Kickstarter Alert: The Wingback Journeyman Pen

October 19, 2024

It’s always exciting to see U.K.-based Wingback release a new pen! They’re one of my favorite penmakers working with heavier materials like brass and stainless steel, since they pay close attention to the design and balance, with a focus on building pens that are both durable and capable of being used as an everyday writer. Specifically, Wingback pens and mechanical pencils tend to be shorter in order to offset the increased weight of the metals they use. You might think that this is an obvious point, but you’d be surprised at the number of machined pens on the market that end up too heavy to use for more than a few lines of writing at a time.

Wingback Journeyman Pen In-Hand — Introducing the Wingback “Journeyman”!

While Wingback’s latest release, the “Journeyman”, is a touch longer than the existing “Mechanical Pen”, it maintains an excellent feel in the hand and should be on your list of pens to consider if you’re looking for a durable go-anywhere pocket writer. Even better, this new model has customization options previously unavailable.

Wingback Journeyman Clip in Stainless Steel — The new crown/knock incorporates a milled clip.

For those unfamiliar with the Wingback Mechanical Pen, it features a unique “twist bolt action” mechanism that locks down and, with some practice, can be operated one-handed. The Journeyman uses this same style of knock, but incorporates a milled clip into the crown that allows the pen to be secured to a bag, pen case, or pocket. Personally, I also find that the clip makes the mechanism easier to grip and deploy. Wingback has retained other favorite design elements such as the diamond knurling on the grip (neither too sharp nor too slick - just right!) and a comfortable barrel diameter that once again emphasizes the pen’s usability.

Wingback Mechanical Pen and Journeyman Comparison — The Wingback Journeyman (right) is only slightly longer than the Mechanical Pen (right). The Journeyman is shown in a combination of brass and stainless steel, while the Mechanical Pen is shown in Black Steel.

So what differentiates the Journeyman from prior Wingback offerings, in addition to the clip?

Customization. The Journeyman can be customized on a component level, allowing you to mix and match materials. Available in brass, stainless steel, and Black Steel, you can now choose different combinations of metals for the barrel, crown, and clip. The pen I was sent for review features a brass barrel, with a stainless steel crown and clip. A full titanium pen is also available, though you cannot mix and match the titanium components with other materials.
Refill Compatibility. The Wingback Mechanical Pen used a Fisher Space Pen pressurized refill, which is somewhat polarizing as many people don’t enjoy the way that it feels on the page. (I like it, but it’s not for everyone.) The Journeyman offers more flexibility, as it takes an international G2/Parker-style refill. While it ships with a Schmidt Easyflow 9000, you can choose from any number of ballpoint, gel, or even rollerball options in this format.

Wingback Journeyman Internal Components — The mechanism isn’t complex: simply unscrew the knock and drop in a new refill.

Are there any drawbacks to the Journeyman’s design over the clipless Wingback models? In addition to a bit of added weight from the clip and increased length, I should mention that the edges of the milled clip are somewhat sharp, and can snag your hand if the pen rotates while you’re writing. If you don’t tend to rotate your pen, this may not be an issue, but I’ll also add that my pen is a review sample so the finished product may differ as production specs are finalized.

Takeaways and Where To Buy

As with the other Wingback products I have reviewed, I found the quality to be top notch, and fans of machined mechanical pencils and pens will want to check out the Kickstarter page for full details. With two weeks to go at the time of writing, the Journeyman already has received nearly $100,000 in pledges (blowing past its funding goal of $2000), and Wingback has a track record on Kickstarter, so while Kickstarter projects are never guaranteed, there’s no doubt in my mind that the project will deliver. Current estimates have the Journeyman pens arriving in March 2025. Pledges start at £150 (roughly $195), making it a not-inexpensive purchase, but Wingback has always been known for not skimping on the quality of materials or construction.

Wingback Pens: Three Different Options of pens and a pencil — Clockwise from left: Wingback Journeyman, Wingback Mechanical Pen, and Wingback Mechanical Pencil. Check out the patina on the pencil, that’s developed over a couple of years.

