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If you like large pens, you've probably noticed by now that the term "Large" usually also refers to a pen's price tag as well as overall size. The fact is, the biggest pens have always usually been the company's flagships, the "top of the line" so to speak, and thus, the most expensive model offered, aside from anything with precious metal overlay. This has held true down to today, and for the most part, if you want an oversized pen, you've got to be ready to pay for the extra size!
So, as you can see, this is not a pen for the small of hand or faint of heart. It's a massive big chunk of acrylic. The size of the Kaiser doesn't hold a huge weight penalty, however, it comes in at right at one ounce, really somewhat light for a pen of this size. The relatively light weight helps contribute to the utility of the Kaiser. For such a large pen, it's surprisingly comfortable to actually use. The cap posts low enough on the barrel that I use it with the cap posted. If you choose not to post the cap, you should find the barrel long enough to balance well in the hand sans cap. What weight there is seems to center in the hand, at the widest point of the barrel. Even though posting the cap shifts this balance back somewhat, it's still not what I would call too top-heavy. It's a well designed shape that works well to make the Kaiser a usable writing instrument despite it's definitely generous dimensions. The Kaiser isn't just a showpiece, it's a plain old pen as well!
The Kaiser is available with two nib versions, both 18K gold as well as the "standard nib, a plated steel affair. The sample we have is equipped with the steel nib, and it's the same nib used on their other pens. This is, in fact, the only real complaint I have about the Kaiser. The nib is just too small! A pen this large should have a massive great #10 sized nib hanging out there. This is a good nib, but sized for a smaller pen. The steel nib has a good sized piece of tipping material, and while not as smooth as some I have tried, it certainly puts down a nice fine line (despite being marked as Medium), and is pleasant enough in use. Rinsing out the supplied plastic twist style converter is a must, to clear out the remnants of machining oils from both the converter and the feed. In terms of actually putting ink on paper, the Kaiser is fine. I just wish the nib were bigger...
All in all, the Kaiser Antique Ivory offers a tremendous value for the price. Especially if you've been searching for a large pen at a budget price. The Kaiser is going to be hard to beat in that category!
Copyright 2005 William Riepl All images copyright 2005 William Riepl
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Well,
that particular paradigm is out of the window with the Laban Kaiser
Antique Ivory. No doubt about it, this is a big pen! To get
the important measurements out of the way right off the bat, it's
a full 5 13/16 inches long closed, and a bulky 5/8 of an inch across
the barrel. (The section does taper down to 1/2 inch across) Posting
the cap brings the length up to 6 1/2 inches long.
That
brings us neatly to the main point when it comes to any pen...
The writing. And for that, we turn to the nib.
The
cap and barrel are both made from acrylic. It's a nice slightly off
white color, with a fine grain running the length of the material.
The name "Antique Ivory" is appropriate, the material has
the look of a piece of old ivory. It's not as glaring as a bright
white pen would have been, yet it's still a standout in a world of
darker colored pens. The trim is platinum plated and blends well with
the overall look of the Kaiser.