Opus 88 Jazz Fountain Pen

Opus 88 Jazz Fountain Pen

The Opus 88 Jazz is where the brand's engineering philosophy meets its most recognizable silhouette. A classic cigar-shaped eyedropper pen built for serious, sustained writing, the Jazz has been one of Opus 88's most enduring models since its introduction — earning particular devotion among ink enthusiasts who want to see every drop of their favourite colour at work. Large, balanced, and thoughtfully engineered from barrel to nib, it is a pen that rewards daily use and ages well in the hand.

Design & Construction

The Jazz is built from high-quality acrylic resin reinforced with an internal hard rubber rod that adds structural rigidity and protects the barrel from flexing under the pressure of a full ink load. The cigar profile — widest at the centre, tapering gently toward both ends — sits naturally in the hand and distributes weight in a way that makes extended writing sessions comfortable rather than fatiguing.

Available in a range of finishes, from the fully transparent Clear demonstrator to the matte-finished Holiday Clear, solid Black, Transparent Blue, Amber, and various limited editions. Trim and hardware details vary by colour — see individual variants for specifications. The cap can be posted to the end of the barrel, adding length and shifting the balance point rearward for writers who prefer a longer pen in hand.

At approximately 150–152 mm capped and around 180 mm posted, the Jazz is unambiguously a large pen. The barrel diameter reaches approximately 15.2 mm at its widest, with a grip section of around 11.7–12 mm — substantial enough to feel planted in the hand without demanding an uncomfortable grip. Weight runs approximately 28–33 g empty, increasing noticeably with a full barrel of ink.

The pen is supplied in an Opus 88 gift box and includes a glass eyedropper pipette for filling.

Eyedropper Filling System & Shut-Off Valve

The Jazz uses a full Japanese-style eyedropper filling system, with the entire barrel functioning as an ink reservoir. Ink capacity is approximately 2–3 ml — significantly more than any cartridge or converter pen, and enough for days of continuous writing before a refill is needed. Note that the Jazz holds slightly less ink than the larger-format Opus 88 Demo and Omar, a natural consequence of its more slender proportions — though by any practical measure, the capacity is exceptional.

The integrated shut-off valve, controlled by a twist knob at the base of the barrel, is what elevates the Jazz from a good eyedropper to a great one. When closed, it seals ink completely above the feed, eliminating the thermal expansion that can push ink through the nib when a warm pen is uncapped or carried. When open, it allows steady, controlled ink flow from barrel to nib. The valve rod can also be used to manually prime the feed after filling — a practical detail that makes the Jazz reliable from the very first stroke.

For travel, long storage, or extended periods between writing sessions, the shut-off valve means you can carry a fully loaded Jazz with complete confidence.

To fill: unscrew the grip section from the barrel, draw ink into the included glass pipette, deposit it into the barrel, and reassemble. Apply a thin layer of silicone grease to the barrel threads before closing to ensure a leak-free seal.

Nib Options

The Jazz is fitted with a #6 JoWo-compatible stainless steel nib, manufactured in Germany and tuned by Opus 88 for smooth, wet performance. The nib unit is easily removable, making it straightforward to swap nibs or experiment with aftermarket options. Available nib options include:

• Extra Fine (EF) — a precise, controlled line ideal for small handwriting or detailed annotation
• Fine (F) — the most versatile everyday option for most writing styles
• Medium (M) — a broader, wetter line that brings out shading and sheen in expressive inks
• Broad (B) — a generously wide line with excellent ink flow, ideal for bold writing or stub-adjacent line variation
• Flex Extra Fine — a responsive nib with significant line variation for writers who work with pressure variation; fine at rest, broad under flex
• Flex Fine — line variation with a slightly wider resting line than Flex EF
• 1.5 mm Stub — a broad italic-style nib that adds crisp horizontal-vertical line contrast and a distinctive hand to every stroke

Opus 88 nibs write slightly broader than equivalent Japanese nib sizes. Writers accustomed to Pilot or Sailor fine nibs may wish to size down by one step.

Ink Display

The transparent and demonstrator variants of the Jazz are among the most visually rewarding pens available for showcasing fountain pen inks. The cigar profile and generous barrel diameter mean there is always a large surface area of ink visible — shading inks reveal their full tonal range; sheening inks catch ambient light from multiple angles; shimmering inks with fine metallic particles turn the barrel into a display case. One practical note: strongly pigmented inks — certain deep reds, purples, and blue-blacks — may lightly stain a clear acrylic barrel over time. Regular cleaning minimises this effect.

Lifetime Replacement Guarantee

Every Opus 88 fountain pen sold at Shosai is backed by a lifetime replacement guarantee. If your pen is ever damaged beyond use, return it to our Gatineau boutique and we will coordinate a replacement directly with Opus 88 on your behalf. Full details, eligibility, and delivery options →

At Shosai

The Opus 88 Jazz is available at Shosai's Gatineau boutique and through our online store, serving the Ottawa–Gatineau National Capital Region and fountain pen enthusiasts across Canada. Each pen is inspected before shipping. If you have questions about nib selection, ink pairing, or filling an eyedropper pen for the first time, we are here to help.