Tom's Studio began with a simple act of frustration. Tom watched his wife working with a mass-produced plastic calligraphy pen and felt it simply wasn't good enough for the quality of her work. He made her a better one. She loved it, he posted a photograph, and orders started arriving. Several years later, Tom's Studio is one of the most talked-about small pen makers in the world — and the Studio Pocket Fountain Pen 2.0 is perhaps the clearest expression of everything the brand stands for.
Machined from anodised aluminium and hand-assembled in Tom's studio in Frome, Somerset, the Studio Pocket is a genuine pocket fountain pen in the finest sense — compact enough to carry everywhere, but designed to write like a full-sized pen the moment the cap is posted. At 100mm capped it slips easily into a shirt pocket, jacket pocket, or small bag. Posted, it extends to 165mm — considerably longer than most pocket pens on the market — giving a well-balanced, comfortable writing experience that belies its diminutive closed length. The lightweight aluminium construction means that even with the cap posted, the pen remains nicely balanced rather than becoming back-heavy.
The grip section is a generous 50mm long, with fine micro-grooves that enhance grip without using rubber or plastic inserts. The octagonal profile of the cap prevents the pen rolling off a desk — a small detail that earns its place immediately. The nib is a gold-plated stainless steel medium, tipped with iridium for durability, and writes with a smooth, consistent line with a little variation available under pressure.
One of the most thoughtful aspects of the Studio Pocket is its approach to filling and sustainability. The pen uses standard international short cartridges — a black ink cartridge is included — but Tom also includes an ink syringe with every pen, allowing you to refill the cartridge directly from any bottle of fountain pen ink rather than discarding it. The pen can also be used as an eyedropper by filling the barrel directly with ink, significantly increasing ink capacity. Calligraphy-specific inks with acrylic or shellac binders should be avoided as these can clog the pen.
The nib unit is interchangeable, screwing in and out easily, meaning the pen can be adapted to a range of different nib styles as your needs and interests develop — including fine, semi-flex, cursive italic, and architect grinds available separately from Tom's Studio.
We stock the Studio Pocket Fountain Pen 2.0 in Iris, Sage, Blush, and Black, all fitted with a medium nib as standard.
Capped length: 100mm Posted length: 165mm Barrel diameter: 14mm Weight: 25g Material: Anodised aluminium Nib: Gold-plated stainless steel, medium, iridium-tipped Filling system: Standard international short cartridge, converter, or eyedropper Made in: UK
What ink can I use in the Studio Pocket? It works with all standard fountain pen inks. A black ink cartridge is included, and the pen comes with a syringe to refill cartridges from any ink bottle — compatible with the vast range of fountain pen inks available from brands including Diamine, Lamy, Pilot, and Tom's Studio's own range. Avoid calligraphy-specific inks containing acrylic or shellac binders as these can clog the nib and feed.
Can I use bottled ink without a converter? Yes — the Studio Pocket can be used as an eyedropper pen by filling the barrel directly with ink. This significantly increases ink capacity. Tom recommends greasing the barrel threads before doing this to prevent leaks — a short guide is available on the Tom's Studio website.
Are the nibs interchangeable? Yes. The nib unit unscrews easily from the barrel, making it straightforward to swap between different nib styles. Tom's Studio offers a range of additional nibs including fine, extra fine, semi-flex, cursive italic, and architect grinds, all compatible with the Studio Pocket 2.0. Note that Tom's Studio nibs are only compatible with Tom's Studio pens.
Is it suitable for left-handed writers? Yes. The long grip section and smooth medium nib make it comfortable for left-handed writers, though as with all fountain pens some smudging may occur depending on writing style and paper choice.
Can ink be left in the pen between uses? Yes. The gold-plated nib resists corrosion and it is safe to leave ink in the pen between writing sessions.
Is the Studio Pocket a good gift? It is an exceptional gift for anyone with an interest in fountain pens, writing, journalling, or stationery. The beautiful packaging, the range of colours, the hand-assembled quality, and the sustainable approach to ink filling all combine to make it feel genuinely special to receive. Laser engraving is also available directly from Tom's Studio if a personalised gift is needed.
