The System: Clicky Post Exclusive Retro 51 Tornado (Announcement & Pre-Order) SOLD OUT

Oh wow, there are some things that are hard to keep under wraps!

This is something I've been wanting to do for awhile, but I'm so pleased to finally announce a collaboration with Retro 51 to create a Clicky Post exclusive called The System, a space themed version of their popular Tornado series rollerball pen.

There are times when I get what seems like a crazy idea in my head for a pen, and luckily it worked out that this one was to become a reality. One of my favorite brands, and one of the earliest "nice pens" I bought was a Retro 51, so I am so thrilled to have been able to work with them on this design. 

The Solar System is home to all of us and has played such an important role in human civilization. For millennia, our ancestors have looked to the stars and planets for guidance about who we are and where we fit within this crazy existence. I thought it only fitting that such an important and universal part of our lives be translated into something we can carry with us.

“The System” pen features a matte black barrel with a representation of the planets, each one with either their unique color or features, orbiting the sun on glow in the dark rings. 

Accenting the barrel are gloss black “dark matter” stripes for added texture and mystery...

To finish it off, the finial of the pen is adorned with an orange disc representing the sun which adds a nice pop of bright color over the pen's overall dark features.

And, we even saved a place for Pluto… #weloveyoupluto    

The System is an Open Numbered Edition from 1 - 300 and are now available for pre-order with estimated shipping in early May!

22 Design Studio Contour Concrete Ballpoint Pen

Even after all of these years of writing the blog, I still love pens. Crazy right? Although I do enjoy nearly all pens, there are times when one intrigues me just a bit more than most and I know I need to try it.

There is a brand I've seen on occasion, 22 Design Studio, that has a line of goods that are made from specially cast concrete which are absolutely stunning. Upon seeing them they take you a bit by surprise, like interesting architecture or a unique concept car; you recognize what it is (or "does") but its form seems like something that shouldn't really exist. It blurs the lines of art and function so well that you can't help but lean into it.

There are a lot of highly practical and conservative products on the market to serve the masses, but there are very few that take bold design risks and create products that may only serve a very few.

Kohezi Amsterdam is a retailer that specialized in curating products that fit the above and they were kind enough to send me this pen for review. If this pen intrigues you, please take the time to look through their store as they surely have other goods you've also never heard of in the same vein. 

The pen model in review is called the Contour, which is a series of writing tools by 22 Design Studio (or just "22") that comes in a fountain pen, rollerball, clutch pencil, mechanical pencil, and now this new ballpoint version.

The look of the pen is so interesting. In creating the design they opted to do a textured, stair step approach which, in my opinion, is what really makes the pen. There are a lot of round and even a good amount of faceted barreled pens, but not many quite like this. On each side of the pen are 11 steps roughly a millimeter in height... put those together and you end up with... 22. I can't presume this is a coincidence.

From a branding standpoint there is a thin type set "22" protruding slightly from the barrel as part of the casting process. Over time and years of use there is a good chance this may wear away as the pen shapes and molds (contours?) to you as the user. 

Being concrete you'd think the pen might be heavy, but the overall weight of the pen is just 1.2 oz which quite surprised me. I wouldn't consider the pen small as it comes in at a length of nearly 5.75" and is around 1/2" at its widest diameter. 

From a comfort standpoint, I will admit that the pen isn't cozy at all holding points. It actually took me a little bit of trial and error to find a grip that didn't include the steps pressing against my fingers. The barrel shape is more of an oval, if that makes sense, and has flatter sides that merge into the sharper step side. 

If you can think of a standard triangle grip, I found the most comfort with my middle finger and thumb on the flat sides, and my index finger at the apex of the ridges.

Aside from getting the grip right, the pen feels actually quite soft to the touch yet a bit cold. Very interesting.

I've noticed over the last few weeks of using the pen that it has started to take on a patina around the edges from the oils in my hands, similar to how a brass or copper pen would but not as smelly. I'm actually quite curious as to how it will continue to break in as I use it. Will it get smooth and worn or just get a sort of "film" which sounds less pleasant.

They do have a section on care which I'll quote:

"You are encouraged to avoid storing our products in humid or wet environments since water will penetrate pores of the concrete and weaken the structural integrity of our products. Thus, items created by 22 should not be brought into the shower or worn during water activities."

To the above, if the pen gets dirty there isn't really a good way to clean it. At least not with water which is good to note. 

To extend the Schmidt P 900 (international G2) refill, the pen has a substantial and satisfying click mechanism. Honestly, probably one of my favorites in a long time. Good tension and a really, really good audible "click" that you can feel go into place. You know you're a pen nerd when you think about a click mechanism in this much detail...

