Big Idea Design x Chaves Knives EDC Fountain Pen

Big Idea Design (Bigidesign) was founded in 2009 by Chadwick Parker and Joe Huang with a primary focus on creating innovative Everyday Carry gear. They work with creators on collaborations as well as their own designs of watches, bags, pens, knives, multitools, and more. I recently received their Chaves Knives collaboration everyday carry fountain pen, thanks go out to them for sending this for review, and you can find out more about this pen and order one for yourself at the link above (they are running an early black Friday sale!). Also, they currently have a Kickstarter project for a bolt action marker, so if that is something you would be interested in, please take a look.

Packaging: I am not typically a fan of packaging, but they did a great job on this! The pen arrives in a black slip box. The outer box has several imprints, the top of the box has “Fountain EDC” ,“Pocket Friendly Fountain Pen” , and “Lifetime Warranty” all printed over the Chaves Knives skeleton key logo. The end of the box has the Bigidesign logo and Chaves Knives logo, and the back of the box has a cutaway overview of the pen and the parts, “Big Idea Design x Chaves Knives” and “Designed in Chattanooga, Tennessee 37412.” The inner box slides out and there is a foam insert holding the pen as well as a Chaves Knives sticker, a Bigidesign sticker, and a small thank you insert. The end of the slide out inner box has a flip top compartment that holds: A Kaweco mini converter, a Kaweco cartridge, and replacement O-rings for the pen. I usually throw out the packaging from pens, but this works well as a pen case for my daily carry bag. I have even been keeping extra cartridges in the compartment just in case. It is simple but well thought out packaging.

First Thoughts: This pen looks amazing with that skull clip! The anodized titanium has a pleasant feel and soft matte finish.

Design: The pen has an overall cylinder shape. Starting at the top of the cap, there is a flat plain finial and the cap widens slightly just below the finial where the clip rests. The clip is integrated into the cap, which I prefer as I feel it adds durability. The top of the clip is the Chaves Knives skull logo and the remainder of the clip extends from where the mouth would be, ending in a wedge shape clip back. It is a tighter clip but slips easily onto my jeans pocket, shirt pocket, edc case, or pen pouch and it holds very securely. The cap tapers slightly where it ends giving a slightly beveled edge where it meets the pen body when closed. The bottom finial has a grooved step to allow the cap to post securely and easily. The barrel is a cylinder as well and stays the same diameter from the bottom finial until reaching the step down for the cap closure and grip section. There are six grooves on the grip section before reaching the black coasted Bock #5 nib.

Nib Performance: This nib threw me completely off guard.  I have rarely, if ever had a good Bock nib right out of the box. The nib on this pen is amazing! It laid down a perfectly balanced line, not too wet or dry, started up every time, never skipped or had hard starts. I don’t know if they are tuning these in house or checking them before they go out, but this is one of the best factory nibs I have ever used. They only offer this model with an extra fine nib.

Filling System:  Included Kaweco mini converter or standard international cartridge.

Value: This model retails for $120 USD, there is another version without the skull clip starting at $100 as well. I honestly feel this is a phenomenal value if it is within your budget to get. The material and design are well thought out and executed perfectly, the nib is fantastic, the pen is super durable with has a lifetime warranty, and the clip in my opinion is worth the extra $20 dollars.

Overall: I have been a fan of pocket pens since I got into the hobby back in 2017. My usual drawbacks revolved around, not being able to post it, the cap not staying on in my pocket, no clip, nibs being hit or miss, or leaks inside the cap. This pen knocked all those concerns out the window and off a cliff. I actually find myself grabbing this more than my full size pens. I wanted to give this a durability test as it is marketed as an EDC pocket pen so I took it with me on a recent work trip. Two flights, multiple states, 10 hours of driving, warehouse construction work sites, rain, heat, you name it, and it worked every time without fail. I would have no concerns keeping this in my pocket or EDC bag and knowing it was ready to go anytime I went to use it. With the material and build, I feel like this pen will outlive me and my daughter will love it. My overall thought is if you have the pen budget available, go get one, you won’t have any regrets.

Specs:

Name: Big Idea Design X Chaves Knives Fountain EDC Pen

Material: Grade 5 Titanium

Length: 110mm (4.33in) capped/ 97mm (3.8in) uncapped

Posted: 160mm (6.29in)

Diameter: 11.5mm (.45in) body/ 9.5mm (.37in) grip

Weight: 35.7g (1.26oz) filled

Nib: Bock 180 nib (#5) in extra fine only

Filling System: Kaweco mini converter/ Standard International Cartridge

Pros: Durable material, awesome nib, option to use a Kaweco mini converter or cartridge, secure clip and snap cap

Cons: Only offered in Extra fine nib, not a con for me but could be for others

In the same price range:

Nahvalur Nautilus

Kaweco Al-Sport

Opus 88 Demo