Stabilo may not be a name you associate with fountain pens. It wasn't for me either, but I was curious when I saw an image of a wooden Stabilo Flow fountain pen.
In fact Stabilo have been making fountain pens for some time (their "Flow" range) but perhaps because prior designs have been a little "student utilitarian" there's been little focus on them in the community. The Grow range though, is a little different.
https://www.stabilo.com/uk/climate-neutral-fountain-pen-stabilo-grow/5171-1-41
There are three different designs, each with a different wood and coloured band:
- oak/green
- beech/blueberry (pictured)
- cherry/plum red
In my opinion the combos are all very attractive, but the oak/green model works best. I bought the rollerball version of the oak model for a friend, hence I have the beech one.
The pen is marketed as being eco friendly.
The pen body is made from wood and eco-plastic (bio plastics and plastics with sunflower seed hulls apparently). The plastics are ok. There are a few seams visible in places, but it's not awful. The clip appears to be metal and has just a hint of wobble where it's attached.
The pen posts well with a soft friction fit.
![](https://lemmy.sdf.org/pictrs/image/4bc577b6-db35-4666-be64-010065ac34b3.png)
The pen takes international standard cartridges and when you screw on the section there is an affirmative click to confirm it's closed properly. The cap is snap on.
![](https://lemmy.sdf.org/pictrs/image/122f77f9-1398-4026-8074-72c0b9bb9add.png)
The nib itself is a small steel nib. It writes very smoothly. I was surprised how well. Note however there are no nib options.
All in all, I think its a decent pen, and it's not expensive at around the £20 mark. It would be a nice first fountain pen for a beginner, competing perhaps with the Lamy Safari and Pilot Metro.
![](https://lemmy.sdf.org/pictrs/image/849ec5c8-7740-46ec-b5a4-222458f680a6.png)
Do you ever strop dull gem blades? Is that a thing?