C.e. Levi Nox - Woodgrain Ebonite, Shaeffer Feather Touch F Nib

[mongrelnomad]

Those who have been keeping track of my reviews (not to mention my compulsive accumulatory tendencies) will know that I have a bit of a soft-spot for the custom. Sick of the mass-produced homogeneity of modern consumer products, I'm much more liable to give an unknown artisan a chance than purchase another pen from one of the big brands.

 

So when I caught a whiff of C.E. Levi pens, it was really only a matter of time before I pulled the trigger.

 

C.E. Levi is actually Cameron Lewis, a genial (at least via eMail) Canuck with a rather unusual predilection for pens. While it is not unusual for 'boutique' manufacturers to source bits and pieces from outside manufacturers, almost everything that Cameron uses is produced in-house.

 

Moth to a flame and all that…

 

Skimming the website, all his creations are variations on a theme: simple, cylindrical pens, incorporating a button-filler at one end, and a vintage nib at the other. As I'm wary of very heavy pens, the mammoth Colossus was immediately out, which left the Nox by process of elimination. I'll admit to being deeply curious about the Colossus (especially the idea of the material's evolution over time), but I would have to handle one before making a commitment - something that simply won't happen without some great charity from Cameron. But anyway, I'm a big fan of ebonite, so I hardly feel short-changed.

 

$50 deposit paid, six months waited, the pen arrived. No ornate box, no frills, just the little cylinder slipping from the bubble-wrap.

 

Some of the photos are Cameron's own, some are mine:

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3686/10310998133_bf6856a1b8_c.jpg

 

My wife handled it before I did. She proceeded to "ooh" and "aah" as she unscrewed the cap and the blind cap, rolling each part in her fingers. This pen is sensory overload, it really is. There is no plastic whatsoever, and the fit and finish is immaculate. The ebonite is perfectly smooth and expertly polished - not to a flat, glossy sheen, but not dull or rough either. All the parts that move or screw are solid brass, so beautifully machined with little grooves and dips as wonderfully frivolous embellishments, not least the perfectly-set filler button which functions with a satisfyingly firm yet oiled action. There is a lot of love in this pen.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/10310868426_8208c76ece_c.jpg

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5520/10308340216_ab30ac95fa_c.jpg

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/10308270414_ff3155444f_c.jpg

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5520/10308341696_d1df78f278_c.jpg

 

I had asked for a very fine nib, and the size 5 Shaeffer FeatherTouch nib is pretty much bang-on a modern European EF. It is smooth and stiff and neither glassy nor toothy. It writes very similar to my Platinum Izumo Fine - one of my favourite go-to nibs - and leaves a steady, unbroken and confident line. The integration into the section is perfect, and I've had no leaks. I'm not sure where the feed is from (I assume it's modern), but it is more than up to the challenge. I love vintage nibs but I'm not a big fan of vintage fragility; this pen is the best of both worlds. Absolutely lovely, really.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7435/10308339276_d1d7cff3a9_c.jpg

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/10308319135_8213ffdc16_c.jpg

 

Is there anything I don't like? Well yes: the size. This is my, rather than the pen's, fault: I didn't pay enough attention to the dimensions on Cameron's site. My thoughts were more "don't like metal, want ebonite" and that was that. When first unpacked I was surprised by its diminutive delicateness, and that surprise really hasn't diminished. I've used it extensively in the last month and, although the balance is perfect, I find that as the Nox is about the width of a Pelikan M400, but the length of an M600, and because the cap doesn't post, it feels a bit short in my hand and my fingers become a bit cramped. Personal preference entirely...

 

Top to bottom: Omas 360 Lucens LE, C.E. Levi Nox, Hakase Buffalo Horn

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3812/10308323045_cab27b7496_c.jpg

 

Now to the biggest surprise: the price. The retail of this pen is $500. At that price, I would say it is very good value. The quality of the craftsmanship, the rarity of the filling system, the fitting of the vintage nib; it all suddenly makes an M800 seem very very expensive. However, Cameron was kind enough to only charge me $350 on the condition that I write a warts-and-all review here on FPN. And that makes this pen the bargain of the century, in my opinion. My wife apparently, thought the same:

 

"What's that?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie. It's another pen isn't it. For God's sake, don't you have enough already?"

"Not really."

"Well, show it to me then." *studies it - see above* "So how much was this then?"

"$350."

"Don't lie."

"I'm not lying."

"Shakran! Lier!"

"Really, I'm not lying!"

"Well I'm not talking to you till you tell me the truth."

 

One invoice presented and marital bliss was restored, but it just goes to show: this could (and perhaps should) be a much much more expensive pen.

 

Cameron, if you are reading this: thank you for the wonderful pen, and I would love to discuss the possibility of an oversized Nox!

