Review Of The Muji Fountain Pen

[xuan87]

The original review and other pen reviews can be found on my blog: http://inkoholicanonymous.blogspot.sg/

 

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss324/xuan87/DSCF0929.jpg

 

INTRODUCTION: This pen pops up once in a while on FPN and from what I gather, it can only be bought in New York (I think it's the Muji store in the Empire State Building?) so whenever someone is going to be in the area, he will post on FPN and buy for whoever is interested. Fortunately for me, there is a Muji store in Singapore and I happened to chance upon the pen by accident. Seeing that the pen is only S$20 (~US$16) and its cult status on FPN, I bought the pen without a second thought.

 

 

1. Appearance & Design (9/10) – I will say that the pen is designed with function in mind, and it won't appeal to everyone. I like it though, as a simple straight cylinder, with sharp cut-off ends, lending it a futuristic look. I guess it appeals to the engineer in me. The pen grip area is thoughtfully textured like a metal file, with the purpose of adding more grip as compared to if it's made from smooth aluminium.

 

I'll like to add that out of all my pens, both expensive and cheap, this pen is one of the few that will start up immediately after lying around unused for a few months. One factor is that the Singapore weather is very humid, but another more factor is probably due to the well designed cap, which is reasonably tight, and also likely airtight. This is important to me because after graduation, I find myself using a pen only a few times a month at the very most, and penless for months at the very least.

 

There is also a small groove at the back of the pen that will allow you to post the pen. After posting, the cap is actually in line with the pen body, giving it a seamless and elegant look. Very nice!

 

 

2. Construction & Quality (10/10) – I believe the entire pen is made out of aluminium except for a piece of rubber at the top. As mentioned before, the cap is reasonably tight and so is the clip. I can't find any serious cause for complaint here.

 

 

3. Weight & Dimensions (9/10) – Since the pen is made from thin aluminium instead of thick plastic with a simple filling mechanism (cartridges), this pen is very very light (I would prefer a bit more weight). This pen is on the small side and some might find it too thin to hold but it's alright for my hands. YMMV

 

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss324/xuan87/DSCF0931.jpg

 

4. Nib & Performance (19/20) – The nib is a one tone silver Schmidt Fine, and I believe it is only available in this tone and nib size. Out of all the mass-produced nibs (Jowo, Heritage etc), the Schmidt nibs are my favorite: For one, their nib sizes run true to what I think nib sizes should be. For example, I find Jowo nibs to run half a size to a size larger. Also, while Schmidt nibs are smooth with no hint of scratchiness, they have some amount of feedback too, unlike the buttery smooth Jowo nibs. I think some feedback because it gives me a sense of control when I'm writing fast. And they are not too wet or dry, just wet enough to show the ink's true color, and not so wet that bleedthrough is terribly obvious. So the nib I got is a typical Schmidt nib: Smooth, with feedback and the right amount of wetness. I'll take a point off due to the limited choice of nib size.

 

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss324/xuan87/DSCF0930.jpg

 

5. Filling System & Maintenance (9/10) – The pen comes with only a short international black ink cartridges. However, looking at the length of the pen body, I believe you can fit in a long ink cartridge or a cartridge converter, like those from Schmidt or any brand that has an international opening. I like this filling system because it's the easiest to clean and maintain but I'm taking a point off because a cartridge converter was not included.

 

 

6. Cost & Value (10/10) – As I've mentioned before, this gem of a pen costs only US$14 and to me, that's a hell of a bargain for an aluminium fountain pen that looks good and writes well. It's the perfect workhorse pen that I don't mind bringing around as it won't be too terrible a thing if I lose it, drop it or scratch it.

 

 

7. Conclusion (Final score, 66/70) – This is a pretty short and sweet review but in hindsight it's not that surprising. This is a very simple and functional pen which is designed to look (relatively) good and write well. It also makes a good gift to people who are new to fountain pens. All you have to do is include a pack of ink cartridges and they're good to go for a while.

 

As a sidenote, this is the pen that I brought with me to my interview. A pen like the Platinum Preppy looks too cheap while a pen like the Sailor PG will look too pretentious. I like this pen has the "WOW" factor without giving off a snobbish air.

Edited July 16, 2012 by xuan87

[writingrav]

Thanks for the review. I've been hearing more and more about the Mui store in Manhattan and will have to check it out next time I'm in NY, which is relatively often.

[Beechwood]

With the caveat that I cannot open your pics right now to check its the same model as mine. I am surprised that you cannot post the cap on the pen, mine fits into the groove at the top of the pen.

 

The clip has a known history for breaking off.

 

Good accurate review however.

[xuan87]

With the caveat that I cannot open your pics right now to check its the same model as mine. I am surprised that you cannot post the cap on the pen, mine fits into the groove at the top of the pen.

 

The clip has a known history for breaking off.

 

Good accurate review however.

 

You're right about the groove! I never noticed it before. I will have to edit my review to factor this in.

[Jadie]

Oh, it's so appealing on so many different levels. You say the cap is practically airtight? That makes it sound like a good pen to use with Noodler's Kung Te-Cheng.

 

Must find one of these in the future.

