Pen Review: Schon DSGN Classic Machined Pen in PVD DLC Stainless Steel

If I had to pick one “small-batch” maker who has seriously impressed me with his ability to consistently produce high-quality pens at a relatively small scale while still maintaining an accessible price point, it’s Ian Schon and his company, Schon DSGN. You’ll recall that I reviewed the Schon DSGN Classic Machined Pen last year, but this particular pen - my Classic Model in PVD DLC Stainless Steel - was not featured in that review. Why? Unfortunately I had “misplaced” it at the time, and I was despondent. As it turns out (and as frequently happens when you have hundreds of pens lying around your house), I found it in the pocket of some shorts that I had stored away last winter and didn’t pick up again until the June. This beauty is now firmly back in the rotation.

Compact, durable, and equipped with the reliable Fisher Space Pen refill, a Schon DSGN pen - especially in a nearly indestructible material like DLC-coated stainless steel, could easily be your go-to everyday carry pen.

What is “PVD DLC”?

Let’s get that out of the way first. “PVD DLC” refers to a process by which items such as pens and watches are coated to make them darker and more durable. The “PVD” part of the process ("Physical Vapor Deposition”) actually refers to the process, and I’m not about to delve into the technicalities because it’s way above my head. You can read more about it here. “DLC” (“Diamond Like Carbon”) refers to the coating itself, which darkens the look by bonding to the steel and hardening the pen even further. Needless to say, it will be very difficult to damage a PVD DLC stainless steel pen, especially one that’s already as durably built as a Schon DSGN Classic.

I picked up the PVD DLC Classic at the 2017 D.C. Pen Show, which I believe was the first time that Schon DSGN attended. Why did I pick this particular pen to take home? Because during my conversation with Ian, he was showing it off as the pen he designed for himself, and at the time, the PVD DLC model wasn’t a regular part of the lineup. If I’m at a pen show, talking directly to a maker, and they tell me, out of all their pens, which one they built for their own use, 9/10 that’s the one I’m buying.

The Schon DSGN Classic is a short pen to use unposted, but the stainless steel model actually feels pretty good due to the added weight.

Despite the heft of this pen, I still find it comfortable to use for it’s intended purpose: short notes and marking things up in the course of day-to-day activities. While it may not be the best choice for novel writing, I had no issues posting the pen and using it to write out a full page of notes for this review. Like the other Schon DSGN Classic pens, this one accepts the Fisher Space Pen refill, and I swapped in the burgundy version.

The Schon DSGN Classic posted. Since the pen is well balanced and the cap threads on the back, I have no issues posting this one. Those with smaller hands may find it too back-weighted to use comfortably posted.

Side Note: Did I mention that the DLC coating is super hard and durable? To the point where it. will. scratch. anything. Don’t carry a DLC-coated pen in a bag or pocket with something like a phone unless you want a big scratch down the center of your screen. Personal experience here.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

When I purchased this pen in 2017, Ian wasn’t sure that he was going to make PVD-DLC a standard option, since it’s (1) a fairly “hardcore” EDC choice, and (2) expensive to make. I’m glad to see that the PVD DLC version of the Schon DSGN Classic is now available for purchase at a relatively accessible price point of $150. If you don’t want/need the added “boost” of DLC durability, Schon DSGN also makes a polished stainless steel version of the Classic priced at $108. While the default refill on this pen is the Fisher Space Pen refill, Schon DSGN also sells a D1 refill adapter.

Unfortunately I was unable to break away from the table long enough to pick up one of the new Schon DSGN fountain pens that were released at the 2019 D.C. Pen Show. These will be released to the general public on the Schon DSGN website August 20th. I would expect the first run to sell out quickly so keep your eyes peeled and act quickly if you want one!

Disclaimer: I purchased the pen featured in this review with my own funds, for my own collection. This post contains affiliate links.

