When I get a pen in for review, I often sit with a blank sheet of paper in front of me and freely jot down the observations or ideas that occur to me about it. With the Namisu Naos, one of the first things I wrote down was ‘Brutalist’. Its severe, angular barrel in matte … Continue reading Does Brutalism have a place in pen design? Hands on with the Namisu Naos Ti
Month: Sep 2020
Benu, cartridges, interviews, queues and more
A few days ago I started writing a September 'State of the Collection' post. But the scale of the task has overwhelmed me. With more than 20 posts since the August SotC, and at least as many pens in and out... well, I figured nobody would want to read a post that long. But I … Continue reading Benu, cartridges, interviews, queues and more
Karas Ink v2: all killer, no filler
I reviewed the previous generation of the Karas Ink a little over a year ago. I really wanted to like it, and I could see the heart of a good pen in it, but it had a few annoyances that I simply couldn't get over. Karas has reengineered the Ink, releasing this edition, the v2, … Continue reading Karas Ink v2: all killer, no filler
Esterbrook Pen Nook v2: new solutions, new problems
The Esterbrook Pen Nook v2, or “Nook Navy”, is undoubtedly a better pen case than the first version, which I reviewed a little over a year ago. But while making a load of changes, Esterbrook has introduced a couple of new problems that you should be aware of. Kenro sent me the six-pen version of … Continue reading Esterbrook Pen Nook v2: new solutions, new problems
Plenty of passion in the Leonardo Furore Grande
It's easy to see why Leonardo is one of the modern darlings of the fountain pen scene. From the first Momento Zero, which I reviewed back in 2018, the Italian company has kept up a breakneck pace of releases, with dozens of pretty resins, ebonite, arco, Grande models, music nibs, and the release of an … Continue reading Plenty of passion in the Leonardo Furore Grande
Review: Kaweco Special Aluminium Blue Limited Edition
Although I’ve used and reviewed many Kawecos over the years, I’d never once even had the Special flutter across my radar. I wonder whether the same is true for you? The Supra, Liliput, even the Perkeo seem to attract more attention. But when this Blue Limited Edition popped up, my attention was piqued at last, … Continue reading Review: Kaweco Special Aluminium Blue Limited Edition
How can all these pen companies survive?
Oldwin and Onoto and Otto Hutt. Montegrappa and Monteverde and Montblanc. Edison, Desiderata, Franklin-Christoph, Newton, Birmingham. Caran d’Ache, Conway Stewart. Scribo, Cleo Skribent. Parker, Sheaffer, Waterman, Cross. ST Dupont, Graf von Faber-Castell. Tibaldi and Leonardo and the ghosts of Delta and Omas, and new Maiora and newly active Pineider. ASC, Bexley, Wahl-Eversharp. Esterbrook, Conklin. Nakaya … Continue reading How can all these pen companies survive?
The best value silver pen out there: Otto Hutt’s design07
If you want a sterling silver pen, your options are limited — and they're mostly pricey. Pilot makes a range called 'Silvern', which is very nice, but I'm excluding those models from here because there is no way they're solid silver: they're simply too light. So your options are some of the silver pens from … Continue reading The best value silver pen out there: Otto Hutt’s design07
Tibaldi’s Perfecta takes heritage to a modern audience
Remember I said that 'heritage' was a trend to watch? Well, alongside last week's Esterbrook JR, here's another example of that trend in action: the Perfecta, by a reborn Tibaldi. Tibaldi, like many Italian brands, has bounced around ownership and rebooted its portfolio numerous times over the decades. But the important thing is that the … Continue reading Tibaldi’s Perfecta takes heritage to a modern audience
The Esterbrook J reborn — and remixed. Meet the Esterbrook JR Pocket Pen.
Heritage? Handle with care... When the Estie was launched a couple of years ago as 'America's original, reborn', there was really nothing about it that evoked the ‘original’ Esterbrook pens. Although the Esterbrook name was displayed proudly, the emphasis was very much on the 'reborn' part of the slogan. From the first time I handled … Continue reading The Esterbrook J reborn — and remixed. Meet the Esterbrook JR Pocket Pen.
