I didn’t do a SotC post in September. It felt like things were changing too much in my collection. And they’re still changing, but this is long overdue.
So much has changed, in fact, that I’m not going to do my usual what’s in/what’s out: I’m going to start from scratch.
My collection has outgrown my main tray, and now lives in two other places: my Esterbrook Pen Nook, which is housing my black pens, mostly Montblanc; and another section of pen tray liner which is housing my second-tier pens, which I’m considering for sale, as well as review samples.
Let’s start with the main tray.
Pilot Murex
Fine nib, currently inked with Namiki Sepia.
Still one of my go-to pens for quick, tiny jottings. It works like an extra fine.
Namiki Yukari Royale Urushi 20 Vermillion
Medium nib, currently inked with Birmingham Truss Blue.
My “special occasion” pen and still one of my all-time favourites.
Nakaya Decapod Writer Heki-Tamenuri
Dual-tone broad to medium cursive italic, currently inked with Robert Oster Bronze.
Doesn’t get a lot of hand time, but a great joy to own.
Nakaya 17mm Portable Cigar Toki-Tamenuri
Gold soft medium, currently inked with Birmingham Alternator Crimson.
Getting a decent amount of use — I had to refill it last week. So chunky and comfortable.
Nakaya Long Cigar Kuro-Tamenuri
Rose gold medium, currently inked with Montblanc Maya Blue.
Glad to have this back from its loan. While it was away I mentally refigured it as a bit clunky and gangly, but now that it’s back I’m finding it a delicate and comfortable writer.
Sailor Pro Gear Shumibun Turquoise Demonstrator
Extra fine nib, currently inked with KWZ Menthol.
I’ve had a 1911 and a Pro Gear before and not made either of them stick: the medium nibs grated on me and they felt plasticky. This Pro Gear revels in its plastic innards and the EF nib is great. Nice to have something so bright in my collection.
Kasama Una Ultem
Broad nib, currently inked with Montblanc Golden Yellow.
Still a great joy to write with, and a unique example of design.
Visconti Homo Sapiens London Fog
Medium nib, currently inked with Sailor Studio 123.
With so many new pens hitting my desk, the poor old grail pen has been left on the shelf. No chance of selling it, though.
Visconti Medici
Rose gold medium nib, currently inked with Bungubox June Bride Something Blue.
Seeing some hand time. The zingy blue-green ink does not match the pen at all, but I’m in the mood for this kind of colour at the moment.
Montegrappa Extra 1930 Colori del Mare The Sea
Fine nib. Not currently inked.
With so many pens in rotation, I found the Montegrappa kept drying out between turns. So I flushed it and I’m letting it rest a little.
Aurora 88 Nettuno
Home-ground italic nib, currently inked with Pure Pens Celtic Sea.
Much like the Namiki, this feels like a special occasion pen because it writes so well. I save it up!
Montblanc Solitaire Geometry Platinum
Double broad nib, currently inked with Troublemaker Abalone.
This is a beautiful pen for showing off shading. Timeless.
Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Pernambucco
Fine nib, currently inked with Montblanc Lapis Lazuli.
Recently back from loan.
Pelikan M1005 Stresemann
Medium nib, currently inked with Iroshizuku Kiri-Same.
I’m enjoying the M1005. Worth the wait, and the nib break-in continues.
Pelikan M805 Ocean Swirl
Italic broad nib, currently inked with Sailor Studio 140.
I used the big fat IB for some meeting notes this last week. I raced through the pages…. great fun.
Lamy 2000 Bauhaus
Extra fine nib, currently inked with Birmingham Boiler Steam Blue Black.
Getting a load of use since it arrived. Lots of articles around at the moment bemoaning the limited availability, high price etc — I’m just enjoying it as a pen.
Lamy Imporium
Extra fine nib, currently inked with Lamy Dark Lilac.
Bizarrely, this pen burped ink on to the page this weekend, despite an EF nib and being inked with Lamy ink via a cartridge. Otherwise, a fabulous wet writer and really pretty in the titanium finish.
Lamy Studio Aquamarine
Medium nib, currently inked with Montblanc Maya Blue.
