We recently invited one of our guest reviewers, Melyssa Naujoks, to take a good look at the recently released limited edition Conklin Mark Twain. Read the full Conklin Mark Twain Superblack fountain pen review in her own words!

Conklin Mark Twain Superblack Fountain Pen Review: with Melyssa Naujoks

When Pen Chalet asked me to review the new Conklin Mark Twain Superblack I had to say yes. The minute I heard the name it reminded me of the vanta black/black 2.0 controversy that happened a number of years ago and it made me excited to see the fountain pen. Aesthetically this pen doesn’t disappoint at all. It looks classy and I love the matte finish.

How is the Conklin Mark Twain Superblack Packaged?

A little about the pen to get started it comes in a standard Conklin box.

What is the Conklin Superblack Mark Twain Crescent Filler Pen Made Of?

The Superblack version of Conklin’s Mark Twain Crescent Filler fountain pen features a #6 Jowo stainless steel nib. The body of the pen is made of brass (other materials are available in other finishes), uses Conklin’s patented crescent filler, and features the new superblack coating released in Spring 2022. The version I have has chrome trim but there are a few other options including rose gold and gunmetal.

What Happens If Your Nib is Scratchy and “Hard Starts?”

When I first received the pen I had a bit of an issue with the nib. At first it was really scratchy and had a lot of hard starts,* but Pen Chalet sent me a new nib. And a bonus of this pen (and all Conklin pens if I’m not mistaken) is the nib comes out extremely easily for cleaning and swapping. After that, the pen was smooth and a dream to write with. Watch a quick writing sample HERE!

The Pen’s Superblack Finish: Velvety Feel and Matte Look

The Superblack coating is described as being 100% matte black – absorbing 99% of visible light. Personally, I really like it. It has a velvety feel. However, it does show any dust or dirt because of its matte finish. One thing to note about the finish Is it may eventually wear down with heavy use. Especially around the rim of the cap. I haven’t had mine long enough to test this theory but I do see some wear inside the cap.

Does the Pen Post? Yes, But…

The pen feels solid but back-heavy when posted. I find it much more comfortable for long writing sessions when unposted.

Conklin Mark Twain Superblack Fountain Pen Review: What About the Filling System?

The crescent filling system is really cool. On the outside you see the crescent shape. When pushed down, it allows you to fill the sac inside the pen. Releasing the crescent shape activates the crescent filler and draws in the ink. A small stopper bead prevents the crescent from being pushed unless the parts are aligned properly. So you won’t accidentally end up with an inky mess. It does hold a good amount of ink. However, you have no way of seeing how much ink you have left.

Cleaning the Mark Twain Crescent Filling: a Downside but Not a Deal Breaker

Filling the Conklin Mark Twain Crescent Filler fountain pen with ink went off without a hitch. However, cleaning the pen is a pain. I already don’t like cleaning my pens (I’m a very lazy pen owner). It felt like it took forever to clean the Mark Twain thoroughly. Definitely a downside to the crescent filler. But not a deal-breaker.

Final Conclusion: Conklin Mark Twain Superblack Fountain Pen Review

All in all I really like the Spring 2022 release, the Conklin Mark Twain Crescent Filler Superblack fountain pen. I wouldn’t say it’s the most practical for everyday writing and sketching but I enjoy it (especially the design and finish of the super black in particular). It’s definitely a cool pen worth giving a try if you like the design and find the filling mechanism interesting.

*If you purchase a pen, and upon receiving it you discover you’re having problems with the nib, don’t be afraid to reach out to customer service. They’ll walk you through troubleshooting the nib issue, and help you get replacement nibs if the one you received won’t perform.