If you’d like to read further on other Wingback pens and pencils, you can check out my reviews of the Wingback Mechanical Pencil and Fountain Pen and Mechanical Pen here. Pocket pens are one of my core areas of interest, and I periodically update the site’s “Guide to Top Pocket Pens”, which I also encourage you to visit.

Wingback provided me with the pencil featured in this review free of charge, for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated for this review. The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases through our own T.G.S. Curated Shop, and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Do I Really Hate Rollerballs? Revisiting This Question for the Umpteenth Time

October 16, 2024

The rollerball and I have shared a fraught relationship over the years. Yes, I’ve tried. I really want to love what many describe as the most “elegant” writing instrument short of a fountain pen. I know they’re supposed to be smoother. I know they’re the “professional” choice. I know the ink is permanent. But for nearly twenty-plus years I haven’t been able to find one that truly works for me. Lately I’ve been trying a bit harder.

What prompted me to revisit rollerballs? I still get weekly questions about them, for one thing, and it’s hard for me to recommend specific items if I’m not familiar with the product category. But beyond that is a general sense that I’m missing something. I regularly have customers who bulk order rollerball refills - there are pen people out there who really love their rollerballs - so I figured I should do a deeper dive.

Five Different Rollerball Writing Samples — Five different writing samples, from the top: Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball Fine in Blue; Montblanc Medium St. Exupery limited edition rollerball refill; Pilot G2 gel refill, for comparison; Schneider Topball 580 fine; and Baron Fig/Schmidt P8127. Note the new “Hex” Baron Fig Squire at the bottom, which Baron Fig was kind enough to send me to test out!

Reasons Why People Love Rollerball Pens

Dark, Permanent Lines. As I remarked in my recent writeup of the Lamy AL-Star Rollerball, there’s something deeply satisfying about a pen that lays down a dark, bold line, especially when you’re brainstorming on a legal pad or a giant desk blotter. Since the majority of rollerball refills only come in black or dark blue (and less commonly red and green), you’re sure to get a dark line, and the ink is almost always permanent.
The Smoothness Factor. If you ask rollerball enthusiasts why they love their pen so much, many - if not most - will tell you that it’s because the writing experience is so smooth. Rollerball cartridges contain liquid ink, and most companies use relatively wide tip sizes (.7mm-1.0mm) to guarantee a wet, “smooth” writing experience that seems to glide across the page, especially compared to an oil-based ballpoint.
Ubiquity and Convenience. Rollerballs are popular, having assumed the mantle of the “executive” pen of choice over the fountain pen during the 1990s. You can typically find rollerball refills in any big-box store, even for higher-end brands like Montblanc, and it’s quite easy to change the cartridge. (Which you may have to do often - see below.)
Versatility: Both Capped and Capless Options are Available. Over the past 20 years, rollerball technology has improved to the point where there are very good capless refills that allow for a retractable design. Pens such as the Retro 51 Tornado, the Baron Fig Squire, and the Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball all use capless refills and twist or click mechanisms.

Rollerball Writing Samples on MD Paper Reverse Side — Even on relatively thick Midori MD Paper, you still see the Montblanc and Schmidt refills come through the paper a bit.

Why Rollerball Pens Haven’t Necessarily Worked for Me

Temperamental Refills. My biggest problem with rollerballs has been that the refills are expensive and don’t last very long. Costing anywhere from $8-10, you would expect to get at least a month or more of writing, yet I regularly come across rollerball refills that dry up and clog long before they actually run dry. I’ve even had refills that don’t write out of the box. If this happens I always contact my retailer/distributor and request a replacement, or I return them to the store.
Feathering and Bleedthrough. Whether you are writing with a rollerball or a fountain pen, any ink that’s a combination of “wet” and “permanent” will have a tendency to bleed and feather on most papers. Rollerballs can be even worse than fountain pens because the ink is being applied with a sharp tip, which presses the ink into the paper fibers and makes bleedthrough and feathering even more likely. You can, however, find drier rollerball refills to minimize this tendency, and I’ll discuss a few of my preferred options below.
Lack of Color Options, Namely Blue-Black. Nine times out of 10, I’ll choose a blue-black ink over standard black or standard blue. It turns out that blue-black rollerball refills are hard to come by, and you’ll typically have to seek out third-party “aftermarket” options by companies like Monteverde. That said, I’m more likely to choose a rollerball or fineliner over a fountain pen when I want to write with plain black ink, since it’s typically quite dark.
I Personally Prefer Fineliners. Most capped rollerball pens are also compatible with fineliner cartridges, and since I genuinely love how fineliners write, I will typically opt for one over a rollerball. Lately I’ve enjoyed refillable fineliners, since I can use my fountain pen inks without worrying about expensive and finicky cartridges. I’m also playing around with a Kakimori “inkball” pen that I was sent as a promotional tester, which also allows you to use fountain pen ink in a rollerball-style tip.

