REVIEW: SCHON DSGN POCKET SIX FOUNTAIN PEN

Let me start off by saying the Schon Dsgn Pocket six has been perhaps the most fun I've had with a pen in recent history! Knowing that I tend to not use pocket pens very often  (simply not enough practical use for them in my daily carry), the fact that I've carried this pen with me more than anything else since I've received it, says quite a lot!

For those of you that don't know Ian Schon, man behind the brand, he's one of the most sympathetic minds in our industry. As an engineer and obsessed with the tiniest details, he's constantly showing new techniques and tricks he found to improve his products, on social media. I've always found this kind of "how it's made" content incredibly fascinating to follow, and especially lately when he started doing unique hammered finishes on the Pocket Six (P6), I was hooked!

But, I'm getting ahead of myself! Let's take a look at the P6, shall we? Btw, thanks to Ian for sending a 'normal' brass version of the P6 along with the faceted copper pen I bought. Since the faceted Pocket Six is only available in limited quantities due to production capacity, it wouldn't make sense to review the faceted version standalone, because it might not be available continuously.

The P6 carries over the sort of industrial minimal design language of the original Schon Dsgn ballpoint Pen (that I reviewed HERE), but I feel like it adds some welcome refinement, and slightly gentler lines to the design. The cap finial is subtly rounded for a softer look, and symmetry is still key with the machined line on the cap offsetting the break between barrel and cap - giving the illusion of a 'center band' - so that cap and barrel look like they're equally long (even though they're not). Underneath the cap, you get a nice concave section shape, which is more pleasant to hold than the straight and featureless section on 'the Pen'. 

Refined or not, you're still getting a machined metal pen, with a machined finish. Function before form, with exposed block threads at the back of the barrel, onto which the cap posts.

We haven't talked about the elephant in the room yet! Exotic finishes are sort of Ian's trademark, with crazy anodized options available for the aluminium version of the P6, but also this jaw-droppingly beautiful faceted version of the P6, available for the brass or copper versions! As I said earlier, I've been following Ian's journey in hand-finished hammered finishes (which I tried myself as well!), And then he completely caught me off-guard with this semi-irregular machined faceted finish! The way the light hits the geometric pattern... It's amazing in person, and the detail of the machined and hand-polished finish is ridiculous. I guess the photos will speak for itself! 

The p6 is clipless, which was an omission on the original Schon Pen too, but that pen eventually received an update with a clipped version ('the clip', simple naming convention certainly is Ian's thing!). I'm not saying the P6 might not receive a similar upgrade later on, but technically I find it doesn't need a clip to function as a pocket pen. True pocket pens like this are small enough to carry IN your pants pocket comfortably, instead of being clipped to them, so I haven't found it a particularly big issue.

L to R: Milim Pro Pocket fp, Inventery Pocket fp, Ensso XS, Schon Dsgn Pen, Schon Dsgn P6, Kaweco Lilliput, Kaweco Supra, Kaweco Sport, Lamy Safari, Lamy 2000

The P6 still comes out as one of the biggest pocket pens, despite its tiny form factor!

The P6 is tiny. Really tiny. Imagine tiny, and then make it a bit smaller still, that's how small this pen is! I had read up enough to think that I had a good idea of the size, but even I was thoroughly surprised when I saw it in real life for the first time. 

In hard numbers, the P6 translates into a pen that's 9 cm/ 3.55"  capped, and a convincing full-sized 13.2cm/ 5.2" when the cap is posted. The p6 is - in proportion to the length - a bit skinnier than I imagined, although it has to be said that 12.7 mm/ 0.5" is a very decent diameter for a small pen like this. Most notable of all: it's shorter than a Kaweco Lilliput... let's take a second to let that sink in! It's the absolute shortest pen I own, and yet when open and posted, it's comfortably sized in any possible way.

