Narwhal Original Fountain Pen Clear Demonstrator Review

Reviewing good products is the hardest thing I do.

You would think that after nearly 14 years of writing reviews online it would be easier to say “This product is good, here is why …” but if I am being honest, it’s easier to write about products that lean one way or the other. Is there something exceptional that sets this pen apart? Is there a flaw that makes you think twice about whether this pen will be good for you?

Or, as is the case with the Narwhal Original Fountain Pen, is being a good pen good enough? I think so, which is why I’m writing this review. This is a good pen. And I’m going to try to explain why.

First off, the build of the pen is nice. It’s on the large side, somewhere around a TWSBI 580 or Pelikan 800 series. Like those two pens, the Narwhal Original is also a piston-filler. Shouldn’t that be a great feature for a pen at this price point? Probably, but we will explore that topic further near the end of the post.

It feels good in the hand, has a good density to the material, and is well balanced. All in all, it’s set up to be a good writer.

Secondly, the nib is good. Narwhal makes their own nibs in-house, and this Fine steel nib does a good job. For my personal use, I prefer less tipping than this nib has. It is very round, which, in turn, rounds out my handwriting. Something great would be offering the nib in sizes other than Fine or Medium. I would prefer Extra Fine, for example, but maybe that is part and parcel with in-house manufacturing, which I can’t imagine is easy in the slightest. Nib grinders will enjoy the very workable platform, though.

Finally, the price. $50 for a well-built piston-filling fountain pen - that’s pretty great, right? In a vacuum, yes. 10 years ago, yes. Today? It’s still dang good. Add in the other colorful barrel options, and the promise of even more to come in the future, Narwhal is certainly a brand to watch.

Yet, I can’t get past “good” for this pen. Is that a bad thing? Of course not. I would certainly recommend it to someone whose needs it would fit. I would have a harder time recommending it blindly. That’s what separates the good from the great in my book.

If all of this sounds like I’m a Spoilt Victorian Child, well, I hope that’s not the case. In an effort to be objective, as opposed to subjective, maybe I’m straddling the middle line too closely. Or, maybe, that’s the feel I get from this particular Narwhal pen. Maybe, as the brand grows into the wondrous whale it is named after, it adds something a bit more magical into the feel of the pen.

Until then, the Narwhal Original is a good pen.

(Goldspot provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Schon DSGN Pocket Six Faceted Brass Fountain Pen Review

Pen shows are back on the schedule in the US. For how long? Who can really say at this point. I’ve missed attending them, that’s for sure, because the memories made at these events are worth more than any pen or ink or paper that I bring home.

Why do I bring this up at the beginning of this review? Because a pen show is where I first saw the Schon DSGN Pocket Six Faceted Brass Fountain Pen.

I see a lot of pens for the first time at pen shows, so why does this one stick out more than most? Well, have you seen it? That’s what people kept telling me as they were bringing them over to me see at the 2020 Baltimore Pen Show - aka the last pen show I attended in person.

I had just seen Ian at the Philadelphia Pen Show five weeks prior, and even got to tour his workshop as part of a group during that event. The Pocket Six had recently been launched, and I made sure to purchase my second one, with the newly-added Jowo nib compatible grip section.

Fast-forward those handful of weeks to Baltimore, where I had brought Nock Co. to put in some hours behind the table, instead of mixing and mingling, as I did in Philly. Knowing my love for Schon DSGN pens, my “friends” started appearing at my table with their latest purchase that they couldn’t wait to show me. Yes, this very bright, shiny, and beautiful faceted brass Pocket 6. Ian had been very busy since I last saw him!

This pen represented a big change in the Schon DSGN lineup. The pen bodies had always been minimally styled, with the addition of wild anodizing taking the pens up a notch in the recent years. But to modify the base cylinder with a design as complex as these facets? Well, these just jumped off the table when people saw them in Baltimore, and quickly made their way over to me.

I didn’t have the opportunity to grab one at the time, but Ian was kind enough to send me one later to review. If you couldn’t tell by now, I like the pen.

Exterior design aside, the Pocket Six is an excellent pocket-sized fountain pen. As good as any on the market, especially since it is built around a #6 sized nib. I love my #5 nibs, as found in Kaweco Classics and Sports, but using a #6 nib is an upgrade across the board.

Posting is key for pocket pens, and the Pocket Six design handles that with threads on the end of the barrel to attach the cap to. It takes less than two turns to uncap the pen, and then the same amount to post, so it is a relatively fast process.

When posted, it is a perfectly sized writer. That’s what pocket pens do the best. Capped, they can hide away in a pocket or a pouch. Uncapped and posted, the are full-sized writing workhorses.

All of that said, it is the machined faceting that makes the Pocket Six pop. I love the design, and the end result makes for a stunning pen. This design doesn’t come cheap, though, starting at $250 for the faceted model, versus $142 for the standard polished brass.

Is it worth it? It depends on what you feel about the aesthetic. It is a true step up in looks from the base model, but exactly the same from a performance perspective. Regardless of the model you choose, I guarantee you will come away impressed with the work of Ian Schon.

(Schon DSGN provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Leonardo Momento Zero Mango Fountain Pen Review

Why do I love the Leonardo Momento Zero so much?

Materials, for starters. I mean, look at this Mango model with black trim. I’m not strong enough to take a pass on this one, despite having a few other colorful MZ’s in the library already. The colors are bright and fun, while having a certain depth and complexity upon closer inspection.

Materials aren’t the only external feature that I enjoy - the barrel shape is practically perfect. It is a classic silhouette, with modern refinement. From the slight peaks on the end caps, to the triple-ring cap band, to the simple but stylish clip, it is clear that Leonardo Officina Italiana takes great pride in their manufacturing process.

From a writing perspective, it meets or exceeds all expectations. The Extra Fine steel Jowo nib is tuned perfectly right out of the box, and has a nice firmness - with a medium ink flow - when writing. The black plating is stunning, and doesn’t seem to add to the line width, which I’ve experienced from other plated nibs.

It’s well-balanced in the hand unposted. When posted, it is obviously top-heavy, but it still may be workable for those who like larger pens.

If there is any question about the writing feel, it would be the section design. The upper part of the section is the widest point, which then tapers towards the middle, and finally into a flat area leading to the end of the barrel. I’m not sure I have another pen with this exact shape, but it works well for me. Why? Because I’m a low-gripper by nature. My fingers lock into place as soon as I pick it up, and never budge.

I think you will be fine with a higher grip as well. The barrel threads are relatively tame and never caused me any issue as I moved my grip higher. I do wonder, though, if us low-grippers have a built-in advantage.

Too keep my fawning session rolling, I’ll tell you this: This is my favorite ink converter. Sure, it is simply a Jowo with a fancy metal sleeve over the plastic twist mechanism, but darn it if it doesn’t make me feel special! Oh, by the way, there is a blind cap on the end of barrel for easy access - if you are in to that kind of thing.

Making me feel special is the kicker with the Leonardo Momento Zero. It feels great every time I pick it up and use it. And when I’m not using it, I’m thinking about using it. That’s a clear sign that a pen is perfect for me. Will it be perfect for you? Who knows. But I think it is about as good of a starting point as there is.

The Mango model with black trim retails for $199, and provides great value. Not only do I personally love it, it also ranks as the #2 recommendation on my Top 5 Fountain Pens between $150-$200 list. Additionally, you can find other models, or even the tapered-end Furore model, starting at $169 for some colors - with zero difference in performance.

I’ve been impressed with what Leonardo has brought to an ever-growing fountain pen market since their launch. Luckily for me, and us, they show no signs of slowing down any time soon.

(Goldspot provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!