Edit 9pm 31 Dec: most of the pens in the original photo below have gone. I’m now also selling my Namiki Urushi 20, M nib for £1,000 and Schon brass half-faceted for £140. Still available: Rotring Lava, Lamy Scala, 2x Hahnemuhle pens. It’s the end of the year and probably not a great time to … Continue reading For sale: ASC, Montblanc and more
Month: Dec 2021
My 2022 pen new year resolutions (and laminated list)
2021 was a good year for pens for me, and for this blog. I discovered so many amazing creations, from Elbwood's fabulous Pocketmaster up to Santini's bonkers Giant. But it was very, very expensive. (And don't forget, you can support the blog with a quick donation through PayPal!) So for 2022, my main resolution is: … Continue reading My 2022 pen new year resolutions (and laminated list)
True motivations
A friend of mine just put his Pelikan Ocean Swirl up for sale (incidentally, he originally bought it from me). I raised my eyebrows: this was truly a grail for him. I remember his joy, his gratitude, his pride when he acquired it. And now to sell it — a bold move. I started to … Continue reading True motivations
Nine reasons to love the TWSBI Eco Jade
I’ve honestly lost count of how many TWSBI Ecos I’ve owned. From the Golden Horse LE to the turquoise, hot pink, sunshine yellow, the funny-shaped Eco-Ts, all the way back to the full demo I bought first way back when… my house is with Ecos like NYC is with rats. No matter how many you … Continue reading Nine reasons to love the TWSBI Eco Jade
Lamy Scala: a forgotten gem?
Of all Lamy's fountain pens, the Scala seems to get the least love and attention from the community. It's been knocking around since 2012, earned an honourable mention in the 2013 red dot design awards, and despite its minimal design Lamy has been treating the Scala to an increasingly daring range of special editions, including … Continue reading Lamy Scala: a forgotten gem?
Midori MD fountain pen: cute with some retro vibes
You may know Midori as the Japanese brand behind the traveller's notebooks, and the well-regarded MD paper. But they also sell fountain pens, including the quirky bullet pen, and this, the MD. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_uwWt8vJOE At £40, this model is pushing out of the true 'affordables' tier against the Preppies, Prefountes, Ecos and plastic Sports. You can … Continue reading Midori MD fountain pen: cute with some retro vibes
State of the Collection: December 2021
Well, the tidal wave of new pens from my suitcase challenge, Fountain Pen Day and Black Friday arrived, and with it has some some change and consolidation in my personal pen collection. I made the hard decision to sell or retire several pens that were duplicates or only in my tray for sentimental reasons. For … Continue reading State of the Collection: December 2021
Hahnemuhle FineNotes Slim and Bold fountain pens: a brave new entry by an old name
It’s always exciting to try a new pen, and doubly so to try an entirely new brand for the first time. So when Hahnemühle reached out to me to review its new FineNotes range, how could I refuse? Essential background: who on earth are Hahnemühle, and why are they suddenly making pens? Hahnemühle might not … Continue reading Hahnemuhle FineNotes Slim and Bold fountain pens: a brave new entry by an old name
Benu goes upmarket with the Euphoria Dream
The Euphoria Dream is a new venture for Benu: a special store exclusive for its own brand site, priced at $280, featuring a multi-layered handpainted decorative finish that takes five days to complete before being finished with a polished lacquer layer. https://youtu.be/5wY16iFDGmg And it’s this labour-intensive decorative process that’s really under review here. In all … Continue reading Benu goes upmarket with the Euphoria Dream
Guest post: fountain pen truths, part two
Welcome to the second of two guest posts from the inestimable Claire. I follow her sharp-tongued posts religiously on Instagram, and while I don’t always agree with her, I think her voice is well worth sharing… with minimal editing. Speak truth, Claire! Hopefully you will have seen part one of this series that I have been … Continue reading Guest post: fountain pen truths, part two
UK fountain pens 