[Pen/Pencil Review] Retro 1951 Tornado Fountain Pen – Pen World Edition
Welcome to Part Two! This week is the Pen World Retro 1951 Tornado Fountain Pen. Pen World Magazine brilliantly partnered with Richardson, Texas, based Retro 1951 to create their classic Tornado style fountain pen with their name in various fonts in black on the relatively unique Retro 1951 white background which – if you’ve seen their skeleton model (which my primary care doctor has) GLOWS IN THE DARK. This is serious cool.
I want to love the Tornado fountain pen as much as the rollerball. These are solid pens with good heft and balance. The fountain pens come with a range of nibs from 1.1 mm broad to Extra Fine. I was given for Christmas the fine point fountain pen nib. The pen is longer than the rollerball (out of necessity). It’s 5.5†long capped and just over 6.25†capped. The cap has a sturdy scrolled metal clip and a top that has the same pattern as the rollerball. The cap screws on but doesn’t post quite as securely as I would like. It can slip off.
The nib is metal with lovely scroll work and the size just under the etched 51 on the body. And here’s where I don’t love it as much as I would like. I need to get another nib for it. This one isn’t very flexible (and I do like a flexible nib apparently). When I put the first cartridge in it (it came with 2 standard short cartridges and a converter) I couldn’t get the ink to flow. I put Edelstein Onyx in the converter and was able to get the ink to flow, but it’s very skippy. I’ve had to dip it in water to help it get going a time or two.
Retro 1951 does have replacement nibs, and I’m probably going to have to get one. I think this one has something going on with it, but I don’t necessarily want to go bending the prongs too much – these might be too close together. I like the size of the line and grip. There are a few ridges around the screw threads that might dig in, but it’s still pretty comfortable.
It’s a good solid pen, but it’s not super cheap. Actually, it’s not cheap at all. These run $95 – because it’s a limited edition — and Pen World does have a set going for $120 ish which is a a bit of a discount from buying them outright. Which we did because the fountain pen wasn’t yet available and my darling husband and enabler bought it for me for Christmas.
The Numbers.
1. How does it work? – 0.5 – This is a solid pen. Good length with a variety of nib sizes. However, my nib has some issues that I will either somehow figure out how to fix or replace. This one skips and scratches.
2. Look and feel – 1 – It’s a classic Tornado design. It has good weight; the design is lovely. And did I mention IT GLOWS IN THE DARK!
3. Material – 1 – It’s a solid metal pen with secure clip. The design is like a resin wrap—maybe vinyl? But doesn’t feel like it’s going to chip or peel.
4. Overall Design – 0.5 – It’s a good length and diameter. The weight is solid. It’s a good-looking pen. The nib issue is one that I’ll have to correct, and I’m not sure how much that’s going to cost.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – For a collectible, it’s reasonable—and this a limited edition For an everyday pen? It’s not cheap. This is not limited edition and runs $95. It is refillable by either cartridge or the converter so you can put any good ink it.
3.5 out of 5 bronze pencils.
