Ferris Wheel Press Jewel Review: A Brass Fountain Pen with Distinctive Style

Introduction

The Jewel is a fountain pen from Ferris Wheel Press, the Ontario, Canada-based brand known for putting as much care into presentation as into the pens themselves. The name is a nod to the joule, the unit of energy in the International System of Units, chosen to represent what the brand describes as the unit of creative energy in our universe. The review sample here is the Luna Celeste finish, which arrives in a leather pen sleeve embossed with the Ferris Wheel Press logo and a Canadian maple leaf on the back.

Who This Product Is For

The Jewel suits writers who want a brass-bodied pen with real presence and a distinctive grip section, and who prefer a firm nib with consistent, controlled lines. If you enjoy cartridge-converter convenience and do not need a flexy writing experience, this pen fits comfortably in that space.

Design and Build

The body is made from brass with gold-plated trim. The cap twists off with two full rotations, and the profile features rounded ends, a straight barrel section of about two inches, and a wide band near the front that doubles as a convenient place to hold the pen while capping and un)capping. The standout feature is the section: an engraved, steam-punk-inspired metal grip that looks great and, more practically, keeps the metal section from feeling slick in hand.

The pen accepts standard international cartridges, and a converter is included. An o-ring near the end of the barrel lessens the stress of the final twist on the material, a small but thoughtful touch given the metal construction.

Writing Performance

The Jewel uses a number six stainless steel nib, a step up from the number five nibs Ferris Wheel Press has typically used. The nib is firm with very little flexibility, so fans of stiff nibs will feel at home here. Ink flow sits on the lower side, and the medium nib writes closer to a medium-fine than a medium-broad. Reverse writing produces an extra-fine line, though it is a little spotty. During faster writing, the feed keeps up well.

For the writing sample, Ferris Wheel Press Tumbling Time Blue was used, a saturated blue with a touch of shimmer. It is worth noting that the necks of Ferris Wheel Press ink bottles are narrow; this particular pen fits, but pens with significantly thicker sections may require decanting or a syringe.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The Luna Celeste retails for $180 on the Ferris Wheel Press website, a reasonable price for what you receive. A few practical caveats apply: the cap posts, but not deeply and not securely, and posting actually caused a small scratch on the sample, so it is best used unposted. The pen is plenty long enough unposted, which makes this easy to live with. Eyedropper conversion is not recommended given the brass construction, and the shallow threads and medium step from section to barrel are worth noting if you are sensitive to those details.

Buying Advice

If you value a striking engraved section, a solid brass build, and a firm, precise nib, the Jewel is an easy recommendation at its price. If you prefer softer, bouncier nibs or frequently post your caps, you may want to look elsewhere within the brand’s range, such as the smaller and thinner Brush model, before committing.

Conclusion

The Ferris Wheel Press Jewel in Luna Celeste delivers distinctive design, thoughtful details like the o-ring and engraved grip, and dependable everyday writing in a brass body. At $180, it feels appropriately priced for the experience it offers, with the main trade-offs being the firm nib character and the cap that is best left unposted.