Graf von Faber-Castell Guilloche Cognac

I recently acquired the Graf von Faber Castell Guilloche Cognac in a fine nib. I was so excited to get this pen, it was all I could think about. I unconsciously stalked all the UPS trucks on my daily drives to make sure they were not turning down my street (my husband claims I have issues but I’m just exciting). When my pen finally arrived, I eagerly inked it up with Graf von Faber-Castell Stone Grey. I also bought the ink in Hazelnut Brown because I thought it would be a great matchup! I was curious to see what the Stone Grey looked like so I went with it first. It’s a lovely ink, beautiful shading, and flows very well. Now back to my pen!

Pen Specs taken from Graf von Faber-Castell website:

• Cartridge/converter system
• Hand-made bicoloured 18-carat gold nib with iridium tip, “run in” by hand
• Manufacturing process involves over a hundred steps, most of them carried out by hand
• Available nib widths are EF (extra fine), F (fine), M (medium), B (broad), OM (medium/ left slent) and OB (broad/ left slent)
• Capped: 130mm
• Posted: 165mm
• Unposted: 125mm
• Weight: 29g

The moment I held my Guilloche, I was elated. I was in awe of its beautiful design and hand-crafted finishes all the while being just the right weight for my delicate fingers. The cap posted nicely and did not feel unbalanced. I was in love!
Then I wrote with it.

Ahhh!!! The nib! It was so scratchy! WHY?! I can’t even. So disappointed… I finally had a pen that was elegant, classy, not too heavy with a springy gold nib, and a comfortable grip but IT’S SCRATCHY!!! I knew I should have gotten a medium (my safe nib).

I broke out the micro mesh and mylar paper. It took me a few days but I was able to adjust the nib’s scratchiness to bearable (I also suffered a minor cut on my finger from cleaning the tines). This pen literally took my blood, sweat, and tears with a side of cash. Anyways, here is a writing sample (she typed half-heartedly).

With the price point of a Guilloche, the precious resin, the 18 carat gold “run in” by hand nib; should I have had to spend 3 days tuning the nib while losing a tablespoon of blood? My Faber-Castell Loom was so amazing! The medium steel nib wrote like an $80 pen instead of $40. What happened Guilloche? What happened?! You’re a bloody Graf! Does that mean anything to you?!

Unfreakingbelievable.

I think I’m going to take it to the Miami Pen Show and have a nibmeister look at it if I can’t satisfactorily get it to where I want it. I know I have the warranty and should have sent it back instead of playing nibmeister myself but I have no patience. I think that was established with the stalking of the UPS trucks.

Sigh.

At least it’s pretty.

Sir Inky’s ratings:

Design/Aesthetics: 10/10

Nib: 4/10 (he’s carried better)

Overall Grade: C