Thank you to LSF and Diplomat in Canada for providing these pens (and inks) for me to share with you.
If you enjoy and/or appreciate and you want to lend your continued support, please do check me out on Patreon. You can pledge your support and/or undying love for as little as $1. You are in no way obligated to do so. I appreciate your readership, viewership, and your support so much - thank you!
Thank you to The Good Blue Co. for sending this set over so I could share it with you! I think it's pretty great! There is a lot of interesting information about the company and the pens on the website, but I thought you'd just want to see the pen in action more than anything else, so that is what I focused on. Please do check them out here!
If you enjoy and/or appreciate and you want to lend your continued support, please do check me out on Patreon. You can pledge your support and/or undying love for as little as $1. You are in no way obligated to do so. I appreciate your readership, viewership, and your support so much - thank you!
Thank you to Luxury Brands for providing this pen for a review. I actually picked it up in person at the Baltimore Pen Show of 2020 (pre-but-dangerously-close-to-Covid). I think it's a great pen for everyone but it's especially great for beginners, gifting to friends, and for keeping inked forever because it's so handy.
Thank you to Franklin-Christoph for sending the steel extra-fine flex nib for me to check out and share with you. It's a fun nib, especially for $25USD. Worth it to add to your collection to give you some more writing options. I really enjoy flexing it to create swirls and flourishes, and it easily works with no pressure to be a "regular" writer. Get yours here!
Thank you to Cult Pens for sending this pen for a review! You can check them out on Cult Pens. Make sure to follow me on Instagram for the giveaway of the Spearmint green fountain pen!
Thank you to Milligram for sending this cutie for a review! This is an affordable starter pen and great for collectors, too! Easily an everyday writer, knockabout pen, great for gifts, pretty robust, and quite versatile!
I am no stranger to the Kaweco Sport. I have owned and used multiple Sport/ICE models, as well as the metal ones but I really like this color!
ABOUT
Body material: Plastic
Trim: Metal clip optional
Nib material: Steel
Filling: Standard international cartridge / Kaweco squeeze converter / eyedropper-compatible
Cap: Screw on
Posts: Yes, friction
Measurements
Length (capped): 106.25 mm/4.18"
Length (uncapped): 100.44 mm/3.95"
Length (posted): 133.03 mm/5.23"
Length (section): 20.38 mm/0.80"
Diameter (barrel): 10.92 mm/0.43"
Diameter (section): 9.47 - 10.33 mm/0.37" - 0.40"
Weight (all): 12 g
Weight (cap): 5 g
Weight (body): 7 g
Price: $36.92 USD
Where to buy: Milligram Store
PACKAGING
The Milligram x Kaweco Skyline Sage is packaged in a small black cardboard box. The top is branded with the Kaweco logo in glossy black print as well as, "Milligram in Collaboration with" (Kaweco). The bed of the box slides out from the side. The pen is nestled in a simple black cardboard bed. There is one standard international cartridge in the pen. The pen is not accompanied by anything else. I like this simple packaging. It is recyclable and not excessive - neither in terms of size or weight.
APPEARANCE The Kaweco Skyline model is not a new one. This is essentially a Sport but this particular color is exclusive to Milligram. The pen is a pocket pen - it has slightly rounded ends, a round body/barrel, and an octagonal cap. The finial has a metal Kaweco emblem stamped in place. The cap is engraved with and is silver-color filled with "Kaweco Sport" on one side and the Milligram logo on the other side, which I happen to think is really cute. The clip is a slide-on, silver-colored clip. Cute and simple.
The section is small but then so is the pen! It is a smooth, round section with a slightly pinched shape. The back end of the pen says "Made in Germany". The Skyline is a small, pocketable pen that is comfortable to use as a full-size pen when the cap is posted: "Small in the pocket, large in the hand". The entire pen is a beautiful earthy sage color. Kaweco Skylines are not my absolute favorite pens out there because I am not wild about pocket pens in general, but I do love that they are pretty robust and hardy, and they come in different and fun colors.
