Almost without planning it, I've ended up with five Viscontis — more than any other brand in my collection. And two of those five are the "Van Gogh" model, Visconti's relatively inexpensive steel-nibbed model (alongside the Rembrandt and the new Mirage, I guess). The Van Gogh isn't perfect — in fact, it has some of … Continue reading A portrait of the Visconti Van Gogh
review
The great puzzle of the Pineider La Grande Bellezza
The Pineider La Grande Bellezza is a confusing pen, with some head-scratching design decisions marring what could have been a great addition to the pantheon of Italian fountain pens. Let me rattle through the basics first. This is a cartridge/converter pen, of pretty good size, with a 14k nib and a metal section. It comes … Continue reading The great puzzle of the Pineider La Grande Bellezza
I really wanted to like the Lamy Imporium
When I found out that Dapprman had a Lamy Imporium, I practically jumped up and down with glee to try it. And then he let me borrow it! See, the pen community is a wonderful thing. The Imporium is Lamy's flagship, descended from the 1990s Persona. It's an uncommon pen. I am a huge fan … Continue reading I really wanted to like the Lamy Imporium
Montegrappa’s Extra ‘The Sea’ makes a big splash
Let's get the name out of the way first: the pen I'm reviewing here is the Montegrappa Extra 1930 Colori del Mare 'The Sea', a limited edition of 27 pens produced for Chatterley Luxuries (there are six other colours too, each in an edition of 15 pens). I'm going to call it the 'Extra' from … Continue reading Montegrappa’s Extra ‘The Sea’ makes a big splash
The Leonardo Momento Zero is simply fabulous
I've teased this in the last couple of posts, so I'll come right out and say it: the Leonardo Momento Zero has blown me away. In this review I'll explain why. First impressions? Beautiful pen. It's testament to Leonardo's designers that I agonised for a long time over which colour to pick: turquoise, dark red, … Continue reading The Leonardo Momento Zero is simply fabulous
The Graf Classic exudes quality
I thought the Graf von Faber-Castell Classic was very overpriced. Comparing it against my other (and only) Graf, the Intuition Platino Ebony, it's tiny, skinny, more conventional — a separate section, a standard converter, a tiny nib. The family resemblance is unmistakable, of course. The metal flared cap, the curving clip, the fluted wood barrel, … Continue reading The Graf Classic exudes quality
A day with a Duofold
I've wondered on and off for some time about getting a Duofold — ideally a Centennial (the larger size) in Big Red colour. Considering my first fountain pens were Parkers, my collection is alarmingly Parker-free. A few things have put me off from getting a Duofold, though. First is the price. These are flagship-priced pens, … Continue reading A day with a Duofold
The London Fog has taught me that it’s OK to meet your heroes
They say never to meet your heroes — they never live up to your expectations. Well, the Visconti London Fog limited edition has been one of my pen heroes since it was released a couple of years ago. The swirly grey and blue just did it for me in a way that the red Chiantishire, … Continue reading The London Fog has taught me that it’s OK to meet your heroes
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
I hate the Rotring Newton
I love the German Bauhaus, utilitarian aesthetic. Braun, Junghans, those kinds of brands have built timeless, minimalist products that I covet. I would put r0tring in that list, too. I have a 600 mechanical pencil and ballpoint and I love them, with their matte hexagonal barrels, grippy knurling, precise manufacturing and no-nonsense attitude. And, although it … Continue reading I hate the Rotring Newton
