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?

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

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)

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!

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