There is one thing that was sometimes difficult when clicking. We'll call it an annoyance, but not a quality control issue. The clip's placement has the top of it resting just slightly above the knock mechanism seating section which, as you press, can meet your thumb first before the click engages. So, when you click with your thumb it stops short which either means you press a bit harder and push into your flesh (not the most fun), or learn to move your thumb slightly so the clip doesn't touch it in the first place. Not a deal breaker, but something to point out. If the top of the clip was 2mm lower it would be a non issue.

Speaking of the clip, it is solid stainless steel and has a spring action. Embedded in the concrete barrel is also a tiny steel plate to prevent unnecessary wear as the clip opens and closes.

The hardware on the pen is also solid, brushed stainless steel which looks fantastic agains the more matte concrete barrel.

I've shown the pen to quite a few people and most have asked me: "what if you drop it?" 

Well, my plan is not to drop it as I don't believe it is designed to be indestructible. On the contrary, I would actually treat this pen a bit more like one from acrylic as I'm sure the concrete could shatter. I won't be verifying this, so you'll just have to assume that it is best not to be too rough with it...

I can say without reservation that this is a wonderfully made product. The internals are also made of brass and nothing (NOTHING) feels amiss from a quality standpoint.

The price point on the pen isn't cheap at $90 - 100 depending on the exchange, but for what you receive I wouldn't blink in saying it was worth the price. There are fancy resin ballpoint pens at 2 to 3 times the price, but without nearly as much character (or quality...). To me this is a very special and interesting product on the market and I'm extremely glad it exists.

Is this the right choice if you are looking for a purely practical pen? Probably not, but if the form and design of this pen resonates I'd strongly consider it.

Thanks again to Kohezi for sending the pen for review! 

Fisher Space Pen - 70th Anniversary Edition Bullet Pen

One thing I do love is a pen with a good story. And, I think Fisher Space Pens have a story worth telling, and are one of the iconic pens of the 20th century.

In a world of super smooth gel and rollerball pens, at first use many people might find the writing experience of the Fisher refill to be, well, just a ballpoint, but there is certainly more to it than that.

2018 celebrates the 70th anniversary of when in 1948 Paul Fisher first created the initial prototypes and samples of what would become the classic "bullet" style many of us know and love. Although, it wasn't until the mid-60's when he developed the pressurized refill for which Fisher is known for, to be used in the Anti-Gravity #7 (AG7) pen first flown on Apollo 7 to replace the use of pencils due to the conductivity and flammability of the graphite. While I do love the bullet pens, one of my first "nice" pens was the AG7 which I still hold as one of my all time favorites.

To show appreciation and celebration for this major milestone of 70 years, the Fisher company has produced a special edition, two-tone bullet pen and they were kind enough to send me one for review. Special thanks to them!

Bullet vs AG7

Your average bullet pens are usually a favorite as an EDC (every day carry) due to their compact size, all metal construction, relatively low cost (around $20), and versatile refill that can work in literally almost any condition. Lets just say, their matte black version is designed to get used and maybe even a little abused...

Although, this 70th anniversary edition pen is definitely one that I wouldn't find myself abusing... They've taken great care in trying to class this one up for the occasion. But, that doesn't mean that others might be more bold than me!

The standard bullet pens generally come in either a plastic clamshell or a blister pack (I've seen these at office supply stores like Staples), but the 70th arrived in a classy matte black box with the Fisher logo silver foil stamped on the cover. Inside the box was a velvet blue clamshell case with the pen nestled inside. There is also a gold Fisher logo printed in the roof of the inside.

The color scheme they chose for the pen is a chrome and titanium plated two-tone which is shiny, but not overly flashy. They make their standard bullet in probably a dozen of colors (many of them very bright), but I don't recall seeing a two-tone very often. I like the decision to keep it more on the conservative side.

The cap makes up the titanium plated portion which is best described as a mirror finish slate grey color. The remainder of the pen is in the well known, classic chrome finish which, to me, is probably my personal favorite of the space pen finishes.

Being an all chrome-like finish it is a bit prone to fingerprints (likely noticeable in the pictures), but it sure looks great.

On the chrome finish versions of the pens they generally always have their somewhat unique "spiral ring" pattern groove that is cut into the barrel slightly at the grip section to add some texture for writing. Definitely toothy, but not uncomfortable. 

As a finishing touch to this edition they've etched a special "70" sun burst onto the cap. It is dramatic, bold, and I think adds a nice accent to the piece. Due to the pen being all brass, the etching is actually exposing the metal underneath which does give it a bit of a gold/brassy color.

From a price point, the 70th special edition is actually extremely reasonable at $37 and would be a great addition to a collection (or, your first!).

Special thanks again to Fisher Space Pen for sending it for review.