Pen Review: Opus 88 Picnic and Fantasia Fountain Pens

September 1, 2018

Last month, I had the pleasure of spending the 2018 D.C. Pen Show working behind the Vanness Pens table. One of the surprising things that I learned from helping people try (and buy!) pens is the appeal of Taiwanese brand Opus 88 - I think we sold more Opus 88 pens than any other brand during the show, and the Picnic and Fantasia models were probably the two most popular.

The current Opus 88 model lineup, from left: Transparent Demonstrator, Koloro, Picnic, and Fantasia.

I've previously reviewed the Opus 88 Koloro and larger transparent demonstrator. While those are excellent pens, some people are turned off by the half-ebonite/half-acrylic body on the Koloro, and the larger demonstrator is, well, friggin' huge. The Picnic offers a more traditional cigar shape and is made entirely of acrylic, while the Fantasia sticks to the acrylic and ebonite combination but presents a smaller package. In terms of "technical specs," the Picnic and Fantasia are more or less identical to the rest of the Opus 88 lineup. Both pens feature stainless steel JoWo nibs paired with Opus 88's excellent Japanese-style eyedropper system, which I discussed at length in my prior review. The short version is that you fill the pen as you would a regular eyedropper, but the Japanese-style system incorporates a stopper that closes off the ink reservoir from the nib and feed, which prevents ink "burping" and excessive flow due to temperature and air pressure fluctuations. To open the stopper to write, you turn the blind cap as you would with a piston filler, allowing the ink to flow and saturate the feed. You can then either close it up again - I can get 2 pages or so of writing with a fine nib with the stopper closed - or leave it open for longer writing sessions.

The Fantasia features a different clip than the Picnic and Koloro. I like it - it definitely matches the pen better and seems a bit more refined.

Some additional thoughts and observations on the Opus 88 Picnic:

The pen comes in bright colors, including green, turquoise, and purple, in addition to the more staid brown. The acrylic is thick and high-quality, and I've been pleased with the durability and scratch-resistance.
The Picnic is a good size, and the cigar-shaped body is comfortable in the hand either posted or unposted. While I'd prefer to see a No. 6 nib on a pen of this size, the No. 5 JoWo steel nib writes very well.
Colorverse manufactures a line of ink in partnership with Opus 88, with the ink colors tailored to match various pens in the Opus 88 lineup. For example, Colorverse Supernatural matches the green Picnic, and Colorverse Horizon matches the blue Picnic.

Some people prefer the engraved "Opus 88" logo on the Koloro (right) to the applied logo on the Picnic (left).

Thoughts and Observations on the Opus 88 Fantasia:

Some have described the Fantasia as a pocket pen, but I consider it a bit too large for that designation. While it's shorter than the other Opus 88 models, once you post the cap the Fantasia becomes a full-size pen, and even unposted the barrel has enough girth to be comfortable for short periods of time.
The ebonite blind cap on the Fantasia has a lower profile, and the pen is designed so that you can use the cap to turn it to open and close the eyedropper valve. (It's difficult to explain, see the photos below.) I've never used this trick, and have found that it's easy enough to screw/unscrew the blind cap with my fingers.
The cap and blind cap on the Fantasia are both ebonite, and the body is acrylic. I founded the multicolor banded cap design to be much more understated in person than it can appear in photos online.

The blind cap has a Phillips-head pattern carved into the bottom, and you can use the raised metal ridge in the top of the cap to turn it, if you can't make it comfortably work with your fingers. I've not found it necessary.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Opus 88 pens offer a great combination of unique design, value, and overall quality that has started to differentiate the company from its competitors in the $90-$125 price bracket. While eyedropper fountain pens certainly aren't for everyone, Opus 88's twin o-ring system and included glass eyedropper makes the filling process as clean and easy as it can be.

You can purchase both pens featured here from our sponsor Vanness Pens. The Opus 88 Picnic is priced at $99, while the Fantasia runs slightly higher at $125. As noted above, both pens come packaged with a quality glass eyedropper and instructions.

Disclaimer: Site sponsor Vanness Pens loaned me these pens for review purposes, free of charge.

Let's be honest. The star on the clip is pretty much why I chose this pen.

Pen Review: Montblanc Le Petit Prince Classique Rollerball

August 22, 2018

I previously reviewed the fountain pen version of the Montblanc Meisterstuck “Classique”, and I still consider this model one of the more overlooked gems of the pen world. Sure, the storied 146 and 149 models get most of the attention, but both are simply too big for many people to use comfortably, and you have to pay quite a premium, especially for the special and limited edition models. The Classique is Montblanc's "mid-priced" model that is still large enough for most people to use comfortably, and offers the same Montblanc writing experience as its larger siblings.

