Laban Forest Fountain Pen Review

Thank you to Laban for sending this pen for a review! This is the newest color in their most recently released model. This follows the Ocean, and if you like nature, the Forest and Ocean make a stellar pair.

ABOUT

Body Material: Acrylic
Trim: Gold-colored metal
Length (capped): 150.0 mm/5.91"
Length (uncapped nib-end): 131.3 mm/5.17"
Length (posted): 172.3 mm/6.78"
Length (section):
Section Diameter: 10.0 - 12.1 mm/0.40" - 0.48"
Barrel Diameter: 10.1 - 13.7 mm/0.42" - 0.54"
Nib material: Steel
Weight (all): 36.0 g
Weight (cap): 22.5  g
Weight (body): 13.5 g
Fill type: Standard international cartridge/converter
Price: $111.95 USD
Where to buy: Goldspot

PACKAGING

The Forest is presented in a black box with a Laban-branded black sleeve. The clamshell box inside is matte black with a soft-touch finish and is branded with "Laban" printed on the top. The inside is black felt with the Laban logo on the inner lid, the pen on a felt bed with a plastic tag, and a converter inside the barrel of the pen. It is attractive but does not seem excessive. I did not find it interesting enough to want to keep it.

My kit came with a pin and stickers!!! MEGA EXCITE.

APPEARANCE

The Laban Forest is a full-size pen that appears long and slender to my eye. The cap is thicker than the barrel with a rounded top and the barrel is slightly thinner with a rounded point. This is a pretty pen but it is busy to my eye, which I don't care for so much. The finial at the top of the cap is the Laban logo in gold and I think it looks really good against the antique ivory resin. There are two thin gold rings at the top of the cap, a wide, raised center band near the end of the cap, two more gold rings on the end of the section, and a single ring at the back of the green acrylic. The clip is attached through a snug cut out in the cap, just below the two thin bands. It sticks out quite a bit and it has a blocky shape with no markings on it. There's just a lot of trim and I find it a little disruptive to the flow of the pen.

The section is smooth and round, tapering slightly towards the nib before ending in a smooth ridge. The cap, section, and end of the barrel are antique ivory resin and the large portion of the barrel is composed of this flecked forest green acrylic. This finish was inspired by lush forests with sunlight filtering through the tree canopies. As such, the green material is flecked and glows in a few spots, and the entire pen is complemented by the warm gold trim and antique ivory resin.

NIB & PERFORMANCE

I reviewed the Laban Kaiser not too long ago and it is clear the nib has changed. This gold colored #6 nib has a single slit, a round breather hole, and is decorated with some flourishes. It is engraved with the nib size (medium) and is laser engraved with 3952, Germany, and Laban. It is a JoWo nib so I expect it to perform well.

The nib is smooth, wet, and performs really well. It is well adjusted and well tuned for my preferences, writing without any skips or hard starts, keeping up with fast writing, and overall just offering a pleasant writing experience. Drying times are slightly longer than the average medium simply because it is a wet medium. You could easily adjust this to suit your needs. In my experience, Laban nibs always perform well so their consistency is solid and I'm always comfortable recommending them to friends or new users because I expect they will maintain this performance across the board. I like the writing experience here quite a bit and I would have loved a broad nib even more, so if you're looking for a smooth, wet steel nib, this is worth considering.

The converter included with the pen fits the section snugly and safely and performs well.

IN HAND

The clip is very snug and needs to be lifted to place it on papers, pockets, and pouches. I don't care for the design of the clip or how far it sits from the pen, but it does work should you need it. The section is fairly comfortable and I did not find it slippery, but the threads and ridge at the back are a little noticeable if you have a larger grip that sits off the section. Since the section is lighter, it would be best to ink through the converter or wipe the section immediately with a wet paper towel once you have inked. this will reduce the chances of staining. I fully expect there will be some staining eventually, especially as I expand the colors of ink I try out in this pen. Currently, I am sticking to lighter colors.

Unposted, I find the pen quite comfortable - it does not feel too heavy but it is slightly front heavy so the center of balance is a little towards the nib. It does make the pen a little difficult to control as there is so much more weight near the tip. If you must post your cap, you can do so by friction but it makes the pen extra long and unbalanced, and it looks funny and out of proportion. I use the pen unposted.

