Smart ForTwo: Phat Red - Updated pictures

[rroossinck]

First Impressions

Introduced to coincide with the release of the Smart ForTwo micro-car here in the states, Aquila has the contract on this one, and as in times past, they show their love of all things automotive. I believe that this makes the 4th automotive design that they've brought to market (Bentley, Jaguar, and Ducati being the other 3).

 

BTW...here's a picture of the Smart car.

 

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1399/852711942_a71fe389c7_o.jpg

 

Cool pen. Funky styling that takes many cues from the popular Japanese Short/Long styling. The clip is great! Super-heavy! If you thought the rOtring 600 was heavy, wait until you get a load of this!

 

Here's a picture of the pen on the handy dandy Salter!

 

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1090/876478536_75f444bc7f_o.jpg

 

Appearance

Bright red enamel over brass, with chrome hardware all the way around. Chrome cap with a four-inch clip.

 

This picture didn't come out all that great, but it does show a pretty good comparison of the barrel length vs. the clip length.

 

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1434/876478740_83c4ac5b9f_o.jpg

 

Design

It's a shorter body with a longer cap, but it's still a fairly short pen. They say that it's a cartridge-only pen, but I've got a Tryphon Bantam converter coming in to try it out for fit. I hope that it'll work! Despite the length of the clip, it still holds fairly securely in the pocket, although the clip does flex a little. Although it's heavy-duty, it could bend if enough pressure was put on it.

 

And, believe it or not, it's fairly well-balanced in the hand. Might not be a long-session writer, but it's not horrible either. I've been able to write a letter with it (medium-length), but I doubt that any of you college students will want to take a full lecture's worth of Psych 101 notes with it.

 

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1175/875627403_8c71724f2c_o.jpg

 

Nib

It's a very smooth steel medium nib (the only choice, actually), which I believe is sourced from Schmidt. The heft of the pen itself gives the nib an enhanced feeling of smoothness, I've noticed.

 

I'm not sure what's up with this feed...looks like it was partially melted. Hasn't had any effect on the ability to write a nice line, though.

 

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1267/876478160_3a7b698480_o.jpg

 

Filling System

As previously stated, short cartridges only. Let's hope that Bantam works!

 

Cost and Value

At SRP? The Smart isn't worth it - at least not as a daily user. They list at over $100, and for that type of money, you can find better-designed pens. But...for the price I paid, I'm not complaining. I wanted to try something new, and this is definitely something that's high on the funk factor, and certainly gets its share of looks.

 

Conclusion

It's a really interesting design. Funky, and fun to use. It's probably not a daily carry pen, due to the weight, but on the whole, it's pretty cool!

 

And I finally have an Italian in my collection again!

 

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1265/875627159_79514b5a7c_o.jpg

Edited July 25, 2007 by rroossinck

[jniforat]

I just ordered mine

 

Did the Converter work?!?!?!?!?!

 

[rroossinck]

Can't say for positive, but I'm pretty sure that it did.

 

(Rats...gotta dig up those pictures and get 'em posted again.)

[montblancdude]

Mercedes is another brand they have brought to pen making...

 

Maserati too.

Edited August 5, 2009 by montblancdude

[dedalian]

I got this in a grey. If someone wants I ll post the pics. Overall a good pen. I got a small (Chinese?) converter that fit and works ok. I ve used the Jag and the merc pens I like the merc one but I like this one over the jag. I have big hands but I still found this pen quite comfortable and balanced.