About the Kurogane Kazura Maki-hari Ballpoint Pen – Forged Finish
The Kurogane Kazura Maki-hari Ballpoint Pen – Forged Finish comes from the stationery line of Inoue Tool Works, a Japanese metalworking company founded in 1911 as a maker of traditional knives. The raw, rustic finish is created by hand-forging the stainless steel, leaving the natural texture of the fire and anvil intact.
The body is crafted using the maki-hari technique, a method originally developed for Japan's first matchlock guns in the 16th century, in which metal is rolled into a tube. Here, it is applied to 1.5 mm stainless steel. The matchlock theme continues in the barrel-like shaft, the octagonal tail plug and the anti-roll detail.
Because the steel is forged at over 1,000°C, its surface oxidises into brown and black tones. With use, everyday wear can reveal the silver steel beneath, and the patina can deepen over time. Each pen is handmade, so colour variations and small tooling marks are part of its character. Stainless steel forged at high heat is not completely rust-proof. If a powdery surface rust appears, simply wipe it off with a cloth.
Choose the compact 110 mm (36 g) or the longer 130 mm (42 g). A typical pen is around 13 to 15 cm, so the 110 mm feels compact, while the 130 mm is closer to a standard size. The shorter size was developed because the solid metal feel makes the pen heavy. The pen is supplied with a Mitsubishi Pencil Jetstream SXR-80 refill and also takes the Pilot Frixion Ball LFBTRF. It includes a genuine leather cap and arrives in a paulownia wooden box, ready to give as a gift.
Experience the Maki-hari Pen
Watch the Maki-hari Ballpoint Pen in action to see the distinctive fire-forged texture and traditional craftsmanship up close.
A closer look at the Kurogane Kazura Maki-hari Ballpoint Pen.