The pen is pretty well made. Fun fact: I have personally assembled my own Kaweco Sport at the Insights-X Stationery Trade Show in Germany! Assembly is easy but details like aligning the emblem with the logo on the cap are too time-consuming to truly pay attention to so that is something you might notice on your own. The plastic seams are visible on the pen. Overall, for the price, it's just fine. The Skyline is super cute and I love the Milligram logo on here.
NIB & PERFORMANCE The steel nib is a #5, manufactured by Bock. This one is an extra-fine. It has a single slit, a round breather hole, and it is engraved with the Kaweco logo, EF, and some flourishes. As I always do with a new pen, I flushed the section with dilute dish soap and then with water. The nib performs very well. It isn't quite extra-fine but that is not unusual for German nibs. It is well-adjusted and well-tuned. It's slightly on the dry side but that means drying times are really fast, and it makes it a superb option for organizers and daily writing, especially if you're using paper that is not all that fountain pen friendly. It is a firm nib that does not tolerate pressure well. It is not meant to be a soft writer, though. I found the nib prone to hard starts and skipping if left uncapped - it dries out quickly.
I do not like to use cartridges and the Kaweco squeeze converter is useless, so I keep this eyedroppered. Aside from not being able to see the ink level, it works best for me.
IN HAND The optional slide-on clip suits the pen and is easy to use. It is springy and easy to operate one-handed. It also slides on and off papers, pockets, and pouches easily. The pen is so light that the clip is easy and convenient to work with. The octagonal cap shape means the pen does not roll, even without a clip, but I like the option. I do not care for the fact that the clip scratches the plastic if you put it on and take it off. It's not a huge deal but it is unfortunate if you like your pens pristine. At some point, this material will pick up micro scratches, so it's going to happen anyway.
The section is comfortable enough. It does not feel sharp or slippery.
The pen is not meant to be used unposted as it is quite small, but it can be done for jotting a few things down. The cap posts snugly and securely by friction and it feels good in hand that way. The Kaweco Skyline models are very comfortable - I love the feeling of the plastic as it warms in my hand. I like to use mine posted because it's just the right width, length, weight, and balance this way. I love how deeply and snugly the cap posts. It's very secure and feels safe.
PROS & CONS
OVERALL Definitely on the pricey side if you're buying in Australia, and not an inexpensive option even if you're not, but it's cute. Relatively affordable, very reliable and robust, collection-worthy because of the colors. Portable, easy to use. It has a lot of good things going for it. Would I buy it for nearly $40? Only if I were a collector. I received this item/these items free of charge for the purposes of this review. I was not compensated monetarily for my review. Everything you've read here is my own opinion.
Thank you to The Pen Company for sending the Sailor Reglus for a review!
ABOUT
Body material: PMMA resin
Trim: Metal
Cap: Snap-on
Posts: Yes, friction
Nib material: Steel, rhodium-plated
Filling: Sailor proprietary cartridge/converter
Length (capped): 138.63 mm/5.45"
Length (uncapped): 122.39 mm/4.81"
Length (posted): 147.90 mm/5.82"
Length (section): 27.41 mm/1.07"
Diameter (barrel): 9.15 - 10.96 mm/0.36" - 0.43"
Diameter (section): 8.88 mm - 10.22 mm/0.35" - 0.40"
Weight (all): 22 g
Weight (cap): 9 g
Weight (body): 13 g
Price: $100.09 USD
Where to buy: The Pen Company
PACKAGING
The Sailor Reglus is presented in a simple, light, blue cardboard box. The top has a little Sailor logo printed in gold. The box is otherwise unmarked. Oddly enough, I like its simplicity more than the boxes for Sailor's other models like the 1911 and Pro Gear. The pen was sealed in a plastic sleeve, held in place on a removable grey felt bed by a satin ribbon. Underneath the bed, you will find a Sailor Writing Instrument Guide and a Sailor converter.
APPEARANCE
The Sailor Reglus is a full-size pen - on the slimmer side but length-wise, it looks full size. It's quite attractive! It has a round cap and body and the barrel is slimmer than the cap. Both ends of the pen are flat. The finial is a chrome top with the Sailor anchor logo in it. The clip is attached through a very, very snug and clean cut out in the cap. The clip is chrome and is shaped like a long fin or propeller. It has no markings on it. It is not an ugly clip but I prefer the one on the 1911/Pro Gear models. This one does not feel like a Sailor to me.
