Pen Review: Opus 88 Omar Demonstrator

October 17, 2020

Those of us with occupations that involve significant amounts of writing are constantly on the lookout for comfortable pens with a reliable nib and a large ink capacity. Time and again, whenever I’m asked for such a recommendation, I keep returning to Taiwanese brand Opus 88. If you aren’t looking for flash or luxury, and you simply want a large, lightweight fountain pen that you’ll have to refill infrequently, the brand should be at the top of your list.

Each Opus 88 Fountain pen comes with a glass eyedropper in the box. Montblanc Hitchcock not included.

While Opus 88 has been at the vanguard of the recent trend towards ever-larger pens, they take a different approach in that their larger writing instruments are actually designed to maximize comfort and ink capacity, not to showcase rare materials or to drive up the price point. The “Omar” fountain pen, the model I’m looking at today, might be one of the largest fountain pens I’ve used recently, but it’s also one of the most comfortable, and it holds roughly 3.5ml of ink!

Ok, but there are tons of humongous acrylic pens on the market these days that you can turn into an eyedropper relatively easily. What makes Opus 88 unique? Opus 88 uses what’s known as a “Japanese Eyedropper” filling system, which incorporates a “piston” that, when closed, activates a system of stoppers and gaskets (o-rings) to minimize the chance of leakage. One drawback to “hacked” eyedropper fountain pens is that they tend to burp ink into the cap when the pen gets jostled in a bag, or when the pen is exposed to fluctuations in temperature and air pressure, such as in the car or on an airplane. Before Opus 88 brought this filling system into the mainstream, Japanese-style eyedroppers were typically found on much more expensive urushi pens from brands such as Danitrio.

If you plan on writing for longer sessions with a Japanese-style eyedropper, open the valve to allow a continuous flow of ink to the nib, similar to how you would write with a Pilot Custom 823 or TWSBI Vac 700.

As I mentioned above, the Opus 88 Omar is large, but also quite comfortable. While you may see stock photographs of this pen posted, it’s way too big for me to use in this manner. Since the Omar will likely serve as a desk pen, as opposed to an “on the go” writing instrument, I’m perfectly happy using this pen unposted. The JoWo No. 6 medium nib writes a predictably smooth line, and the eyedropper filling system ensures a steady flow of ink to the nib. The Omar makes a great workhorse.

The Opus 88 Omar does technically post, but not deeply and the pen is so large that it ends up looking a almost clownish.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Though I was initially skeptical about the size of the Omar, it turned out to be one of my favorite pens in the Opus 88 lineup. If you’re not a serial ink-changer, and don’t mind the relative complexity of filling a pen using an eyedropper, the Omar might just be the perfect choice for your upcoming NaNoWriMo marathon. You can purchase the Opus 88 Omar in a variety of colors and materials from site sponsor Goldspot. The pen pictured here is the clear demonstrator, currently priced at $123.

An Overlooked Gem? The Traveler's Company Brass Ballpoint Pen

October 15, 2020

A couple of weeks back I posted the “travel kit” that I had packed to take with me on vacation. As usual, I was overly optimistic in thinking I would write through three fully inked fountain pens, though I did manage to get a bit of journaling in over the course of the week. (This wasn’t necessarily due to a lack of motivation, but rather a lack of privacy/space, as the rental we stayed in turned out to be MUCH more cramped than anticipated.) I ended up spending much of my free time reading, with my annotation pen of choice being the Traveler’s Company Brass Ballpoint that I kept clipped to the front cover of my book, even on the beach.

Travelers-Company-Brass-Ballpoint-Posted

Traveler’s Company (sometimes referred to as “TRC”) is the maker of the ubiquitous Traveler’s Notebook, formerly sold under the Midori mark but spun off around 2015 into its own group of products that includes not just the Traveler’s Notebook but a line of related accessories, including writing instruments.

A vintage bullet pencil from the 1940s on the left, compared against the modern Traveler’s Company version.

The TRC “Brass Pencil” (formerly known as the “Midori Bullet Pencil”) has been around for several years, and regarded as the modern bullet pencil that most closely imitated the vintage form factor. Although it’s a high-quality writing instrument, the market for true bullet pencils is somewhat limited, and TRC apparently decided to expand the form factor by releasing ballpoint, rollerball, and, yes, even fountain pen versions.

Travelers-Company-Brass-Ballpoint-in-Hand

Today I plan to take a closer look at the TRC Brass Ballpoint. In order to maintain the traditional “Bullet Pencil” form factor, TRC developed a woodcase insert to hold the refill, which is a needle-tip hybrid ballpoint refill that I found thoroughly enjoyable to write with. Reminiscent of a Uniball Jetstream, it dries quickly and maintains a very fine line for a ballpoint pen. Best of all, the refill is relatively inexpensive, clocking in at $1.80 for one that should last you a very long time. I wrote with this pen daily for a week and have barely put a dent in the ink.

