Conklin 1898 Spectra Fusion Fountain Pen Review

By Ryan Masterson – @ryans_writes

I’ve always been a big fan of the Conklin Spectra Fusion range, particularly the combination of stabilized wood ends and beautiful epoxy resin swirls that give these pens their distinctive character. I already own one in blue, which regularly receives compliments, but when I saw the new Burgundy color, I knew I had to add another to my collection.

My first impression was that the Burgundy color was beautiful and noticeably different from my blue chrome version. It feels a little more refined, while the contrast between the wood and swirling epoxy resin creates a finish that is truly captivating.

A Striking Burgundy Finish

The Burgundy Spectra Fusion immediately caught my attention with its rich red and burgundy tones. The epoxy resin blends beautifully into the timber ends, while the combination of light and dark swirls creates an almost three-dimensional effect.

The swirling pattern has an organic quality that makes every section of the pen interesting to look at. Combined with the natural appearance of the stabilized wood, the result is a writing instrument that feels both distinctive and refined.

I believe the Spectra Fusion pens are made with stabilized maple burl, a material often selected for its stability and resistance to environmental stress. Each color is limited to 1,898 pieces, adding another layer of exclusivity to the collection.

A Unique Feel in the Hand

I’m a big fan of the way the Spectra Fusion pens feel in the hand, and the Burgundy version impressed me just as much.

The combination of epoxy resin and stabilized wood creates a very pleasant tactile experience. The section also has a slight grip to it, helping prevent your fingers from sliding while writing and contributing to a comfortable overall writing experience.

The materials give the pen a substantial, handcrafted feel while maintaining the smooth finish you would expect from a modern writing instrument.

A Substantial Pen with Distinctive Details

The Conklin 1898 Spectra Fusion is a fairly large fountain pen, measuring 144mm capped, with a 15mm diameter and a 31g weight. There is a noticeable step down from the barrel to the section, although I don’t find it uncomfortable. I naturally rest my fingers near the end of the metal threads, which works well for my grip.

I particularly like the chunky, semi-circular clip. It adds to the pen’s distinctive appearance without taking away from the beauty of the resin and wood finish.

The substantial clip band is another standout detail, featuring an 1898 inscription that reinforces the collection’s heritage-inspired styling.

It’s worth noting that the Spectra Fusion does not post. Personally, I don’t find this to be an issue because the pen is already a significant length and width when capped and uncapped.

A Smooth Extra Fine Nib

My pen came equipped with an Extra Fine nib, and I was very impressed with its performance.

Compared with the Medium and Broad nibs, the Extra Fine provides more feedback, but it remains smooth and wet enough to create a very pleasant writing experience. I found the nib to be on the stiffer side, which makes fast writing easier and can help reduce hand fatigue during longer writing sessions.

The fine line width also makes this nib particularly useful on lower-quality paper. This was especially helpful when using the pen at the office, where the choice of paper isn’t always in my control.

For everyday workplace writing, I found the combination of the Extra Fine nib and reliable ink flow to be particularly practical.

A Standout Office Pen

Using the Conklin 1898 Spectra Fusion at the office definitely attracted attention. The combination of swirling epoxy resin and stabilized wood created a finish that most of my colleagues hadn’t seen before.

Despite its distinctive appearance, I think the Burgundy color works particularly well in a professional environment. The deeper red and burgundy tones give the pen a more subdued and refined appearance while still allowing the unique material pattern to stand out.

I was also impressed that the pen is individually numbered. My particular pen is number 313, adding another personal touch to an already distinctive design.

Limited-Edition Appeal

With only 1,898 pens produced per color, the Spectra Fusion has an added sense of collectability.

The combination of stabilized wood, swirling epoxy resin, individual numbering, and distinctive Conklin 1898 styling gives each pen its own visual character. No two sections of the natural wood and resin combination will look exactly the same, making the material itself an important part of the appeal.

For collectors and everyday writers alike, it’s a design that offers something beyond a conventional resin fountain pen.

Final Thoughts

At $165 USD, I feel the Conklin 1898 Spectra Fusion offers a compelling combination of distinctive design, limited-edition appeal, and writing performance.

The beautiful combination of stabilized wood and swirling epoxy resin gives the pen a unique appearance, while the comfortable section and smooth Extra Fine nib make it practical for everyday writing. The Burgundy color also brings a more subdued and professional character to the Spectra Fusion design, making it particularly well suited to the office.

Add in the numbered limited-edition production, distinctive 1898 details, and versatile filling system, and the Spectra Fusion is definitely a fountain pen worth trying.

Review by Ryan Masterson – @ryans_writes