New from Inventery: Interchangeable Mechanical Pen and Pencil

April 24, 2019

I’ve reviewed many products from Los Angeles-based design house Inventery over the years, starting with their Mechanical Pen. which still sits on my desk years later. I’ve also had the opportunity to test out their Bolt Action Pen and Pocket Fountain Pen, both of which continued Inventery’s trend of great design and high-quality manufacturing. Yesterday on Indiegogo, Inventery launched a follow-up: the Interchangeable Mechanical Pen and Pencil, which allows you to swap out the internal components and alternate between a retractable pen and a mechanical pencil.

Two great refills: the Schmidt Easyflow 9000 ballpoint refill and Schmidt’s .5mm mechanical pencil refill.

The aesthetic and functionality of the Interchangeable Mechanical Pen/Pencil is very similar to Inventery’s previous products. It features a removable clip, and the clip design is the same as on the Bolt-Action Pen, which has more spring and tension than the clip on the Pocket Fountain Pen. For its pencil option, the Interchangeable Pen/Pencil uses a .5mm Schmidt mechanism that threads securely into the pen body, and otherwise accepts Parker-style pen refills, shipping with the excellent (and inexpensive) Schmidt Easyflow 9000 ballpoint refill.

Inventery’s clip design has progressed, including increasing the tension and adding a small ball to the end to make the clip “grippier.” Also, check out the engraving on the inside with the numbering of the pen! A nice touch.

Like Inventery’s other products, each Mechanical Pen/Pencil is engraved with the “I” logo on the top of the knock. And, as with Inventery’s other products, the Interchangeable Pen/Pencil is available in three finishes: brass, brass with a black oxide coating, and brass with a nickel coating.

Some assembly required: it’s not as hard as it looks!

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I’m a fan of Inventery’s writing instruments, particularly because they allow you to customize the pen to fit your needs. For example, most of their pens allow you to easily remove the clip, and certain models (Pocket Fountain Pen and Bolt Action Pen) either let you adjust the length using extenders or come in different sizes. The only possible drawback is the brass construction, which adds weight and can be too heavy for some, though the black and nickel coating does keep your hands from smelling like brass. I’d also note that the stock mechanical pencil lead that shipped with the pens broke very easily, probably due to the extra stress and pressure the brass pen body added, so you’ll need to be sure to use high-quality, durable leads. I swapped in some Pentel Ain Stein .5 lead in “B” hardness, which worked like a charm.

You can back the Interchangeable Mechanical Pen and Pencil on Indiegogo, with rewards for a single pen/pencil starting as low as $42. I consider this excellent value for a pen/pencil of this quality, with pricing below any of Inventery’s other offerings to date. As of the time of writing, Inventery has already doubled its funding goal of $3000 with 29 days left! If crowdfunding sites aren’t your thing, check out the Inventery store, where you can purchase their other products, and presumably the Mechanical Pen/Pencil once the Indiegogo campaign closes.

Disclaimer: Inventery provided me with the pens featured in this post free of charge, for review purposes. This post contains affiliate links.

Pen Review: Inventery Bolt Action Pen

August 15, 2018

Los Angeles-based design house Inventery has been on a tear over the past year, releasing three different series of pens: the Mechanical Pen, the Pocket Fountain Pen, and now, the Bolt Action Pen. Though its release has received less fanfare than Inventery's prior two models, the Bolt Action Pen is equally well-built and worthy of your consideration if you're looking for a heavy duty, EDC-type writing instrument.

Of the three available sizes (shown here in "Onyx" coated brass), I found the medium to be the most comfortable for the type of writing that I do. The large pen was slightly too large, and the Small/D1 pen was great for short jottings but not long s… — Of the three available sizes (shown here in "Onyx" coated brass), I found the medium to be the most comfortable for the type of writing that I do. The large pen was slightly too large, and the Small/D1 pen was great for short jottings but not long sessions (unless you have small hands).

