Thomas Slim immersed their new EDC fountain pen in water for 24 hours, pulled it out, and it wrote immediately. They dropped both the fountain pen and rollerball versions fifteen times from one metre onto concrete, and aside from minor ink on the nib face, both kept writing without issue. They machined the internal grip length specifically to prevent cartridge movement under impact, added capillary channels inside the cap to manage ink overflow during sudden movement, and spec’d nitrile rings at key junctions for water resistance. None of this makes the pen indestructible, but it does make it the kind of tool you can carry without concern.
The Thomas Slim EDC Pocket Pen comes built by the eponymously named London studio with over twenty years of experience manufacturing precision accessories for European luxury houses. Machined from 304 stainless steel and IP plated for durability, it weighs 36 grams and measures 84mm capped without the optional key-loop. Available as both a fountain pen (with a polished Schmidt nib) and a rollerball (with Schmidt feed that wrote over 1,500 metres continuously in testing), both versions share the same cartridge system and the same obsessive engineering. Three finishes available: steel, gold, and dark gunmetal.
Designer: Thomas Slim
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Both the fountain pen and rollerball versions use the same cartridge system, which keeps them flexible and economical to maintain over time. Thomas Slim developed an internal cap insert with capillary channels that manages excess ink during sudden movement, the kind of jostling that happens when a pen lives in a pocket or gets tossed into a bag. The grip section secures the cartridge firmly under impact, solving the problem most cartridge pens face when they hit pavement. The fountain pen uses a Schmidt nib, polished in-house for smoothness, which matters if you’re writing more than a quick note. The rollerball uses a precision Schmidt feed, and in testing it wrote over 1,500 metres continuously without interruption or feed starvation. That’s the kind of reliability you need when the pen is your daily carry and you can’t afford to have it skip mid-sentence during a meeting.
Every component is CNC machined in Thomas Slim’s workshops on sliding head lathes to highly specific tolerances. The body is 304 stainless steel, and the gold and graphite versions are IP plated for durability, giving it robust scratch resistance . Anodised aluminium sleeves support the feed, and are compatible with many European feeds, allowing you to swap the nib for your favourite one should you wish. Nylon inserts regulate thread engagement and house the internal ink-overflow system, the part that keeps ink from leaking into the cap when the pen takes a hit. Nitrile rings assist with water resistance at key junctions, which explains how the pen survived 24 hours underwater and wrote immediately after. Machined to within a tolerance of 30 microns, the pen threads engage smoothly, the cap posts securely, and nothing rattles or feels loose in hand.
Barley is a traditional engine-turned pattern long used on items to be handled often, and each small facet catches light at a slightly different angle. The pattern improves grip, especially in wet conditions, and adds a quiet tactile feel while remaining comfortable. Thomas Slim applied the barley detailing to the grip section and the cap threading, the two areas where your fingers make contact most. Three finish options are available, and the gold and graphite versions use Ionic Plating, a surface treatment that bonds to stainless steel for exceptional hardness and durability. The steel finish keeps the raw metal look, the gold adds warmth without looking gaudy, and the dark gunmetal sits somewhere between tactical and refined.
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. Customers may choose the pen with or without a loop depending on intended use, and for those selecting the loop option, five cord colours are available, each finished with metallic end components to improve durability and prevent fraying. The loop turns the pen into a keychain carry, which works if you want it always accessible but don’t want it rattling loose in a pocket. For those who prefer a more understated look, a leather case is available as an accessory. Without the loop, the pen measures 84mm capped and 131mm uncapped, putting it in compact territory without feeling cramped when posted. The barrel diameter sits at 13mm, with the grip tapering to 10.5mm, a comfortable size for extended writing sessions.
The Thomas Slim EDC Pocket Pen starts at a discounted price of £37 ($48.77 USD). Three finishes will be available: steel, gold, and graphite, and buyers can configure the pen as either a fountain pen or rollerball. Additional rollerball nibs and cartridges are available as optional add-ons but also on Amazon. Thomas Slim sells directly, workshop to customer, with fully biodegradable FSC-certified packaging designed specifically for efficient small-parcel shipping. Tooling is complete, and the first production run is ready to begin in May with shipping as early as July 2026.
Click Here to Buy Now: $51 (Ships Internationally) Hurry! Only 29 days left. Raised $11,000 in just 3 hours