Updating the EDC: Galen Leather A5 Zipfolio

Some people have bag problems, some people have pen problems, some people have pencil problems. I have all of the above, but my main weakness is portfolios. I’ve tried a huge swath of them, from the super-inexpensive Lihit Labs “Bag in a Bag” to the pricier Bellroy A5 Zipfolio. The thing I love about portfolios is that you can own several of them and use them all, because they each come in various sizes and therefore have different use cases: a larger one that holds a legal or A4 pad to take to a meeting; an A5 portfolio that’s a bit more portable for journaling in a coffee shop or toting around your planner; or even smaller “pocket-sized” portfolios like the Nock Co. Hightower designed to hold a pocket notebook and a few pens. Portfolios slide easily into a bag, or if they have a zipper, you can carry them alone as your bag if you just want to grab something small and head out the door. Options truly are endless!

An overview of the A5 Zipfolio on my desk at work, complete with three pens and a Jibun Techo Planner System.

So what have I been using lately? Zeynep at Galen Leather was kind enough to send me one of their A5 Zipfolios in “Crazy Horse” brown leather, which is a rough-looking (in a good way) material that I’ve been lusting after for a long time. Though I love the pocket-sized Traveler’s-style notebook covers she sent me a couple years ago, Galen Leather has flown under my radar since and I’ve not taken the opportunity to explore their expanded product line. The company has absolutely exploded in popularity over the past few years. They’ve even begun to offer a range of wood products in collaboration with Walden Woodworkers’ Co., including a Writing Box and a Covered Pen Tray and other desk accessories.

The Zipfolio also comes with a removable keychain. Since the keys I carry are pretty bulky, I’m not sure how much use this particular feature will get, but it’s nice to have. The position of the keychain is such that they shouldn’t rub up against your pens as long as you keep them in the removable pen insert.

Another loadout from this week, where I threw in a highlighter, Airpods, and glasses cleaning cloth.

So let’s take a closer look at the Zipfolio, and what distinguishes it from other available options. For starters, a key attraction for me is the size. A5 notebooks are my personal sweet-spot, which I use for most writing both at work and at home. Other sizes will fit, however, including the Jibun Techo 3-in-1, which is my current primary journal/planner/notebook that I’ve been using since January. A few other attributes that make the Zipfolio a no-brainer recommendation for me include:

• Sturdy Construction. Galen Leather’s take on the Zipfolio provides thick-yet-supple leather and a sturdy zipper for a relatively inexpensive $119. It may not be as polished or “corporate” looking as something from Bellroy, but that’s the aesthetic, and in any event you will get a ton of mileage out of this portfolio. If you tend to be rough on your leather products, go with Galen, and consider Crazy Horse leather, because it hides scratches well. Scuffs and dings are part of the look!

• Practical Modular Layout. This portfolio strike a balance between customizability and capacity, on the one hand, and practicality on the other. It holds just enough stuff to allow you to use it as a true grab ‘n go daily carry without getting silly, like other modular systems I’ve seen where you can pack so much stuff into them that the portfolio not only becomes too fat but risks damage to your pens and other items because it’s so crammed full of stuff that rubs together. Here, you have seven elastic loops that are well spaced: four of them are attached to a removable panel and plainly intended for pens or mechanical pencils, with the other three larger and more versatile. As you can see from the pictures, I’ve used them to carry anything from highlighters to headphones/Airpods to a microfiber cleaning cloth.

• Extra Space for Added Notebook Versatility. One drawback to the Bellroy A5 Workfolio was the relatively tight fit if you wanted to use a standard hardcover A5 notebook such as a Leuchtturm or a Midori. Since I don’t regularly use the slim softcover notebooks, the Galen Leather Zipfolio works better for me. (Galen Leather designs most of their products specifically to fit Leuchtturm, Baron Fig Confidant, Hobonichi Cousin A5, etc.) Even though it’s not A5, this Zipfolio fits my Jibun Techo well.

• Versatile Left-Side Pocket. The Zipfolio is marketed as an “A5 Notebook and iPad Mini Folio”, with a lined pocket on the left-hand side that will protect small tablets such as a Kindle Fire 7 or an iPad Mini. While I might slide in a tablet for a trip, I think this would bulk up the Zipfolio too much in an everyday carry situation. Fortunately, the left-hand slot can also easily hold a pocket notebook, folded sheets of writing paper, or even a soft-cover notebook like the recently released Studio Neat Totebook!

• A Brand with a Great Story. While I may not write about the people behind the products as much as the products themselves, Galen Leather has a compelling story. I won’t spoil it for you but please do make the time to read it. (Link here to their site.)

