Pen Review: Moonman A1, EF

My newest arrival came in the mail a few days ago from China. I will typically buy Chinese-made fountain pens from various sellers on eBay, AliExpress, and Wish. Because this one was a more expensive example at around $35, I got this one from eBay for the buyer protection. I also like buying from sellers who offer SpeedPAK so it doesn't take two months for what I've ordered to arrive.

Inspired by the Pilot Vanishing Point, the Moonman (now Majohn) A1 has several features I like.

I like the all-metal body with the chrome accents. I don't mind a slick surface on my pens. While not as heavy as something like the Jinhao 159, it's within a few grams in terms of weight. I find it to be well-balanced and comfortable to write with for long periods of time. It fits into my hand beautifully, even thought my hand is small. It's currently one of my favorite journaling pens. A good journaling pen for me disappears from the process and allows me to focus purely on my own thoughts. The A1 does that exceedingly well.

I also love the pearled white finish. It's not a flat white, which is what I was expecting. I tend to match my pens and ink colors, so this one allows me to trick my goblin brain into putting whatever ink I want into it. I currently have it inked with Organics Studios Jane Austen. 

Because it's an EF, which I usually don't like because they don't keep up with the size and speed of my handwriting, I find it's best paired with a wetter ink for me. Jane Austen isn't the best example, but it's not the worst. It works well when I write smaller and slow down—another reason I use it as a journaling pen.

I attribute my satisfaction with this pen to one very important feature: it's clipless, which Pilot doesn't offer. I don't use pen clips, so having one doesn't matter to me. I certainly don't want a clip in my grip section. I don't care how much it doesn't bother other people. I wouldn't like this pen nearly as much if it had one there.

Having a gold nib also is not a priority for me. I don't need luxury features on my pens that make them more expensive and leave me feeling afraid to use, lose, or damage them. My pens are tools, not luxury items. Steel nibs suit me just fine.

If Pilot made this pen with the features and options I wanted at this price point, I would've purchased it from them. They didn't, so I didn't. It's truly that simple. So if you want a retractable fountain pen, but the design and/or price point of the Vanishing Point just doesn't do it for you, look no further than the Moonman/Majohn A1.