RE-REVIEW: NAMISU NOVA STUDIO FOUNTAIN PEN

For a long time, the Namisu Nova was the pinnacle of minimal fountain pen design for me. I think it's even fair to say that Namisu was (one of) the brands that paved the way for the wide variety of machined, metal fountain pens we see nowadays.

But the original Namisu Nova dates back to 2015, so it's time for an update to bring it up to speed with the more 'evolved' design language of Namisu's more recent pens. Back in 2017, Namisu already toyed with the idea of a different version of the Nova, in the form of the Nova Studio Ebonite. Later, in 2020, they expanded the 'Studio' line with titanium and bronze versions (reviewed HERE), which existed alongside the original Nova. The Studio wasn't a standalone product though, until now. 

With the latest update to the Nova Studio, which sees three new finishes and colorways we'll look at in this review, it seems that Namisu fully embraced the Studio as the successor to the brand's flagship pen (please note: I don't know if the original Nova line will effectively be discontinued, but it does seem that way, looking at their website). 

The Nova was by far the cleanest, most simple design in their catalog. In comparison, the Nova Studio leans closer towards Namisu's other, more industrial-styled pens like the Naos, Ixion, or N2. Not that it's such a huge departure from the original in terms of design, but the addition of separate finial 'inserts' in the cap and barrel creates a break in the otherwise clean lines of the Nova, offering a bit more visual interest. It also creates an opportunity for more special finishes, as demonstrated with the latest polycarbonate 'Frosted' versions of the Nova Studio. 

The use of matte, translucent polycarbonate is a first for Namisu, but they executed it extremely well in my opinion. The material is machined and finished perfectly with a smooth, consistent matte finish inside and out. The cool thing is that you can now choose between two varieties of this pen, thanks to the titanium finials and section. Go clean and minimal with a natural titanium look, or a bit more flashy with titanium details that received a rainbow 'Petrol' PVD coating! 

Rainbow PVD coatings are quite trendy these days, but they're typically not my first pick. Though, despite my usual preference for a more muted color palate, this one caught my eye! The amount of color is not too much, nor too little... It's quite tastefully done, IMHO.

Alongside the new polycarbonate versions, the Studio also comes in either bronze, titanium, or a new black PVD-coated titanium finish. The latter has a nice and soft matte feeling in the hand. Finials are matched to the metals, but since they're just screw-fit into the cap and barrel, nothing would -hypothetically - prevent you from mixing and matching if you own different versions of the Studio! 

The old Nova Studio on the left, and the new version on the right.

Dimension-wise, the updated Nova Studios differ slightly from the previous versions that I reviewed. Nothing changed on the outside, so it still measures 14.1 cm (5.55") when capped. The biggest change (the only one, really) is the section, which was extended by about 3 mm, while retaining the same tapered profile and average diameter (12 mm). This also translates to an uncapped length of 13.3 cm (5.24"), up from 13 cm (5.12"). It's a subtle change, but it does improve on what was arguably one of the biggest pitfalls of the Nova in the past: the rather short section, combined with the substantial step behind the threads. To be clear, that step is still there, but the elongated section helps keep your grip a bit further away. 

With the addition of a polycarbonate version, the Nova Studio now offers something for everyone in terms of weight and balance: the polycarbonate comes in at just 23 g, the full titanium version bumps that up to 55 grams and the bronze version comes in at a super-hefty 106 (!) grams. The balance of the Studio also changes depending on the material: The polycarbonate model has a subtle front-balance due to the metal section, while the solid metal versions are more center-weighted. 

Since I've already reviewed multiple versions of the Nova (and literally dozens of pens with Bock nibs), I won't go too much into the writing experience. It's exactly what you can expect from a stock steel Bock nib, which is to say: a decent writing experience, though nothing particularly out of the ordinary. I will say that the design of the Nova Studio would benefit from a color-matched nib, especially on the polycarbonate 'Petrol' and black PVD titanium versions.

