Though I’ve attended two pen shows, I’ve purchased very few pens in 2020, including none in Baltimore. One of my stated goals for the New Year was to continue to focus on refining my collection into a more personally meaningful set of pens and to own less stuff overall. I’ve mostly managed to stick to the “plan”, but Philly got me at both the Matthew C. Martin Custom Pens and Schon DSGN tables. For today’s review, I’m going to take an in-depth look at a pen that’s become a constant travel companion over the past six weeks: the Matthew C. Martin/”MCM Pens” Original, or as Matthew calls it, the “OG1”.
Machined metal fountain pens and I have had an inconsistent relationship over the years. I’ve owned metal pens from Karas Kustoms and Tactile Turn, as well as various Kickstarter pens, but with the sole exception of the second iteration of the Tactile Turn Gist (which is excellent), none have stuck in my rotation for a meaningful amount of time. The primary reason is weight: It’s extremely difficult to design a machined fountain pen that most people can comfortably use for long periods of time (i.e., why many people turn to fountain pens in the first place). Since nearly all of these pens feature metal grip sections, the added weight from the barrel makes the pen even more awkward to hold by increasing the probability of the pen sliding around in a sweaty hand, which will be working harder to keep the nib under control.
Capped, the MCM Pens OG1 is roughly the same size as a Lamy 2000, and perhaps slightly more compact.
Machinist and penmaker Matthew Martin has, in my opinion, done the best job of controlling for these factors using both smaller designs and what he refers to as “weight reduction machining.” In other words, he thins the walls of the barrel and cap, resulting in pens that are exceptionally light and comfortable to use even when made from heavy metals such as copper and brass. Combining this technique with other design choices, such as his use of the grooves in the pen pictured here, reduces the weight even further. MCM titanium and zirconium pens end up being so light that it’s fair to describe them as “featherweight.”
Build Quality
The MCM pens OG1 is easily the best-made machined metal pen I have ever used. Period. As I noted above, Matthew’s combination of excellent design and weight-reduction techniques creates a pen that is just as, if not more, comfortable to use than many acrylic pens, and I’ve never been able to say that before. But it’s not just about utility. The artistry involved in machining the grooves in the barrel and cap makes these pens instant conversation pieces, and don’t say I didn’t warn you that it’s the type of pen that will go “walking off” an office desk.
If you carry a grooved pen around in a pen case or a bag, it will eventually collect lint and dust. I recommend using a can of compressed air to clean it out periodically.
The pen I purchased is made from a combination of zirconium and blue anodized titanium. Matthew also machines his own clips, and recently released pens featuring exotic metals more commonly used in the knife industry, such as Mokume-gane (Japanese-style “wood grain metal). Matthew has made knives as well, and his father is a well-known knifemaker.
Despite its high price, zirconium pens are among my favorite. The darker tone of the zirconium pairs well with anodized materials.
Nib and Overall Writing Experience
Matthew wisely chose to use standard JoWo No. 6 nibs, meaning that those of us with larger collections can swap in favorites like the Franklin-Christoph EF SIG pictured in this review. The standard medium nib that came with this pen, however, was also well-tuned and has a place in my stash of good JoWo writers.
Where this pen shines is comfort. In terms of length, the MCM OG1 pushes the boundaries of how short a pen I can reasonably use. The OG1 doesn’t post, and measures 4.75 inches uncapped. While the added weight of a metal pen makes the shorter body more usable for me as a daily writer, I can’t say the lack of postability is a total non-issue. For pure EDC, I’d prefer to not have to worry about keeping track of the cap, or having it roll away while writing, but that’s a design choice that I’m willing to overlook here for the unique grooved design. For my next MCM pen, however, I will likely opt for a model with a milled clip, which can act as a roll-stopper.
I recognize that the grooved design I chose won’t be comfortable for many people. Since I don’t have sensitive hands, the grooves on the barrel and ridges on the grip section don’t bother me, but others might prefer a smooth barrel and/or a different grip texture, both of which are available.
Takeaways and Where to Buy
Since I picked up this pen at the Philadelphia Pen Show in January, it hasn’t left my pen case, and has barely left my hand. Matthew Martin represents the best of the new, emerging generation of penmakers, and his work shows a combination of creativity and technical expertise that you don’t see often, especially with someone working out of a small shop. Visiting his table has been a highlight of the past few pen shows - each time he shows up with something that pushes the envelope even further.
As you might expect given the choice of materials, advanced machining techniques, and overall level of craftsmanship, MCM pens are not inexpensive. The blue-anodized titanium and zirconium pen featured in this review cost me $575. Currently, the least expensive model starts at $275 (for a bronze or copper pen), with pens priced as high as $1,750 for a pen made from layered zirconium and titanium with a milled zirconium clip. Matthew sells his pens directly on his website, and he mentioned in Philadelphia that he intends to increase the number of U.S. pen shows he attends as long as he can keep up inventory. Many thanks to Matthew for taking the time in Philly (both at the table, and in the evening at Ian Schon’s open house) to offer insight into his machining techniques and design theory.
Disclaimer: I purchased the pen featured in this review with my own funds, for my own personal collection.