Retro 1951

Retro Talk: The Albert and the Schmidt P8126

by Andrew

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Since I began this blog four months ago, there’s been one pen I’ve picked up more than any other: the Retro 51 Tornado. It looks good, feels good, and writes great, and at 20 to 30 dollars, it manages to be a really nice pen without being too expensive. Retro 51 also offers the Tornado in a lot of different colors and designs that can give the pen a nice personal flair. One of these designs that stuck me immediately was the Albert.

It’s technically part of Retro 51’s Vintage Metalsmith series, but the construction of the Albert Tornado is identical to their Classic Lacquers with a special design wrapped around the barrel. It’s meant to look like a chalkboard, and written on it is a proof for the famous equation E = mc². As far as I can see, the proof is accurately depicted, and the science nerd inside of me really loves this design.

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The metal twist, clip, and tip of the Albert also has a more “aged” look to it, compared to the Classic Lacquer

As for the innards of the pen, it comes with the standard 0.7mm Retro 1951 rollerball refill. It’s a good refill – smooth and dark – but I tend to prefer a tip that’s a bit finer. One popular refill that fits the Retro 51 Tornado is the Schmidt P8126. From what I understand, the standard Retro 51 refill is a re-branded Schmdt, and the P8126 is the 0.6mm version of that same refill.

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Like the branded version, the Schmidt p8126 is a great refill, and while there is definitely a difference in line width, it is far from substantial to my eye. At the end of the day, I’ll still go for the finer 0.6mm refill, but I’d really be happy with either.

No matter what, I’m looking forward to playing around with other Retro 51 pens, and I’ll be sure to write about it when I do.

Five Pens to Try – October 2015

by Andrew

There is an updated version of this list! Click Here

Not all of these pens will be a good fit for everybody, but I think they are all at least worth considering if you’re looking to try out something new.

1. For the Pen Cup: uni-ball Signo 207 micro

uni-ball Signo 207 micro

The Signo 207 micro doesn’t only look professional, it also writes very well. And unlike most other gel ink pens, the ink practically never smears on standard papers (and I really tried hard to make it smear). This is definitely one of the best pens you can find on your average store shelf, and they’re cheap enough to lose or loan without much thought. (see full review)

2. Your “Nice” Pen: Retro 51 Tornado

Retro 1951 Tornado

I’ve never owned a pen that I like to hold as much as my Retro 51 Tornado. It’s balanced nicely, looks good, and writes great. It’s perfect for writing letters, journaling, or just making you look good in a meeting where everyone else is using pens from the supply closet. And at 20-30 dollars, it wont break the bank. (see full review)

3. An On-the-Go Pen: Tombow Airpress

Tombow Airpress Orange

Need a pen that can write at odd angles or on dirty surfaces? The Tombow Airpess has got you covered. It’s also light weight, has a good clip, and fits nicely into a pocket. On top of it all, you could probably hurl the Airpress at a brick wall without doing much damage to the pen. (see full review)

4. The Everyday Writer: Sharpie Pen

The Sharpie Pen

The Sharpie Pen writes such clean and crisp lines, it seems like everybody who uses one instantly has better-looking handwriting. It’s a great pen for making lists or writing a quick note. I personally like the original model over the retractable and titanium models, as the original is relatively inexpensive and can be found in most stores. (see full review)

5. A Pen for Your Artistic Side: Kuretake Bimoji

Kuretake Bimoji

I should be clear that I’m a very inexperienced brush pen user, but I love to pull the Bimoji out and doodle all over my notebook. It might not be a great pen for writing, but you might want to bring it along to boring meetings to keep yourself entertained. At the very least, you’ll have the most unique-looking pen in the room. (see full review)

So that’s that so far. I’ve got plenty more pens to review, so this list will likely need updating eventually. If there are any pens I’ve neglected, please let me know in the comments below. Thanks!

Review: Retro 1951 Tornado, Classic Lacquer Rollerball Pen, 0.7mm

by Andrew

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There’s something about the Retro 1951 Tornado that, even after you’ve only picked it up it for a few seconds, you know it’s a nice pen. Some combination of the sleek shape, the minimalist design, and a good weight and balance makes it a great pen to hold. But what really seals the deal for the Tornado is that it delivers a good writing experience too.

The Retro 1951 refill that comes with the pen is one of the smoother rollerballs that I’ve used, and the black ink has great vividness to it as well. It can smear a bit, but nothing drastic – probably even a little less than an average rollerball.

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One thing to note is that the pen retracts via a twisting mechanism protruding from the top. I have to admit that I’m a bit torn on this aspect of the Tornado. On one hand, it makes the pen a bit different and fun. On the other, it’s a bit gimmicky, and click mechanisms are really the more user-friendly design.

Regardless, I’m quite enjoying the Tornado whether I’m writing with it, holding it, or even just looking at it. Definitely $20 well spent.

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