Hinze Pen Company Autumn Leaves Fountain Pen Review

Pen shows serve a multitude of purposes for a multitude of people. For me, I get the opportunity to meet the people behind the scenes and learn their stories. As the years go by, I’m able to witness first hand how they grow, change, and adapt to the current stationery landscape.

I first met Jim Hinze of the Hinze Pen Company at the 2018 Arkansas Pen Show. I enjoyed talking with him, learning about his company, and seeing his wares. We’ve stayed in touch at various pen shows over the years, including a Meet the Makers panel that we both participated in for the online edition of the 2020 Detroit Pen Show.

I hadn’t seen Jim in person for years, so seeing what he has been up to during my time at the 2022 Atlanta Pen Show was a priority. I was duly impressed with the depth and breadth of the Hinze Pen Co. product lineup in Atlanta, and hearing Jim - and yes, you too Francisco - get excited to tell me about ALL THE THINGS was a great experience.

Building a pen like their Autumn Leaves fountain pen is an experience in itself. The material was made exclusively for Hinze by Diamoncast, one of the more popular pen blank makers currently on the market. And the model I was provided for this review includes a matching nano-plated clip and nib to complete the full Hinze experience.

One thing I learned in talking with Jim in Atlanta is don’t you dare say the word “anodized” when referring to his colored nib and clip choices. The nano-plating process is stronger and more durable than anodization, giving those parts a more durable finish for daily use. Obviously if you get a nib grind on one of their colored nibs you will see through the coating, but for for non-modified use, the coating will remain consistent and strong.

The shape of my Autumn Leaves pen is called B24, which features a straight barrel, with a slight taper running the length of the pen from tip to tail. The grip section is a traditional slightly-concave shape, which is comfortable to hold, and the cap finial features the Hinze Pen Co. logo. The B24 is a well-balanced overall, although posting, while possible, is not advised due to the added length. Hinze Pen Co. offers a huge range of pen shapes and styles, so you are certain to find a shape to your liking.

It would have been easy for me to pick an orange ink to use with this pen, but I opted for an equally as complimentary bright purple with Bungubox Imperial Purple. It’s a great match to this material, which also features a nice range of blues and greens. It may be called Autumn Leaves, but this is a year-round material.

Looking at the Hinze Pen Co. lineup as a whole, you quickly realize that if you have an idea, then Jim and his team can help you execute it to perfection. Material, hardware, story - they have you covered. But did you know that Jim Hinze is the maker’s maker as well? Through his work, he machines many of the tools that other pen makers use to make their own products. How cool is that? Not only does Hinze Pen Co. make great pens for us, they make things for other makers, too.

So yeah, count me as a fan. Shocker, right? Cool pens, cool colors, cool hardware, cool people … what more can you ask for? Good price, too! The base Autumn Leaves pen is $209, with a $20 upgrade for the nano-plated nib (in a wide variety of colors, btw.)

My thanks to Jim and his team for providing this pen for review (and giveaway tomorrow!) If you happen to be at the Chicago Pen Show this upcoming weekend, be sure to swing by and check out their goods.

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

---

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!

PenBBS 456 Cordierite Fountain Pen Review

(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)

It's always great to find a comparable product that provides an excellent experience at a fraction of the price to its inspiration. The Pilot Custom 823 is a holy grail pen for some — it's a larger fountain pen that boasts a 14k gold nib, a large vacuum filled ink reservoir, and the prestige of the Pilot name (and quality) behind it. But at nearly $300, it can be difficult to obtain for some. Just in the genre of vacuum filled fountain pens, your options are few and far between. No one wants to start at the $300 mark just to experiment with a vacuum filled pen.