Like the Pocket Fountain Pen, the Bolt Action Pen is (mostly) intended for pocket carry. The pen comes in three sizes, each built around a different refill. The large pen accepts Pilot G2 refills and their equivalent, and is the only one of the three that isn’t particularly portable - it’s pretty long. The medium accepts the standard Schmidt P8126/P8127 capless rollerball and Parker-style refills, and the small pen takes D1 refills. For my review, I kept the "stock" G2 and Schmidt refills in the large and medium pens, but swapped a D1 Zebra Sharbo gel refill into the smaller pen.

The small pen comes fitted with a D1 adapter that allows you to use any D1 refill.

The coated brass construction on the Bolt Action Pen feels solid, as you’d expect from Inventery. (According to the company’s website, it’s “precision machined from raw brass stock using a single tungsten blade.”). The bolt-action mechanism is tight - almost too tight at first, but it loosens up after a bit of use. Still, it’s not quite as smooth as on other similar pens I’ve used such as the MaxMadCo stainless steel and titanium pens. The thumb-stud/slider is a flathead screw, which I found that I actually prefer to the smooth “nub” or lever that a lot of bolt-action pens use, because it allows you to get a better grip. The clip on this pen is also removable, should you want to go with a more streamlined look, and it's also much tighter than the clip on the Pocket Fountain Pen. This pen will clip securely to a pocket.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Inventery products are always well-made, and the Bolt Action Pen is no exception. If you’re a fan of retractable rollerballs, and carrying them in your pocket makes you nervous, you should definitely consider the Bolt Action Pen. The mechanism takes some force to deploy, so there’s less of a chance that you’ll end up with ink stains on your pants. Plus, like Inventery’s other pens, the pen feels pretty much indestructible. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of patina and wear will develop on the black-coated ("Onyx") version, and hoping some of the brass will start showing through as it ages (kind of like the yStudio line).

A close-up of Inventery's bolt-action mechanism.

You can purchase the Bolt Action Pen directly from Inventery. The large pen sells for $80, the medium pen for $70, and the small pen for $60, which on the whole strikes me as fairly standard pricing for a machined pen of this quality.

Disclaimer: Inventery provided me with the pens featured in this review at no charge, for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated for this review. This post contains affiliate links.

Pen Review: Inventery Pocket Fountain Pen

May 19, 2018

When we last heard from Inventery, they had launched their Mechanical Pen, a retractable rollerball that made my list of favorite new pens from 2017, and has since found a regular place on my desk. Jeff from Inventery recently reached out and asked whether I wanted to review their new Pocket Fountain Pen, and of course I said yes. I enjoy pocket pens, and the one thing that's eluded me over the years is a pocket fountain pen that's small enough to conveniently carry in my pants pocket, while still offering an adequate combination of durability and a comfortable writing experience. Inventery's latest offering may get me there.

Three versions, from left: Brushed Chrome, Brass, and Onyx.

As with the Mechanical Pen, the Pocket Fountain Pen is made of brass. If you tend to avoid brass pens because of that metallic smell they leave on your hands, read on, because Inventery offers two options in addition to raw brass: Onyx (black) and Brushed Crome. While the base of these pens is still brass - giving them weight and durability - the pens themselves have been coated.

Inventery has great packaging. Pictured is the kit for the Pocket Fountain Pen with Extender, in Onyx. I've opted to swap in the Rollerball tip, with the clip, but you can see the options for fountain pen nib, clipless cap, stylus cap, and keychain … — Inventery has great packaging. Pictured is the kit for the Pocket Fountain Pen with Extender, in Onyx. I've opted to swap in the Rollerball tip, with the clip, but you can see the options for fountain pen nib, clipless cap, stylus cap, and keychain cap, as well as the extender with converter.

