Fountain Pen Review: The Good Blue R615 Fountain Pen Matte Black

I first saw the fountain pens made by The Good Blue on Instagram. I got curious about the CNC-machined fountain pens made from aluminum and stainless steel. I thought that these pens must be durable, sturdy, and perfect for daily use. Then I saw that these pens have flex nibs, something I dread using fountain pens. Oh, wait! They have a non-flex, wet medium nib! I reached out to The Good Blue and was surprised to learn that the UK-based pen company has a local distributor in the Philippines! The Good Blue is sold exclusively by my friend Kailash Ramchandani's PenGrafik. Two weeks later, I received a Matte Black R615 fountain pen with a non-flex Happy Medium nib and a spare Fine Flex.

The Good Blue is a London-based start-up that uses 3D printing and CNC machining to prototype and manufacture fountain pens. Born out of the pandemic, when most of us were forced to slow down and stay indoors, the manufacturer rediscovered his love for fountain pens, ink, calligraphy, and writing. He soon found that fountain pens with flexible nibs are expensive and began creating flex pens for himself. After careful design and several prototypes, he is now ready with a fountain pen with amazing flex that is well-made and affordable, the R615 Fountain Pen.

The Good Blue Fountain Pen is well-packaged in a tin box.

The fountain pen and spare nib inside the tin box.

The Good Blue R615 Fountain Pen 2022 series is available in Matte Black and Silver that can be fitted with any of the five different nibs that are interchangeable. Flex nibs are available in a variety of materials, including stainless steel, titanium, and gold.

The Matte Black fountain pen's body is made from high-grade 6082 aluminum that is anodized matte black for protection and durability. The grip section is machined from untreated 304L stainless steel that is precision textured with surface roughness for an ergonomic grip. 

The Silver fountain pen's body is also made from high-grade 6082 aluminum that is clear anodized for protection and durability. The grip section is machined from untreated CZ121 brass, precision textured with surface roughness for an ergonomic grip. The grip is expected to develop a patina over time. 

The Good Blue R615 Fountain Pen Matte Black 2022 Series

The Matte Black's anodized body and stainless steel grip look elegant and neat.

The R615 fountain pen has the following measurements and specifications:

• Length, capped: 5.90 in | 13.8 cm
• Length, uncapped: 5.40 in | 12.5 cm
• Pen weight with full converter: 46 g | 1.6 oz
• Weight, barrel and section: 35 g | 1 oz
• Material: Anodized 6082 aluminum and untreated 304L stainless steel
• Cap: Screw-on, not postable
• Clip material: No clip 
• Nib: No. 6 two-toned Medium nib; also available in four different flex nibs
• Filling mechanism: Converter, included in the package

The R615 Fountain Pen can be filled with ink using a standard international cartridge or a converter if filling from bottled ink. A Schmidt converter is included in the pen package.

The R615 fountain pen can be inked using international standard cartridges or through a converter. A Schmidt K5 converter is included in the pen package upon purchase.

This fountain pen has a unique roll-stopper! A flat-plane stops the pen from rolling off, and the barrel and cap screw back aligned every single time. However, this alignment is sometimes off with the section, which triggers the finicky me. It doesn't affect writing, though.

I requested a non-flex nib, and this is what they call Happy Medium, a wet, monoline medium with no flex. This medium nib is perfect for everyday writing.

The Good Blue and Kailash offered a spare FineFlex nib for me to try. The FineFlex nib with a specially designed polymer feed is meant for "wetter writing and juicy swells."

Missing a clip? The Good Blue R615 fountain pens do not have clips, but one side is a flat-plane that serves as a stopper so the pens don't easily roll-off. 

Capped, the R615 Fountain Pen is longer than a Lamy Safari, Gravitas Entry, YStudio Portable, and Kaweco DIA2. Uncapped, it is slightly shorter than the Gravitas Entry, but longer than the other four pens.

Fountain pens in black, from the top: Lamy Safari All Black, Gravitas Pens Entry, R615, YStudio Brassing Portable, and Kaweco DIA2.

