Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day! Here’s a member of Opus 88’s celebrated “Mini Forest Creatures” series, featuring a vivid squirrel motif delicately painted on a translucent green barrel—an ode to woodland whimsy. Opus 88, a Taiwanese marque founded by Michael Hsu in 1988, quickly earned a reputation for combining functional engineering with artistic flair, producing pens that are as reliable as they are beautiful.
Its appeal today rests on a dual legacy: craftsmanship and creativity. Opus 88 pens are renowned for their generous Japanese-style eyedropper filling system—boasting up to 3.5 ml of ink capacity—complete with a shutdown valve to prevent leakage when travelling. This practical design elevates them from charming collectibles to everyday workhorses, much admired in the global fountain pen community.
This squirrel edition is unique in its joyful aesthetic. The cap and barrel are adorned with playful squirrels among acorns and foliage—a motif that suggests both mischief and intellect. These whimsical illustrations are crisp, colourful, and clearly printed, reflecting an attention to decorative detail that sets Opus 88 apart from more austere designs.
Beyond its visual charm, the pen’s build is solid and thoughtful. The cap screws to secure tightly, the clip is slim but sturdy, and the flat-top silhouette offers a vintage-inspired comfort. Once posted, it balances superbly in the hand, encouraging long and pleasurable writing sessions without fatigue.
Mechanically, the pen uses a JoWo No. 6 nib unit—standard in many models—which allows for nib-swaps to suit your writing preference. The steel nib provided is smooth, reliable, and wet, demonstrating why Opus 88 is called a maker of “workhorse” instruments. The eyedropper mechanism and valve system reflect Michael Hsu’s engineering pedigree, honed over decades and through OEM work for luxury brands.