Skogsy Pens Choya Micarta Review: A Handmade Fountain Pen With Real Character

Introduction

One of the best things about the fountain pen hobby is discovering makers you had never heard of, and a recent pen show find is exactly that kind of discovery. Skogsy Pens is a small husband-and-wife workshop, and their Choya in Micarta sold out completely by the end of the show. This review takes a closer look at the parts, materials, writing performance, and overall value of the Choya Micarta.

The Story Behind Skogsy Pens

Skogsy Pens is currently based out of Arizona, with a move to San Diego planned in the near future. The brand takes its name from the last name of the people behind it, Zach and Amy Skogsy. Zach got his start with fountain pens just a couple of years ago after being gifted one, dove headfirst into the hobby, and began creating pens himself in the spring of 2021 to match his own ideal shape, size, and aesthetic. The couple turn their pens by hand, so every pen is essentially a custom piece.

The Choya is named after a cactus native to the southwest United States, sometimes called the jumping Choya for the way its barbs latch onto passersby. The pen itself is made from Micarta, a composite of resin and typically linen, though it can also be made with canvas, paper, fiberglass, or carbon fiber. Micarta is technically a registered trademark, but it has become a genericized term for similar composites, much like Kleenex or Q-tip. Zach has even discussed making his own Micarta from scratch to offer the material in a wider variety of colors.

Design and Materials

This is not a long pen. It is about the same length as a Sailor Pro Gear 2, a touch longer than the standard Pro Gear, but it carries noticeably more girth. The flat top of the cap shows off a lovely cross-section of the material, revealing the layers of resin and linen. The cap angles upward and then straightens out for roughly the last inch, and there is no cap band or exterior branding anywhere on the pen.

The barrel begins with an extremely small step down from the cap, then tapers almost immediately to a flat end that mirrors the cap top. What impressed me most is the material matching between cap and barrel. Micarta is not going to produce a perfect match at the transition, but the alignment here is about as close as you could reasonably expect, and getting that consistency every time is genuinely difficult.

Nib and Writing Performance

The cap twists off with a single rotation to reveal a standard number 6 JoWo stainless steel nib and a plastic feed. Because these are essentially custom pens, you can likely request just about any standard tipping size with your order.

The medium JoWo nib on this unit is tuned very well. You will not get much line variation from a medium, but it is fairly smooth with a decent, consistent ink flow. Reverse writing lays down a nice extra fine line, though it is a little sharp in that direction. The feed keeps up well with fast writing, which is the practical test that matters most day to day.

The Section and Handling

The section begins with a slight flare and then angles up to the threads and a small step into the barrel. It is a rather girthy section, and that is a highlight. It fits my tastes well, and it is nice to see a thick section on a pen that is not overly long. The pen is long enough to use comfortably unposted, and while the cap does fit on the back of the barrel, it is not secure, so this is not a pen designed to post.

One characteristic worth knowing: Micarta is somewhat hygroscopic. Over time, the material may darken from the oils in your hand, and the section can darken slightly while inking. It is not really staining, more of a gradual darkening, and wiping the section with a damp tissue minimizes it. On a pen like this, that slow change in appearance adds genuine character to your individual piece.

Filling System and Practical Details

The Choya is a cartridge converter pen that accepts standard international cartridges, and a converter is provided in the box. Given the linen in this Micarta, I would be apprehensive about eye-dropping it. Ink absorbed into the untreated interior of the linen could cause staining from the inside.

The main shortcoming is identification. There is no branding on the pen at all. Smaller manufacturers face real costs in getting nibs stamped, and quality engraving tools are pricey, so the omission is understandable. Still, Micarta does not lend itself well to engraving, and some form of marking would help people identify who made the pen.

Price and Availability

I paid $250 for this pen at the show, which is a reasonable rate for an artisan creation and in line with what similar creators charge. Currently, the only place to purchase a Skogsy pen is through the brand’s Instagram page, so availability is limited and inventory moves quickly.

Buying Advice

This pen suits fountain pen users who want something handmade and distinct rather than mass-produced. If you enjoy materials with texture and a story, appreciate a girthy section on a moderate-length pen, and value careful attention to material matching, the Choya Micarta makes a strong case. The gradual patina that develops is part of the appeal, not a defect.

Skogsy is still a very young company, and it will take time for a new maker to find its groove. But the craftsmanship on display here, from the matched Micarta layers to the well-tuned nib, suggests the direction is right. At $250, it is well worth checking out if you can catch one in stock.

Conclusion

The Skogsy Pens Choya Micarta delivers a unique look, a material with real character, a comfortable girthy section, and excellent attention to detail. The lack of branding and the Instagram-only availability are minor friction points, but they do little to detract from a genuinely pleasing handmade pen. I look forward to seeing what Zach and Amy come up with next.