The main selling point of the Pocket Fountain Pen is customization. If you opt for the base model, the Pocket Fountain Pen comes with an interchangeable cap system, allowing you to swap out the clip for a clipless look, or add a stylus or keychain option. Perhaps most intriguing to me is Inventery's decision to include a .5mm PRS "interchangeable ballpoint head," which will transform the Pocket Fountain Pen into a rollerball pen that accepts fountain pen ink from either short international cartridges or a standard converter. In order to use the converter, you will need to purchase the "extender," which screws into the barrel to give the pen additional length, much like that featured on the Kaweco Supra.

Inventery-Pocket-Fountain-Pen-Writing-Sample

Overall, the Pocket Fountain Pen offers a quality writing experience. Inventery has chosen Schmidt nibs - always a solid and reliable choice - and I found the length, weight, and balance of the pen to be excellent. The cap posts securely, attaching to threads on the end of the barrel as with the Kaweco Liliput. (Note: I found that posting the cap on the "extended" pen made it too long.) The rollerball option surprised me the most. In the past, rollerball pens that accept fountain pen ink cartridges have tended to either leak, clog easily, or scratch the paper like a nail. I've had this one inked up with the same cartridge (Kaweco Ruby) for over a month, with no issues. I will note that since fountain pen ink is water-based and very wet, the .5mm tip will write wider than an equivalent gel or ballpoint pen, as fountain pen ink spreads more on paper than gel or oil-based ink. Think more "Uniball Vision Elite."

The one aspect of this pen that I didn't really like was the clip, which has no tension and isn't particularly functional, at least not in the traditional sense. This isn't a pen that will attach securely to your shirt pocket, though it will hook onto the edge of your pants pocket or a pen slot inside a bag, which may have been the idea.

I keep the clip on to use as a roll-stopper. Otherwise, I'd probably choose to go clipless. Kudos to Inventery for providing you with the option.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I really enjoyed using the Inventery Pocket Fountain Pen, with my one quibble being the clip. That said, if you are truly carrying this as a "pants pocket" pen, or clipping the pen to the front of your jeans, the clip may work just fine. You also have the option to go completely clipless. Pricewise, the Pocket Fountain Pen is comparable to the Kaweco Supra, which I've reviewed before, and from a functionality perspective the Pocket Fountain Pen has an edge on the Kaweco Liliput because it feels more substantial in-hand and has a bit more girth and weight to it.

The pens have minimal branding, and the "I" logo on the cap is a nice touch. Don't forget to check out Inventery's line of leather pen sleeves, available in three sizes. (The medium size fits the Mechanical Pen.)

You can purchase the Inventery Pocket Fountain Pen, as well as the Mechanical Pen and a range of great accessories, directly from Inventery's online store. The kit shown here, which includes the Pocket Fountain Pen, extender, .5 PRS interchangeable rollerball/ballpoint section, and various interchangeable clip/stylus options, is priced at $165. Without extender and converter, the price drops to $135. As mentioned above, color options include Onyx, Brass, and Brushed Chrome.

Disclaimer: Inventery provided me with the pens featured in this review free of charge. Many thanks to Inventery for making this review possible!

Pen Review: Inventery Mechanical Pen

September 13, 2017

Of all the different types of pens I've used over the years, I've given the rollerball the least amount of love - until this year, when something "clicked" and the retractable liquid ink rollerball now stands to become my primary fountain-pen backup. The latest pen to capture my attention is the Machined Pen from Los Angeles-based design house Inventery, a new company that launched in January of this year.

Inventery bills itself as an "independent design house specializing in the design and manufacturing of refined goods and stationery products," selling products for the "thinker, journeyman, and everyday essentialist." Their shop carries an eclectic array of goods, including the Machined Pen, the Construction Notebook, Clip-on Sunglasses, bifold wallets, and rings.

Currently, the Inventery Mechanical Pen is available in four colors: Brass, Onyx (coated brass), Chrome, and Brushed Chrome (both of which are also plated brass). The three shown here, from left, are Brushed Chrome, Brass, and Onyx.

