There are plenty of entry-level fountain pens on the market, but few have the pedigree of Faber-Castell behind them. The Grip 2011 comes from a company with over 260 years of manufacturing history, and that experience shows in every detail - from the precision of the snap cap to the smoothness of the stainless steel nib.
This is a pen designed to be used. Every day, without ceremony.
A grip that earns its name
The Grip 2011 takes its design language from Faber-Castell's iconic Grip pencil, which has been trusted in classrooms and studios for decades. The triangular barrel profile has nicely softened edges, and the rubberised grip zone is studded with raised dots - not just for aesthetics, but to reduce the micro-tension that builds up during long writing sessions. The result is a pen that feels secure in the hand without requiring a tight grip, which matters over the course of a full day of writing.
It is comfortable for both right- and left-handed writers, a detail Faber-Castell takes seriously enough to list explicitly in their specifications.
The nib
This version comes fitted with a Broad (B) stainless steel nib. Faber-Castell's steel nibs have a well-earned reputation for consistency - the nib on the Grip 2011 is smooth and well-tuned out of the box, with enough ink flow to write fluidly without skipping or hard starts. The medium width suits everyday correspondence, journalling, note-taking, and general writing on quality paper. The nib is engraved with Faber-Castell's jousting knights logo, a small but satisfying detail.
European medium nibs tend to write slightly broader than their Japanese equivalents, which is worth knowing if you are used to Japanese pens and writing on thinner paper.
Inking and maintenance
The Grip 2011 uses standard international cartridges - both short and long formats fit - or can be used with a separately purchased converter for bottled ink. This makes it genuinely flexible: use cartridges when convenience matters, or fill from a bottle when you want access to a broader range of colours.
Construction and dimensions
The body is precision-moulded plastic, which keeps the pen light and well-balanced. Total weight is approximately 15g, with the cap accounting for most of that. Closed length is 139mm; uncapped writing length is 130mm. The barrel diameter sits comfortably in a range of 11.6 to 12.3mm. The cap snaps closed with a firm, reassuring click and posts securely on the back of the barrel for those who prefer a longer pen in hand. The stainless steel clip is spring-loaded with a shaped tip that will not catch on fabric or damage pocket linings.
The all-black colourway is clean and professional. The characteristic Grip dots are tonal - black on black - giving this version a quieter, more refined look than the multicoloured variants in the range.
Who it is for
The Grip 2011 is an honest pen. It suits someone coming to fountain pens for the first time and wanting a reliable, well-made introduction. It also suits the experienced writer who needs a low-stakes daily workhorse - something they can ink up, carry in a bag, and not worry about. Students, writers, architects, teachers, and desk workers who write by hand regularly will find it comfortable over long periods.
It is regularly compared to the Lamy Safari and Pilot Metropolitan in its price bracket, and holds its own against both.
In the box
The pen ships with one standard ink cartridge included. A converter is available separately if you wish to use bottled ink.
Specifications
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Soft armchair
$420.00
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