The Traveler’s Company ballpoint refill writes like a cross between the Jetstream and the Hi-Tec-C. Honestly, it may perform better for many people.

The TRC Brass Ballpoint is also available in the matte “Factory Green” finish, a special edition.

Otherwise, I enjoy the Traveler’s Company Ballpoint because it retains the vintage-style charm of a classic bullet pencil in what many will consider a more functional everyday format. This pen is comfortable to use - it feels exactly like writing with a rounded pencil - and the clip, brass construction, and overall light weight make it an excellent travel companion or pocket pen for when you’re out and about.

Travelers-Company-Brass-Writing-Instruments

Takeaways and Where to Buy

While I’m not a hardcore “everyday carry” enthusiast, I have a soft spot for pocket pens, and lean heavily towards ballpoints for most of my on-the-go writing. The trouble with ballpoints - and pocket ballpoints especially - is that it can be difficult to find a decent fine-point refill. If you write small, and/or prefer needle-tip pens, consider giving the Traveler’s Company Brass Ballpoint a try.

The Gentleman Stationer Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of Traveler’s Company pocket pens and pencils, including the Brass “Bullet Pencil,” the Brass Ballpoint, and now a fountain pen. The TRC Brass Ballpoint starts at $30. In addition to the standard brass versions, I also carry the “Factory Green” pens. Look for additional write-ups on the rest of the line as I put my demos through their paces!

Disclaimer: As noted, the T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands sold.

Esterbrook-Estie-Maraschino-Limited-Edition

Pen Review: Esterbrook Estie "Maraschino" Is a Welcome Surprise

September 30, 2020

I’ll be honest: This pen landed in my mailbox out of nowhere and I wasn’t particularly excited about reviewing another Esterbrook just yet, given all the hype surrounding the Esterbrook JR and the deluge of reviews that followed the pen’s release. That is, until I actually got my hands on this “Maraschino” Estie. While I’m a fan of red pens, my tastes typically run to darker burgundy or red-black finishes, not necessarily “cherry” or “fire engine” reds. This pen serves as yet another example of why it’s good to unexpectedly step out of your comfort zone every once in a while.

I went with an all-red setup for this review. Montblanc Corn Poppy Red is a perfect pairing for this pen (and if I might say so myself, so is the T.G.S. “Aged Red” Penwell).

The bright “end of summer” theme pays homage to visits to your local ice cream parlor for a sundae, including the cherry on top. Personally, I’ll pass on the cherry (I have plenty of others in my house who will eat them), but I appreciate the imagery and the name nails the color of this red “cracked ice” acrylic. Like all of the materials Esterbrook uses in the Estie lineup, the “Maraschino” material is vibrant, feels solid, and packs a ton of depth reminiscent of what you would find on a much more expensive custom pen.

Gold trim is also a perfect pairing for the bright red of the Maraschino, IMHO.

Reviewing this pen also gave me a chance to revisit the Estie itself, a pen I haven’t used in a while. I won’t rehash my full review of this pen (which is available here), but suffice to say the Estie remains a supremely comfortable writer with good balance, “all day” writing comfort, and a reliable JoWo No. 6 nib. I have a few more Esties that I picked up at pen shows last year, in both the “Blueberry” and “Honeycomb” finishes, and I’ll be inking them up soon.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

As I’ve said before, and will say again, the Esterbrook Estie is a great pen, and whether or not you’ll want to run out and pick up this particular model hinges on whether you love the color. I do, and I wouldn’t cry if Esterbrook ended up adding the bright red “Maraschino” finish to their standard lineup.

Three Esterbrook Estie Limited Editions, from left: Maraschino, Honeycomb, and Blueberry. I believe the Honeycomb joined the regular lineup.

The Estie Maraschino is designated as a limited edition, meaning that at least for now, it’s not part of the regular lineup and already has started to sell out. Vanness Pens has limited stock of the fountain pen with chrome trim, as well as the chrome and gold trim rollerballs. Goldspot also has Maraschino Esties available, in both the standard and oversize fountain pens. Regular Estie pricing applies, with the Maraschino priced at $156 for the standard version and $200 for the oversize.

Disclaimer: I received the pen featured in this review from Kenro Industries, Esterbrook’s parent company and distributor, free of charge for review purposes. This post contains links to paid sponsors of the blog.

