Just this week I ordered two more Schon P6s. When I'm ruthless about managing the rest of my collection, pocket pens can be a bit of a sideline vice for me. I know I'm not alone. They're inexpensive and fun. These tiny pens don't sit well in regular pen cases, for obvious reasons: pocket pens … Continue reading Where do you keep your pocket pens when they’re not in your pocket? Galen has the answer.
What are your collecting ‘guardrails’?
As I have written many times over the years, I am a man with poor impulse control, little willpower, and questionable financial sense. At times (such as right now) I've owned dozens of pens, keeping pens to review in one case, pocket pens in another, my cheaper 'toy' pens in another... But at the constant … Continue reading What are your collecting ‘guardrails’?
The three secrets of lasting pen love
I can reel off a list of fifty things I look for when reviewing a pen, in several broad categories. I can also tell you about the big dealbreakers that separate a great pen from being a bad one. Plenty are immediately obvious from first unboxing or even from photos and spec sheets (sharp cap … Continue reading The three secrets of lasting pen love
A fresh take on the pocket pen: Leonard Slattery A Se
I love seeing how different brands and makers approach the brief of designing a "pocket pen"... especially since Ian Schon raised the bar and showed everyone that you can include a #6 nib without compromising portability. Well, this is Leonard Slattery's take. You may remember that I reviewed a couple of his wooden pens a … Continue reading A fresh take on the pocket pen: Leonard Slattery A Se
Travels with pens: Suffolk
This trip had a lot riding on it. My first night away from home since February; in fact, more or less my first proper foray out of the house at all since lockdown started. The destination? A short break to an old pile of a country farmhouse in Suffolk, for some R&R. Naturally, I spent … Continue reading Travels with pens: Suffolk
Benu’s Euphoria is glitter, grown up
The Euphoria is the pen I wanted Benu to make. It keeps everything that makes Benu 'Benu' — it's a complex shape, with facets that catch the light, that distinctive thick cap band, reliable Schmidt nib, and of course the unique glittery resins. But it is a step forward for the brand towards making a … Continue reading Benu’s Euphoria is glitter, grown up
Roundup: Otto Hutt inks
If I were a pen manufacturer, I would dread thinking about inks. After you reach a certain size, it's kinda expected that you offer a range of branded ink, and you know that there's potential for revenue there. But ink has the potential to be a huge ball-ache. Do you try to compete with Diamine … Continue reading Roundup: Otto Hutt inks
Getting the cold shoulder
To me it says a lot about a company the way they treat an email or Facebook/Instagram message out of the blue, whether it’s from a customer or a reviewer. I contact a lot of brands (and a few have reached out to me first, which is always nice) and I see all kinds of … Continue reading Getting the cold shoulder
Shining a light on Loft Pens
One of my greatest pleasures writing this blog is to introduce you to independent makers that might not be on your radar. Leonard Slattery, Rockster, Applied Pens, John Garnham, Eureka, Kasama... I'm building up quite a list. Every one of these makers does things their own way, showing their personality and their vision for what … Continue reading Shining a light on Loft Pens
Eight second chances to get it right
Looking over my pen tray I am often struck by how many pens I have sold, only to later repurchase. You might well say: if you liked it enough to rebuy it, why did you sell it in the first place?! It’s a fair question, but I have a few answers. Sometimes (as the song … Continue reading Eight second chances to get it right
