Pen Review: Aurora Vintage Duo-cart Fountain Pen

September 4, 2019

In 2017, Aurora teased a reissue of their vintage Duo-cart fountain pen, only to withdraw it from the market in order to fix some minor design flaws. While I owned one of the 2017 Duo-carts, and enjoy the pen, I held off on publishing a formal review until Aurora could perfect the design, namely the friction-fit cap which had a tendency to come loose on the original iteration of the pen. After what turned out to be a bit of a wait, Aurora re-released the Duo-cart this year as part of their “Archivi Storici” lineup, which is the name the company gives to modern versions of vintage pens reissued from the Aurora archives. The result? This one’s a hit and merits the attention of those who desire vintage style without the fuss of writing with an actual vintage pen.

I tend to ignore packaging, but the delivery on Aurora’s “Archivi Storici” line is top notch. As shown in the “open-box” view below, you get a bottle of ink, converter, and cartridges along with your pen - everything you need to get writing straight… — I tend to ignore packaging, but the delivery on Aurora’s “Archivi Storici” line is top notch. As shown in the “open-box” view below, you get a bottle of ink, converter, and cartridges along with your pen - everything you need to get writing straight away.

Aurora’s hooded nibs are slightly different than those on the Lamy 2000 or the Parker 51. They’re less streamlined and a bit “chunkier,” for lack of a better term. I don’t dislike the look - the Duo-cart is, and was intended to be, a workhorse pen a… — Aurora’s hooded nibs are slightly different than those on the Lamy 2000 or the Parker 51. They’re less streamlined and a bit “chunkier,” for lack of a better term. I don’t dislike the look - the Duo-cart is, and was intended to be, a workhorse pen and it looks the part.

Pros: A hooded nib and a highly usable vintage-inspired design.

What do I like about the Duo-cart? It’s a well-built modern workhorse with vintage looks. This combination of style and comfort nearly always lands a positive review here at TGS.

A Hooded Nib. Anytime a pen company releases a pen with a hooded nib, it catches my attention immediately. The Duo-cart’s stainless steel nib is stiff and has a touch of Aurora’s signature tooth, which makes for a tactile writing experience, without being scratchy. (It’s hard to describe, but those who have written with an Aurora pen know what I’m talking about - almost like writing with a pencil.) I would characterize the nib as a moderately wet “Western medium,” though that will vary somewhat depending on what ink you use.
True Vintage Styling. In addition to the hooded nib, the Duo-cart features several other vintage-inspired design touches, drawn directly from the Aurora archives. My personal favorites include the “linear guilloche” cap, and the classic “Aurora Made in Italy” script around the base.
Good Balance and All-Day Writing Comfort. What I enjoy most about the Duo-cart (as well as other vintage and vintage-inspired pens) is the fact that the pen was designed in an era when fountain pens were intended to be used as a daily writing tool akin to your keyboard. Therefore, comfort is key. The section is long and provides ample room to grip the pen, and since the Duo-cart uses a friction fit cap there are no sharp threads to interfere with your grip or dig into your hand. The pen is similar in size to the Lamy 2000 or the Parker 51.

The engraved streamline cap looks great - almost like pinstripes. With this release, Aurora introduced navy, light green, and light blue versions of the Duo-cart alongside the black and burgundy versions from the initial release. The light green (sh… — The engraved streamline cap looks great - almost like pinstripes. With this release, Aurora introduced navy, light green, and light blue versions of the Duo-cart alongside the black and burgundy versions from the initial release. The light green (shown here) has the most “vintage” feel of any of them, in my opinion.

Cons: You can have your nib in any size you want, as long as it’s medium.