[senzen]

Good review! Stylish and dependable, and all for $15 USD, what's not to like? I use Parker converters in mine. Flow is always dependable with Pelikan Edelstein Mandarin and J. Herbin Orange Indien; Bleu Myosotis seems to finally have found a home too...

 

A question: the grip part looks a little grimy on mine, any idea of a safe way to clean it?

[tenney]

There are Muji stores that did carry that pen on the Ginza in Tokyo and at the HKG airport too. (just in case either are more convenient than NY)

[xuan87]

Good review! Stylish and dependable, and all for $15 USD, what's not to like? I use Parker converters in mine. Flow is always dependable with Pelikan Edelstein Mandarin and J. Herbin Orange Indien; Bleu Myosotis seems to finally have found a home too...

 

A question: the grip part looks a little grimy on mine, any idea of a safe way to clean it?

 

as you can see from the photos, my grip is still clean after half a year so I haven't tried cleaning my yet. However, I think using a wet cotton bud and gently rubbing away the grime might work.

[nottmbantam]

Right, it's a trip to New York lined up then.

[Gloucesterman]

OK, Now YOU did it. Your review was so good that I just got off the phone from ordering one of the pens from their online catalog. And of course, I could not order just the pen, so I was FORCED to find other items to order on an investigatory basis only, - to be sure!

 

To top it off, for some reason their online order processing would not take my credit card so I ended up having to place the order over the phone.

 

....and all of this while we were have a powerful thunder & lightning storm right outside my door!

 

Well, I am certainly looking forward to getting this simple and elegant (my choice of words) pen.

 

What I may do is rationalize the whole thing by doing reviews on the paper/notebooks I ordered!

 

P.S. Thanks for the inspiration :thumbup:

[Gloucesterman]

OK, Now YOU did it. Your review was so good that I just got off the phone from ordering one of the pens from their online catalog. And of course, I could not order just the pen, so I was FORCED to find other items to order on an investigatory basis only, - to be sure!

 

To top it off, for some reason their online order processing would not take my credit card so I ended up having to place the order over the phone.

 

....and all of this while we were have a powerful thunder & lightning storm right outside my door!

 

Well, I am certainly looking forward to getting this simple and elegant (my choice of words) pen.

 

What I may do is rationalize the whole thing by doing reviews on the paper/notebooks I ordered!

 

P.S. Thanks for the inspiration :thumbup:

 

Pretty impressive! I ordered the fountain pen, along with some other stuff yesterday around 3 or 4 p.m.. Had to call in my order and spoke with Wei. Very nice guy. Took the order and said he would have it "pulled" and out before the end of the day.

 

He was true to his word! even with standard shipping (FedEx - 5-10 business days) it was waiting for me when I got home today at 4.

 

Very impressed.

 

BTW, I had a Monteverde converter (just like the Parker I think) that fits very nicely.

 

For $15.50 (plus shipping) it is a very decent pen.

 

Thanks for the review.

[georges zaslavsky]

looks like a nice pen, thanks for sharing

[dex138]

Oh, it's so appealing on so many different levels. You say the cap is practically airtight? That makes it sound like a good pen to use with Noodler's Kung Te-Cheng.

 

Must find one of these in the future.

 

Just received one of these myself, and it's an awesome little writer, but FYI, the cap is not airtight. When you blow into the open cap end you will hear air passing through it, comes out of a small hole under the clip.

 

Cheers!

[Seele]

Just an FYI: this Muji 399 is made by Ohto; this might widen the scope somewhat.

[rockydoggy]

You're right about the hole in the cap. However, I've had my Muji inked continuously for well over 5 years and I don't recall it every drying out . . . and I've sometimes let it sit unused for weeks at a time. I suspect that when the pen is capped, some kind of seal may be engaged that prevents the pen from drying out; but that's just a guess. Regardless, I've had this pen for a decade or so and it remains one of my favorite writers.

[horolographer]

Hi Xuan,

Thanks for the review. Nice read and made me curious.

Fortunately I also live in Singapore but there are quite a few MUJI stores here. Which outlet were you able to find this gem of a pen?

 

Thanks!

[Pengrump]

The MoMA gift shop used to sell this pen. I bought one a number of years ago and it still writes quite well. As I've aged, my hands have gotten arthritic, so it's a bit skinnier than pens I would buy now, but the lightness doesn't bother me. Nice, inexpensive pen!

[humsin]

Something about using this pen irritates me...I don't know why I just don't like using my Muji pen.

[branodncooley92]

nice review

[dkatana]

Something about using this pen irritates me...I don't know why I just don't like using my Muji pen.

 

I have been using a Muji fountain pen for the past five years. While I like the way the pen works, the ease of using standard ink and the price, I had some problems with the way the pen feels. My index finger was getting scratched by the pen surface.

Otherwise this is one of the best inexpensive pens I have. I purchased around 20 pens in the past five years, mostly to give them as gifts. If you want to introduce someone to the pleasure of fountain pen writing this is a good option. Another excellent pen is the LAMY Safary.

 

Now my daily use pen is a Lamy LOGO, with a medium nib. I write high-tech articles for a living, and I use the pen for drafts, always on Muji recycled paper (B5).

Edited December 20, 2012 by dkatana