I never used to have an interest in handcrafted Japanese pens, but after coming across some Seasar videos and stationery photos on social media, I was drawn into the beautiful—yet incredibly difficult-to-acquire—world of Nohara Kougei (野原工芸), Koubou Setsu (工房楔), and Craft A (クラフトエー).
As many of you know, these pens are notorious for both their high prices and limited availability. On their official websites, items are sold either through a lottery system or on a first-come, first-served basis that typically sells out within minutes. Last year, I somehow managed to secure a Hawaiian Koa MP201 directly from the Craft A website. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but unfortunately, the tip broke after a accidental drop. Fortunately, in early May, a pen shop in Korea happened to have the MP201 in stock, and I immediately purchased a replacement in Marblewood.
The pen arrives in a minimal black paper box, accompanied by a small vial of maintenance oil and a pamphlet detailing the specific characteristics of the wood.
Visually, some might notice a resemblance to the Luddite Everdraw. However, I find the Craft A grip to be significantly less slippery, which gives it a distinct advantage. The grip section is made of brass, providing a hefty weight and a low center of gravity. While the MP201 previously utilized Pentel Stein internal mechanisms, Craft A now produces their own independent mechanisms, featuring a brass clutch and a black plastic lead reservoir.
What I appreciate most about this pen is the complete absence of wobble. Many handcrafted pens unfortunately suffer from slight play in their components, (ex. Bonaan MP has knock button wobble) but the MP201 has little to no movement in the tip or the knock button. This stability delivers what is easily my favorite writing experience among all the handcrafted pens I have tried. Additionally, its sharp, design stands out against the more common streamlined shapes of Nohara Kogei and Koubou Setu.