I'm glad that, besides other interesting models, Namisu remains invested in their Nova line of pens. The clean, minimal design continues to be one of my personal favorites, and the new section design offers a small but welcome improvement to the writing comfort.

The addition of new finishes makes the Nova Studio a more diverse and interesting offering, with plenty of choices depending on your preferences. Pricing is a bit all over the place: The new polycarbonate versions come in cheapest at 80£/101$, bronze is a little more (85£/107$). The titanium versions command a rather substantial premium: 115£/146$ for the regular titanium and 130£/164$ for the new PVD black finish. Though right now, you can snag one up at a pretty good discount during Namisu's Summer sale.

The products shown in this review were sent to me by Namisu 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.

REVIEW: MODERN FUEL BOLT ACTION PEN

Several years ago I reviewed (HERE) a then-Kickstarter project for what was - and continues to be - arguably the most overengineered mechanical pencil I've ever seen, by US-based brand Modern Fuel. The precise machining and meticulous details of the Modern Fuel Pencil got me hooked. While their products aren't exactly cheap, I do feel confident that they are as close to heirloom quality as they get. I was really curious to find out if the same would hold true for their newer products, in particular the Modern Fuel Bolt Action pen. (Spoiler alert: it does!)

Designwise, Modern Fuel has a set-in-stone design language: sleek and clean aesthetic that runs across all of their products. While I compared mechanical pencil to an overengineered version of the Bic pencil, that comparison obviously doesn't hold true for the Bolt Action pen, but through the same, straight cylindrical profile, same thickness, tip shape and almost identical length, it's not hard to see where the design inspiration comes from. The entire pen received a hand-brushed finish, which adds a bit of random texture to the otherwise clean and modern look of the pen.

Other than that, the Bolt Action shares a very similar shape with Modern Fuel's own ballpoint 'Pen'. It has a j-shaped cutout for the bolt mechanism (obviously), but also a knock button on the back. 

The Modern Fuel Bolt Action's mechanism is essentially a hybrid between those found on the Karas and Tactile Turn Bolt Action pens

However, unlike the Karas Bolt Action pen, the knock doesn't serve an actual purpose (other than aesthetics). It completely retracts into the body when you engage the pen (and sits perfectly flush - a really nice detail!), making it impossible to activate the bolt-action mechanism just by pressing the knock. You'll really want to use the actual bolt for that. The bolt itself is a small cylindrical button with very crisp knurling on the side, almost like a small cog (The knurling actually serves a dual purpose!). The mechanism has surprisingly little travel, so it engages quickly with one swift motion.

L to R: Karas Bolt Action, Tactile Turn Bolt Action, Modern Fuel Bolt Action, Modern Fuel Pen, Modern Fuel Pencil, Wingback Mechanical Pen, Lamy 2000, Lamy Safari

The Bolt Action looks nimble, mostly thanks to the fairly slender design (9.3mm/ 0.37"). It measures 13.8 cm/ 5.43", down to 13.6 cm/ 5.73" when the bolt mechanism is engaged, so it's definitely a full-sized pen, just noticeably narrower than some of the competition (by comparison, the Tactile Turn Bolt is 11mm). All Modern Fuel products are available in either stainless steel, titanium, bronze, or copper. I was sent the steel version of the Bolt Action, which weighs 36 grams. It strikes a good balance between feeling solid yet nimble in hand. Interestingly, no weight measurements are given on Modern Fuel's website, but according to my guesstimate calculations, the titanium version should come in around 20 grams, with the bronze and copper versions both around 40 grams.

Machining is top-notch on this pen. Nothing rattles around when you write, and the tolerance on the tip is so small that there's almost no wiggle room for the refill. Same can be said for the bolt-action mechanism, which fits precisely in the barrel, yet moves smoothly up and down and engages with a satisfying 'snick'. The bolt is fun to play with, but the knurled edges are quite sharp so you do feel that on your finger after a while (maybe to prevent you from getting distracted for too long!)