'regular' concave section left, 'new' ridged section right

The P6 is now available with two section options to choose from, after some suggestions that a slightly girthier section would add to the comfort. The new, straight section is a complete redesign from the simple, concave shape of the regular version. The new section has a straight constant diameter of 9.9 mm/ .390", compared to the concave section which is just a millimeter narrower at the thinnest point, at 8.9 mm/ .350". It's noticeably longer and has a grooved texture along its' entire length, which is smooth and pleasant to hold. 

Aesthetically, I most definitely prefer how the concave section matches the rest of the pen's clutter-free design... But the larger section does make a fair point in terms of comfort, and even the slight difference in diameter is appreciated. The nib is seated noticeably deeper inside the section to account for the added length of the section itself. The slightly wider diameter of the new section also mates a bit better to the threaded section of the barrel, which makes for a more pleasing and smooth transition. The block threads are noticeable and there is a bit of a step towards the barrel, but given how much section real estate you get on such a small pen (especially with the new larger section!), comfort isn't bad at all for a pocket pen!

A small detail that I particularly like on the P6 is the incorporation of a rubber o-ring on the inside of the cap. It seals against the small straight section in front of the threads (very similar to Karas' Sta-Fast system on the new Ink fountain pen!) and effectively keeps the nib from drying out, or keeps possible ink leaks contained (not that I had any issues with that so far). Just like with the Karas Ink, the o-ring also adds a smooth, reassuring resistance to the capping action.

The flipside of a super-duper-small pocket pen is that a converter obviously won't fit - except maybe one of those Kaweco converters, but those are more hassle than function - so you're limited to cartridges. Syringe-filling is the way I deal with that, but of course, it's a little less hassle-free than a piston or converter. 

The P6 gets its name from the #6 sized nib it contains under the hood. It's impressive for a pen to be this compact, it's even more impressive that it also has a large nib! The nibs are stock JoWo, not engraved with any logo except for the standard flourishes that JoWo nibs have - which don't play well with the minimal character of the pen itself, but oh well...

So, one reason why I'm excited about JoWo nibs on a metal pen like this: it's always Bock. It's slim pickings in stock nib world anyway, and metal pens always seem to go for Bock. This is a little different. I feel like JoWo nibs are typically a bit less temperamental, a bit smoother, and maybe a bit stiffer. Stock nibs seem to be a bit of a 'meh' thing these days, and I get the tiredness of always seeing the same nibs (it's a bit boring to review, too!), But there's no denying you're getting a pretty spot-on writing experience. I did open up the tines if the broad steel nib ever so slightly though. It was on the dryer side before, not terrible, but I prefer it slightly wetter. 

Now the really exciting stuff happens when you go swapping nibs. I knew way in advance what to put in the exotic faceted copper p6: an equally exotic nib from Franklin-Christoph's stable, their double-slit Music nib. Can I just say what an absolutely nuts combo this is? Good lord... I grinned all the way from here to Tokyo when I first put this pen to paper. It should probably be illegal to pack so much pen into such a small form factor!

Lots of fun - and EDC practicality, let's not forget! - in a small package, I guess that should be the Schon Dsgn P6's bottom line, so I'll end with that. 

This small pen comes with a - comparatively - not so small price, ranging from 118$ for aluminium, 142$ for brass, and up to 162$ for copper (the ridged long section adds about 10-12$). In return, you are getting a pen that's made with care in Ian's own workshop and locally produced do warrant a premium in my opinion. With that in consideration, only the faceted pens really stand out to me as properly expensive (250$ to 270$). The reasoning behind the price jump is a considerably longer machining time and more hand-finishing involved in getting the finish as spectacular as it is. 270$ is certainly the most expensive metal pen I've ever purchased... But so far I have not had a single regret! 

NOTE: Some of the products featured in this review were provided by Schon Dsgn, so I could write this article. 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 affiliate links.

REVIEW: MILIM FOUNTAIN PEN

Instagram is one of my favorite social media platforms. It's the perfect place to follow brands and people you know and like. But every now and then, it can also lead to new discoveries that you may have never found out about otherwise!

