The blog was quiet this week, for three reasons. First is personal: I'm going through a major change of role in my day job, which has taken my full attention. Second is a spot of burnout. I've made 15 posts in October already, and I've hit a bit of a wall. Third, I'm still working … Continue reading UKFP Uncapped: 25th October 2019 (a big week…)
Sometimes what’s good for you feels bad
In case you missed it, I'm selling some pens again. A garage full of supercars — which Ferrari would you sell? I've long since passed the point of selling the pens I've bought but don't get on with (although there are always a few of those); I'm mostly selling pens I really enjoy, that write … Continue reading Sometimes what’s good for you feels bad
Six more for sale
Conklin Mark Twain. Chased coral body. Crescent filler mechanism. Steel nib has bounce and writes a fine/medium line. £30. Clavijo 1920. Handmade for me in black Japanese ebonite. Piston filler, seamless body, silver rollstop. 18k Clavijo-branded nib, ebonite feed, fine cursive italic. Only a few days old -- too light for me. £350. Sailor Shumibun … Continue reading Six more for sale
UKFP Uncapped: 20th October 2019
Community This week Sakura Fountain Pen Gallery — where I bought my 17mm Cigar — held its Nakaya event. Dries from the Pencilcase Blog was kind enough to send me some photos and try to tempt me with more large Nakayas! I must get myself one of the show-exclusive "Dorsal Zero" designs at some point... … Continue reading UKFP Uncapped: 20th October 2019
A survivor of a more refined age: the Waterman Carene
The Carene and I have passed like ships in the night a few times over the years — which is ironic, because it's a pen designed to evoke the curves of a speedboat, and the word itself means 'hull' in French. I dismissed the Carene for a few reasons. Sometimes I lumped Waterman in with … Continue reading A survivor of a more refined age: the Waterman Carene
My new companion: the Nock Burton
Nock cases are, to me, a high water mark of design in pen carry. While I dally with other brands (from Franklin-Christoph, Esterbrook, Hurlestone and others), I return to Nock for my daily users. I have accumulated quite a few... I like the robust, colourful materials. I like the fact they're lightweight and flexible, with … Continue reading My new companion: the Nock Burton
The epic Montblanc Homer
Indulge me. I'm about to review a fountain pen that almost none of you will buy: the Montblanc Writer's Edition Homer. Why won't you buy it? Well, it's last year's model, and a limited edition of 9,800. You still see them about in boutiques, but it's not that easy to find. Oh, and it costs … Continue reading The epic Montblanc Homer
True grails
I love the term "grail pen". It conjures such great mental images of cathedrals and warm-glowing gold, of Indiana Jones on a quest, of the ultimate sacrifice for eternal salvation. A Lamy 2000 doesn't quite measure up, does it? Depending on your financial means, a Lamy 2000 may be your ever-out-of-reach ideal pen — but … Continue reading True grails
UKFP Uncapped: 13th October 2019
Welcome back to Uncapped! This is my 301st post on UK Fountain Pens. I hadn't realised I'd passed that milestone, so raise a belated glass with me here.... Community Fudefan took us on a photographic tour of the Tokyo pen show. I practically hyperventilated with excitement. It looked amazing. Mary from From the Pen Cup … Continue reading UKFP Uncapped: 13th October 2019
The TARDIS-like Schon DSGN fountain pen
I've always liked the idea of a pocket fountain pen, but I've never managed to find one that I actually carry on a daily basis. The Kaweco Liliput and Milim Pocket Pen are marvels of miniaturisation, but they're just too narrow to use for more than a few sentences. The Kaweco Sport is famously the … Continue reading The TARDIS-like Schon DSGN fountain pen
