Regal Pens

[Mr_Dirt]

In my search to expand my collection of FPs I happened across a brand carried by a seller I purchased my Rotring Initial from. They carry a brand called "Regal". After browsing through a couple different models, I settled on Five different pens.

 

I couldn't help but add them to my collection simply on their appearance. The Five that I selected really caught my eye. I'm sorry for those who love to use integrated filling systems since these are designed specifically for cartridges. The barrels on these are very thin, but I believe a converter would work if one were to find one that fits inside.

 

Mfg: Regal

Material: Plated or Enameled steel

Weight: Light-Medium (27-30g)

Barrel size: Thin

Nib: Medium Two-toned 18k plated steel

Filling System: Cartridge

OAL: 5.5" (140mm)

Length Posted: 6.125" (155mm)

Pen Length: 4.75" (121mm)

 

 

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_uyDRqqR3qE4/S7gWfnPLeBI/AAAAAAAAAGk/5cSaiYLEw8M/s800/P4030798.JPG

 

The pens (from left to right):

 

The Red and Blue pens are from the "Kathrine" series.

 

The Black\Gold is from the "Edward" line.

 

The Stainless and Black\Chrome are from the "Lane" series of pens.

 

 

 

Appearance 4/5

This is the best rating that I can offer on these pens since they really lack the premium machine work offered with much higher dollar pens, but despite this fact these pens still look really good. The finish is excellent with the colored models being extremely vibrant. The nib itself is adorned with some scrollwork and plated on the outer edge with gold. They all share a more modern look. Clean strait edges with trims of chrome to bring elegance to their design.

 

The cap snaps onto the end of the barrel. I like this concept since there is no part of the cap touching the barrel. Without relying on the a friction fit for posting, the finish of the barrel should stay intact for a long time with no "ring" developing where the cap is held in place.

 

The pens came packed in a nice little gift box, but was no where on the level that MBs, Viscontis, or Caran D'aches are packaged. At least they didn't arrive in just bubble wrap.

 

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_uyDRqqR3qE4/S7gRoOlSFzI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/KtCN0LUw0jw/s400/P4030793.JPGhttp://lh4.ggpht.com/_uyDRqqR3qE4/S7gRonqx0AI/AAAAAAAAAFU/8RF5s9YN41g/s400/P4030794.JPG

 

 

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_uyDRqqR3qE4/S7gRozuOYmI/AAAAAAAAAFY/embMS1JAoCo/s400/P4030769.JPGhttp://lh6.ggpht.com/_uyDRqqR3qE4/S7gRpNhJwCI/AAAAAAAAAFc/UMzZEw8UQIg/s400/P4030770.JPG

 

 

Performance 4/5

It's hard to believe that a pen for less than $10.00 out of the box will perform as well as these. I have found that some pens using converters or cartridges take a bit of effort to start the flow. 4 out of the 5 of these started incredibly quickly. The 5th pen has only a single feed channel which could be a reason it took longer to get going but none less began to flow. The other 4 pens share a feed system that has two channels for the ink. The 4 pens that have the twin feed channel system flow incredibly well with Private Reserve cartridges. Once the ink was flowing there was no skipping or starting problems.

 

The balance is towards the cap when posted. The crown of the cap is definitely one the heavier side. For me the thin size makes up for this. This is not for those of you who like a nice substantial barrel, but it's perfect for those of you who like to use a thin pen now and again. This should appeal to people that like the size of more common ball-point pens.

 

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_uyDRqqR3qE4/S7gSBQ3VyTI/AAAAAAAAAFs/awe0V-EKxC4/s400/P4030773.JPGhttp://lh5.ggpht.com/_uyDRqqR3qE4/S7gSBtYqhzI/AAAAAAAAAFw/Kw7EE0dAWS0/s400/P4030774.JPG

 

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_uyDRqqR3qE4/S7gSCu_Y4sI/AAAAAAAAAF4/Hi_x0xocenM/s400/P4030777.JPG

 

 

The Nib 4.5/5

I was completely take by surprise on my first pass with this instrument. The ink flowed cleanly leaving a nice full line. Not overly wet and not too dry. The nib glided over my page with ease. There was no scratchiness or squeaking. In fact it felt like the paper was covered with wax. The nib offers a little bit of flex but nothing like a crow quill.