Modern Fuel's Bolt Action pen is much sleeker and low-profile than comparable Tactile Turn (top) or Karas Pen Co (bottom) offerings

Modern Fuel ships this pen with a Pilot G2 refill as standard. I like the G2 refill a lot, but the Modern Fuel Bolt Action is also a very nice housing for it. It's a massive departure from the chunky and heavy copper Tactile Turn Bolt Action (the older-style Glider) that I daily. And it looks super sleek on the desk. While I'm personally not particularly bothered by it, the biggest complaint could be the all-smooth metal barrel. While the brushed finish adds a little to the grip (it's better than a polished metal finish), it can still become a bit slippery after a while.

When I say this pen is over-engineered, I mean it! The Bolt Action pen arrives with an 11-page manual, and you'll probably want to hang on to it. Like with the pencil, part of the beauty of Modern Fuel's products is that there's no obvious way to disassemble the Modern Fuel Bolt Action. The body and tip are all a single piece of metal, so the only way to get to the refill is through the mechanism. But how? Well, included in the box are a few small parts (all metal, by the way!), including a little wrench with what looks like a geared hole on one end. That hole fits precisely on the cog-shaped bolt to help unscrew it, and out pops the entire mechanism. 

The biggest engineering feat is that, despite it being such a slender and seemingly simple pen, the Bolt Action can accommodate anything from a Fisher Space or standard Parker G2, up to refill types that are even longer than a Pilot G2 (think: certain rollerball refills, etc.). Adjusting the pen to fit those different size refills is done with the other end of the little wrench-tool, which doubles as a screwdriver to tighten or loosen a long threaded set screw on the inside of the bolt mechanism to control how far it protrudes (This can also serve as a fine-tune mechanism to have the refill tip extend more or less from the tip of the pen, according to your personal preference!). 

You'll want to hang onto the instruction booklet for this one!

For very short refills like the Fisher-Space, a black metal adapter is included in the box, while an included shorter set screw allows accommodating very long refills. They even added a longer spring to better suit different refills. 

Perhaps the only thing missing in the box is a clip, contrary to the slide-on clip included with the regular pen and pencil. However, there's a simple reason for that: the slide-on clip can't work because it would interfere with the bolt mechanism on the side of the barrel. That means you'll have to go clipless with this one, perhaps a bit unfortunate for a pen that's otherwise quite pocketable!

MSRP on the Modern Fuel Bolt Action starts at 150$ for the bronze pen, up to 200$ for the all-titanium version. As said, Modern Fuel products don't come cheap, but I continue to be amazed at their design ingenuity and machining perfection. The looks of the Bolt Action are sleek and unobtrusive, making it even more impressive when you see all the practical engineering going on inside!

Note: This product was provided by Modern Fuel, free of charge, 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.

ACCESSORIES FOR THE DESK: MAKERS CABINET HØVEL & IRIS REVIEW

As with so many hobbies, most things within the writing community aren't about making sensible financial decisions. Let's be honest, it's quite easy to be tempted into buying (ahem, hoarding) all kinds of pens, pencils, desk accessories, and gadgets that nobody really needs... but everybody wants! The two desk accessories by Makers Cabinet we'll be looking at, certainly categorize as such. I can't help but be quite enamored by these nifty tools. 

UK-based Makers Cabinet hit the market somewhere in 2017 (then as 'Brahman Design') and was started by three product design graduates. Aesthetics is the name of the game with Makers Cabinet. You'd think 'form follows function' is out of the door then, but after using the Makers Cabinet Høvel pencil sharpener and Iris compass, the meticulous attention to detail quickly becomes clear.

As aesthetics are a big part of the appeal of the Høvel and Iris, so let's start there...

One key element returns throughout the entire product catalog of Makers Cabinet: all of their products are made out of brass! But as much as that ties together their different products, each item still very much brings its own unique look and feel. 