To test how the Happy Medium nib writes, I filled the R615 Fountain Pen with Robert Oster Signature Australis Rose, a charming pink ink. The Happy Medium wrote smoothly and wet, as promised. It wrote very well and I had no trouble writing with it at all. The R615 Fountain Pen is an enjoyable pen that can be used for long periods of writing without any discomfort. It is not heavy for my hand, despite being made out of aluminum and stainless steel. It is durable, sturdy, and tough, just perfect as an everyday fountain pen. 

Happy Medium is a happy nib! It's wet and smooth, perfect for daily use!

The FineFlex nib is just perfect for people like me who are not into flex nibs. The FineFlex nib has the right amount of flex just enough not to freak me out! For future FineFlex nib users: fill the pen with wet ink to facilitate faster flow into the nib-feed unit.

I am happy with the R615 Fountain Pen in Matte Black, and I'm wanting the Silver pen, too! I definitely recommend this pen to anyone who wants to explore and know this brand. It's a beautiful pen and is designed well for long-term use. I read that new pens are coming to The Good Blue in April. Get one for your collection!

Rants of The Archer thanks The Good Blue and Kailash Ramchandani/PenGrafik for providing the R612 Fountain Pen Matte Black for review purposes. R615 fountain pens are available for purchase on The Good Blue website. In the Philippines, it is available from PenGrafik.

To learn more about these beautiful and well-crafted pens, follow The Good Blue on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/thegoodblueco/).

Fountain Pen Review: Kaweco DIA2

Did you know that Kaweco makes full-size fountain pens, too? Yes, Kaweco makes other pen models aside from the famous pocket-sized Sport series. Kaweco makes several full-size fountain pens including the Dia2, a handsome nostalgic fountain pen made of high-grade precious resin with gold or chrome trims. The design of the Dia2 is based on the Kaweco Dia that dates back to the hard rubber and celluloid pens from the 1920s.

The Kaweco Dia2 is packaged in an elegant pen case.

The Dia2 is a handsome pen. It is available only in black with chrome or gold trims. It has knurling in the cap and barrel ends that is so unique to the old Dia model. Though I am drawn to colorful pens, I love the black Dia2. It has a simple design, but it looks elegant and stylish. The high-grade precious resin is hand-polished to an exceptional gloss and shine. The chrome trims (clip, cap band, barrel band) also look so perfect with black! 

Kaweco Dia2 fountain pen with chrome trims.

The Dia2 fountain pen has an excellent design using high-quality materials. The barrel has a metal lining and is slightly larger in the middle and tapers off towards the end. The Dia2's cap design is similar to the Student's cap except for the double band on the Dia2. The clip, made of solid brass, has the Kaweco logo. The Dia2  has a nice heft and is well balanced in the hand even with the cap posted. It's not a light pen, but it's not too heavy, either.

The Kaweco DIA2 fountain pen has the following measurements and specifications:

• Length, capped: 5.23 in | 13.28 cm
• Length, uncapped: 4.91 in | 12.47 cm
• Length, cap posted: 6.24 in | 15.84 cm
• Full pen weight with full short ink cartridge: 27 g | 0.9 oz
• Weight, cap only: 10 g | 0.3 oz
• Weight, barrel and section: 17 g | 0.6 oz
• Body material: Precious resin
• Trim: Chrome
• Cap: Brass, screw-on, postable
• Clip material: Metal 
• Nib: Stainless steel in Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, and Double Broad (BB)
• Filling mechanism: Standard international cartridge included in the pen package

The Kaweco Dia2 can be filled with ink using a standard international cartridge or a converter if filling from bottled ink. Unfortunately for this full-size pen, Kaweco does not include a converter in the package but provides only a short international ink cartridge.

The Dia2's parts: barrel, nib assembly and section, ink cartridge, and cap. This fountain pen doesn't come with a converter, but a short international ink cartridge is included in the package.

