I’m not sure why but green pens seem to cross my path quite often. I look in my pen case at my rather meager collection and see the green Phileas of 1996, the marbled green Pelikan M200 of 1997, and the translucent green M200 of 2003. On the vintage end are the mottled green Bantam fountain pen and pencil made in the 1930s and a plain green late-1960s Esterbrook cartridge filler. I think, “Do I really need yet another green pen?” Worse, it strikes me that I might not want any more green fountain pens.

So when the jade-green Columbus Academia landed on my desk for my perusal I had no intention of falling in love with it. “It’s just another green pen,” I told myself as I opened the shipping box. I set my mind to the task of evaluating the pen as a gift for a friend, then I would send it on.

Well, counting chickens and never say never and all those other clichés… I flipped the red pen case open to this rather delicate looking pen; a softly glowing green celluloid in its cream satin bed. I was on the phone with a fellow pen addict at that moment and my husband was nearby. “Oh yes, the Columbus is here. Yes, it’s very nice. Darker than I expected,” I told her in an inexpressive tone. I changed the subject then, portable phone in hand, headed off for another part of the house. In the office, a safe distance from the hearing of the Man of the House I said through gritted teeth, “Dang! It’s gorgeous!” My friend, laughing of course, said she wondered why I was speaking in such a subdued manner. Any new pen warrants some excitement. A new and beautiful pen certainly warrants more than “Yes, it’s very nice.”

It may have something to do with the relatively small amount of celluloid in my collection or maybe I just have to accept I have a thing for green pens. But the warmth of this pen and it’s ever-changing malachite, jade, and grass-green shades made me consider owning this pen just for it’s look.

As to that “look” - the Academia was made for the Italian pen company, Columbus, by Japanese pen maker Yamazaki, therefore the lines are very much like the classic lines of other Japanese pens. The slim, cigar shape has no excessive appointments: a single,wide cap band with the Columbus logo engraved on opposite sides, a simple ball-tip clip, a single-tone, gold-plated nib, and a gold-plated section ring.

The Academia is medium-sized, its black section is slightly narrower than that of the Pelikan M200 but still comfortable. It probably isn’t a pen for someone who prefers large pens. But, if you linger over the beautiful, and often expensive, Japanese pens but are leery of their somewhat intimidating sizes, the Academia makes an appealing and reasonably-priced compromise.

The Academia is 5 _” long capped and 6” long when posted. The cap screws off with fine threads that cause no discomfort while in use. The cap posts easily and cleanly with no detriment to the balance, a feature that might improve the appeal to those who prefer medium or larger pens.

But how does it write?
I’m new to ebonite feeds for the most part and took the advice of “those in the know”. I filled the pen (it is a cartridge/converter pen), scribble a few lines without judging and set it aside for a while to allow the feed to draw ink fully. When I came back I took a 9X look at the nib. The tipping is conservative but clean – no “blobby” tipping here. I wondered momentarily if it really would be as smooth writing as promised. Pen to paper rewards me with immediate start-up and a very smooth write. Okay, still not in love but definitely appreciating the Academia’s qualities.

Like many Japanese-made nibs, the Yamazaki runs finer than most Western standards. I have a medium with wet flow in hand and it gives a fairly fine line. The nib has very pleasant feedback. It isn’t mushy as some gold nibs feel, but a bit springy or – dare I say it – a touch flexible. Don’t get excited; this isn’t vintage flex. But it certainly is not a nail.

I complained that evening to my husband that I simply can’t want another green pen! But after three days of “testing” (that is, using it for everything I can think of including writing this review) I decided that I am due a new green pen soon – after this particular Academia goes to a friend who will surely enjoy the pen. The flow is delightfully consistent with no starting or skipping problems at all over the several days the pen was in my possession.

The Problem
But of course, there is a drawback. I seem to have a knack for finding new pens that are not-so-readily available. The Academia by Mr. Yamazaki was originally made in 1994 and he has since passed away. The Academia was made in several celluloid patterns: tortoiseshell, green, blue, white onyx, and a couple of “pine needle” patterns. Some of these patterns can still be found with various distributors. The green celluloid is the most readily available color of the Academia. The Academia typically sells for around 100 USD.

Post-script: Since this article was conceived, a second green Columbus Academia has arrived and now resides in my pen case. It writes as smoothly and unfailingly as the first. Always nice to have additional data points. And another green fountain pen.