Tibaldi Bamboo Fountain Pen in Lipstick Red: An Original Design That Grows on You

Introduction

Every so often a pen shows up that makes you ask a simple question: if this design is the answer, what was the question? The Tibaldi Bamboo in Lipstick Red is exactly that kind of pen. It is an Italian-made fountain pen built around a bamboo-inspired barrel, offered at around €487.60 with a wide nib selection from extra fine to double broad in steel.

Tibaldi itself is a revived brand: it existed from 1916 to 1965 and was brought back in 2004. The Bamboo borrows a familiar idea, since other makers have produced bamboo-shaped pens, but the execution here is genuinely original rather than another cigar-shaped black pen with gold trim. After spending serious time with it, here is the full picture.

Design and Build

The bamboo concept is the whole show. The barrel is divided into three segments that taper from wider to narrower, alternating resin and metal in a way that genuinely reads as bamboo. The metal bands elevate the look: if it were all resin, it would feel cheaper, but the mix adds visual interest and a sense of quality. A blind engraving on the cap simply says Tibaldi, and the cap has a flat top with a small metal ring, plus a flat bottom with a slight curvature.

Then there is the tassel-like metal whip on the cap. It is the most divisive detail on the pen, and honestly it is hard to explain why it is there. It is the kind of thing you cannot look away from, and some people will love it while others will wish it never existed.

In the hand, the pen is girthier than a Pilot Metropolitan but also a bit shorter. The grip section is small and hourglass shaped with smooth, well-rounded threads that never dig into your fingers. There is no clip on the cap, and the pen does not post, which matters more than you might think given its short length. It is also a little rolly on a desk, so keep an eye on it.

The pen is made of resin with palladium trim, available in rich black or lipstick red, and it feels well made. The fit and finish inspire confidence.

Nib and Filling System

Inside you get stainless steel nibs with ebonite feeds, which is a genuinely nice touch at this level. Ebonite feeds are associated with good ink flow, and this pen delivers: it is a pleasant writer with a bit of natural feedback. The nib carries a Tibaldi eagle emblem, and the converter, which is standard alongside cartridges, has the Tibaldi name printed on its sides, a small but appreciated detail.

The filling system is cartridge and converter, with both a black and a blue cartridge included in the box.

How It Writes

The headline surprise is how fine the nibs run. Even the medium writes noticeably finer than a medium from many other brands, closer to a fine in practice. If you prefer broader, wetter lines, consider going straight for the broad or double broad. On the other hand, the fine line width works beautifully for people with small handwriting or anyone who does a lot of math and annotation work.

The ink flow is good but not the wettest around, and there is some pleasant feedback on paper. The round nib is not advertised as a flex nib, but it does respond to a little pressure if you want to squeeze out some line variation, though we would not recommend making a habit of it. Reverse writing is possible too, turning that fine-writing medium into what is effectively an extra fine without becoming scratchy.

What to Consider Before Buying

The packaging is a mixed experience. The outer sleeve is a little too short for the box, which looks slightly odd, but the drawer-style box opens to reveal a soft pen bed, two cartridges, and a shiny credit-card-style warranty card that feels like a nice touch.

At around €487.60, this sits on the higher end of the price range, so you are paying a real premium for the original design. The non-posting cap and short grip section are worth testing if you have larger hands. On the plus side, the nib selection is unusually wide: extra fine, fine, medium, broad, and double broad are all available, and grades like extra fine and double broad are not always easy to find from other brands.

Buying Advice

If you want a fun, original-shaped pen that writes well and stands out from the sea of cigar-shaped black-and-gold pens, this is an easy recommendation. Buy the broadest nib you can if you like generous line widths, since the Tibaldi nibs run fine. If the price feels steep for a steel-nibbed pen or the whip detail bothers you, this is one to try before you buy.

Conclusion

The Tibaldi Bamboo in Lipstick Red is a well-made, comfortable, and genuinely original pen with a good steel nib, an excellent ebonite feed, and strong ink flow. The design will not be for everyone, and the price asks a lot, but if the bamboo look speaks to you, it delivers exactly what it promises.