Narwhal Ikaku Lanyu Review: A Limited-Edition Urushi Flex Fountain Pen

Introduction

The Ikaku Lanyu is the latest release in Narwhal’s luxury Ikaku line, and it is not an ordinary catalog pen. Unveiled at the DC pen show, this limited edition of just 50 units worldwide is a variation on the Nautilus model, dressed in urushi and fitted with a highly customized flex nib. It sells for $800 from a number of retailers, so finding one in stock may take some searching.

Narwhal has grown steadily as a brand in recent years, moving from affordable entry-level demonstrators to Ebonite and custom resin designs, along with a long list of retailer exclusives. The Lanyu sits firmly at the top of that progression.

Who This Pen Is For

If flex writing is what you want in a luxury pen, the Lanyu is one of the most interesting offerings in that market right now. The custom nib is the heart of the pen, and the urushi work justifies the rest.

If you do not care about flex, this is a harder sell. Even fans of the finish should weigh whether an $800 limited edition fits how they actually write. For this reviewer, the looks are appealing, but flex writing is not a daily priority, so the value depends heavily on your preferences.

Design and Finish

The name Lanyu translates from Mandarin as Blue Moon, and the design leans into it. The cap comes to a rounded point and transitions into a semi-circular, half-moon clip. The barrel is straight with a medium-sized step down from the cap, and the finial mirrors the cap with its own rounded point.

The exterior treatment is the star. A deep blue urushi base coat carries lighter blue accents joined with accents made from platinum powder, condensed toward both tips and the middle of the pen. It plays beautifully with light, and each angle reveals a different look. The detailing has an understated classiness to it rather than being overly flashy.

The pen is cigar shaped and made from Ebonite, with the finish varying slightly from pen to pen. It is plenty long enough to use unposted, which matters because it is not designed to post at all. The cap simply will not fit on the back, leaving no doubt that this was intentional.

The Crossflex Nib

Under the cap, which unscrews with two full rotations, sits a stainless steel number six nib with a specialty cut called the Crossflex. This nib was created by nibmeister Ralph Reyes of Regalia Writing Labs. Portions have been removed from the sides, and larger grooves are cut into both tines, all to provide wide, effortless flex.

The catch is ink flow. At the extremes of flex, the Ebonite feed struggles to keep up, and pushing too far or too fast produces railroading. That is not a flaw so much as physics; it is tough for any feed to accommodate this level of tine spread. With a little restraint, the nib opens dramatically with very little effort, starting from a very fine line and fanning out to a huge gap. There is little apparent risk of springing the tines, but control is the price of admission.

Filling System and Everyday Use

The Lanyu is a cartridge converter pen, and it ships with a Pilot CON-70 converter. That is a genuinely useful inclusion: the pump-style converter holds more ink than a standard converter, which matters because a flex nib goes through ink quickly. If you prefer cartridges, they will need to be Pilot branded, and with little metal in the pen, eyedropper conversion works fine with the appropriate silicone grease.

Ink flow is very strong, and fast writing without pressure keeps up just fine. Reverse writing is limited; the nib is a little sharp in that direction, though it gets the job done. The test ink used was Narwhal Atlantic Blue, a bluish green shade similar in character to Monteverde’s Iced Cookie or Ferris Wheel Press Bluegrass Velvet, sold in 20 milliliter bottles.

Writing Sample and Flex Performance

With almost no effort, the nib produces noticeable flex from a fine line. Press deliberately and the tines open wide, producing a very thick stroke. The lesson from extended writing is consistency: keep your speed and pressure under control and the nib rewards you, but go wild and railroading appears, especially at high flex and speed.

The nib is a fine flex point that is a genuine pleasure to use when handled with care. For writers who practice flex regularly, that effortless spread is what separates this nib from a standard soft nib.

Buying Advice

The Lanyu sells for $800 as a limited edition of 50 units. At that price, you are paying for three things: the urushi and platinum finish over Ebonite, the low production run, and above all the customized Crossflex nib from Regalia Writing Labs. Some of the cost clearly sits in that nib work.

Since availability is limited, check multiple retailers if the pen interests you. If you find one and flex writing is central to how you enjoy fountain pens, it is a compelling purchase. If you would rather admire flex from a distance, Narwhal’s broader lineup offers plenty of interesting options at lower prices.

Conclusion

The Ikaku Lanyu is another interesting option in the Narwhal lineup and a strong statement of how far the brand has come. The urushi finish is beautiful and restrained, the Ebonite body is comfortable unposted, and the custom flex nib delivers dramatic line variation with minimal effort, as long as you write with some control. For flex enthusiasts hunting a luxury pen, it is worth the search.