Milim is one of my latest discoveries, as I was recently contacted on Instagram by Bart, who runs this design/jewelry brand. Bart knows his way around intricate metalwork, which reflects in the unique and futuristic bracelets and necklaces he makes. But he also designed his own fountain pen, so that's what we'll take a look at today.

Bart sent me a Milim fountain pen (no specific model name) in bronze, along with the matching inkwell. Right off the bat, I was suprised by how compact it is. It should probably say 'pocket' somewhere in the name, because it's a lot smaller than expected. 

The Milim fountain pen follows a minimalist and industrial design scheme. It's a straight cylindrical shape, offset on each end with two narrower cylindrical finials that end in a slight dome shape 

The Milim fountain pen comes nicely packaged in a glass tube

The pen is available in a variety of metals, such as aluminium, brass and gold/silver-plated brass. But also more 'exotic' metals like bronze or Mokume Gane, which is a unique layered material made of silver and copper. I went for an all-bronze version, because it's a metal you don't come across very often in the pen industry.

Polished vs. patina

The pen has a lightly brushed finish, and the dome-shaped finials are polished to contrast the rest of the pen. apart from being machined individually, the finish is also applied by hand. Because of that, the brushed finish is slightly uneven, which -I think- gives character to an otherwise clinically clean design. Bronze is quite a peculiar metal, in that it's slightly more copper-colored, but doesn't appear to build up patina quite as fast as brass or pure copper. (at least in my limited experience).

The pen is branded at the front of the barrel, putting the engraving dead-center when capped. The font is small and unbtrusive.

TINY!

A main selling point of this pen is actually... not the pen, but the included inkwell! This tiny machined metal container, about the size of a thumb, is also handmade with the same great care and attention to detail. It comes lined with a glass tube that holds the ink, and it's packaged in its own aluminium container (Yes, you read that right: the tiny container comes inside another tiny container!).

It's borderline silly to be honest, but it's practical in situations where you desperately need that emergency refill (but somehow didn't want to take ink cartridges), it looks stylish and is perfectly executed... I can't fault it.

L to R: Schon DSGN Clip pen, Inventery pocket fp, Karas Pen Co. Starliner, Milim fp, Kaweco Sport, Lamy Safari, Lamy 2000

The Milim fountain pen surprises with a remarkably small footprint. Measuring a mere 10.2cm (4"), with a diameter of 10mm (0.4"), it's not much larger than a Kaweco Lilliput, and it's exactly the same size as the Inventery Pocket fountain pen (review HERE). The sturdy and solid construction translates into a weighty pen: about 40g total.

The cap obviously has to be posted for a comfortable writing session, and it does so, securely and completely flush with the rest of the pen. The section is not the strongest aspect of this pen: short and narrow, combined with a rather strong step going from section to barrel. The step is definitely noticeable, as it is rather sharp and rests on my middle finger when I write. Then again, this pen is not aimed at being the perfect pen for long writing sessions. It could be of course, but it wouldn't be my first pick. Instead, the compact size makes it ideal for EDC and quick notes.

An area where the Milim fp redeems itself, is the writing experience: the steel (gold plated) Schmidt nib is a stock nib, but it performs flawlessly. I'd dare to say Schmidt makes some of the best #5 nibs. It's a well-balanced, smooth medium with a rich but not too wet flow. It's stiff and characterless, but also reliable, consistent and very resistant to burping or leaking (quite important for an EDC pocket pen that'll spend a lot of time in your pocket or purse!). I like this nib a lot!

The Milim fountain pen is an interesting piece. Each pen is individually produced and finished by hand, giving you a rather unique little pen. It's a great EDC option, and I found myself reaching for it quite often because of that. It's a capable writer too, albeit perhaps not the most comfortable for long writing sessions.

