Review by Laura Cameron
A few weeks ago Galen Leather contacted us and asked if we’d be interested in reviewing some product. I immediately zeroed in on the Scrikss 419 Fountain Pen ($35).
Scrikss is a Turkish company and has been a manufacturer of fine writing instruments since 1964. I’m always game to try new fountain pens!
I ordered mine in the Mint Green color, though there are several other colorways available: Indigo, Blue, White, Black, Burgundy, Beige, and Poudra (light pink). All come with Medium nibs.
The body of the Scrikks 419 Fountain Pen is an acrylic resin. All of the hardware (nib, clip and cap ring) are made of stainless steel and plated in 23K gold. The pen is a piston filler, with a handy ink window to give you an idea of what ink is in there and how much is left.
I didn’t have any light mint-colored inks so I settled for Robert Oster Spearmint. The pen filled easily, and was ready to write right away. The nib writes pretty well. It is firm, like steel nibs are, without a lot of bounce or feedback.
When I started to write this post and describe the experience I was struck by a few comparisons. The first is that the Scrikss reminds me a bit of the Pelikan M200. This is due to the piston ink filling system and the ink window. Obviously there are differences, but visually that’s what it reminded me of. I also tried to think about it in terms of other competitors in the price range. I primarily compared it to my Pilot Metropolitan and my TWSBI Eco.
In terms of length, the Scrikss comes in at 4 7/8″ and 12.5cm capped, and 4 5/8″ and 11.75cm uncapped. It is comparable in size to the Pelikan, and smaller than the Pilot Metro and the TWSBI Eco. In terms of weight, the Scrikss is quite a bit smaller, weighing in at 12g, even filled with ink!
Overall, I have to say that the Scrikss is a decent pen, though not overly memorable. It writes nicely, but doesn’t have anything super special to recommend it. As a new fountain pen connoisseur, I really loved the weight of the Pilot Metro and the feel in my hand, and TWSBI Ecos are fun because you can see everything that’s happening inside the pen. That said, if the aesthetics of the Scrikss appeal to you, this is a decent little pen.
- Paper: Ghost Paper Notebook ($25)
- Pen: Scrikss 419 Fountain Pen ($35)
- Inks: Robert Oster Spearmint (50ml for $17)
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.
Is that Pelikan just a normal M200 blue swirl? Looks gorgeous!
Sue – It is a Pelikan M200 in “blue marbled” but the catch is that it’s from the 1980’s. My dad is a Pelikan user and bought an extra set of his favorite fountain pen/ballpoint duo back in the 80’s. When I became a fountain pen fan, he gave me the second set so one is now mine! I don’t know how readily available they would be second hand – I really haven’t looked. Hope that helps!
Scrikss 419 is not a new model. Model 419 is first produced in 1989 and then discontinued. So your comment on the “feel” is spot on. Their resin and hardware were a lot more high tier. Then in recent years Model 419 went back into production with added new colors and completely new resin formula which is a lot more affordable. If they produced this pen with the same grade materials like in 1989 it would have to be priced as an high-end product. Pretty sturdy, nicely engineered pen.
The thing that makes the 419 special is that it will take Pelikan 2xx nibs without any modifications.