As a writer, two things that are important to me—and actually inspire my writing—are beautiful journals and quality pens. A few weeks ago Mike Navitsky reached out from Bastion asking if I would consider a guest post. While I don’t generally do guest posting, I was intrigued by the idea of a high quality pen and suggested that if Mike could send me a sample and I fell in love with the pen I would interview him.
And, yes, I fell in love. In fact, I loved my pen so much, I’ve ordered another in the “slim” and three for family members (using the special 30% discount you’ll find at the end of this post). But let’s get into the nitty gritty of what to look for in a pen for writers and what Mike and I love about these particular pens.
Like many writers, I’m inspired by a great pen—one that’s comfortable to hold, flows with ease, writes beautifully. Sustainability goes a long way and an elegant design is the clincher when all other goals are met! I’ve had a few favorites over the years but one of my go-to pens (Precise) got crossed off my list when the pens began to leak fairly consistently. The search continued.
After some time, I found a good everyday pen for editing in the Pilot, but I wanted something more elegant, smooth and fun for my own creative writing and my upcoming book signings. And the Pilot can smudge—a definite no for signings! And all these pens meant lots of plastic getting thrown out, contributing to the growing mess in our landfills.
Bastion to the rescue. Their pens are gorgeous! My Aluminum Bolt Action Pen writes like a dream. Note the sleek design, stunning color (my color choice was seafoam) and smooth writing in the photo to the right.
Lisa: Mike, can you tell me a bit about the company and how you came to develop high quality pens?
Mike: Sure, Lisa. Bastion was born out of a passion for writing. We noticed a need for pens that come with elegant design and functionality. The journey of Bastion began with a simple idea to create pens that writers would love, pens that would take their writing experience to new heights.
Lisa: Can you tell me more about your journey?
Mike: We started in 2017, and after about a decade of creating innovative products, I came up with the idea for a premium, reliable writing instrument. And now we have the Bastion Executive Bolt Action pen. It is the perfect blend of fine art and cutting-edge engineering. At first, the pen was offered on Kickstarter. As you know, it is a crowd-funding platform and has received a lot of public support. Since then, we have sold thousands of our pens globally.
Lisa: I imagine Bastion performed market research with writers. What did you find writers were looking for in a pen?
Mike: Yes, we did a lot of research with the writers and found that they prioritize style, comfort, durability, and a seamless writing experience. They need a pen that not only looks elegant but also feels great to write with. It is the reason why I focused on creating pens that strike the perfect balance between form and functionality.
Lisa: I love that my Bastion Bolt Action Pen feels so smooth to write with. How does it work?
Mike: Our Bastion Bolt Action Pen features a unique bolt action mechanism that adds a touch of functionality and style. It’s designed for an easy and quick deployment, perfect for writers. Our pen signifies artistry and functional brilliance to make writing enjoyable and give you a luxurious feel. It’s perfect for everyday use.
Lisa: Let’s delve into details. When I’m journaling, I look for a pen that I can comfortably use for several hours at a time. And I want it to feel smooth, easy. What do you suggest?
Mike: ALUMINUM PENS or SLIM ALUMINUM PENS would be ideal, they’re lightweight and perfect for writing with for some time. Aluminum pens are good for someone who wants the lightest weight pen. Aluminum is lighter than steel and also resistant to corrosion and wear. It ensures that your pen stands the test of time. It has a stylish look and adds a touch of sophistication. Aluminum also provides a comfortable writing experience without affecting strength or reliability.
Lisa: How slim is the Slim Bastion Bolt Aluminum Pen?
Mike: SLIM is 0.39″ in DIAMETER. REGULAR is 0.47″. [see above]
Lisa: How about a writer who likes pencil so they can erase? Which pencil would you recommend and why?
Mike: ALUMINUM PENCILS. You’ll find many colors to choose from to fit your mood or personality. They’re lightweight and very durable.
Lisa: And for a book signing, the Bastion Bolt Acftion Pen you sent me is perfect. It has a beautfiul shape and a certain distinction. Yet it’s quite lightweight for its stature. Of course it writes beautifully. Do you have a recommendation for book signings?
MIke: I would say CARBON FIBER, carbon fiber looks clean, lux and is a status item.
Lisa: Can you tell me more about the design itself? What goes into designing a pen? I imagine some of it is an attractive design, an easy grip, smooth writing…what else and how do you accomplish that?
Mike: Designing a pen involves careful consideration of design, aesthetics, and functionality. We pay close attention to every detail, right from the shape of the barrel to the placement of the grip. Our pen combines the highest quality of materials and modern design with a bolt action mechanism that provides a secure lock with hard-wearing parts. Our pens not only look beautiful but also give you a seamless writing experience.
Lisa: And I imagine “hard wearing parts” means it will last a long, long time. Maybe my kids will inherit mine, still working beautifully! I see you sell refills. One of the problems with most pens is that we use them and throw them away. I love that it’s a better environmental choice, creating less garbage for the landfill! Anything else you want to share about the company’s values?
Mike: Sure, Lisa. At Bastion, sustainability is one of our core values. We create products that are built to last and reduce waste, wherever possible. It is one of the ways we make a positive impact on the world.
Lisa: I think many consumers are starting to realize the many costs to items that are not sustainable. I am grateful for that orientation.
As you can tell, I love these pens so much. Full disclosure, I am now an affiliate and Mike has offered a special price for my readers (you!). If you buy their pens with my link, I will also receive a commission. Mike, can you share the offer with us and how readers can get it?
Mike: For YOUR readers here, I am exclusively offering 30% OFF on our pen collection.
Lisa: That’s wonderful. Thank you for that special. How can they get that discount for 30% off on the pen collection?
Mike: LS30 is the code for 30% off. You can get the benefits of 30% by using this code.
