CROWDFUNDING REVIEW – Everyday carry (EDC) essentials often include multi-tools, knives, and flashlights. But let’s not forget about pens. Today, I’m excited to introduce you to the Wingback Journeyman Pen, which is currently raising funds on Kickstarter. This pen promises to be a stylish and functional addition to your EDC collection. Let’s take a look and see what makes it special!
What is it?
The Wingback Journeyman pen is a hand-crafted CNC machined mechanical pen from the London-based design studio Wingback. Wingback is known for its machined pens like the original Wingback pen that I reviewed back in 2019 and their fountain pen which I reviewed last year.
About Wingback
Wingback is an independent design studio based in the heart of London, focusing on bringing luxury back to everyday products without contributing to the global waste problem of mass production and disposable culture, adhering to the Dieter Rams principle of “less but better”.
Founded in 2014, Wingback is a blend of modern and traditional design and practices. We use high-quality materials from trusted suppliers and the world’s most precise machinery to ensure the function and longevity of each product. In 2023, we were honoured to be awarded a Red Dot Design Award for our Mechanical Pencil. Our products are built to be used at home, on the road, or wherever your journey takes you.
What’s in the box?
- Wingback Journeyman Pen
- Schmidt EasyFLOW 9000m ink cartridge
- Protective cloth pen sleeve
- Rewards will also include a pen rest made of cork (not shown)
Tech specs
Click to expand Specs
Length: 127 mm
Diameter: 10 mm
Pen clip length: 35 mm
Weight: 31-52g depending on material
Refill: Fits any G2 ink cartridge
Design and features
The Wingback Journeyman pen is available in 303 Stainless Steel 303 Black Stainless Steel with a tungsten carbide-coating, SW1 Brass, or Ti-6AI-4V Grade 5 Titanium. I was sent the 303 stainless steel version of the pen as you can see in the image above. This time around Wingback is also offering a special custom option where you can choose the metal for each component (barrel, crown, and clip) so that you can mix and match to create a cool look.
You can also personalize the Wingback pen by engraving the clip with your initials or other text of up to 18 characters.
This pen doesn’t have branding on it except for the logo on the crown.
The Wingback Journeyman pen has a diamond-knurled grip and a diamond-knurled crown. The knurling is fine, so it offers just enough grip to be useful without being uncomfortable for long writing sessions.
At first glance, you might think (like I did) that the Wingback Journeyman pen is a clicky pen. Guess what? It’s not! The Journeyman is a bolt-action pen. But it’s not like a traditional bolt action EDC pen with the bolt on the outside.
The Journeyman pen’s bolt-action mechanism is hidden inside the crown. So instead of clicking the cap/crown to extend the writing tip, you twist the crown to extend the tip. I usually like clicky pens but I’m finding that this style of mechanism is just as fidgety and fun to use. The action is smooth and easy with a satisfying click.
Included with every WingMan Journeyman pen is a Schmidt EasyFLOW 9000m ink cartridge. If you’re not a fan of this cartridge, never fear because you can use a G2 style cartridge in the Journeyman.
This pen has a sleek, industrial, minimalist design. The stainless steel version has a satisfying weight and balance, making it comfortable to use. Plus, the satin finish not only feels fantastic but also looks stunning!
See it in action
What I like about the Wingback Journeyman pen
- Well made
- Balanced
- Smooth mechanism
What I’d change
- Nothing
Final thoughts
The Wingback Journeyman Pen is a really cool pen because it’s well-made and looks awesome. The way it works is fun too. It’s not a regular click pen; you twist the top to use it, which makes it different and interesting. Starting at $168, it’s a bit of an investment, but it’s worth it if you want a pen that lasts and stands out. Whether you love pens or just want something nice for school or work, the Journeyman Pen could become your next favorite EDC pen.
The Wingback campaign ends on 11/02/24, and the company has already surpassed its funding goal of $2,674. You can pre-order a Wingback Journeyman Pen starting at $168. After the Wingback campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in March 2025. Visit their Kickstarter for all the details.
Price: Starts at $168.00
Where to buy: Kickstarter
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Wingback. Wingback did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