On my third fill of this budget beauty.
Geha 760
Extra fine nib, currently inked with Maruzen Athena Sepia.
I haven’t had much cause to get the Geha out recently, but I still admire its fantastic nib.
Conid Kingsize
Fine nib, currently inked with a custom green mix (Akkerman #28 + Edelstein Olivine).
Like the London Fog, an old favourite that hasn’t had much hand time recently. I wrote a few notes last week with it.
Onoto Magna Classic Dubai Prototype
Medium nib, currently inked with Montblanc Turquoise.
Just back from loan. I missed it, even though I had the plunger prototype to play with.
Leonard Slattery Pens A Haon Grenadilla
Fine nib, currently inked with Pilot 100th Anniversary Hoteisen.
Hasn’t had much hand time recently (can you see a theme emerging?). It may be that I have too many pens inked!
Sheaffer Legacy Heritage Deepcut Palladium
Fine nib, currently inked with Montblanc Homer Greek Blue.
Yay, I’m reunited with a palladium Sheaffer! This one has very uneven tipping, but it writes well, so I’m keeping it.
Franklin-Christoph Model 02 Smoke & Ice
Fine Masuyama cursive italic, currently inked with Edelstein Aquamarine.
It’s been sitting.
Franklin-Christoph Pocket 66 Solid Ice
Medium Masuyama cursive italic, currently inked with Montblanc Beatles Psychedelic Purple.
I’ve been using this quite a bit. Psychedelic Purple is just a great colour, and as an eyedropper it really pops.
Desiderata Soubriquet Cocobolo Mk1
0.6mm stub, currently inked with Birmingham Allegheny Observatory Celestial Blue.
Pure class.
And now on to the black pens…
Montblanc 149 Expression Flex
Flex nib, currently inked with Birmingham Polar Bear.
I wrote this dry of Bungubox 4B, and immediately inked it up with a great shader. This is a marvellous pen for fun.
Montblanc Writer’s Edition Agatha Christie
Medium nib, currently inked with Kobe #51 Kano-Cho.
Seeing decent use. Smooth and comfortable, and a sentimental grail.
Montblanc Heritage 1912
Medium nib, currently inked with Troublemaker Hanging Rice (extra wet).
I’ve been using this again after a long hiatus. May I say that I finally found an ink that’s too wet for me!
Montblanc Rouge et Noir
Extra fine nib, currently inked with Diamine Blood Orange.
Not technically back in my ownership, but back in my hand thanks to a friendly penabler.
Lamy 2000
Medium nib, currently inked with Anderillium Inks Colossal Squid Dark.
The Colossal Squid Dark is such a great ink. Check out Anderillium if you haven’t already.
Omas Milord Ludovico Einaudi
Fine nib, currently inked with Birmingham Jeff Goldblum Independence Grey.
This has been a preferred journalling pen for the past week. Very smooth and agile, and the Birmingham ink gives it just that bit extra glide.
Everything else
Do you think this post is long enough without me listing out another fifteen pens?
Incoming
Keep your eyes peeled for:
- Montblanc Writer’s Edition Homer
- Montegrappa Duetto Nero Uno
- Pilot Custom Urushi
- Schon Pocket Pen
- ASC Arco Bronze Gladiatore Medio
- Pelikan M600 White Tortoise
- Karas Vertex
Can you see why I’m warming up to a sale?
That was a nice trip down memory lane of your blog, especially seeing a lot of you previous grail pens kicking about. I have a bad habit of spending my pen fund just before you sell off pens, going to have to hold onto my funds for now since you keep mentioning a sale incoming.
Your Nakaya 17mm is not a decapod 😉
Ugh, good catch! Now wouldn’t a 17mm Decapod be something to see?!
Most definitely!
By the way, what do you think about your Eboya?
It’s almost exactly the same size as a 146, in every dimension, but feels smaller. I shoulda got the large!
Very impressive collection indeed! I just took delivery of my first Montblanc – a Meisterstuck Le Grand with medium nib. Never thought that the simple art of writing cause bring so much pleasure!
I hope you enjoy it!