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How to read a pen review

11th Jan 202111th Jan 2021 / Anthony / 6 Comments

Why do you read pen reviews? Is it a form of entertainment, enjoying the words and pictures? A learning exercise on your journey to better understand the world of fountain pens? Is it a way to keep up with new pen releases that you might not have seen, and might want to put on your … Continue reading How to read a pen review

Snap decisions

19th Dec 202019th Dec 2020 / Anthony / 15 Comments

I take pens with me practically everywhere. Even when there's little likelihood that I'll actually write anything, I still like to have a case with multiple pens on my person or in my bag. As I've written in my 'travels with pens' series over the years, I plan the selection of pens I take when … Continue reading Snap decisions

The first UKFP fountain pen community survey

17th Nov 202020th Nov 2020 / Anthony / 36 Comments

Designing a good survey is HARD. I have done enough market research theory and practice as part of my dayjob to respect those that do it really well, and I am sure beyond all doubt that I am merely an enthusiastic amateur. I also know that market research as absolutely essential to keeping our world … Continue reading The first UKFP fountain pen community survey

The UKFP 2020 recap

14th Nov 202014th Nov 2020 / Anthony / 9 Comments

2020 was a strange year in many ways, but it was a great year for fountain pens. As I sat down to prepare to write this post, scanning back over my Instagram feed and blog to refresh my memory, I was struck by, well, just how many great pens landed on my desk — even … Continue reading The UKFP 2020 recap

A stick of plastic with a nib on the end

7th Nov 20207th Nov 2020 / Anthony / 29 Comments

I’ve been struck a few times recently by a kind of pen-related existentialist vertigo. Looking at a turned pen in a fancy resin, I couldn’t shake the thought it’s just a stick of plastic with a nib screwed in the end. Sure, this is an oversimplification. I know there’s a lot of work involved in … Continue reading A stick of plastic with a nib on the end

Building an interesting pen collection without breaking the bank

31st Oct 2020 / Anthony / 25 Comments

Yesterday I was talking to one of my work colleagues, and this hobby of mine came up. He is not a fountain pen user, and he, like most normal people, thinks it’s crazy how much I’ll merrily spend on a single pen. His favourite and most luxurious rollerballs are £4. I was waving around a … Continue reading Building an interesting pen collection without breaking the bank

Snippets and first impressions, 26th October 2020

26th Oct 202026th Oct 2020 / Anthony / 6 Comments

Wow, has it been a wonderful couple of weeks for pens for me. I have been powering through my review queue as quick as I can, but I am just too excited about some of my new arrivals and want to share my first impressions. Schon shining Well, they arrived! My Schon Pocket Six collection … Continue reading Snippets and first impressions, 26th October 2020

What are your collecting ‘guardrails’?

12th Oct 202012th Oct 2020 / Anthony / 22 Comments

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

11th Oct 202011th Oct 2020 / Anthony / 6 Comments

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

Eight second chances to get it right

26th Sep 2020 / Anthony / 12 Comments

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

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Supporters and recommended retailers

Buy with confidence from these brands and retailers that either support the blog or I shop at personally.

  • Write Here
  • Izods
  • The Writing Desk
  • Pure Pens
  • Iguanasell
  • Galen Leather
  • Nero’s Notes

Top Posts & Pages

  • Three mini-reviews in one: Fine Writing Fenestro Kuroshio, Montegrappa Monte Grappa, Cross Sauvage
  • Pen review index
  • How to read a pen review
  • Pens for sale: Montegrappa, Visconti, ASC, Montblanc, Cross, Staedtler
  • For sale
  • Staedtler's weighty Premium Lignum fountain pen
  • An affordable ASC?! Introducing the ASC Studio Collection
  • My Top 3 pens
  • The UKFP buyer's guide
  • Building an interesting pen collection without breaking the bank

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