Dare Works Infinigraph Review: A Futuristic Fountain Pen You Can Reskin

Introduction

It is refreshing when a pen company takes a genuine risk on something unfamiliar. Dare Works, a Japanese manufacturer, has done exactly that with the Infinigraph, a futuristic-looking fountain pen launched through a Kickstarter campaign. This review walks through the parts and features of this avant-garde offering, along with size comparisons and a writing sample, to help you decide whether it deserves a spot in your rotation.

Three things set the Infinigraph apart: a sleek futuristic design, interchangeable exterior parts, and a rollerball conversion kit. There is a lot going on here, and not all of it will appeal to everyone.

Design and Build

The Infinigraph ships in a large aluminum box, almost like a lunch pail, with the company logo on top. Inside you get the pen, the rollerball conversion, and a set of extra interchangeable parts. The body uses a triangular design with a semi-triangle on the fourth side, so it technically has four sides but still reads as a triangle. Rubber end caps on the barrel and the top of the cap carry the company initials, and a racing stripe runs down the pen for a sharp, distinctive look.

The cap angles up and transitions smoothly into the barrel, which then switches orientation so that what was the longer side becomes the double side toward the rear. It is an unusual geometry that gives the pen its futuristic character.

Nib, Section, and Filling

Under the pull-off cap sits a somewhat diminutive stainless steel nib, roughly between a number four and a number five, stamped with the company logo. The nib folds over slightly at the sides, similar in style to LAMY nibs, and a plastic feed sits behind it. The section is plastic with the same triangular shaping, and while it feels reasonably ergonomic, it is not as constricting as a LAMY section, so a variety of grip positions should still work. The transition from section to barrel is minimal, so even if your grip rests on the barrel, it will not cause discomfort.

The cap can post, but it does not sit especially securely, so this pen is best used unposted. The section slips straight out, held in place by magnets, so there is little risk of it popping off on its own. The pen is a cartridge-converter design and includes a converter that resembles a standard international unit, though it did not match any of the standard international converters on hand, so it may be proprietary. Given the amount of metal in the barrel, eye-dropper conversion is not recommended.

Rollerball Conversion

Swapping the fountain pen section for the rollerball unit is simple thanks to the magnetic mount, and the pen looks equally good in both configurations. There are times when a fountain pen is not practical, and having a genuine rollerball conversion available makes the Infinigraph more versatile than most pens in this space.

Interchangeable Body Panels

The headline feature is the interchangeable body. Each exterior body panel is held on by magnets and can be removed to reveal an inner frame with strikingly futuristic lines. The exposed frame is not something you would want to write with, since some of the inner edges are a little sharp, but it looks great in that stripped-down state.

Along with the stock panels, the package includes a second set of colors, in this case black, so the pen can be switched from white to black, or even mixed into a half-black, half-white configuration. Most panels attach very firmly, and none popped off during use. However, the top panel on both the white and black sets has a small amount of play, which leaves a little extra space and raises a concern that it could be dislodged accidentally. The other three panels have virtually no play, and neither panel appears bent, but a tighter tolerance here would be welcome.

One honest note on the feature itself: with modular pens like this, many owners settle on a favorite configuration and leave it there rather than swapping constantly. If you enjoy changing the look of your pen regularly, this will be a genuine highlight; if not, you will still appreciate the ability to pick your ideal look once. The dark blue stripe in particular shows up better on the white panels than on the black.

Size Comparisons

The Infinigraph sits comfortably alongside other full-size fountain pens. Compared side by side, it stands next to a Sailor Pro Gear 2, a Narwhal Nautilus, a Visconti Homo sapiens, a Montblanc StarWalker, a Montegrappa Elmo, and a Pilot Vanishing Point. In uncapped comparisons it is similarly proportioned to the Homo sapiens, the Pro Gear 2, and the Nautilus. It is a substantial pen rather than a compact pocket model.

Writing Performance

The writing sample was produced with Yard-O-Led Imperial Purple, a royal purple ink with a golden sheen, somewhat similar to Diamine Purple Rain but not quite as dark, alongsideKWZ Quebec Summer Purple. The nib size is unmarked, so it is best described as medium-fine: possibly a Japanese medium or more of a fine.

The nib itself is the weak point. It is somewhat stiff, so line variation is minimal, and it is not the smoothest writer. It is not scratchy, but it has a bit of drag, and the ink flow runs on the low side. Writing with it feels a little like using an unsharpened pencil, and a higher-quality nib would make the experience more pleasant. On the positive side, reverse writing lays down an extra-fine line, and the feed keeps up perfectly even with fast writing.

Buying Advice

Through the Kickstarter campaign there are various pledge tiers for different item combinations. A single standard pen, which includes the rollerball conversion kit and the additional color set, comes in at about $83. If the campaign succeeds, additional skins are planned. With the campaign closing soon, interested buyers would be wise to act sooner rather than later.

Whether or not the look and features appeal to you, the Infinigraph is undeniably unique, and the effort to stand out from other pens is worth appreciating. It is best suited to enthusiasts who value novelty and customization and can accept a mediocre nib in exchange for a genuinely original design.

Conclusion

The Dare Works Infinigraph is an intriguing offering: modular magnetic body panels, a rollerball conversion, and a futuristic triangular silhouette you will not find elsewhere. Its main compromise is writing performance, where the nib’s stiffness and drag hold it back from excellence. For collectors who want something no one else at the pen club will have, it is a compelling proposition.