Karas Pen Co Decograph Fountain Pen

It's pretty hard to believe that Karas Kustoms (AKA Karas Pen Co) has been creating and making pens for close to 6 years. Still one of my all-time favorite pen designs is their original Render K in an aluminum barrel.

For the last few years Karas has introduced some new models and variations on their all metal pens like the EDK, but their most recent pen soon to hit the market is a dabble into an entirely new world for these guys altogether. They call it the Decograph and they were kind enough to send me over one of the first production models to review here on the blog.

The Decograph is Karas' first step into the acrylic barreled market like those you'd find from Franklin Christoph, Edison, or private makers like Shawn Newton, but still with a very "Karas" feel to it.

If starting at the experience, what you receive the pen in is pretty extraordinary, and something I've really seen no other manufacturer do (unless you're heading into the really pricey territory). They've machined (yes, machined) a custom aluminum tube that acts as the pens safety "capsule" for delivery and it is awesome. I was actually blown away by how cool this was! On the capsule are machined a couple of decorative lines and a "K" shield logo.

After a few turns of the capsule, the Decograph emerges, standing at attention within a foam insert that prevents it from banging around inside the tube. With a good firm tug, the pen is removed. Usually pen packaging is either cheap or on that fine line of "do I throw it away?.." Not this packaging. Nope.

Holding the pen, it looks like a Karas pen, although is a lightweight in comparison to the aluminum, brass, and copper models we're used to but it feels sturdy and well made. All inked up it comes in at just 0.7 oz.

One thing I'll note about this pen is that it looks manufactured, but not mass produced. I'm not exactly sure how to describe it, but it is a good thing. Like, even though it is produced using machines, it still has an element of subtle character (not flaws) that makes it stand out. It is a polished execution, but it still seems to have some "makers soul" to it.

For starters, Karas will be offering just a couple of acrylic colors, but I received a glossy black with aluminum accents. The black is shiny, but not a mirror finish and the aluminum accents have a soft metal look to them.

With about 3-4 turns, the cap comes off to expose a generous section and a #6 steel Bock nib. New to Karas Pen Co is the ability to post the cap to the barrel (it is designed to do so) and it fits snuggly. Generally, unless a pen is pocket sized I don't post my caps even if they are meant to be. Call me weird, but they usually make the pen to long or too top heavy.

While using the Decograph, going unposted puts the barrel, section, and nib at just around 5", but posted jumps this up to around 6.5" which could be a considerable amount for some people. For me, I wouldn't say posting is uncomfortable, just not preferred due to the length.

For the nib I went with medium steel Bock and loaded up the included converter with Bungbox Blue ink and it has been a perfect writer from the get go. On my Leuchtturm 1917 notebook it is a wet writer with some subtle feedback.

The clip of the pen is a large, monolithic structure (in a good way) that is a two part system. The main outward facing piece a faceted, machined aluminum that is really impressive. There are subtle angles, edges and tapers that make it to be a work of machined sculpture almost on its own. This piece is then riveted to a piece of bent steel that is then held in place by the aluminum finial. 

Referring to the "character" of the pen above, I feel like the clip is a key piece to that aesthetic.

The pen is finished off with a subtle makers mark, the "K" shield logo being engraved into the small aluminum end cap that wraps up the barrel. This is the first time that Karas has put their logo on a non-limited edition pen, and I think they did so with class.

Pricewise, the Decograph with a steel nib is said to be running around the $160 range which I feel is a fair ask when comparing to other pens of this kind. This being Karas' first attempt into the acrylic pen world, I feel they hit the mark pretty well.

These aren't available right this minute, but I've heard that they'll be releasing to the public this coming Friday the 15th. Keep tabs with Karas Pen Co as I'm sure they'll be making some announcements. 

Thanks again to Karas Pen Co for providing the Decograph for review!

Kaweco Elite Fountain Pen (with optional 14k nib)

One thing that Kaweco does well is holding true to their heritage and roots. There seem to be a lot of your “classic style” fountain pen brands that have been around for 100 years (thinking Shaeffer, Parker, Waterman), but none seem to be quite as quirky (in an endearing way) as Kaweco.

At this point, I’ve lost count of how many Kaweco products I’ve reviewed here on the blog, but they always intrigue me. 

One such pen I’ve been wanting to try and review is one of the Kaweco Elite series fountain pen, especially with one of Kaweco’s 14k, size 250 two-tone nibs. Kaweco was kind enough to send this my way on loan for review.

Similar in size to one of Kaweco’s other larger, nicer fountain pens, the Dia, the Elite is a full sized pen, but not too big, and extremely comfortable.

While I feel the Dia has some definite Kaweco styling it tends to fit in with the crowd, but the Elite embraces the uniqueness of the brand which is another reason why I was anxious to check it out.

This pen is one of the higher-end, luxury models in the lineup, but the overall aesthetic of the Elite is a bit difficult to describe. It has a bit of flash and glitz with its polished chrome cap and piano black acrylic barrel, but then blends it with a octagonal barrel to break up the cylindrical shape, and then finished the end of the pen off with some ridges (likely paying tribute to previous models where this may have actually worked as a piston filler).

Each end of the pen is garnished with an inlaid, chrome Kaweco logo finial.

I am extremely fond of this design. It isn’t over the top in any way, but is definitely not boring. Elegant, but not garish.

