Managed to obtain a ‘Pilot Capless’ style Newman ballpoint to go along with my non-drafting etched MP. All the etched Newman designs have been fetching crazy prices lately, so I think this is probably the pinnacle for me.
Side by side - I think they make a reasonably handsome executive duo.
Of course the real challenge of owning what I call the ‘reverse pen’, is the lack of working refills. This is one of those situations that call for a super slim Euro tip and a wide reservoir.
I had previously sawn down a Schneider Express 225 for some of my Mitsubishi and BOXY pens. Luckily it also works for the Newman.
The benefit of such designs is that by stowing the pen tip-side up, you are far less likely to end up with an accident in your shirt pocket.
But of course the clip affects how you grip the pen. I prefer to keep the clip ‘down’ between my thumb and middle finger.
I can also grip it with the clip ‘up’ with my forefinger resting on it. But I find this too self conscious a behaviour.
As a final note: this pen comes with several colors for the mid-body band. I would love to find more of them but current prices are truly prohibitive.