Conco Pens Aurora Fountain Pen Review: Vietnamese Lacquer Craftsmanship at an Approachable Price

Introduction

Conco Pens is a fountain pen brand based in Hanoi, Vietnam, and it is a genuine newcomer: the company began producing fountain pens in 2022. The name comes from the Vietnamese word for stork, which appears in the company logo, and the brand was born from a passion for handcrafted writing instruments and a desire to celebrate traditional Vietnamese craftsmanship. What started as a small workshop making unique pens for personal enjoyment has grown into a brand blending artisanal heritage with modern functionality.

The Aurora model reviewed here is the mother of pearl lacquer inlay version, and it is a striking first impression of what this young company can do.

Who This Pen Is For

Conco Pens specializes in pens made from natural materials: Vietnamese lacquer, mother of pearl, abalone shell, and woods native to Vietnam such as rosewood and ebony. The company deliberately minimizes the use of plastics and resins, aiming to create pens that are environmentally conscious and refined in performance.

This pen makes the most sense for collectors who want an entry into the urushi lacquer and maki-e space without paying the prices that Japanese brands typically command. At $345, with the brand carried by only a few retailers worldwide, it offers a distinctive look that few pens at this level can match.

Main Strengths

The Aurora is built on a wood base with Vietnamese lacquer applied over it. Vietnamese lacquer, known as son ta, belongs to the same family of natural tree resin lacquers as the urushi found in Japan and China, but it differs in chemical structure and reaction dynamics. Where urushi cures quicker and forms a hard, highly glossy surface, Vietnamese lacquer cures more slowly and offers more depth, warmth, and a distinctive sheen. The pen also contains mineral pigments in the black lacquer derived from malachite, lapis lazuli, cinnabar, and orpiment, visible as tiny flecks under magnification.

The roiro (black raised lacquer) work on the cap, barrel, and even the section is genuinely impressive, with a smooth finish free of noticeable bumps. The cap twists off with just under one rotation, revealing a number six stainless steel nib that is 24 karat gold plated and engraved with the stork logo. It is currently available in fine and medium only. The pen is a cartridge converter design accepting standard international cartridges, and a Schneider converter is included.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The section is a little on the thinner side, though a ridge helps maintain grip, and the transition step is rounded and comfortable even if your grip rests on it. The fine nib has noticeable feedback. It is not scratchy, but it is firmer than many fine nibs, so if you prefer smooth fine points, the medium may suit you better. Ink flow is on the lower side, reverse writing is not this nib’s strength, and the feed keeps up well with fast writing.

Two practical cautions: the pen is long enough to use unposted, but posting is not recommended because metal cap threads inside the barrel could scratch the lacquer. Eyedropper conversion is also a bad idea here, since the wood interior is porous. Finally, because each pen is handcrafted, no two are identical, so the exact inlay pattern you receive will be unique.

Buying Advice

At $345, the Aurora is a reasonable entry point into the urushi and maki-e aesthetic, especially considering the handcrafted shell inlay, roiro work, and natural wood base. For comparison, the design language places it alongside decorated pens from established Japanese and Western brands, and it holds its own visually against pens that cost considerably more.

If you value natural materials, handcrafted finish work, and a design that stands apart from resin pens, the Aurora deserves a spot on your shortlist. If you demand a glass-smooth fine nib or high ink flow, test the medium nib or temper your expectations.

Conclusion

This is an impressive initial offering from a young Vietnamese maker. The craftsmanship is real: the urushi-style lacquer work is comparable to much of what is available elsewhere, the wood base is a welcome touch, and the mother of pearl and abalone inlay gives the pen a look that reminds one of decorated pens from far more established brands. It will be interesting to see what Conco Pens brings to market next.