With the cap being chrome, and the barrel being a polished piano black, it is a bit of a fingerprint magnet. The price we pay for luxury... 

On a side note, I would love to see a line of pens from Kaweco that incorporate a piston mechanism again. Much of their vintage line were piston fillers, so it would certainly be possible!

They did release a limited (and very expensive) acrylic Sport model several years back, but there doesn’t seem to be anything on the horizon for piston fillers that we’ve seen.

The Elite is a standard cartridge/converter, but the catch is that a normal Schmidt converter doesn’t fit which is a bit of a shame, but understandable from a proprietary standpoint as Kaweco sells their own, thinner converter systems. The pen comes with some Kaweco standard international short cartridges, but I opted to put in a international long.

I don’t currently own any of Kaweco’s other converters, so I’m not certain the feel and quality of theirs when compared to those by Schmidt, but is something I should look into.

In contrast to the other pens (except the Supra) in their lineup which share a smaller nib, the Elite comes standard with a larger, size #6 steel nib, but I requested to review the pen alongside their 14k two-tone version.

This 14k nib is a medium which has been a relatively wet writer, but has been so enjoyable. I haven't experienced any hard stops and it has a nice blend of a mostly glassy, but with some occasional feedback. The medium is definitely a European medium with a relatively wide line.

I filled it with a Pelikan Edelstein Aquamarine long cartridge and have been writing on a Leuchtturm1917 A5 softcover notebook (although a Rhodia Ice pad shown here), one of my favorites for fountain pen writing.

The cap can post during writing, but I've found it extends the pen too much and is uncomfortably top heavy.

From a price point, the Elite fountain pens with a steel nib can be found online ranging from $130-150 on average, but to add the 14k nib it jumps to more than twice that much and depends on whether the retailer you work with has the larger nibs available. The Kaweco 14k nibs, even for the smaller sizes, tend to be a little steep in price in comparison to others like Pelikan and Lamy (again, depending on the retailer), but we're talking a difference of $30-40 usually for a comparable replacement.

I don't consider the pen with a gold nib to be over or underpriced really when compared to pens like the Pelikan M405, just sans the piston filler.

For example, before shipping if you lived in the US to buy the Elite with the added 14k nib from Most Wanted Pens, the final price would be close to $300 at the moment.

Anyhow, enough about price analysis... Overall, I really enjoy the Elite and this one may not be heading back to Kaweco...

Special thanks again to Kaweco for sending the Elite my way on loan for review! What are your thoughts on the Elite?.     

Ystudio Brass Rollerball Pen: Review

A brand that seems to be making its way into some decent press lately (and with good reason) is Ystudio, a small Taiwanese company that began in 2012 with a vision to create products that were more than just "products", but unique artifacts that create purpose in their use.

Works of art made from raw materials like brass, copper, and wood, that promote a desire to be used and appreciated. Their series, "the weight of words", are a variety of writing instruments that may seem somewhat simple (yet quite unique) in design, but are beautifully and meticulously crafted.

The pen I'm reviewing today is my second experience with a Ystudio product and I'm thrilled to provide another more in-depth review as I really enjoyed the first.

I was sent the brass rollerball pen by Kohezi of Amsterdam, a lovely online store that has a curation of goods that fit a very modern and clean aesthetic. I could peruse their selection all day... Please take a moment to visit their shop, and special thanks to them for sending the pen for review.

The rollerball pen is part of "the weight of words" stationery series mentioned above and is made from solid brass, but with some copper accents neatly tucked away at the ends. Being raw brass, the pen is hefty at 1.5 oz, but since the cap doesn't post, the writing section is a comfortable 1.0 oz. 

Almost immediately upon using the pen it has begun to acquire an aging and patina that gives it a worn in look. The barrel and cap are a faceted hexagon shape with rounded, but distinct edges, and the weathering look blend nicely into a unique aesthetic. There are pens that are so simple, but are beautiful in their own way and I feel that Ystudio has created exactly the experience they intended.

Apparently this is version two of this particular rollerball, the first being a threaded cap/barrel, but to remove the cap you simply pull on a pressure fit system. It is snug, but not tight and easy to remove. It is difficult to see up inside the cap as to how this works exactly, but there is a slight ridge on the grip section that "catches" on some sort of o-ring or spring. There is one piece of plastic in the pen, up near the finial inside the cap, but I'm not sure what purpose it serves.

The refill that comes with the pen is a Schmidt Safety Ceramic rollerball which is a great writer and is easily available. It is held in place by a flush copper set-screw in the end of the barrel that can be removed with a coin, or potentially a fingernail if it isn't too snug.

Sometimes you can easily swap out this size of refill with a Pilot G2, Pentel Energel, or other similar gel pen, but upon trying the opening for the tip seems to be too small to allow for more options. But, I can confirm that the Schmidt Fineliner refill fits perfectly if you like a more expressive line.

I have to admit, a pen like this makes you want to use it which says a lot in my opinion. Not only for what it is doing while writing, but just the act of using it is enjoyable.  

The Ystudio rollerball pen runs around $100 which I feel is a fair value for the pen as it is unique and very well made. I've paid similar amounts for other brass pens like this and don't find the price outrageous.

Special thanks again to Kohezi for sending the rollerball my way to share. In addition to the rollerball version of the Ystudio pen, they also have a wide range of other pen/pencil types to fit other preferences.