The Hovel - a very minimal, miniature interpretation of a wood planer - is a slick and sleek chunk of brass, with rounded edges and a highly polished finish. The rectangular cutout that houses the blade setup received a lightly sandblasted finish for a subtle contrast, it also has the 'Høvel' logo laser-engraved there.

The Iris - a brilliantly overengineered take on the classic circle drawing compass - is quite the opposite in terms of design. Its crisp beveled edges, knurling, and mixture of finishes (machined finish, brushed, and sandblasted) interweave to create a distinctly industrial look and feel. One thing I noticed while using both products, is that the type of brass they use isn't very prone to tarnishing (even though it's not coated), I'm still waiting for the Høvel and Iris to take on a nice vintage appearance. 

The 'Makers Cabinet' and 'Iris' branding only appears when you close the blades of the Iris!

The solid brass construction creates a wonderfully hefty tactile appearance. So much so, that I'm constantly tempted to play with the Høvel as a worry stone... if it wasn't for the blade sticking out of the bottom (not quite so practical as a fidget toy!).

No, neither Iris nor Høvel are cheap products by any stretch of the imagination, but it has to be said that the production quality on both is really, really impressive. Machining is precise, assembly and fit and finish is flawless, finishing is cleanly done. I have no remarks, it's as simple as that. 

Especially on the Iris - a rather complex mechanical construction with a lot of moving metal parts - it's extra impressive how everything fits together perfectly and the diaphragm slides open and closed buttery smooth. The only remark I could make is that stainless steel diaphragm blades of the Iris do pick up scuffs from sliding over each other, but that's to be expected with these moving parts.

Let's move on to functionality, because yes, you really are getting more than just a good-looking paperweight for your money!

It doesn't take much practice to get nice and clean sharpening results.

Starting with the Høvel; it has been mocked in the past for its very concept: a plane for a pencil sharpener, why even?!? I must say, I was skeptical as well, and my view aligned with some reviews that stated it's awkward and unnecessarily difficult to use.

Though as soon as I started testing the Høvel myself, I found it surprisingly easy and intuitive to use. That does come with a slight sidenote that I often sharpen pencils with a pocket knife (I'm weird like that), so I do have some practice with unconventional sharpening techniques (that's undoubtedly my weirdest flex ever!). The alignment of the blade - just a millimeter below the plane surface - allows thin curls of wood to be shaved off using minimal pressure. With some practice, you can get straight and clean cuts and even make a nicely symmetrical point onto your pencil. 

The Høvel, just like a knife, gives you more freedom in varying the angle and shape of the pencil tip entirely to your liking, and it can also be used for oddly sized and shaped pencils that don't fit a traditional sharpener. The Høvel comes with a cute tiny package of 10 blades, which is more than enough to keep you sharpening for a while. 

One remark I have with the Høvel is that you have to hold it sort of precariously at the very edge to keep your fingers out of the way of your pencil, and the mirror-polished finish is quite slippery. Perhaps it would be useful if they'd add some knurling or texture to the sides of the Høvel. Maybe an idea for a future iteration? 

The Iris is probably my favorite of the two tools, and that's mostly due to the incredibly smooth and precise action of the 20-blade diaphragm opening and closing by turning the outer ring. It's very satisfying to play with! 

The centimeter scale on the outer edge enables you to precisely draw circles with a defined diameter, or measure them. Talking about that scale: I of course tested the accuracy, and it's accurate down to a millimeter or so. One slight caveat is that, even though the diaphragm has a lot of rounded blades, you always get a subtly 20-sided circle, not a perfectly round one. At some circle diameters it's more noticeable than others, though (circles above 5 cm appear perfectly round). With that said, I'd say the Iris is still perfectly suitable for drawing, sketching, or doodling. Anything but precise technical drawing. 