The Dia2's screw-on cap has knurling on the top similar to the vintage Dia's cap. This pen's cap has two chrome bands and the brass clip bears the Kaweco logo. 

The Dia2 has a metal section and the barrel has a metal (probably brass) lining underneath the precious resin.

The cap's finial and barrel end are both installed with the signature Kaweco logo disc. Notice the knurling in both cap and barrel ends.

The steel nib on the Dia2 is an excellent one. It shares the same nib as the ones installed in the Sport and Student series, and they can be easily swapped with one another. This pen came with a Broad nib and it wrote well out of the box. I didn't need to prime or modify it before writing with it. 

Kaweco has designed the Dia2's section really well. The barrel and section are smoothly joined after the threading without a noticeable step or crease which can cause writing discomfort. The section is smooth and comfortable to hold while writing.

The Kaweco nib wrote smoothly out of the box.

Having used this fountain pen for some time, I would have liked it to be a piston filler. The cartridge filling is fine with me, but the Dia2 is in the same price range as some piston filling pens and it will be a nice design touch-up. Still, I am happy with this pen and the cartridge fills do not bother me in any way. 

The Kaweco Dia2 is a full-size pen but still looks smaller compared to some standard pens. It is smaller than the Lamy Safari and 2000 but is the same length as the Otto Hutt design 04. It is a bit longer than the Esterbrook JR.

Black pens look handsome, don't you think? From top: Lamy Safari All Black, Lamy 2000, Kaweco Dia2, Otton Hutt design04, and Esterbrook JR Tuxedo Black.

To test how the steel Broad nib on the Dia2 writes, I used a Kaweco Sunrise Orange cartridge, to give this black pen a happy vibe. The Broad nib wrote smoothly and wet without the need for priming, adjustments, or tuning. It wrote very well, and there were no hard starts, skipping, or inky blobs. I had no trouble writing with it at all. The Dia2 fountain pen is such an enjoyable pen and one that can be used for long periods of writing without any discomfort.

The steel Broad wrote smoothly out of the box. I love the thick, wet lines from this nib. The Sunrise Orange ink is the perfect happy vibe for this pen's blackness.

Kaweco Dia2 is an enjoyable fountain pen. It is simple, elegant, and looks very classy. The shiny precious resin of the barrel and seems resistant to scratches and the section is designed well for comfortable writing. The steel nib writes very well, too, and I'm glad that it is the same nib that Kaweco uses for the Sport series. Swapping nibs with other widths is easy with a quick and easy pull-out. I recommend the Dia2 to anyone who wants to experience writing with a Kaweco fountain pen. Get one for your collection!

Rants of The Archer thanks Kaweco for providing the Dia2 fountain pen for review purposes. The Dia2 and other Kaweco pens are widely available in many reputable sellers worldwide. For a list of sellers, visit Kaweco's Store Locator.

I received the Dia2 fountain pen in this review free of charge from Kaweco Germany for review purposes. For more details, visit the Kaweco website.

In the Philippines, Kaweco pens are available from Scribe and Stationer Extraordinaire.

Fountain Pen Review: Gravitas Entry Fountain Pen Black

Blogging about fountain pens and reviewing them is exciting work not only because I get to try more pens, but also because I meet many people from different countries, and learn about their culture and design preferences through their products. One of the most unique and surprising fountain pens I found last year is Gravitas Pens, a brand from Dublin, Ireland. Designed and ran by Ben Walsh, Gravitas Pens has a wide selection of fountain pens made from machined aluminum, stainless steel, or a combination of both. His pens are unlike the ones I usually keep in my pen cases and I got curious.

I spotted Gravitas Pens on Instagram last year. I chatted with Ben Walsh in February, and I was so surprised when he agreed to send me a sample pen to review. Dublin to Laguna took 37 days by registered post, and I'm so happy to finally see the Gravitas Entry Fountain Pen last week.

