Muji Fountain Pen Review

Muji FP posted

Thanks to a dear friend, I recently came into possession of a Muji Fountain Pen. For those who are unfamiliar, Muji is a home goods and clothing company from Japan that focuses on simple, utilitarian items that are beautiful and totally functional. The fountain pen is brushed aluminum with a diamond grid texture embossed in the grip area. The brushed exterior is the exact same color and texture as the casing of my MacBook Pro, just so you know.

The cap snaps on rather than a threaded screw cap and can be posted on the end of the pen. Capped, the pen measures  5.5″ and 5″ unposted. If the cap is posted on the end, the pen is a lengthy 6.5″ long making it long enough for even the largest hands. The overall width of the pen is about 3/8″ which is just a tiny bit thinner than a standard Sharpie marker.

Muji Fountain Pen

The pen weighs just 20 gms which is comparable to the Pilot Prera at 17 gms and the Kaweco Sport which weigh just 15 gms. The only other metal casing pen in my arsenal is the Lamy Studio which weighs in at 27 gms.

The nib is iridium point and seems to be about a medium nib though it is not marked. I find that it behaves like a very fine stub adding a lot of character to my handwriting. Its has a little bit of friction when writing so its not quite as smooth and buttery on paper as the Kaweco pens but I don’t mind it. It will probably wear down over time.

Muji FP writing sample

The Muji FP takes standard European cartridges but there appears to be enough room in the body for a standard converter though I have not tried it yet. I used a Kaweco stock blue cartridge which worked well with the pen.

Muji FP capped

For the price of $15.50, there really isn’t any reason not to invest in one of the Muji fountain pens if you like the looks of it. I think it would make a great starter fountain pen for designers, architects and engineers. Its currently sold out on the Muji website but if you live in an area with a Muji shop, it would be worth the trip to pick one up or find a kind friend to pick one up for you! (Thanks to Cecelia for picking this one up for me!)

UPDATE: Stationery Art also stocks the Muji Fountain Pen. They are currently listing their price at $16.99.

Better Work Enviroment? Add a Plant or 11.

According to Gardenista, the best way to improve your work environment is to add some real live greenery in the form of a plant. Acutally, eleven plants. According to a study by NASA plants help to break down the stale, carbon dioxide-laden air and filter out harmful organic compounds but you’ll need eleven plants for every one cubicle dweller. Even a teeny, tiny, little plant might help clean the air and brighten your work space like the succulent pictured above.

Nicely Noted Notecard Subscriptions

Last week, I listed several of the paper-related subscription services. I failed to mention Nicely Noted which is a letterpress notecard subscription service. Once a month a kit arrives with three cherry-picked letterpress notecards and postage (current USPS stamps). You can purchase a monthly subscription for $18 or select a gift subscription of  2-, 3-, 6-months or a year.

If you do not live in a major metropolitan area with access to independent card shops, Paper Source or the like, this would be a great way to get some small press stationery. It would also make a great gift for your favorite letter writer.

(Photography by Kate Lesueur, All Rights Reserved.)

Bucket List Notebook

Feeling the need to get those lifetime goals on paper? Check out the Mi Goals Bucket List notebook to capture all those goals and desires and chart out a plan to make them a reality.

Start by jotting down 100 things you’d to do before you kick the bucket in the front of the book and then use the subsequent printed pages to chart your course.

The A5 sized notebook in available with black, white or kraft colored cover. It retails for $19.95 AUD from our friends over at Notemaker but if you use the coupon code “WELLAPPDESK12” at checkout, you’ll receive 10% off your order.