Let me be bold and say this: the Parker Jotter is a pretty bad fountain pen.
But before I explain why, let me clarify a couple of starting principles:
I have deep, fond memories of Parker fountain pens from when I was growing up. As many Brits do, no doubt. Nowadays they may just be… Continue reading
Tag: uk (Page 2 of 3)
One of my greatest pleasures writing this blog is to introduce you to independent makers that might not be on your radar. Leonard Slattery, Rockster, Applied Pens, John Garnham, Eureka, Kasama… I’m building up quite a list.
Every one of these makers does things their own way, showing their personality and their vision for what… Continue reading
When I get a pen in for review, I often sit with a blank sheet of paper in front of me and freely jot down the observations or ideas that occur to me about it. With the Namisu Naos, one of the first things I wrote down was ‘Brutalist’.
Its severe, angular barrel in matte… Continue reading
A reader recently told me by email that, of all their pens, the Onoto Magna would be the one to accompany them to the proverbial desert island. I cannot possibly disagree with their choice.
If you were to be stuck with just one pen to write page after page, day after day, year after year,… Continue reading
When you’re buying a kitless pen from a small maker, it’s the little touches and refinements that make the difference between an OK pen that’s basically a vehicle for some pretty resin, and a genuinely good product that can stand tall as a writing instrument in its own right.
I’m very pleased to say that… Continue reading
Rather than words comes the thought of high windows: The sun-comprehending glass,And beyond it, the deep blue air, that showsNothing, and is nowhere, and is endless.Philip Larkin, High Windows
Few pens make me want to quote poetry (especially by my favourite poet). The Onoto Great Court Vitreous Enamel Sterling Silver is one.
But let’s get something… Continue reading
This may be the most frustrating review you read of a new pen today. The two pens I’m covering here are by a UK-based maker called John Garnham. He doesn’t have a website or an Instagram profile. He doesn’t have stock or take orders or commissions. The only way to get hold of one of… Continue reading
I’ll start with my conclusion: the new Onoto plunger filler is not the best or most practical Onoto for most people. But if you love the brand and its history, that may not matter to you at all.
Bear with me for a history lesson
I’ve never really done history lessons on this blog —… Continue reading
Spurred on by my discovery of Onoto and my joyful first experiences with a friend’s Conway Stewart Churchill, I set off on a mission to get my own Conway Stewart.
I didn’t want one of the current versions from Bespoke British Pens, with their conventional ‘flag’ nibs… no, I wanted one from a few years… Continue reading
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