I’ve owned a Classique ballpoint for 15+ years (graduation present), so with the addition of this rollerball to my collection I now have a full ballpoint + rollerball + fountain pen set in this size. In terms of the writing experience, there’s not too much to say here that hasn’t already been said. Montblanc makes a great rollerball refill, which their pens are designed to showcase. The Classique rollerball is a relatively slim pen - slightly slimmer than both the ballpoint and the fountain pen - but it still has some weight to it, due in part to the metal end cap. As a result, the pen has a very nice balance for writing, especially when posted. The friction-fit cap opens and closes with no rattle whatsoever, and the cap posts securely.

Comparison shot: Ballpoint, Fountain Pen (in the metal "Doue" model), and Rollerball. The fountain pen has a slightly larger diameter than the other two.

The pen shown here is the Le Petit Prince Classique PT 163 Rollerball (if we want to be technical about model numbers). It features three key design elements from Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s story: the fox engraved in the resin on the cap, the star on the clip (which is the feature that sold me on a pen from this series), and a quote: “Créer des liens? ... Tu seras pour moi unique au monde” which translates to “To establish ties? ... To me, you will be unique in all the world.” If you’ve read the book, you’ll understand the significance, but if you haven’t, well, you need to read the book.

The quote from the story is engraved around the top of the cap, just below Montblanc's signature "snowcap" logo. The Platinum trim complements the navy blue resin nicely.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I love this pen. Sure, most of it is the design, and the tie-in with one of my favorite stories from childhood (and adulthood, and, well, ever) but whatever your feelings about the brand, they make a mean pen. The form factor of the Meisterstuck Classique makes it a great everyday writer for both long-form handwriting and quick notes.

Appelboom carries a wide range of Montblanc pens, including the Classique models, in both the standard and special edition versions like the Le Petit Prince pen shown here. Also, check out my previous review of Montblanc rollerball and fineliner refills, which I consider to be some of the best.

I've had this pen loaded with Montblanc's excellent fineliner refill, and haven't use much else, though the rollerball refills are also superb (if not the most wallet-friendly).

A Few General Thoughts on Montblanc as a Brand

The company takes a lot of flack for the price point of their pens, which in my opinion is unwarranted. The past few Montblanc pens I’ve purchased have had zero quality control issues, with excellent out-of-the-box nibs on the fountain pens. They also have a pretty liberal nib-exchange program and will stand behind their products as long as you purchase from an authorized retailer. Yes, at the end of the day, you are paying in part for the branding and design, not the pure functionality of the pen. The majority of Montblanc pens, however, are priced similarly to Aurora, Montegrappa, or Pelikan, especially once you get into special and limited editions, so I don’t see much of a reason to favor one of these brands over another based on how they are pricing things. If you like the pen, and can comfortably afford it, then buy it and enjoy it. If you’re looking for something else - like a no-frills workhorse or simply something at a lower price point - there are plenty of other excellent options out there to meet your needs, and I try to cover a range of options on the blog.

Pen Review: Caran d'Ache 849 Ballpoint, and Fountain Pen

August 18, 2018

While I've long enjoyed Caran d'Ache pencils and have dabbled in their inks, I've never explored their pen offerings, probably because I suspected that I would find the design of their pens too narrow for my taste and comfort. That said, given the overall quality of Caran d'Ache products, I didn't want to pass up the chance to review both the fountain pen and ballpoint versions of the Caran d'Ache 849, a budget-friendly option from a brand not typically known for pursuing the entry-level market.

I like the hexagonal barrel on the 849, but for reasons unknown Caran d'Ache has placed the logo underneath the clip. It's quite nice looking, so no need to hide it!

The Caran d'Ache 849 ballpoint has been around for a long time, so much that it's become something of an iconic writing instrument. The 849 features a hexagonal barrel, clip, and smooth knock, and comes loaded with the Caran d'Ache Giant "Goliath" cartridge, which according to the company "delivers up to 600 pages of A4 writing." Overall, it's an excellent ballpoint pen with a large-capacity refill that writes a solid line. The faceted shape of the 849 ballpoint mimics that of a sharpened woodcase pencil, and while I initially thought that the 849 would be too narrow for my taste, it’s grown on me to the point where it’s now my primary writing tool when I reach for a standard ballpoint. The version pictured here is the limited edition "Nespresso" edition, made out of aluminum sourced from recycled Nespresso capsules. [2020 Update: In the years since this review has been published, Caran d’Ache has continued to release Limited Edition “Nespresso” collaborations, an olive green, which I missed, and a purple version, which I stock in the Curated Shop. The Nespresso collaborations are slightly more expensive than other limited and special edition Caran d’Ache pens.]

Caran d'Ache recently introduced a fountain pen version of the 849 at the $50-60 price point, offering another option for a segment of the fountain pen market that too often goes overlooked. Featuring a hexagonal metal barrel, "snap cap", and stainless steel nib, the 849 fountain pen is a nice writer that retains the aesthetic of the ballpoint in a slightly larger package. The stainless steel medium nib writes a wet line and is pleasantly springy. The 849 fountain pen makes a wonderful edition to the lineup of fountain pens available at this price, especially for those who prefer a slender format.

