Stypen Fashion - A Review

[EenyBear]

Stypen was acquired by BIC in 2004. At the time, Stypen had 10% of the "refillable school pen" market in France - a sizeable share, once one comprehends the diversity of the market.

 

I have a Stypen UP from pre acquisition and it is a marvel. Inexpensive, yes, but beautifully made and the retractable nib was my own response to my desire for a Boheme, which I later acquired.

 

But this is about another Stypen.... the "Fashion". In reality, I suspect any Stypen review can be used to refer to all Stypen pens, in most respects. I understand the nibs are uniform and that, ultimately, is the test of a pen's function. The pen's form, on the other hand, can vary widely.

 

Please consider my scores in the context of a pen acquired for less than $20 and compare accordingly. Having said that, the nib is superb.

 

1. Appearance & Design (8) – This pen is smallish as evidenced in the photos. The clip and gold ring separating the cap and body seem a little, well, garish when the pen is capped. However, when posted, the gold nib provides colour balance and the pen takes on a more cohesive look. Perhaps that's where the "fashion" appellation comes in. Overall very attractive but not a design I would stake my reputation on.
   
   The plastic body has a slight metal-flake appearance. The cap is threaded. I appreciate that a lot. The nib has 10 little holes and the word "Stypen" stamped. Once posted, the pen seems more balanced and ready to write.
   
2. Construction & Quality (9) – The pen is heavier than it looks. It is extremely solid. I would not be concerned if I dropped it. The grip is probably best suited for smaller hands but actuall, I have found it comfortable writing for extended periods. The clip is "sprung" and the overall construction is extremely robust.
   
3. Weight & Dimensions (9) – Weight is not insubstantial. Then pen feels good in my hand. The dimensions are available in the photographs
   11.5 cm capped
   14 cm posted
   
4. Nib & Performance (10) – The nib is clearly steel but is yellow. Gold plated? Doubtful but maybe. Anodized? Probably. The nib writes like a "FINE" and was ordered as a "FINE". There are no markings on the nib but there is a "1" embossed in the feeder. Clue?
   
   Out of the box, it skipped a bit. My fault. I didn't flush it or do any preparation. After letting it sit for a few days, I picked it up again and was delighted to discover a smooth wet, fine line with no skips, no toothiness, no scratchiness, etc. It writes like butter with little if any flex.
   
5. Filling System & Maintenance (10) - I am a big fan of cartridges. Simple, easy, convenient, and (given my source) extremely cheap. This pen, takes "standard" cartridges and the performance in that regard is flawless.
   
   By the way, if you are looking for superb cartridges at a remarkable price, search "majus74" on eBay. All varieties, well documented compatibilities, excellent ink.
   
6. Cost & Value (9) – $10 eBay. Great value. Lost a point on pure aesthetics
   
   
7. Conclusion (Final score, 9.5) - For a $10 pen, this is tremendous value. Admitted not attractive when capped (to my eye, anyway), this pen blossoms when posted and writes very well indeed. Threaded cap keeps the score high.
   
   I have had several Stypens and they all seem to have the same or similar nibs. Excellent. The construction quality may have diminished since the acquisition by BIC... or not. I have only heard things, like "the clips are no longer sprung" but my Stypen UP never had a sprung clip and this new Stypen FASHION has a sprung clip.
   
   Any Stypen pen will provide excellent value and this one is no exception.
   

 

 

[EenyBear]

Obviously this review has held no real interest for anyone... and who can blame you?

It's an ugly little pen at first glance.

 

However, as is the case with so many things in life... the visual appeal emerges when the functionality is appreciated.

 

In the weeks since my original review I have continued to use the pen regularly in my rotation. It seems to always be one of two pens in my travel case - accompanying more costly pens.

Why?

 

Well, despite its deplorable visual appearance it is robustly made from dense plastic, well balanced when posted, and not bad un-posted due to a machined brass weight internal to the end/blind cap. The ergonomics of the grip make it a decent fit for larger hands... in a word "comfortable".

 

The nib looks unremarkable. It is gold-ish but unmarked other than "Stypen". Anodied steel no doubt. Very firm.

However, it puts down a consistent, not-overly-wet, medium to medium fine line without hesitation each and every time I pick it up. No frustrating dry starts, no skips, no scratches, no issues.... in a word "dependable".

 

I have always been timid about using the clip on any pen, especially a fountain pen. Too much risk of opening it up and spoiling the aesthetic.

But I use this clip without hesitation.

