Believe it or not, there are still brands that I’ve never reviewed here on the blog - one being British penmaker Onoto! For those unfamiliar with Onoto, it’s a traditional British brand with roots dating back to 1905. The modern iteration of the company launched in 2005, and currently make two primary models: the Onoto Magna (their flagship), and the Onoto Scholar. They even offer a bespoke pen service if none of their current stock designs appeal to you.
Onoto’s signature medallion alongside the excellent stainless steel nib.
The pen I plan to review today is the Onoto Scholar, which is the company’s “entry level” fountain pen. I say “entry level” in quotes because this isn’t an inexpensive fountain pen - it’s very well-made and priced accordingly. That said, if you’re looking to acquire your “one pen” that could serve you well as a daily writer (especially if you plan to do a lot of actual writing on a daily basis), the Onoto Scholar deserves your consideration. Indeed, more than one “working writer” has recommended this pen to me.
The Onoto Scholar isn’t flashy. None of Onoto’s pens are, to be honest, outside of some of the more ornate special editions from the Magna line. Building on classic designs from the 1920s and earlier, the Scholar features a classic flat-top profile reminiscent of vintage Parker Duofolds and, yes, earlier Onoto pens. The Scholar is comfortable to hold, though I personally found myself wishing for just a touch more heft when writing with this pen unposted. Honestly, I was probably spoiled by having first written with the slightly larger Onoto Magna. On the Scholar, the cap doesn’t post deeply enough to offer me the desired balance, so - sigh - looks like I’ll be buying a Magna at some point….
The Onoto Scholar next to a vintage Parker 51, for size comparison.
Even though I found the Scholar just a touch too small for my taste, the nib on this pen is an exceptionally good steel option. While I don’t believe that Onoto makes their nibs in-house (this one most likely began life as a Bock or Jowo), the nib and feed have both been modified. Onoto stainless steel nibs are slightly softer than most, and if I had to compare the writing experience to another brand, I would choose Otto Hutt. This particular pen was fitted with a delightfully smooth fine nib that I would have loved to add to my collection as an everyday writer if only the pen body had worked for me just a bit better.
The nib writes a classic western fine line.
Takeaways and Where to Buy
If the Onoto Scholar were only just slightly larger, or if it would post just a bit deeper, it could easily be a workhorse pen for me. Between its classic, vintage-style aesthetic and the excellent nib, the Scholar offers a premium steel nib option, but I’m likely going to opt for the slightly larger Onoto Magna when I do decide to add one to my collection.
Onoto outdoes themselves on presentation. Each pen ships with a nice-looking leather pen wrap/case.
Vanness Pens is the exclusive U.S. retailer of Onoto, and you can purchase the Scholar in a range of color and trim combinations for $220. The price point places the Onoto Scholar in approximately the same price range as pens like the Otto Hutt Design06. Both are premium steel nib pens where the manufacturer has gone a step beyond using stock JoWo and Bock nibs, and specifically modified and tuned the pens to their own specification. I found the fine nib on this Onoto excellent.
Note: I’ve updated the T.G.S. Fountain Pen Review Archive to include this Onoto review, my recent review of the Tibaldi Bononia Vintage, and several others. If you’d like to browse older content from nearly a decade of The Gentleman Stationer, start with the “Resources” link at the top of the page!
Vanness loaned me this pen for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review, and returned the pen at the end of my testing. The Gentleman Stationer is supported exclusively by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.