For those with larger hands, I think the length and weight will suit you but it is slightly slender. Those with average sized hands shouldn't have much issue with it unless you absolutely must post your cap, in which case I'd suggest looking at a different pen.

Laban Forest, Sailor 1911 Large.

PROS & CONS

OVERALL

Although I have some complaints about the pen - the weight towards the nib, the amount of trim - I think the price makes the pen a great value. The writing experience is positive and reliable and quite enjoyable, the pen itself is quite pretty (all the trim included), and the green acrylic adds a nice pop of color. My experience with Laban over the years has been very positive and I'm glad to see nothing has changed as they introduce new models.



I received this item free of charge for the purposes of this review. Everything you've read here is my own opinion. This is a sponsored review - that is, I was paid for my time and effort, but not to give a positive review.

Unboxing the Laban Forest Fountain Pen

Thank you to Laban for sending this pen for a review!

I received this item free of charge for the purposes of this review. Everything you've read here is my own opinion. This is a sponsored review - that is, I was paid for my time and effort, but not to give a positive review.

Franklin-Christoph Model 03 Antique Glass EF Flex Nib Fountain Pen @1901FC

Thank you to Franklin-Christoph for sending this EF flex nib for a review!

ABOUT

Body material: Acrylic
Trim: None
Nib material: 14kt gold
Filling System: Standard international cartridge/converter, eyedropper-capable
Cap: Screw on
Posts: Yes, friction
Length (capped): 135.91 mm/5/35"
Length (uncapped): 126.63 mm/4.98"
Length (posted): 178.29 mm/7.01"
Length (section): 26.94 mm/1.06"
Diameter (barrel): 12.21 - 13.87 mm/0.48" - 0.54"
Diameter (section): 9.73 - 12.14 mm/0.38" - 0.47"
Weight (all): 20 g
Weight (cap): 6 g
Weight (body): 14 g
Price: $265.00 USD
Where to buy: Franklin-Christoph

PACKAGING

I really like Franklin-Christoph's packaging. I hate having a bunch of pen boxes, even the gorgeous, really interesting ones. I just don't have space or interest in keeping them. This pen came in a black leather, zippered pouch with a soft suede-like interior. The pouch and pen were delivered in a simple, light, recyclable white cardboard sleeve. Not only is it less wasteful than a larger clamshell box, it also weighs less (for shipping). The zippered pouch is something that can be used as a pen (or pencil) pouch, or it can be used to lend a friend a pen... it has more than one use! Also included: a warranty card.

APPEARANCE

I am completely in love with the Antique Glass finish. I love clear pens and this slightly green material reminds me of sea glass and beaches. Where I should be, instead of here. The Model 03 has a round shape, widest at the top of the cap and tapering slightly towards the end of the pen. Both ends are slightly rounded off. The finial of the pen is a small chunk of solid clear, polished material and the Franklin-Christoph logo engraved in it. There is no clip on this pen and I think it looks great clipless. The model name of the pen is engraved in the cap: Franklin-Christoph 03. The section is smooth and round, with an hourglass shape and block threads at the front.

The pen's design is not very fancy or complicated but I think that highlights the beauty of the shape and material. It's just gorgeous in Antique Glass. It is not polished smooth on the inside of the barrel but it's smooth enough to easily see through it and enjoy your ink. I love this model so much. It rocks.

The Antique Glass is exquisite when brand new but if you eyedropper the pen, the material can pick up stains. Not unusual for a clear pen but something to be aware of if you like your pens to be in pristine condition forever.

NIB & PERFORMANCE

The nib has a single slit, a round breather hole, it is laser engraved with the Franklin-Christoph logo, and it's engraved with 14K-585 EF. There are two flat oval cut-outs in the shoulders of the nib. The "flex" nib designation suggests the nib will have tines that spread with pressure and while that does happen, it's more that the nib offers line variation more easily than non-flex nibs. If those other nibs are steel or firm gold nibs, then absolutely - you can achieve line variation. I would say the flex here is more about bounce than true tine spread.