Why? Because it is solid and spring loaded, like a clothespin. Always ready to grip a sheaf of paper or a retaining band in a case or a pocket edge.

No fear of bending it back or wearing it out. The spring is apparently of high quality... in a word "functional".

 

So, I have forgiven the ugliness of the pen as measured by any standard of visual appeal because the pen does what it is supposed to do each and every time I pick it up!

 

It may look cheap, although it seems less and less so to my eye as I grow fonder of it. It cost me less than $20 incl shipping.

 

The beauty of this pen is not skin deep... not by a long shot.

Edited March 28, 2014 by EenyBear

[amk]

The nib looks very much like the Faber Castell nib with those little holes.

 

Stypen seem to be like the little girl with the little curl - either very good, or horrid. I've got one which looks like a five year old's attempt to copy the Lamy Safari, which I bought for a euro and I reckon is worth all of two cents. I have another which I like very much - a wooden body and metal cap, a nib similar to yours, actually rather nice looking and quite similar in a way to some of the Faber Castell wooden body pens. It's not precious wood; I'd guess it's maple or cherry - but it's nicely finished and in terms of writing pleasure stacks up with my Waterman Kulturs, Reforms and Laureats. And as you say, utterly dependable. I have much more expensive pens that are far more finicky and less reliable.

 

Oh yes, that one cost me three euros, because it came with the box. Amazing what you find at village sales!

[egretsrus]

hmmm…can't find this pen or majus74 on ebay. any links?

[rockydoggy]

I bought one of these a few years ago primarily because I really liked the look of it. And as you point out, it's way more solidly built than you'd expect for such an inexpensive pen. My problem is that I wasn't able to get the thing to write anything close to a consistent line. I cleaned it out, used different inks, and flossed the nib . . . but no luck. I have several other Stypens and have had uneven luck with them--about half are fine; about half need work. This particular pen falls into the latter category. At some point, I'll see if I can pull the nib and feed and play around with them. The fact that yours writes so well suggests that I may be able to bring mine around.

[pen2paper]

Thanks for the review.

The name Stypen should have caught my attention.

 

I have a Stypen fountain pen in a triangular shape, (a silver metalized synthetic polymer of some sort), that is a competent writer.

The overall appearance is not fussy, but quite plain, with the soft triangle its only, and very pleasant feature.

 

I don't know its style name, though I do have the original plastic box. It was a thoughtful gift, and, I was told, purchased in Paris shop.

 

Have always wondered why this very nice pen wasn't well-known. Perhaps it might be the inconsistency mentioned above?

[EenyBear]

hmmm…can't find this pen or majus74 on ebay. any links?

 

Following the link below, you can scroll to the bottom of the 'auction' and see that these are indeed international cartridges. I've been a customer for five years for both me and my business partner and never had a bad droplet. I realize this should be in "recommended vendors" but as I'm answering a direct question I'll take a chance....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/80-Fountain-Pen-Ink-Cartridges-Refills-for-your-LEVENGER-pen-avl-in-9-colors-/380870130341?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58ada0faa5

 

No, I cannot find the pen either. But they come up from time to time:

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/stypen-fashion-fountain-pen-medium-151674118

[EenyBear]

Thanks for the review.

Have always wondered why this very nice pen wasn't well-known. Perhaps it might be the inconsistency mentioned above?

 

I don't know if the issue mentioned above is a singular experience or an "inconsistency". Either way, Stypen is/was French and generally only available in Europe (in volume) and is/was at a price point well below the threshold of capturing serious attention of enthusiasts on this side of the pond. They were acquired in 2004 by BIC which pretty much took the name Stypen off the map.

 

And now that BIC has acquired them, one runs the risk of saying "...I am delighted with my new BIC pen...". I bet you can't even read that with a straight face. I cannot. Nonetheless, I've owned two Stypens and played with four or five over the years and they have been consistently excellent for me.

 

PS. At the risk of pushing the issue too far, BIC has discontinued much of the original Stypen variety. I think everyone should try a Stypen Up at least once. With Stypen, they originally came in a case for $30 or more. Now there are a few on eBay, still in a case, for $10, The color selection for the newer BIC "turn & up" versions are more consistent with the BIC-budget mindset and they are now blister packed. I have not seen a carbon one like mine for years. I suspect it will become harder and harder to find these (the irony is the seller in many of the auctions below has not even identified the retractable nib feature that makes an "Up" an "Up"... get 'em while you can folks.:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xstypen+fountain&_nkw=stypen+fountain&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Edited March 29, 2014 by EenyBear