Retro 51 Tornado Coffee House Review: A Chalkboard-Themed Fountain Pen

Introduction

Retro 51, based in Richardson, Texas, has built a strong niche over the years with themed pens covering just about any hobby or interest you can imagine. After a period of uncertainty when the original management retired, the company was sold to new management and continues going strong. The Tornado Coffee House is one of its latest retailer exclusive fountain pens, and it takes its inspiration from the chalkboards you see at local coffee shops. Priced at $119 and available only through Goldspot Pens, it sits at a fairly common price point for Retro 51’s limited edition fountain pens.

Packaging and First Impressions

The pen arrives in the distinctive cylindrical tube Retro 51 is known for, complete with a custom label for the model. The company has produced what must be thousands of themed designs over the years, and packaging has always been a strong point. Inside the tube you get a use and care guide, which carries one of the company mottoes: life is too short to carry an ugly pen. A converter is also included, along with a couple of cartridges stored inside the pen itself.

Design and Details

The Tornado Coffee House is made from metal, with a black-and-white motif drawn from coffee house chalkboards, complete with coffee cups, carafes and plenty of scattered beans. Artist Tracy Marschallon, who has created artwork for a number of other themed pens, designed it. It is a coffee-themed pen that is not brown, which is a refreshing change. The artwork is rather busy; at arm’s length it simply looks interesting, and you only really understand the theme once you get a close-up look.

The cap finial carries themed artwork of a steaming cup of coffee, above a raised knurled portion. A band holds the company branding in black on black, which hides it nicely, and the limited edition number filled in with gold, which really helps it pop. This is a limited edition of 250 units. The standard Retro 51 clip starts out a bit stiff but tends to become slightly more flexible with use. The cap twists off in just under two rotations, and the cap posts deeply and securely.

Nib, Filling and Writing Experience

Under the cap sits a stainless steel number 6 Jowo nib, coated black to match the pen’s aesthetics. It is available in extra fine, fine, medium and a 1.1 stub. The sample here is a medium, which proves serviceable rather than spectacular: a little feedback, decent ink flow, not much line variation, but it gets the job done and handles fast writing nicely.

This is a cartridge converter pen, shipping with two standard international short cartridges plus a converter. The metal section is not slick and the metal threads are not sharp, and the pen is fairly light for a metal pen, long enough to use unposted. Backweighting from the posted cap is noticeable, but the additional weight is arguably a plus for some writers. One thing to note: the section threads squeak slightly, and the black plating showed a small amount of wear, which may be a minor manufacturing flaw. Because of the metal body, eyedropper conversion is not recommended.

Who This Pen Is For

If you associate strongly with the coffee house theme, this pen makes a lot of sense at $119. Pair it with a dark green ink and you get a really attractive result on the page, echoing the deep tones of the artwork itself. As an everyday carry, the tapered design slides easily into a well-worn elastic pen loop, much like the brand’s rollerballs do.

Buying Advice

This is an easy recommendation for collectors who enjoy themed limited editions and for anyone who wants a distinctive metal fountain pen that does not take itself too seriously. The extra fine, fine, medium and 1.1 stub nib options give you room to match the pen to your writing style. Just be aware of the squeaky threads and the possibility of minor plating wear before committing.

Conclusion

The Retro 51 Tornado Coffee House captures the essence of a coffee house chalkboard in a well-built, fairly light metal fountain pen with a serviceable Jowo nib and solid packaging. It will not suit everyone, particularly if busy artwork is not your thing, but for fans of the theme and of Retro 51’s limited editions, it is a charming addition to a pen case.