Gravitas Entry Fountain Pen - Black

I received the black Entry fountain pen which according to Gravitas is designed "for the new and experienced fountain pen user." It was love at first sight, and this Entry fountain pen is nowhere entry-level at all. Because it's made from delicately bead blasted  6061-T651 aluminium—the same alloy used for bicycle frames, fishing reels, rescue ladders— the Entry fountain pen is cool and very smooth to the touch. It has a tapered barrel, and I consider it a slim and light fountain pen even with a full converter. 

I find the Entry fountain pen comfortable to use, and I love the stainless steel section. Metal sections are usually slippery and uncomfortable to hold when writing, but the Entry fountain pen's section has micro machined grooves for a steady and comfortable grip. Ben uses JoWo No. 6 nibs on his pens, and I got a wet, smooth, juicy Broad in my Entry pen. It wrote well out of the box and I did not experience any hard starts or skipping.

The Entry Fountain Pen is slim and light, but solid and sturdy.

The Gravitas Entry Fountain Pen has the following measurements and specifications:

• Length, capped: 5.53 in | 14 cm
• Length, uncapped: 5.45 in | 13.8 cm
• Length, cap posted: 5.75 in | 14.6 cm
• Full pen weight: 30.8g | 1.08 oz
• Weight, uncapped: 23.9g | 0.84 oz
• Body material: Aluminum and stainless steel
• Colors: Black, Dark Olive Gray, Teal, Burgundy Red, Dark Green, Purple, Gunmetal Grey, and Rainbow Skittle
• Cap: Screw-on; postable
• Nib: No. 6 JoWo steel available in Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, Stub 1.1, and Stub 1.5
• Filling mechanism: International standard ink cartridges, or K5 converter (supplied with every pen purchase)

Gravitas Entry Fountain Pen can be filled with ink using cartridges or through the K5 converter supplied with each pen purchase.

The black Entry fountain pen is free from any markings except for the logo on the cap.

The tapered barrel is cool and very smooth to the touch. 

Gravitas Pens uses JoWo nibs on their fountain pens.

A designer's thoughtful touch—this pen's section's micro machined grooves help users get a firm and comfortable grip while writing.

I find the tapered barrel of the Entry fountain pen a little slim. Then I realized I could post the cap and the Entry becomes hefty. I like it posted and it's only the second pen I will be using with the cap posted—the first being my Kaweco Sport pens.

I've been reviewing black fountain pens lately, and I'm enjoying them. I'm finding black pens calming and soothing. The Entry Fountain Pen shares the same length as the BENU Tattoo, Lamy 2000, and Lamy Safari. Uncapped, it's longer than Lamy 2000, and shares the same length as the BENU, Stanford Wood Studio Impressionists, and Lamy Safari. 

From top: BENU Tattoo, Stanford Wood Studio Impressionists Fountain Pen, Entry, Lamy 2000, and Lamy Safari All Black.

The Entry Fountain Pen is the slimmest pen in this set, but shares the same length with most of them.

To test how this slim pen with a Broad nib writes, I chose Robert Oster Terracotta, a nice red-brown ink to match the black aluminum finish. Ink flow to the nib was fast, and the Broad JoWo nib wrote smoothly out of the box without the need for adjustments or tuning. I did not prime this pen's nib, I don't do that to most of my pens unless I am aware of ink residue due to testing. I tried the pen on MD paper and on VECO 100gsm paper and I did not experience any hard starts or skipping. The Entry Fountain Pen writes smoothly every time I use it.

Gravitas Entry Fountain Pen with Broad nib filled with Robert Oster Terracotta.

Ben ships his pens in a special custom-designed leather pen sleeve printed with Ogham text. A box of six ink cartridges is also included in the pen package.

I am very happy with Gravitas Pens Entry Fountain Pen and I recommend it to anyone who wants to explore and know this pen brand from Dublin, Ireland. The Entry Fountain Pen is an enjoyable pen, it writes smoothly every time I use it, and it's one solidly built, well-designed fountain pen. Get one for your collection!