The rubber padding on the underside of the Iris keeps it firmly in place on the paper, which is necessary as the twist mechanism does require a fair bit of force to operate. 

The Høvel can also be placed upside-down in the wooden base and used as such

One more thing... Both the Iris and Høvel have a purpose-built walnut wooden base. With the Iris, it's included in the box (and doubles as a center-point finder when you place it within the Iris). The base for the Høvel, unfortunately, isn't included and adds an additional 14$ to the cost of the pencil plane. Frankly, I think the base for the Høvel should also be included in the price, as you miss out on a lot of functionality without it. For one, it protects the blade (and also your desk!) when not in use, but it also doubles as a pencil shavings tray, and a holder to place the Høvel upside down to sharpen your pencil with the Høvel on the table  (although I personally find it easier to use handheld). 

If price is no object, and you want something unique on your desk - certainly a conversation piece -, the Makers Cabinet Høvel (69€/ 80$) and Iris (120€/ 138$) are two tools (because despite the beautiful and unique design, that's still what they are) that are definitely worth checking out. Build quality is second to none, and I'm sure the Stria ruler and upcoming pencil extender 'Ferrule' will hold to the same high-quality benchmark Makers Cabinet has set for themselves. 

Better yet - with the upcoming Holiday season in mind - both the Iris and Høvel could make for ideal gifts for the design-minded writing or drawing enthusiasts that already have all the other essentials covered on their desk!

NOTE: These products were provided by Makers Cabinet, 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.

REVIEW: VENVSTAS MAGNA C/C FOUNTAIN PEN

After too long of an unplanned hiatus (sorry!), we're back with a pen review you probably didn't see coming in a million years! Indeed my first encounter with the Venvstas Magna wasn't a flawless one, considering I had quite a few qualms with the original design. For me, those issues distracted from the impressive and unique looks of the Magna and ultimately made it a less enjoyable pen to use.

But Venvstas didn't leave it at that! Instead, they showed a very strong comeback with their latest version of the Magna: the Venvstas Magna CC. Here's the TL;DR, Venvstas improved on all the pet peeves I had with the original Magna fountain pen, and I really like the end result this time!

The original Venvstas Magna -a piston-filled pen- managed to impress me with its brutalist, minimal design made entirely from matte brushed linear carbon fiber, with matte stainless steel accents. I did, however, have some issues with the construction: an open barrel allowing the piston plunger to be depressed accidentally, and a barrel closure that didn't actually hold the barrel closed very well.

The new CC version takes over the design of the original down to the absolute smallest detail, with no visual cues to distinguish between the two versions. At least not on the outside...

The barrel closure is now much more robust

Remove the barrel, and you'll find that Venvstas exchanged the closure mechanism on the barrel for a clutch similar to the one used in the cap (which is much more robust), making the overall construction more secure and rattle-free. Especially when opening and closing the cap, the barrel is held on tight so it stays nicely in place. The updated closure also keeps the barrel and section aligned perfectly, which was another pet peeve I had with the piston-filled version. 

But the main difference, as indicated in the name, is the switch from piston-filler to a simpler cartridge/converter system. Where the exposed piston plunger left opportunity for an inky mess with an accidental press (Ha! That rhymes!), the converter in the new version is now fully enclosed by a fixed black cylindrical finial that protrudes from the barrel. The cap can still post just like before, as the overall shape of the barrel did not change at all. The Magna CC uses a standard international converter, and so you can also switch between regular ink cartridges if you like. 

Yeah sure, on paper the switch to a standard cartridge-converter system may sound like a step backward, but believe me when I say that for this pen it makes perfect sense. The only thing you lose is ink capacity, going from the generous 2mL to whatever a standard cartridge or converter can hold (which is roughly 0.8 mL), but that's a trade-off I'll gladly make in return for peace of mind. And let's be honest, c/c pens are actually quite convenient to use unless you really write a lot!