Sum up everything, and I think the Milim fountain pen is actually priced very reasonably. It's handmade and combined with the inkwell it's a nice package (also for a gift). Prices start at 45€ (55$) for the aluminium pen, and the other versions go for 60-100€ (Except for the Mokume Gane version, which is a more premium 485€). The inkwell runs for 50-55€ separately. This particular set I reviewed -the bronze pen with inkwell and converter (also made in-house)- sells for 130€ (160$). 

This product was sent to me by Milim 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.

REVIEW: SCHON DSGN CLIP PEN

I was sceptical about the Schon DSGN pen. More than sceptical really. Judging from pictures, it looked clunky and crude. Especically the section seemed like it would never in a million years be comfortable in the hand. Yet, I kept reading positive things about it online, what was it about this pen that I didn't see? 

After getting one in hand for this review, I found out what's so special about this little pen, and I had to thoroughly re-evaluate my opinion (this seems to be a recurring trend with many products I review...). 

The Schon DSGN Classic pen (or Clip, depending on your choice of clipped/clipless) in a neat box that folds open to reveal the pen with its 'buyer's card' accompanying it. I had a little WOW moment when I first opened it, because the pen itself is sooo much tinier than I expected! It's often quite difficult to judge a pen based on measurements you find online, but in this case I completely missed the ball. 

Anyway, we'll come back to the size later. Let's focus first on the design, because the moment I held the Schon Clip pen in my hands, I started to appreciate the design choices that Ian (founder of Schon DSGN) made. It doesn't look crude or clunky in person. Very industrial, yes, but you can clearly see the thought that went into this -seemingly- simple pen. 

Symmetry is key!

It's a straight, flattop, cylindrical pen from the outside, so nothing too spectacular per se. But as is the case so very often: the devil is in the details! The body of the pen is equal in length to the the cap, and to enhance the symmetry between both parts, the three grooves near the cap finial mimic the the threads at the back of the barrel. Nifty!

The folded steel clip is very similar to those used by Karas Pen Co., which is a sound choice for EDC-focused pens, and continues the industrial look. Different to the one found on Karas pens, the Schon pen features a narrower clip, which looks elegant but is also a bit easier to use because it's less stiff. The clip is bolted to the top of the pen, almost flush with the cap finial, so the pen doesn't stick out too far if you wish to pocket carry. 

Underneath the cap, you'll find a slender but very long section, which ends in a short and stubby nose cone. The block threads are really short and placed towards the back of the section, closely followed by a rather large step. All these aspects together make for a rather interesting section that looks a bit out of proportion, but it really isn't. My only gripe would be that the nose cone is a bit too stubby, making it hard sometimes to see what you are writing.

The back of the barrel has the same short block threads which allow the cap to post. It looks like a cross-threading nightmare, but to my surprise that only happened occasionally. Most of the time, the cap and barrel align itself quite well and thread together smoothly. 

The Schon DSGN pens don't dissasemble near the section, like most pens do. Instead, you'll find a brass set screw at the back finial, which you have to unscrew to change the refill. I like this quirky design element, and I particularly like that all pens (various different materials, from stainless steel, brass or copper to annodized aluminium) come with the same brass screw, almost like a maker's signature.

The set screw has one downside however: changing the refill means you have to have a flathead screwdriver handy. The Clip pen takes care of that, as the the tip of the clip is pointed upwards just enough to use it as a screwdriver! I wouldn't suggest using the clip for DYI jobs, but just for this task, it works perfectly. 

L to R: Kaweco Al Sport, Lamy Pico, Baron Fig Squire Click, Inventery Pocket fountain pen, Schon DSGN Clip pen, Lamy Safari, Lamy 2000

At 10.2 cm (4") closed, 14.6 cm (5-3/4") posted and with a diameter of 1.3 cm (1/2"), these are definitely pocket pens. They have a surprisingly good heft to them, at 34g (1.2 oz) for the aluminium Clip version (up to 93g/3.3 oz for the solid copper versions!). 

It's obviously not meant to be used unposted, because it will literally dissapear in your hand. But with the cap posted, it transforms into a surprisingly comfortable full-sized writer. The section may be slender, but because it's long, it does a good job keeping my grip away from the threads and step. So while it may not seem comfortable at first, it's actually quite enjoyable to use for such a compact pen.

