Pen review: Zodiac Pen Co Gemini

And why I have two

I promise I’ll only mention how great the Orlando Pen Show was one more time. One time today. After today, I can’t promise anything.

My first year there (and the first time it happened), I mostly kept to my budget and got only one pen that wasn’t special; it was just a good deal cheaper than it was sold online and I told myself I should bring a pen home to commemorate my going to my first pen show. This year, however, I upped the stakes and told myself I’d be getting a pen made by an independent maker. One pen. I even had it picked out before I went to the show. And I had a budget.

Spoiler alert: I didn’t buy that pen, and I also significantly went over my budget. I am not mad about either. The reason why I didn’t get the pen I “came to the show for” was because I found out about a new (for me) pen company. You see, the Zodiac Pen Company had just been established not even a full year prior to the show. And then the show ended while I was still at the pen maker’s table after I went back for the one Gemini that stole my heart. And I ended up walking away with two of them instead.

Now I’m not a Zodiac fanboy. I’m not even into astrology (but let’s be real, Aquarius is the best sign). What I am, however, is someone who is into pens that are made with passion and care. And also, I was absolutely floored with Bart’s customer service. I honestly felt like I was talking to a new friend and not a pushy seller. I had a hard time deciding on just one. So, I got two. And honestly, I wanted to get the Primary Manipulation one as well (and that was the first time I’ve ever liked the PM colorway. So, thank you to Bart and to the Orlando Pen show, y’all were amazing to me).

The Zodiac Pen Company hasn’t been around for long enough to get a significant following, and I’m hoping that changes soon, because their pens are just stunning.

And one of them is the topic of this post. And it is mine! Ha!

Onto the pen in question!

The Gemini is the flagship model (spoiler alert once more, Bart is a Gemini, if you didn’t guess by now). I’m not going to bore you with measurements, as you can find those on his website (which you should check out — logstotreasures.com), not will I tell you about all the different finishes Bart offers because a) that varies and b) pictures is worth more than however many thousands of words, i.e. check out his Instagram page at @zodiacpencompany. No affiliation here, I’m just a happy camper with credit card debt a great taste in pens.

What I’ll tell you is what I know about the pen, and how I feel about the pen. Because no one is here for any scientific, dry recap of technical stuff; the readers expect banana related puns and some cool pics and a few comments from yours truly who is just a pen nerd and not a general science geek.

The pen has had two iterations, from my understanding. The original version was slightly longer, which isn’t noticeable if you don’t put the new one next to it. I don’t know if the newer model is a bit thicker too, as I think there is a slight chonkiness to it, but I didn’t confirm that. Bart mentioned that the older version was a bit too long for some people, but personally I feel like it makes sense. The slimmer and longer profile works well in my book.

During the pen show, as I was walking around the ballroom, I noticed the Teal Agate almost immediately. I took a photo so I could compare it to the other top contenders, but both my wife and I knew I’d be obtaining that one, and if another pen were to follow, so be it.

Zodiac Pen Co Gemini in Teal Agate

I mean look at it. Now, I don’t know how finishes get their names, because generally speaking, I don’t know much about naming materials or material names. I know what it reminds me of, though; a lagoon or a lake, and the cool, hidden waters untouched by humans. If I were to see a lake that looks like this, I’d be jumping in it so quickly I would probably end up with leaky pens in my pockets. I vote to rename the material Cavern Lake, Underground Lake, or something of the sorts. The brown matches perfectly with the teal. There is a bit of lighter teal in the finish, almost pearlescent in nature. Basically, you go pearl diving in a cavern. Good choice of materials right there.

The pen is handmade out of turned acrylic. The finish is polished to an high gloss and, as I said, the sparkles are there, albeit subtle, which makes the pen even more attractive. It’s not a gaudy pen in any shape or form; it draws attention in a very good way. If it were a suit, it would be a well tailored and well fitted suit. My non pen user coworkers all gasped when they saw it. I gasped when one of them went to try it.

Good times.

The pen tapers slightly at both ends. The cap is flush with the body, and it doesn’t post, for those weirdos who post their pen caps for no reason. There is no roll stop nor a clip, so the pen will try to get away from you when you put it down and turn around. Although I like clips on my pens, I fear that a clip on this model would do it a disservice. So just hold it (you know you want to). Or put it in a sleeve if you’re not using it.

This cartridge converter pen comes with your choice of nib and a K5 Schmidt converter. The price slightly varies depending on what finish you pick. The cap uncaps in a reasonable amount of turns. I will say that I noticed that the first few letters will be darker when you start writing if you’d left the pen unused for a few days. There is a step in the cap so the seal is there, so I’m not worried that the pen would dry out; but yeah, the ink darkens slightly which I don’t mind.

Perhaps the only “bad” thing that I can think of — if I had to think of anything so y’all didn’t think I was paid to sing praises, which I wasn’t because I gush over things that I like for free — is that the threads would’ve benefited from just a tiny amount of silicone grease. Once I applied that solution to a non existent problem, I will say I’m super happy.

Even the nib (unstamped Jowo #6, hoping Bart will stamp em with his company logo, as I’m a sucker for stamped nibs) was absolutely perfect out of the box. I don’t know if he tunes his nibs, but I’ve had issues with quite a few factory made nibs that just wouldn’t write well. Mine came with a F nib that is super smooth, properly wet, and so well tuned I thought I was handling a musical instrument.

(No, it does not sing on the page, I am aware that is not a good thing geesh).

Who would like this pen? Anyone with eyes. But also, people who are into writing instruments that are made with attention to detail, care, and passion that is very present in every piece. Are they perfect pens? Nothing is perfect. But they are perfect for my hand, and so comfortable I don’t want to put them down. If you can’t have colorful pens at your job, quit and find a more reasonable workplace there are finishes that are more subdued, if that is your thing. But I feel you would be missing out.

“But,

@idipbananasintocoffee

, you said you got two Geminis, and you only showed us one!”

Zodiac Pen Co Gemini in Galaxy Prime

Well, here ya go. This is not my first, only, or last rainbow pen, but it will be one of my most treasured ones. Anyone who knows me knows that one of the most important people in my life are my family, and space has always been one of the best topics to talk about with my dad; this pen reminds me of a nebula, and what I don’t understand is how so many people were able to put the pen back down on Bart’s table and walk away. As I told him, I could’ve left his table with only the Teal Agate and left the Galaxy, and I would have made a mistake. My only actual mistake is giving up on another pen that is not a topic of this post.

To recap: the Gemini fountain pen is beautifully made, writes first time every time, fits extremely well in the hand, and is light without feeling cheap. In fact, it looks and feels more expensive than it is.

As of writing of this post, and if I’m not grossly mistaken, Zodiac Pens come in several models: Gemini, Virgo (smaller and more dainty of a model), Aries, Capricorn, and Taurus. I believe Leo is in the works, and I’m pestering Bart to make an Aquarius before I turn 27 again. I feel like that would be an excellent birthday gift.

Left to right: Gemini, Virgo, Aries

As I said, if you check out his IG page, you’ll definitely find a pen that fits your lifestyle. Even if it’s an incompatible sign.

(My wife is a Gemini and she got me the Teal Agate. It reminds me of her. I am not implying her sign is incompatible but I still think Aquarius is the best sign.)

To recap: I see great pens in your future. Happy writing!