Why I Bought the Cross Townsend Star Wars Limited Edition Fountain Pens

(This is a guest post by Jon Bemis. You can find Jon on Twitter @jtower42.)

Episode IV: A New Pen

"Force Friday," as it was called, was one of the most impressive marketing and merchandising accomplishments I've seen as a consumer. A few teases, a few leaks, and then BOOM, Star Wars swag everywhere. Lego. Furniture. Toys, of course. Apparel. Thursday, nothing. Friday, it was as if though thousands of retailers cried out in joy and were suddenly overwhelmed with shoppers.

I was enjoying watching the hype and goings-on via social media in a sort of detached way when a tweet from a pen retailer popped into my feed and my eyes bugged out like Jar-Jar Binks'. Hands trembling, ears filled with the sound of rushing water, I clicked on a link that included the words "Star Wars" and "pen."

I've been a Star Wars fan as far back as I can remember. I was born after Episode IV came out, but I remember it being shown on network TV when I was a kid, back when you couldn't just pull up stuff on Netflix and VHS tapes were $100 a pop. My parents said I could stay up late to watch if I put my PJ's on before the movie started, and I remember selecting jammies with multi-colored stripes because they looked like blasters firing. On my second date with my future wife, just as the Fox fanfare was playing, I leaned over and whispered to her, "I saw Episode I FIVE TIMES in the theater."" And today, I am introducing my four daughters to the Star Wars universe.

So of course I was drawn to the "fine writing instruments" Force Friday tie-in, the Cross Townsend Star Wars Limited Editions. There were three designs - C-3PO, Stormtrooper, and Darth Vader. These were the pens I was looking for, and I immediately ordered all three.

Little did I know that much of the rest of the pen world was reacting differently. The Fountain Pen Network Facebook page was a wretched hive of scum and villany. Reactions ranged from the ostensibly helpful ("Keep an eye out on Overstock next year") to the rude and nearly unintelligible ("WHAT THE FUGGH?!")

The primary complaint was the price of these pens. They are expensive, no doubt, at $575 each. But in a world where beloved brands like Montblanc and Nakaya START above that price and where it seems like everyone is waiting for a bespoke pen from one of the community's artisanal pen-turners, this hysteria seemed as forced as Hayden Christiansen's line readings..

Even the Pen Addict Podcast hosts got their pokes in:

"They don't LOOK good," opined Myke. "They're not PUTRID," Brad sort-of demurred.

Additional pithy thoughts from the gents included "asinine," "embarrassing," "ridiculous," and "a joke." Against both the tide of public opinion and my better judgment, I posted in the live chat room that I had ordered all three, which Brad noticed. Myke was incredulous. "I didn't BELIEVE him."

I felt kinship with the Star Wars fans that hold a wildly unpopular opinion like "I like the scene Lucas added where Han steps on Jabba's tail," or "the whole midichlorians thing totally makes sense," or "Jar-Jar Binks is my favorite character." I felt the need to defend myself, like Luke deflecting blaster fire while practicing with his lightsaber. I mean, I really liked the look of these pens from the first. But more than that, what really drew me to these pens was that they represented the nexus of two of my favorite things. Whenever I see a product that does that I get a feeling like that product was made just for me.

In the pen world, Retro 51 has nailed this concept. Their special editions are always aimed at different niches - sports fans, space fanatics, dog lovers, retro gamers, even ugly sweater enthusiasts - and typically sell out quickly. Personally, my family and I are huge Disney fans, so I have spent a fair amount of time hunting down Disney Retro 51s and Uni Kuru Togas. There are parallels to Field Notes as well. My favorite edition is Traveling Salesman because I AM a traveling salesman, and I love Two Rivers and Shelterwood for their connections to my beloved home state of Wisconsin. So when nerdy hobby "Pens" intersected with geeky obsession "Star Wars" it was pointless to resist.

Brad swept in like Han Solo in the trench and commissioned, right there on the air, a review of my newest pens for the Pen Addict blog. So here is my review of the much-maligned Cross Townsend Star Wars Limited Editions. (I hope it's not a trap.)

