KAYU: When writing gets a new dimension. Discover the story of Czech designer Jan Šimr in our Shop

In the digital age, handwriting is becoming a ritual. And every ritual deserves a perfect tool. In our Design Shop at the Design Museum in Malá Strana, we have chosen a brand that brings elegance and tangible joy back to writing. Meet KAYU – writing instruments that combine modern engineering with the warmth of natural wood.

The story of these writing instruments did not begin in an anonymous factory hall, but in the mind and under the hands of Jan Šimr, the brand's founder. Jan is a designer who believes that in today's over-technologized world, we need things that have soul, weight, and a story. His approach to design is essentially "engineering poetry" – he has managed to combine precise metal mechanisms with a living, constantly working material like wood.

Engineering precision and a touch of nature

Jan Šimr decided to create an object that would work with sub-millimeter precision, yet feel warm in the hand. Every piece you see in our shop is the result of hundreds of hours of testing, grinding, and fine-tuning the best grip.

"I didn't just want to make another pen. I wanted to create an object that you would want to hold in your hand, even when you're not writing. Something that would evoke emotion every time you pull it out of your pocket," Jan says about his vision.

KAYU Icons in our offer

At the Design Museum, we have selected two collections that best represent Jan's signature and the brand's philosophy:

Engino Collection: Engineering perfection in practice. These pens combine cutting-edge mechanisms with a solid wood body. They have an ideally balanced center of gravity, so your hand won't tire even when writing long letters. Each pen has a unique wood grain – it's an original that ages beautifully with you.

Nikin Collection: Design with an ecological message. This series was created from the need to give back to nature what we take from it. For every product sold from this edition, a tree is planted. Minimalist lines and an emphasis on the clean texture of wood make these pens an ideal tool for those who value sustainability and "slow design."

Why take home a KAYU pen?

Writing with a pen by Jan Šimr is not just about taking notes. It's a sensory experience. The feeling as the nib touches the paper and you feel the texture of the wood in your fingers will make you slow down for a moment. In our museum in Malá Strana, we strive to connect the history of design with the best of contemporary Czech creation – and KAYU is precisely the symbol of new Czech minimalism that is worth owning.

Stop by, let a KAYU pen glide lightly across the paper, and choose yours. Whether as a prestigious gift or as a personal companion for your daily thoughts. You'll find them right at the entrance to our Design Shop.