Let’s say, hypothetically, that you have a lot of pens. Like, so many pens. Let’s also say that you want to keep at least one of those pens close at hand on your desk, but you worry about it rolling away or getting shuffled under some notebooks (of which you also have many), and storing it nib-up in a pen cup tends to drain the feed. In that (hypothetical and not at all a self-insert) situation, you might just be interested in the Penwell.
The Penwell by Good Made Better is a deceptively simple device designed to transform just about any capped pen into a desk pen. It accomplishes this by providing a solid, stable base that holds the cap tight, allowing you to pull or twist the pen free whenever you want to use it. The Penwell is available in a variety of styles: the Classic, which I will be discussing in this review; the Craftsman, which is more industrial in both style and substance; and the Traveler, which is more compact and adaptable to varying writing situations.
The Penwell Classic resembles an old bottle (or inkwell) partially submerged in the surface of the desk, holding a pen firmly by the cap with a soft foam insert sleeve. There are two sizes of foam insert to choose from, ensuring compatibility with a majority of pens on the market today. Installing a pen in the Penwell compresses the foam pad, protecting the pen while creating a friction-fit against the interior structure. This effectively locks the pen in place so you can twist or slip the body of the pen free whenever inspiration strikes.
The Penwell is secured to the desktop by a reusable microsuction pad that provides a surprisingly strong hold without the use of any adhesive or single-use tapes. You can even reposition the Penwell on a smooth, clean surface without having to replace the microsuction pad (though they do have replacement pads available for purchase.) The Penwell’s fairly small footprint makes it easy to stick onto nearly any writing space
The Penwell is absolutely an enthusiast product: something nobody particularly needs, but a great deal of enthusiasts really, really want. And it is made, like most of my favorite products, by someone who cares about the end user. Since launching the Penwell Classic in 2017, Dan Keller of Good Made Better has expanded his catalog with several limited editions of the various Penwell forms, desk accessories like ink blotters and book weights, and an assortment of “Readwells” and “Writewells” designed to take the comfort and familiarity of a writing desk anywhere you may need to take it.
When purchasing my own (first?) Penwell, I went with the Smoldered Black edition: a textured Walnut wood base finished in a dark charred black meant to resemble a burnt campfire log. I also purchased both the standard and XL foam insert to accommodate every pen in my collection, should the need arise. It probably goes without saying that I switched back and forth between the two before landing on the configuration I have been using for the past few months. Due to some nib creep or “burping” issues I had resulting in a couple of fountain pens leaking ink into the cap, I have ended up using the Penwell with my Spoke Pen. Having used this combo for a while now, I must say it is a perfect match. The Spoke Pen’s magnetic slip-cap deploys the pen easily, and the Penwell does a perfect job of holding the cap while I write, and positions it perfectly to be put away when I’m done. It has a simple purpose which it executes perfectly.
If, like me, you are at a point in your stationery journey where you have slowed down the search for your “next pen” and instead are seeking to accessorize, I highly recommend the Penwell in any of its many forms.
Check out the Penwell Classic, Craftsman, and Traveler over at Good Made Better, and “magnify the delights of life.”
Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this review were purchased by the author for review and to feed the hobby habit. All opinions stated are my own.
The Poor Penman 