S.T. Dupont Sunburst and Starburst (Line D): Two US-Exclusive Fountain Pens Worth a Close Look

Introduction

S.T. Dupont has been getting more attention in the US lately, and the latest additions to the lineup are a good example of why. The Sunburst and Starburst are two new variations on the brand’s Line D model. Neither is a limited edition, but both are US-exclusive editions, and the two are sold separately rather than as a set.

The pens are manufactured at S.T. Dupont’s factory in Faverges, France, near the French Alps. At authorized dealers they sell for $895 each, which places them firmly in luxury territory and in line with the rest of the brand’s offerings. Here is how the two pens differ, what they do well, and a few things to consider before spending that kind of money.

Design and Finish: Pearlescent Lacquer Done Right

The difference between these two pens comes down to trim and color scheme. The Starburst uses silver-colored trim, with the section and nib finished in silver to match. The Sunburst pairs gold trim with a gold section and nib. Beyond that, they are the same pen.

The finishes are what set them apart visually. The Starburst carries a natural blue lacquer with a silver pearlescent spray, while the Sunburst gets a black lacquer with a gold pearlescent spray. In both cases the distribution of the spray is handled well: it is saturated near the middle of the pen, yet the texture of the individual droplets remains visible rather than merging into a solid color. Because of the sprayed finish, every pen in the series will be slightly unique. Two pens will look identical from a distance, but the lacquer distribution varies from piece to piece.

Other details follow the Line D template. The cap top carries the S.T. Dupont D logo, transitioning into an articulating clip that feels size-appropriate, topped with a black lacquer shield that is part of the brand’s heraldry. The cap itself is rather bulbous, the transition from cap to barrel is tapered and smooth, and the barrel band reads “S.T. Dupont Paris” with a leaf symbol signifying the use of Chinese lacquer. The exterior coating is smooth to the touch even though the finish has a textured look.

Cap Mechanism and Build

The snap cap works smoothly and holds securely. S.T. Dupont famously makes lighters that produce a distinctive audible ding when opened, and the marketing for these pens claims the cap mechanism mimics that ring. In practice, the sound is pleasant but not particularly loud, and it does not really resemble the lighter’s signature ding. It is worth knowing that before buying on the strength of that claim alone.

The base appears to be brass, giving the pen enough heft to feel substantial without becoming burdensome during long writing sessions. One caution: with the amount of metal in the pen, eyedropper conversion would not be recommended.

Nib, Section, and Filling System

Under the cap sits a 14 karat gold nib, silver on the Starburst and gold on the Sunburst, with attractive nib stamping. While the nib suits the overall design, it is smaller than the pen’s size might suggest, essentially a number five. It is available in fine or medium, paired with a plastic feed.

The metal section is one of the standout design elements. It begins with a pronounced flare and is encircled with grooves before angling steeply up into the barrel. A metal section this steep could easily feel slick, but the grooves make it genuinely comfortable to hold, and it simply looks good.

This is a cartridge/converter pen that accepts standard international cartridges, and a converter is provided in the box. The packaging includes a use and care guide along with warranty information.

Size, Balance, and Handling

The two pens are exactly the same size. In comparisons, the Line D sits alongside large flagship pens such as the Montblanc 149, the Pelikan M1000, and the Visconti Homo Sapiens, though it is a different shape overall with its bulbous cap. The cap does snap securely to post, but posting throws off the balance and makes the pen a bit unwieldy.

Fortunately, it is long enough to use comfortably unposted, which is how it handles best. The overall weight distribution feels good in the hand without the pen becoming tiring.

Price and Availability

At authorized dealers, both pens sell for $895. Through other retailers you can find them for about $179 less, bringing the cost down to $716. That is still expensive, but the pricing is consistent with the rest of the S.T. Dupont range, and these are luxury writing instruments with a correspondingly premium feel.

Writing Performance

The nibs are the highlight of these pens, and honestly of S.T. Dupont pens in general. The 14 karat gold medium nib used in the writing sample produced a little bit of line variation, and the ink flow is generous. Reverse writing is fairly smooth, and during fast writing the feed keeps up just fine. It is hard to overstate how well these nibs perform.

The writing sample used Visconti Green, a nicely saturated blue-leaning green that reads slightly more blue-green than comparisons like Montblanc Irish Green or Private Reserve Sherwood Green.

Conclusion

The Sunburst and Starburst are interesting, well-executed additions to the S.T. Dupont Line D lineup. The pearlescent lacquer finishes are genuinely attractive, the grooved metal section is both comfortable and handsome, and the 14k gold nibs are outstanding. The main considerations are the luxury price, the smaller-than-expected nib, and the fact that posting upsets the balance. If you have been eyeing an S.T. Dupont, either of these makes a compelling case, and between the two it simply comes down to whether blue with silver or black with gold suits your taste better.