 

It's appearance is very pleasing. It is not a huge nib, it's more on the smaller size. Very proportional to the overall thin design. The leading edges of the nib are trimmed in gold while the rest is chromed to match the trim on the rest of the pen. The design is clean with no over-the-top adornments.

 

I would have given this nib a 5/5, however all 5 pens share the same exact nib and only 4 of the 5 performed perfectly out of the box. One of them did have some feeding issues, skipping and not wanting to start. This same nib was a bit scratchy as well. With a little bit of elbow grease this nib was able to match the stellar performance of the other 4.

 

 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_uyDRqqR3qE4/S7gSCS5KXgI/AAAAAAAAAF0/MVsDGtxOdWI/s400/P4030775.JPGhttp://lh3.ggpht.com/_uyDRqqR3qE4/S7gSDAfapbI/AAAAAAAAAF8/85O7Jhj6cx0/s400/P4030780.JPG

 

 

Overall 4.5/5

For under $10 what can one really expect? I certainly didn't expect performance at this level. So far I've tried Schneider Black, PR Daphne Blue, PR Dakota Red, and PR Cosmic Cobalt. Private Reserve ink performed excellent in these pens. I think PR will become a regular use item in most of my pens now. The biggest surprise was how smooth these pens were out of the box. The ink flowed from the nib as if they were more expensive than they are. I have a batch of pens coming in soon, being that these are other cheap chinese made pens I think my experience won't be on the level that these have to offer. For those of you who don't mind a thinner pen, I would recommend the "Kathrine" or the "Lane" series for their fantastic value and performance.

 

The box isn't marked with the country of manufacture, but I think that I read somewhere that these are made in Taiwan. Maybe the Taiwanese put just a little more effort into their pens than the Chinese? I'll find out when my other pens arrive. I should have my Visconti next week too, I am really excited to see how that performs!

 

 

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_uyDRqqR3qE4/S7gWRrXkGII/AAAAAAAAAGI/YSXryCirhh0/s400/P4030783.JPGhttp://lh5.ggpht.com/_uyDRqqR3qE4/S7gWR8DBwYI/AAAAAAAAAGM/z3IeEBuIBKg/s400/P4030784.JPG

 

 

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_uyDRqqR3qE4/S7gWSGEN7SI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/_tTvr4CfeAY/s400/P4030785.JPGhttp://lh6.ggpht.com/_uyDRqqR3qE4/S7gWSUy8ruI/AAAAAAAAAGU/8yw0MPcUdZA/s400/P4030786.JPG

 

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_uyDRqqR3qE4/S7gWS85NtvI/AAAAAAAAAGY/ezYRe6seb_8/s400/P4030787.JPG

Edited April 4, 2010 by Mr_Dirt

[lovemy51]

hi MD! boy, your collection is growing very rapidly! of all the regals, i like the style of the Edward. that's the only one i own of that brand, cos' it's the one that caught my attention. not a bad little pen. congrats!

 

edited: oh, forgot to add... i like your hand-writing!

Edited April 4, 2010 by lovemy51

[Lachesis]

$10? I better add that to my list of pens-to-get...^^; I love the black used in the first picture; it's very striking, and your handwriting is to die for! Thanks for sharing!

[selim]

High everybody;

 

I recently purchased a Regal Windsor Tortoiseshell fp and I am extremely pleased with it. It is better constructed than similar Chinese pens, writes first time all the time, good balance. Considering how cheap it is, I may say that this is a very good buy.

 

Regards

Selim

[Ed Ronax]

Nice review, thanks.

[mooshi]

I got my first Regal pen around Christmas time. I was definitely surprised that they would start up without hesitance every time I pick it up, even if it's been laying around in my backpack for a week. I'll be purchasing more in the future, for sure.