The refill closes the deal for me, as Ian chose to make his pens compatible with the popular Fisher Space gas pressurized refill. These are excellent ballpoint refills. They are well-behaved and put down a smooth and relatively dark line that is as consistent as ballpoint pens go. Apart from that, it obviously has the advantage of being perfectly usable in wet, cold or hot environments, on difficult surfaces or even upside down. The choice of refill makes this pen all the more appropriate for EDC use. The only downside is that the refills are smalL, and quite expensive.

To round up, the Schon DSGN Clip is a pen that does things right; It's clear aim at EDC use reflects in every aspect, from the durable build, practical size, strong clip,...all the way to the quality Fisher Space refills. I've followed Ian and his brand for many years (despite never pulling the trigger on one of his pens) and I know how anal retentive he is about quality and even the smallest of details (Talking about details: check out his drop-dead gorgeous handmade watches at Schon Horology! Expensive, but holy cow they are cool!). 

Ian persuaded me about his product, I have to admit I'm now one of the bloggers that will tell you this is an amazing pen. Yes, the price is a bit higher compared to the rest of the market, but that seems to be a recurring theme with made in the USA, EDC goods, and there is clearly a market for these high-quality products. If you want an excellent EDC pocket pen, and are willing to invest, watch the Schon DSGN pen!

This product was sent to me by Schon DSGN 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.

REVIEW: INVENTERY POCKET FOUNTAIN PEN

Inventery Co. I've had a first encounter with them last year when I checked out the Inventery Co. Mechanical Pen. If I had to describe the Mechanical Pen in two words, it would be something along the lines of 'thoughtful design'. It has a simple, minimal design, but is put together with attention to detail in the right places (such as the flat side that acts as a roll stopper.

But apparently we haven't seen anything yet. With the new Pocket Fountain Pen, Inventery Co. takes that thoughtfulness one step further. 

The Pocket Fountain Pen is not just...a pen, it's a modular writing system that you can fully customize to your personal preferences or depending on the situation. On top of that, Inventery Co. manages to present all that in a delightfully clean and minimal way. 

But I realise this may sound more like an advertisement than a review, so what are we really looking at? The Pocket fountain pen is -as the name suggests- a pocket fountain pen in the purest form. It's a very compact, straight cylindrical design that -just like the Mechanical pen- has very little design elements that actually set it apart. It comes standard as a clipped fountain pen, but in the box you'll also find three replacement finials: one clipless, one styles-tipped, and one with a lanyard attachment. 

The clip finial is my personal favourite. It completes the design with a sleek touch of functionality. The clip follows the rest of the design aesthetic in that it's a very minimal piece of bent steel. In profile, the clip looks worthless: it doesn't sit tight against the cap, so it won't stay put if you clip it to something thin. But inside a pen case, jeans pocket, or on the cover of a notebook, it does the job quite well.

The next item you'll find in the really tiny packaging (REALLY tiny) is a replacement Schmidt cartridge-rollerball tip. You see, this is not just a pocket fountain pen, it's also a pocket ink rollerball -or whatever you would call this-, but more on that later. 

The final piece in the box is exclusively available for the more expensive package: an extender tube. This additional piece of connects almost seamlessly between the section and barrel, and allows the pocket pen to transform into an -almost- full sized pen by adding almost an inch in length. 

cap posted, no extender

extender, without the cap posted

L to R: Kaweco Lilliput, Kaweco Supra, Kaweco Al Sport, Inventery Co. Pocket Fountain pen, Inventery Co. Pocket Fountain Pen + Extender, Lamy Safari, Lamy 2000

Depending on whether or not the extender tube is used, the Pocket Fountain Pen measures 10 cm (3.94") or 12.8 cm (5.04") closed, so either way it's a compact pen. Without the cap, the Pocket Fountain Pen + Extender measures just 12 cm (4.7"), but I tend to hold it close towards the nib so it fits my hand quite nicely. 

