Ever pick up a pen and feel like it belongs in your creative space, not just in your pocket? That’s how I felt when I first started using the Leuchtturm1917 Drehgriffel Nr. 1.
It’s a pen with heritage roots, modern reliability, and a design that makes even the most ordinary notes feel intentional. If you’re an artist, journalist (or blogger), or simply someone who loves the tactile act of note-taking and writing, I think this pen deserves a closer look.
Design with Character
The Drehgriffel Nr. 1 looks like something rediscovered from a craftsman’s desk in the 1920s. In fact, the design itself is rooted in that era—its name literally means “twist stylus” in German. With its slim hexagonal barrel, brass cone tip, and playful twist knob, it bridges nostalgia with modern engineering.
Frankly, I think it looks like a pencil—the simplest of writing implements.
Leuchtturm 1917 reintroduced this pen in 2020, and it’s simply elegant (imho). It has earned design awards for blending vintage aesthetics with practical daily use. Form follows function in its final essence.
Your option of choosing from a spectrum of colors makes the pen fit any personal aesthetic in spite of its simplicity. Whether you choose a bold Rising Sun yellow or a gradient Sage green (one of my favorites), the contrasting tip and knob give it that instantly recognizable silhouette. On your desk next to a notebook or a few brushes, it looks right at home.
Build Quality and Feel in the Hand
The body is precision-milled aluminum, with brass in the tip and mechanism, then lacquer-coated for durability. It’s lightweight yet solid, sitting in the same weight class as icons like the Caran d’Ache 849.
The hexagonal barrel feels familiar, almost pencil-like, and it won’t roll off your desk. Twist the knob, and the tip deploys with a satisfying click-stop. At around 13 cm long, it’s a compact pen without feeling undersized.
I’ve written before about how grit and discipline fuel creativity, and this pen captures that same spirit.
For short bursts of note-taking or sketching, I love it!
It’s comfortable and steady. If you have larger hands or tend to write pages at a time, you may feel some fatigue—the slim profile isn’t built for marathon sessions. But for daily jotting, planning, and quick sketches, the pen is agile and precise. This is right up my alley: Quick notes, getting ideas on paper with bold, consistent line work.
Refills and Writing Performance
The Drehgriffel accepts Parker-style refills, which opens up a world of choices. I’ve ordered a number of refills and will review these soon.
Out of the box, you can pick between ballpoint “Flow” refills (fine, medium, broad, in multiple colors) or 0.5 mm gel refills.
- Gel Refill: Smooth, precise, and controlled. Perfect for journaling or detailed sketching. The ink flow is moderate, which means less smudging and clean lines, even on thin paper.
- Ballpoint Refill: Instant-dry, no smudge, and built for longevity. Great for everyday lists or when you don’t want to worry about paper type.
If you’re picky, you can even swap in alternatives like Schmidt EasyFlow, Parker Quink gels, or Fisher Space Pen cartridges.
The ability to interchange refills with the huge variety of brands, colors and ink formulations gives the Drehgriffel a system that you can personalize long after your initial purchase.
Why Hobbyists Might Love It
For hobbyists, writers, and other creatives, the Drehgriffel shines in three ways:
- Journaling: Its line makes logging thoughts, recipes, techniques, or daily progress clean and easy. No ink blobs, no smears.
- Sketching or Doodling Ideas: The pen’s pencil-like feel encourages quick doodles—conversion plans, diorama layouts, or freehand concepts. With gel ink, you can hatch and shade with precision. I doodle a lot while listening to podcasts, lectures, or during certain meetings. It keeps focus, and the pens ergonomics and ink work is…simply lovely.
- Notes and Task Lists: Whether it’s “prime minis” or “take out trash Tuesday,” checklists feel sharper with a tool that looks as good as it writes. Taking notes? The simplicity of this pen is a joy.
There’s also something about twisting a pen instead of clicking one. The motion is quieter, more deliberate. At a workbench, surrounded by brushes, art media, or other tools of your trade, the Drehgriffel fits right in; but at the same time, it’s easy to spot in the clutter.
Comparisons to Other Pens
To give you context, here’s how the Drehgriffel Nr. 1 stacks up against some familiar pens:
- Lamy Safari: A fountain pen classic. Great for expressive writing, but higher maintenance. The Drehgriffel wins for reliability and “grab-and-go” use.
- Kaweco Sport: Pocket-sized heritage pen. More compact, but its mini refills don’t last as long. The Drehgriffel feels more balanced and ready for longer notes.
- Pilot G2: The everyman gel pen. Smoother, wetter ink, but disposable plastic. The Drehgriffel is reusable, metal, and far more inspiring to use.
- Caran d’Ache 849: A design cousin with similar weight and shape. If you like the 849, the Drehgriffel is a worthy companion, especially if you want gel options.
Final Thoughts
The Leuchtturm1917 Drehgriffel Nr. 1 is one of my favorite pens at the moment. While I have literally hundreds of fancy pens in my collection, this one makes the rotation on a daily basis.
Why? Simple. It’s simple. A fountain pen may have an elegance and flow when it comes to writing long form. But even the Kaweco Sport takes that extra few seconds to uncap, get the ink to flow, which slows down that impulse I often need for daily note taking.
When it comes to drafting longer documents or getting more complex words on a page; yes, a heavier pen or even a pencil takes part. But the Leuchtturm1917 Drehgriffel Nr. 1 has a size and form-factor that slips right into your pocket (any pocket) and therefore accompanies you everywhere, easily.
It helps that I can leverage its flexible refill system to change colors or ink-feel on the fly. I enjoy that tactile feel of the twist on/off, and the pen’s subtle tip on paper feedback. A touch of resistance, but the smooth slip of words.
Certainly, this is not the cheapest option for any EDC pen, for daily creative and practical use, it’s a delight!
Did you enjoy this article? Any questions or feedback? Let me know with a comment below!
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