I read a book recently on algorithms, and it discussed a category of problems called "optimal stopping". Optimal stopping is all about finding out when to, well, stop in a pursuit. How many candidates do you interview for a job before making an offer? How many new restaurants in a city do you try before … Continue reading “Optimal stopping” and the Namiki Urushi 20 / Yukari Royale
japan
The magic of Nakaya
Spend any time on pen blogs and forums and you'll find someone mention "Nakaya" and "grail pen" in the same sentence. There's something about this Japanese brand that really gets people by the soul and won't let go, in a way that Sailor and Pilot don't. Maybe it's the mystique around the brand itself: staffed … Continue reading The magic of Nakaya
My Japan haul: ink, paper and more
As is my way, I went to Japan with an exhaustively researched shopping list. I knew which items I wanted to investigate, I knew where was likely to stock them, and I knew roughly how much they were going to cost. But I still gave myself a few surprises. Inks Tokyo is the home of … Continue reading My Japan haul: ink, paper and more
Travels with pens: Japan concluded!
If you remember from my last post, I've spent the past week in Tokyo for work. The schedule has been punishing at times, but I've had a blast. What's really stuck with me has been the hospitality of the people and the amazing service, the great food, and just how incredibly clean and well-kept everything … Continue reading Travels with pens: Japan concluded!
Travels with pens: Tokyo (part 1)
Edit: if you've arrived directly here from a link (eg Pen Addict), you might be interested in the second part of the trip report, here! Sometimes, the pen gods smile upon me. This is one such time. I write this from my usual haunt in Heathrow Terminal 3, shortly before boarding a Japan Air flight … Continue reading Travels with pens: Tokyo (part 1)
The Marie Kondo of pens: the Muji round aluminium fountain pen
I adore Muji. The lack of branding. The simple designs. The functional materials. Just walking around its stores is a calming experience, everything just so, everything essential. It's a dose of simplicity that I think we all crave right now — the same appeal that Marie Kondo tapped into when she taught us to let … Continue reading The Marie Kondo of pens: the Muji round aluminium fountain pen
Going large(ish) with the Platinum President
The Platinum President (PTB-20000P) is one of those pens that nobody knows about. Its value proposition is simple: it's a slightly fancier, larger version of the 3776, with a more western-tuned nib, now in 18k gold. The only downside, on paper, is that it lacks the 3776's wonderful sealing cap, but in all other respects … Continue reading Going large(ish) with the Platinum President
The Pilot Prera kinda makes me wish I had smaller hands
I knew from the moment I opened the box that the Pilot Prera was way too small for me. This is not a big pen. It's not heavy either. It's all plastic, and with the included Pilot Black cartridge inserted, there's not even the extra couple of grams of a converter to help add a … Continue reading The Pilot Prera kinda makes me wish I had smaller hands
Pilot Fermo: the thinking person’s Vanishing Point
To me, Pilot is a little bit like the Mafia. You try to escape, but they reel you back in. I have written at length about my love affair with the 912 FA, then reluctantly sold it when I admitted to myself that my grip doesn't suit flex. I bought, sold, bought and sold the … Continue reading Pilot Fermo: the thinking person’s Vanishing Point
The Taccia Spectrum leaves me a little blue
I really wanted to like this pen — for a while I had it fairly near the top of my affordable pen wishlist — but on balance it left me cold, consistent with my first impressions. I just didn't click with it. Here's what's good. The clamshell packaging makes it suitable for a gift. This … Continue reading The Taccia Spectrum leaves me a little blue
