Years ago, back when I first got introduced to the madness of browsing the internet for pens, I saw a pen that caught my attention. It's a curiously shaped pen, with a cap that looks almost too big for the pen, totally weird proportions, and the barrel looks uncomfortably big and faceted. The section is even worse, for it is incredulously short and stubby.
Yet for some reason I can't forget about that pen, and kept thinking that I would actually enjoy using it. It's not a rare pen, at any moment I can just buy it off many places, but I never did. Then I got into vintage pens, and well, the pen seems to move into my forever "one day" slot
Until a few weeks ago, I managed to get this pen along with a few others.
Yep, the one that I fell in love with is the Smoked Oak version, but this Graphite one is as close as I can get to it. And I was right! I love this pen, I love everything about this pen, including the awkward proportions, big faceted barrel, and yes, the short and stubby section
Not to mention the immaculately strategic placements of the Faber-Castell logo on the cap finial and the nib:
One more design highlight. I think the way the cap is fastened by the ring at the edge of the section, is very cool. This makes it possible for part of the barrel where your fingers are, to be completely smooth without any need for a ring or tabs or other mechanism to secure the cap.
I use this pen unposted, just like how I tend to use all my pens except the ones that are designed to be posted. But this pen can be posted securely and it's not terribly back-heavy when it is.
Alright, let's get on.
Hands On: Let me just get this one out: This is a comfortable pen. The faceted barrel somehow just position itself, cradled by my hand. Too big for those with small hands? Maybe, but in my medium-sized hand, it's perfect. This lightweight Graphite would be a boon for those who writes (or sketch) for a long periods of time. By the way this plastic material is also available in other colors: Orange, White, and Grey, I think that's all. Filling system: C/C that is ... well, practical. Nothing else to report here, next.
Lights On: This pen looks awesome, and handsome. Whoever designed this pen deserves an award. The cap is nice and beefy, not as heavy as it looks, with a nice springy clip. Of course a fingerprint and smudge magnet, but then I can buff it with a piece of cloth and it's back to its shiny self. Being a used pen, the shiny black barrel now has some parts that are no longer shiny, but hey, no marks, scratches, or notches. Still looks awesome.
Write On: The nib is steel, but the famous Faber-Castell steel nib. The design is just cool, no breather hole, dimples as ornaments, and of course, the logo. Firm Medium is what I would call this. And by Medium, it's Medium-Broad for those who are used to Japanese nib sizes. I think I still can sketch with this nib, just need to go bigger
Move On: If it's not clear to you by now, I love this pen. Having this Graphite one only makes me yearn more for the Smoked Oak version, so in the low possibility that you have one that you just can't stand, give me a buzz, I'll give it a new home.
I'm not holding my breath.
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