Caran d’Ache 849 Year of the Dragon Ballpoint Pen Review

“Brad, why do you like the Caran d’Ache 849 so much? I just don’t get it.”

I’ve reviewed the 849 before (back in 2019,) had my own Pen Addict Edition made, and yes, I keep bringing it up in conversation, and buy special editions of it. I’m a fan, but why?

For starters, the style. First launched in 1969, the design of the 849 is a stationery classic. Like a LAMY Safari or a Pelikan fountain pen, the design of the 849 is noticeable from across the room. That likely comes from the unique clip design, tailored perfectly to the fit the hexagonal barrel.

The size of the 849 is also an important factor. This is a small pen. Modern pen designs tell us that the market prefers slightly wider and longer pens, but designs like the 849 and Parker Jotter have sustained for decades by keeping their original silhouette. At 5 inches long and 0.5 oz. in weight it may not necessarily seem or feel small, but in comparison to similar pens it does land on that side of the ledger.

Attached to the Traveler’s Passport notebook.

Ballpoint refills sometimes get a bad rap, but the Goliath (yes, that’s what they named theirs,) is excellent. Only standard colors (Black, Blue, Red, Green,) and sizes (Fine, Medium, Broad,) are available, but the ones I’ve tried (Black and Blue, Fine and Medium,) have all been excellent.

I prefer the Fine Blue Goliath refill, but the Fine Black version may make me reconsider. The line is clean, consistent, and mess-free.

The sum of the above reasons I like the 849 brings us to main one: fun. Caran d’Ache makes fun pens. Look no further than this Caran d’Ache 849 Year of the Dragon Ballpoint for one example why these pens are so popular. This Limited Edition features a Red body with Gold trim, and is filled with dragon scales, including a random layout of gilded-edges. The entire package pops, including the Gold slimpack it ships in.

For all of the upside I see in the 849 lineup, the one downside is the price. The base single color models start at $22, with various Limited Editions on up from there. This Year of the Dragon model is $47. I paid over $100 for a chromed-out Keith Haring edition. So yeah, I’m way in on the Cd’A 849 lineup.

Left to right: Kaweco Sport, Cd’A 849, LAMY Safari.

Should you be? I think there is a checklist to run down if you are thinking about making a purchase. As I discussed above, think about how the size fits your hand, if you like ballpoint refills (the 849 is compatible with Parker-style refills,) and does the style match yours. Am I going to tell you that the 849 provides better performance for the price than the Jetstream Lite Touch that I just raved about? No. Am I going to tell you it’s cooler? I might.

I know that the Caran d’Ache 849 is a staple in my lineup, and I always look forward to what the brand will come up with next.

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

CW&T Pen Type-C Review

One of my favorite product review categories is products I’ve used for years and have never reviewed. Many times, I’m simply too busy enjoying the product to spill a few hundred words on it. But I clearly love a product if it has lasted that long in my writing rotation, so I may as well share my thoughts now, right?

The CW&T Pen Type-C is one of those pens that is perfect for me, but is not for everyone. One look at its design will tell you that. This is a thin pen - so thin that it can be used as a bookmark - with just enough space on the short sides of the rectangular shape to make it work for my traditional tripod grip. I’d almost say it is comfortable to hold, although it wouldn’t be my longform writing implement of choice.

When I’ve discussed this pen in the past on the podcast or in my newsletter, I always bring up the fact that this design reminds me of those old wire-flip ballpoint pens. You know, the kind found in baskets on the counter in the unskippable gift shop at the end of the museum. Or like this one I recently found on eBay:

Comparing the Pen Type-C to a swag pen is unfair, given the over-engineering CW&T puts into every product they make. That’s why this pen is always handy, and frequently in use. In fact, I emptied out its current refill while copying a few lyrics for this post in my Field Notes.

That’s where this pen sits most of the time, clipped inside the front cover. It is so thin I can throw it in my pocket, bag, or backpack, and not have to worry about any additional bulk added by a more traditional cylindrical pen or pencil. On top of that, it uses a great refill in the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto, and in a unique way.