Two Sunderland mk1 machined pens, one with a Montblanc rollerball refill (right), and another with a Pilot G2 gel refill (left).

So What’s the Verdict? For Me, a Rollerball Depends Entirely on the Refill

Namely, a drier refill. As much as I may try to “accept it”, I hate feathering and bleedthrough. I think it looks sloppy on paper, and defeats any of the so-called elegance inherent in writing with a nice pen. For this reason, I strongly favor drier rollerball refills that don’t lay a thick line of ink down on the page. My three favorites are:

Caran d’Ache 849 Parker-Style Rollerball Cartridge. While I have no proof, I suspect that there is gel pen technology incorporated into this refill, because it behaves quite differently from most other rollerball cartridges I’ve tried. The ink does not bleed or feather on most papers, and the versatile Parker-style cartridge fits a wide variety of different pens. There’s even a finer tip available. (Disclaimer: We sell these refills, and quite a lot of them.)
Schneider Topball 850 Refill. This has long been my “stick” rollerball cartridge of choice for capped pens. It writes a clean, precise line, and fits most European rollerball pens, though you may have to modify the length with tape or a spacer.
Montblanc Rollerball Refills. Expensive, yes. Short lifespan? You bet. BUT, they’re also well-behaved and feature a relatively wide color selection (including limited editions). Despite being a finicky refill that tends to dry out faster than I would like, Montblanc rollerball cartridges look super nice on the page. Because they are threaded and screw into the pen, there is zero tip wiggle.

I’ve gradually come to accept that a rollerball will never be my everyday carry pen of choice, but I feel like I have a solid stable of refill options I can turn to if I like the design of a specific pen and want to pick one up. It’s also worth remembering that many gel ink cartridges can be hacked to fit rollerball pens, and many smaller manufacturers (like Sunderland Machine Works) are making pens specifically designed to fit both rollerball cartridges and gel refills like the Pilot G2.

What’s your favorite rollerball cartridge? I’m thinking of exploring more Japanese options, such as the Ohto Ceramic series, in the near future, as I’ve heard these tend to favor finer lines and may work better for my style of writing. Stay tuned!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. If you enjoy our content please give us a follow and consider supporting us by shopping with us directly or pledging via Patreon. Many thanks!

Good Made Better Jester Fountain Pen Setup at Chicago Pen Show

Kickstarter Alert: The Good Made Better "Jester" and "Muse" Fountain Pens

October 2, 2024

We’re big fans of Good Made Better products here at T.G.S. The company’s focus on “mindful writing tools” and stated goal of cultivating an intentional space for writing dovetails nicely with our own curation philosophy, as all of the items in our own shop are chosen with a focus on good design and usability. Those familiar with Good Made Better likely know about their first product, the Penwell pen holder, and successful follow-up releases such as the Writewell Portable Desk. It was only a matter of time before they designed their own fountain pen, right?

Good Made Better Jester and Muse Fountain Pens — The Good Made Better Jester (left), shown posted, and the Good Made Better Muse (right), shown uncapped.

