It is so exciting to see people take an idea and turn it into something tangible.
We're coming up on two years ago that I first was introduced to the minimalist brass pen by Chris Williams which has since had a successful Kickstarter funding and fulfillment, and hopefully the wind in the sails of Chris' brand, ATELEIA, is just starting to pick up momentum in the grand scheme of things.
As mentioned, the original pen was machined from solid brass, but to delve into a lighter, less patina-prone material, ATELEIA has recently released a version of the pen in either raw or black anodized aluminum.
I really love the original brass pen, but I was REALLY excited to get my hands on an aluminum version to see what the lighter material felt like in the sleek design. I was not disappointed...
This really is a fantastic design. Its elegance really does come from its simplicity.
The original design for the pen took only the Pilot Hi-Tec C which is a beloved refill for many artists and creative types, but from my experience I can never seem to get a good one for ongoing writing. In discussions about refills with Chris, a couple I mentioned were the Uni Signo 207 and Pentel Energel for everyday writing and he was good to oblige and now offers an insert for both the Hi-Tec C crowd and the Energel crowd. Kudos!
For weight considerations, the fully loaded brass Hi-Tec C version of the pen comes in at 49 grams (on my scale), while the aluminum Energel comes in at just 17 grams. That is a huge difference.
The weight of the brass pen allows the pen to do a lot of the writing for you, but the aluminum allows for a bit less hand fatigue and more control in my opinion. And if the "smell" that brass or copper pens seems to get over time really isn't your bag, the aluminum would be a fantastic option.
Still a consideration to be made with this pen is the fact that you need a crescent wrench to open it safely when replacing the refills. You wouldn't want to take a pair of needle nosed pliers or other "toothy" wrench as you will definitely run the risk of damaging the pen.
That being said, from a durability standpoint this pen would fair well in a pocket, bag or notebook cover just fine. As long as you don't mind dinging it up a bit with your keys, I've yet to see there be any damage to my pens that would cause them harm. That solid metal construction and all...
I own three of these pens (two brass and one aluminum) and I really enjoy them. No clips and a little bit of higher maintenance with the need for tools, but awesome nonetheless.
You can find all of Chris' pens and leather wares at ateleia.com.
