Skip to content

Swiss online store, ships from Raron, VS

Free shipping on orders of CHF 80 or more

30-Day Return Policy

Shipped from Switzerland, no customs duties

Payment via TWINT, card, or invoice

0

Dein Warenkorb ist noch leer.

Neuheiten entdecken
All Products
Journal

Aluminum, Titanium, Brass, or Magnesium: Which Material Is Right for You?

Hand schreibt mit dem Stilform AEON Bleistift aus Messing

Stilform manufactures each pencil in several metals, and the material determines one thing above all else: how it feels in your hand. The AEON pencil weighs 20 g in magnesium, 27 g in aluminum, 47 g in titanium, and 75 g in brass, all with the same length of 134.6 mm and the same construction. Aluminum is anodized and comes in eight colors; titanium is corrosion-resistant and, in the DLC finish, highly scratch-resistant; brass is untreated and develops a patina; magnesium is the lightest; and 24-karat gold is the most delicate finish. Which Stilform model suits you best depends on whether you want a pen that writes on its own or one that you don’t even notice for hours. All variants are available on the Stilform brand page.

Stilform Materials: A Comparison by Weight

The AEON, PEN, FLOW, ARC, and INK series are available in aluminum; all models except the pencil are also available in titanium; the PEN and FLOW series are additionally available in brass; and the AEON pencil is also available in magnesium and with 24-karat gold plating. All specifications are according to Stilform.

SeriesAluminumTitaniumBrassMagnesium24k gold
AEON Pencil (134.6 mm)27 g47 g75 g20 g28 g (aluminum, gold-plated)
AEON ballpoint penNot specifiedNot specifiedNot on the programNot on the programNot on the program
PEN Ballpoint Pen (137 mm)60 g75 g95 gNot on the programNot on the program
FLOW Rollerball Pen (137 mm)35 g40 g52 gNot on the programNot on the program
ARC Gel Pen (142.5 mm)35 g65 gNot on the programNot on the programNot on the program
INK Fountain Pen (152 mm)70 g82 gNot on the programNot on the programNot on the program
Surfaceanodized, 8 colorsMatte, DLC, partially polishedbrushed, untreateddull24-karat gold-plated
Visible Signs of AgingnonoYes, patinanoprone to scratches

Aluminum: lightweight, colorful, the standard

Aluminum is the material in which each series first appears, and the only one offering a choice of colors: Comet Gray, Night Sky, Aurora Green, Warp Black, Rose Moon, Walnut Brown, Moss Green, and Velvet Berry—subdued tones that are more reminiscent of 1970s industrial design than office supplies. The surface is anodized—that is, it features a hardened oxide layer instead of paint. It develops subtle signs of wear over time but cannot tolerate harsh cleaners. Weighing 27 g for the AEON pencil and 35 g for the FLOW, the aluminum models are the lightest—except for the PEN, which, at 60 g, is a substantial pen even in its aluminum version.

Titanium: corrosion-resistant, harder, and virtually indestructible when coated with DLC

Titanium is the ideal material for anyone who carries a pen in their pocket every day. It doesn’t corrode, even when exposed to hand sweat, and is harder than aluminum, so it shows fewer signs of wear. For the AEON, the weight increases from 27 to 47 g; for the ARC, from 35 to 65 g; and for the INK, from 70 to 82 g. Stilform offers titanium in up to three finishes: Matte Titanium showcases the pure alloy with its characteristic gray sheen; Polished Titanium has a high-gloss finish; and Titanium DLC features a deep black diamond-like carbon coating. DLC originates from the toolmaking industry and is one of the hardest coatings technically feasible; it withstands everyday scratches significantly better than paint or anodized finishes. The only care rule: do not use abrasive cleaners on DLC.

Where titanium makes the biggest difference: in the ARC gel pen, because its 65 g weight guides the 0.3-mm gel refill more smoothly across the paper than a lighter body would, and in the INK fountain pen, because a nib is meant to write without pressure and the 82 g pen takes care of that. The FLOW weighs just five grams more; in this case, durability is the key selling point. With the titanium AEON pencil, the 47 g noticeably changes the balance, giving the pencil a more solid feel on the paper.

Stilform AEON Bleistift Titan Titanium Polished Eternal-Spitze | One Horizon

AEON Bleistift Titan

Der AEON in Titan. 47 g geben ihm spürbar mehr Gewicht als die Aluminiumversion, ohne schwer zu werden. Titan ist…

Stilform ARC Gelschreiber Titan Titan DLC | One Horizon

ARC Gelschreiber Titan

Der ARC in Titan: 65 g statt 35 g bei Aluminium, was beim Schreiben für mehr Ruhe in der Linie…

Brass: the material that ages

At Stilform, brass is left untreated and brushed, with no varnish or coating. This is by design: contact with hands causes the metal to darken over time; fingerprints remain visible at first but eventually blend into an even patina. After half a year, the pen looks different from any other. If you want to restore it to its original condition, polish it with a brass polishing cloth; harsh cleaners will strip away the patina. Brass is also the heaviest material in the series: 75 g for the AEON, 95 g for the PEN, and 52 g for the FLOW.

The weight is the reason to choose brass. The brass PEN writes using its own mass—you tend to rest it on the paper rather than press down—and the cap, which attaches magnetically to the back, further enhances the rear-biased balance. With the brass AEON, which weighs nearly three times as much as the aluminum version, you need to apply less pressure when sketching, but you’re handling more weight. If you draw for long stretches at a time, you’ll feel it in your wrist—in both ways. The brass FLOW pairs particularly well with the rollerball pen: both the pen and the ink age visibly.

