Stabilo may not be a name you associate with fountain pens. It wasn't for me either, but I was curious when I saw an image of a wooden Stabilo Flow fountain pen.
In fact Stabilo have been making fountain pens for some time (their "Flow" range) but perhaps because prior designs have been a little "student utilitarian" there's been little focus on them in the community. The Grow range though, is a little different.
https://www.stabilo.com/uk/climate-neutral-fountain-pen-stabilo-grow/5171-1-41
There are three different designs, each with a different wood and coloured band:
- oak/green
- beech/blueberry (pictured)
- cherry/plum red
In my opinion the combos are all very attractive, but the oak/green model works best. I bought the rollerball version of the oak model for a friend, hence I have the beech one.
The pen is marketed as being eco friendly.
The pen body is made from wood and eco-plastic (bio plastics and plastics with sunflower seed hulls apparently). The plastics are ok. There are a few seams visible in places, but it's not awful. The clip appears to be metal and has just a hint of wobble where it's attached.
The pen posts well with a soft friction fit.
The pen takes international standard cartridges and when you screw on the section there is an affirmative click to confirm it's closed properly. The cap is snap on.
The nib itself is a small steel nib. It writes very smoothly. I was surprised how well. Note however there are no nib options.
All in all, I think its a decent pen, and it's not expensive at around the £20 mark. It would be a nice first fountain pen for a beginner, competing perhaps with the Lamy Safari and Pilot Metro.
