Rather than words comes the thought of high windows: The sun-comprehending glass,And beyond it, the deep blue air, that showsNothing, and is nowhere, and is endless.Philip Larkin, High Windows Few pens make me want to quote poetry (especially by my favourite poet). The Onoto Great Court Vitreous Enamel Sterling Silver is one. But let's get something … Continue reading Art and alchemy: The Onoto Great Court Vitreous Enamel
Author: Anthony
Review: the quietly brilliant JG5 and JG6 by John Garnham Pens
This may be the most frustrating review you read of a new pen today. The two pens I'm covering here are by a UK-based maker called John Garnham. He doesn't have a website or an Instagram profile. He doesn't have stock or take orders or commissions. The only way to get hold of one of … Continue reading Review: the quietly brilliant JG5 and JG6 by John Garnham Pens
Personal loyalties
I have encountered a lot of retailers and brands in the past three and a half years running this blog. Many amazing products, plenty of great service (and a few problems, too, of course). I'm looking, as many of us are, for more simplicity in my life, and I was inspired by a post that … Continue reading Personal loyalties
Incoming!
Heads up, dear readers: the review queue is looking flush. In the past seven days, in case you missed it, I: Reappraised Benu pens from RussiaFound myself getting hate mail after critiquing the Venvstas MagnaEnjoyed the relatively budget Narwhal Original (wherever its nib comes from)Gave you some tips on checking your own nibs when they … Continue reading Incoming!
Cleo’s Classic is fantastic value
Where else can you get a brand new, German-made, gold-nibbed piston filler for £129? On these attributes, the Cleo Skribent Classic's core value proposition is pretty unassailable. And it has a lot else going for it, too. Comfort-wise, there's a long, long section with plenty of room for your fingers. If you hold really far … Continue reading Cleo’s Classic is fantastic value
How do you spot a ‘bad’ nib?
It occurs to me that I have written a lot recently about 'bad' nibs, and it may not be completely clear what I mean by that. Here's what I look for when I get a straightforward F or M or B nib — one with a round ball of tipping that's designed for general use. … Continue reading How do you spot a ‘bad’ nib?
The Narwhal Original is a great budget piston filler
Something about the Narwhal Original just feels really right. It's just the right size: not too long or short, not too thin or fat (good thing too: it doesn't post). It just sits naturally in the hand. The section is long and free of extremes; add to that the almost imperceptible square-cut threads and cap … Continue reading The Narwhal Original is a great budget piston filler
The frustration of innovation with the VENVSTAS Magna
I’ve never used a pen like the Venvstas Magna before, and you probably haven’t either. (That’s a clue that this may be a long review...) My first minutes with the pen were a rollercoaster of ups and downs, as again and again I discovered interesting innovations in materials and construction, combined with frustrating execution. In … Continue reading The frustration of innovation with the VENVSTAS Magna
I’m seeing Benu Pens in a new light
I confess: I'm a pen snob, and over the past couple of years it was easy for me to dismiss Benu from Russia as, well, naff. Why? Collectively, they press a lot of my buttons. Over-the-top resins packed with glitter. Crazy faceted shapes that often result in enormous barrel-to-section stepdowns. Marketing speak about being 'premium', … Continue reading I’m seeing Benu Pens in a new light
Schon DSGN keeps the good stuff coming
The Pocket Six (which I first reviewed last October) is one of the most exciting new pen designs I've seen in years. It manages to pack a full-size #6 nib and a comfortable full-size grip into a pen that makes the Kaweco Sport look chunky. It's fair to say that the Pocket Six has revolutionised … Continue reading Schon DSGN keeps the good stuff coming