There is a metal cap band with ridges and another metal band on the barrel. It's engraved with 'Sailor Since 1911'. There is also a metal band near the end of the barrel. The section is smooth and round, tapering slightly towards the nib. The end is a flared metal ridge. The cap, barrel, and section are a very beautiful resin that looks like a slightly metallic bordeaux.
Overall, it's a quite pretty pen. I do prefer the design and appearance of the 1911 and Pro Gear models over this one, but the price on this one is lower so I can see how it would be more appealing.
NIB & PERFORMANCE
This Reglus has a fine steel nib that is rhodium-plated, making it extra shiny and pretty. It has a single slit, a round breather hole, and is engraved with the Sailor logo as well as the anchor, 'Japan' and F for the nib size. I think it's a super cute nib design! The writing experience was quite pleasant, and a little different to the 1911/Pro Gear nibs I am used to. It is definitely on the dry side in terms of ink flow but not at all skippy and there were no hard starts. Drying times are fast so it's a great daily writer and because the fine is so, well, fine, I think it would be great for planners as well. It offers a little bit of feedback but does not feel scratchy or misaligned.
It is a firm nib for the most part but a tiny bit of line variation is possible if you apply some pressure. I think it's best not to, in this case. To maintain those clean, precise lines, use a light hand.
The cartridge/converter system is great - simple and easy to use. A lot of people dislike Sailor's converters because of their small ink capacity but in a fine nib like this, it'll last awhile. I don't mind it myself.
IN HAND
The clip is springy and easy to operate one-handed. The clip also slides on and off papers, pockets, and pouches easily. The section is a bit on the slim side but I did not find it uncomfortable or slippery.
Unposted, the pen feels light but balanced for longer writing sessions. I can imagine those with larger hands would prefer to use this posted. The cap does post snugly and securely by friction and because the pen isn't all that heavy to begin with, I did not find it uncomfortable when posted - not too heavy. I love the satisfying, secure snap cap as well! It's fidgety and addictive to play with.
Top to bottom: Opus 88 Koloro Blue/Blue, Sailor 1911 Large, Lamy Safari, Sailor Reglus.
PROS & CONS
OVERALL
The Reglus is attractive and I am a big fan of Sailor pens. It is a pretty pleasant writer - well tuned, well adjusted, and it is great for clean, precise lines. Great daily writer. You can find pens that are cartridge/converter with steel nibs for the same price or less, but I am a fan of Sailor pens in general so I think it's worth a look. The more options, the merrier! I keep this paired up with Sailor's Kiwa-Guro Nano Pigmented black and they make a stellar pair.
I received this item/these items free of charge for the purposes of this review. I was not compensated monetarily for my review. Everything you've read here is my own opinion.
This is a review and a suggestive post! I mean, it's not suggestive in a weird way, it's just suggesting a certain pen if you are looking for a certain something.
A lot of people ask me what is the best beginner flex pen. My beginner flex pen was a Waterman 52V with a fine to triple broad, wet noodle nib. Maybe that wasn't the smartest idea, but many years later, I can recommend this pen: the Fountain Pen Revolution Guru. I've used several FPR flex nib pens and all have been pretty successful, but this one is my favorite. More on that in the review.
ABOUT
Body material: Vegetal resin
Trim: Metal
Filling system: Piston-filler
Nib material: Steel
Nibs available on Guru model: EF, F, M, B, Stub, Flex
Ink capacity: 1.2 ml +
Cap: Screw on
Posts: Yes, friction
Length (capped): 133.7 mm/5.26″
Length (uncapped): 115.8 mm/4.56″
Length (posted): 149.5 mm/5.88″
Diameter (barrel): 11.7 mm/0.46″
Diameter (section): 9.5 mm/0.37″
Weight (all): 12 g
Weight (cap): 4 g
None, just bubble wrapped with an elastic around it. My favorite kind. Simple, nothing to keep.
