Ink Review: Caran d'Ache Magnetic Blue as a Classic Blue-Black

I flushed all of my inked fountain pens at the end of June. After six months worth of pen shows, testing out store product samples, and a generally chaotic schedule that often left me with little time to regroup, I once again ended up with around two dozen inked pens. Some were 3/4 empty, some had dried out, and others just needed to be cleaned because the whole scene was making me twitch.

For this fresh rotation, I went back to a variation on an experiment I'd tried in the past: inking up six pens, with two old favorites, two pens for review, and two randomly chosen pens, one custom and one vintage. For inks, I decided to work with a tried-and-true ink line that I absolutely love but don't use as much as I should: Caran d'Ache Chromatics.

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The nib holder is from our collaboration with Nic Pasquale (PensByPasquale), which is now sold out. Stay tuned for more exclusive releases!

If forced to pick, my favorite of all the Caran d'Ache Chromatics inks would likely be Magnetic Blue, which is an old-school blue-black shade. A dark navy with a hint of grey, Magnetic Blue sits somewhere between traditional iron gall blue-blacks and "midnight blue" inks. I find that it generally flows quite well. On some papers, it will have a hint of red sheen, but it’s subtle. I was looking for a "classy" dark ink for my Waterman Exception I acquired in Chicago, and this ended up as an excellent pairing.

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In a finer nib the ink will appear quite dark, which I love for work. It dries fairly quickly, even on non-absorbent paper.

While to my knowledge this particular blue-black ink does not contain iron gall, it does have a moderate degree of water resistance. I've included a picture below of the writing sample (on Cosmo Air Light paper) after being held under a running faucet for approximately one minute. The writing remains highly legible, and this ink would easily survive a water or coffee spill onto a notebook.

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Caran d'Ache ink used to have a reputation as being overpriced (at one point I believe it rang in at $50 per bottle), but the price has since come down to the $35 range - not inexpensive but in line with other premium inks sold in 50ml glass bottles. Personally, I love the design of the Caran d'Ache glass bottle. It's a deeper inkwell that's slightly angled to make it easier to fill larger nib pens, and the hexagonal inkwell design looks great on a desk.

We've been Caran d'Ache retailers for nearly four years now, and stock all of the various Chromatics inks in both bottle and cartridge form, as well as Caran d'Ache pens and pencils. If you enjoy our content, please consider supporting us directly!

New Arrivals: The Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto Multi Pens!

My favorite gel multi pen of all time is the Hi-Tec-C Coleto, and I still have a long-discontinued matte-black Coleto Lumio (since replaced by the Coleto 1000 series) that remains always at the ready in my pen case. The Hi-Tec-C gel pen series is famous for its needle-tip in .3mm, .4mm, and .5mm sizes, and people love the Coletos because they come in a wide range of colors and the refills tend to be less finicky than the standard Hi-Tec-C Cartridge. I can regularly use a Coleto refill all the way to the end of its life without the pen drying or clogging up, probably because they hold less ink (with less opportunities to develop problems over time).

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The end cap of the Coleto flips up, allowing you to slide in 3 or 4 refills, depending on which pen you choose.

As of this morning, we’re happy to offer Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto Multi Pens in three different variations, priced from $3 to $15. Note that the pens are sold without refills - you can customize this pen by selecting from the nearly three dozen different refill possibilities, including mechanical pencils and eraser units, and we’ve spent a considerable amount of time assembling some assortment packs so that you can test all the different refill colors before deciding how and whether to stock up. Options include standard colors, fluorescent colors, pastels, and metallic gels. Happy shopping!

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I’ve personally always found the .4mm size the sweet spot of the Coleto line (and Hi-Tec-C Gel pens in general), but the others write just as well, with the .3mm slightly narrower and .5mm slightly wider.

Sunday Reading for June 30, 2024

1. Meet Your Maker: Nic Pasquale, Pens by Pasquale (via Pen Addict - Caroline). I’m glad to see my friend Nic get a profile! His pens are excellent. Commission one!