L to R: Pelikan M805, Ensso Piuma, Leonardo Furore, Venvstas Magna CC, Lamy Dialog 3, Lamy 2000, Lamy Safari

The Magna CC takes on all dimensions from the piston-filled version: 15.5 cm (6.1") long capped, 14.6 cm (5.74") uncapped, and a comfortable diameter of 12 mm (0.47") across the entire length of the pen. One thing that did change: the Magna CC put on some weight (from 24g to 30g). 

The increase in weight makes for a pen that feels a bit more substantial and solid in the hand, more in line with what you'd expect to feel from a pen this size. The weight of the Magna is nicely balanced around the core of the pen, as most of the internals inside the section are stainless steel. The added heft, combined with the more robust barrel-section joint and lack of rattling, add to the solid feeling of the Magna CC. I also found that the overall fit and finish has become a bit more precise.

I like how the very minimal logo engraving is slightly hidden underneath the 'semi-hooded' part of the nib!

The Venvstas Magna comes equipped with a titanium nib as standard (a gold nib upgrade is also available). While the medium nib from before was a splendid writer, I wanted to try something finer this time. The fine nib came properly set up out of the box and runs true to size, if not slightly on the wider side. Ink flow is generous though not excessive. The F has a noticeable amount of pencil-like feedback, something the medium didn't have -though of course, that makes sense on a finer nib. 

Some ink on the hooded part of the nib is not uncommon due to the design of the cap mechanism. 

This particular nib feels quite firm for a titanium one, although that's not uncommon. There always seems to be a rather wide variation in springiness among titanium nibs. 

Made-in-house nib? Well this is certainly not a standard-issue Bock feed!

As far as I know, Venvstas claimed their nibs are made in-house (in any case, the feed is not a standard Bock type). If so, they sure do know how to make a good nib, my writing experience with the Magna has been excellent in both instances.

If you recall the bottom line on my original review of the Venvstas Magna, I was hopeful. The Magna fell prey to what can best be described as a bit too much 'over-designing', choosing form over function. But there were clear opportunities for improvement to bring the Magna up to the standard I'd expect from a pen in this price range. I also promised that I'd change my opinion if they came through on an improved design... and they did! Needless to say, I'm beyond impressed that they carried out the improvements and changes I had in mind (and executed them flawlessly!), making the Venvstas Magna CC a pen I can 100% fully stand behind. 

The Venvstas Magna CC comes in at  239€/ 230$ without VAT (from our site sponsor Appelboom), conveniently also 10€ cheaper than the piston version. Between the two models, my choice for the Magna CC is clear. But if you're really willing to make some sacrifices in terms of usability and function to get the most 'purist' design object out of the Magna (the way the designer intended it), I suppose the piston-filled version would be the option for you.

Note: This product was sent by Venvstas, 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.

REVIEW: ENSSO ITALIA TITANIUM FOUNTAIN PEN

If anything, minimalist brand Ensso has proven over the years that they're not afraid to switch things up and try unique designs! In the continuously expanding lineup of Ensso products, no two pens look even remotely the same. For their latest pen, Ensso leaves behind the ultra-minimal aesthetic of their first full-sized fountain pen (the Ensso Piuma, reviewed HERE, still one of my absolute favorite metal pens!), instead looking back at the roots of Italian design! 

All metal pens, and yet the product portfolio of Ensso is remarkably diverse!

The Ensso Italia (limited edition) is - apart from the pretty self-explanatory name - an unmistakable re-interpretation of the classic Italian pens we know and love... Except, made entirely out of titanium! 

The Italia has a subtly tapered cigar profile with pronounced pointy finials. Come to think of it, this is actually pretty much the all-metal equivalent to one of the most popular Italian pens of the moment: the Leonardo Momento Zero (review HERE).

The effect of elaborate decorative trim rings is recreated on the Italia with machined grooves, as well as a Greek-key 'cap band' design (which also returns on the section). Especially the Greek key decoration immediately reminds me of the Omas pens of yore (especially, of course, the Omas T2!).