For a while now, TWSBI has had the Vac700 and Vac Mini, which provide the same basic functionality as the Custom 823, but at a much more affordable sub-$100 price point. At a price between $62 (for the Mini) and up to $82 for the full size 700, you can have a well-made vacuum filler for a much better price. At this price, it's easy to justify for experimenting with the filling mechanism to see if you want to wade deeper into the pool. The only problem with the TWSBI options is the lack of color. They're just demonstrators that allow a little bit of color on the grip and knob pieces. Luckily, PenBBS has a strong entry to this genre with the 456 — a fantastic fountain pen with a vacuum filling system.

The 456 is a full-size pen with a large ink reservoir, a large and smooth nib, and a comfortable grip. But what's special about this is they offer eight colorful options to choose from. You can definitely pick the demonstrator if that's your thing, but there's also plenty of blues, ambers, grays, purples, whites, silvers, and pinks to add personality to the pen.

Regardless of the colorway you pick, they all use chrome trim (something you can't get easily in the US if you're looking for a Pilot Custom 823). The pen feels well-built and has a nice weight. It doesn't feel cheap even though it only costs $56. The vacuum piston system works smoothly (as well as my TWSBI and Pilot as a comparison) and operates exactly as I'd expect. I haven't measured to be completely sure, but I think the reservoir easily holds 2-3 ml of ink. Compared to a standard cartridge or converter, this is a massive upgrade in terms of ink capacity. Even a large piston filling pen can't hold as much ink as a vacuum filler. Something like the Opus 88 Demo might hold more ink, but that's also a really large pen and it's also technically an eyedropper system.

Now, this pen does only cost a little over $50 — you can't expect it to compete directly with the Pilot Custom 823, but that doesn't stop it from trying. I'm surprised by how much I like using this pen, and I'm lucky enough to have a Custom 823 nearby to directly compare. The 823 has a 14k gold nib, so it automatically just feels nicer to use when writing. It has a soft flex and smoothness on paper that a steel nib can't touch. The body and materials feel more solid and higher quality. The knob mechanism is smooth and feels durable.

That being said, the 456 feels good in its own way. The steel nib writes flawlessly and feels great for a steel nib. It's a great size that matches the rest of the pen. The materials don't feel as nice in the hand, but they feel really good — better than they should for the price. The knob mechanism isn't as smooth, but it feels like it will last quite a while before developing any problems. Visually, I like the 456 over the 823. The 823 has a dull workhorse vibe, and I love it for that. It will outlive me and still write flawlessly, but it just isn't a pretty pen with the translucent amber body and gold trim. The 456 colors excite me — I had a hard time picking a color because I liked them all. They're made of acrylic resin, so you know they'll be durable.

The main question that I keep coming back to when using this pen is simple: can this pen replace the Custom 823 for me? My answer is simple because I already own an 823: No. But, I think Pilot should pay attention to what's happening here. TWSBI's offerings weren't exciting and had quality issues. The PenBBS 456 is still new, so quality and durability are an unknown at this point. But the fact that they've managed to produce a pen that has a solid vacuum filler mechanism, a fantastic nib, and plenty of color options at a price of $56 should make Pilot at least consider a response. Top of mind for me? Give us more color options with the 823. It's best-of-class and it deserves some more love in the way of colorways. But more interesting is possibly offering a new pen that uses the tried-and-true 823 mechanics at a smaller size, lower cost, and more fun colors. If they could offer this at a sub-$100 price with the Pilot standard of quality we all love, I imagine they'd fly off the shelves.

I know it's unlikely that Pilot will do any of this, but it's fun to dream. I think the PenBBS 456 is an incredibly easy choice for anyone that's interested in trying out a vacuum filler. There aren't a ton of options in this area, and this price is unbeatable. The color options are just icing on the cake.

Time will tell, but if the 456 turns out to be a long-lasting, durable pen, it will certainly take a chunk out of the Pilot Custom 823 market and possibly obliterate the TWSBI Vac line. This is a fantastic pen and I highly recommend picking one up if you're even remotely interested in owning a vacuum filler fountain pen. There's something so satisfying about dipping the nib into an ink bottle, plunging the piston, and watching the ink fill up the reservoir while you just hold the pen still. Check out all the exciting colorway options, and best of luck on making a decision!