Rants of The Archer thanks Ben Walsh and Gravitas Pens for providing the Entry Fountain Pen in this review. The Entry Fountain Pen is available from Gravitas Pens Shop where it sells for €55.00. To learn more and see their offerings, visit the Gravitas Pens website at https://www.gravitaspens.com/. For updates on their product offerings, follow Gravitas Pens on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gravitaspens/.

Fountain Pen Review: Esterbrook JR Pocket Pen Tuxedo Black

When I was new to fountain pen collecting, I ventured into vintage Esterbrooks and had close to ten pieces at one time. Difficulty in maintenance and sourcing replacement parts made me let go of some of the pens, keeping only the ones in better condition. I still have four Esties and though I want to have more, my previous concerns keep me from adding another Estie to my collection. But I got one more! This time it's a modern Esterbrook pen.

The JR Pocket Pen, inspired by the classic and vintage "J" fountain pen was launched by the Esterbrook Pen Company in September 2020. The JR Pocket Pen is a revival of the 1940s and 50s pocket pen and comes in the compact size that most of us loved with the vintage J Esties.

 

The Estie J that we all love is now truly reborn in the Esterbrook JR Pocket Pen.

The JR, short for "J Reborn," is an excellent "heritage" pen, built and designed well for a comfortable writing experience. It's a slimmer pen than the Estie J, and it fills with ink through cartridges or converters, but it feels almost the same as holding an original J fountain pen. The clip and accents are plated to match the nib and cap ring.

This new version of the Esterbrook J is offered in three colors, Capri Blue, Carmine Red, and Tuxedo Black. Tuxedo and Carmine are available in palladium trim and Capri in gold. The JR's JoWo nib and finial are engraved with the Esterbrook Eternity symbol. 

Esterbrook JR Pocket Pen Tuxedo Black

The Esterbrook JR fountain pen has the following measurements and specifications:

• Length, capped: 5 in | 12.7 cm
• Length, uncapped: 4.6 in | 11.7 cm
• Length, cap posted: 6 in | 15.2 cm
• Length, barrel only: 3.1 in | 7.9 cm
• Length, section to nib: 1.4 in | 3.6 cm
• Length, cap: 2.5 inches | 6.4 cm
• Full pen weight: 19.8 g | 0.7 oz
• Body material: Resin
• Trim: Chrome/Palladium
• Cap: Screw on, postable
• Clip material: Palladium plated metal 
• Nib: Stainless steel nib in rhodium plating in Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, or Stub (1.1mm)
• Filling mechanism: Cartridge or converter (both included with purchase)

The JR Pocket Pen has a screw-on cap.

Esterbrook JR fountain pen can be filled with ink using international cartridges or an Esterbrook converter, both included with each purchase. Unlike other pocket pens, the JR takes on a full ink converter which makes it easier to fill from ink bottles. 

This pen's section has an ergonomic grip that ensures comfortable writing, and the body is long enough to use for writing without the need to post the cap. I do not usually use my fountain pens posted because they become uncomfortably long and top-heavy.  

The JR's barrel, section + converter, and screw-on cap.

The JR's cap looks very similar to the vintage J fountain pen's cap. However, Esterbrook has included some changes into the new pen. The cap finial (and barrel end) is now a flat chrome-plated metal instead of the black button jewels found in the earlier J pens. The JR pen's ribbed clip is also longer and does not have the Esterbrook logo, which is now etched in the JR's smooth cap ring. (Comparison photos below.)

The JR's cap ring bears the Esterbrook logo.

The JR's finial is a flat metal engraved with the Esterbrook Eternity logo.

The JR's section has metal threading, which prevents loosening and breakage, and ensures a more secure fit into the pen's barrel.

The Esterbrook JR Pocket Pen is fitted with a #5 steel JoWo nib from Germany. It is available in various nib sizes: extra fine, fine, medium, broad, and stub 1.1. The markings on the nib include the Esterbrook Eternity logo and "1.1" (nid width).

The 1.1 nib on the JR Pocket Pen wrote well out of the box, smooth and wet to my liking. I can use it for regular writing for my notes, lists, and journaling, but I can also use it to do some beautiful italic calligraphy.

