S.K.B. RS-301N Brass Pocket Pen, “Lemmings” 200K+ Special Edition
Dimensions 尺寸資料
Capped 含蓋：12.0 cm
Uncapped 不含蓋：11.1 cm
Posted 套蓋：14.4 cm
Weight 重量資料
Capped 含蓋：38.5 g
Uncapped 不含蓋：25.6 g
時至今日，除了少數筆款如百樂Elite 95S，曾經在60至80年代紅極一時的日本短鋼筆已經絕跡一手市場。不過在2018年，台灣品牌S.K.B.文明鋼筆就以黃銅為材料，重新推出短鋼筆款——RS-301N短鋼。
Nowadays, other than Elite 95S launched by Pilot, we could barely find a pocket pen in the first-hand market. But the design of pocket pen hasn’t been forgotten. In 2018, S.K.B., a Taiwanese brand of Wen Ming Fountain Pen Mfg. Co., Ltd., released a brand new brass pocket pen: RS-301N.
S.K.B.簡史 The History of S.K.B.
S.K.B.的歷史最早可以追溯至日本殖民時期由荒川五郎經營的綠屋文具商店。1951年日本撤離後，盧榮火接手，改名「文明書局」，至1955年更名為「文明鋼筆股份有限公司」，開始經營進口鋼筆貿易。其後盧榮火成立台灣第一家自製販售的鋼筆品牌「S.K.B.」，名字取自Smooth（流暢）、Knowing（知性）與Beauty（美感）的縮寫。（另有一說是盧榮火喜愛打獵，一次正好看到獵槍上的廠牌縮寫“S.K.B.”，因而順手拈來。）
The predecessor of S.K.B. was the “Midoriya Stationery” hold by Goro Arakawa during the Japanese Taiwan. In 1951, Lu Rong Huo took over the stationery shop and renamed it to “Wen Ming Bookstore”. In 1955, he changed the company name to “Wen Ming Fountain Pen Mfg. Co., Ltd” and started selling imported fountain pen. He then founded a new brand called “S.K.B”, which was the first local fountain pen manufacturing brand in Taiwan. The name of the brand is the acronym of “Smooth”, “Knowing” and “Beauty”.
1959年，S.K.B.推出自家首枝鋼筆830。翌年，S.K.B.開發出22型鋼筆。雖然價格甚為昂貴（當時價錢相當於公務員月薪的四分之一），但仍然掀起熱潮，成為潮流代表和送禮首選。其後S.K.B.開始研製14K、18K金筆尖，並研發雕刻筆身花紋的技術，逐漸壯大成台灣三大鋼筆品牌之一，與Telex鐵力士和Bismarck俾斯麥齊名。
In 1959, S.K.B. launched their first fountain pen model “830”. The year after, they released the fountain pen model “22”. That was a great success. “22” fountain pen became a popular gift and fashion accessories. After that, S.K.B. began to develop manufacturing techniques of gold nib production and pen barrel engraving. S.K.B. soon became one of the three major fountain pen manufacturers in Taiwan, same as Telex and Bismarck.
70年代，盧榮火預見鋼筆將會式微，逐漸停止生產鋼筆，轉而投身原子筆市場，並大獲成功，如在1973年推出了家喻戶曉、堪稱台灣歷史最悠久的202秘書原子筆。S.K.B.產品最受歡迎的時候，甚至有商家在周轉不靈時以S.K.B.原子筆作抵押換取現金，足見其熱銷程度。
In 1970s, Lu Rong Huo sensed the trend of ballpoint pens. He gradually stopped the production of fountain pen and focused on the ballpoint pen market. S.K.B. successfully became a giant of producing ballpoint pen. Its “202” secretary type ballpoint pen, which first launched in 1973, became an iconic ballpoint pen in Taiwan.
