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.

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.

Tactile Turn Vice Pens with Sunglasses and Stickers included in the package — Each pen arrives complete with stickers and a surprisingly good pair of neon sunglasses. But will you wear them at night?

Pen Review: Tactile Turn Side Click "Vice" Seasonal Release

August 24, 2024

Today I review what might be my favorite special release of 2023: the “Vice” Seasonal Edition from Tactile Turn, which features two different Cerakote finish options (“Night” and “Day”) in 1980s-era Miami-inspired colorways. Some of you already know this about me, but despite being born in Tennessee, I spent a large portion of my childhood in Florida (in the late 80s to boot) so this one spoke to me. After the busyness of the past few months getting our new shop and physical space up and running, and the fact that I didn’t buy a single thing for myself at the D.C. Pen Show, the timing was ripe for me to take the plunge and buy both of these!

Tactile Turn Vice Day Packaging — The Vice "Day" finish in standard length.

I will typically buy one or two of the Tactile Turn Seasonal Releases each year, depending on whether or not the particular finish speaks to me. Last year I picked up “Deep Space”, the Winter 2023 edition inspired by galaxies and nebulas, and you can read my review of that pen here. While I’ve enjoyed the 2024 releases, “Vice” is the only edition that I’ve actually acquired this year. I don’t plan to fully re-review the Side Click as a pen, as my “Deep Space” review already goes into a fair bit of detail on the build and the mechanism, which is essentially a click-pen where you release the knock by pressing a button on the side. Nothing in that review has changed since I’ve published it. The Side Click has served as a reliable, convenient pen as well as a fun fidget toy.

Tactile Turn Side Click Vice Night Edition — The Vice "Night" finish in the "Short" format.

What I will talk about today are (1) the particular Cerakote finishes on the Vice edition pens, and (2) refill options, because this time I opted for two different lengths - one of the “Short” (Parker-style) pens and one of the “Standard” (Pilot G2) pens. This release was ripe for experimentation, because Tactile Turn tried something new with two different finish options. While both pens feature a synthwave/outrun-style design aesthetic with gradient fades and 80s-vibe colors, the two finishes are as different as, well, night and day. (Sorry. Not really.) The “Night” edition adopts more of a “South Beach nightlife” look, with a black Cerakote base accented by neon pink splatter, a neon blue knock, orange side-click button, and a purple-to pink gradient fade on the clip. The “Day” edition features a gradient barrel that evokes the beach itself, with a sand to sky-blue fade, a neon pink knock and button, and a white clip. Despite being vastly different, the two pens pair well and I have no regrets buying both. Like “Deep Space”, this edition means something to me and makes me smile when I look at it, so it’s staying in the collection.

Close up of the Palm Tree engravings on the Side Click Clips — A close up of the Palm Tree engravings on the clips, as well as the signature Tactile Turn texture.

What Is Cerakote and How Durable Is the Finish?

When it comes to everyday carry, I’m neither overly hard on my pens nor especially careful with them. Honestly, I’d argue that I represent the “average” user, which gives me a solid baseline for predicting how well pens will hold up over time for most people. Tactile Turn uses Cerakote on its special release pens, which is a ceramic coating that’s about as durable as you can get without adding weight or disproportionate cost to the pen. It also comes in a range of different colors, allowing makers to exercise their creativity with the finishes, as Tactile Turn has done here. With respect to durability (a question I sometimes get about these pens), here’s what Tactile Turn has to say:

“Cerakote is a thin coating of ceramic that’s applied to the surface of our titanium pens. It’s abrasion, chemical, temperature, and scratch-resistant but not proof. Hard wear will still show on Cerakote but we love that it gives us the ability to put colors on our pens without adding serious weight or thickness.”

— Tactile Turn "Vice"

In other words, the finish on your Cerakote pen might scratch if it takes a hard drop, is carried in a pocket with metal objects like knives or car keys, or is kept loose in a drawer as opposed to a pen case. That said, I’ve not experienced any visible dings or scratches on any of my Tactile Turn pens, and I’ve dropped the Deep Space on a hard floor at least once.

Tactile Turn Side Click Vice Edition Gradient Finishes side-by-side

Refill Options for the Tactile Turn Side Click Pen

The Tactile Turn Side Click comes in three different sizes - Standard (5.8”), Short (5.3”), and Mini (4.6”) - each of which ships with a different refill: Pilot G2 (standard), Schmidt Easyflow 9000 Parker-style (Short), and Pilot G2 Mini (Mini). When I reviewed last year’s Deep Space edition, I commented that I felt the Standard pen would be too long and unbalanced for my hand, so I opted for the Short. This time around, I picked up the Vice “Night” in the Short format, and the Vice “Day” in Standard, just to experiment because I suspected I would want to load up “Day” with a more colorful gel refill. As it turns out, while the Short version does fit my hand the best, the titanium construction of the longer Standard absolutely makes the pen usable for me, and I’ve had no issues with hand fatigue.

Tactile Turn Zebra Sarasa Cassis Black Refill Writing Sample — Out of all the gel pen color options I had on hand, the Cassis Black seemed the most fitting.

What refills have I used? So far I’ve kept the stock medium Schmidt Easyflow 9000 that shipped with the Night edition, but I will eventually swap it out for a Jetstream SXR-600, which is my Parker-style refill of choice. I did swap out the Pilot G2 refill in the “Day” edition for a Zebra Sarasa Grand Vintage refill in .5mm “Cassis Black”. I’m currently enamored with the Sarasa Grand Vintage Gel Pens and their black-infused refills, and have successfully swapped these refills into several other pens. (I’ve had very good luck with the Sarasa “JF” refill fitting most G2 compatible pens, including the Tactile Turn Side Click and my Sunderland MK1s.)

A close-up image of the knock and side-click button on the Tactile Turn Vice Edition — Contrasting colors on the barrels and knocks/buttons

Takeaways and Where to Buy

These pens were an insta-buy for me the moment I saw them. Tactile Turn releases four seasonal/quarterly editions of the Side Click each year, with the pens made available for a period of time before rotating out of stock in favor of the next edition. As I mentioned above, I don’t buy all of them, but I do keep an eye out for each release and always end up grabbing at least one each year. There are a couple that I sort of regret passing on in retrospect, but the fact that I purchased these two pens without thinking twice confirms I probably made the right decision. I am after all trying to make my acquisitions more meaningful!

Tactile Turn Night and Day Pens Side by Side — The "Day" and "Night" pens, side by side.

You can order your own Tactile Turn “Vice” Side Click here (you get a 10% discount if you buy both) and also see their archive of past seasonal releases. The pens are priced at $149, which I find more than fair for a titanium pen with this build quality and level of artistry. Each pen ships witha. sticker and a pair of 80s-vibe sunglasses, which is a nice touch for packaging.

I purchased the pens featured in this post with my own funds, for my own personal collection. 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, we greatly appreciate your support!