Cleo Skribent Classic, Platinum Plated Trim, Steel B Nib

May 12, 2013

I'd been looking at these pens for a while and finally decided to pull the trigger. I ordered from Papier Plume in New Orleans, LA on a Sun. The tracking number for the package was emailed to me the same day and I received my pen and ink (for a later review) on the following Thursday. You don't need to see the USPS box, we all know what they look like. I threw the outer cardboard sleeve over my shoulder on to the floor behind me and was left with this classy box

Cleo Skribent is a small company in the former East Germany, they advertise 100% hand made pens. There is a nice but out-of-date review of them on PenHero.
The Box is opened

The Pen

Where's the cartridge or converter, they're not under the pad?

That's right, I got the piston filler model. The pen is available as a c/c pen too.

My first impression was that the Classic felt more like a vintage eyedropper than any modern pen I've held. It's the constant taper from the wide part of the barrel through the section and the very low profile threads, you can grip the pen however you want. The balance is good both posted and unposted and it's long enough that the pen should be easy to use for even the biggest hands. The pen is very light weight even filled with ink. The piston is plastic and turns smoothly, I was surprised how much ink was sucked up, it's not a TWSBI but it does hold a good amount. I got the steel nib but 14K gold nibs are an option.
A writing sample on Triomphe paper with Diamine Washable Blue, my standard testing ink

Here's the classic beside a TWSBI 540, both capped

And Uncapped

So we're clear, the Classic is longer than the 540 but thinner. The nib on the Classic is smaller. It's a nail, but it's a smooth nail.

It's been mine for about a 3 weeks now and I've been using it everyday. Only been filled once but I do use other pens too. The flow improved a bit, this will be perfect for my wetter inks. The price is about the same as a Pelikan M200 with the steel nib and I'd buy a Cleo again. I'm looking at the gold nibbed Classic and the Ebonite pens for later.

The Classic is offered in Black or White resin; piston or c/c filler; Platinum or Gold plated trim; Steel or 14K Gold nibs.

Edited May 12, 2013 by Uncle Red

May 13, 2013

Excellent review. I have the same pen, but with the c/c filling system. Mine has a fine nib and I've found the flow to be a little inconsistent. Definitely a good pen for we inks. I'm glad you're enjoying yours. The author Neil Gaiman has this same pen, but I believe that his has gold trim. Not sure of the filling system.