"Refined" accurately describes the Machined Pen. Inventery has distilled the design of this pen down to the bare minimum, with three well-thought out design touches that set it apart from other "minimalist" machined pens on the market. First, the Inventery pens are all machined from a single rod of solid brass (even the black "Onyx" and Chrome pens are coated/plated brass). In order to swap out the refill, you unscrew the knock mechanism and drop the refill in through the back of the pen. As a result, you have a pen with seamless unibody construction and no seams or lines.

Per Inventery, the Schmidt knock mechanism has been modified to allow you to change the refill from the back of the pen.

Second, branding is minimal. Each pen features Inventery's small "I" logo on the front, with each pen also numbered on the reverse side. The logo and numbering appear most prevalent on the Onyx pen; they're barely visible on the brass and chrome-plated versions, especially once the brass has developed a nice patina from regular use.

Finally, my favorite part - and, in my opinion, the Machined Pen's key selling point - is the facet. Inventery has made one side of this pen flat, to act as a roll-stopper that allows the pen to sit on your desk. It's a small, thoughtful design choice that makes the Machined Pen a highly practical tool. Sure, a clip can serve the same purpose, but as I discuss further below, adding a clip would have ruined the beauty of this design.

You can see the facet on the Onyx pen pictured here.

The Inventery Machined Pen accepts the venerable Schmidt P8126/P8127 refill, and also features a Schmidt knock mechanism. This refill needs no further review - it writes smoothly and remains the standard for capless rollerball refills. Some people out there dislike the Schmidt knock mechanism, observing that there have been reported issues with Schmidt mechanisms wearing out over time. I've never personally experienced this, though Inventery does sell replacements at $9 each. For smaller designers and manufacturers, I'm not sure what other options they have, since I'm unaware of any stock mechanisms better than the Schmidt, and I imagine that developing your own mechanism "in-house" is out of the question until you reach a certain level of expertise/scale.

This picture shows the Inventery Mechanical Pens after about a month of use. While some other reviews have remarked that the brass pen doesn't develop a patina, that has not been my experience.  It's comparable to the patina that's developed on… — This picture shows the Inventery Mechanical Pens after about a month of use. While some other reviews have remarked that the brass pen doesn't develop a patina, that has not been my experience. It's comparable to the patina that's developed on my Kaweco Brass Sport and Supra. Compare this shot with the picture at the beginning.

And, no, this pen does not have a clip. In the information Inventery sent me accompanying the pens, they indicated that this was an intentional decision because the Mechanical Pen is intended to be a desk tool, not for pocket carry. That's how I've used these pens, keeping one pen at home and another at work within easy reach of my keyboard. The combination of the facet and the rather hefty weight ensures that these pens stay put. They won't go rolling off your desk anytime soon. Despite the weight (57g), the pens are well-balanced for someone with average-sized hands, like me. The back end of the pen sits just past the webbing between my thumb and index finder, so I don't run into the issue, common with metal pens, of it feeling "top heavy." If you have smaller hands, however, you may have trouble.

Inventery did a nice job on the packaging for the Mechanical Pen. Each pen arrives snug in a foam-lined box and slipcover, along with a microfiber drawstring bag.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

While there are a lot of machined rollerball pens on the market, these stand out. Inventery didn't make "just another" machined EDC-style rollerball pen that looks like any other: they went with a well-thought out design that's "minimal" yet still functional. I also like the fact that they've remained unapologetic about the fact that this pen doesn't have a clip. Personally I think it would ruin the seamless nature of the design, and this pen would likely be too heavy to clip to a shirt pocket anyway.

You can purchase the Inventery Mechanical Pen directly from Inventery's website, along with their other collections. The Mechanical Pen retails for $90, which is comparable to similar machined metal pens and strikes me as a very fair price. I've enjoyed using these pens and look forward to seeing what Inventery releases in the future.

Disclaimer: Inventery sent me the pens featured in this review free of charge, for review purposes.