TRC Rollerball Pen Brass

Raw brass body, sleeve format, rollerball ink from standard fountain pen cartridges – the TRC Ink Roller combines three ideas that are individually familiar but work in an extraordinary way together. The solid brass oxidises over time and develops an individual patina: no coating, no lacquer, the surface changes directly through use and touch. At 102 mm when closed, the pen fits into any trouser pocket; attached to the sleeve, it reaches a comfortable writing length of 138 mm.

Features

• Sleeve pen mechanism: The roller section sits protected inside the brass sleeve for transport. To write, you simply pull it out and attach the sleeve to the back as a grip extension – no screwing, no clip fiddling, just one smooth action.
• Standard fountain pen cartridges: The roller accepts international short cartridges – the same ones that fit many common cartridge fountain pens. This opens up the entire colour palette of fountain pen inks: iron gall, permanent and non-permanent varieties in black, blue-black and all shades in between.
• Writing performance: The roller ball transfers ink smoothly onto paper, with a line width of approximately 0.5 mm – in practice, depending on ink and paper, more in the range of a 0.7 mm line. Well suited to permanent ink paper with a smooth surface that supports quick drying.
• Solid brass eyelet at the cap end: The threaded eyelet allows you to attach the pen to a carabiner, notebook rubber band or keyring. Those who prefer a slimmer silhouette: the eyelet and clip can be removed by unscrewing the end cap.
• Living surface: Untreated brass darkens with use. The discolouration is not a quality defect but a characteristic of the material – each pen develops its own pattern of fingerprints, shiny spots and matte areas.
• Clip: The metal clip sits securely on the cap and is detachable – practical for notebook pen holders or jacket pockets.

Use & Tips

• Cartridge replacement: Pull the roller section out of the sleeve, unscrew the grip area from the body – just like with a cartridge fountain pen. Insert a new short cartridge and you're done. Black and blue-black are most common; if you want colour, you'll find many alternatives in the cartridge range.
• Ink selection: Since the roller uses fountain pen ink, the writing appearance depends on ink character and paper surface. On smooth, calendered paper, the ink dries faster and the line remains crisp. On absorbent paper, some inks may feather more – with the roller's strong ink flow, it's worth testing this beforehand.
• Attachment to Traveler's Notebook: The eyelet fits onto the rubber band of the Traveler's Notebook – the pen then hangs directly from the notebook and is immediately at hand without an extra pen holder.
• Patina care or slowing: If you want to slow oxidation, rub the brass occasionally with a dry cloth. If you want to actively encourage patina, simply let the pen do its work.
• Transport: In closed sleeve format, the roller tip is completely protected. The cap is pulled off (not unscrewed) to remove the roller section – don't twist, or the tip may stick in the barrel.

For Brass Enthusiasts

Brass is a copper-zinc alloy that has been used for centuries in architecture, instrument making and arts and crafts – among other things because of its formability and the characteristic surface changes through oxidation. The TRC Ink Roller is manufactured in Japan; the sleeve bears the engraving "Traveler's Company Made in Japan". The weight of approximately 27 g sits noticeably in the hand without causing fatigue during writing. If you store the pen unused for extended periods, remove the cartridge so that dried ink doesn't block the roller ball – a brief rinse of the roller tip under lukewarm water is usually sufficient for cleaning.

Technical Specifications