Episode V: The Reviewer Strikes Back

The low-resolution images on some of the retailers' websites have disappointed for the last time. In person, these pens are just stunning. While the basic design of the Cross Townsend is so classic and simple as to nearly be boring, the details added for these editions elevate the pens to something special.

While it looks like a standard brass pen body from a distance, close up the C-3PO is fluent in over six million forms of beautiful. It is gold (of course) and covered with accent lines recalling the curves and circles etched on Threepio himself. The clip is centered in a ring of concentric circles like those in the center of the protocol droids chest, and the caps finial looks like his eye.

The Darth Vader is deep matte black with Vaderesque pinstripes running the length of the barrel, and the cap has subtle lines recalling the Sith Lord's mask under the clip. A red crystal is set in the caps finial, and while normally I'd scoff at the addition of a Swarovski crystal as a selling point - seriously, what is the deal with Swarovski? Isn't it just, you know, crystal? - it is a nice touch here as a callback to the color of Vader's lightsaber.

The Stormtrooper is my favorite of the three. The pen is, naturally, stark white with black furniture, and the finial has the mesh pattern of the communicator on the helmet. It's a very simple design but elegantly so, just like the armor for which it is named

The one design quibble I have is a fit and finish concern. Where the barrel and section thread together is meant to be a seamless fit, but the joint is not quite perfect and means there is a tiny mismatch between the barrel and section.

I have read comments that the Cross Click Gel Star Wars editions are better because they sport bolder design elements, including a badge on the clip that identifies the character. Thing is, I really like that the design on the Townsends is subtle. I love the idea that I can be sitting in big important formal meeting and be using my nerdy pen and no one will even know.

These pens look great...but so did the pod race. A good fountain pen is not as random or clumsy as a ballpoint; it is a more elegant writing instrument from a more civilized age. Even so, a bad writing experience will ruin even the best-looking fountain pen. So how do these pens write?

Episode VI: Not Returning the Pens

The nibs on all three were very smooth right out of the box with almost no feedback. They are not "soft" nibs per se, but as with most 18K nibs, these have a little bit of softness and create a little bit of line variation, which is an awesome bonus. Ink flow is fairly wet and broad, and there is little difference between the fine and medium nibs, which are the only available choices. Using the included Cross black cartridge on 80 gram Rhodia paper, there is some very minor ghosting, but no bleedthrough of any kind.

The Townsends are slim, which is a Cross design hallmark, but not so slim as to be uncomfortable to use for extended writing sessions. The section is plastic, which I prefer, and offers a solid grip. The caps post solidly, but being solid brass, make the pen untenably back-heavy when posted.

Overall, I really love the way the pen writes - the quality and tuning of the nib are top notch, and I've enjoyed using them in the weeks since they arrived.

Having never owned a Cross fountain pen, I didn't know what to expect, and part of me was worried I'd be disappointed. I did hesitate (briefly) before I ordered them, but then I remembered some excellent advice. "C'mon, let's keep a little optimism here." Happily, my leap of faith was rewarded. The Force is very much with these pens.

Omas Milord Arte Italiana ART Fountain Pen Review

My fountain pen education thus far has primarily focused around pens from two countries of origin: Germany and Japan. That seems like a narrow focus, but considering the production history and love of writing those two countries have, focusing on one brand from one country could give you more than enough choice to last you a lifetime.

As I learn more about this wonderful industry and hobby I am realizing that a third country belongs in the conversation: Italy. I own two Italian pens, and brands like Omas, Visconti, Aurora, Delta, and Montegrappa - to name a few - are well known and respected by fountain pen lovers young and old. But it's only been recently that I have had more than a superficial interest in Italian pens, and I am quickly learning what I have been missing out on all these years.

The opportunity to use the Omas Milord Arte Italiana ART recently has opened my eyes to the wonderful work being done by Italian manufacturers. I own a Visconti, and even own an Omas, but until using this Arte Italiana ART I didn't "get it". Well, needless to say, I get it now.

