(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)
It's an exciting time when there are new stationery companies appearing so often, and especially when they have really interesting designs and ideas. I've heard about Wancher several times, but I've never had the opportunity to try one out until now. When the Primo came across my desk, I was stoked to ink it up and see how it performed.
When you browse Wancher's website, it's really difficult not to get sucked into all the different categories they have to offer. The Urushi and Maki-e look absolutely amazing, but they have several more modern designs that also fit more budgets. The Primo is one of more budget-friendly pens that Wancher offer, but that doesn't mean it's cheap or lacking in quality. At a retail price of $250, it will definitely be outside many budget comfort zones, but this is also a really interesting price zone in the market. When you're willing to let go of $200+, your options open up quite a bit, and it can be really difficult to make choices.
The Primo is a modern and sleek design that looks similar to a cigar tube with an intricate pattern of crackly metal on the body and cap. It's made of a combination of titanium and aluminum, so even though it's a fairly large pen, it's actually pretty light in the hand. I was a little surprised when I first picked it up when I realized it wasn't as heavy as it looked. If this pen was made of steel, it would be a chunker that might put a hole in your pocket.
Not everyone prefers a large pen, but there are plenty of people that enjoy a larger pen diameter and/or length. For me, the length is just right, and the diameter is on the max side for my writing comfort. Despite being long, it balances perfectly in my hand. The majority of the weight in the pen body is concentrated on the nib/grip end, so that contributes to the comfort and balance. If the back end of the pen was heavy, it would create an awkward writing feel.
The cap doesn't post on the back of the pen, and that's probably for the best since the pen is long enough already. The cap has the same weight and feel as the pen body, but doesn't have a clip. Since it tends to roll around on my desk, I just hold it in my other hand while writing. It has a nice warm feel and fits my palm perfectly, so I rather enjoy holding it. That being said, it does roll incredibly easy, and I wish it had some kind of roll stopper built in.
In fact, the whole pen tends to roll since it's perfectly round. Without a clip or roll stop, it tends to roll quickly. Let's just say I know which of my desks and tables aren't quite level after using this pen for a few weeks.
The main aesthetic focus of this pen is the unique finish on the body and cap. To me, it looks like metal that's boiled and cracked in an unpredictable and beautiful way. According to Wancher, they use a color treatment during the anodizing process to create a thin oxide film on the titanium surface. This bonds to the titanium and creates some really interesting effects in different light. Wancher say they also use a blast-polish finishing technique to make certain parts of the pattern matte and others shiny. I don't understand the alchemy behind it, but the finished product is gorgeous. It's unlike anything else I've seen so far, and I can't help but keep looking at it. Even better, it morphs and changes with different light and angles. It really something unique and special.
The Frosty Silver version I have is just one of the four options. You can pick from Amethyst Purple, Russet Brown, and Midnight Blue as well. In my opinion, the purple and blue are fantastic.
So, the pen looks and feels great, but how does it write? Well, this was a pleasant surprise for me. The fine nib on this unit is exceptionally smooth and consistent. The ink flow is plentiful without being too wet, and the nib flexes just enough to remain comfortable at any writing speed or pressure. It really is a treat to use. According to Wancher, this is a JoWo stainless steel nib, but I have to wonder if they've tuned each nib prior to shipping out. It's really good.
The pen comes in a nice gift box that includes a converter, a couple of cartridges, some documentation, and a custom pen sleeve. Keep that pen sleeve handy because it's great for storing the pen on the desk and ensuring it doesn't roll away! The unboxing presentation is nice, and I think I'll be able to repurpose the balsa wood box for something else, which is a nice change from the plastic boxes that other manufacturers use that really serve no purpose after the unboxing is over.
Obviously, $250 (or $225 when they're on sale) is a lot of money and opens up your options to a lot of high-quality pens. I have pens in my collection that cost the same amount of money, and some of them even came with gold nibs. Still, I think the price is more than fair due to the level of craftsmanship, fit and finish, and the excellent nib tuning that comes out of the box with this pen. Ultimately, this will come down to a personal preference for what you find aesthetically pleasing. If this pen fits your interests, I can whole-heartedly recommend it. I really look forward to trying other offerings from Wancher in the future.
(Wancher provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.
Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!