Yesterday, Good Made Better launched their latest Kickstarter project, the “Jester” and “Muse” fountain pens. Personally, I’m thrilled that Dan Keller, the maker behind the brand, decided to use ebonite for both pens. A classic penmaking material, ebonite pens have a warm feel in the hand and a distinct vintage-inspired look that’s always appealed to me. When I first saw these pens at this year’s Chicago Pen Show, it took all of five minutes for me to buy one of the Jester pocket pens, in this mottled matte beige ebonite that also features swirls of orange, black, and even light blue, the latter of which is hard to photograph and only really shows up in certain lighting.

Good Made Better Jester and Muse Fountain Pens, shown capped

Every design element in a Good Made Better Product is intentional. For example, with respect to the triple rings engraved in the barrels:

“Both pens feature sets of triple rings (with the Jester sporting two sets), and it’s worth noting these are not arbitrary embellishments. They’re positioned at the point of cap to body contact, so if the cap is turned when at an angle to the body and the edge of the cap rubs the body, it won’t mar the surface of the body over time and leave a line. As a secondary use, they’re positioned to visually break up the transition of any color change in the ebonite so even the natural changes that take place are incorporated into the finished product as subtly as possible—more on this below.”

— Good Made Better, Kickstarter

Good Made Better Jester Showing Faceted Cap — The caps on both the Jester and the Muse feature a single facet rollstop, engraved with the Good Made Better wordmark.

Both the Jester and the Muse are comfortable to use, and oddly enough, despite the Jester being a pocket pen, approximately the same length when in “writing mode”. The Jester, a cartridge-only pocket pen, is designed to post, and threads on the back of the barrel allow the cap to sit securely. The Muse does not post, by design, as posting the cap simply would not work due to length and weight. My Jester features a matte ebonite section, and the Muse textured brass.

The GMB wordmark is even more subtle on the Midnight Black Muse. I consider matte black ebonite one of the most underrated fountain pen materials out there, and choosing this one was a no-brainer.

As you might expect, the overall look and aesthetic of these pens complement the rest of the Good Made Better lineup. The Muse fountain pen fits perfectly into the Penwell, and given that the cap can be removed in 2-3 quick turns, is quite easy to deploy. Both pens also feature a single facet on the cap, which serves as a roll-stop and allows you to rest the pen on your desk without worrying about it rolling onto the floor.

Good Made Better Muse and Jester Fountain Pens Compared Side-by-Side — When posted, the Jester is actually slightly longer than the Muse. Without the brass section and end cap, it’s also lighter. If portability is important to you, the Jester should be your pen of choice.

So which pen do I prefer, in terms of writing experience? The Jester and Muse both use JoWo No. 6 nibs, which arrived perfectly tuned, so there’s little to no difference between the two pens nib-wise. While I have more experience with the Jester, having used it for a few months now, the Muse has grown on me. I have to stress that this is a perfectly balanced pen. I prefer my pens slightly frontweighted, and this combination of the brass section and a slightly wet JoWo medium nib makes for a pleasant writing experience directly in line with my own preferences.

The Good Made Better Muse Fountain Pen with Writing Sample — The brass section on the Muse will patina nicely. For whatever reason, a green ink spoke to me, and I filled this one with Tom’s Studio “New Forest” No. 4. Both Good Made Better fountain pens use No. 6 JoWo nibs, and both of mine arrived as well-tuned, smooth writers.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I’ve had my Good Made Better “Jester” fountain pen in-hand since the Chicago Pen Show in May, and I’ve only become more impressed with Dan’s work over the following months. The Muse is equally good, with the workmanship and quality exactly what I’ve come to expect. These pens earn an unqualified recommendation, especially for those who love ebonite as a material.

Good Made Better Chicago Pen Show Display — While the launch colors on Kickstarter are (necessarily) limited to five options, Dan has been showing off these pens at various pen shows throughout the year, and the range of available unique ebonites is fascinating. You can even add textures, including the “bark” shown here, as an add-on to your pledge.

As I mentioned above, Good Made Better has launched both of these pens on Kickstarter, and the project fully funded on the first day. Pledges start at $250, which is standard pricing for small-batch, bespoke pens. There are currently five different colorways available (Midnight Black, Orion Blue, Herdsman Green, Sunrise, and Sunset). Sorry, the blended beige ebonite that I snagged in Chicago isn’t currently available, so you’ll need to go get yourself to a pen show and visit Dan in person!

