Levenger Golden Tortoise

[The Scribbler]

A few weeks ago, Levenger ran a nice sale on their pens. I'd been thinking about picking up a Golden Tortoise fountain pen for a while, so the time was right.

 

I'm glad I did.

 

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/5967384780_8dc7f2a0b6_z.jpg

 

This is a really nice pen.

 

Size

The size is perfect in my opinion. Capped it is approximately 5 and 3/8 inches long. Uncapped it is approximately 4 and 7/8 inches long. I'm not sure how to measure the girth, but it is very comfortable for me.

 

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/5967381970_cfc74fec37_z.jpg

 

Appearance & Material

The pen is made of acrylic. I love the tortoise pattern. The blacks, golds, browns, and hints of green work well together. The cap is a screw on and the nib is removable by unscrewing it. It uses cartridges or a cartridge/converter.

 

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6141/5967380376_40744237ed.jpg

 

Nib

I honestly wasn't expecting much from the nib. Imagine my shock when I discovered it was one of smoothest, best flowing nibs I own. It isn't quite as good as my Richard Binder nib for my Pelikan 205, but it is certainly one of the best factory issued nibs I own. If other Levenger Nibs are this good, I'll certainly be adding to my collection.

 

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/5967383252_39dff946eb_z.jpg

 

Overall, I think this pen is a great value, especially if you get it on sale. The design, color pattern, nib, and size make this pen one of my favorites.

[watch_art]

very pretty. thanks for sharing.

[Tiffanyhenschel]

I have one of these, too, and it is a beautiful pen. You are right about the surprising smoothness of the nib. My fine tip writes as smoothly as anything except my Homo Sapiens. I think this quality is limited to the Golden Tortoise, though. I've had several other True Writers, and none of them write as nicely. I don't use them anymore.

Edited July 23, 2011 by Tiffanyhenschel

[Joe in Seattle]

Our 3 True Writers are all delightfully smooth wet writers. I've been thinking of adding a tortoise, nice review.

[Solstice]

I picked up 2 TWs in that same sale, the sea glass and ultraviolet, both F nibs. I have some Diamine Emerald in the sea glass right now and it's been writing very well, although for some reason it hates the Kokuyo MIO notebook I'm using as a journal. It's smooth and problem-free on every other paper I have, but balky in that notebook. Surprised me because I find that the MIO paper handles pretty much all ink/pen combos like a champ.

 

The ultraviolet had ink flow issues that didn't clear up with repeated cleaning or trying different inks, so they had me return it for replacement. Based on how nice the other pen is, I think I probably just got a dud. Unfortunately it's backordered now until the 30th, but I've never had bad service from Levenger, so not too worried, just impatient.

 

If/when they have another sale I might try some of the other colors. When I like a pen, I have a bad habit of wanting it in "every" color :embarrassed_smile:

[georges zaslavsky]

very nice pen reminds me a bit of a conway stewart 100

[lovemy51]

i have the kyoto with a B nib. very pretty pen (i mean both, yours and mine). thx for the review, The Scribbler!

[jde]

I have this pen too! What nib size did you choose?

 

Mine was a gift during a trip to Chicago and a visit to a Levenger store. This is the only pen I've ever been able to test before taking it home. The nib is great--a fine.

 

P.S. Here's the review of my pen.

Edited July 26, 2011 by jde

[The Scribbler]

I have this pen too! What nib size did you choose?

 

Mine was a gift during a trip to Chicago and a visit to a Levenger store. This is the only pen I've ever been able to test before taking it home. The nib is great--a fine.

 

P.S. Here's the review of my pen.

 

I have a broad nib.

[Solstice]

I came back to this thread to report that my replacement Ultra Violet pen finally came and it's working just as nicely as its Sea Glass compatriot. I put some Pelikan Violet in it and am getting a nice, thin, wet line. Great way to start the day - hot cup of coffee, blank journal page, and new pen that starts right up

 

Overall, really happy with these pens and the "collect" urge is growing. I love look of the Verona II pen Levenger just came out with, as well as the Tortoise.