Stilform PEN Kugelschreiber Messing Gebürstet | One Horizon

PEN Kugelschreiber Messing Gebürstet

Massives Messing, 95 g, der schwerste Stift der PEN-Serie. Das Gewicht schreibt für dich, du brauchst kaum Druck. Messing setzt…

Stilform AEON Bleistift Messing Eternal-Spitze | One Horizon

AEON Bleistift Messing

Massives Messing, 75 g. Dieser AEON ist der schwerste der Serie und der einzige, der sich mit der Zeit veraendert:…

Magnesium and 24-karat gold: the two extremes of the AEON series

The magnesium AEON weighs 20 g—less than a conventional wooden pencil—making it the lightest pen in the lineup. According to Stilform, magnesium is about a quarter lighter than aluminum while offering comparable stiffness. For a pen that you hold for hours and guide with your wrist, this is the most noticeable difference in the entire lineup. The downside: The lightweight body absorbs the impact of a fall less effectively than the heavier versions, so be careful not to drop it.

At the other end of the spectrum is the AEON with 24-karat gold plating. The body remains aluminum, and the weight increases by one gram to 28 g; over that is pure gold with no alloy content, resulting in a warm, rich hue. The coating is thin and doesn’t alter the feel of the pen, but it is more delicate than anodized aluminum: metal keys in the same pocket, sharp edges, and even polishing can leave marks. Store it separately from keys and coins, and wipe it down only with a soft cloth. A pen for your desk, not for your jacket pocket.

Stilform AEON Bleistift Magnesium Eternal-Spitze | One Horizon

AEON Bleistift Magnesium

Mit 20 g der leichteste AEON. Magnesium wiegt rund ein Viertel weniger als Aluminium und bleibt dabei formstabil. Fuer lange…

Stilform AEON Bleistift 24k Gold Eternal-Spitze | One Horizon

AEON Bleistift 24k Gold

Der AEON mit echter 24-Karat-Vergoldung auf Aluminiumkorpus. 28 g, 134,6 mm, magnetischer Spitzenwechsel zwischen Eternal und Graphit. Das Spitzenmodell der…

Which Material Is Right for Whom?

  • Long sessions, drawing off the cuff: magnesium (AEON) or aluminum. The lighter it is, the less fatigue you’ll experience.
  • Fine lines, small handwriting, technical sketches: Titan (ARC, INK). More mass means less wobble at the tip.
  • In your pocket every day, along with your keys and coins: Titanium DLC. Corrosion-free and featuring the most scratch-resistant surface in the lineup.
  • A pen that ages with you and becomes one-of-a-kind after a year: brass (AEON, PEN, FLOW).
  • Color instead of a metallic finish: Aluminum, the only line available in eight colors.
  • A gift that stays on the desk: 24-karat gold (AEON).

The technology is the same across all materials: magnetic tip replacement on the AEON, a concealed twist mechanism on the AEON ballpoint pen, a self-aligning magnetic cap on the PEN, FLOW, ARC, and INK, and open refill formats across the board. If you’re deciding between the series rather than between the materials, you can find the differences in the article about the AEON and on the brand page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stilform Materials

How much do the Stilform pens weigh in the different materials?

AEON Pencil: Magnesium 20 g, Aluminum 27 g, 24k Gold 28 g, Titanium 47 g, Brass 75 g. PEN Ballpoint Pen: Aluminum 60 g, Titanium 75 g, Brass 95 g. FLOW Rollerball Pen: aluminum 35 g, titanium 40 g, brass 52 g. ARC Gel Pen: aluminum 35 g, titanium 65 g. INK Fountain Pen: aluminum 70 g, titanium 82 g. All specifications according to Stilform.

Titan or Aluminum: What’s the Difference?

Titanium is heavier, corrosion-resistant, and harder than aluminum, so it shows fewer signs of wear. Aluminum is lighter, anodized, and the only line that offers a choice of colors. The technology and refills are identical. Titanium is a good choice for pens that travel in your pocket every day and for fine lines, where the added mass helps the tip glide more smoothly.

What is Titan DLC at Stilform?

DLC stands for Diamond-Like Carbon, a jet-black coating used in toolmaking that is among the hardest materials technically possible. It withstands everyday scratches much better than paint or anodized aluminum. The only restriction: do not use abrasive cleaners.

Does the “Stilform” brass finish turn dark?

Yes, and that’s by design. The brass is untreated and brushed; it darkens with hand contact and develops a patina. Fingerprints show up at first but then blend into the patina. If you want to restore the original shine, polish it with a brass care cloth. Avoid harsh cleaners, as they remove the patina unevenly.

Is the AEON 24k Gold style made of solid gold?

No. The body is made of aluminum with a thin layer of 24-karat gold plating—that is, pure gold with no alloy. It weighs 28 g instead of 27 g. The plating is more delicate than anodized aluminum and should be stored separately from keys and coins.

Do the refills and tips fit all material types?

Yes. Within a series, the internal mechanism is the same, regardless of whether the pen is made of aluminum, titanium, brass, magnesium, or gold. The Eternal and Graphite tips fit any AEON; the G2 refill fits any PEN or AEON ballpoint pen; and the Peter Bock nib fits any INK.

You choose the material once, but change the refill often

Stilform has separated the inner workings of its pens from the casing: The consumable parts are exposed and can be purchased anywhere, while you choose the remaining parts based on weight and finish. That’s why it’s worth spending more time considering the material than the color. You’ll find all variants, refills, and tips in the Pens & Markers category.

Neo Abgottspon, One Horizon, Raron. As of September 2026.

Similar articles

Register

No account yet?

Create an account