Many thanks to Good Made Better for providing the Midnight Black Muse for review. I purchased the Jester pocket pen shown here with my own funds for my own use, and I just backed the Kickstarter for another Muse in Orion Blue.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. We are not compensated monetarily for review content such as this one, so if you enjoy our content please consider supporting us by shopping with us directly or pledging via Patreon. Many thanks!

Good Made Better Muse Fountain Pen in Penwell — My Muse fountain pen has a new home in my TGS Aged Red Penwell.

Tom's Studio One Dip Nib Shown with Two Kakimori Metal Dip Nibs

Dip Pen Comparison: Kakimori Metal Nibs vs. Tom's Studio One-Dip Nibs

September 21, 2024

I’m far from an accomplished artist or calligrapher, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying and messing around with dip pens! While most traditional calligraphy nibs aren’t intended to be used for longer than a month or so, as they corrode, over the past couple of years certain companies have focused on brass and stainless steel nibs that are more akin to glass nibs and lettering pens, in that they can be reused over the long-term.

Kakimori and Tom's Studio Dip Nibs Up-Close Comparison — From left, the Kakimori Brass Nib, the Kakimori Antique Brass Nib, and the Tom's Studio One-Dip Brass Nib.

The two receiving the most attention are Kakimori’s metal dip nibs (particularly the brass options) and Tom’s Studio’s relatively recent “One-Dip Nib”. Since I was in the shop all day yesterday and had some down time, I broke out my personal dip pens and started playing around with a few different inks to get a better sense of how these nibs compare.

A close-up shot of the Kakimori Antique Brass Nib, where you can see both the ink channels and the (very) sharp tip.

Kakimori Standard Brass Dip Nib — A writing sample with the Kakimori standard Brass Nib. I've done a couple different writing samples showing the line variation you can get with the Kakimori metal nibs - as you can see it's a bit easier to write sharper lines with the Kakimori, whereas the Tom's Studio One-Dip below lends itself to a more rounded script.

To start: I’ve previously reviewed the Kakimori metal dip nibs, so for a more specific analysis of how that nib particular nib works and how I’ve used it in the past, you should check out that review. While I haven’t fully reviewed the Tom’s Studio One-Dip nib on its own, I would describe it as more akin to a traditional “lettering pen” or “ruling pen”, which operates via a thumbscrew/dial that you use to open and/or close the ink channel to adjust how wet the pen writes. These pens are very different, and while I’m personally inexperienced with ruling pens and therefore still getting the hang of the One-Dip Nib, here are a few observations:

I’ve found the Kakimori nibs to be the most user-friendly and intuitive. They hold the ink in the channels that encircle the conical nib, and feature a sharper point that makes it easier to write a finer line with the pen held vertically. You simply dip the nib and go. The downside? I’ve found that the channels have a tendency to clog with heavier shimmer inks, and can be difficult to completely clean without something like a toothbrush. Certain free-flowing inks may also “blob” onto the page, and there’s little you can do about this, whereas the Tom’s Studio One-Dip nib lets you adjust the inkflow.
The One-Dip nib is probably the more versatile tool, especially for accomplished calligraphers, illustrators, and other artists who actually know what they’re doing, unlike yours truly. My main observation with this nib is that with very wet inks, you can control line width by turning the thumbscrew/dial on the side, which either narrows or opens the ink channel. Even the slightest of adjustments will give you variation, though the narrowest line I’ve been able to get with the One-Dip nib is still wider than what I can achieve with the point of the Kakimori. Writing with this pen is more akin to folded nib calligraphy.
Each nib lends itself to different techniques, especially outside of writing. For example, if you enjoy drawing, illustrating, or simply playing around with how ink behaves on paper, the Tom’s Studio One-Dip nib has smooth sides, which means that you can dab some ink onto the paper and use the rounded edges as a brush without flooding the page with more ink. It’s difficult to do this with the Kakimori nib, since the ink is stored in the channels on the outside of the nib.

