Almost exactly a year ago I reviewed the Esterbrook JR, a plucky little pen that impressed me much more than I expected it would. On paper the JR is nothing much: a small plastic pen with a converter and a generic steel nib, that sells for about £40 more than rivals like the piston-equipped Pelikan … Continue reading Esterbrook JR Paradise with Scribe architect nib: the feelgood hit of the summer?
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At last, a pen roll that works for me: the Rickshaw Hand Roll
I’ve never found pen rolls to be very practical. Beyond the allure of traditional materials and a certain ‘laying out the tools’ ritualism, they just seem to have too many compromises. Most annoying for me is the simple thong that keeps a pen roll shut. All that wrapping and tucking takes precious seconds, and I’m … Continue reading At last, a pen roll that works for me: the Rickshaw Hand Roll
Karas Ink v2: all killer, no filler
I reviewed the previous generation of the Karas Ink a little over a year ago. I really wanted to like it, and I could see the heart of a good pen in it, but it had a few annoyances that I simply couldn't get over. Karas has reengineered the Ink, releasing this edition, the v2, … Continue reading Karas Ink v2: all killer, no filler
Karas Ink V2 Pony Express: the weight of progress
I had a short phase of liking brass and copper pens. Then I decided that the metallic smell was too annoying and stopped using them. So why is there a bronze pen here on my desk? You could call it impatience, or curiosity. Let me explain. Over a year ago I got myself a Karas … Continue reading Karas Ink V2 Pony Express: the weight of progress
Quick review: Franklin-Christoph Model 20 in vintage green with Masuyama Needlepoint
This is not my first Franklin-Christoph and I doubt it will be my last. My favourite model for sheer comfort is the 02, but I thought I'd give the Model 20 a try and I'm glad I did. The 20 is a simple acrylic pen that takes a #6 JoWo nib. Its standout feature is … Continue reading Quick review: Franklin-Christoph Model 20 in vintage green with Masuyama Needlepoint
My new companion: the Nock Burton
Nock cases are, to me, a high water mark of design in pen carry. While I dally with other brands (from Franklin-Christoph, Esterbrook, Hurlestone and others), I return to Nock for my daily users. I have accumulated quite a few... I like the robust, colourful materials. I like the fact they're lightweight and flexible, with … Continue reading My new companion: the Nock Burton
The TARDIS-like Schon DSGN fountain pen
I've always liked the idea of a pocket fountain pen, but I've never managed to find one that I actually carry on a daily basis. The Kaweco Liliput and Milim Pocket Pen are marvels of miniaturisation, but they're just too narrow to use for more than a few sentences. The Kaweco Sport is famously the … Continue reading The TARDIS-like Schon DSGN fountain pen
Franklin-Christoph makes me happy on a Friday
On Wednesday evening Franklin-Christoph sent me an email announcing the beta test of its new Shopify-based website. I quickly take a look on my phone and see a short run of the Pocket 66 model in solid ice. Since I'd been mulling ordering another F-C pen anyway, and the Pocket 66 is no longer a … Continue reading Franklin-Christoph makes me happy on a Friday
The prettiest Estie yet?
You may remember I reviewed the Esterbrook Estie way back in October last year. It was a strong entry to the pen market from the reborn Esterbrook brand, and I was impressed not only by its clean and comfortable design, but practical features like the sealed cap and vintage nib adaptor. The pen I reviewed … Continue reading The prettiest Estie yet?
Anderillium Inks: the Cephalopod series
I already posted a quick introduction to Anderillium Inks, but here's a bit more detail about each of the colours, and most importantly, a few comparisons so you can judge what you're getting against some more familiar inks. Each of the inks is pH neutral, water-based and water-soluble, and hand-made in-house in Florida. The colours … Continue reading Anderillium Inks: the Cephalopod series
UK fountain pens 