When I read Susan's review of the Faber-Castell Ambition she bought in Paris, the first thought I had was why don't people talk more about this pen? It is priced well, looks great, comes from a historic company - what am I missing? Not much it seems, especially for a $70 pen.
The model I am reviewing - the Ambition in Black with an Extra Fine nib - has been fantastic to use. The brushed resin barrel feels great, and the chrome accents, especially in the cap and the clip, give the Ambition a classic, dignified look. The dot pattern on the nib can be seen across Faber-Castell's steel nib lineup, which is a nice touch.
If there is one thing about the Ambition that people question it is the grip section, or lack thereof. The barrel terminates into a small chrome piece that is used for access to the ink cartridge or converter. There is a small step down where they connect, which begs the question of grip interference.
As a low-gripper, my traditional three point grip lands right above the edge, so I personally have no issue with the barrel digging into my fingers. Your mileage may vary, especially if you have a non-traditional grip. Otherwise, my fingers land on the barrel right where I would hold any other pen. I think it is designed this way. This is an instance where the pen section is designed for utility (barrel access), not for grip. Attempts to hold it there will be met with disappointment and discomfort.
I haven't had the opportunity to use many Faber-Castell steel nibs, but if this one is any indication, they are firm and a bit on the dry side. That is how I like my nibs, but if you are looking for more ink flow I would consider the Medium or Broad. This EF suits my style very well.
The Faber-Castell Ambition is going to find a place on my Top 5 Pens list for fountain pens in the $50-$100 range, likely knocking out the Kaweco Liliput in the 5-spot. I'm glad to discover more options in that bracket to be honest, and this one deserves it.
(Goldspot provided this product on loan to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
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