Karas Kustoms EDK Review

My fandom for all things Karas Kustoms goes all the way back to their first venture into the world of machined pens with the release of the Render K. At the time, there weren't many other options for the Pilot Hi-Tec-C refill, and the straightforward, clean design spoke to me. I was in, and have been a fan of everything Karas has released since.

Their latest pen release, The EDK, is following a bit of a different path to market. There will be no Kickstarter this time. Rather, the EDK will be released initially on Massdrop before rolling into the lineup at Karas Kustoms. I think this is an interesting choice, and a good path to take for the launch of a new product. From a business perspective I'll definitely be paying attention to how it works out.

But we aren't here to talk business, are we? So let's talk pens! The EDK is a well designed pocketable, retractable, metal-bodied every day carry type of pen. The style and shape are pure Karas, and that's a good thing in my book. The model I was sent for review by Massdrop is the Tumbled Aluminum + Tumbled Copper version and it is a real looker. I had only seen pictures of the black aluminum model prior to this, so needless to say I got a silly grin on my face when I opend the box and saw the contents.

The EDK is built around the Schmidt P8126 refill, also commonly know as the Retro 51 refill. Parker style refills also fit, such as the Fisher Space Pen refill. And, as is the case with many machined pens, the refill will determine your buying decision. I love the refill, but it isn't a primary writer for me, like the Pilot Hi-Tec-C in my Render K or Pilot Juice in my Retrakt. It is a primary writer for many though, and a much loved refill, so it will do very well.

The two-tone options for the EDK are something I love. Before getting the aluminum/copper model in, I think my first choice would be one of the aluminum/black aluminum models. Again, just like my Retrakt. Such a killer look in my opinion. They are also available in other single and combo material barrels, including brass.

Pen tip extended (before)

I had one minor issue with my EDK that may only apply to me and my visual aesthetic. With mine, the tip did not extend out of the pen opening as far as I prefer. The edge of the refill tip cone was flush with the barrel opening. I prefer the flat of the refill body to show just a slight bit - we are talking millimeters here - for a better visual when writing. I fixed that easily with the tiniest piece of double sided tape on the end of the knock. Easy fix, and like I said, a personal preference thing.

Pen tip extended (after)

Overall, I think the EDK is going to do extremely well for Karas Kustoms. The quality and design are on point and it fits right in with the rest of their product lineup. The EDK just launched on Massdrop, so head over there now and check out all of the options.

(Massdrop provided this pen at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

The CUBE By Karas Kustoms

Dan Bishop sent me a pre-relase version of The CUBE, the latest Kickstarter collaboration from Karas Kustoms and Mike Dudek, and I am taken aback by how much I like it. I had already backed the project before receiving this from Dan, and while I didn't need to have the product in hand to be happy about backing it, I am ecstatic that I have a second one heading my way.

This is a pen holder I don't want just sitting around the desk. It is so well done and feels so incredible that I want to hold it, play around with it, take it with me in my backpack, all just so I can be around it. I may even ask it to marry me, which I'm sure my wife would not approve of.

I made the point with Dan on this week's podcast that this is not a six-walled hollow center pen holder. This is a solid block of aluminum with 9 holes drilled and filled with Delrin sleeves to keep your pens protected. The CUBE weighs in at 1 lb., 14 oz. An almost two pound block of goodness to sit on your desk and look beautiful.

The Kickstarter project has already met its goal, so you have 20 days to get in on the action and take a CUBE of your own home. And maybe marry it.

My thanks to Dan, Mike, and Karas Kustoms for sending me this CUBE for review.

Ink

My friend Dan Bishop and the gang at Karas Kustoms are back at it again. Monday marked the launch of their latest Kickstarter campaign - simply called Ink - which features a machined aluminum rollerball or fountain pen in a rainbow of barrel colors. Finally, a fountain pen worth backing on Kickstarter!

Dan was nice enough to send me an aluminum prototype model to check out, and I am impressed. The barrel shape is a huge winner in my book, with the size and diameter of classics like the Nakaya Piccolo and Edison Pearl. Beauty in simplicity I say.

Despite the size, the Ink is far from too heavy to write with. It has some weight to it, but the aluminum barrel is balanced so well that writing is effortless with the cap unposted. When capped, the extra heft gives this pen an indestructible feel that works as well in your jeans pocket as it does in your suit pocket.

L to R: Karas Kustoms Ink, Edison Pearl, TWSBI 580

The choice of a medium Schmidt #5 nib was a good one, giving this pen a solid foundation to lay down ink, plus some choice for those who like to tinker and may want to swap it out for a different size or other compatible nib (Note: I tested my TWSBI and Kaweco nibs and neither fit.) It is a firm, smooth writer and I have had zero issues with ink flow in the few days I have had this pen inked with Noodler's 54th Massachusetts.

The coup de grace in parting me with my money is the ability to back different color barrels at launch. The orange Render K is still my single favorite Karas Kustom pen, and an orange Ink will be joining it soon. And maybe black. Or blue. Or grey. And maybe a rollerball model because it fits my favorite Retro 51 refill. The options on this campaign are fantastic and it was hard to limit myself to one. Addicts have budgets too, right?

Check out Ink on Kickstarter. It's a great pen by great people and would make an excellent addition to any writing arsenal. Thanks to Dan for giving me an early look at was is sure to be Karas Kustoms best pen yet.

(P.S. Video. Is. Amazing.)