The shape of the nib on the Caran d'Ache 849 is almost Lamy-esque. While the nib is NOT flexible, it does have some slight bounce to it.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

[2021 UPDATE] While I initially worried that both of these pens would be too narrow for me to use comfortably, the 849 ballpoint has grown on me to the point where I now have a sizable personal collection of these workhorses and use this model on a daily basis. At last count I own at least five 849s (the blue Nespresso, a Paul Smith collaboration, two standards in white and yellow, and a turquoise Metal X). I enjoy it so much that I’ve chosen the 849 as one of the first models to stock in my own small retail shop. The ballpoint mimics the tactile feel of a woodcase pencil, and as far as refills go, the Goliath is both legible and long-lasting.

Unfortunately, the blue "Nespresso" ballpoint pictured in this review was a limited edition that is no longer available, though Caran d’Ache has continued to release new versions of the “Nespresso” pen every year. The current version is the bright purple model made from the “Arpeggio” capsule, which I have available for purchase in the T.G.S. Curated Shop along with a selection of other Caran d’Ache limited and special editions. Caran d’Ache special and limited edition 849 ballpoints are typically priced between $40-50 (with the Nespresso on the higher end of this scale), which is comparable to similar editions from brands such as Retro 51.

As of August 2020, The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of Caran d’Ache.

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: Laban Taroko in Dark Forest Acrylic

August 11, 2018

Laban set up just down the hall from the table I was working at the 2018 D.C. Pen Show, and the brand continues to surprise me, both in how nice looking their pens are - especially at the price point - and how well they write. The company, based in Taiwan, has apparently been around for quite a while, since 1981. Based on the information I’ve been able to locate online, Laban manufactures its own pens, and they offer a wide range of models in different styles and sizes.

The only branding on the Laban Taroko is "Laban" engraved on the cap band. It's a classic look somewhat reminiscent of the cap band on vintage Parker Vacumatics.

Frankly, I’ve been shocked at how much I like Laban pens. I’ve generally known of Laban as long as I’ve been in this hobby, but had never written with any of their pens until I reviewed the Laban Expression pocket fountain pen. I had, however, long admired many of their acrylics, which have a vintage look and feel to them. If you enjoy dark marble or tortoise patterns, you should definitely check out what Laban has to offer.

Comparison photo, from left: Montblanc 146 Ultra Black; Edison Menlo; Laban Taroko; Aurora Optima; and Pelikan M800.

The pen I’m reviewing here is the Laban Taroko - one of Laban’s mid-price offerings. The Taroko is a classic cigar-shaped fountain pen that I would compare in size to the Montblanc 146 or the Edison Menlo. While it’s on the larger side, because it’s an acrylic pen with a cartridge/converter filling system, the Taroko feels very light in the hand and is comfortable to use over long periods of time posted or unposted. The cap posts firmly on the body of the pen, and I experienced no issues with it rattling or falling off.

Nib and Writing Experience.

Laban nibs are engraved with the logo, which looks much better, imho, than the laser etching you see on a lot of pens at much higher price points.

The nib on the Laban is a standard two-toned stainless steel No. 6, which I peg as a Bock nib based on the design and feed. This means that the nibs should be interchangeable with other Bock No. 6 nibs (and, if your willing to experiment, No. 6 nibs from other brands as well). If you get a good one, Bock steel nibs are solid, if unremarkable, writers. The nib on my Taroko writes a rather wet line, which pleasantly surprised me, as many Bock nibs write dry and need to be adjusted out of the box. While this nib has a hint of feedback, it's not what I would call scratchy and the tines were well-adjusted out of the box. I found the Taroko's black acrylic section quite comfortable to hold for longer work sessions, as there is no dramatic step-down or sharp threads.

The one nit I had with this pen is, as others have noted, that it has a tendency to dry out if it goes unused for more than a few days, and the ink in the converter will start to evaporate if the pen is left unused for more than a couple weeks. Evaporation commonly occurs in fountain pens (especially those on the inexpensive side), but I noticed that it happened rather quickly in the Laban, probably due to the cap not sealing particularly well. This wasn’t a huge deal to me; when I have this pen inked up, I make an effort to use it, which isn’t hard given that it’s so nice-looking and such a comfortable writer.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Goldspot stocks the Laban Taroko in a wide range of acrylics, including some gorgeous, unique materials that look much more expensive than the actual price point of this pen, which is $103 retail. (Honestly, even the $130 MSRP on this pen is less than I would expect.) As mentioned above, the pen featured in this review is the Taroko in “Dark Forest” acrylic. It’s hard to find manufacturers who are still making acrylic pens in vintage-style patterns reminiscent of older celluloids, especially at the $100 price point. I saw several “must have” patterns on the Laban table at the D.C. Pen Show, so think there may be a couple more Labans in my future, including possibly one of the larger Laban Mentos.

Disclaimer: Goldspot sent me this pen free of charge, for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.