Let me be clear about something right upfront with the ART: this is a high end luxury pen, and a limited run of 311 units in this color. Street price runs around $680, which makes it the second most expensive pen I have reviewed (my Nakaya Portable being the first). I get asked all the time about expensive pens and their relative worth compared to more reasonably priced options. The majority of the time, you can get a comparable writing experience with a lower priced option, and the price difference lies in unique design or rare materials used to make the pen. Other times, the overall experience is so exceptional that the price is justified comparatively. This is one of those times.

In talking about this particular Omas I'm going to make a bold statement up front because I feel this strongly about it: This is the best gold nib I have ever used. It's truly fascinating. The fine 18k nib is unbelievably smooth and hits a sweet spot right between firm and springy. For a non-squared off nib (like a stub or italic), the edges of the lines on the page are surprisingly crisp and sharp. I get nibs modified often because I like that clean look and this one I wouldn't consider touching.

Speaking of flawless, this barrel is something else. The guilloche pattern in the Teal Green cotton resin barrel is subtle, but as a whole unit it draws your eyes in and won't let them go. It feels wonderful too, with just the slightest tactile touch to let you know it's there. Writing balance is impeccable, and the overall feel when doing its job is spot on.

Part of that balance is due to the Rhodium plated grip section. The weight of the metal offsets the lightness of the cotton resin barrel. It is comfortable to hold and not slippery at all. It also continues the guilloche pattern seen on the barrel. Rhodium plays a design role throughout the ART, bringing together the nib, section, clip, cap band, finial, and piston ring.

The piston filling system itself twists fluidly from the end of the pen and fills up the barrel with ease. I didn't measure the ink drawn in but it reports to have a 1.2 ml capacity. Judging by the ink in the bottle of Omas Turquoise and my lengthy writing time, I have no reason to doubt that.

I received this pen on loan from Kenro Industries for review and I'm going to have a tough time sending it back. I've been using it constantly for the past couple of months, and just yesterday was the first time it sat on my desk uninked. The 2016 fountain pen show season kicks off soon though, and a cotton resin barrel Omas will be at, or near, the top of my shopping list.

TWSBI Diamond 580AL Blue Fountain Pen Review

My Top 5 Pens list is long overdue for an update, but if you are familiar with the list you know the praise I have heaped on the TWSBI Diamond 580. That is going to change in this next update, as the TWSBI Diamond 580AL has taken over.

The standard 580 has been a staple of mine for years, but when plastic parts are replaced with aluminum (and in some cases colored aluminum!) and the price goes up only slightly, it's a no-brainer to replace one with the other.

The most recent release of the 580AL features blue aluminum highlights in the form of the grip section and piston mechanism. Orange and Purple came before Blue, and in the case of Orange they are essentially gone, and Purple is heading that way. So this is your PSA. If you want the Blue TWSBI Diamond 580AL now is the time to buy.

What do you get for your $60? One of the best fountain pen values on the market. The steel nibs on the 580 are firm, fine, and smooth. I generally go for the EF nib, which is what you see in the writing samples here. In the non-Japanese category, these are some of my favorite nibs. I don't recall ever having an issue with any of my many TWSBI's when writing.

The biggest selling point is the piston filling mechanism. No cartridges allowed here. If this is your first fountain pen, you want to be sure to purchase a bottle of ink as well. Unscrew the piston, dip the nib into the ink bottle up to the section, screw the piston back in to suck up the ink, and start writing. It's really simple, and works well in the 580.

From a feel perspective, the 580 is a large pen, but not overly so unless you want to post the cap. This pen is really not designed for posting. It can happen, but it throws off the balance. Unposted, the 580 is right on the money and you can write comfortably for extended periods without issue.

There is no question that I am a TWSBI fan and get a huge amount of enjoyment from their pens. Especially the 580AL.

(JetPens is an advertiser on The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)