The “202” secretary type ballpoint pen that had been used by almost every Taiwanese people in the last century. S.K.B. is still producing it nowadays. Retried: https://www.skb.com.tw/product/631_0-7mm/
不過到了90年代，在外來商品和電子化的衝擊下，S.K.B.的平價原子筆市場大為萎縮。經歷艱難的轉型期，S.K.B.終於在2012年重啟鋼筆生產。於是才有了本文要介紹的RS-301N短鋼筆。
However, the ballpoint pen market of S.K.B. shrank greatly under the wave of foreign products and electronic product after 1990s. After a difficult transitional period, S.K.B. finally restarted the production of fountain pen in 2012. The RS-301N pocket pen is one of their new products.
鋼筆介紹 Unboxing of the pen
2018年4月，型號RS-301N的S.K.B.黃銅短鋼筆正式面世，官方稱之為「袖珍鋼筆」。本文所展示的是2018年台灣Facebook群組「鋼筆旅鼠本部連」（俗稱鼠團）為紀念成員數突破二十萬向S.K.B.訂製的特別版本，限量500枝，當時定價NTD$2580（約USD$90）。
In April 2018, S.K.B. released their new brass pocket fountain pen: RS-301N. The one shown in this article is a special edition for one of the biggest fountain-pen Facebook group “The Fountain-Pen Lemmings Brigade” in Taiwan, celebrating their achievement of over 200,000 members. It is limited to 500 pieces.
筆盒以紙套包裹，並採用原木料。右上角刻有「文明行」字樣。之所以採用此名而非「文明鋼筆」，或許是因為S.K.B.品牌成立之前是以「文明鋼筆行」之名開始組裝和售賣進口鋼筆。
The pen case is made of raw wood and have a paper wrap. The Chinese name of S.K.B., “Wen Ming Hang”, is engraved on the top right hand corner of the pen case.
打開筆盒，取出一張牛皮紙印刷的使用說明書，可見鋼筆本體和鼠團特別版附贈的筆尖拆卸工具與替代筆尖。
Inside the pen case, we can see an owner’s manual printed on kraft paper and also the RS-301N pocket pen. This special edition pen set come with a nib removal tool and an extra pen nib.
取出鋼筆，筆握上有紀念鼠團突破二十萬成員的圖標：從左至右分別有旅鼠的英文「Lemmings」、「匠魂」印章和限量編號。聽說原本圖標設計為陰刻，但因為筆桿上有電著塗層，雷射無法雕刻，反而燒焦了表面的塗層，結果成了陽刻，摸起來是凸的，倒也別有一番風味。
The marking on the grip of the RS-301N Lemmings special edition. From left to right are the short form of the Facebook group name: “Lemmings”, Chinese words “Jiang Hun”, which means “the soul of craftsman”, and the limited edition number of the pen.
The limited edition number of my RS-301N is “030”. It is somehow like an excited or kissy face. XD
筆握背面有一小孔，可查看是否裝有吸墨器或墨膽，不過無法藉此檢查餘墨量。
There is a small hole on the back of the pen grip for checking whether converter or cartridge is installed inside.
這枝短鋼最值得讚喻的當然是它的黃銅筆身。就我目前所見，這是第一枝黃銅日式短鋼筆。它的做工相當紥實，幾乎全枝筆都是黃銅，甚至連附贈的吸墨器都包覆了，可謂真材實料。黃銅的獨特色澤，配上懷舊樸素的外觀設計，為整枝筆增添溫度與質感。歷經使用，更有歲月的味道。不過由於施加了電著塗層，筆身基本上不會自然氧化，可能並不符合每個人對黃銅鋼筆的期望。
The most fascinating thing about this pen would be its brass body. As far as I can see, this is the first brass Japanese-style pocket pen. Almost every part of the pen is made of brass, even the complimentary converter is covered with brass. The unique color of brass is perfectly coupled with the nostalgic and simple appearance of the RS-301N. However, due to a special coating, the body of the pen is basically not able to be naturally oxidized. It may not meet everyone’s expectations for brass pens.
Anatomy of RS-301N. The component inside the section and the nib removal tool did not have a special coating on the surface, so their color looks different. They will also be oxidized.
