Semi Pens Bold Review: A 3D-Printed Italian Fountain Pen with a Number 8 Titanium Nib

Introduction

Every so often a pen arrives that ticks a surprising number of boxes at once, and the Semi Pens Bold is exactly that kind of object. Made by Luca, a pen maker based in Imola, Italy, the Bold is 3D printed from nylon, designed around larger hands, and topped with a Bock number 8 broad titanium nib. It is a big, girthy, unmistakably personal writing instrument from a small maker, and it has quickly become a pen that is hard to put down.

Who This Pen Is For

The Bold is unapologetically large. Held next to a Pilot Metropolitan, it is fairly long but not excessive; the defining trait is the girth. Luca designed it around his own big hands, and if the section feels comfortable in yours, that tells you something. The cap and barrel are printed in Nylon 12, which keeps weight remarkably low: roughly 21 grams capped and 16 grams uncapped.

If you love heavy pens, this is absolutely not the pen for you. If you prefer a smaller pen or have smaller hands, Luca’s smaller models, such as the Lorem Ipsum with its number 6 nib, would be a better fit. But if “large and light” sounds like your ideal combination, the Bold should be on your list.

Main Strengths

The headline feature is the Bock number 8 broad titanium nib. Number 8 nibs are loved for good reason, and this one looks noticeably shinier and more reflective than most. Paired with an ebonite feed, it is a genuinely pleasant writer with generous, controlled ink flow. The proportions work well too: on a pen this girthy, a number 6 nib would look undersized, but the number 8 sits naturally.

The triple-start threads let you uncap the pen in a single turn, which is a small touch that makes daily use feel effortless, even one-handed. The printed texture on the body is subtle and attractive, showing that real finishing work goes into these pens rather than simply printing and shipping.

The barrel also has an O-ring inside, and with a little silicone grease on the threads there is no obvious reason the pen could not be converted to an eyedropper filler. It ships with a converter, and the big threads are wide and not sharp against the skin.

The unboxing experience deserves mention as well. The packaging is a simple recyclable cardboard box, which is a sensible choice, but it includes a printed card with the pen’s details, a writing sample showing the pen has actually been used before shipping, and a delightful denim-feeling fabric pen sleeve that wraps around the pen like a little robe with a hood. It is a charming, personal touch.

Writing Performance

Ink used for testing was a washable blue (Elder Grove Blue), and the number 8 broad nib delivered a wet, saturated line without being excessively broad. For everyday writing, it keeps up easily with fast handwriting, and no hard starts or skipping appeared during use.

There is naturally very little line variation, as this is a round nib. Titanium nibs do allow a touch of pressure for a slightly more expressive signature, but be careful: titanium tines can spring, and unlike gold they do not give you the same warning feeling. Reverse writing is a little scratchier, with more feedback, but still workable and smooth enough to be pleasant.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The only real caveat is size. This pen is big and girthy, which is precisely the point, but it will not suit smaller hands. Its lightness is equally polarizing: if you have never held a 3D-printed pen, understand that these are very light instruments, and that feel may not be for you.

As for price, the Bold model was not listed on the website at the time of writing, so an exact figure is unavailable. A very similar-looking model, the Lorem Ipsum with a steel Bock number 6 nib, sells for around 128 Canadian, so the Bold, with its larger titanium number 8 nib, is likely somewhat more. Given the small-batch production, the included converter, the finishing work, and the quality of the writing experience, that pricing seems fair. Small makers simply cannot sell a pen like this for pocket change.

Luca also sells a 3D-printed pen rest in packs of three for 36 Canadian, available in different colors. It has visible print lines that give it a slightly different texture from the pen itself, and it holds the pen so the nib section never touches the surface, which works very well in practice.

Buying Advice

If you want a large, light fountain pen with a serious nib from an independent maker, the Bold is an easy recommendation. If you prefer smaller or heavier pens, look elsewhere in Luca’s lineup or skip 3D-printed pens entirely. Either way, reaching out directly to ask about current pricing and availability is worthwhile, since the website does not currently list this specific model.

Conclusion

The Semi Pens Bold is a beautiful writer, a comfortable large pen, and a testament to what small-scale 3D printing can achieve when done with care. Between the number 8 titanium nib, the single-turn uncapping, the eyedropper potential, and the genuinely charming packaging details, it is rapidly becoming a favorite. If large, light, and Italian-made sounds like your kind of pen, this one deserves a serious look.