Zipfolio with the Jibun Techo open to the week-on-two-pages layout. This has been my go-to carry for work over the past few weeks.

The pen-holder insert is removable, if you don’t want to carry pens in your Zipfolio or just want to carry one or two pens in the larger loops.

Notebooks are easy to switch out. The back of the Zipfolio contains a soft leather flap, under which you insert the back cover of your notebook.

Galen Leather A5 Zipfolio, loaded up and ready to go!

Takeaways and Where to Buy

All Galen Leather products I have owned over the years have thoroughly impressed me, from Traveler’s-style notebook covers, to a 40-pen zippered album-style case, to this Zipfolio. What I really like about Galen’s overall product line is their rugged durability. Compared to the Bellroy Workfolio, the Galen Leather Zipfolio just feels more durable and a bit less fussy, even though Bellroy products are also designed to last and age better than most smooth leather. If you’re someone who obsesses over gouges and scratches on your smooth leather products, however (like yours truly), the Crazy Horse leather option is excellent.

To view their full range of goods, visit the Galen Leather website. They are a family-owned business located in Instanbul, Turkey, and many of their products are made to order, so shipping will not be immediate, but my Zipfolio did arrive fairly quickly. For those who would rather go a more familiar route, Galen Leather also maintains an Amazon store, and the A5 Zipfolio is one of the products featured there.

Disclaimer: I received the product featured in this review free of charge, for review purposes. This post contains affiliate links. Many thanks to Galen Leather for providing this product for review, and making this post possible!

Sponsor Post: Big News from Pokka Pens!

Many Gentleman Stationer readers have found the nifty, compact Pokka Pen to be the perfect addition to their everyday carry, whether it be for the bag, purse, pocket, or car glove box. As it turns out, the rest of the world is starting to catch up!

Everydaycarry.com just published its list of “10 Best EDC Pens for 2019,” and Pokka made the top of the list! You can check out the post here, and remember, TGS readers ALWAYS get 10% off their purchases at the Pokka website using the coupon code “Gentsta” at checkout.

A huge thank you to Terry and the team at Pokka Pens for sponsoring the blog this week!

Disclaimer: This post contains sponsored content. All images in this post are the property of Pokka Pens.

Pen Review: Pokka Pen / Rite-in-the-Rain All-Weather Pen

If you recall the story behind the original Pokka Pen, Terry developed the concept because he was tired of losing his expensive Fisher Space Pens, and wanted something relatively replaceable that offered a similar writing experience. While the original Pokka Pen was, and remains, a high-quality, cost-effective replacement, it lacked certain features that made the pressurized Fisher cartridge so great - namely exceptional waterproofing and the ability to write upside down. Enter the “All-Weather” Pokka Pen a couple years later.

This Pokka All-Weather Terry sent me for review came equipped with the new clip, available for purchase separately and shown here on a “Blaze Orange” All-Weather Pokka Pen.

Designed in partnership with both Fisher and Rite-in-the-Rain, the two leading companies in the “all-weather” EDC writing space, the All-Weather Pokka Pen features a pressurized Fisher cartridge and the “Rite-in-the-Rain” logo emblazoned on the side. Otherwise, the All-Weather Pokka Pen is identical to the standard Pokka, which isn’t a negative in my book because the original Pokka Pen has a nearly perfect design and build for a product in its intended niche.

The pen works as expected. One pleasant surprise was a very fine tip size on the cartridge - finer than either the standard Pokka Pen or the Fisher Space Pen. For someone who writes relatively small, I always enjoy discovering new options for fine-tip ballpoint pens, and this one has been a steady companion in the car and in my coat pocket.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I actually ended up preferring the All-Weather Pokka Pen to the standard Pokka (and even the standard Fisher Space Pen) due to the finer tip size and the slightly drier ink. Pokka and Fisher nailed the cartridge, which is a joy to write with and works flawlessly.

Rite-in-the-Rain, or in the sun! The Pokka All-Weather in Blaze Orange compared against my Fisher Space Pen Brass Bullet.