Introducing the NOBILE ITALIA from Giuliano Mazzuoli

September 29, 2020

Umberto Nobile (1995-1978) was one of the key figures in the history of flight. A General in the Italian Royal Air Force, Nobile designed air ships (dirigibles, also known as “Zeppelins”) all over the world, but he is mostly known for having flown across the North Pole twice. The first time was in 1926 at the request of Norway with the airship NORGE, which he designed and commanded. The second time was in 1928 on an Italian expedition aboard the airship ITALIA, the namesake for this pen. You can read more about how that all ended up here. Yikes.

The size and shape of this pen make it quite comfortable to write with. Also, if you invert the pen, it looks exactly like an airship.

With a comfortable, ergonomic shape reminiscent of the airship for which it was named, the Nobile Italia ballpoint and mechanical pencil allows the user to swap out a Schmidt Easyflow ballpoint refill or Schmidt .7mm mechanical pencil insert. A twist mechanism both deploys the ballpoint refill for writing and extends the mechanical pencil lead (the latter of which I haven’t experienced before on a mechanical pencil and which I’ve enjoyed). Both the ballpoint and mechanical pencil inserts are included with purchase, and Mazzuoli conveniently includes three different Schmidt Easyflow refills in blue, black, and red. The Mazzuoli Nobile Italia is available in four different finishes: Polished Chrome, Matte Chrome, Black, and Aviation Blue.

All Giuliano Mazzuoli pens are made in Italy. I’m pleased to offer the Nobile Italia in the T.G.S. Curated Shop in all four finishes, priced at $120. While all of these pens/pencils are great looking, that “Aviator Blue” version looks absolutely outstanding.

Since Giuliano Mazzuoli also does their own printing, their packaging is top notch. I’m normally not a “Box enthusiast,” but the airship theme carries over here and it’s well-executed.

The packaging is well laid-out, with three refills, the mechanical pencil insert, an eraser, and the Nobile Italia body itself. (All ballpoint refills ship in the medium size, and the pencil is .7mm.)

Kaweco-Sport-Frosted-Blue-Rollerball-Ballpoint

Kaweco Sport: It's More Than Just a Fountain Pen

September 26, 2020

The Kaweco Sport long ago solidified its status as one of the best pocket pens available, and most of the attention (deservedly) falls on the fountain pen version of the Sport. But you shouldn’t overlook the rollerball and ballpoint versions, especially if, like me, you appreciate the flexibility afforded by non-fountain pens.

The Kaweco Sport rollerball looks essentially identical to the fountain pen and has similar ergonomics when deployed for writing, with the only difference being the grip section. The Sport ships with a Kaweco-branded Parker-style gel refill labeled “Gel Ceramic Roller .07,” and since it says “Made in Japan” the refill is likely manufactured by a company such as Ohto. While the stock refill is excellent, you can find many different compatible Parker-style refills if you’d prefer a finer tip size, a liquid-ink rollerball, or even a classic ballpoint.

The Kaweco Sport ballpoint is a different animal entirely, as it’s a clipless click pen that accepts D1 refills and may honestly be too short for many people. Kaweco has used a variety of different ballpoint formats over the years, including a Kaweco Sport “Luxe” version (now discontinued) that featured a clip and a twist mechanism. Honestly, on a pen this small I think I prefer how the Luxe was set up - I love to clip that pen to my pocket or to the front of a notebook. Without the clip, the Sport ballpoint is otherwise prone to accidentally deploying in your pocket, though if you always carry your pen in a purse or bag this may not present any issues.

The current Kaweco Sport shown here compared against the now-discontinued Kaweco Sport “Luxe”. I will note that the current version best approximates the vintage Sport ballpoint, like this one I have in my collection.

If you’re interested in further exploring different refill options for these two pens, check out Ana’s refill guide over at the Well-Appointed Desk for a comprehensive list of compatible Parker-style and D1 refills.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

The Kaweco Sport remains one of my favorite options for portable, on-the-go writing and a core recommendation whenever someone tells me they’re looking for a reliable pocket pen. The Sport format translates well from fountain pen to rollerball to ballpoint (and even to a clutch pencil), and Kaweco makes these pens in a wide range of materials at pretty much every price point. If you like the look of the Kaweco Sport, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a version that suits you. If you’re interested in reading more on the various versions of the Kaweco Sport and other “Pocket Pen” options, check out my Guide to Pocket Writing, which I recently updated!

You can usually find Kaweco Sport rollerballs and ballpoints sold alongside the fountain pen at any authorized Kaweco retailer, including our sponsor Goldspot who provided the two pens pictured here for review. Both the rollerball and ballpoint are priced at $22. You can’t argue with Kaweco’s value!

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors. I received the pens featured in this review from Goldspot, free of charge, for review purposes.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

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Takeaways and Where to Buy

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Takeaways and Where to Buy

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