Hot on the heels of the pen show season and Fountain Pen Day came this weekend's Black Friday. It may just be my personal perception, but I felt that this year the mood on the forums and on social media was a little frenzied. The industry-wide frenzy Stilo e Stile's website crashed after news of … Continue reading So that was Black Friday. How was yours, pen addicts?
Author: Anthony
Snippets: Santini, Kaweco, Kakimori, Capless and more…
It's been a busy couple of weeks on the pen front, again. First, in case you missed it, I reviewed the Christmas limited edition Benu Mistletoe. I really liked it. How could you not? And at the risk of Benu overload, I have another model coming in in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned. … Continue reading Snippets: Santini, Kaweco, Kakimori, Capless and more…
Ho ho ho with the Benu Mistletoe
I recorded a quick video review of this pen a couple of days ago and made a blooper in it. I misremembered the RRP as being $150-160, (when in fact it's $139), and in my head I expected it to be showing up at £120-130 in UK stores after our usual punishing conversion rate. In … Continue reading Ho ho ho with the Benu Mistletoe
8 fresh designs to get you excited about fountain pens again
This is not a Christmas gift guide, although it could serve as one if you were so minded. No, what I wanted to do here was shine a spotlight on a few makers and models that might not be on your radar, that I think are bringing a breath of fresh air to the world … Continue reading 8 fresh designs to get you excited about fountain pens again
The UKFP 2021 Christmas Gift Guide: Vendor Edition
Yes, it's November. Yes, it's 40-something days until Christmas. But heaven knows the global supply chain is screwed up, and I wanted to give you folks and our poor long-suffering pen retailers as much time as possible to sort out Christmas. So: something a little different for this year's holiday season. Instead of me just … Continue reading The UKFP 2021 Christmas Gift Guide: Vendor Edition
Onoto Heritage Overlay by Henry Simpole: artistry, at what cost?
TL;DR: check out the video review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs9db1kEDFE The full story This is an unusual, even special, pen. It features a skeletonised sterling silver overlay on both cap and barrel, created by the late Henry Simpole. Overlay pens are not common nowadays, and to me they are strongly associated with vintage pens: you find overlay pens … Continue reading Onoto Heritage Overlay by Henry Simpole: artistry, at what cost?
Dominant Industry inks make a splash
This review has been a long time coming. I first reached out to Dominant Industry on Instagram in August 2020, and — once we broke the language barrier — it was clear they weren’t ready for a review until they got their international expansion underway. But I didn’t forget, and this September I followed up. … Continue reading Dominant Industry inks make a splash
A truly premium, truly pocket pen: the Montegrappa Gnomo Moods Monterosa
I don't know about you, but I have a strong mental block against spending £500 on a pocket pen. The first reason is practical: there's a disconnect between a pen that is meant to get bashed around in your pocket with your keys, and one that delivers a "luxury" experience. The second is perhaps more … Continue reading A truly premium, truly pocket pen: the Montegrappa Gnomo Moods Monterosa
The suitcase challenge
Picture the scene: your phone pings with a message from a friend who lives abroad. "I'm coming to visit you next month!" Admit it. After the initial "yay!" reaction, your first thought was what can I ask them to bring over for me in their suitcase? Or another scene: you're taking a trip to foreign … Continue reading The suitcase challenge
Quietly confident: the Tibaldi N.60 in Rich Black
TL;DR: watch the video review (but scroll to the end anyway, trust me!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AtirBeA6hQ The full story I have a soft spot for the modern incarnation of Tibaldi. As the "affordable" arm of Montegrappa's parent company, it's up against stiff competition (think Leonardo, Maiora, Venvstas, Visconti, Gioia...), and is putting up a plucky fight. Behind … Continue reading Quietly confident: the Tibaldi N.60 in Rich Black
UK fountain pens 