I struggle with a top-5 list of pens. Even more than you're supposed to. It's a crisis of definition, really. A top-5 for who? A student with a £20 budget just starting out is in a very different position to a wealthy retiree who loves vintage Italian pens. And how do I productively compare a … Continue reading Desert Island Pens: my controversial top 5
Month: Aug 2017
By the numbers: should you trust me?
It may not surprise you that I track my pens and inks in a spreadsheet. It's basic, I hardly ever update it, and I don't look at it all that often — but sometimes it's handy for a bit of introspection. Today, I was thinking about joining the ranks of pen bloggers who've published a … Continue reading By the numbers: should you trust me?
The simple joy of the perfect combination
My last fill with my Lamy 2000 was with Montblanc JFK — a navy blue ink that I really expected to love. But it didn't gel with the pen. Writing with it just felt like hard work, and my hand always passed over the combo for something else. In the end I flushed it, and … Continue reading The simple joy of the perfect combination
Ink review: Kyo no oto No. 5 Aonibi
I really, really wanted to love this ink. I'm not quite sure it's right for me, at least with some of the pens and papers I use every day, but it might just be for you. The Kyoto / Kyo no oto inks have been on my radar for some time — ever since someone … Continue reading Ink review: Kyo no oto No. 5 Aonibi
The joy of anticipation
For an average guy with a kid and a mortgage, I've managed to accrue some pretty lovely stuff. A quick look at my pen Block and you'll see a Pelikan M1000 and M805, Lamy 2000, Pilot 912, Sailor Pro Gear, Franklin Christoph Pocket 66 in the sought-after antique glass. And a fair few others. Look … Continue reading The joy of anticipation
Service please!
A quick post, this. I've had cause in recent months to take advantage of manufacturer service on two of my relatively expensive pens. First, when I bought my Pelikan M805 I found the medium nib was too wide for me. I emailed the UK distributor, Stone Marketing, and asked if I could swap the nib. … Continue reading Service please!
UK fountain pens 