This morning I got a chance to encounter one of the few rarities of the world - you know those tiny bottles from FWP that look like Christmas tree baubles, but this time, they’re bigger - x4 like 4 times bigger? - and I got to play with 2 of them?! And also in this blog post I’ll also include some of the photos and personal experience of using a few of the recent releases from FWP as well as an extra goodies they attached in the mail - the update of FWP’s Carousel fountain pen.

Wondrous Winterberry

Just by the look of it, this gorgeous color screams Christmas all over it. The decorative touches of the festive seasons make this one a truly beautiful gift for those who would like a deep red with a touch of green sheen. There are also bright orange shimmers hiding at the bottom of the bottle waiting for you to shake up your creativity. Coming in an 85ml bottle, I personally recommend this one as the bottle also has a wider opening and it can accommodate larger pens, and that’s always a plus in my books.

Stroke of Midnight

Deep blues have always been my weakness - and this one is no different. It has a lot of depth and the shade is surely legible from any sort of nibs you could pair it with. I don’t think I can describe it with words so you guys have to make do with how the ink came off on the page.

Purple Jade Rabbit

One of the themed ink released this year by FWP and it does it job really well representing the lunar year of the Rabbit. The base purple is a bit desaturated to my personal preference but it fulfills its goal by painting a background to the glorious champagne-y purple shimmers. The combo looks serene on the page and it would make a really lively color choice for your next drawing.

Lapis Lullabies

A different take on a deep blue ink color. At first glance it resembles Stroke of Midnight but after drying they are quite different to say the least: Lapis Lullabies leaves a bit of a green under tone hiding between the usual blue, while having a bit of a champagne shimmery bits at the end of your stroke.

Carousel Fountain pens

Seeing the photos from their website and instagram leaves me with high expectations as this might be my new favorite budget pen. It comes in a simple paper box with the usual FWP decorative treatment, which would make it an appropriate gift for any new fountain pen users. The overall appearance would be familiar to us with a hexagonal cap and and a rounded barrel. There is minimal branding with the word “Carousel” and “Ferris Wheel Press” embossed on opposite sides of the cap and the end finial. I do feel that the pen is a solid piece, but somehow it lacks a bit of heft. The user experience might be a bit rough with the first few actions of popping the cap off the pen as it was a rather tight fit, but I assume this would be relieved over time as the plastic wears down a bit.

The nib is definitely the main focus of the pen as it is not just any regular stock german made nib, but etched with the brand’s signature ferris wheel horse and a few other roman numeral markings. It writes consistently on the page, laying down a wet line coming from the provided international converter.

Overall the Carousel is a lovely update to FWP’s fountain pen offering, and for the listed price of $25, it can certainly compete in the entry level market. What do you guys think of the items mentioned in this review?

If you have an interest in FWP other products, please check out my other reviews and photos or go directly to ferriswheelpress.com and use the code WRITINGGUY for a 10% off your purchase. Thank you for reading!