Posting the cap is kind of a necessity the extender, and brings the total length up to 13.5 cm (5.3"). With both the extender and the cap posted, it gets quite long (16 cm/ 6.3"). It has a constant diameter of just 1cm across the entire length of the pen. That's quite slim, especially because it narrows down to 8-8.5 mm at the section. I'm not normally used to thin and compact pens like this, so it required some getting used to.

Since all three pens are brass (just finished differently), they all weigh the same. But of course the total weight changes depending on the way you choose to use the Pocket pen. Without the extender it's a solid 31g total, and the extender adds another 8g to that.

Of course all these measurements are only approximate, since the different finial options will slightly change the weight and length. 

Go with what suits you best!

I prefer using it unposted and with the extender in place, even though that kind of defeats the purpose of having a pocket pen. I'm not the kind of person that regularly pocket carries his pen, but that's the beauty of this pen: you can use it however you see fit! Inventery Co. isn't immediately the most affordable brand in town, but you can expect to get quality in return. The Pocket Fountain Pen is no different: everything from the detailed packaging, the crisp and nicely bevelled threads or the overall impeccable fit and finish, show that this design was thoroughly thought out.

Slightly ostentatious packaging for some cartridges...

One downside I could find, is the plastic liner inside the cap and extender piece. Given that it's a pocket pen, I would've liked to see the entire thing made out of metal (especially the threads) for extra durability. Another downside -inherent to pocket pens- is that the converter only fits with the extender in place. If you want the freedom to regularly switch between pocket and full-sized, you should stick with short international cartridges (which are easier on the go anyway). 

I realise I haven't talked about the leather pen sleeves yet. Inventery also sent their three leather pen sleeves along to take a look at. They come in three sizes to fit the Pocket Fountain Pen, the Mechanical Pen, or the Pocket Fountain Pen + Extender. They match the Inventery pens with a small metal emblem on the back.

L to R: Pocket Fountain Pen, Mechanical Pen and Pocket Fountain Pen + Extender

The concept is nice, but they cost between 30$ and 40$ depending on the size... I simply don't think they're worth that kind of money. The leather is thin, the fit and finish is nothing out of the ordinary, and the fit is extremely snug (all three pens will stick out a bit from the top, so not the most ideal protection).

As for the nib, Inventery Co. opted for Schmidt for both the fountain pen nibs and cartridge-rollerball parts. For the nib, you can choose between F and EF widths in either black, gold-plated or steel. I received only fine nibs, which are a very balanced option for a pocket fountain pen (they run on the slightly wider side). I have to say, for #5 nibs I prefer Schmidt over Bock. These are solid writers, hard as a nail but ample smooth. The ink flow isn't the most consistent ever, but it never hesitated. It writes from the first letter to the last, no hard starts or skips. Design-wise, Schmidt nibs aren't immediately the most modern or minimal-looking ever, so I would've preferred if they had left the nib face blank or at least less adorned.

The cartridge-rollerball is designated as 0.5mm, and lays down a crisp line that is comparable in width to the F nib. The cool thing is that the cartridge-rollerball utilizes the same cartridges/converter as the fountain pen, so you can use your favorite fountain pen ink with it. I found it a tad bit scratchy for my personal preference, but it's nice anyway that you have the option to change.

The Inventery Co. Pocket Fountain Pen has a lot to offer, and the multitude of exchangeable parts ensures that you will almost certainly find a setup that suits you best. Inventery is a design brand pur sang, and unfortunately design never comes cheap. Having to machine so so many different parts (8 in total, without the nib and converter!) inevitably adds to the cost as well. The Pocket Fountain Pen comes in at 135$, and the set with extender is 30$ more at a total of 165$. I would be lying if I said that's not a lot of money. But I don't think it's entirely unreasonable, given the great multifunctional concept and excellent execution.

This product was sent to me by Inventery Co., 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 affiliate links.