The Drehgriffel

I love these pens. I already have one that’s lemon with black accents, and I decided to get the contrasting one. I buy mine from Cult Pens. Drehgriffel means “twist stylus” – you twist the knob at the end to pop out the pen nib. Based on a Bauhaus design from 1920, made from aluminium and brass, and I refit mine with a Parker G2 gel fill. Once you get the right refill in, which is a bit trial and error, it’s an absolute joy to write with – the hexagonal barrel has a nice weight and is easy to hold. Anything infused with the Bauhaus has its own special resonance for me.

I mean, let’s be honest, any old pen or pencil will work to write a story, and fetishising the tools is usually a road to nowhere. But I probably have my own dedicated landfill for used-up disposable plastic pens, so if I can scratch the design itch and be more sustainable, then I’m calling that a win.

The Bauhaus Archive sells a drehgriffel too, and I may well be shopping there soon.