Duchessa 1935 Forum 2022 Fountain Pen Review: Italian Craft in a Special Edition

Introduction

The Duchessa 1935 Forum 2022 is a special edition fountain pen from an Italian brand that we had not spent time with before. The pen arrived complete with its box, a specifications sheet, filling instructions, and a small numbered card noting that it was signed by the person who built and tested it. A nice touch, and a fitting one for a pen that is clearly positioned as a small-batch product.

The Forum 2022 edition is dedicated to the 2021 forum, and the brand states it is based on well-made products from around 60 years ago. It is turned from a solid bar of material, uses a pneumatic filler, and carries a cap band with a protective rim designed to stop cracks. It is priced at 199 euros, with additional nib units available for 50 euros.

Who This Product Is For

This pen suits fountain pen users who value small-scale Italian craftsmanship over mass production. If you enjoy hand-turned resin, unusual filling systems, and a nib with a touch of character, the Forum 2022 makes a strong case for itself. It is less aimed at someone who wants a workhorse daily writer withPosting convenience or a wide range of nib choices, since the line is limited to fine and medium and the pen does not really post.

First Impressions and Design

Right out of the box, the proportions feel right. Next to a Pilot Metropolitan, the Forum 2022 is a bit bigger, but not obscenely so, and for many people it is a comfortable size. The red translucent material used for the section and accents is polarizing in theory, but in practice it works, and the brand’s crown logo on the finial and cap band is genuinely classy.

The fit and finish suggest care throughout. Everything works, things fit well, and edges are nicely rounded off where they need to be. The cap band deserves a special mention: it wraps around the cap slightly to protect the resin from cracking under stress. That is a thoughtful detail, because resin caps can crack when clips put pressure on them, and the springy clip is pleasant to use as well.

Nib, Feed, and Writing Experience

The pen comes with a semi-flex steel nib electroplated with ruthenium, which gives it a darker, richer look than bare steel. Only fine and medium are offered, and the example on this pen is a medium. Inside, there is an ebonite feed, which is always welcome: it delivers very good ink flow and makes for a pleasant writing feel.

Writing with a light hand, the nib leaned a little dry, with a couple of skips along the way. Adding a bit of pressure changes the picture. The nib is sold as semi-flex rather than flex, and at a modest level of pressure it produced a nice bit of line variation without skipping. Reverse writing is also possible, though it feels a little more scratchy. Overall it is a pleasant writer, and the ruthenium plating combined with the ebonite feed gives the nib end a premium character.

The Pneumatic Filling System

The Forum 2022 fills from the section side using a pneumatic system, which is a little different from the usual cartridge-converter setup. The section is not designed to be unscrewed, and it should not be, since that is where the filling happens. At the rear of the barrel, the blind cap pulls off to reveal a rubber squeeze mechanism that draws ink up into the reservoir.

There is a small rubber o-ring in there as well, which keeps the blind cap seated tightly and securely. It is a fun filling system, and it adds something to the ownership experience beyond pure function. One practical note: the pen is very light, and because it does not really post, the capped-plus-body length is what you get.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The dislikes here are few, but worth knowing about. The main one is posting. The cigar shape practically begs for the cap to be posted, but while the cap sort of sticks, it sits wobbly and clearly was not designed with posting in mind. For a pen this light, some writers will want that extra length and will not get it. It is not a deal breaker, just a limitation.

The other consideration is price and nib choice. At 199 euros it is not a cheap pen, though the pricing does not feel unfair: the pens are turned from solid rods, handwork is involved, it is a special edition, and there is a clear eye for detail throughout. The nib is dry-ish as shipped, and many users would probably want to tune it a touch wetter. Nib options are limited to fine and medium, with extra nib units costing 50 euros.

Buying Advice

If the Forum 2022 appeals to you, buy it for what it is: a small-scale, carefully made Italian pen with a distinctive filling system and a nib that rewards a light touch of pressure with line variation. Do not buy it expecting a posting cap, a wet-out-of-the-box nib, or a deep nib catalogue.

For collectors and enthusiasts who already own a stable of everyday writers, this makes a satisfying addition precisely because it is different. If your budget allows one special edition a year and you want something with visible handwork and a story behind it, the 199 euro asking price is defensible. If you mostly post your pens or want maximum nib flexibility, look elsewhere.

Conclusion

The Duchessa 1935 Forum 2022 is a well-made, pleasant-to-use pen with a fun filling system, nice materials, and genuine attention to detail. The protective cap band, ebonite feed, and ruthenium-plated semi-flex nib all add up to a pen that feels built with care rather than churned out. Its shortcomings, the wobbly posting and the slightly dry nib, are minor against what it gets right. For anyone curious about smaller Italian pen brands, this special edition is a rewarding place to start.