TAG Submarine Fountain Pen Review: A Nautically Inspired Writer with Real Character

Introduction

The TAG Submarine is a nautically inspired fountain pen from a Taiwan-based design company, and it brings a few genuinely distinctive features to a price point where those are rare. Originally launched as a 2024 Kickstarter campaign that raised roughly $150,000, the Submarine has since made its way to regular retail, and it currently sells for $129 with a gold-plated nib or $145 with a black nib, available on Amazon.

Design and Build

The Submarine is made from brass, so it carries some decent heft without feeling overly heavy, and it is very well balanced in the hand. The matte black finish is accented by grooves running along both the cap and the barrel, giving the pen a textured, deliberate look. The clip is bowed with a small notch detail that sets it apart, and it has enough flex to handle materials of varying thicknesses.

At the rear of the barrel sits a propeller-shaped finial, one of the pen’s most charming touches. Technically a submarine only needs a propeller at one end, but the design leans into the theme without apology.

The cap angles up and then straightens for roughly the last inch, transitioning smoothly into a straight barrel section before tapering down toward the piston knob. The overall silhouette is angular but coherent, and it does evoke the profile of a submersible.

Nib and Filling System

Underneath the two-rotation cap, you get a number 5 Schmidt stainless steel nib, available in fine or medium and in either black or gold-plated finishes. Schmidt nibs tend to be underrated, and this one is no exception. The section is on the small side and angles straight up, which means grippers who rest near the end of the section may need to adjust their grip slightly. The metal threads are not sharp, and the two-tiered step up to the barrel is modest.

One quirk: this pen really does not post. The cap simply does not fit on the back, and it sits loosely at best, so there is no ambiguity about it.

Filling System and Ink Capacity

TAG describes the rear knob as a “turbine driven refill system,” though mechanically it is closer to a reciprocating piston. The knurled knob offers a lot of grippy surface area and is genuinely pleasant to turn. The pen ships with a standard international cartridge and a Schmidt converter; the converter connects to the piston mechanism, so you can fill through the knob without removing the barrel.

In practice, the more careful route is to unscrew the barrel anyway. There is no ink window, so filling with the barrel off lets you confirm you have a solid fill. A couple of turns up and down produced a good fill in testing.

Writing Performance

Inked with Private Reserve’s Crazy Train, a vibrant blue with a hint of golden sheen, the medium Schmidt nib performed admirably. It is fairly smooth, offers a touch of line variation for a steel nib, and runs a generous ink flow for a medium point. Reverse writing is serviceable rather than special, but fast writing is smooth and pleasant, which matters most for daily use.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The small, upward-angled section may not suit everyone, especially if you grip close to the nib. The lack of posting is a non-issue once you accept it, but if you habitually post your pens, this one will not accommodate you. And while the turbine-style knob is fun, filling with the barrel off is the more practical method given the absence of an ink window.

Buying Advice

At $129, the Submarine is a well-made pen with quality materials and a design you will not mistake for anything else. Even at $145 for the black nib version, it holds up. If you value unique design details, the propeller finial and grooved body alone justify a look.

Conclusion

The TAG Submarine succeeds because it commits fully to its theme without compromising the fundamentals. Solid brass construction, a capable Schmidt nib, and a distinctive silhouette make it a worthwhile consideration in its price range, and it is an encouraging first impression of what this Taiwanese brand can do.