New Dewen chrome/black FP

[psfred]

Didn't know what to expect from this pen, but couldn't resist. Looked nice, and I need one I won't be heartbroken if I drop it or lose it (being rather scatterbrained).

 

Quite a pleasant surprise when I got it -- comes in a plastic sleeve, no other box, etc. Nice and heavy, clean black laquer finish and matte chrome (also available in 23kt gold plate furniture).

 

23kt GP SS nib that writes like a dream!. This el cheapo rivals my Sheaffer open and Triumph nibs for smoothness, believe it or not -- it may in fact be the smoothest pen I currently own!

 

Medium nib is equivalent to a fine by US standards, and it does not bleed through as much as my Pen Kit fine does on notebook paper. Writes even finer on bond paper, as I would expect.

 

Upsidedown use produces a very fine, but solid, line, perfect for note-taking or data recording at work, my primary use. Just as smooth on the top of the nib as the bottom.

 

Seems to be all metal execpt for the converter sac. I believe it takes Parker carts, certainly not international. The converter is a press-bar type, takes about three sqeezes to completely fill and looks generous.

 

Drawbacks:

 

Section is small. If you like a Sheaffer PFM, this one will be too tiny. Section is chrome, too, no gripper spiral or padding.

 

Section at the base of the nib holds a lake of ink when you fill it with the converter. Watch ink hanging there, inky fingers for sure.

 

The cap doesn't post with a click, and I'm reluctant to push it down frimly in order to avoid damage to the laquer finish. As a result, it falls off sometimes.

 

Fairly heavy for it's size. Not a problem for me, I dont' like really light pens, but it is heavier than all but my kit pens -- notably heavier than a Sheaffer snorkel

 

We will see how the nib holds up, but if it's like my Esterbrooks, probably will write forever.

 

I think this is a great starter pen, or plain Jane workhorse.

 

Peter

[Maja]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for posting the review here; I had never heard of the Dewen pen co. before!

 

As for your pen........ is it this one here?

Dewen metal fountain pen? (click to see link)

[psfred]

Maja:

 

No, it's a Cross Penatia in black laquer! I just got the Cross today.

 

It's also available with gold finish furniture, and in green/black swirl laquer. Akideals.com is the web site, I believe. $6.99 with free shipping, brass body with laquer -- the Cross version is chrome plated.

 

Correction to the above review:

 

The pen takes international cartridges and converters. I have some nice piston converters, but the pressbar on shipped in the pen is just as good.

 

Also, the clip is a very tight fit on a flannel shirt, don't try this one on a jacket pocket.

 

I may buy another just for the heck of it!

 

They do write smoothly, but I would like a finer point. I get tired of using the pens upsidedown.

 

Peter