| WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Levenger |
| Model | True Writer Silver Anniversary |
| Nib Material | Steel |
| Nib Sizes | F,M,B |
| Filling System | Cartridge / Converter |
| Dimensions | Capped Length: 138mm / 5.44″ Posted Length: 153mm / 6″ Uncapped Length: 124mm / 4.9″ Barrel Ø: 12.8mm / 0.5″ Section Ø: 10-11.5mm / .4-.45″ |
| Weight | 36g |
| Notes | x |
| Price | $99 |
| Availability | Now |
Levenger has put their name on a lot of pens over the years, but the True Writer is the only that’s stuck around through the ages. It has come in a wide variety of colors, materials, and prices. From bright blue and pink lacquers to solid and marbled resins, there’s bound to be a True Writer for everyone. It’s been so successful that it’s become Levenger’s trade mark pen and was selected to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
The Silver Anniversary True Writer is crafted in solid brass with a gunmetal finish, etched with an elegant undulating pattern and is by far my favorite look of all the True Writers. The gunmetal finish is very reminiscent of ruthenium plating in that it’s a dark gray/black chrome color and when combined with the undulating pattern gives the pen a kind of sinister look.
As far as I know, this Silver Anniversary Edition is the only True Writer with a metal cap and barrel [Since this review was published I've discovered that Levenger has produced a metal True Writer a few years ago called the Metalist that was available in several finishes]. While there are a few with a metal section, I’m glad Levenger didn’t put one on this pen. The black plastic section provides a nice contrast between the nib and barrel and doesn’t make the pen feel so cold and lifeless like so many metal sections do. Because of its brass construction, this pen feels considerably heavier, but not overly so, than previous True Writers I’ve used and adds a feeling of quality that I just didn’t get with the lighter, resin based pens.
The styling is 100% True Writer. Nothing has changed in that regard. The clip, love it or hate it, is chrome plated and functions well. The matching chrome plated cap band is simple and attractive, only displaying “LEVENGER” centered below the clip. Finishing off the styling quite nicely is a chrome plated button on the end of the barrel.
The cap posts securely and somehow remains well balanced despite its metal cap. Oddly, I actually preferred to use this pen unposted. The biggest problem I experienced while using this pen is the slickness of the barrel. I was hoping the plastic section would help out but since the majority of my grip fell on the barrel there’s not much the section could do. Unless my hands were perfectly clean, as in freshly washed and dried, I had a hard time keeping a good grip on the pen. For some people this isn’t an issue, they could write with a greased rod if they had to, but for others, myself included, material selection is just as important as writing quality.
Thankfully, the writing quality of the Silver Anniversary True Writer is excellent. I chose a fine nib as that’s the width I prefer for daily writing. Fine nibs also have a tendency to more readily expose imperfections in a nib, none of which could be found in this pen. The #5 sized stainless steel nib felt smooth on all the paper samples I used it on: copy paper, Rhodia, and Tomoe River. Ink flow was superb, spot on in the middle of the range and consistent.
If you think about it, “true writer” is a pretty powerful name for a fountain pen. It evokes an image of a pen that should be comfortable and perform without hesitation every time the nib hits the paper. The True Writer has earned that name and then some by combining excellent performance with quality and style. In my eyes, the Silver Anniversary Edition is the ultimate True Writer, just as long as you can keep a hold of that metal barrel.
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