Wrote it dry - oops!

Most pens of this stature use a D1 type refill, but CW&T, as they do, went a different direction. Their Pen Type-A was purpose built for the traditional Pilot Hi-Tec-C refill, and the Pen Type-B followed suit. How could they keep the feel of this great refill, and make a slim pen like the Pen Type-C? They popped the end off the Coleto refill.

This refill is designed to fit Pilot’s popular multi pen lineup, and each refill has a plastic attachment designed to be used as the knock when inserted into a Coleto barrel. Pull off that knock and -BOOM- perfect refill length and diameter for the Pen Type-C.

“But Brad, isn’t this too fidgety for a pen?” Yes! I refer you back to my original comment that this is not a pen for everyone. It can be uncomfortable to hold. You can stab yourself if you aren’t paying attention when “uncapping” the pen. The refill is extra fine. The refill is also exposed. It’s protected by the wire so it won’t ink places it shouldn’t be inking, but, oddly enough, it never dries out. That is not something I can explain. Not once I have ever snapped this pen into use and had it not write. It’s uncanny.

Uncanny is a good descriptor for this pen. Who in their right mind would make this? CW&T, that’s who. And not just this titanium version I have been using since launch. They have expanded their barrel materials, color range, and finish type greatly, and are always experimenting, so different models do move in and out of stock frequently.

At $60 for the base version, I have gotten my money’s worth out of it. Depending on the factors listed above, the price can go up to $80 for special finishes, and higher for limited collaborations.

Given how much I use mine, I need to buy a few extra refills because I am currently out. Or, I could just open up the new Neon Green Cerakote Pen Type-C I added during their recent 55 66 88 Kickstarter campaign, which, in typical CW&T fashion, went absolutely sideways on them, but completed successfully. Sometimes I don’t know how they do it, but I’m glad they do.

(This product was purchased by me as part of the original CW&T Pen Type-C Kickstarter campaign in 2019.)

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Nahvalur Original Plus Rainbow Wrasse Fountain Pen Review

It’s been a year and a half since my Nahvalur Original Plus review, and since that time, this pen has proven to be a solid option for those looking to move past their first cartridge/converter filling system into something more unique, like a vacuum filler. That’s the main selling point for the Original Plus, that is, until you see their latest iteration, the Original Plus Fountain Pen in Rainbow Wrasse.

If you are like me, you may not have know what a Wrasse is, or what it means. According to the internet, the Wrasse is a fish known for its wide variety of colors, and the Rainbow Wrasse is one of the more stunning of the bunch.

Narwhal took a few liberties in translating the look of this fish into a pen, but I am completely here for it. The clear translucent barrel is loaded with glitter, mimicking flickering fish scales in the light, and all of the hardware features rainbow anodization, including the nib. It’s a knockout in my book.

Without fully rehashing my original Original Plus review, I did want to share a few thoughts about the pen. For starters, it fits my hand perfectly. The shape is comfortable, and the weight is balanced. When I’m writing with it, I feel like I could go for hours, if needed. The ink reservoir would allow for that, too, with its 1.5 ml ink capacity - easily filled with the vacuum mechanism.

The nib on my Rainbow Wrasse is Fine, which is the finest Nahvalur currently makes. I’m still holding out hope for an Extra Fine one day, but I like the Fine for daily use, and would have no issue modifying it in the future due to the generous amount of tipping. The line is slightly wider than a similar Steel Jowo #6 nib, but not so much that it feels like a Medium.

It took all of my willpower to not ink this pen up with a Hot Pink ink, which is my usual choice for a pen like this. Instead, I chose the dark Purple of Octopus Fluids Write & Draw Violet Giraffe, which is a pigmented ink. I’ve had good experiences with this ink lineup, and should have no problem cleaning it out when the time comes.

The Nahvalur Original Plus Fountain Pen in Rainbow Wrasse is a Goldspot exclusive release, and at $65, is flying off the shelves. And if you miss out, any of the Original Plus models (most at $55,) would make a nice addition to your writing arsenal.

(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!