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

---

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!

Vintage Vs. Modern: Why Go Old School?

(Chloé Stott is a blogger, freelance writer and product reviewer with a fountain pen obsession. She is the founder of KraftyCats, where she blogs about pen restorations, guitars, cats and coffee, and publishes reviews for companies all over the world.)

When Brad kindly allowed me to write a guest post for The Pen Addict, he gave me a prompt.

'How do you decide to use a vintage pen when you have so many modern pens on hand?'

It looks like a simple question, doesn't it? I suppose it is, but there are so many different answers to it and I found it impossible to give just one reason. It took me a day to narrow the possible responses down so I could write a post. But, after all that thought, I think I can give a few points that will explain why I adore vintage pens so much and regularly use them in everyday life.

Design

Back in the early 20th century, fountain pens were so carefully designed. Take a look at the picture below - the beautiful striped design of the green Sheaffer and the delicate marbling of the Parkette. Both have shiny brass or gold-plated bands. Yes, back then, manufacturers used gold quite liberally, including it in nibs, bands, and clips. Nowadays we have cheaper substitutes that are often used instead, but the joy of a writing with a good, flexible 14k gold nib is unlike anything you'll experience when using modern pens with steel nibs.

Now observe this Parker Duofold. See that ring top? I can't find any 21st century pens with that feature. The ring-top was meant for ladies, so they could wear the pen on a chain as I do. Generally speaking, men had the pens with clips, and those made for ladies had either a ring, or were just left clipless, to be carried inside a purse.

There are several pens from this century in my collection that I would love to wear on a silver chain, but none of them have rings, so sadly I cannot...

Nibs

Modern pens typically have nibs that are made out of materials resistant to wear. That is all very well and good, and makes sense. Of course, you want a resilient nib that won't be affected by anybody else's writing style if you lend the pen to a friend, coworker, etc. But I love the fact that I can use a writing instrument from the thirties or forties, and feel the slight scratch of the nib where it was worn down by its previous owner.

I'll never know who originally owned it, but I feel that the tiny scratch I can detect when writing gives me a tiny connection to the person who loved and used this pen before me. It's a small thing, but it gives me joy. I get to daydream about the letters, messages and notes that this pen wrote long before I existed, and I like to imagine how happy the person who bought it would be to see that their pen is still cherished in 2022.

Filling Mechanisms

Today, most pens (like the one on the left) use a converter or cartridge. The Sheaffer on the right sucks ink up with an extendable metal straw. Am I the only one who finds this funny and entertaining?

A lot of vintage mechanisms were rather unnecessarily complicated but it gives them charm (unless you're trying to restore one). Converters, while often easier to use, are boring in comparison. Do you remember the green Sheaffer? It has a hidden plunger mechanism. Genius!

Longevity

Look around your house. How many items can you see that will still function in a century?

Probably not many. That's the problem. We live in a throwaway society, and members of my generation are often deep in the clutches of mindless consumerism. 'Ooh, that looks pretty, buy it. Yeah, it'll probably fall apart in a year, but who cares? I'll buy another'. This applies to clothes, electronics, you name it. Things are built to fall apart nowadays. Companies make more money if their products break.

That attitude would have horrified many of our ancestors, because they made items to last. They believed that if you paid for a product, it should last you a lifetime, and many companies such as Sheaffer actually did come with a such a guarantee. Sheaffer put a little white dot on their pens that they called the Mark Of Distinction - it signified that it was guaranteed to last for the lifetime of the person who first bought it.

You didn't even have to pay extra to get that feature.

I could say more about my love of all things vintage pen related, but I think I have covered the most salient features of these amazing little pieces of engineering. I'm not saying that fountain pens manufactured more recently aren't also brilliant - I own many which I wouldn't want to be without, but their predecessors hold a special place in my heart.