There isn’t much that I dislike about the Duo-cart, but those considering a purchase should note a couple of things:

Posting. The main issue that I still have with this pen, even after the reissue, is that the cap sometimes fails to post securely. On a couple of occasions, I’ve had the posted cap go flying across my desk at work when I turned around or moved my arm suddenly. Not an issue for those who don’t post their pens, but it can be a bit of a problem for me unless I remember to jam the cap down pretty hard on the back of the barrel.
Nib Size. What’s the cliche? You can have it in any size you want, as long as you like medium? I imagine this choice had to do with the scale and cost of production on the hooded nib, which is specific to this pen, so Aurora went with its most popular nib option. My two Duo-carts are somewhat wet writers, so those looking for a fine or extra-fine line will probably need to invest in a nib grind.

In keeping with its name, the Aurora Duo-cart uses a cartridge-converter filling system.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

The Duo-cart is my first foray into Aurora’s “Archivi Storici” editions, and given how much I’ve enjoyed this pen I look forward to more of these releases in the future. (I also plan to dig around on eBay and see if I can unearth some of the previous Archivi Storici editions, which include a re-release of the vintage-style Aurora 88.) I support pen companies reissuing modern versions of their vintage pen designs, since it caters to those of us who appreciate the classic fountain pen styles, yet don’t necessarily want to deal with using a higher-maintenance vintage pen on a daily basis.

You can purchase the Aurora Duo-cart at most Aurora retailers, including our site sponsor Pen Chalet. Aurora has set MSRP at $195 for this pen, with most retailers pricing it around $156. I don’t have any issues with this price point. The Duo-cart looks high-end, the pen is well-made, and you have to account for the time and expense of resurrecting a vintage pen from the archives that’s been out of production for years. The $150-200 price bracket is competitive, however, and Aurora is going nose-to-nose with other excellent steel-nib pens such as the Esterbrook Estie, the Leonardo Momento Zero, and the Pelikan M205. The Duo-cart’s hooded nib distinguishes it from these pens, but for around $20 more you can purchase the Lamy 2000, which also features a hooded nib, but in 14k gold with a piston filler. The design aesthetic is distinct enough, however, that the Duo-cart will likely carve out its own niche.

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Editor’s Note: The dark teal ink shown in this writing sample is a limited edition collaboration between Pen Chalet and Colorverse, “Monsoon Storm.” This particular Colorverse ink includes two different colors, a 65ml bottle of Monsoon Storm and a 15ml bottle of an orange-gold color called “Monument Valley.” I may do a stand-alone review of both inks but since these are limited edition inks that may sell out I figured I would post the details here. Currently, this ink is listed at 30% off and on sale for $25.

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors and affiliates. I acquired this pen using store credit generated through my participation in Pen Chalet’s affiliate program.

Pen Rolls vs. Pen Cases: A Review of the Rickshaw Bagworks Deluxe 6 Pen Roll

August 31, 2019

Up until this past year, I was firmly in the “pen case” camp. While I had a few fabric pen wraps, most were handmade, small batch products made by friends and acquaintances that I used to transport un-inked pens to local pen meets and pen shows. For casual carry these are fine, but they don’t offer enough protection for the rigors of everyday commuting, especially when the pens are sitting in my bag with a laptop, briefcase, binders, and who-knows-what-else.

The elastic cord (pictured here with lock) ensures that your pen roll remains closed, and allows you to roll your pens as tightly as possible both to prevent the pens from rattling around and to maximize space in your bag.

Pen wraps and rolls, however, have a couple of distinct advantages over pen cases. First, they can take up much less space in a bag. If you’re someone who regular carries five or six pens, a roll is much more compact and can slide easily into the corner of a briefcase, whereas a comparable fabric or leather pen case with hard sides and a zippered or snap closure typically takes up more space. Second, a properly designed pen roll can better protect your pens from dings and scratches, provided the interior uses a soft enough liner and leaves enough space between slots so that the pens don’t touch.

This particular Deluxe Pen Roll holds six pens, which I is Rickshaw’s typical size. On the Rickshaw website, however, you can order a custom Deluxe Pen Roll that holds 6, 8, 10, or even 12 pens, though I expect that would be quite large when closed.… — This particular Deluxe Pen Roll holds six pens, which I is Rickshaw’s typical size. On the Rickshaw website, however, you can order a custom Deluxe Pen Roll that holds 6, 8, 10, or even 12 pens, though I expect that would be quite large when closed. For that many pens, I’m probably still going with a pen case.

