Tombow Object Fountain Pen

[mucephei]

Introduction

 

 

I thought it was time to review one of my favourite fountain pens and a mainstay of my modest FP collection, the Tombow Object. I like these pens so much that I own three of them. However I will try to be impartial in my review as this is not the perfect fountain pen, if such a mythical beast exists.

 

There is already one review of this pen on FPN courtesy of CosmicCat and it is here . I had already owned one for a few years when I read that review which was generally postive.

 

The rest of this review will be in the FPN format.

 

 

First Impressions - 8/10

 

I first picked up a Tombow Object in the Heathrow Terminal One branch of The Pen Shop in the Spring of 2001. I had some time to kill before catching my flight, so rather than have a drink, I decided to tour the shops. I was in my final year of management accountancy studies and with my final exams looming I decided I wanted a new pen, partly for the exams and partly as a little present to myself for working hard. I was already back writing with a cheap Parker cartridge pen and though that was OK I wanted something less plastic and with a bit more heft. I tried out a few pens and settled on this one as it was the nicest out of the few pens I tried under 30 GBP which was the absolute limit I thought I should spend on a pen at the time...

 

Most people would order this pen online. If you do, the first thing you will find is a black-painted steel tin with the Tombow logo printed on the lid.

 

Tin

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3449332453_239b4fbf2f_o.jpg

 

Open it up and you will find the pen, two International cartridges (not shown), and an instruction leaflet and guarantee card printed in eight European languages. One of the supplied ink cartridges is filled with blue ink and the other is empty, used simply as a place-holder to prevent the ink cartridge rattling around in transit.

 

Tin open

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3377/3449332457_d3de4f08a1_o.jpg

 

As you can see the packaging is simple, with dark grey foam used to keep the pen in place. This is in keeping with a pen designed to work for its money.

 

 

Appearance and Design - 9/10

 

The pen is made from stamped, anodised aluminium with a black-painted steel clip. The cap is printed with the Tombow logo underneath the cap, with the word "Japan" printed on the other side. The pen has a matte appearance and this carries on to the feel. It stays in place and does not slip out of the hand. Because it is wider in the middle and tapered at the ends, it feels comfortable. This is not a pretty pen in the conventional sense. It has clean lines and does not draw attention to itself. It is designed to be used; the materials are industrial rather than merely decorative. The cap fits onto the pen body with a reassuring snap so it is quick into action. A Bauhaus pen? Perhaps but seen through a Japanese lens. This is a pen that will probably not appeal to people who enjoy their pens made from exotic materials, or that are highly decorative. The decor is kept to a minimum.

 

 

 

Blue Object

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3450156884_6970d97952_o.jpg

 

 

 

Weight and Dimensions - 9/10

 

There seems to have been a change in production some time between 2001 when I bought the green Object and 2008 when I bought the orange and blue Objects. The green pen has a diecast metal nib section which is painted black, which on the later models has been replaced with a black ABS plastic nib section. This changes the weights of the pens considerably.

 

The metal section pen weighs 31 grams with two international cartridges, whilst the plastic section pen weighs 19g with a converter. Uncapped, the older design weighs 23g, and the newer design weighs 12g. Personally I prefer the extra weight of the metal section pen which is why I have rated it 9/10, though I do realise that many prefer a lighter pen. Certainly you can write with one of these for hours with no problems (as I did in four three-hour written examinations).

 

Other than that, the dimensions of the pen are unchanged. The Object is 138mm long capped, 122mm long uncapped, and 157mm long posted. At its widest point it is roughly 13mm wide. I normally write with the pen uncapped and it is comfortable enough for me, and I have large hands.

 

To give a better idea of the size of this pen, I have photographed mine flanked by my Pilot Capless and my Lamy Safari.

 

Group photo

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3580/3449332467_e6c820a41a_o.jpg

 

 

Nib and Performance - 8/10

 

The German-made nib is stainless steel and has no flex. The default width is a Medium which corresponds to a European standard medium line, rather than the finer Japanese medium. Of the three I own, the older green nib is quite smooth though it has been repaired recently by Oxonian. The blue Object's nib is very smooth and wet, and the orange Object's nib is drier and a bit toothy but certainly not scratchy.

