Whenever I buy a new pen recently, I'm finding there's a smaller and smaller chance that it will stick in my collection. Even though I'm learning more about my tastes, and making (hopefully) better and better purchases, the new pens have a huge task scaling the heights of my current collection, which I have been … Continue reading My pen “capsule wardrobe” (cheating at a top ten of fountain pens)
experiences
Where I buy pens
This sounds like a dumb thing to write a blog post about. But I buy a lot of pens, and I thought it would be good to share some wisdom I've accrued – and maybe open your eyes to some new possibilities to snag a bargain. Pen and ink retailers Let’s start with the mainstream … Continue reading Where I buy pens
Travels with pens: York, and a visit to Signatures
For once, I'm packing pens for a trip that's not work-related. Yes: I'm on holiday in York! This trip ran almost back-to-back with my trip to Miami. My Conids and Geometry served me well in the US, and I took them home joined by my latest acquisitions, the Karas Re-Entry Starliner XL and Wahl-Eversharp Decoband. … Continue reading Travels with pens: York, and a visit to Signatures
Travels with pens: prepping for Miami — and a few fabulous new arrivals
Tomorrow morning I'm off on my next travels: a few days in Miami. Waiting for me there is my new Wahl Decoband Jade and Karas Re-Entry with Ti nib, so I'm travelling pretty light: just three pens, in my Franklin-Christoph "glasses case". Here's what I've picked: Conid Kingsize, F Ti, Graf Burned Orange Conid Regular, … Continue reading Travels with pens: prepping for Miami — and a few fabulous new arrivals
13 hard-learned lessons from a veteran fountain pen addict
(Enjoy the blog? Please consider donating – there's a PayPal button at the top right of the site!) Over the past several years of spending far too much time and money on stationery, I've learned a thing or two — about mistakes I make over and over, about what I like and why, and what … Continue reading 13 hard-learned lessons from a veteran fountain pen addict
10 alternative section shapes to find the most comfortable pen for you
I believe that the shape of a pen's section is probably the single biggest determinant in whether the pen is comfortable for you or not. Other major factors include the length of the nib and the weight/balance of the pen, but ultimately the section is where your fingers sit. If it's too small, too wide, … Continue reading 10 alternative section shapes to find the most comfortable pen for you
They’re back!
A few weeks back I posted about my Montblanc nib replacement. I promised to follow up. Two days ahead of the promised four-week turnaround, I received an email from the Montblanc boutique informing me that my pens were ready for collection. I went in today to collect them. I have to say, I was very … Continue reading They’re back!
Travels with pens: Washington
I've been spending this week in snowy Pullman, Washington, hanging out with my brother. It's always nice to see him -- we live on separate continents, so it doesn't happen often enough. But really, I came to visit him to pick up my post. I regularly order stuff from US retailers directly to his house … Continue reading Travels with pens: Washington
Destined to fail
In life generally, and as stationery lovers in particular, we each have interests and behaviours that drive us. Compulsions, even. For me, a lot of my behaviour in this hobby is driven by the idea of 'finding perfect' — whether that means finally having the most comfortable daily writer, securing the rarest of grail pens, … Continue reading Destined to fail
Getting the white glove treatment with my first Montblanc nib exchange
One of the benefits of buying a new Montblanc is that you have six weeks to take advantage of Montblanc's nib exchange service. This facility is not just there in case you change your mind about the nib you ordered in the first place; it also enables you to choose from the full range of … Continue reading Getting the white glove treatment with my first Montblanc nib exchange