San Francisco-based Rickshaw Bagworks makes the best pen roll for my personal needs. Specifically, I’ve been carrying this “Deluxe” six pen roll that I picked up at the Los Angeles Pen Show in February, which is a special edition collaboration with LA-based artist Joey Feldman and retailer Vanness Pens. Rickshaw also has collaborated with Leigh Reyes on a previous edition, also sold through Vanness. These Deluxe Pen Rolls feature a durable Cordura exterior with a plush interior to protect your pens. (The liner is referred to as “Royal Plush” on the Rickshaw website, and it feels like microfleece.) I like how the Deluxe Pen Roll has an interior flap that keeps your pens from sliding out the top, and all Rickshaw pen rolls feature an elastic cord with adjustable “cord lock”, which keeps your pen roll closed much better than fabric or leather ties.

Size comparison: The Rickshaw Bagworks Deluxe Six Pen Roll next to my Galen Leather A5 Zippered Portfolio. The Pen Roll is shown here loaded with six pens.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

This year at work has been quite busy on multiple fronts, meaning that space in my briefcase is a premium. For that reason I’ve found myself carrying my Rickshaw pen roll more frequently, to the point where it’s become a fixture in my bag. I’ve even thrown Joey’s crazy art out into the center of a conference room table at work, but didn’t get any reaction. Apparently I’m no longer a novelty and people now expect these things from me. Sigh.

A shot of Joey Feldman’s artwork on the reverse side.

If you’re interested in the Joey Feldman collaboration, Vanness still has several of these limited edition Deluxe Pen Rolls in stock, along with some standard pen rolls (no interior flap) and utility pouches. Otherwise you can visit the Rickshaw Bagworks website to design your own. Prices start at $50 for the Joey Feldman/Vanness limited edition and $49 on the Rickshaw Bagworks website.

Note: For more information on large-capacity pen storage, including album-style cases and and pen display boxes, check out this post here.

Disclaimer: Vanness Pens is a sponsor of this website, and I received the Deluxe Pen Roll featured in this review at no charge. (Well, not really at “no charge,” since I paid with my own blood, sweat, and tears behind the table at the 2019 LA Pen Show. You can read about that experience here.)

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Quest for Perfection: My Search for the Best Burgundy Ink

August 28, 2019

Out of all the colors available to me, burgundy is my favorite, and finding the “best” burgundy has become something of a personal quest. I’ve always been a fan of red ink, going all the way back to grade school when your supply list included a pack of those Papermate/Flair felt-tipped correcting pens, but sometimes bright red inks are a bit harsh on the eyes when you’re staring at a full page of writing. That’s where burgundies really shine.

Burgundy ink lends your writing a touch of sophistication, and if your job involves lots of annotation and marking up documents, burgundy ink is a - how shall we put it - “gentler” way to correct the ways of others, as opposed to a sea of bright fire-engine red. The color is much more muted while still remaining interesting. I’ve always thought that burgundy looks especially good in a stub or cursive italic nib, two grinds that I favor.

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So What Burgundy Inks Have I Been Writing with Lately?

A current favorite Monteverde Passion Burgundy. Many people write off Monteverde as a brand that makes pens of middling quality, but don’t overlook their inks, which are reasonably priced and come in a wide array of colors. Passion Burgundy has more red to it than other burgundies which can have purple or brownish tinges, especially those inks that try to pull off a “wine” theme. Passion Burgundy also behaves fairly well on most papers, even in wet stub nibs, and Monteverde inks in general behave quite similarly to much more expensive inks produced by a certain German brand that also makes their inks in Austria. Hmmm…..

