The Fude de Mannen is a fountain pen with a genuinely different proposition from anything else in the category. Its name is a play on words in Japanese, combining fude (brush pen) and mannen (fountain pen), and in certain regional accents it can be read as "this is a brush pen" — a description that captures the pen's character precisely. The nib is bent upward at a 40-degree angle, a shape that allows it to produce a range of line widths simply by adjusting the angle at which the pen meets the paper. Hold it more upright and the tip contacts the page for a fine, controlled line. Tilt it toward the horizontal and the belly of the nib makes contact, producing a broader, more expressive stroke. No pressure variation required, no special technique — just a change in angle.
The Navy Blue body is a deep, almost black-leaning blue with gold-toned trim and a roll-stop on the cap that prevents the pen from rolling off the desk. The body is lightweight plastic at 16.9 cm closed, making it one of the longer pens in its price range and comfortable for extended sessions without posting. Note that posting the cap adds considerable length and back weight, so most users prefer to write with it unposted. The pen accepts standard Sailor short cartridges and comes with one black ink cartridge included.
Features
- 40-degree bent steel nib produces varied line widths by angle, not pressure
- Line width ranges from fine to broad depending on nib-to-paper angle
- Deep navy blue plastic body with gold-toned trim
- Roll-stop on cap prevents rolling on desk surfaces
- Length capped: 16.9 cm | Body length: 15.6 cm | Lightweight plastic construction
- Accepts standard Sailor short international cartridges
- Compatible with Sailor converter for bottled ink use (sold separately)
- One black Sailor ink cartridge included
- Cap posts but adds considerable length and back weight, unposted use recommended
- Made in Japan