2. Lochby Venture Pouch & Quattro (via Figboot on Pens). David reviews the two primary cases in the Lochby line, depending on whether you want a zippered pouch or a traditional four-slot case.

3. Ana’s St. Louis Pen Show Recap (via Well-Appointed Desk). A St. Louis Pen Show review from behind the vendor’s table! I’ve not made the St. Louis Pen Show before. Perhaps next year?

4. Laura’s St. Louis Pen Show Recap (via Well-Appointed Desk). Laura was able to wander the show for her first pen show in a while! And a wand maker?

5. What Would a Potential Binder Daily Carry Setup Look Like for Me? (via Stationery Pizza). Do you use a binder system? Do you go heavily organized or do you travel light?

6. The Writech Retractable Fountain Pen: Early Thoughts (via Fountain Pen Blog). Many people are trying to get in on the lower-cost retractable fountain pen market, and it’s been fun to see some of the new designs emerge. Will any of them take off?

7. Stationery Crazes (via Rachel’s Reflections). This is a pretty comprehensive list from the past few years.

8. Scriveiner Luxury EDC Stunning Matt Green Pocket Fountain Pen (via Rants of the Archer). I likewise enjoyed my time with the Scriveiner fountain pens, and Scriveiner has been very generous with the community in providing pens for reviews and giveaways.

9. Namisu Nova Titanium Pocket Pen in Ultem (via Dapprman). Namisu continues to release new models, including this pocket pen design.

10. Fountain Pen Shootout Kyuseido Kakari vs. Conid Kingsize (via SBRE Brown). The video that many have been waiting for….

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In Case You Missed It….

This week on the blog I reviewed two capped mechanical pencils: the Pentel Sharp Kerry and the Uni Kuru Toga Dive. One is a stationery classic, and the other is a new entrant to the scene (albeit with spotty availability). Who did it better? I also reviewed a vintage fountain pen from my collection that made a sneak guest appearance in the Pentel Sharp Kerry review: the Pilot Myu!

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This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop

The big news from this week was the arrival of the TWSBI ECO-T in a translucent “Eggplant Purple”, which TWSBI has indicated will be a more limited run than other recent releases. We still have stock available to ship immediately but I am not counting on another restock of these. We also received additional colors of the Pentel Sharp Kerry. You can read more about these and other new arrivals in this week’s Thursday Drops post.

TWSBI

Zebra

Uni Jetstream

Lamy

Check Out T.G.S. Patreon for Breaking news and first access/Special pricing on exclusives!

We’ve recently shared some news regarding our continued growth with our Patreon members. If you enjoy our content (whether here on the main website, Instagram, YouTube Channel or elsewhere), and would like early/extra access to shop releases and gently used stationery opportunities, consider supporting us via Patreon. We do our best to remain 100% self-supported without having to rely on third-party advertisers or affiliates. Of course, the number one way to help is to visit our curated retail shop! If you enjoy in-person and virtual meetups and having access to more personal content, consider joining the T.G.S. Patreon, which also includes access to early shop releases, the quarterly gently used sales, a monthly updates newsletter, and of course our monthly Zoom meetups. Patreon support starts as low as $3 per month, and if you pay annually there is a further discount.

No matter how you support us - even if just with a comment, recommendation, or encouraging word - we greatly appreciate your readership!

The Pilot Myu Fountain Pen: What Does It Take for Me to Seek Out a Rare, Somewhat Overhyped Vintage Pen?

I tend to not chase scarcity. My personal collection mainly consists of pens that I’ve purchased with the intent of using them for everyday writing. To the extent something remains in the collection, but doesn’t get used, it’s likely because the pen has become too fragile through age or overuse to withstand the normal wear of my workday. I seldom purchase something simply to say that I own an example, so if it’s in my pen case, I plan to write with it.

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The Pilot Myu Black Stripe, which adds a bit more texture to the pen in the form of the engraved vertical stripes.

