(Kimberly (she/her) took the express train down the fountain pen/stationery rabbit hole and doesn't want to be rescued. She can be found on Instagram @allthehobbies because there really are many, many hobbies!.)
Faber-Castell’s Grip fountain pens are one of my favorite entry-level, budget-friendly fountain pens. There is already an excellent writeup of the Calligraphy set which contains the Grip fountain pen with calligraphy nibs, so this post is going to take a quick look at the non-calligraphy version.
The Grip Fountain Pen is part of Faber-Castell’s Grip line of pencils, erasers, and pens which all have subtle dots or bumps on the barrel for easy gripping (hence the name). Two versions of the Grip fountain pens are available, the 2010 and 2011, with the former sporting a glossy finish while the latter are matte. The snap cap is very secure, but also easy to open/close with one hand. The barrel is very subtly triangular, making it less likely to roll off one’s desk when uncapped.
From left to right, 3 - 2011s and 3 - 2010s. Can you tell the difference between pens’ finishes?
The fountain pen has a slightly triangular grip section as well. The pens come in EF, F, M, and B sizes and include a standard international Faber-Castell blue cartridge. The nib and feed are friction-fit into the barrel (there is no housing or nib unit) and can be swapped with the Faber-Castell Loom (and probably other models too), though you would need to pull the nib/feed out of the Loom housing to fit the Grip. I would equate the writing experience to be similar to a Jowo steel nib in its stiffness and line width. I like the Medium and Broad nibs for smoothness and flow, the Fine is nice too. The EF felt a bit too nail-like and borderline scratchy for someone with a high writing angle like me and is more sensitive to pressure. If your writing angle is closer to 45 degrees (versus 70-80 degrees like me), it will feel smoother.Prices range from $20-30 USD, depending on color and finish, which makes it a good value.
Left to right: Kaweco Sport, Pilot Metropolitan, Faber-Castell Grip, TWSBI Eco, Lamy Al-Star.
TWSBI Eco T, Faber-Castell Grip and Lamy Al-Star - The washi tape shows the Grip’s shape to be less angular/sharp compared to the other two.
Pros
- Pen takes readily available standard international cartridges or converter.
- Slight triangular grip is more forgiving than other triangular gripped pens.
- Secure snap cap makes quick note jotting a breeze.
- Two finishes and a variety of colors are available.
- Reliable steel nibs that are also swappable with other Faber-Castell models including the Loom.
- Solid writer at a decent price.
Cons
- The Grip is a very light pen. If you prefer heavier pens, this might not be the right pen for you.
- Slight triangular grip still might not be comfortable for all users.
- The glossy 2010 cap/barrel can feel a bit “cheap” compared to the matte 2011, but this is personal preference.
- Converter not included (but also not expected at this price point).
EF-B nibs with Sailor Ink Studio 252 on Clairefontaine 90gsm Triomphe paper.
So why is it one of my favorite pens? Because the snap cap makes it quick and easy to use but doesn’t feel flimsy, despite being a very light pen. The gentle triangular grip feels more like a suggestion rather than a mandate, making it more approachable than other triangular gripped pens like the Lamy Safari/Al-Star. The nibs are pleasant to write with, right out of the box. And the dots on the barrel make it look and feel interesting (in a good way), and the variety of colors and textures makes it easy to find one to match your style. All this in a budget-friendly price range, what’s not to love?
(All pens in this review were purchased with my own funds and I received no compensation from Faber-Castell for this review.)
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