Consider this a follow-on from my review of the Kaweco Art Sport Alabaster, and the Skyline Sport Fox. To recap, the Alabaster has hung on as one of my favourite pens. It's just so smooth, so perfectly polished. The Fox, on the other hand, was a great clay-orange colour, but felt cheap and sharp. So … Continue reading Hey Kaweco, I like my coral smooth, not grainy
reviews
Who’d have thought BMW would be the cheapest place to buy a Montblanc 146?
A few years ago I had a friend who always wrote with a 146 and a Starwalker, and drove a BMW Z4. One year, for his birthday, I found the perfect gift: the newly launched Montblanc BMW Blue ink. Except he only ever wrote with black ink. Oh well, nice idea. Roll on to more … Continue reading Who’d have thought BMW would be the cheapest place to buy a Montblanc 146?
Kaweco’s sharp little Fox runs away
I mentioned the Kaweco Skyline Sport Fox in a previous post. I mailed it to its new owner today, but before I did I took some final photos and I wanted to review it briefly for anyone considering this hot new release (did you know coral is the Pantone colour of the year?!) The Fox … Continue reading Kaweco’s sharp little Fox runs away
Esterbrook’s Phaeton misses the mark
The Esterbrook Estie was one of my surprise hits of 2018. Now, the reborn, Kenro-owned Esterbrook is back with the Phaeton 300R, a $68, slim, metal-capped pen with a hooded nib. Mine arrived (sent to me for free) in a stately navy blue colour, with a brushed steel cap and gold trim. There's a disc … Continue reading Esterbrook’s Phaeton misses the mark
Snake charmer: the Montblanc Rouge et Noir
I like Montblancs. And not just through brand snobbery. I enjoy the classic designs like the 149, as well as many of the various special and limited editions (though they're often well beyond my budget). Of my core collection of 20 pens, I now count three Montblancs: the retractable Heritage 1912, the Diplomat 149 in … Continue reading Snake charmer: the Montblanc Rouge et Noir
Visconti Van Gogh Wheatfield Under Thunderclouds
The "Wheatfield Under Thunderclouds" is a new release, and, like all the other Visconti Van Gogh models, it can be difficult to find enough photos to accurately judge whether you like the edition. I recently reviewed the Van Gogh model, so consider this some quick thoughts on the new edition only, and a public service … Continue reading Visconti Van Gogh Wheatfield Under Thunderclouds
Back in black: the Aurora Talentum Black Ops
My curiosity about the Talentum Black Ops was piqued when the first round of reviews hit the internet a while back. But at that point I was an Aurora virgin and not quite ready to dip my toe in the water. Fast-forward to last month and I'd invested in one of the Limited Edition Optimas … Continue reading Back in black: the Aurora Talentum Black Ops
Christmas came early: Scribo, Aurora, Fox Sport and more
With every pen sold, it seems another pen shows up at the door. I could say it's a kind of cosmic equilibrium, but the reality is I just have no self-control. So while I've said goodbye to several pens recently (just yesterday I posted off my lovely Pilot Fermo), the collection is barely any smaller. … Continue reading Christmas came early: Scribo, Aurora, Fox Sport and more
The Conid Minimalistica Monarch is an o-ring away from fantastic
It normally doesn't take me long to make up my mind about a pen. But the Conid Minimalistica is so different to anything I've owned before that it's left me confused. I bought this pen, the special edition "Monarch" Minimalistica, through a lucky accident that I'll spare you from hearing. The Monarch is a limited … Continue reading The Conid Minimalistica Monarch is an o-ring away from fantastic
A portrait of the Visconti Van Gogh
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