 

-- Moo

[jakelogan]

Great review of a brand I wondered about...

 

Love your handwriting as well! :clap1:

[Mr_Dirt]

I'm really hoping as I get my nicer pens my experience gets better and better!

 

(Hoping)

[Juicyjones]

Thanks for the overview. Wow, your handwriting is really nice.

[Mr_Dirt]

Thanks everyone for the comments on my handwriting. I guess it's all perception, I feel like I'm still working on it. I just recently decided I didn't like my printing, so I'm working on Spencerian script.

 

You all should see how untamed it is when I'm writing on un-lined paper!

[xuan87]

i recently bought 5 regal pens for around $100, one of them cost $50, the other $15 and the rest last than $10 each. I haven't inked the one that cost $50. the rest have the same nibs and although they are supposed to be M, they write more like F. very very happy with them, as the nib performance, and construction of the pen body is really above expectations you would have from a pen that cost 5 times as much. the only issue i have with them is the yucky green converter. it feels flimsy and why can't it be clear?!

 

but beside that, i'm really happy with my purchase. these pens make the perfect gifts as they are not only inexpensive, they don't look or sound cheap.

[Biber]

I just got a Regal Thames in the mail today and I hope post a review before long.

 

B

[philipr]

I've had a big, beautiful and heavy Regal Oxford for a few years now, but never used it because it scratched terribly and wouldn't flow well. Looking at it the other day, I decided that since it has cost about thirty dollars I had nothing to lose, and I wrote a few lines with the dry pen on a fine whetting stone, cleaned the nib, dipped it, and... Haleluyah, it writes nearly as well as my Montblanc 149!

[robofkent]

Just when you think you've heard of all the pen brands! Are these only available in the USA? They look great.........

[Scrawler]

Just when you think you've heard of all the pen brands! Are these only available in the USA? They look great.........

Regal pens are sparingly available. I have half a dozen of them. I had to buy from Japan to get 5 of them and one was sent to me from the US by an FPN member. There is a merchant in the US called Streetfair who has a limited number of the models. The more exotic celluloid or acrylic ones must be obtained from Asia. These are Taiwanese pens and are quite superior to most of what we think of as Chinese pens, which come from PRC. They tend to be a little heavy for their size. The smaller ones being based on a brass tube. The Oxford looks like a royal scepter when posted. I like the fact that many of their models have a screw thread to screw the cap on for posting. From the UK your best bet is to go to a couple of specific ebay sellers in Japan and have them sent over by EMS.

 

See this link: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/NEW-Regal-Southern-Hemisphere-Eve-Beauty-Fountain-Pen-/110751397973?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c94c3855

 

I have two of those in different colours. Bought from this same seller. For other models look through his store from time to time.

Edited January 26, 2012 by Scrawler

[PageRyder]

Hi Gang -- just got my Regal "Ritz," medium nib in the mail. Handsome looking pen for the price. Going to ink it up right now. I'll get back to you.

[HLK]

What is the model of the Regal that is full stainless steel?

[Fuzzyman]

I have a Regal Katherine that writes beautifully. Once the cartridges ran out I got a converter and loaded it with Noodler's American Eel, and it is as smooth as ever. I can put the pen aside for a few days and it starts right up with no skipping. I've put the same ink in my Chinese pens and they get dry if you don't use them every day. Maybe that snapping cap is helping?

 

My only complaint is that when the cap is posted it is rather top heavy. Unposted, the pen is too light, which I think is the problem. If their were more weight near the tip it would feel better (or less weight in the cap would be good, I suppose, but I don't mind a heavier pen as long as it is well-balanced).

[Uncle Red]

I've got an Andrew that writes well but is cartridge only, a converter will not fit. It also won't post but it balances well unposted.

Maybe they need a new model, the Harry with a naked brass barrel. :roflmho:

[Jadie]

I've always had posting/cap too heavy issues with Chinese pens...Duke in particular. Still, these pens look very attractive, and I love the crown motif they've got going on.

 

But the best part of this review is...I now see a better way to write the letter "C"! Love your loops and curls.