Faber-Castell make excellent yet consistently underrated pens. The Grip range has been around for a while but until recently did not include a fountain pen.
Thank you to Goldspot who very kindly sent me this pen to review. These are my own opinions.
I’m giving this pen away, read on to find out more.
Price: $20
Filling method: international standard cartridge/converter
Barrel options: silver, blue, black, turquoise, pink
Nib options: extra-fine, fine, medium, broad
It’s hard to say anything about this pen without first addressing the colour scheme. It’s… distinctive. While I can’t think of anything polite to say about it, I quite like it nevertheless. If it doesn’t do it for you, then do not worry, there are several other options most of which look rather less like a space worm from the 1960s.
The cap and barrel are made from plastic, which although undoubtably not something that would be described as resin in a more expensive pen, feels sturdy and looks good.
This is a pen that will survive a few years of being carted to school and back in a bag full of textbooks and PE kit. The nobbly yellow dots serve no practical purpose but help the pen stand out and might just deter theft.
The section is made from slightly textured softish plastic and is very grippy. As is the case with the barrel, the grip has a rounded triangular cross-section. (Interestingly the cap and the top of the section are circular, which means nothing exactly matches up. It’s not obvious unless you’re looking closely, though.) The grip doesn’t work for me; I don’t like the shape or the texture. That’s very much personal preference though.
The clip is a very basic folded metal affair but it works well. It’s quite springy and it looks okay.
The cap pushes closed with a satisfying click. It posts quite securely.
The nib is quite firm but it’s smooth and has good flow. It’s nice to write with and very good for a pen in this price range.
The Grip uses international standard cartridges or a converter (not included).
This is a good pen and it’s good value. Faber-Castell always lend a touch of class to their pens and although the Grip is clearly made almost entirely of plastic the little touches – the logo on the end of the cap, the branding on the side, the highly functional clip – all give the pen a feeling of quality.
Pros
Decent nib
Good construction
Useful clip
Good value
Available in other colours
Cons
Section not quite my cup of tea
Giveaway
I’m giving this pen away to one lucky reader. To enter, just leave a comment on this post saying thank you to someone you know. The winner will be picked randomly, using random.org. You can enter only once.
The giveaway is open worldwide, as long as I can post the pen to where you live. It closes at 9am BST on Sunday 12 August 2018.
Thanks once again to Goldspot for sending me this pen to review.
thank you Pam.
I’d thank my best friend and fellow FP lover Helena for all her love and support.
Thank you Lulu.
Thank you, Barry.
Thank you Londie.
Thank you, Debbie! You’re helping to support my pen habit!
Thank you Antonyne!
Thanks Mom!
Thank you to my mom for going to pen shows with me!
Thank you Jennie.
Thanks Dad!
Thank you Maggie, for everything!
Thank you to everyone helping children around the world.
Thank to Ian for your fascinating reviews!!!!!
Thank you Grandma
Thank you Nitish! Love you loads!
Thank you to my favorite human Ethan
Thanks, Mr Beddoes!
TGIF!
No, seriously, thanks to my daughter for being so amazing!
Thank you, Hannah.
Thank you to my sisters, who are my best friends.
Thanks to my sisters who had me super addicted with fountain pens.
Thank you, Amy and Phil.
I’d like to thank my boyfriend for supporting my stationary addiction.
Thank you to my kind neighbor who fed my cat when I was away!
Thank you B. for putting up with me
Thank you mum and dad for going the extra mile to care for my cats and house while I was on holiday. They put my favourite veggie food in the fridge that I can’t get when abroad and we’re so thoughtful.