Libelle Granite

[mike1]

This is a first for me. This is a review of a Libelle Granite.

 

1. First Impressions- This pen was given to me by my wife as a Father's Day gift. I had no idea she was going to give me a new pen. She wouldn't tell me what she paid, but she said it was on sale at Fountain Pen Hospital. This particular model must have been a closeout because I could not find it listed as current stock at any of the websites I visited. It came in what looks like a leather accented box. It has a masculine look to it. The pen came with one cartridge and a piston converter. I immediately went out to get some sepia ink for this pen because this pen's color calls out for sepia.

2. Appearance & Finish- This pen is put together with quality construction. I am a tool and die maker by trade and have worked in quality control as well and the trained eye recognizes quality when it sees it. This pen reeks of quality manufacturing practices. It looks like an expensive pen. The parts all go together very well and it looks as if it was put together with pride.

3. Design/Size/Weight- This pen was designed by person who knows what they are doing. It is precision engineered and close tolerances were maintained in its construction. The body of the pen is made of turned resin. It has the appearance of polished granite hence the name, "Granite." The cap is metal with a polished resin covering. The clip looks like it is a polished investment casting; it's solid. The cap screws on in both the capped and posted positions. When the pen is posted the nib and clip line up. It has a balanced feel in the writing position. This is a large pen. It measures 5 5/16 inches long when capped and 6 1/4 when posted. The body diameter is .545 of an inch. I have a small hand but this pen but has a good fit. It's heavy but balanced. It feels comfortable even after writing for an extended period. When writing with it unposted it handles well but I like it better in the posted position.

4. Nib Design & Performance- This pen has a medium nib. It is an iridium steel German nib. It is solid with little, if any, flex. It'd be a good pen for making carbons (dating myself here) or NCR duplicates. Pressure on this bad boy lays down a real wet line, and for this reason I'd say this is a guy's pen. Is this a sexist statement? The feed is injection molded plastic and the nib is a friction fit. I am impressed with this pen and thus far I am very satisfied with it. I've only had this pen for a short time, but I've been giving it a workout.

5. The Filling System- This pen uses short international cartridge. It comes with one black ink cartridge and a piston converter.

6. Cost/ Value- My wife finally confessed that she paid only $30 for this pen. I'd say this pen would be a good one for twice or three times this price.

7. Overall Opinion/ Conclusion- I like this pen! It is the first fountain pen that my wife has given me. So am I biassed? Perhaps yes, but if my opinion of this pen changes with time and use I'll report it here.

 

This is my first pen review and I hope to do others as I acquire new pens.

Edited June 20, 2006 by mike1

[amh210]

Any pen your spouse gives you had better get a glowing review!

 

Andy

[Leigh R]

Oh, could you post a picture?

 

[mike1]

I don't have a digital camera yet, but my daughter does and so I'll borrow it. What an adventure this is becoming. I'll get to try something new today.

Edited June 18, 2006 by mike1

[mike1]

Here's a picture of this. I have learned a new trick here.

[zorroflores]

I have to let mi wife read Mike's report, that pen looks nice and the price is great,

congratulations!

[GoutamJois]

It looks like I'm about a year late in posting this review! I bought this pen in 2004 (around June?) It is by far my favorite fountain pen (that I've owned or written with, quite frankly). With good ink -- I use Private Reserve, Midnight Blues, Lake Placid Blue, or DC Supershow Blue (2005) -- the pen lays down a beautiful line. I have seen the newer Libelle pens but I just don't like how they look (I must confess I have not written with them). I paid about $70 for this pen and like it better than some Mont Blancs I've handled and also better than my second-favorite pen, a very similar handmade wood pen. I agree that the nib has little to no flex, but I haven't had that be a problem for me: the pen still writes and handles beautifully.

[jonro]

Thanks for the review. You said it has a medium nib. Would you rate it as a true medium or on the fine side of medium?

[Maja]

Thanks for the nice review, Mike...and congratulations on your pen!

[southpaw]

Excellent review and very thoughtful (and thrifty) wife!

[GoutamJois]

Excellent review and very thoughtful (and thrifty) wife!

 

 

I just noticed the question posted after my review, and I would say this is more toward the 'fine' side of medium, at least the one I have.

[lovemy51]

great review Mike. i've never seen that model before. it's quite pretty... enjoy your pen!!