The Sunderland mk1 is one of the best machined pens, if not the best, I have ever used. Period. Longtime readers of The Gentleman Stationer know that I don't hand out that sort of praise lightly, but I will where it's warranted, and here I see little room for argument. Proudly made in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, USA by Sunderland Machine Works, the mk1 is described as "tough enough for the shop," but "good looking enough for the boardroom." Sunderland takes a different approach from most makers in this space, bypassing the "tactical pen" market and instead targeting the mk1 as a "machined executive pen." It's a strategy that's a bit risky since it arguably brings a small company into direct competition with much more established makers of executive accessories, but the mk1's combination of durability and elegance makes it a formidable entry into this market segment, especially given the quality at the price point.
The main issue I have with many machined pens is the lack of writing comfort due to size and weight, as well as their tendency towards unrefined designs that look chunky and unfinished. As Sunderland implies in their description of the mk1, some of these pens appear as though they're intended to be used as glass-breakers or weapons first, and pens second. (Given the typical target market demographic, that may in fact be the case). The mk1, however, is designed to be used as a pen, and a daily writer at that, and if you're a fan of rollerballs this could easily serve as a single-pen setup.
Yes, the threads on this pen are internal, contained in the recessed area around the tip.
The mk1 looks and feels like a much more expensive pen than its $85 price point. The fit and finish on my pen are flawless: the threads turn smoothly, the cap posts securely, and the textured, slightly concave section offers a comfortable grip. Sunderland's key innovation, however, involves the threads: they're hidden inside the tip of the pen, so no part of the barrel can interfere with your grip. This patent-pending design offers a "third way" for securing the cap on machined pens - an alternative to sharp external metal threads that dig into your hand and friction-fit caps that inevitably loosen and rattle over time. Similarly, the placement of the threads inside the cap allows you to post the mk1 deeply and securely, without any sort of unpleasant metal-on-metal grating sound or damage to the finish of the pen.
The body of the pen is machined from 6061 aluminum, and the clip from 17-4 aerospace grade stainless steel, reflecting the professional experience of the maker, who has both engineering and machining experience in the aerospace, automotive, and medical industries.
The stainless steel clip is sturdy and has excellent tension. It’s neither too loose nor too tight, and grips a shirt pocket or notebook cover perfectly.
But all this merely serves as a setup for what I consider the best part of this pen: the refill options. Rollerball and gel refill preferences are strongly subjective, so I expect many people to disagree with me here, but Sunderland's decision to design a pen to accept both the Pilot G2 gel cartridge and Montblanc's threaded rollerball/fineliner refills instantly won me over. The Pilot G2 is great - I actually think it's a crime how many pen snobs disregard the G2 seemingly for no reason other than it's popularity, overlooking the fact that there's a reason why it's one of the most popular gel pens in the world. That said, I'll likely never use a G2 in my mk1 because Montblanc's rollerball and fineliner cartridges are some of the best on the market, especially for the clientele Sunderland is targeting. I strongly prefer Montblanc's rollerball refills over alternatives such as the Schmidt P8126/P8127, because the ink Montblanc uses feathers and bleeds far less on ordinary paper. A Montblanc "fine" refill actually writes a fine line, and the "fineliner" offers a high-quality felt-tip option if that's your preference. Montblanc cartridges are threaded to minimize tip wiggle and rattling, and the fact that Sunderland machined the mk1 to allow you to screw the refill into the barrel underscores the attention to detail and commitment to a solid experience.
The mk1 disassembled with a Montblanc Rollerball refill
Sunderland mk1, left, compared against a Montblanc 144 Classique (Petit Prince Edition) and a Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoint (“Totally Swiss” Edition)
Takeaways and Where to Buy
Fans of more elegant EDC-style pens such as the Schon DSGN Pocket 6, Tactile Turn Gist, and the Matthew Martin OG1 should certainly check out the Sunderland mk1, especially if you are looking for a sleek, streamlined pen that won't appear out of place in a work or business environment, but at the same time doesn't sacrifice any of the durability that machined metal pens have to offer.
You can purchase the Sunderland mk1 directly from Sunderland Machine Works in their online shop. Currently, the mk1 is available in eight different anodized finishes and a handful of special editions. Starting at only $85, the mk1 represents tremendous value given the innovative design and build quality. A pen like this will last a long time, providing you with many years of reliable service.
Sunderland MK1, left, compared against a Retro 51 Tornado (“The System” edition), and a Lamy 2000 rollerball.
Disclaimer: Sunderland Machine Works provided me with this pen for review purposes, free of charge. I was not otherwise compensated for this review, and all opinions expressed here are my own.