This is the thing we need more
of in North America-- a nearly-disposable fountain pen! I say
"nearly" because is it rigged to be refillable, but it's so low-cost
that one wouldn't fear it coming to a bad end. This one cost me
$3.00 through eBay, and there are rumours abroad of it costing as
little as $1.50 if you can find it in a store. I can't, alas, say
what they cost in the home market, as I can't find a price on the package--
a strange state of affairs with a Japanese product. The package
does reassure that the model name is in fact "Ink Pen", as the katakana
and kanji in the cartouche at the top says "kaatorijji shiki inkupen";
Cartridge System Ink Pen.
This is such an undistinguished pen that it doesn't actually show up on the Sailor website-- not even the one for the home market.
It's cheap, but unlike some other cheap pens,
it's quite good. It starts reliably, don't skip or drip, and
makes a fairly consistent line. There isn't any tipping material
as such on the point, which will cause it to wear out sooner than it
might otherwise, but the shape of the point is that of a very fine
italic pen, which makes for some extra-pretty handwriting. As a
nod to younger users, the cap is designed to stay on during the
refilling process, so you can be clumsy and not get ink all over your
hands. The sole drawback to the pen is the need for Sailor's own
specific cartridges, which are not readily available in North America.
Some enterprising pen enthusiasts might want to try rigging the
barrel so it can act as an eyedropper pen, but I think I'll stick with refilling cartridges once I've emptied the five that came with it.
I expect this pen is also entirely recyclable-- the only thing in it
that isn't all one kind of plastic is the steel point, and steel's
recyclable too. If you're thinking of starting on fountain pens,
and can lay your hands on one of these, do so!
Specifications:
Fine steel point (being from Japan, finer than American and
European "fine"), slight italic shaping. Cartridge filler. 13.6cm long capped, 15.2cm posted.
Condition:
Well, I got it new, and haven't used it much, so it's as close to
mint as a pen with ink it can get. Given the softer plastic
which it's made of, I expect it to scuff up in a hurry, but it should
resist cracks pretty well. There's so much give in the plastic
that the clip is just a part of the cap moulding.
Repairs:
None.
Location: My collection.
For sale?: I
wish I could afford a crate of these things-- I'd be the Johnny
Appleseed of fountain pen! Alas, I've only this one, and no idea
how to arrange for importation.
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