The combination of two very unique and different styles - traditional Italian design elements vs. clutter-free minimalism - makes for a very cool contrast that's absolutely unlike any other pen on the market. It may sound like it would clash, but instead I find the end result to be quite harmonious and elegant.

Original threads on the left, new block threads on the right

The Italia was initially released as a Kickstarter, available in three finishes (black anodized aluminium, brass, and titanium), but was short-lived due to issues with the threads on the titanium version: galling. That's when metal-on-metal contact causes the two parts to bind (titanium is typically quite susceptible to this, made worse by the high-pitch threads on the original Italia). While those fine, traditional threads (also placed slightly higher on the section, again reminiscent of vintage Italian pens!) matched nicely with the design, they now changed them to thicker block threads similar to the ones on the Ensso Piuma. This solved the problem of the cap getting stuck (though they do still catch ever-so-slightly). 

The simple but elegant curved clip remains unchanged from version one. Unfortunately, that also means one issue from the original Italia also returns here: the hole through which the clip is attached isn't completely airtight (despite the machining tolerance actually being quite good!), so I did encounter a few occasions where the nib started to dry out after a few days. If you're a tinkerer like me, some glue (or hot glue) can be used to effectively seal off the opening around the clip. 

Update!: Ensso informed me that the Limited Edition run of the Italia Titanium will feature an inner cap to prevent drying out! I'll update the review with my findings once I have access to this updated cap design!

L to R: Namisu Nova, Karas Ink, Ensso Piuma, Ensso Italia (old), Ensso Italia Ti (new), Lamy 2000, Lamy Safari

The Ensso Italia strikes a good middle ground in terms of size. It's not overly large (14 cm/ 5.5") capped, but it still retains a comfortable full size when uncapped (12.5 cm/ 4.94"). The section has a fairly wide diameter near the threads (1.27cm/ 0.5") with a straight taper towards the nib, before ending in another greek-key engraving in the front. 

Metal pens typically aren't designed to post very well, but the Italia is the exception here. The cap can post securely and even makes for a comfortably-sized pen, but it's at your own risk because it will scuff the living hell out of the barrel. Obviously, posting will also add to the heft of the Italia, because the solid titanium construction makes for a very respectable 45 grams (total). 

Moving the threads a bit further back has cleared up some extra section real-estate for improved comfort. The transition from section to barrel is fairly gradual, so it doesn't really bother my grip either. Construction quality and machining, an area where I feel Ensso consistently keeps a high standard, is again quite excellent here. Machining is very crisp though, so you do feel the edges on the Greek-key engravings, for example. 

As I've talked about stock Bock nibs more than any sane person should, I won't go into too much detail here. Basically, nib performance with stock Bock nibs is a roll of the dice, although I do feel like Bock's nib quality is more consistent compared to a few years ago (?). Though nothing out of the ordinary, I've found the medium steel nib on my particular pen to be quite a smooth and consistent writer. As mentioned earlier, the nib does have a slight tendency to dry out if it sits unused for too long.

With the Italia, Ensso absolutely took the path less traveled in terms of design, but the resulting crossover between vintage and modern looks worked out great. The design of the Italia is not only beautiful, it's also quite a comfortable everyday writer. The practical improvements to the threads are a welcome change, though I do hope that they'll also manage to find a fix for the drying out issue. 

As it stands, the Italia is being released as a limited run of 200 pens (titanium only), and pricing is very reasonable, with a retail price of 129$ on the Ensso website (Ensso is a sponsor of our website, don't forget to use the discount code 'pencilcaseblog20%' for 20% off!). You will have to act fast if you want in on one, as they're already almost sold out. Although, I do hope they'll make the Italia part of their regular lineup after all!

Note: Ensso is a sponsor of The Pencilcase Blog. This product was provided by Ensso, 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.