不過這造成了一個小問題：重量。淨筆身已重達25克，加上筆蓋更逼近40克（與之相比，白金3776 Century全筆僅重約20克）。若將筆蓋套在筆尾上，重心會往後傾，不利長期書寫。我在使用時多大不套蓋，直接書寫。雖然不套蓋使用並無不便，不過這多少算是失卻了短鋼筆可長可短的特色。
However, its brass body causes a small problem: overweight. Even without the cap, the pen weights 25 grams (In order to put it into perspective, Platinum 3776 Century is only weighted 20 grams). It is back-heavy when posted. I personally prefer not posting the cap. It feels much more comfortable in my hand without the cap. But it is somehow a loss of the special characteristic of pocket pen, which is available to be short or long.
值得留意的是RS-301N並非如大多舊式短鋼般使用彈簧片固定筆蓋，而是藉著筆身上下兩組的卡點作固定。這種卡式筆蓋以及其筆身重量總令我聯想起鋼筆界另一枝「重量級」鋼筆：rOtring 600。
Unlike most of the Japanese pocket pen in the 1960s to 80s, RS-301N use a click-type closing mechanism on the cap. This type of cap closing mechanism and its heavy weight always reminds me another “heavyweight” fountain pen: rOtring 600.
筆尖設計使用了如今已頗為少見的暗尖，充滿懷舊氣息。鼠團版本備有鼠頭打磨的F尖和M尖兩款筆尖，可以利用拆卸工具自行更換。
RS-301N has an old-style hooded steel nib. The Lemmings special edition pen set come with one Fine nib and one Medium nib. I could use the nib removal tool to exchange them.
“Kano”之名的誤會 The misconception of the name “Kano”
筆者在翻閱資料時看到有人將這枝RS-301N稱為“Kano”，其實這是美麗的誤植。
When I was looking for the information of RS-301N, I saw some pen-friend called it “Kano”. But, in fact, it is a misconception.
“Kano”一詞最早源於1928年在台灣南部嘉義創立的嘉義農林棒球隊（Kano Baseball Team）。他們在1931年勇奪全島冠軍，震撼台灣球壇，打破當時棒壇南弱北強、「冠軍錦旗不過濁水溪」的傳統，後來甚至遠征日本甲子園，勇奪亞軍。這段熱血的事跡在2014年被翻拍成電影《KANO》。
The word “Kano” originally came from the “Kano Baseball Team”, which was a Taiwanese baseball team established in 1928. In 1931, They were qualified to represent Taiwan island and claimed second place in Japanese High School Baseball Championship at Koshien Stadium, Japan. In 2014, their passionate story was remade into the movie “KANO”.
至於為何“Kano”一名會與S.K.B.扯上關係呢？實情是因為S.K.B.曾經與《KANO》電影官方合作，聯名推出Kano短原子筆系列，以懷舊情懷作宣傳。後來S.K.B.推出沒有聯名元素的RS-301短原子筆。它的外觀與RS-301N黃銅短鋼頗為相似，所以也不難理解為何有人稱RS-301N為“Kano”。
As for why the name “Kano” has a relationship with S.K.B.? The truth is that S.K.B. once cooperated with the production company of the film “KANO” and launched the RS-301 Kano pocket ballpoint pen series. The appearance of Kano and RS-301N is quite similar, making some people misunderstand that RS-301N is one of member of the Kano family.
圖片來源：https://shop.skb.com.tw/精品文具/原子筆?product_id=49
結語
S.K.B.現時仍然繼續生產RS-301N黃銅短鋼，相信是繼百樂的Elite 95S後市面上第二款現產的短鋼筆。作為短鋼愛好者，我當然樂見更多筆廠重新生產短鋼。可惜S.K.B.黃銅短鋼的知名度和討論度似乎不是很高。我私心覺得這款短鋼以此造工只賣如此價格，實在超值。若果你喜歡黃銅，或希望體驗昔日盛極一時的短鋼筆，不妨到S.K.B.的官網入手一枝試試（註：我沒有收廣告費XD）。
S.K.B. still continues to produce this RS-301N pocket pen, made it became a new choice, other than the Pilot Elite 95S, to new fountain pen user. As a big fan of pocket pen, I’m so glad to hear that more pen manufactures reproduce pocket pen. Unfortunately, the RS-301N does not seem to have much visibility and discussion. I personally think that this pen is totally worth its price. If you like brass, or you want to experience the Japanese pocket pen, I really recommend you get one for yourself on S.K.B.’s official website.
