A Quality Fountain Pen at an Affordable Price
Here's a lovely pen that will enhance your writing experience.
Ellington Fountain Pen Review
You may have read my recent story, ‘Why I like to write with a fountain pen”, and, if so, discovered that I have a love of using them.
Recently, upon opening my inbox, I noticed an email from a lady at Ellington Pens. She had read this story and asked if I would like to receive one of their fountain pens free of charge. If so, without obligation, I could write about the pen and let you, my readers, know about their pens. It turns out they do more than fountain pens and have a range of ballpoint, rollerball and mechanical pencils. The fountain pens are also available with barrels made from wood. For those of you who like a very compact pen, there is a pocket sized pen. Perhaps I might get my hands on some of those later!
Anyway, what’s to lose? Nothing, and so of course I said that I would be delighted to receive one. I didn’t get to choose the colour, but I did the nib size as that’s something we fountain pen users are particular about. I chose a fine nib, which generally suits my writing style better as I tend to write smaller characters.
A few days later and the pen duly arrived and I have been putting it to the test.
This one is the Classic Pen and the colour is scarlet slate. The pen is boxed, and comes with three ink cartridges and a cartridge convertor already installed. You can see in the photos that it’s a nice colour and is metal. Before I tell you about my writing experience, let’s look at some points about its construction.
The overall length of the pen when capped is 14.2cm, the same size my Cross pen, which today is called the ATX and depending on the finish retails for around £100 (approx $130 US). The diameter is stated as 1.2cm. When uncapped the Ellington is not as long as my Cross due to the nib section being around 8mm shorter — I will get back to that later in the writing test.
The weight of the Ellington in 32.5g (official figure) and feels slightly heavier than my Cross pen. I don’t have scales accurate enough to weigh my Cross. The extra weight is contained in the cap with it’s larger metal octagonal shaped finial. The website describes the Ellington’s barrel as made from stainless steel and the clips and trim from brass.
The fine nib is 0.4 to 0.mm and looks to be of good quality and as I examine the pen upon opening I begin to look forward to testing it out on paper. For the test, I use Parker Quink blue washable ink in the cartridge converter. This ink is a long-time favourite of mine as it is washable and just in case you do happen to get ink on any clothing, it’s a fairly safe bet that you can remove it. Although, I must add that I haven’t done that for a long time. I do take great care when refilling my pens and that’s the most likely time, in my experience, when ink goes astray.
The Ellington fountain pen feels good in my hand and is well balanced. Some people like to write with the cap on the pen (known as posted), but I tend not to post and write without doing that. However, for the purpose of this review, I did post the pen, and it is still balanced, but I prefer to use it unposted. That finial does add extra weight, unlike the Cross which when posted feels better. But, that said, I don’t post any of my pens as the length of an un-posted pen in my hand is fine. Some persons with larger hands may prefer to post the pen.
The Writing Test - Ellington Classic Fountain Pen
So, here comes the writing test. Now, let me reveal the retail price of Ellington Classic fountain pen is slate red. (Other finishes can cost a little more). It is currently £44.95, although, read on for how my readers can obtain a substantial discount!
Writing with this pen feels like it should be more expensive. The nib is smooth and the fine nib enables me to write very small letters with no loss of clarity. For example, with some nibs the gap in the letter ‘o’ would be filled with ink, making it a dot rather than a letter. I tried really small writing in my bullet journal for which I use a Dingbats notebook. I know, that I don’t have the best handwriting (I am trying to improve) but the results are good.
Initially for my first test I am using a supermarket purchased, cheap hardback notebook, and you can see my writing in the photo below. I have also written a couple of lines with other pens. The Cross which has a medium nib and a Parker with a fine nib.
Holding the pen at first was a little different to my Cross because of the shorter nib section. Those lost 8mm mean that my fingers sit on the section that is raised on the barrel and the edges are at right angles. On the Cross pen, only one finger barely touches its raised section and that is on the nib section which is rounded off. At first, I admit, this concerned me. However, having used the pen every day for a week, as I write this, that is not an issue. It’s just what we get used too and notice change.
The Ellington is now the pen I attach in the loop of my Dingbats notebook for my journalling and I love using it. I did test the pocket clip and it slides easily and assuredly into a pocket. Parker pens always worry me when removing a pen from a pocket, the arrowhead on the end of their clips can penetrate material and cause concern that a jacket lining is about to be shredded. No issues with the Ellington, and looking at the construction of the clip, I don’t think there is much chance of the clip snagging any cloth.
One other point to mention is that the top fits tightly on the barrel with a reassuring click. As a result it might take a tad more force to remove it than many other pens require. However, I can still remove it one handed using thumb and first finger to lever it off.
For anyone wishing to buy a good quality writing instrument at a very affordable price, then I think I have discovered the ideal pen for you. There are many colour choices, plus other styles for you to see.
A big thank you to Ellington pens for contacting me. Their philosophy is to produce quality pens at affordable cost by missing out much of the in between costs, wholesalers, retailers and large marketing expenses. Hence, that’s why they get in touch with fountain pen lovers like me who can share our experience with you.
Here’s some good news!
I have a 20% discount code1 for my readers! At the checkout use the code, ROLAND to obtain your discount across the range of pens and other products available. Pens of all types make great gifts! Why not treat your family and friends to a wonderful pen?
The pens come with a one year warranty which for a modest amount on purchase is extendable. The warranty is for ten years and includes accidental damage. Designed in London by Ethan Ellington, much care has gone into producing the pens and should give years of good use.
Nibs can be bought separately, so you could, have one pen with several nib options.
I hope you have enjoyed reading about this test. I have not been paid by Ellington Pens and the test is the genuine results of my findings. If you would like me to test pens in the future, please let me know.
Don’t forget to use this link with the 20% discount code already built in!
Thank you for reading, and if you are not a subscriber yet, please consider clicking the button. It’s FREE to read all my posts, with some special things for those who would like to support what I do with a paid subscription.
If you purchase a pen from Ellington Pens using my code, I will receive a small credit, which will help me test other pens and stationary items.