Baron Fig Squire (Review-Ish Thingy)

[sodiumnitrate]

I recently impulse-purchased a baron fig squire special edition, mysterium. My rationale (which I put together in a split second before I hit buy) was that it would be nice to have a decent pen to write on cheap paper, and that the design was too beautiful to pass on.

 

I've been using it for a few weeks now, so here are my thoughts. First off, I can't believe how the ink feathers on every paper I tried. It feathers even on Tomoe River paper. Maybe the way they designed the whole pen was to make you buy their own notebooks, which is not cool. My pen also has some defects on its body: a small cluster of micro-indentations close to the center. This shouldn't happen with a $60 pen. I mean, if Faber-Castell Loom is worth $35, this pen should be like $20. I would say that the price/performance ratio is horrible.

 

I would also prefer if the pen had some sort of a clip or a roll stopper. It's less prone to roll compared to ensso piuma, which I think is due to its non-tapered cylindrical shape, as opposed to the cigar shape of piuma. Nevertheless, it often rolls off my notebook or desk.

 

Now to the positives: the rollerball tip does not spurt out ink. What usually happens with rollerballs is that if you write quickly, or if you make long strokes, excess ink builds up around the ball on the tip, and you get blobs of ink around your letters. This doesn't happen at all. It's a quite sturdy tip. Also, as I said before, the design is simply stunning.

 

Overall, I would give it 2.5 out of 5 stars. It's a fine pen with beautiful minimalist design, but not worth $60. Caran d'Ache 849 ballpoint still remains my favorite non-FP pen.

[Kodiac136]

I've been using it for a few weeks now, so here are my thoughts. First off, I can't believe how the ink feathers on every paper I tried. It feathers even on Tomoe River paper. Maybe the way they designed the whole pen was to make you buy their own notebooks, which is not cool. My pen also has some defects on its body: a small cluster of micro-indentations close to the center. This shouldn't happen with a $60 pen. I mean, if Faber-Castell Loom is worth $35, this pen should be like $20. I would say that the price/performance ratio is horrible.

 

It is a rebranded Schmidt refill, so there is no grand conspiracy afoot here. I recommend that you contact Baron Fig about the indentations, as I've never had such an issue with their pens.

 

It is too bad that you've had a bad experience with them, my favorite pen to use besides my fountain pens is probably my Baron Fig.

[sodiumnitrate]

 

It is a rebranded Schmidt refill, so there is no grand conspiracy afoot here. I recommend that you contact Baron Fig about the indentations, as I've never had such an issue with their pens.

 

It is too bad that you've had a bad experience with them, my favorite pen to use besides my fountain pens is probably my Baron Fig.

 

 

I see, good to know, thanks. It's still interesting that it feathers on Tomoe River. I mean it's a great pen, I'm just not sure if it's worth $60.

[Kodiac136]

I don't often write with Tomoe River, but I have a pack of it in my desk at home. I'll see if mine feathers -- I don't think it does. I'm wondering if maybe your refill is broken or something.

 

I used to have an aluminum one and I just thought it was okay. I ended up selling it and buying the stainless steel version and I adore it. The extra weight is perfection for me. It definitely annoyed me that it didn't have a clip, but I usually have mine tucked away in my pen pouch, so it isn't a deal breaker for me.

 

Anyway, thanks for the review.

[calhoun tubbs]

I have the Spectre version of this pen. I dont think that the Squire is really a bad pen, but certainly not great. To grade a pen down for not having a clip, when you know that it doesnt have before you buy it is a little unfair. The indentations, however, sound like a manufacturer defect.

 

I havent had any issues with Schmidt refills on Tomoe paper, so you likely got a bad refill. What really annoys me about these Squire pens is the clicky feel you get when you lift the point off of the paper and touch it down again. Though the Squire pens are generally well made and look good, I dont think theyre a particularly good deal for the price.

Edited June 9, 2018 by Philosoraptor

[sodiumnitrate]

I have the Spectre version of this pen. I dont think that the Squire is really a bad pen, but certainly not great. To grade a pen down for not having a clip, when you know that it doesnt have before you buy it is a little unfair. The indentations, however, sound like a manufacturer defect.

 

I havent had any issues with Schmidt refills on Tomoe paper, so you likely got a bad refill. What really annoys me about these Squire pens is the clicky feel you get when you lift the point off of the paper and touch it down again. Though the Squire pens are generally well made and look good, I dont think theyre a particularly good deal for the price.

 

 

Well, I didn't really grade it down for not having a clip. I'm just saying it would be slightly better if it did. In any case, I've tried two refills already. Maybe it just doesn't go well with NC humidity.

 

Also, interesting note about the clicky feel. I don't particularly feel something when I write. Maybe there's something inside the pen that's slightly out of place?

[IndigoBOB]

 

 

Well, I didn't really grade it down for not having a clip. I'm just saying it would be slightly better if it did. In any case, I've tried two refills already. Maybe it just doesn't go well with NC humidity.

 

Also, interesting note about the clicky feel. I don't particularly feel something when I write. Maybe there's something inside the pen that's slightly out of place?

 

 

They also use the Schmidt Easyflow 9000, which is the only ballpoint I'll use and it's very smooth and effortless, especially with a pen with a descent weight like the Squire.

 

Sounds like you got a bum refill, cuz it uses the same as the retro 51 Tornado rollerballs that are so popular and they wouldn't be if they bled on Tomoe.

 

I agree: for $60 I would like to at least see the option of a clip. There's not a lot of options when it comes to rollerball pens that don't weigh too much.

 

You can get the Baron Fig Squire Click for $35 and free shipping using discount codes available by reviewers.

[jameswatts]

I have two Squires -- a grey aluminum and the brass Mysterium. Great pocket pens. Love the weight and feel of them.