Regular readers will know that I spend a lot of my collecting energy trying to spot patterns in my own behaviour, interrogating why I buy, keep and sell the pens I do. It's resulted in scoring methodologies and taxonomies aplenty. I have a new one for you today, one that has been nagging at me … Continue reading Icon, maker or lux?
editorial
Thoughts on handwriting
I have never been proud of my handwriting. It’s better than it was, years ago: I have fountain pens to thank for that, more than conscious effort. Regardless of cause, I certainly see more pleasing flourishes than in years past, more balanced letter shapes, more proportion to my ascenders and descenders. But that doesn’t mean … Continue reading Thoughts on handwriting
“Why are you selling this pen when you said it was perfect?” Five reasons I part with greatness
I’ve been thinking about writing this kind of blog post for a while, but a comment on Instagram prompted me to get it down on paper. Before I answer that question, a little context. In case you missed it, I’ve just completed perhaps my biggest sale yet. 19 pens are on their way to new … Continue reading “Why are you selling this pen when you said it was perfect?” Five reasons I part with greatness
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
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
ukfountainpens.com is five years old!
Be warned, this post might get a little navel-gazing. I’ve already written up my observations about the industry in 2021, now here’s a state of the nation for ukfountainpens.com, which first said ‘hello world’ way back on 1st January 2017. By the numbers I published around 65 posts (so far) in 2021, totalling 65,000 words, … Continue reading ukfountainpens.com is five years old!
FPUK 2021 awards and year in review
As I head towards the end of another crazy year in the world of fountain pens, it's time for reflection and to heap a little praise where praise is due. So here is my attempt to sort chaos into order and bring some highlights to the fore. 1. Colour comes to life 2021 was the … Continue reading FPUK 2021 awards and year in review
So that was Black Friday. How was yours, pen addicts?
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?
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