Fig Boot on Pens x Montegrappa Aurora Borealis: A Limited Edition Fountain Pen Inspired by the Northern Lights

Introduction

The Fig Boot on Pens x Montegrappa Aurora Borealis is the seventh collaboration project from Fig Boot on Pens, and this time it partners with the Italian brand Montegrappa. Limited to just 50 units, the pen is built on the Montegrappa Venetia model and takes its inspiration from the Northern Lights: a deep black body cut through with wispy green swaths, plus a subtle glow-in-the-dark quality as a secondary detail.

This is a pre-sale project with a clear structure: orders open on October 12th and run through October 20th, with nibs fitted to order before the finished pens ship out.

The Design Story: From Concept to Resin

The starting concept was ambitious. The idea was to combine an ultra-black pigment, similar in spirit to light-absorbing materials like Vantablack, with an intense glow effect. As it turns out, those extreme black pigments are not suitable for pen blanks, so the project substituted a more appropriate deep black. The glow was also toned down deliberately, since glow-in-the-dark pens tend to carry a milky green cast that would have spoiled the look. Additional green pigment was mixed in so the resin stands on its own, with the glow becoming more of a bonus feature than a headline act.

The resin was developed with Tim Crow of the Turn Pen Company, whose work translated the concept into something close to the original vision. Because of how the resin is mixed, every pen in the edition is slightly different, though the samples share a clear family resemblance: some carry more green on the cap, others show wider swaths along the barrel.

Parts, Trim, and Nib Options

The Aurora Borealis is a medium-size pen with ruthenium trim throughout, chosen to suit the darker resin better than standard silver. The cap tapers to a pointed tip, and the wheel clip operates smoothly. The Montegrappa logo is engraved and filled in white lacquer, with the Fig Boot logo on the reverse, both of which pop nicely against the dark material. The cap band carries the company name, Italy, and the individual limited edition number.

The cap twists off in one and a quarter rotations to reveal a ruthenium-plated number six nib with Montegrappa’s octagonal stamping, a design detail that looks particularly sharp as ink creeps into the engraving. Buyers choose between a stainless steel nib and a 14k gold nib, each available in extra fine, fine, medium, broad, or stub. The barrel tapers evenly and ends in a prominent point that mirrors the cap.

Cartridge Converter Filling and Everyday Handling

The pen fills via standard international cartridges, two of which are included, or via the supplied converter. A nice touch: the ruthenium finish extends to the section housing, visible only when the pen is inked.

On handling, the section begins with a slight flare before angling up to shallow, rounded cap threads. If your grip drifts onto the threads, there is no discomfort. The larger step up to the barrel is smooth and unobtrusive even for grips that contact that area. The cap does post, though only shallowly, and sits on the barrel with a moderately secure feel rather than a rock-solid one.

Availability, Pricing, and Ordering Details

This edition is only available through figboot.com. The pre-sale opens at 10:00 a.m. Eastern on Saturday, October 12th and runs through Sunday, October 20th, as long as supplies last. One of the 50 pens is kept by the project lead, so 49 are available. The pens are already made and waiting in Italy for nibs to be fitted, with delivery expected within a week or two after the pre-sale closes. Every previous project has been delivered on time.

Pricing is $495 with a stainless steel nib, matching the standard retail price of the Montegrappa Venetia, or $695 with the 14k gold nib. Shipping is $15 within the US and $25 international. The pre-sale format exists specifically so buyers can select their preferred nib material and size.

Writing Performance

The writing sample uses a medium stainless steel nib with Diamine Apple Glory, a favorite vibrant green ink that pairs naturally with the pen’s green resin. The steel nib has a touch of feedback, modest line variation, and a decent, rather generous ink flow for a medium point. Reverse writing is adequate, laying down an extra-fine line, and the feed keeps up well during fast writing.

Buying Advice

With only 49 pens available and both nib material and nib size chosen at order time, early decision matters here. Choose the steel nib at $495 if you want the standard Venetia price with full nib range flexibility, or the 14k gold option at $695 if you prefer a more upscale writing feel. Since each pen’s resin pattern varies slightly, keep in mind that the exact swirl placement is part of the appeal of a small artisan edition like this.

Conclusion

The Aurora Borealis delivers a distinctive concept: a deep black and green resin with a subdued glow, ruthenium trim on a medium Venetia platform, and a genuinely customizable nib choice. For collectors of limited edition collaborations or anyone drawn to the Northern Lights aesthetic, this is a thoughtfully executed release with a short and predictable delivery window.