of clipless pens, but the "roll off the table factor" prevents them from being something I use regularly at work. The KOSMOS fixes this issue by adding facets on two sides. (Note, KOSMOS also offers the opportunity to add a clip to your pen, which also looks cool though I haven't seen it in person.)

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I'll also add that the anodization on this pen is high quality. There are no visible flaws on my prototype and the texture feels great in the hand. 

Since the cap and the body are the same diameter with no taper, the KOSMOS isn't going to post. I didn't find that to be an issue, since this pen has near-perfect balance. The section provides a lot of gripping area, without any cap threads to dig into your fingers. It's a very comfortable writing experience. 

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KOSMOS ink uses Bock nibs, which is a perfectly appropriate choice. I had no issues with the fine nib that shipped with my pen. The filling system is cartridge/converter, and the prototype I received included a Pelikan "long" cartridge. 

Takeaways and Where to Buy (Updated)

The KOSMOS ink has now closed on Kickstarter, and with the project raising more than €260,000 with more than 2600 backers. That's an incredible performance for a fountain pen Kickstarter, and after having the opportunity to test this pen out for myself, I think the backers are going to be happy. The pricing seems fair as well, with aluminum pens starting at around $69 USD, and a titanium version also available for about $127 USD. While the Kickstarter project has closed, Stilform has opened up an Indiegogo page, and if this pen interests you, you can still back the project here. There are also several potential add-ons, including pen cases, stands, a converter, and a clip (as mentioned above). 

Disclaimer: Many thanks to the team at Stilform for providing me with a review unit, free of charge.  

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Also note that this is a "First Impressions" post, of a pen that I tested over the course of a couple days in advance of the Kickstarter ending. Should my conclusions change after long-term use, I will of course update this review. 

First Impressions: Karas Pen Company "Reaktor" Series

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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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

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. 

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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.

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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

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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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. 

Further Reading

This post is part of a series titled "Workhorse Pens," where I look at those writing instruments that I use most often for everyday writing. Past entries in this series include the Montblanc 146, the Lamy 2000, and the Faber-Castell E-Motion Pure Black.