余維達 Jerry Yu
2021.03.08
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小後記：我早在2018年收到這枝筆時便想寫篇介紹文，但想不到一拖便拖了兩年有多。現在都快要大學畢業了，才匆匆地想要把握最後的自由時光，完成這篇文章。
不經不覺，竟然已有近兩年時間沒有好好更新文章。我在這篇文章作了好一些新嘗試。這除了是我第一次介紹台灣品牌和現產短鋼，也是首次加入測評和導賞的元素。之前我盡量保持「短鋼編年史」客觀公正、不褒不貶的宗旨，但現在我想透過個人評測等元素，提升文章的易讀性，使入門的朋友也更易入口。不知道大家覺得怎樣？
另一項則是翻譯。之前我就一直想製作中英對照的文章，也為部分舊文增加了英文翻譯。我作為英文白痴，翻譯是各個環節中最為耗時的。光查閱專用名詞便費了好幾個晚上。而且我在傳譯過程中不斷修改原案，添加新的資料，使完稿日一再推遲。雖然拼盡全力，但我相信成品仍然充滿語病、文法亂七八糟，唯望各位筆友海涵。
兩年間入手了不少有趣的短鋼，希望接下來能夠提升更新頻率，向大家逐一介紹！
References:
- Eric：〈那些年 我們一起用過的文具〉，《SKB》，Retried:
- https://www.skb.com.tw/news-article/那些年-我們一起用過的文具/
- Mr.森：〈【療文具】1931 KANO精神內含，台灣加油！〉，《滿腦子文具》，Retried:http://skb53586656.pixnet.net/blog/post/221057278?fbclid=IwAR34DGfAt2vneq4lmgbdSZCAnoYp-lm9Bh02E5HA-Hpo7ukhtShMSHjJaK0
- 王文卿、陳朝樑、常君毅、鄭智元、錢文照：〈盧榮火先生訪談錄（文明鋼筆）〉，《台灣文具史（人物專訪篇）》，Retried: http://www.tasi.org/history/history_01/page_005.htm
- 作者不詳：〈SKBi文創系列：2014 KANO 復刻袖珍精品筆〉，《SKB》，Retried:https://www.skb.com.tw/product/683_kano-x-skbi/
- 作者不詳：〈關於我們〉，《SKB》，Retried: https://www.skb.com.tw/about-us/
- 吳雨潔：〈台灣第一支鋼筆，你知道在哪裡誕生嗎？文明鋼筆的老店新生〉，《天下雜誌》，Retried:https://www.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=5087694
- 林侑青：〈「台灣人要有一隻自己的筆！」 SKB文明鋼筆，找回書寫的力量〉，《美麗佳人》，Retried:https://www.marieclaire.com.tw/lifestyle/issue/28233?atcr=27e700
- 張婷臻：〈完美霸氣！和近藤教練一樣「魔鬼」的KANO精品筆〉，《Fanily》，Retried:https://www.fanily.tw/archives/16119
- 陳承璋：〈7元秘書筆跳級2千元市場 SKB扭轉瀕倒危機〉，《商周雜誌》，Retried:https://www.businessweekly.com.tw/magazine/Article_mag_page.aspx?id=7000944
- 潘弘輝：〈SKB，燦爛的一頁！——文明鋼筆股份有限公司〉，《滿腦子文具》，Retried:https://skb53586656.pixnet.net/blog/post/302321901-skb，燦爛的一頁!—文明鋼筆股份有限公司
- 謝一麟：〈SKB文明鋼筆——以高雄為家，寫高雄人故事的筆〉，《三餘書店》，Retried:https://www.takaobooks.tw/magazine-info.asp?id=372
- 闕小豪：〈《KANO》三個嘉義榮耀，一次滿足〉，Retried: https://char.tw/blog/post/40861117
短鋼編年史 Pocket Pen Chronicle 