Out of these inks, I would rank my favorites as follows: (1) Montblanc Bordeaux; (2) Monteverde Passion Burgundy; (3) Montblanc Encre du Desert Le Petit Prince (4) Diamine Burgundy Royale; (5) Montblanc Burgundy Red; and (6) Private Reserve Burgundy… — Out of these inks, I would rank my favorites as follows: (1) Montblanc Bordeaux; (2) Monteverde Passion Burgundy; (3) Montblanc Encre du Desert Le Petit Prince (4) Diamine Burgundy Royale; (5) Montblanc Burgundy Red; and (6) Private Reserve Burgundy Mist. All of these inks are excellent, and lean towards the red end of the spectrum rather than

I also recently re-reviewed Private Reserve Burgundy Mist, which was an old favorite before Private Reserve started having quality-control issues, which have since been resolved by a change in ownership and reformulations of certain colors. Burgundy Mist is a bit more “wine-y” than Passion Burgundy, meaning that you will see more purplish hues, but I’d still call it a “red.” Another relatively inexpensive choice that is closer to Passion Burgundy in color is Diamine Burgundy Royale, from the 150th Anniversary lineup.

Finally, the “classic” burgundies that periodically make their way into my rotation include Montblanc Burgundy Red and the classic Montblanc Bordeaux (now discontinued but still a great color). The standard Montblanc Burgundy works well in a finer nib but can appear a bit washed out in a stub. Montblanc Bordeaux was the perfect shade for me, and a relatively close approximation, though maybe slightly darker, is Montblanc’s Encre du Desert, one of the special edition inks released as part of its Le Petit Prince lineup. Unfortunately both the Bordeaux and Encre du Desert are not readily available.

All of the inks pictured here are “good” inks. Given that I have so many burgundies, including some that are very close approximations of each other and behave similarly, I likely will be thinning out this accumulation at some point in the future. On the whole, Monteverde and Diamine offer the best value by far, along with a steady track record of producing quality inks that won’t harm your pens.

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors and affiliates. I can’t remember exactly how I acquired all of the ink featured here in this review, since I’ve owned much of it for years, but you can assume that I received some bottles for review purposes, free of charge, while I purchased others with my own money.

Momento-Zero-Pen-Chalet-Orange-Matte-Black

Pen Review: Leonardo Officina Italiana Momento Zero x Pen Chalet Special Edition

August 21, 2019

For years, I went back and forth on whether to acquire the Delta Dolcevita, the flagship of now-defunct Italian pen company Delta. While I appreciated the depth of the orange material Delta used - a bright orange acrylic/cellulose acetate? - the pen was always just slightly too large for my taste, and the trim levels and scrollwork a little too ostentatious. I never ended up buying the classic Dolcevita, though I did briefly own the Dolcevita Soiree.

Leonardo uses Bock nibs, customized with an understated imprint. All of my Leonardo nibs have been well-tuned writers out of the box. The “roller clip” is another nice Delta legacy. Most of the standard Momento Zero pens feature stainless steel nibs… — Leonardo uses Bock nibs, customized with an understated imprint. All of my Leonardo nibs have been well-tuned writers out of the box. The “roller clip” is another nice Delta legacy. Most of the standard Momento Zero pens feature stainless steel nibs, with gold nibs available on premium models.

Leonardo Officina Italiana is a new pen company run by former Delta craftsmen, and while you definitely notice the Delta heritage, Leonardo pens appeal to me because they are more understated, taking the best elements of Delta’s design and material choices and omitting the superfluous flourishes. The pens are “minimalist” in the best sense: they rely on a design that’s simple and straightforward without being boring, and focuses the attention Leonardo’s diverse array of materials that range from acrylics to celluloid to ebonite.

While I’ve previously reviewed Leonardo’s “flagship” pen, the Momento Zero, I wanted to separately review a recently released limited edition made available through Pen Chalet, which transposes the Delta Dolcevita’s orange and black color scheme onto the much more functional size and shape of the Momento Zero. Even better, the pen was made available in both a gloss and matte finish, with ruthenium trim. The pen pictured here sports the matte finish.

