(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold!)
I call this meeting of the Gravitas Pens Fan Club to order. We're here to discuss the Polycarbonate Big Dropper, a pen so cool it might require its own fan club within the larger Gravitas fan club.
The pen's most obvious features are evident in its name--this is a big pen made of polycarbonate that is perfect for eyedropper use (though it also takes a cartridge or converter). The polycarbonate is very lightweight and nearly indestructible. The model sent to me has a beautiful strawberry-coral ombre tint at each end--a feature I don't currently see listed in the shop, but hopefully it will be, as it is stunning.
The lightly grooved grip section is made of coated stainless steel. It's comfortable to hold, and the weight of the steel compared to the lighter body of the pen makes it feel settled in your hand as you write. It has great balance in the hand and works very well for long writing sessions. Which is good, because when eyedroppered it holds a LOT of ink.
The ridges in the grip are not rough, with just enough texture to make it non-slip, and the threads behind the grip are very smooth and unobtrusive. The threads have o-rings both on the section and on the cap threads, so when it's eyedroppered there's little chance of leaking, though it is encouraged to put a bit of silicone grease on the sections threads as well.
Gravitas produces their own nibs which will fit any pen with Jowo #6 threads. I have three Gravitas pens and all the nibs I have run broad and wet compared to typical western nibs, but I've heard others say theirs run dry, so it may be that there's some variation there. Every one I've tried writes well, though. They're all very smooth, which I like in a nib. The feedback is minimal and depends on the paper.
I've really enjoyed writing with this pen over the past month. I reach for it often. I'm finding that I want to keep all my Gravitas pens perpetually inked, which could be a problem if I keep acquiring them, which I certainly hope I do. The brand is taking over my pen case. That is not a complaint.
The Gravitas Polycarbonate Big Dropper sells for 95 Euros, which is pretty much equivalent to the U.S. dollar at the time of writing. That price is ridiculously good. It's too low, frankly. There's a pocket-size version for the same price, which I'll need, especially if the color tinting becomes available. Just be cautious browsing the Gravitas site, because everything is as awesome as it looks and you might be overcome with temptation. Meeting adjourned.
(Gravitas Pens 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!
