A practical steel pocket pen, engineered to last

We’re Thomas Slim, a new British pen brand, and this is our first pocket fountain pen and rollerball. Designed as a practical working tool, it’s built to travel, withstand everyday knocks, and perform reliably in real‑world conditions.

Precision‑machined from stainless steel, the pen has a reassuring weight and balance in the hand, while remaining compact enough to carry every day (EDC).

Stainless steel fountain pen with cord accessory

Traditional Barley engine-turned pattern - a design detail that helps to improve grip

Ionic plated finishes - Graphite and Gold

With you everyday

Featured In

Yanko Design - Link - Editor; "The unspoken rule of EDC is that it needs to be reliable every single day. So when the Thomas Slim pen boasts being able to write non-stop even after 24 hours under water, or being slammed against concrete, that gives you the confidence that this pen is truly built for everyday use, forever."
Hemingway Jones - YouTube Short & YouTube Video
Deliberate Objects (Anthony Newman) - Link
Mike Matteson - Link

Pocket Pen Journey

We first debuted an early prototype at the Autumn Pen Show in London last October. Among all the designs on our table, one pen stood out. People picked it up, wrote with it, set it down - and then came back to it.

That response told us something.

Since then, we’ve refined the design across three prototype versions - improving the internals, strengthening the construction, and engineering the pen to be water‑resistant.

Now, we’d like to share it with the Kickstarter community - not just as backers, but as early participants. This campaign is an opportunity to try the pen, give feedback, and help shape the final version before it goes into full production.

If that sounds like something you’d like to be part of, we’d be glad to have you on board.

Writing Systems

The pen is offered as both a fountain pen and a rollerball. Both share the same core architecture and cartridge system.

Because both versions use cartridges, we developed an internal cap insert with capillary channels that manages excess ink during sudden movement. The grip section is also designed to secure the cartridge firmly under impact.

Fountain Pen

Available in extra-fine, fine, medium, and broad nib size.

Designed as a travelling fountain pen, it uses a medium Schmidt nib as standard, hand-polished in-house for a smooth and consistent line.

Rollerball Pen

Available in fine and medium nib size.

Fitted with a precision Schmidt rollerball feed, compatible with the same cartridge system. It comes with a medium nib as standard, with a fine option also available. In testing, it wrote over 1,500 metres without interruption or feed starvation. To maintain performance, we recommend keeping the cap on and the cartridge filled. Replacement rollerball feeds are available.

Personalisation & Accessories (add-ons)

Personal Monogram

Each pen is individually numbered on the grip section thread and features a mother-of-pearl insert, which can be engraved with a personal monogram of up to 3 characters.

Plating Finishes

Three finish options are available - STEEL, GOLD, and GRAPHITE.

The gold and graphite versions use Ionic Plating - a surface treatment that bonds to stainless steel, giving exceptional hardness and durability.

Loop or No Loop

Backers can choose the pen with or without a loop, depending on intended use.

Cord

For those selecting the loop option, five cord colours are available. Each cord is finished with metallic end components to improve durability and prevent fraying.

Leather Case

For those who prefer a more understated look, a calf leather case is available as an accessory.

Carabiner

Available in matching plating finishes - STEEL, GOLD, and GRAPHITE.

Packaging

We developed FSC-certified, fully biodegradable packaging designed to feel considered without excess. No plastic. No unnecessary layers.

Every detail was designed with the same discipline as the pen. Designed at 25mm thick to qualify for small parcel shipping.

Dimensions

Fountain Pen

Rollerball Pen

Specs

Material: 304 stainless steel
Surface: IP plated
Weight: 36g
Tolerance: ±30 microns
Writing Systems: Fountain Pen (Schmidt) | Rollerball feed and cartridge (Schmidt)
Cartridge: Shared cartridge system
Length (capped): With loop: 97mm | Without loop: 84mm
Length (uncapped): With loop: 143mm | Without loop: 131mm
Diameter (barrel): 13mm
Diameter (grip): 10.5mm

Everything you need, nothing extra.

Design & Engineering

Every component is CNC machined in our workshops on sliding head lathes, to highly specific tolerances.

The body is 304 stainless steel, IP plated for durability. Anodised aluminium sleeves support the feed. Nylon inserts regulate thread engagement and house the internal ink-overflow system. Nitrile rings assist with water resistance at key junctions.

The internal grip length is designed to prevent cartridge movement under impact.
We immersed the pen in water for over 24 hours; it wrote immediately on removal. Both versions were dropped fifteen times from one metre onto concrete. Aside from minor ink on the nib face, there was no ink on the grip and both continued writing without issue.

Every engineering decision is deliberate. But nothing replaces rigorous, real world testing – this is where we want our potential Kickstarter audience to help.

About Us

We believe the most sustainable object is the one you never replace.

For more than twenty years, we have designed and manufactured precision accessories for European luxury houses - combining exacting engineering with traditional bench craftsmanship.

Thomas Slim is our first step away from working only for brands and towards working directly with the people who actually use our pens.

Each pen begins in our London design studio. Every component is developed in-house and produced in our own workshop in Guangzhou. A workshop refined over two decades of constant improvement.

We sell directly - workshop to customer.

Our aim is simple: to make objects you use every day - and never feel the need to replace.

Delivery

All rewards will be sent via tracked shipping. Tracking details will be sent via Kickstarter when your reward is dispatched.

Timeline

We expect to order raw materials from our suppliers within the first two weeks after the campaign is successfully funded. Component production will then begin and should take approximately 8 - 10 weeks, depending upon the number of backers. After that, we will assemble the pens, complete final checks and pack them for dispatch. If all goes smoothly, we expect to begin shipping in August 2026. We will keep you posted with regular updates along the way.

Press

Instagram: @thomasslimlondon

Reddit: /r/PenProject

Facebook: @thomasslimlondon

Website: https://www.thomasslim.co.uk/ and https://www.thomasslim.com (US specific store)

Press Kit: Click here

Slim Steel Pocket Pen, Engineered to Last

Frequently Asked Questions