Without pressure, the nib is quite smooth, especially for an extra-fine, and it writes on the wet side. Drying times are pretty fast (10 - 15 seconds). Mild to moderate pressure produces a medium line, quite wet and juicy, and this results in longer drying times. I would not push the nib beyond this. A lighter hand is better for this EF as you do not want to a) lift the nib off the feed with too much pressure or b) spread the tines too much such that they cannot snap back to EF. You could end up with a fine or medium!

I can feel the nib yield slightly when I write normally and I can feel it bounce if I apply a little pressure. It is fun, bouncy, and I enjoy the line variation - it is not extreme but it's fun for regular use. Be gentle with it and keep your angle low to the page to optimize ink flow and reduce lifting from the feed. 

The cartridge/converter system (both included) is perfectly fine but for me, half the fun of these pens is setting them up as eyedroppers! A dab of silicone grease on the threads and you're good to go. Easy to use, clean, maintain, and maximum ink viewing pleasure. Watch out for those super-saturated inks, though.

IN HAND

Although there is no clip and the pen is round, this one does not roll and roll. I like it clipless.

The section has the cap threads at the front so they are likely to be comfortable for most users. I find them smooth and clean. The section is smooth and round and there's only a small ridge up to the barrel. It's a slightly sharp ridge but not terribly annoying. The section works for me on this model.

Top to bottom: Franklin-Christoph Model 66 Stabilis, Franklin-Christoph Model 03, Franklin-Christoph Pocket 66, Franklin-Christoph Model 31, Franklin-Christoph Model 20, Lamy Safari.

Unposted, the pen is very comfortable. It isn't very heavy but it feels well-balanced. I prefer to use it unposted. The cap can be posted by friction - it does not sit very deeply so I find the pen too long and unbalanced when posted.

PROS & CONS

OVERALL

YES. I love this model so much, especially clipless. I love how the 03 shape looks in Antique Glass and I love how it feels in hand. The EF flex nib is a lot of fun and, of course, it is interchangeable with other #6 JoWo nibs. It's not inexpensive but you get a lot of useful items and a gorgeous pen for it. Only you can decide if it's worth it but I think it's an excellent purchase, even without the flex nib. Lifetime warranty, too. Treat yo' self. 

I received this nib free of charge so I could review it here for you. I was not compensated monetarily for my review. Everything you've read here is my own opinion. No affiliate links.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Review: Franklin-Christoph Model 66 Fountain Pen Needlepoint Nib @1901FC

At the DC Pen Show in 2017, I was fortunate enough to bring home a Franklin-Christoph Model 66 Stabilis in the new Garnet color, complete with a gold Masuyama Needlepoint nib. WOW. What a combo! I'm excited to share this with you because I don't have many fine nibs (or extra, extra fine nibs), and there are few super fine nibs that I really enjoy. This is one of them.

ABOUT

Body material: Acrylic
Trim: None
Nib material: 14kt gold
Filling System: Standard international cartridge/converter, eyedropper-capable
Cap: Threaded
Posts: Yes, friction
Length (capped): 160.2 mm/6.30″
Length (uncapped): 152.9 mm/6.02″
Length (posted): 175.0 mm/6.90″
Diameter (barrel): 8.3 – 14.2 mm/0.33″ – 0.56″
Diameter (section): 10.0 – 12.2 mm/0.39″ – 0.48″
Weight (all): 24 g
Weight (cap): 4 g
Weight (body): 20 g
Price: $279.50 USD (with Masuyama Needlepoint grind)
Where to buy: Franklin-Christoph

PACKAGING

I really like Franklin-Christoph's packaging. I hate having a bunch of pen boxes, even the gorgeous, really interesting ones. I just don't have space or interest in keeping them. This Model 66 Stabilis came in a black leather, zippered pouch with a soft suede-like interior. The pouch and pen were delivered in a simple, light, recyclable white cardboard sleeve. Not only is it less wasteful than a larger clamshell box, it also weighs less (for shipping). The zippered pouch is something that can be used as a pen (or pencil) pouch, or it can be used to lend a friend a pen... it has more than one use! Also included: a warranty card and a stamped nib-modification card.

