Four-way shoot out: a review of mini fountain pens

[kaisnowbird]

[Warning: Long review ahead. For quick summary, jump straight to the next post below. ]

I recently acquired my first Pelikan – Souveran M320 Ruby. It’s so cute, tiny and precious, to call it a ladies’ pen would be an understatement.

As I already have three other pocket size/mini fountain pens in my humble collection, including the arch nemesis of the baby Pelikan – Montblanc Mozart, I thought it’s time to do a comparison and see which one reigns supreme in my little Junior bantamweight division.
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INTRODUCTION

Candidate No.1 – The Düller fountain pen, designed by former Braun designer Dietrich Lubs in collaboration with Naori Miyazaki of IDEA, combines the best of German minimalism and Japanese craft. Although it is a lesser known member of the team, it has some respectable credentials.

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The cap, barrel and section are all made of high quality aluminium in a minimalist matte black finish with attractive bands of emerald green. The fit and finish is flawless and the cap snaps shut with a satisfying click. Its Schmidt nib is one of the smoothest steel nibs I have used. The writing comfort level of this Fine nib rivals many gold nibs and broad steel nibs. The pen comes embedded in a hard covered notebook (similar to the new TWSBI Micarta).

Its immediate competitors would be Kaweco Lilliput and A.G. Spalding Mini, but IMHO, this one is superior. Its push on/pull off cap is secure and much quicker to operate than Lilliput. It also has a very simple but solid and functional clip. Against the A.G. Spalding, this one is so much cooler looking.

Even though this is the least expensive/famous review candidate today and the only one that carries a steel nib, it has some stealthy qualities that shouldn’t be underestimated.

Candidate No. 2 – the baby Pelikan

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It’s got gold trim on a ruby-like translucent body. This pen is surely the prettiest and cutest darling of the team. Not even half the size of M800 and M1000, but this miniature beauty has got pretty much everything its big siblings have, inside and out. The quality of its nib is so high that many consider it to be on par with the nib of an M1000.

Candidate No. 3 – the Montblanc Meisterstuck Mozart 114

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Although tiny even among mini pens, this Montblanc actually carries a good weight. Its “precious resin” is applied over a brass body, which makes it feel centred in the hand. The taller, skinny brother Meisterstuck 144, for example, sometimes feels more flimsy in comparison.

Candidate No. 4 – Parker Duofold Mini in Green/Olive checks (1st quarter of 2006)

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About the size of a TWSBI Diamond Mini, this pen isn’t very mini at all when lying next to the other three candidates. However, its miniature in moderation makes it a lot more comfortable for longer writing sessions. Its many shining qualities and small disappointments will be discussed in detail below.


Without further ado, let the shootout begin!

SIZE & WEIGHT

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This picture, using a 50 cents AUD coin as a size reference is for my fellow Aussie geeks (I’m thinking of you Mr Bogon ). The following pics use a Lamy Safari as a size reference.

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As shown here, when capped the lengths of the pens ascend in the order of 1, 2, 3 & 4.

When writing with the cap posted, the ascending order is 3, 2, 1 & 4.

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It should be noted that Duller is the shortest when capped and one of the longest posted, whereas Montblanc Mozart’s size didn’t change a great deal.

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Comparing to an unposted Safari, which is a comfortable size for most hands, with the exception of Mozart, everyone else is at least on par, if not longer when posted.

But do we dare to write with our mini pens unposted?
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I would say that candidates 1, 2 and 3 will feel inadequate except in the smallest of adult hands. Parker, however, can still be used comfortably by small and medium (my) hands. Its girth helps too.

Weight-wise, the ascending order goes like this: 2, 1, 3, 4. Though the numbers appear pretty close, especially 1 vs 2, and 3 vs 4, in hand, the differences are more pronounced:

1. Duller feels light, but comfortable (metal density helps);
2. Pelikan feels too light and delicate, I’m afraid to use it sometimes;
3. MB feels nicely weighted and centred;
4. Duofold feels evenly weighted and solid, posted or not.

STYLE, FIT & FINISH

1. The very modern and minimalist looking Duller is all about form follows function. Its fit is fantastic. Being the only push on/pull off cap among the four, the cap stays on tight with a satisfying click. When capped or posted, the barrel and cap is entirely flush. The only problem is the coating’s longevity. After some extensive use, the black paint is showing signs of wear, the gold plating on the nib (around the slit) is somehow worn/washed off by a green ink I once left in it for a few weeks. However, being all metal, this pen may get wounded over the years, but will not die easily!

2. M320 Ruby is the most beautiful of the four. Its fit and finish is flawless. The aesthetic pleasure it gives is exceptional. However, the acrylic material is very thin. I couldn’t help worrying about its fragility. It needs to be protected at all times. The cap screws on/off with ¾ of a turn. I’m afraid to post the cap too deeply (please don’t crack ), but it’s too tiny to write unposted.

3. The MB Mozart is all about class – classic cigar/torpedo shape and classic black/gold combo. You can’t go wrong with this style; it exudes elegance and quiet luxury. The white star emblem adds the finishing touch. The fit and finish is perfect. The cap crews on and off with a quick turn (just over 180 degrees). The gold plated metal threads on the pen are situated near the beginning of the section and near the tail of the barrel, which leave a flush section-to-barrel transition to maximise writing comfort. The attention to detail makes this miniature pen a true masterpiece.

4. The Duofold Mini’s acrylic body is not only beautiful, semi translucent and complex, it’s also very sturdy. It feels secure and solid. The black finials and section complement the olive check nicely. It’s olive under daylight, but becomes more emerald green under florescent light. Despite its flat top, it looks soft and gentle. However, nothing yields with this pen, not even the 18K nib, which is a silky smooth NAIL. Top notch fit and finish.

FILLING MECHANISM

1. Duller – international short cartridge, Kaweco mini converter. 6/10.
2. M320 Ruby – probably the smallest piston filler currently in production and one of great quality. The translucent body allows easy inspection of ink level. Given its small size, ink capacity is moderate. 9/10
3. Mozart – MB cartridge and selected international short cartridge (those that don’t have a ridge near the neck). No known compatible converter. 4/10
4. Duofold Mini – Parker Mini cartridge only. No converter PERIOD. I’m using a syringe to refill the cartridge. 2/10

Now, the best part ...