Last week’s Friday Five was a mistake. By Tuesday I found myself bored and looking for different colours, something new, and a different mix of nibs to suit work and journalling. That’s what I get for being overconfident.
The Estie was doing good duty, and I wrote it dry. The 149 also saw plenty of use. But the Kaweco is too small for extended use. And I was finding the bright orange in the Conid and the hot pink in the Van Gogh a bit too much.
So, a radical restart — especially with a couple of new additions. I swapped in to these on Wednesday but I’m sticking with them until next weekend for sure. Note the missing Optima in the group photo and the missing Talentum and Montblanc in the handwritten list (written back on Wednesday)… it’s Sunday and I’m too lazy to reshoot!
Scribo, 18k medium, Montblanc Swan Illusion
I mentioned the Scribo in my last post, and it’s joined this week’s rotation. It’s a firehose brute of a pen, and it actually makes Swan Illusion look like a dark brown at times!
Montegrappa The Sea, Birmingham Polar Bear
Oh yeah! The poor Extra had been sat uninked for some time, and trying it out again is a revelation. It’s incredible. Such a smooth nib, graceful design, eye-popping finish.
Conid Minimalistica Monarch, Herbin Vert de Gris
I’m feeling a lot more comfortable with the Minimalistica now that it’s back on the steel nib and inked with a more sober shade. Although looking at the list, I have five blue-blacks inked…
Desiderata Soubriquet, Birmingham Celestial Blue
Celestial Blue is the permanent pairing for the Soubriquet. I’m glad to have this one back. It’s a masterpiece of hand craftsmanship.
Graf von Faber-Castell Classic, Noodler’s Air Corp Blue-Black
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the Classic and specifically its cap threads. Sounds crazy, I know, but there’s something special about how positively they close. This pen is creeping up my top-ten list for sure.
Aurora Optima, Montblanc Encre du Desert
Looks like my pendulum is swinging back towards fine nibs, doesn’t it?
Aurora Talentum Black Ops, Kobe #51
Except this is about as far from a fine nib as you can get. I’ll probably review the Talentum next, because it’s been on my mind a lot. I’m really struck by both the design and the matte-black finish.
Bonus 8: Montblanc Rouge et Noir EF, Robert Oster Ruthenium
And here’s a last-minute addition, thanks to the sub-24-hour service from Roy at Izods. The Rouge et Noir shouldn’t be my sort of pen at all: it’s pencil-thin.
But with the EF nib it makes sense. It feels like a scalpel. In fact, it reminds me a good deal of the Graf Classic. With some adjustment to grip and a light touch, it’s comfortable enough, and the EF nib is something special.
And look at that style.
So unless I get really bored of eating and watching TV, this is likely to be my last post before Christmas. Thank you for reading, for commenting, and for making the stationery community such a great place to be.
Interesting concise snippets. Congrats on your latest additions, the Scribo, the fancy Montblanc rouge et noir and the stealthy Aurora. I look forward to seeing all of these and the recent Conid at a pen meet some time!
Merry Christmas to you Rupert — looking forward to catching up in the new year and showing you the new arrivals☺️
Thankyou very much and a Merry Christmas to you and your family too. Enjoy the break. See you in the New Year.