APPEARANCE

The Model 66 has been around for awhile now at Franklin-Christoph. This 66 Stabilis is a desk pen; it is long with a round cap and barrel that tapers to a rounded-off end, and a blunt top. The finial is engraved with the FC "F" logo, with four diamonds. This is a clipless model, so the cap is smooth. The barrel is round except for one flat facet, which is engraved with Franklin-Christoph Model 66. The section is smooth and round, with an hourglass shape and block threads at the front. The section is a little on the small side, compared to the rest of the pen.

The Garnet is a gorgeous pearlescent, flecked deep red. It looks like a fabulous desk pen with its long, tapered shape. The pen is polished so it is shiny and bright. I think it's a beautiful color.

NIB & PERFORMANCE

This nib is a 14kt gold nib, ground to a Needlepoint by Mike Masuyama. It starts as an extra-fine (if not XXF). Here's what Franklin-Christoph says about it:

Needlepoint nibs are carefully ground to a smaller tip. Needlepoints are commonly used in printing and numbering with small clean lines. We recommend these nibs for this kind of specialty writing/drawing. Our needlepoints are ground to approx .25mm. Try our extra-fine for a more ideal nib for use in script writing which has a .35mm - .4mm . 

The nib has a single slit, a round breather hole, it is laser engraved with the Franklin-Christoph logo, and it's engraved with 14K-585 EF. I was able to sit down with Scott at the DC pen show and he smoothed this nib slightly to my taste. Let's not forget this is a needlepoint so it can only get so smooth. The nib is medium wet but a wet Needlepoint, if that makes sense. It's on the wet side for such a fine writer. I would expect a dry writer to keep the line fine enough but the ink flow feels ideal for comfort and line crispness. Drying times are fast so I can definitely see how many enjoy this nib for journals, planners, fast note taking, and drawing.

The nib is as smooth as a Needlepoint can be. I actually find it surprisingly enjoyable to use. The pen writes with no pressure so the nib does not feel particularly soft. With a tiny bit of pressure, you can achieve some line variation but I would not recommend this as you may spread the tines - even a slight amount of spreading will change the Needlepoint.

The nib puts down clean, precise lines and makes for a great daily writer. It makes my handwriting look fairly hideous so I need more practice.

The section has quite a few threads, so give it a bit of silicone grease and it holds up well as an eyedropper. I have not eyedroppered this particular pen but I have eyedroppered my Model 66 Stabilis Antique Glass without issue. I have not done this one because the nib is so fine that an eyedropper filled version of this pen would take forever to empty.

IN HAND

This model does not have a clip. It would be too large to fit into a pocket even if it did. The sections on FC pens are quite comfortable for me. The block threads at the front are not sharp, and the indented shape keeps my grip in place. I do not find this section slippery at all, even during long writing sessions. The ridge from the section to the barrel is a little sharp.

Top to bottom: Edison Menlo Drawfiller, Franklin-Christoph Model 66 Stabilis, Franklin-Christoph Pocket 45, Ryan Krusac Legend L14, Lamy Safari.

Unposted, I find the pen incredible comfortable. It is long but tapers so it doesn't feel blocky, it's not too thick, not too heavy, and it's well balanced. I love it! I barely have to grip the section, and it requires almost no pressure to write (though it depends on what nib you are using). Depending on the orientation, I can feel the flat side of the barrel in my hand, but it's not sharp.

The cap can be posted by friction. It is a small cap, so it doesn't add much length or weight to the back of the pen. It isn't super secure unless you give it a small twist - then it's snug and won't fall off. I don't find it top heavy, just a tad long. I prefer to use the pen unposted and hold the cap as I usually do with unposted pens.

PROS & CONS

OVERALL

I'm not well versed in Needlepoint nibs. I don't have many very fine writers so this is a new exploration. I can say I was not horrified at all, and in fact, I was rather surprised by how smooth and pleasant the nib was to use. It's reliable, consistent, and it's a great nib option on a gorgeous pen. The model is comfortable, well-designed, and the finish is beautiful.

The price may seem high and obviously, it's not an inexpensive pen. This is a gold nib, perfected by a true nib master, and Franklin-Christoph is a solid company to support and purchase from. Great customer service, great pens.





I received this item free of charge so I could review it here for you. I was not compensated monetarily for my review. Everything you've read here is my own opinion. No affiliate links.