SusieG Studio

Sometime at the end of June, Conklin announced a new pen with a beautiful Jonathon Brooks Primary Manipulation blank. It was their 1898 model with a new curved clip. I patiently waited for a birthday coupon to arrive and I knew I had to add this fountain pen to my collection.

I was a bit anxious as I waited for my special pen to arrive. The unknowns about the pen I just ordered. How will the swirls look on the pen? Will I like the colors? Will it have too much of one color? Will I like the new curved clip? Will I like the matte finish? So many unknowns.

My new pen arrived and I was very happy with what I received. As I was twirling my pen in my hand, the swirls and colors in this PM were absolutely stunning. This was my first “matte finish” fountain pen and I liked this non-shiny look. The swirls of colors appeared to be more brilliant and it was definitely easier to take pictures of this pen without too much glare.

I was excited to have this pen with me at the local pen show. After all, it was the pen they featured on the show’s name tags and post cards.

I thought the large curved clip would get in the way in my pen case, but I haven’t had any issues while using my Rickshaw pen case. I prefer to use pens with clips as they don’t roll off my studio desk. On any given day, I would have a few fountain pens on my desk. When I’m drawing in my art journal or when I’m turning my journal around on my desk, my pens get pushed around. The curved clip reminds me of Visconti’s clips.

It’s a girthy, lightweight pen and comfortable to hold in my hand. I’ve tried to post this pen, but I have noticed it’s a tiny bit back heavy while writing. After so many years of using fountain pens, I can go either way. Posted or unposted. As long as the pen writes beautifully.

The predominant colors in my pen is lavender purple with swirls of turquoise. There are smaller swirls of black, pink, and bits of orange and yellow colors.

I’ve enjoyed using my new pen so much that I created a pen & ink wash sketch. I used Blood Rose, Heart of Gold, Thunderstorm, Morning Frost, Morning Shine, and Silver Dawn. That’s when I found the right ink color to fill my pen.

Silver Dawn turned out to be the best match with the lovely purple in my Conklin pen along with the ink’s beautiful shimmers.

I almost forgot to mention this is a limited edition pen. The top of my cap shows the engraved information. There were only 198 pens created.

With their 1898 model, Conklin has certainly changed my mind about their newer fountain pen offerings. I’m glad I gave them a second look. I’ve been using my new pen for the last two months and it’s definitely an EDC for me.

Not to be an enabler. Conklin has other 1898 pens available in some really cool and beautiful resins by Jonathon Brooks. Here’s the link to Atlas Stationers site with their current 1898 pens.

Pen: Conklin 1898 Primary Manipulation 4.5 with Omniflex nib

Ink: Robert Oster Silver Dawn