Kenzo Pens

June 3, 2014

I picked up this pair of oddities at an Ascension Day vide-grenier for 3 euros each. They are pens made for the Kenzo fashion house, apparently by Stypen, and have a rather odd over-feed - quite startling in the red pen, as it's a transparent red jewel. They also have a red jewel at the pointy end of the cap, which is rather a blingy touch and in the case of the dark green pen, decidedly odd and a bit sinister, like a large alligator's bloodshot eyes.

http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t411/amk-fpn/kenzopensandsample.jpg

13cm long but quite slender. with a section tapering down to 7mm, they're fairly heavy pens, with lacquer on, I think, brass innards. They're quite artfully designed, with indented rings at both ends and a deep indent between cap and barrel, too, rather than 'normal' flat rings, and a clip unlike any I've seen before - a sort of streamlined teardrop with a tiny circular accent on the end. Personally I think it's hideous (but then what was I wearing in the early 1990s when I was told these pens came out? probably something equally hideous) but it's original, and amusing.

The only branding on the pen is a very subtle 'Kenzo' written in the top portion of one side of the clip.

http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t411/amk-fpn/kenzonibs.jpg

Still, the proof of a pen is in the writing. I wasn't all that hopeful as in my experience pens for fashion brands are usually cheap, cheerful, and not really intended for pen aficionados. Boy, had I got a surprise coming. The vendor told me she'd found the nibs 'souple' compared to a Waterman,and while there's no flex at all, the nib is buttery smooth, and has that nice softness that I find particularly gratifying. Not quite as nice as my Carene or Targa but as good as my P51. Enjoyable.

http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t411/amk-fpn/kenzopens.jpg

I know these pens also come in a yellow and black (or dark blue?) version and would love to find those companions. They're just such odd little pens I couldn't resist.

By the way, does anyone know what the nib is made of? I have to say it *writes* like gold, though I would be quite surprised if it actually was.