 

 

Filling System - 7/10

 

Like nearly all Japanese pens this is a C/C filler, so whether you approve depends on your attitude to cartridges and converters. It's no big deal to me. I have bought converters for two of my three pens and will probably convert the green pen at some point. The converters are an aftermarket accessory to the pen; presumably this is to keep the upfront cost down. First, here is a picture of the nib section with a converter:

 

Nib with converter

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3449332471_5e94677a49_o.jpg

 

 

The complete pens look like this:

 

Green pen

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/3449340413_a61fcfb109_o.jpg

 

Orange pen

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3336/3449332473_974cd6db4c_o.jpg

 

 

Some people may worry about the durability of the cartridges but I found no problems when writing 20+ sides of paper in an exam, and since then, I have found that one cartridge lasts a surprisingly long amount of time before it expires. I still have not finished the ink in either pen fitted with converters.

 

Cost and Value - 9/10

 

The first Object cost me about 21 GBP because it was duty-free. The other two were cheaper - about 9 GBP - I guess because they must have been bankrupt stock. So I have had excellent value for money from them, hence the high rating. Even at the full price of 30 GBP though, I think they are still good value (and I would rate it 8/10). The Object is built like a proverbial tank. My green Object was subject to a mishap (see the dent and scuffing on the pen in the photo). I don't remember exactly what happened but it took a beating and although it needed Oxonian to repair the nib for me because I also dropped it onto a hard floor nib-down, it has survived well and is now back in my pen rotation and filled with Diamine Emerald. The Tombow Object is a great pen for students or anyone who wants a tough, no-nonsense cartridge filler. I would say that it is in the same market as the Lamy Safari even though it costs more, but has the advantage of using a standard cartridge rather than a proprietory cartridge like Lamy's T10.

 

 

 

Conclusion - 50/60

 

I recommend this pen to people because it is hard wearing, is well designed though understated, and above all is meant to be used. It would suit students at school or university or anyone who appreciates modern design which is well-manufactured.

 

I hope this review has been helpful.

[chkuo]

Thank you for the nice review.

[jonro]

Thanks for the comprehensive review. It looks like a real competitor to the Safari.

[darkgreen]

Thanks for your thoughtful and impressive review.

I have had the same model for a few years - I was drawn to the elegant design its deep ruby red matte color: as you say, it has a strong Japanese design element (I really appreciated your description: "Bauhaus design ... through a Japanese lens" - nice!), is solid and expertly engineered.

As it happens, I took it out for a run at work yesterday, to re-acquaint myself with it after neglecting it for several months. I use Noodler's bulletproof ink in a converter through the Fine nib. I have enjoyed the compact feel, the durability of this reliable pen.

 

Alas, I will be putting it back in storage. My problems (which may reflect my poor technique):

 

- The grip is rather narrow and quite irregular towards the nib. Lots of firm edges. This point was noted in CosmiCat's review, I see. It became uncomfortable after a few hours and my hand tended to drift towards the nib end. Generally, I prefer wider smoother grips so this niggle probably reflects an individual style. As a non-expert FP user, it has intrigued me that so many pens have irregular ribbing and narrowed sections at the grip end towards the nib, usually to accommodate the thread for the cap but significantly impacting on the comfort of writing.

 

- The Fine nib is very fine indeed (Japanese fine), which is good for me (absorbent paper at work) but it is very stiff and somewhat scratchy. It runs a dry line of ink. Compared to my Lamy 2000 (admittedly in a different cost category) it does not write anywhere near as smoothly or freely. However, it can write well in small detailed format.

 

Personally, I will reserve my pen for short compact notes (it writes a very neat fine line) rather than long spells of writing. It is one of the few pens where I wish I had bought the medium nib instead of the Fine. But the design of the pen is a piece of art and the colors are rich and modern.

 

 

 

 

 

[mucephei]

I should have mentioned that there are five nib widths (though the Tombow site in Japan lists only three - go figure). They are Broad, Medium, Fine, Extra Fine and Oblique Broad. According to Cult Pens the Broad is out of stock. I have only seen M nibs in the wild, so to speak.

 

And there are currently seven colours in the range: polished aluminium (called silver), matte black, sapphire blue, petrol blue, golden orange, ruby red, and amethyst purple. In the past they have been manufactured in at least two colours now discontinued: the green that I own and turquoise.