Tom's Studio One-Dip Writing Sample — Showing just a bit of line width/wetness variation with the Tom's Studio One-Dip Nib. Here, I've adjusted the thumbscrew to get alternately lighter and darker lines.

Tom's Studio Brush Illustrations — From what I've seen online, many people have been using the Tom's Studio One-Dip nib to draw and then brush/fill in their illustrations with color. For those who want to know, the inks featured here are three of my favorite Tom's Studio ink colors: New Forest, Mallard, and Loch Ness!

Takeaways and Where to Buy

As someone who primarily uses my pens for writing, I’ve been trying to introduce another layer to my enjoyment of this hobby by doodling/drawing more frequently, and as a result I’ve accumulated a fairly large collection of dip pens. In addition to drawing and some creative journaling, I also use these pens for most of my ink swatches, as they allow you to alternate between lettering and broad brush-like strokes of ink. I haven’t posted most of this - some of it’s really bad - but I find it fun, relaxing, and I’ll try to do a better job of sharing more in the future.

Kakimori and Tom's Studio Dip Pens with Inks

We currently stock both Kakimori nibs and Tom’s Studio One-Dip nibs in our own shop. As mentioned above, the Kakimori nibs come in brass, antique brass, and stainless steel finishes, and the Tom’s Studio One-Dip nibs are available in brass and stainless steel versions. We also have Kakimori-compatible nib holders in stock, though the One-Dip Nib requires a standard metal-clutch ring nib holder, as opposed to the rubber used by Kakimori.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. If you’re in the Nashville area, come visit us in person at our new shop and check out these pens, inks, and more!

Kakimori Object Index Cedar Pocket Pen in Grey

Pen Review: Object Index Cedar Pocket Pen

September 18, 2024

If today’s pen looks somewhat familiar, it’s because Object Index has released a pocket-sized take on the Mark’style Tous Les Jours Needle-tip ballpoint, and both feature different versions of the same excellent low-viscosity ballpoint refill. I love these pens because (1) they write a very fine .5mm line that dries almost instantly, with zero smearing; and (2) the hexagonal cedar barrels convincingly imitate the feel of a woodcase pencil.

Object Index Cedar Pocket Pen in-Hand — Though “pocket-sized,” the pen is still long enough to feel balanced - sort of like when woodcase pencils reach that “perfect” length, having been sharpened several times.

Object Index is a Kakimori “sibling brand” that recently arrived in the shop. The Object Index line includes pens, pencils, and various office and desk accessories, all with a shared minimalist design and complementary colors that include grey, yellow, and natural wood tones. Their take on these “woodcase pens” is a bit more understated than the Mark’s version, with minimal branding and a brushed metal nose cone and knock. The knock feels slightly upgraded on the Cedar Pocket Pen, with more resistance and a firmer feel.

The Object Index Cedar Pocket Pen with a Needle-Tip Refill — The signature needle tip of the Ohto refill.

While marketed as a “pocket pen,” I probably won’t be carrying this one in my actual pants pocket, as it’s wood and therefore more subject to damage than a heavier duty metal pen. That said, it’s quite slim, and will fit easily into the pen holders integrated into pocket notebook covers, Plotters, and more, which makes it portable. I understand that this particular pen is also designed to fit into a notepad made by Object Index, which I may try to get in the future.

Object Index Pocket Pen Package Contents — Each pen ships with two extra refills, in addition to the one in the barrel.

These needle-tip ballpoints use refills made by Ohto, another Japanese company that makes some of the best needle-tip ballpoint and gel refills around. As I mentioned, it uses a low-viscosity ink that behaves similar to a Uniball Jetstream. Each pen comes as part of a set, which includes three refills (one in the pen, two extra in the package) and is priced at $15 and available in three colors: Grey (shown here), as well as Yellow and Natural. We also have additional refills for this pen available once you use up the three included in the pack (though this will likely take you a VERY long time). For everyday writing, these pens can’t be beat, and many thanks to Kakimori for including an extra in my shipment so that I could review it and test it out myself.

Object Index Cedar Ballpoint Writing Sample on Midori MD Paper — .5mm Needle-tip writing sample on Midori MD Memo Block paper.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.