I know, I know! It's a bit late to do a 'quick look' review when the 'new' copper version of the ever-so popular Baron Fig Squire has already been around for more than three months... In fact I'm so terribly late that -in the meantime- Baron Fig already introduced another iteration of their pen: the Squire Brass (same as the special edition lock & Key, but now part of the standard production line). Better late than never though, right?
The Squire may have lost some of its popularity since the original launch back in 2016 (review HERE), and there's some fierce competition from other small makers and brands (Such as Karas Pen Co., Tactile Turn, or even the brand new Mark One by Studio Neat). But in my opinion it still holds strong today. That's in part because Baron Fig managed to keep their lineup of Squire pens fresh by constantly releasing new limited edition colorways and various material options in their so-called Precious Metals collection.
Another reason why I still consider the Squire is its fantastic design. The minimal teardrop-shaped Squire is still one of the sexiest pen designs I've come across. Let's face it, Baron Fig knows how to make a clever-looking and sleek product. It's a clean and uninterrupted, clipless shape, which is of course minimal but not always practical... The shape and size of the Squire lend itself perfectly to being pocket carried, which sometimes makes me wish it has a clip. If you want, Baron Fig sells neat leather pen sleeves, which offer some protection and a place to store your pen without having it roll all over the place.
Personally, this solid copper version of the Squire is probably my favorite so far... But then again, I AM quite partial to copper pens. Part of the appeal for me is definitely in the patina it creates. I just love to watch a pristine, shiny pink-colored copper pen create its own unique character after a short while of use, taking on fantastic hues of red, brown and blue.
Copper is obviously also a lot heavier than aluminium, and I think the Squire in particular lends itself perfectly to these heavier metals (brass, copper, stainless steel). At 50 grams, it's twice the weight of an aluminium Squire, giving it a very solid feel in the hand. Yet at the same time, it's not too outrageously heavy because of the relatively compact form factor. Contrary to larger, beefier pens made of copper (like the copper Namisu Nova), the Squire never felt like it weighed me down or caused any fatigue while writing. (For a full discussion of dimensions, and size comparison, you can check out my review of the original Squire!)
If you still want the extra heft, but don't like the smell of pennies that you get from copper or brass pens, the stainless steel version (review HERE) offers a similar heft but with a more industrial, silvery steel look. The choice is up to you.
Since my last review of a Squire, my preference has shifted slightly towards gel ink pens, as I've been using the Pilot G2 a lot lately. The Schmidt P8126 rollerball refill that ships with the Squire still comes in at a very strong second place though, and it remains the most consistent performing rollerball refill I've tried to date. It lays down a consistent, black line. The ink dries fast and doesn't smear, but it does tend to bleed through lesser-quality paper (which is the main reason why I switched to gel ink, which is a bit less prone to bleeding and feathering).
Price-wise, the copper Squire sits at the upper-end of Baron Fig's offerings, coming in at 95$. The upcharge -compared to the brass (75$) or stainless steel (85$) version- seems somewhat high. It's certainly not cheap for a minimal pen, and let's be honest: not everyone is a fan of copper pens (both due to their weight and the penny smell).
That being said, after 3 years the Baron Fig Squire still brings a smile to my face every time I use it. The design is great -from packaging to branding-, it's a comfortable pen to use and you can't really go wrong with the Schmidt rollerball refill. If copper is not your thing, there are plenty of other finishes to choose from, each with their own characteristics and look (at some point I'm hoping they'll also add a titanium version, which would complete the 'precious metals' collection IMHO).
This product was sent to me by Baron Fig so I could write this review. I was in no way influenced in the making of this review, the opinions shared in this review are completely my own! This post does not contain affilate links.
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