Faber-Castell Neo Slim
Faber-Castell recently introduced a new series of writing tools designed for young professionals, the Neo Slim line. The new pens are available in three writing modes – Fountain pen, Rollerball, and Ballpoint. There are 24 different options to choose from, depending on writing mode and finish. Faber-Castell graciously sent me a matte steel finish ballpoint and a polished steel finish fountain pen, which have since been passed along to a friend in the pen community. Please leave a comment on the review and let me know what your experience is with Faber-Castell products. Thank you to Faber-Castell for sending these for review and check out Faber-Castell for more details on getting some of your own.
Packaging: Each pen has an outer box with the image of a suspension bridge, the Faber-Castell logo, and “Since 1761.” On the closed end of this box, there is a sticker detailing the color, model, writing mode, and nib size. There is also a thin, rectangular white inner box with the Faber-Castell logo and “Since 1761” imprinted on it. Inside the inner box, a white tray slides out holding the pen in a plastic sleeve, an instruction manual, and a standard international ink cartridge (for the fountain pen). The packaging is simple and effective. Its size makes this box ideal to be reused as either a pen case or a pencil box that can easily be slipped into a bag.First Thoughts: The pens are very slim and have a utilitarian look and design.Design:
Fountain Pen- The pen has a cylindrical shape, which concave finials. The cap has the Faber-Castell logo and “Faber-Castell since 1761” imprinted on it. The clip is spring loaded and very tight. It also has ridges that help it hold securely onto whatever it is clipped to. The bottom of the pen has a slight step down which allows the cap to be posted securely with a snap. There is a slight step down from the body to the very short grip section. I found that with my writing style, I ended up holding the pen on the body instead of the grip section.
Ballpoint- The body has the same cylindrical shape as the fountain pen, with the Faber-Castell logo and “Faber-Castell since 1761” engraved near the clip. The click mechanism has the same concave design as the fountain pen finials and is one of the smoothest and quietest mechanisms I have ever used on a ballpoint pen. The clip is the same as the fountain pen, tight but holds securely. The body is matte finish but the clip, nosecone, and mechanism are polished steel.Performance:
Fountain Pen- I received a broad nib for the review. The nib has the Faber-Castell logo, the letter “B” for broad and repeating dimples. It wrote beautifully right out of the box and laid down a nice wet broad line with no skips or hard starts. The interesting thing about the nib, is that is has a slight down turn giving it the look of a concord plane from the side. The nib angle doesn’t affect the writing angle but it is an interesting design choice.Ballpoint- The pen came with a Faber-Castell medium width black cartridge. It wrote smoothly, dried quickly, and started up every time I picked it up.Filling System:
Fountain Pen- can be filled with standard international cartridges or with a converter which isn’t included.
Ballpoint- Uses Faber-Castell ballpoint refills which as Parker style refills.Value: The Neo Slim line ranges from $30-$60 USD.
Overall: I don’t normally like thin pens, but these had a great feel and performance. The build quality is impressive and I liked that the cap could be posted with a secure snap. This line would fit perfectly in business meetings or even with college students in classes that need to take quick notes and have something durable that can stand up to being thrown around in a backpack.Specs:Name: Faber-Castell Neo SlimDesign: Metal body with multiple finishes and writing modes.Length: FP: 14cm (5.5 in) BP: 14.2cm (5.6 in)Posted: FP: 15.6 cm (6.1 in) BP: N/ADiameter: FP: 9.7mm (.38 in) BP: 9.3mm (.36 in)Weight: FP: 20g (.70 oz) BP: 21g (.74 oz)Writing point: Stainless steel nib, ballpoint, rollerballFilling System: Standard international cartridge/converter, Parker style refill, Rollerball refillPros: Clean, utilitarian design, secure snap cap, quiet ballpoint mechanismCons: Short grip section, very slim bodyIn the same price range:TWSBI EcoMonteverde Tool PenLamy Logo Ballpoint Pen
Fountain Pen- The pen has a cylindrical shape, which concave finials. The cap has the Faber-Castell logo and “Faber-Castell since 1761” imprinted on it. The clip is spring loaded and very tight. It also has ridges that help it hold securely onto whatever it is clipped to. The bottom of the pen has a slight step down which allows the cap to be posted securely with a snap. There is a slight step down from the body to the very short grip section. I found that with my writing style, I ended up holding the pen on the body instead of the grip section.Ballpoint- The body has the same cylindrical shape as the fountain pen, with the Faber-Castell logo and “Faber-Castell since 1761” engraved near the clip. The click mechanism has the same concave design as the fountain pen finials and is one of the smoothest and quietest mechanisms I have ever used on a ballpoint pen. The clip is the same as the fountain pen, tight but holds securely. The body is matte finish but the clip, nosecone, and mechanism are polished steel.Performance:Fountain Pen- I received a broad nib for the review. The nib has the Faber-Castell logo, the letter “B” for broad and repeating dimples. It wrote beautifully right out of the box and laid down a nice wet broad line with no skips or hard starts. The interesting thing about the nib, is that is has a slight down turn giving it the look of a concord plane from the side. The nib angle doesn’t affect the writing angle but it is an interesting design choice.Ballpoint- The pen came with a Faber-Castell medium width black cartridge. It wrote smoothly, dried quickly, and started up every time I picked it up.Filling System:Fountain Pen- can be filled with standard international cartridges or with a converter which isn’t included.Ballpoint- Uses Faber-Castell ballpoint refills which as Parker style refills.Value: The Neo Slim line ranges from $30-$60 USD.Overall: I don’t normally like thin pens, but these had a great feel and performance. The build quality is impressive and I liked that the cap could be posted with a secure snap. This line would fit perfectly in business meetings or even with college students in classes that need to take quick notes and have something durable that can stand up to being thrown around in a backpack.Specs:Name: Faber-Castell Neo SlimDesign: Metal body with multiple finishes and writing modes.Length: FP: 14cm (5.5 in) BP: 14.2cm (5.6 in)Posted: FP: 15.6 cm (6.1 in) BP: N/ADiameter: FP: 9.7mm (.38 in) BP: 9.3mm (.36 in)Weight: FP: 20g (.70 oz) BP: 21g (.74 oz)Writing point: Stainless steel nib, ballpoint, rollerballFilling System: Standard international cartridge/converter, Parker style refill, Rollerball refillPros: Clean, utilitarian design, secure snap cap, quiet ballpoint mechanismCons: Short grip section, very slim bodyIn the same price range:TWSBI EcoMonteverde Tool PenLamy Logo Ballpoint Pen