APPEARANCE
I have two colors of the FPR Guru - one clear and one solid navy blue. These are small pens, both in length and width. They are round, tapering to each end. The piston-turning knob is a rounded off point. The finial is a pointed cone - clear on the clear pen and blue on the blue pen. The metal clips are attached externally by a ring just under the threaded finial. Both pens have misaligned, poorly threaded finials, so the clips are quite wobbly and are also misaligned. The clips are simple and unmarked, with a ball at the end, sitting against the cap.
The end of the cap has two thin metal rings spaced evenly apart. The blue pen is a solid, dark blue and the clear pen is all clear. The sections are a decent size, especially considering the pens are not all that large to begin with. They are one piece with the barrels, and are quite thin. They taper towards the nibs and end in a ridge.
These are very simple pens - not the most beautiful, not the most well put together, but they look ok.
NIB & PERFORMANCE
These pens have # 5.5 nibs with 5.1 mm "guru" ebonite feeds. They are both single tone steel nibs - one in fine (clear), one in flex (blue). The fine nib has a single slit and a round breather hole, and is engraved with FPR and some flourishes. The flex nib has a single slit that runs up most of the nib, and there is no breather hole. It is engraved with FPR and 'flex' and some flourishes. Both nibs are on the small side but suit the pen.
Both pens were flushed thoroughly to remove any residual oils in the feed or on the nib as this can affect ink flow. I flush first with some dilute dish soap (i.e. Dawn), and then with clean water until there are no suds coming out. Neither feed needed heat setting upon arrival, but if you find there is a gap, you can heat set quickly and easily. So far, I have not had to heat set any of my FPR pens.
The fine nib really surprised me. Not only was the nib not scratchy, it was actually quite smooth and really nice. It put down a nice fine line that was fairly generous with ink flow. Drying times are average. The nib and feed perform quite well during normal and fast writing sessions. With pressure, the nib actually produces a surprising amount of line variation, and the feed does not dry out quickly. With or without pressure, the nib does not skip or hard start.
The actual flex nib was even more awesome. Not only was it smooth it did not hard start or skip with normal writing. Drying times were longer, with or without pressure, because the ink flow was increased compared to the fine nib. I love this one. Moderate pressure achieved serious line variation and the nib was quite responsive and snapped back quickly. With constant pressure, the nib and feed did run dry and railroad, but it picked up quickly with just a tap or two on the page.
The flex nib is quite forgiving and as it is affordable, it's a great nib to practice your flex hand on, especially if you don't want to go the dip nib route. Flex on the down strokes, and apply no pressure on the upstrokes. If it runs dry, make sure the nib and feed are heat set correctly.
I found both nibs very enjoyable, especially the flex nib. For just a few dollars, you can have a lot of fun!
IN HAND
The section is fairly slim but I do not find it slippery in use. The cap threads are noticeable, but they are not too sharp such that it was uncomfortable to hold them. Although it is slim, it's a comfortable pen for me, and it is quite light. The ridge from the section to the barrel is quite sharp and very visible - again, not the most meticulous finishing. Those with large hands may find these pens too small for longer writing sessions.
Unposted, the pens are very light in the hand. I find them too light to be able to control them properly when they are unposted. The cap can be posted by friction, and it is quite snug and secure. When it is posted, it is much more comfortable to write with - longer, better balance, and a little heavier.
The clip is snug and springy - easy to operate one handed, but it looks a bit wonky. I don't really use it.
PROS & CONS
FINE NIB
FLEX NIB
OVERALL
For the price, these are pretty decent pens - whether you want to just try out a fountain pen, try out a variety of nibs, get a fountain pen and not spend too much, try out a flex pen, whatever it may be - these are piston-fillers at a great price with a solid nib selection. The finishing leaves something to be desired but I am mostly interested in the flex nib on this model and can overlook the little details for the couple dollars it costs.
It isn't the most amazing pen in hand, and the fine nib doesn't hold a place in my daily carry, but the flex nib sure does. I use that one for all sorts of fun lettering, scribbles, doodles, and general flexy goodness. You can expect the barrels to stain a bit, especially if you get the clear, and a funny smell from the material, but it's worth the fun.
Give the flex nib a go. It's a great place to start!
I received this item free of charge for the purposes of this review. I was not compensated monetarily for my review. Everything you've read here is my own opinion.
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