Graf von Faber-Castell Pen of the Year 2022 Aztecs: A Skull Rack You Can Write With

Introduction

Every year Graf von Faber-Castell releases a Pen of the Year, and the series has been running since 2003. The 2022 edition, its 19th, is called Aztecs, and it is inspired by the culture, aesthetics, and religious rites of the Aztec empire, which was established in 1428 in what is now Mexico. Like previous editions such as Sparta and Knights, this pen is packed with symbolism, and a great deal of thought went into the details. The result is a pen that feels like a themed object first and a writing instrument second, which is precisely what this annual release is about.

Who This Product Is For

This is a pen for a very limited market. At a list price of $6,400 for the fountain pen version, and $6,000 for the rollerball version, it is aimed at collectors who treat pens as art rather than tools. If you are the kind of buyer who enjoys the story behind an object as much as the object itself, and you have room in a collection for a genuinely unusual limited edition, this pen is squarely built for you. It is limited to 375 units, and these annual editions do tend to sell out.

Packaging That Matches the Occasion

Graf von Faber-Castell does an outstanding job of making the purchase feel significant. The pen arrives in a very large outer box with a small front flap bearing the company name, and inside that is a second, smaller box holding the pen itself. The felt-lined interior protects the piano lacquered finish, and a protective plastic sleeve covers the front portion.

One detail that stands out: the top tray holds only the pen, but underneath it sits a lower tray designed to hold six pens. So many luxury boxes are built for a single pen and nothing more, so it is nice to see packaging that has a second life. Beneath the trays you get a beautifully produced manual covering the cultural history behind the design, a certificate of authenticity, and a use and care guide with warranty information.

There is also a practical ownership perk. Once registered with Graf von Faber-Castell, the pen qualifies for a complimentary annual service: you send it in, the company cleans and services it at no charge, with a turnaround of around two weeks. For a pen at this price, manufacturer maintenance is a sensible inclusion.

Main Strengths

The pen is made from metal with an anthracite grey DLC coating, where DLC stands for diamond-like carbon. The finish provides a strong high-gloss surface with a near gunmetal look that does not attract too many fingerprints. It would have been nice to see a polishing cloth included, but the finish itself holds up well.

The cap is octagonal with concave facets meant to resemble the shape of a prickly pear cactus, a reference to the Aztec founding legend in which an eagle perched on a cactus devouring a snake marked the place where the empire settled, the site of what is now Mexico City. An eagle is engraved in turquoise on the cap, and the concave facets give the cap a genuinely different look from typical round caps.

The barrel carries 132 skulls, arranged as 11 columns of 12, representing a skull rack of the kind common at Aztec temples. The raised skulls add an interesting textural element to the pen, and the carving detail rewards close inspection. At the end of the barrel, another turquoise engraving depicts the god of the dead, portrayed as a skull wearing a headdress adorned with owl feathers. Skeletons were symbols of fertility and health in Aztec culture, and decorated skulls still play a role in Mexican celebrations such as the Day of the Dead.

The filling system is a genuine highlight. What looks like a piston knob at the end of the barrel is actually a blind cap; twist it off and you reveal the real piston knob underneath. The company describes it as a plunger-type system, but it is a piston, and it is very smooth, with a satisfying ratcheting mechanism that prevents over-tightening. The internal mechanism feels made from quality materials. The piston knob end is engraved with Pen of the Year 2022 and the limited edition number.

Under the cap, which comes off in a single rotation, sits an 18 carat ruthenium-coated nib described as magnum sized, though it is essentially the same size as a standard number six nib. It is available in fine, medium, broad, and double broad, stamped with Pen of the Year alongside the classic Graf von Faber-Castell imprint. The section is made from obsidian, the volcanic glass the Aztecs used for blades and spearheads.

The overall weight and balance feel fantastic in the hand. The pen is fairly heavy and feels very solid, like a quality object, which matters at this price.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The obsidian section is a bit on the slick side. Given the significant overall weight of the pen, a matte or more textured finish would have offered more grip control. Most grips will rest comfortably before the metal threads, and the threads are neither sharp nor uncomfortable, but if you tend to grip further back you will want to note this.

The cap only sort of posts: it sits on the end without seating deeply or securely. With a pen this heavy and a very heavy cap, posting is not advisable even if you could get it to stay. Size is also worth thinking about; this is a large pen, sitting comfortably alongside other flagship pieces, so check how it compares against pens you already own.

There is no getting around the price either. At $6,400 this is an expensive pen, and while it feels comparable in build quality to other pens in this range, value at this level is inherently subjective.

Buying Advice

When you are considering a pen in this price range, you are not just buying a pen. You are paying for the physical materials, but also for the design story, the symbolism, and the scarcity of a 375-piece edition. Placing a value on something like this is somewhat subjective; it is worth what people will pay for such a unique creation.

What makes this edition appealing is restraint. The pen has a theme without being too ostentatious, and through its many elements it pays tribute to Aztec traditions and culture without feeling exploitative. If you collect the Pen of the Year series, this is a good addition to the lineup, and if you simply want one striking conversation-piece fountain pen, it earns its place too. Buy it through a reputable retailer, register it, and use the complimentary annual service to keep it in top condition.

Conclusion

The Graf von Faber-Castell Pen of the Year 2022 Aztecs is a thoughtfully executed limited edition: DLC-coated metal, turquoise engravings, an obsidian section, a smooth piston filler, and an 18 carat ruthenium nib, all built around genuine Aztec symbolism. The slick section and awkward posting are minor complaints in a pen designed first as a collectible object. For collectors of high-end limited editions, it is a worthy entry in a series that keeps making these annual releases feel special.