The only thing that gives me some pause is the current price point and lack of refill availability. A standard Pokka Pen costs roughly $2-3 per unit, depending on how many of them you purchase, with refills available if you don’t want to just recycle the pen body after it runs dry. The All-Weather pens currently costs just under $13 for a two-pack, which makes sense given the relatively expensive pressurized cartridge, but no refills are currently available. Rather than lay out $13 for two disposable pens, some people may choose to go ahead and purchase a Fisher Space Pen that they can refill if they aren’t scared to lose it. (Note: Regular Pokka refills weren’t available when the product first launched, and pressurized refills may be introduced at a later date.)

You can purchase the All-Weather Pokka Pen directly from the Pokka website, along with the standard Pokka Pens in all of their great patters and colors, and using the coupon code “GENTSTA” you can get 10% off your purchase. Pokka Pens make great stocking stuffers, btw, and my family has enjoyed receiving them for the past couple of years! For that reason I’ve included them in the past couple of TGS Holiday Gift Guides.

Disclaimer: Pokka Pens sent me the samples featured in this review free of charge, for review purposes.

Pen Review: Schon DSGN Classic and Clip Collections

Ian Schon of Schon DSGN has carved out quite a niche for himself in the pen and "everyday carry" communities with his line of contemporary pocket pens, and I find it hard to believe that I haven't managed to review one until now. Schon DSGN pens sport a modern and sophisticated design built around the always-dependable Fisher Space Pen cartridge. According to Ian, they're intended to be "a compact, dependable pen that you can easily carry with you every day," and they certainly hit that mark. 

On the left, a limited edition "Classic" that I picked up at the 2017 DC Pen Show; on the right is the standard polished aluminum "Clip" version.

I love Schon DSGN pens for their functionality and design precisely tailored to their intended purpose. Like the Fisher Space Pen "bullet" pen, Schon DSGN pens are best suited to what I call "pocket writing" - for example, short notes, lists, drawings, or jottings in your pocket notebooks - as opposed to drafting novels or journaling. That said, I find them comfortable to write with for occasional longer note-taking sessions, and the pens post to a good length.   

Schon DSGN incorporates a longer, narrower grip section that gives you plenty of room to avoid the metal threads. I've had no issues with in terms of comfort when writing with this pen.

Schon DSGN's "Classic" lineup is available in aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel, and titanium. The pens are intended to last a lifetime, with the materials chosen to showcase the oxidation and patina that will accumulate from years of use. All of the pens are manufactured in Massachusetts, USA, where Schon DSGN is located.  

For packaging, Ian chose to partner with Write Notepads out of Baltimore. Write Notepads makes excellent perfect-bound pocket notebooks, one of which is packaged with each Schon DSGN pen.

One note of caution before you pocket-carry your Schon DSGN pen - the threads that allow you to post the cap securely are fairly sharp, meaning that they can scratch certain other things in your pocket (like a cell phone screen). While of course you should never carry anything in your pocket with your cell phone, absent-minded people (ahem) sometimes don't think about these things and accidents happen. 

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I love everything about Schon DSGN pens. They're extremely practical writing instruments perfectly tailored to serve their intended function - pocket writing. Size-wise, the pens are just large enough to remain portable without disappearing forever into the crevices of bags, coats, desks, etc., an issue that I (and others, I presume) have had with the smaller Fisher Space Bullet pens. If you're looking for a smart, durable pocket pen, and especially if you're looking for a "one pen" EDC setup, you won't go wrong with Schon DSGN.  

Another shot of my limited edition anodized Classic.

You can purchase Schon DSGN pens directly from their online store, and at select retailers. The polished aluminum pen featured here is from the Clip Collection, which starts at $78.00 for a polished aluminum model (pictured) and also comes available in stainless steel ($108), brass ($138), copper 158), titanium ($188). Clipless versions (the "Classic Collection") are available as well, including some wild anodized aluminum limited-editions ($80) like the navy/gold color combination shown above. Colors on the limited editions change regularly as Ian experiments, and if you run into him at a pen show, you never know what he'll have! Schon DSGN also sells refills directly on their site, as well as a new D1 refill adapter, should you wish to use something other than the Fisher Space Pen refill. 

Disclaimer: Schon DSGN sent me this pen for review purposes free of charge.