 

Interesting to read about the fine nib. Sorry your experience with this pen wasn't so great, darkgreen.

[pmsalty]

Thanks for the review. Good descriptive review that gives the reader an understanding of what to expect from the pen.

PMS

[mucephei]

I've just picked up another today, this time in the amethyst purple. It really is a striking colour. Next on the list is a black one.

[Silvermink]

I wish I could find the Object fountain pens here. I have a purple Object rollerball and was advised by the store I bought it from that the North American distributor doesn't bring in the fountain pens anymore.

[JournalingArts]

Hi Silvermink,

 

I too, love the Object Fountain Pen. I do have some of these pens on order and hope to have them in my store soon. If you are interested, let me know and I will email you a link to the item once it is in stock.

[ToasterPastry]

I owned the roller-ball version of this pen a number of years ago. I would NOT buy the fountain pen for the following reasons:

 

1. The aluminum-bodied pen is much too light. It's not cheap, it just felt that way. It's quite easy to dent.

2. The anodized finish is quite delicate and is prone to scratching. That means, the purple (or orange) scratches off.

 

Overall, it is not a forgiving or rugged pen.

[MYU]

^^ Strange... I have the fountain pen in silver aluminum and it feels fairly substantial to me. Yeah, if you dropped it on a hard surface, I could see it getting dented. But it seems resilient enough to resist scratches from normal use. It's definitely not a pen you'd put in your pocket alongside a set of keys, though. I've not touched it in over a year... when I go for a rugged metal pen, the Rotring 600 fits the bill. Maybe I should sell mine.

[mucephei]

If you can get one of the older metal-section pens you will find it has an agreeable weight. On the subject of durability, few pens will withstand a drop onto a hard surface unscathed and my green Object has some dents and scuff marks to prove it. But that was the result of an accident and not normal use. The nib was damaged but after a visit to John Sorowka it is back up and running.

[Anne-Sophie]

I saw them at the place where I bought my Blue Safari set.

 

I dip tried the purple one because I love the color, the overall design and the smooth feel of the material.

 

But , the nib felt scratchy and they didn't feel comfortable at all with the writing grip I use, the short grip and sharp step made by the barrel did not suit me.

 

 

Just like the Pelikan Cities that were in the same store, if I had money, I would buy them all to fill many decorative pen display boxes.

But I cannot afford to buy pens only for display.

 

 

mucephei, you review is outstanding!

Edited May 18, 2009 by Anne-Sophie

[mucephei]

As a postscript to my review, I see that The Writing Desk now stock this pen:

 

Tombow Object at The Writing Desk

[GooseDeluxe]

<b><i><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Cost and Value - 9/10<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></i></b>

 

The first Object cost me about 21 GBP because it was duty-free. The other two were cheaper - about 9 GBP - I guess because they must have been bankrupt stock. So I have had excellent value for money from them, hence the high rating. Even at the full price of 30 GBP though, I think they are still good value (and I would rate it 8/10). The Object is built like a proverbial tank. My green Object was subject to a mishap (see the dent and scuffing on the pen in the photo). I don't remember exactly what happened but it took a beating and although it needed Oxonian to repair the nib for me because I also dropped it onto a hard floor nib-down, it has survived well and is now back in my pen rotation and filled with Diamine Emerald. The Tombow Object is a great pen for students or anyone who wants a tough, no-nonsense cartridge filler. I would say that it is in the same market as the Lamy Safari even though it costs more, but has the advantage of using a standard cartridge rather than a proprietory cartridge like Lamy's T10.

 

 

 

<b><i><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Conclusion - 50/60<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></i></b>

 

I recommend this pen to people because it is hard wearing, is well designed though understated, and above all is meant to be used. It would suit students at school or university or anyone who appreciates modern design which is well-manufactured.

 

I hope this review has been helpful.

 

Your review is very informative. After reading your review I hope to one day get the golden orange Tombow Object (the blue, petrol blue, and red are attractive too). I saw them on JetPens, but they are $75! Google tells me that 30 GBP is equivalent to about 47 USD. I wish I could get them here for that price, it makes a big difference.

 

I also checked out The Writing Desk, at about $56 (including shipping) that could be an option. Does anyone know any other online vendors or stores in the New York Tri-State Area that sell the Tombow Object?