Porsche Design Arc 1

[lecorbusier]

Since this is a fountain pen review section, I will keep this very short. This pen warrants a little post here for three reasons: (1) Don't see it around very much these days; (2) well made pen that should be added to this encyclopedic section; (3) A fountain pen exists in the same range. It has a steel nib.

 

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The Arc 1 was the last pen made in the old collaboration between the porsche design studio and faber castel before the PD studio changes direction in...hmmm, their design aesthetics. So you still see very unique materials and complicated machined parts on this pen. The body is made of a blue-black titanium carbide which makes it very hard and literally scratch-resistant. The pen is heavy but slender, since it is really made of steel and coated with the gun-metal coating. By the way, this was also the very first pen using this sort of gun-metal finish before those space pens came around.

 

I found this pen in a small case in one of my drawers again and this pen is nearly 16-17 years. This was before all thoese gold and aluminum pens from PD came about.

 

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The clip is the signature part of this series and is spring-hinged to take on thicker sections for clipping. It is made of polished brass and is beautifully made.

 

This pen in ballpoint pen takes parker refills and the fountain pen version uses international converter. A waterman converter will fit somewhat nicely.

 

Keep a lookout for this pen in fountain version on ebay!

 

 

[rroossinck]

Good lookin' writer! Skinny, from the looks of it?

 

Love the machined clip. Very Bauhaus.

 

Thanks for posting it!

[aramisdesaumoher]

Even if we can't see the photos anymore, I can imagine this beautiful pen as i have already view your porsche solid titanium fountain pen.It 's a pity that faber and porsche have discontinued this type of pens.In these days, they are making so awful pens!!!

The new EDITION 1 Black aero pens in aluminium seems to have this old flavour again.

Anyone knows where can we buy this vintage pens from the old collaboration between FC and PD, apart from EBAY?

[aramisdesaumoher]

I would like to add just this little explanation about the materials used in the construction of this pen:

 

"Tip,barrel and shaft of the Ball Point Pen Arc 1 are constructed out of polished brass with a blue-black titanium-carbide coating.The clip and top are made out of stainless,highly polished steel;the springloaded clip bearings out of resistant brass."

(PD Arc 1 instruction manual)

 

This clarifies where is used stainless steel and brass.