The Esterbrook Eternity symbol/logo is made up of two connected "E's," with no beginning or ending representing a timeline of perpetuity, linking tradition to modernity. It is a reminder of founder Richard Esterbrook's spirit and hard work, so the two connected E's is also translated to "Esterbrook Endures." The symbol/logo made its first appearance on the red polishing cloth that was included with the Estie Lilac. As new Esterbrook pen models are released, the Eternity symbol/logo is included in finials. 

The JR's stub 1.1 nib is smooth and wet, perfect for regular writing and italic calligraphy.

The J series was Esterbrook's most popular and best-selling pens when they were introduced in the 1940s. The classic double jewel J in the image below is the full-sized pen. The series has two more sizes, LJ (slender/slim), and SJ (demi, or the equivalent of the pocket pen back then).

Overall, the JR pen looks similar to the J, but it is slimmer than its vintage cousin. The barrel obviously does not have the lever anymore, but it has an extra ring towards the end. The barrel is also missing the Esterbrook imprint found in the vintage pen. The materials for the two pens are also different, but I like the turned acrylic that Esterbrook used in the JR. It has depth and unique marbling, and exceptional gloss. This JR is a neat, black pocket pen.

Top: Esterbrook JR Pocket Pen; bottom: Esterbrook Double Jewel J.

The JR has a longer section with an ergonomic design for comfortable writing.

The JR Pocket Pen shares the same length as a Pelikan Souveran M400, slightly shorter than Otto Hutt design04, but longer than a Kaweco Sport. The Lamy Safari is the only full-length pen here and it provides a good size comparison. Uncapped, it's the smallest and slimmest pen in this lot of pocket/short pens. Despite that, the JR is a well-designed pen that looks classy and elegant, and comfortable to use.

To test how this pocket fountain pen writes, I filled it Bleu Calanque, a J. Herbin ink with an average flow. The JR wrote so well out of the box, and the #5 JoWo steel 1.1 nib wrote wet and smooth. I did not experience any scratchiness, hard starts, or ink skipping. I had no trouble writing at all. 

I'm so happy that I can use this pen for regular writing for my notes, lists, and journaling, and also for italic calligraphy and ink art. The Esterbrook JR is such an enjoyable pen. It's elegant, classy, versatile, and one that can be used for long periods of writing without any discomfort.

The JR is perfect for regular writing - notes, lists, journaling.

The 1.1 JoWo nib is also perfect for italic calligraphy!

The Esterbrook Pen Company has a long history of pen making. At its peak in the 1940s and 1950s, the company was the largest pen manufacturer in the United States. US presidents signed legislation with their Esterbrook pens. Donald Duck was brought to life with an Esterbrook, and Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz used an Estie for all his comics. Millions of students grew up learning how to write using Esterbrook pens. Now that the J has been reborn, more people will be able to enjoy the brand and continue the history of one of America's iconic pen brands.

Each purchase of the Esterbrook JR includes a polishing cloth, a small fabric bag, and this lovely vintage-themed stamp.

As with the Estie Lilac I reviewed in September last year, I am very happy with the JR Pocket Pen, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to have a similar experience of using the Esterbrook J fountain pen or explore the brand. The JR Pocket Pen is a neat, lovely fountain pen designed for long term use. Get one for your collection!

Rants of The Archer thanks the Esterbrook Pen Company and Kenro Industries for providing the Esterbrook JR Pocket Pen for review purposes. The JR fountain pen and the entire Esterbrook collection is available at Esterbrookpens.com where it retails for around US$175. Aside from the JR Pocket Pen collection,  the following collections are also available: Camden, Estie, Estie Peacock, Estie Rocky Top, Sparkle, Phaeton, Popeye, and Navy Nook. 

To learn more about the Esterbrook Pen Company, where to buy their pens, and for other details on purchasing their pens, visit their website at https://www.esterbrookpens.com/ or follow them on social media:

• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/esterbrook_official/)
• Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/esterbrookpens)