I also rarely review so-called “unobtanium” (i.e. pens that get a lot of attention but you can’t actually find in the wild at a reasonable price). My goal for The Gentleman Stationer has always been to create a practical resource to help people learn about stationery and fine writing instruments. There’s not much practical value to writing about those vintage pens that are increasingly difficult to find, and when you do, they cost upwards of 10x the original price.

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The vintage Myu typically comes with some version of the Pilot CON-20 squeeze converter, making it relatable to most modern Pilot users. The pens also accept modern Pilot cartridges (including the new Iroshizuku cartridges).

You might already have guessed that I’m going to make something of an exception today and talk about one of my favorite vintage pens, the Pilot Myu, which I love to write with but if I’m honest, may like them a bit too much to carry around everyday since I’m not sure I’d be able to replace these pens if something happened. I own two, which date to the early to mid 1970s, and are known for their integrated nibs. By “integrated nib,” I mean that the nib is not a separate unit: the entire pen - body, section, and nib - are machined from a single piece of metal (stainless steel). I can best describe the end result as something of a futuristic cross between a Pilot Vanishing Point and a Parker 51. The lack of any seams between the nib and the rest of the pen body give this pen gorgeous lines. Despite the stainless steel construction, the Myu is fabulously well-balanced, and the cap posts and closes securely.

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What Makes the Pilot Myu Special, and Why Write About It?

First, there’s really nothing quite like the Myu currently on the market, and it’s so unique that I don’t begrudge anyone for shelling out the somewhat inflated secondary market prices for these pens. Integrated nib pens were a trend that emerged in the early 1970s, but due to manufacturing difficulties and the declining fountain pen market at the time, never completely took off. Despite the scarcity, I still feel that it’s fair to call the current price point “inflated” because even though they are somewhat rare, Pilot originally intended for them to serve as everyday workhorses at a lower-to-mid tier price point. Several years ago, the Myu received a lot of podcast/blogosphere hype as the “best pocket pen ever made” or something to that effect, and the prices seemingly shot up overnight into the $300-$500 range. I did a recent survey of eBay pricing and saw a few in the $250 range, which feels more realistic but still expensive.

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The Myu (right) next to the Pentel Sharp Kerry mechanical pencil.

Second, the Myu is an interesting piece of stationery history because you can still see certain similar design elements in other products that remain available. This week I wrote about the Pentel Sharp Kerry (which is visually similar but may actually predate the Myu), and you can also see bits of the Myu legacy in the monobody Schon Monoc nib, as well as the current Pilot Elite/E95S fountain pen. If you’re a fan of this style of stationery (as I am), it can be quite cool to own the original.

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Finally, building a bit off of No. 1 above, the Myu offers a very distinct writing experience that’s much more tactile and “direct” than a typical fountain pen - it almost feels as though you are writing with a metal stylus or etching tool. The nib has zero give (very stiff), though at the same time the medium-fine shown here is a wet writer. Those who love a bit of tooth and a tactile feel to their nib often appreciate the Myu.

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Pilot Myu Medium-Fine Nib, Caran d’Ache Hypnotic Turquoise ink; Write Notepads Paper.

Takeaways and Should You Buy One?

The Myu remains one of the more unique fountain pens in my collection, and possibly one of the top five most iconic pieces of stationery, vintage or modern, that I own. While I have two of them, I bought them a year or two before the surge in popularity, and the current price point might be more than what many people find reasonable for a vintage pen that can be difficult to repair. Case in point: certain Myus (including the silver one shown here) have a tendency to leak around the clutch mechanism (“teeth”) at the bottom of the section. This issue can be fixed, but not many know how to do it. Years ago I was referred to someone via Fountain Pen Network who fixed my pen, and it writes well now, but if this problem were to arise again I’d likely have to hunt down a new repair person. Though an element of risk exists with any vintage pen purchase, less common pens like this one can feel riskier unless you know someone who can work on them.

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Though longer and slimmer than a Kaweco Sport, I would still call the Myu a pocket pen, though given the age and relative value of this pen I have never used either of my Myu’s for actual pocket carry.

