Benu Haute Satin Fountain Pen
Benu Fountain Pens recently launched a new product line, the Haute collection, which is “a line of elegant, fashion-inspired pens that blend classic charm with bold, modern flair. The designs include both subtle and vibrant styles, showcasing BENU’s signature glitter and color artistry. Each pen features a faceted body with alternating wide and slender facets, complemented by either gold-plated or chrome-plated trims for a sleek, timeless look.” This is a more classic styled fountain pen line, but with that well known and loved Benu pop of colors and sparkle. Thanks go out to them for sending this to me for review, and you can find your at Benu’s website.
Packaging: The pen comes in the usual Benu white rectangular box, with “Benu” printed in gold on the lid as well as depictions of their various pen models in greyscale. Inside the box is a white paper pen sleeve again with “Benu” printed in gold. Under the pen sleeve is an instruction manual and warranty/care guide, and a blue long cartridge.
First Thoughts: I was sent the Satin model for this review, and the color is subtle but pops and catches the light. The silver trim and clip play perfectly with the silver of the material.
Design: This model has eight facets with slightly rounded edges giving the pen a cool mix of square and round. Top cap finial has a inset circle and the pen has the familiar sword shaped silver clip which extends down from the finial. The cap gradually widens from the finial until reaching a silver cap band and “Benu” engraved in silver matching the trim and clip. Just below the word Benu, the cap tapers so there is the slightest transition down to the body. The bottom finial continues that rounded facet shape. Like the cap, the barrel widens until reaching a silver barrel band at the back of the grip section and the cap threads. The cap threads are smooth and sit far enough back on the grip section that they aren’t noticeable when writing. The grip section has a slight taper down before reaching a flared finger stop at the nib
Nib Performance: The pen comes equipped with a steel #6 Schmidt nib. There is decorative scrollwork around the edges of the nib, a M for medium, as well as “Schmidt Iridium Point” in the middle near the breathing hole. I received a medium nib, and it laid down a nice balanced, not to wet or dry line, and kept up with fast writing.
Filling System: Cartridge converter
Value: $210 USD or $460USD with a 14kt nib
Overall: I feel like I say it a lot with the Benu lines, but this is a fantastic pen. The materials are beautiful and the shimmer in the resin is more subtle in the Satin model than other models, still making it catch the light, but it feels toned down a bit. The other materials and colors are the standard shimmering showstoppers. The nib is flawless, which is normal for Benu and the pen is beautifully balanced. I have had a hard time taking this one out of my daily rotation of pens.
Specs:
Name: Benu Haute Collection Satin Model
Design: Resin
Length: 146mm (5.74in)
Posted: 178mm (7.01in)
Diameter: 15mm (0.59n)
Weight: 25 gr (.89oz)
Nib: Stainless Steel
Filling System: Cartridge/Converter
Pros: Subtle coloring, just the right amount of shimmer, rounded facets
Cons: I can’t think of any on this model
In the same price range:
Lamy 2000
Leonardo Memento Magico
Kaweco Bronze Sport