Edited October 16, 2013 by mongrelnomad

[terminal]

I really like the way this pen looks. It's a button filler with a sack, right? Any idea how hard it would be to resack?

[CLewis]

Thank-you very much for the review!

 

to Terminal: anyone with experience resacking button fillers should find it no problem to do one of mine. The sections are friction fit and pull right out along with the spring. The only trick to it is to make sure that the tab on the end of the spring goes inside the body of the button. The sacs are size #18 silicone and the original ones should last a good long time. I've kept things simple so that the pen can be repaired without requiring odd parts or techniques.

 

Oh, and the feed is the original ebonite one from Sheaffer.

[terminal]

Oh wow, that's really good to hear, Cameron. Thanks for the details! These pens have such a wonderful design sense.

[French]

I'm always very happy to read about others who purchased woodgrain ebonite Nox pens. I absolutely love the one Cameron made for me

 

enjoy your new pen.

[Chi Town]

I have one similar to the one in the picture but with an brass option that was installed in the blind cap, but I believe it is an oversize woodgrain nox...? It is a beautiful writer but I put it away and have not written with it for a while. It's time to bring her back out and start writing with her again I think and I'm getting the heebbie jeebbie's when I see other C.E. Levi Pens getting written up here. I did my write up quite some time ago here on FPN. Actually, there are 3 of us from Albuquerque who bought one of these! Doug and Jim are the other compardres.......

[Doug C]

One more happy customer here.

 

Mongrelnomad, you have done a wonderful job of capturing the nuances of this pen, both visually and on paper (virtually).

 

People that have not seen or handled a Levi really can't appreciate how beautiful but subtle the details of these pens are.

 

Enjoy it. BTW, you have exquisite taste in pens (not many people have the good fortune to own a Hakase).

[da vinci]

An interesting and informative review - thanks

[mongrelnomad]

Thank-you very much for the review!

 

to Terminal: anyone with experience resacking button fillers should find it no problem to do one of mine. The sections are friction fit and pull right out along with the spring. The only trick to it is to make sure that the tab on the end of the spring goes inside the body of the button. The sacs are size #18 silicone and the original ones should last a good long time. I've kept things simple so that the pen can be repaired without requiring odd parts or techniques.

 

Oh, and the feed is the original ebonite one from Sheaffer.

 

My pleasure Cameron. Interesting to note that the feed is original - I could smell that it was ebonite, but it just seemed so contemporary...

 

Oh wow, that's really good to hear, Cameron. Thanks for the details! These pens have such a wonderful design sense.

It is one of those pens which really has to be handled to be appreciated...

 

I'm always very happy to read about others who purchased woodgrain ebonite Nox pens. I absolutely love the one Cameron made for me

 

enjoy your new pen.

Enjoy yours too!

 

I have one similar to the one in the picture but with an brass option that was installed in the blind cap, but I believe it is an oversize woodgrain nox...? It is a beautiful writer but I put it away and have not written with it for a while. It's time to bring her back out and start writing with her again I think and I'm getting the heebbie jeebbie's when I see other C.E. Levi Pens getting written up here. I did my write up quite some time ago here on FPN. Actually, there are 3 of us from Albuquerque who bought one of these! Doug and Jim are the other compardres.......

Following the review I've already discussed with Cameron the possibility of making an OS Nox (although I'm unsure whether I'll go for this or a Solstice - a pen I didn't realise existed). Either way, it'll be embellished with the same little brass button on the blind-cap, like yours.

 

One more happy customer here.

 

Mongrelnomad, you have done a wonderful job of capturing the nuances of this pen, both visually and on paper (virtually).

 

People that have not seen or handled a Levi really can't appreciate how beautiful but subtle the details of these pens are.

 

Enjoy it. BTW, you have exquisite taste in pens (not many people have the good fortune to own a Hakase).

Thanks! I really hope I managed to convey how unusual this pen is.

 

I'm happy that I wrote the review - it's really daunting to take the plunge on something different without some kind of first-hand reporting to make the leap a little less daunting. I mean, really, who needs another review of a Pelikan (unless it's in comparison), when there are unusual pens just waiting for a bit of exposure...

 

And my Hakases are still getting quite a workout. There are very few pens over which I have no regrets: both Cameron's Nox and the Hakase fall into that very rarified category...

 

An interesting and informative review - thanks

You're welcome!

Edited October 17, 2013 by mongrelnomad

[hari317]

Nice looking pen, congrats!

[mongrelnomad]

Nice looking pen, congrats!

Thanks Hari...

[rudyhou]

very nice thanks for sharing.

[visvamitra]

Beautifuel Pen,

 

Do you know whether CE Levi Pens still operates? I've send them two mails but received no answer :/

 

I find Nox absolutely stunning. It's real beauty

[rhall_8]

Simple, and very attractive. Very well done!