Franklin-Christoph Eclipse Model 25
The Pen
This is my second Franklin-Christoph pen, its stable mate is a Model 03 Iterum with a Masuyama CI Fine nib. The Eclipse has a slight steampunk character to it due to the clip design. It comes with a maroon leather zip case. Against common convention, the nib is also carried pointing downward, which so far hasnt shown any leakage into the cap.
View attachment 542968
Specs
Color: Black with creme band
Body Material Acrylic
Grip Material Acrylic
Filling Scheme Cartridge/Converter
Nib - Stainless Steel EF
Furniture Rhodium plated brass.
Diameter Body .47
Body Length 5.23 (nib to end; uncapped)
Capped Length - 5.47
Ink Capacity .7ml converter
View attachment 542966
Fit and Finish
This is an interesting pen! The body lines are smooth, the joint where you take it apart to get to the C/C is so seamless that it is almost invisible to the naked eye. The joint where the cap joins the body is chamfered that gives a break so that you see where the cap is. The clip is what drew me to this pen. It is attached to a band with a screw giving it a pleasing line. The clip is also designed to hold the cap when using the pen.
View attachment 542969
The Nib
FC calls the nib on this pen semi hooded, to me it is more recessed than hooded. I have the EF and it writes very smoothly. So far this nib is a joy to write with. The nib can be changed out although FC suggests that you send it back to them to be changed.
Hand Feel
The clip on this pen makes it top heavy, but you dont notice it as the clip area rests in the web of my hand. The pens body is the same diameter the whole length and there is not a section so to speak, you grip the pen on the lower part of the body, this actually works very well.
Ink Capacity
Typical cartridge/convertor as it uses an international cartridge. Due to the recessed nib it is suggested that you fill the converter by removing it from the pen to fill the reinstalling it.
Price Point/Purchase Options
At $160 this is not the cheapest pen out there, but for the craftsmanship you will be hard pressed to find a better pen. You can either have a creme band like mine or a smoke band is offered. You can get the standard nib sizes in either HP steel or 18k gold. Also available are custom nibs by Mike Masuyama.
Summary
This is a pen that I love, the styling and color for me just does it. The only concerns that I have are that the cap takes several turns to get it off and the removing the converter to fill can be a pain. The slight steampunk looks make it a winner in my book.
Bottom Line
I think this pen will have a permanent place in my pocket.
Tom
The Pen
This is my second Franklin-Christoph pen, its stable mate is a Model 03 Iterum with a Masuyama CI Fine nib. The Eclipse has a slight steampunk character to it due to the clip design. It comes with a maroon leather zip case. Against common convention, the nib is also carried pointing downward, which so far hasnt shown any leakage into the cap.
View attachment 542968
Specs
Color: Black with creme band
Body Material Acrylic
Grip Material Acrylic
Filling Scheme Cartridge/Converter
Nib - Stainless Steel EF
Furniture Rhodium plated brass.
Diameter Body .47
Body Length 5.23 (nib to end; uncapped)
Capped Length - 5.47
Ink Capacity .7ml converter
View attachment 542966
Fit and Finish
This is an interesting pen! The body lines are smooth, the joint where you take it apart to get to the C/C is so seamless that it is almost invisible to the naked eye. The joint where the cap joins the body is chamfered that gives a break so that you see where the cap is. The clip is what drew me to this pen. It is attached to a band with a screw giving it a pleasing line. The clip is also designed to hold the cap when using the pen.
View attachment 542969
The Nib
FC calls the nib on this pen semi hooded, to me it is more recessed than hooded. I have the EF and it writes very smoothly. So far this nib is a joy to write with. The nib can be changed out although FC suggests that you send it back to them to be changed.
Hand Feel
The clip on this pen makes it top heavy, but you dont notice it as the clip area rests in the web of my hand. The pens body is the same diameter the whole length and there is not a section so to speak, you grip the pen on the lower part of the body, this actually works very well.
Ink Capacity
Typical cartridge/convertor as it uses an international cartridge. Due to the recessed nib it is suggested that you fill the converter by removing it from the pen to fill the reinstalling it.
Price Point/Purchase Options
At $160 this is not the cheapest pen out there, but for the craftsmanship you will be hard pressed to find a better pen. You can either have a creme band like mine or a smoke band is offered. You can get the standard nib sizes in either HP steel or 18k gold. Also available are custom nibs by Mike Masuyama.
Summary
This is a pen that I love, the styling and color for me just does it. The only concerns that I have are that the cap takes several turns to get it off and the removing the converter to fill can be a pain. The slight steampunk looks make it a winner in my book.
Bottom Line
I think this pen will have a permanent place in my pocket.
Tom
