Staedtler Triplus 747 Fountain Pen Review: A Triangular Barrel Surprise

Introduction

Staedtler is a name most people associate with pencils and mechanical drafting pens, so it is fair to say expectations were modest going into the Triplus 747 fountain pen. Those expectations turned out to be far too low. This is an inexpensive metal-bodied fountain pen that writes remarkably well and feels more premium than its price suggests.

The Triplus 747 also carries serious design credentials: it won the Red Dot Design Award in 2021, one of the three major international design awards. Combined with an ergonomic triangular barrel, that makes it an interesting option for anyone shopping for an affordable everyday writer.

Design and Build Quality

The barrel is made of metal and shaped into a triangle based on ergonomic principles. The grip section is silver-plated, and the joining ring carries an embossed Mars head emblem, Staedtler’s long-standing logo. The clip uses the brand’s distinctive elongated rectangular shape, and the cap closes with a push-and-twist mechanism that feels almost magnetic in how smoothly it seats.

The nib is steel, marked F, with the Mars head emblem also engraved on it. Weight balance sits noticeably low, which helps the pen feel stable in the hand. One important limitation: the pen cannot be posted, so the cap cannot sit on the back of the barrel while writing.

Dimensions are sensible for daily use. Total length is 140mm, weight is 27g, and the barrel diameter measures 11mm.

Writing Experience

For testing, a European standard-size converter was used instead of the included cartridge, filled with a warm honey-toned ink. The F nib writes closer to the fineness of a Japanese F, so it suits people who prefer a finer line.

The writing feel lands in a genuinely pleasant middle ground: neither overly smooth nor scratchy, with consistent, generous ink flow. It glides across the page in a way that makes longer writing sessions easy.

What We Liked

The overall look is a clear strength. The metal construction gives the pen a cohesive, quality feel, and the gold finish in particular looks refined in person. The cap closure deserves special mention: the smooth, slightly magnetic seating feel is the most satisfying of any fountain pen on hand here.

Value is another highlight. Because the pen is imported, availability can occasionally mean a wait between ordering and delivery, but the build quality and writing performance on offer at around 3,780 yen (tax included) is genuinely impressive.

Things to Consider Before Buying

There are a couple of trade-offs worth knowing about. First, although the barrel is triangular for ergonomic reasons, the grip section itself is round. Writing directly on the bare triangular barrel is possible, but the greater distance between the grip and the nib’s contact point with the paper makes for a worse writing feel, so it is not recommended. It feels like a missed opportunity to use the shape more fully.

Second, the pen cannot be posted. Anyone who habitually writes with the cap on the back of the barrel will notice this. That said, the barrel is fairly long on its own, so balance remains good even without posting.

Finally, long-term ink drying behavior is still unknown at this early stage of use, so that is something to monitor over time.

Buying Advice

At this price point, the Triplus 747 competes in a crowded field of affordable fountain pens, but it stands out through its metal body, award-winning design, and genuinely comfortable nib. It suits writers who want a handsome everyday pen with a fine, balanced line and do not mind giving up cap posting.

If you write with a posted cap out of habit, or if a contoured grip section matters to you, look elsewhere. For everyone else, this is an easy recommendation among budget-friendly metal fountain pens.

Conclusion

Staedtler’s Triplus 747 is a pleasant surprise: a Red Dot Award-winning triangular-barrel fountain pen with solid metal construction, a smooth F nib, and an unusually satisfying cap mechanism, all at an accessible price. Its limitations, the round grip section and non-postable cap, are minor for most writers. For anyone seeking a low-cost fountain pen that punches above its price, it is well worth a look.