Tombow 828fp

[jar]

Say, up in Harlem,

At a table for two,

There were four of us,

Me, your big feet and you!

From your ankles up, I say you sure are sweet,

From there down, there's just too much feet!

 

If any pen could live up to the genius of Fats Waller, this may just be it. The design was no doubt created by Fats with technical input from Dr. Seuss.

 

Pens have their own personalities and while my Montblancs have always reminded me of a Mercedes cab, and my OMAS (what is the plural of OMAS, OMASs?) a pre-70's Alfa Romeo Duetto, this one certainly is Fats doing the Lindy.

 

This is a pen that you might find on the desk in Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends.

 

It's BIG and little, the classic "Little Teapot" of the children's song; "I'm a little teapot, short and stout."

 

Here it is sitting between two friends, a Montblanc 149 and an OMAS Paragon.

 

http://www.fototime.com/2F6DBD79024BD65/standard.jpg

 

http://www.fototime.com/02167C5F6157724/standard.jpg

 

But what is it like?

 

Actually, it is surprisingly comfortable to use. With the cap posted it is long enough and balances well while the fat section tapers down to one that is between the Paragon and 149 in diameter. I find it is really pretty easy to write with and very controllable.

 

The plated steel nib lays down a moderately wet line and gives lots of feedback. It has a broad sweet spot and is forgiving of both angle and rotation.

 

The snap on cap is positive and seems effective. The pen feels slightly heavier than the Paragon and a hair lighter than the 149.

 

Down sides are few. It holds only one short International cartridge so ink supply is limited. It does make a statement in your pocket and folk are unlikely not to notice it.

 

Tombow still makes a similar pen called the "Egg" but not in a fountain pen to my knowledge.

 

Is it a good value?

 

Well since I got this in a batch of pens I have no idea what it sold for but as a fun pen, it ranks way up on my list. Let the big muckymucks whip out their 149s or Paragons. When you pull out this baby all eyes will be on you.

[mucephei]

Thanks for the review. Tombow make some interesting pens, either very fat like the Egg or very thin. I think you're right, that the Egg is no longer available as an FP, though one was marketed for a while. I saw one sell on eBay for over 40GBP recently so they do have their admirers.

 

Nice group photos!

[Brian]

I've seen this crazy pen on and off over the years and am surprised to see it here. It is crazy big and fat and surely must be fun to use.

[Drumdawg]

I was lucky enough to have one given to me as a PIF; it is beautiful; and I love it

 

but I am sort of afraid to actually use it since finding another one seems to be nearly impossible.

 

Any thoughts? should I just bite the bullet and use this beautiful pen; or should I let it remain as a valued collectable?

 

Gary

[jar]

Use it. In fact the one in this review was given to someone (a teacher IIRC) that was suffering from arthritis.

[Drumdawg]

Thanks Jar.

 

I also live in TEXAS, btw

[yehudah]

Just won one on ebay. Any ideas on what ink cartridge it uses? I'm thinking Montblanc international??

[jar]

Just won one on ebay. Any ideas on what ink cartridge it uses? I'm thinking Montblanc international??

 

Yup. uses international but no room for an heir and a spare.

[MyDarnSnakeLegs]

That is a remarkably silly-lookin' pen. I sorta like a weird pen.

[obilot]

Hello Ancient Thread, and Greetings from The Future!

 

I saw this pen for sale new at a Colorado Pen back in the mid-90's, before I had jumped with both feet back into fountain pen joy. I had no idea whether it was a worthwhile pen to purchase -- it was affordable, though. I would buy one now if they were still available. (Are you listening, Tombow?)

[Pichak]

Thank you for the review.