Review by Laura Cameron
Believe it or not, I’ve never tried a Baron Fig Squire, so when the latest limited edition, Adrift ($60), arrived for review, I was eager to play with it!
As many of you know, the Squire is Baron Fig’s understated, elegant rollerball. It comes in a variety of colors, as well as shorter limited editions. The pen body is made of aluminum in a sleek, smooth design that is a consistent circumference except right at the ball point. The Squire also uses a twist mechanism to open the pen.
Adrift is their ocean themed edition and the first to feature a full wrap around theme. From Baron Fig, the inspiration for the edition is:
Putting an idea on paper is like sending a letter out to sea—there’s no knowing where it will end up. Set your ideas adrift and discover the treasures they bring.
Here’s a quick rundown on the stats:
- Aluminum pen body
- Length: 5″/12.5cm
- Weight: 0.85oz/24g
I find the whimsical design charming and I can’t decide if my favorite is the sea turtle or the octopus!
The Squire is a smooth writer and wrote beautifully with minimal pressure.
The Squire is a beautiful pen, there’s no denying that. I think when compared to Retro 51 (the closest competitor I can think of in the industry), it comes down to aesthetics and ergonomics. The Squire is elegant and minimalist with a touch of whimsy, whereas the Retro 51 is more classic (retro?) and employs a variety of designs and textures. Both have balanced bodies, and while the Squire is sleek and ergonomic, the Retro features a tapered body, which I confess I find slightly preferable when I’m holding it in my hand. Both are beautiful choices to elevate the writing experience with a roller ball!
- Papers: Maruman Mnemosyne N182A Inspiration Notebook A5 ($10.50)
- Pen: Baron Fig Limited Edition Squire: Adrift ($60)
DISCLAIMER: Some of the items included in this review were provided to us free of charge for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.
I bought a Retro 51 a few years ago based on a recommendation, but I could never get used to the aggressive taper and less than smooth ballpoint refill, after a couple of days it ended up in a drawer full of unused miscellany. I bought a Baron Fig Squire recently and it is a much nicer, far more comfortable pen to use. While I like the clean design of the Squire, if there were an option to add a clip I would feel more comfortable letting it leave the relative safety of my desk.
Sixty Bucks – seriously? For that? I’ll pass on this one…
Which Retro 51 is that in the photo?
That is a Vanness special edition – Katie Tattoos from the artist series. She’s got just a few left!
Thanks so much! I just added a new pen to my very tiny Retro 51 collection.