Steel ball pen CONTINENTAL 'Athlete'

Real craftsmanship. Raw tool steel. Zero plastic
This pleasantly heavy ball pen was milled (shaft) and turned (handle) from a solid block of steel in one of the many Westphalian metalworking companies. The shape is unusual, neither round nor square, but rather an interplay of angular shaft and cylindrical handle. And the material is also unusual: not aluminium, not nickel silver, not stainless steel, but honest, raw tool steel. It still has the slight residual roughness obtained during the machining process that is only perceptible to the fingertips.

The inner workings are also top German technology: the "Easyflow 9000 M blue" refill in G2 format from Schmidt Technology in the Black Forest. It is moved by the famous SKM 88 KS from the same company, the world's only pusher mechanism made entirely of metal (stainless steel and brass). You can easily spend a lot more money on a more "prestigious" writing instrument – but you will be hard pressed to find one that is so "outstanding" in terms of shape, weight and technology.

Note: The solid housing is not made of stainless steel. It may change its surface slightly over time or, if left unused for long periods of time in high humidity, may show signs of flash rust. The best precaution: pick it up and use it often – which you’ll likely do anyway. Your skin’s natural oils are protection enough. If rust does appear: use a polishing cloth for instant remedy.