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Review: Namisu Horizon

Remember the Brutalist Namisu Naos I reviewed a couple of weeks back? Well the pen I’m reviewing here, the Horizon, could not be more different in its design approach.

While the Naos was all ruler-straight lines and flat ends, the Horizon, when capped, is all curve.

Run your finger from end to end, past the flush-fitting barrel, and it swoops without any hard transition. There’s no clip, trim rings or logo. Even the tiny finials embedded in the ends of the cap and barrel don’t interrupt the torpedo shape.

The version I have here is in blue anodised aluminium, with a steel grip, and at time of writing this configuration is on sale for just £36, from an RRP of £45. A titanium version is available, priced similar to the Naos at just over £100.

I’m impressed with the quality you get for this price. The anodised finish is even and well done, even though a royal blue like this is not my favourite colour. The inset finial is so nicely done. There’s a little bevel at the end of the section, the cap lip is finished, the threads are square-cut.

The attention to detail is wonderful. And the size, weight and proportions are just right: it feels like a mature and refined design.

Like all Namisus, the Horizon’s cap unscrews really quickly. I didn’t experience any problems with the cap coming loose or the nib drying out, so the threads are doing their job well. And so far the anodising on the threads shows no sign of chipping or wearing.

Underneath is the section, which is satin-finished and tapers ever so slightly towards the nib. It’s actually a very good size, about 11mm to 12mm across, and long enough that the somewhat sharp threads and barrel step don’t get in the way.

My one problem with the Horizon is that I just didn’t get on with this section in the hand. I’m not sure if it’s the slight taper, or the satin finish, but I found it slippery and hard to find a comfortable grip on. I know plenty of people have no issues, but this pen made my old fear of metal sections flare up.

Naturally the Horizon is fed by a converter (supplied), and the business end is a polished steel Bock #6.

It writes just fine, so as I said in my review of the Naos, either Bock has stepped up its game or Namisu is doing a quality check.

The Horizon is a midweight pen, at 28g uncapped, and the steel section brings that weight to the front, so it feels agile. I found it plenty long enough, but if you’re a poster, you’re out of luck. The cap won’t even slightly fit on the end.

And that’s all I really have to say. The Horizon is a well-designed and well-made pen, at an affordable price. My only significant criticism is that I found the section slippery, which is a dealbreaker for me but ultimately a very personal thing.

Namisu sent me this pen for free to review. You can get yours here.

9 Comments

  1. Martin Stewart

    When I saw this pen I thought wow so clean, so stylish then I saw the section and enthusiasm died. Satin steel sections just don’t suit my skin and I always feel the pen is slipping. Apart from that I thought this is a new pen to join my wee collection but it’s not to be.

    • Anthony

      Exactly the same for me. Looks great, can’t write with the damn thing 😁

  2. effandpee

    That’s an absolutely cracking price for a #6 nib Bock holder (presumably it unscrews?) – even more so if the quality of the finish is as good as it seems. Schmidt-branded converter too, by the looks of it?

    A universe away from that Parker Jotter – ifI didn’t already have the more expensive Studio, I’d definitely snap this up.

    • Anthony

      Exactly! I always try to remember that price categories get smaller the lower you go — someone who feels that £15 is an expensive investment for a pen is going to think that £36 is an insane amount, in the same way as I might think it’s OK to spend £500 but not £1000. But yeah, skip a couple of takeaways and get a proper pen instead of the Jotter. For my money I would prefer to have one of the Studios, just because their sections work for me while this one doesn’t. But this is very good value for money.

  3. Alex Segall

    Their older pen, the Ixion, had a longer term issue with the anodising – wore off, became very smelly under the fingers, and super slippy. At least they’ve got the QC of the nib right – my experience was appalling with what they sent out.

    • Anthony

      Yes, I reviewed the Ixion back in 2017 and reported the anodising flaking almost immediately — along with the crappy communication and poor nibs, that put me off Namisu for the past three years. From what I see here they’ve got it all under control now. Second chances…

      • Gary

        I bought 2 Horizon pens and an extra Titianium nib after reading your review. The pens are nice but the bock nibs are like nails! The Titainium nib was scratchy so I have sent it back and have not heard anything for 4 days so far, no reply..
        I had good communication at the start but then no response to several other e-mails that were sent asking about other products and the Titainium nib.

        So looks like the issues that others had are still there..

  4. Gary

    I finally got a reply re my Titainium nib but “only when I had put in a Pay Pal request” to get my funds back. Namisu sent me a refund (as requested by me) but ignored the fact that I had originally asked them to change or improve the nib that I sent back to them. I had only got Pay Pal involved due to the lack of communiction,In addition to being fed up of no reply.

    Then I received an e-mail from them stating that I had sent it to the wrong address (even though it is the one on their web site) and I had e-mailed them to tell them that I had in the first place!

    My nib was sent using “signed for” delivery and it had taken them 5 days from receiving it, to make contact and ONLY after I had got pay pal involved!

    They have STILL NOT answered my other e-mail that I sent 4 times re their other products that I was interested in, so I guess they don’t want the business ..

    I like their pens but their “customer service” leaves a lot to be desired. So If you are after one of their pens then I advise you buy it when “on sale” and if you are after a Bock # 6 nib, then go to http://www.beaufortink.co.uk who have a much bigger stock of Bock nibs,their customer service is excellent and prices are great!

  5. Richard

    I got the Namisu Horizon Ti – I actually like the pen, although much much heavier than expected. However, it’s writing quality is appalling. I’ve now tried three different Ink brands in it (Diamine, Sailor Manyo, Van Dieman’s) and nothing writes well – dry, scratchy, and the nib feed is out of line.

    About to complain to them regarding this – my ageing Twsbi Vac700 uses all these inks like a champ. I’ve yet to find a fault with it, apart from having to replace the cap once and they shipped out a replacement the same day for free.

    Dreading dealing with their customer service if the reports of hassles are anything to go by.

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