Like the other Momento Zero pens in my collection (I now have seven total), everything about this special edition is well-executed and makes for a quality, highly functional pen. The medium size and slightly tapered shape of the Momento Zero lends itself to longer writing sessions or all-day use, whether you post the pen or not. The matte finish on the section feels nice, similar to the matte finish on the Sailor Imperial Black, and provides good grip. The nib writes a smooth, relatively wet, western fine line. Like the other Momento Zeroes that are priced below $200, this pen features a steel nib and a “captured converter” filling system, meaning that you can either unscrew the section and remove the converter as you would with a traditional cartridge-converter pen, or you can remove the blind cap and work the converter like a piston-filler. As pictured below, even the converter sports ruthenium trim!

Did I mention Leonardo’s attention to detail? Most companies would not have bothered to plate the “non visible” components, such as the end of the converter under the blind cap. Things like this make me smile.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I appreciate how Leonardo has chosen to focus its offerings on two classically styled pen models, the Momento Zero and the Furore, and expand the lineup by releasing these pens in new colors and new materials that include exclusive store collaborations. As I mentioned above, the pen featured here was an exclusive collaboration with our site sponsor Pen Chalet, and limited to a run of 25 pens. It sold out quickly. Fortunately, however, Pen Chalet and Leonardo have just launched a new, expanded collaboration that slightly tweaks the design of the pens. Check out the newest release, now available in orange and matte or gloss black acrylic with gold trim or in “Hawaii” acrylic with matte or gloss black acrylic and ruthenium trim. The orange/black/gold combination offers the classic “Delta Dolcevita” look, while the “dark Hawaii” is something truly unique to Leonardo. These pens are priced at the $199 price point - which I consider a bargain given the quality - and I’m looking forward to adding one of the “dark Hawaii” pens to my collection soon.

A few of the other Leonardo Momento Zero pens in my collection, including three from the high-end “Maestro” set made available last year.

Also stay tuned for the upcoming Momento Zero Grande, which will be a larger version of the standard pen featuring an integrated piston filling system and new materials. Follow @leonardo_pens on Instagram for details.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I purchased the pen featured in this review using store credit generated through my participation in the Pen Chalet affiliate program, which is one method I use to acquire pens to review for the blog. Many thanks to Ron and Pen Chalet for making this review possible!

My Personal Hall of Fame: Favorite Stationery Products in Every Category

August 17, 2019

Since I’m having some remodeling work done in my home office next week, I’ve found myself in the unenviable position of having to move all of my belongings from one end of the house to the other. (This sounds like not such a big deal, except that my office is over the garage and separate from the rest of the house, so it is like actual moving.) The upside is that this gave me the “opportunity” to sort through years of accumulated stationery, donating some, setting others aside for blog giveaways, but also taking the time to do something I’ve never done before: making a “personal hall of fame” or “personal favorites” list. Hopefully, making a list like this will help me focus and weed out stuff that I will never use. Last year I did a huge year-end “clear out” sale in December, and I hope to do the same this year.

So, without further ado, here are my picks. Again, these shouldn’t be confused with my “best pen” recommendations. Rather, these selections are my own personal favorites, organized by category, so there’s a ton of subjectivity here. Most of these are also products I have reviewed, so where possible, links are to my own prior posts. Otherwise the link will be to a sponsor or affiliate who sells the product.

Pens

Paper

Favorite Large Format (A4-ish) Notebook: Baron Fig Confidant Plus (shown in review in leather cover, which is sold separately by Baron Fig)
Favorite Standard Format (A5-ish) Notebook: Baron Fig Confidant Flagship
Favorite Planner: Jibun Techo
Favorite Pocket Notebook: Write Notepads Perfect Bound

Inks and Refills

Pencils and Pencil Accessories

Accessories/Miscellaneous

Any categories you think I missed? Shoot me an e-mail and I’ll consider adding it, though I don’t want to get too down in the weeds with subcategories of different types of pens, etc. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: This post contains my own subjective opinions. I was not compensated in any way for including any products in the lists featured here.