You know how sometimes you get a new pen and it's just so fresh and clever that you immediately love it and just want to rave about it to everyone? Well, that's me with the Karas Pens Vertex. I'm so blown away by this pen that they should have called it "vortex". (And I promise that's the last dad-joke … Continue reading The Karas Vertex is a breath of fresh air
Month: Jul 2019
A new notebook option: GoodINKPressions for Tomoe and SplendorGel (?!)
I'm always on the lookout for new notebook makers who offer something different, and ideally that use my preferred Tomoe River paper. Today I'm sharing my thoughts on two B5 handmade notebooks from a Spain-based company called GoodINKPressions, available on Etsy. I bought these for full retail price, which was £19 each plus £4 shipping. … Continue reading A new notebook option: GoodINKPressions for Tomoe and SplendorGel (?!)
Time for a new buyer’s guide? Part one: pens under £50
My UKFP buyer's guide page gets consistent traffic — clearly a lot of you out there are looking for recommendations as to which fountain pens are worth spending your money on. It's been a while since I wrote it, and I think it might be time for a new list. Let me know what you … Continue reading Time for a new buyer’s guide? Part one: pens under £50
State of the collection: August 2019
OK folks, that time of the month again (well, near enough). Let's see what's in my tray for August. Left to right: Montegrappa Extra, Visconti London Fog, Visconti Medici, Aurora 88 Nettuno, Aurora Duo-Cart, Montblanc Agatha Christie, Montblanc Geometry Solitaire, Montblanc 1912, Lamy 2000, Kaweco Art Sport Alabaster, Pelikan M805 Ocean Swirl, Geha 760, Graf … Continue reading State of the collection: August 2019
The Aurora Duo-Cart could just be a modern classic
I have a fresh appreciation for Aurora's pens. The 88 Nettuno has wormed its way into my heart, and I not only love the way it writes (which I take credit for) but the way it looks and feels in the hand. But that's a £500 special edition. Would I be equally enamored of a … Continue reading The Aurora Duo-Cart could just be a modern classic
Doing the hokey cokey
It's been ten days since my last "proper" post (I reviewed the Pilot Murex, in case you missed it). What can I say? I've been busy with family and work. But oh, what change. (The title of the post is inspired by the "in, out" of my collection...) No mystery here I bid a fond … Continue reading Doing the hokey cokey
For sale: Conid, Sheaffer, Visconti
Update: Conid and Visconti sold pending funds. Three more pens for sale, to keep the collection down as a couple of very special new arrivals wing their way to me. By now, I hope you know the drill. All prices include UK shipping and are based on payment by PayPal friends and family, or … Continue reading For sale: Conid, Sheaffer, Visconti
Pilot Murex: a usable Myu
Remember my review of the Pilot Myu? I admired the design, but sadly as a usable pen the Myu fell woefully short for me. Literally, it's a short pen, but the slippery and sloped section was a killer too. Enter the Murex, a pen that promised to fix the Myu for me, with a longer … Continue reading Pilot Murex: a usable Myu
Going equipped (inside my EDC bag)
I'm going through a lull in my international travel at the moment (thankfully), but I still spend a lot of the time out of the house. Being the kind of overthinker that I am, I have evolved what to me is the perfect EDC productivity kit. You folks tend to like the behind-the-scenes posts, so … Continue reading Going equipped (inside my EDC bag)
11 phenomenal stubs and italics for any budget
Stubs and italics are taking over my pen collection. Why? Well, I like line variation and, being a lefty, flex is not easy for me. But I have a light touch and a fairly consistent writing angle, so it's easy for me to skate even the sharpest italic across the page. You can make pretty … Continue reading 11 phenomenal stubs and italics for any budget
UK fountain pens 