So should you buy one? It’s a hard question for me to answer, and I don’t feel comfortable “recommending” the Myu because it’s not as easily accessible in terms of both pricing and repair as something like a Parker 51 or even a vintage Kaweco Sport. But, if you’re a die-hard pocket pen fan and want to own an example of what many consider to be the best-ever iteration of the format, you will be very happy with this pen. Personally, I won’t be selling my two specimens anytime soon. :)

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. If you enjoy our content and articles such as this one, please consider supporting us directly.

Thursday Drops: New Pentel Mechanical Pencils, TWSBI ECO-T Eggplant Purple, and More!

Another big week in the shop! As we prepare to move into our new space sometime over the next month, we’re trying to walk the line between bringing in too many restocks/new arrivals that we will subsequently have to move, while still keeping up on the releases that seem to keep coming. This week we have one of my personal favorite mechanical pencils from Pentel, as well as a gorgeous new translucent purple TWSBI ECO-T that they’ve dubbed “Eggplant Purple”. In recent weeks we’ve also added a bunch of new gel and multi pen releases from Uni and Zebra, and restocked on the classic Jetstream Prime in limited finishes. Help us lighten our move and pick this stuff up today!

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We don’t anticipate any disruption in shipping while we move into our new space (which will likely include an in-person shopping option eventually!), but if that changes I will be sure to keep you all posted with the details. Many thanks for all your support!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

1. TWSBI ECO-T “Eggplant Purple” Fountain Pen. TWSBI released their summer ECO-T, and it’s a gorgeous translucent purple. Available now in all nib sizes. TWSBI indicated that this would be a small batch so we’re planning on this shipment possibly being it for this particular color.

2. Pentel Sharp Kerry Mechanical Pencil. The original capped mechanical pencil (1971!), the Pentel Sharp Kerry features a knock and an eraser incorporated into the cap, so you can post the cap on the back as you write and still have full mechanical pencil functionality. Don’t miss yesterday’s review.

3. Uni Kuru Toga Alpha Gel Switch. This favorite mechanical pencil from Uni Mitsubishi features a soft and comfortable, yet durable, gel grip and now comes in both .3mm and .5mm lead sizes. Read our review here.

4. Uni Mechanical Pencil Lead Metal Cases. Prefer a long-lasting reusable accessory to the stock plastic lead cases? Check out these metal refill holders, which come stocked with 40 pieces of Uni’s smudge-proof HB .3mm or .5mm leads.

5. Lamy Safari 2024 Special Edition Fountain Pens. We have stock of all the Lamy special releases from this year, including the recently released “Pina Colada” and “Cherry Blossom” pens and pencils, as well as the “Pink Cliff” and “Violet Blackberry” models.

6. TWSBI Diamond 580 AL “Iceberg” Fountain Pen. This cool blue color is stunning, and “glacier” or “ice blue” colorways are always a favorite. I wish pen companies kept this shade in the standard lineup.

7. Zebra Sarasa Grand Vintage Gel Pens. We finally added a high-end retractable gel pen to the shop. The 2024 version of the Zebra Sarasa Grand features a redesigned body and the same great refill in nearly a dozen different vintage-inspired colors. Read my full thoughts here.

8. Updated Stálogy Accessories. In addition to this year’s limited edition white Stálogy notebooks, we have accessories including the recently released stitched notebook covers, sticky notes, and more.

9. Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter Organizers. We have a nice selection of A4, A5, and A6 Taschenbegleiter notebook covers in both leather and vegan materials, ready to ship! These covers are compatible with most standard-sized slim notebooks in the corresponding size, and the clips are removable if you want to carry fewer than 3 notebooks.

10. Lochby Cases and Notebook Covers. We have most Lochby models in stock, as well as the Lochby Field Journal and Pocket Journal notebook refills that contain excellent, fountain pen friendly 68gsm Tomoe River Paper.

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Stalogy removable calendar stickers can be transferred from page to page as necessary. To Do list options are also available.