Last month I reviewed the Benu Skull pen. I really enjoyed the pen. I liked the feel, how it writes, and how it sounds (yes the plastic and the textured surface makes a sound when you run your fingers along it). I used the pen for the entire month and got over my issue about not knowing the cap from the barrel. The nib did not let me down, and who doesn’t like happy skulls?
I’ve mixed up the usual suspects again. The Pilot Prera is still inked but I am rotating in the Kaweco Student and the Conway Stewart No. 15. The Benu Skull pen is also in the rotation subject to the remaining ink.
In November I inked the Conway Stewart No. 15 for a review. The review is listed below which includes how I was able to determine the pen was made of casein, not celluloid. Welp can’t let good ink go to waste. The pen is in rotation for December.
Did you miss any of the past month’s blog posts? Welp, here is your chance to catch up…
- It’s a new month, what’s in your pen cup? Let’s see how I started November with a review of October. It’s a new month and time to shelve your current choice of pens in favor of new pens or those that may be long forgotten and feeling neglected. Also, let’s review how the pens from last month fared and recap the month’s postings.
- Fountain Pen Day 2022 Fountain Pen Day 11 has arrived. Don’t be shy, pull out your favorite pens, and shout to the world “it’s fountain pen day, these pens are not extinct, they are popular and I used them.” BTW I tried this last year and my wife told me I was a weirdo.
- A little wine with your ink? One of my absolute favorite things about having fountain pens is the options when it comes to inks. Inks can be pigment or dye-based. Let’s discuss a couple inks made from wine by de Artamentis of Germany.
- Waterman Laureat I The Waterman Laureat was introduced circa 1985, enjoying a 15-year production as a midline pen, not a top-shelf model. Don’t off-handedly dismiss this pen. If you notice this model at your local flea market or antique store, do not pass it by.
- Fountain Pen Day 11 Haul Gullible “losers” should not be allowed on the Internet as they may go shopping on Foutain Pen Day
- Dippity-Do-Da PEN? Dip pens are pens you dip into a bottle of ink. As you write it is necessary to dip the nib every few words or sentences. So why would anyone still use these old things?
- #ThrowbackThursday From time to time when I’m feeling uninspired (or lazy). Today it is lazy, let’s dig up and share an original post from yesteryear. This time I am presenting a pen made with a woman in mind. I know it sounds sexist but they wrote the sales pitch in the 1950s.
- Not For The Lactose Intolerant – Conway Stewart No. 15 The production of Conway Stewart No. 15 spanned a decade beginning in 1952. As with many vintage Conway Stewarts, this model is a fairly small pen and often made of Casein (aka cheese).
In the News
Vladimir Putin is known to favor a Montblanc Meisterstück 146, watch him toss his pen to the table (the Montblanc?) during a meeting at the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit in Armenia – when he didn’t get his way. He used the Montblanc when “admitting” Crimea and Sevastopol back into the Russian Federation – after his military invaded those territories.
If you are looking for that special Christmas present for the music fan in your life, think twice about autographed books by Bob Dylan. The 81-year-old singer-songwriter issued a rare public apology after fans found out that the $600 autographed books weren’t hand-signed by Bob (or anyone). Spoiler alert – he blamed Covid and vertigo.
Musings
During this holiday season of unbridled shopping madness, I came across a challenge I feel will help balance the desire for more stuff with the realization that there is only so much room for stuff. I don’t want to sound like I am talking outta both sides of my mouth – I am guilty of buying stuff because I lack control. I’m just saying, give those books pilled up gathering dust a chance. Worse case, you might just enjoy one.
Try a Chapter Challenge (won’t find this on TikTok). Select a handful (4 or 5) of unread books, then read a chapter or two. Afterward, decide if you are going to keep the book or be rid of it. Isn’t this simple plus you can do this from the comfort of your home while between the latest Amazon deals.
COPYRIGHT © 2021-2023 DANNY WATTS and CHRONICLES OF A FOUTAIN PEN.
Chronicles of a Fountain Pen 
I’m afraid that my pen cup is rather pathetic, Danny. It has cheap pens from various reception desks, some unsharpened pencils, a Sharpie, and a pair of scissors. I have to hide my favorite pens, so no one runs off with them. Hehe.
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Honestly, I did not have a pen cup until days ago. Pens and pencils littered my desk, as do dust, books, and scrap paper.
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Lol. It’s a constant battle to keep the desks tidy. 🙂
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Maybe you will include the other Conway Stewart (when it arrives) to these for December everyday use. I will use the new Waterman Expert 2, the Creeks ‘n’ Creeks, the Faber Castell Ambition, the Kaweko Brass Sport. Just bought a Waterman Expert 1 vintage for £25 off eBay. Completely different nib to the #2. Awaiting with anticipation. Good fortune with your own pen choices. Maybe used for a few Christmas cards with well chosen ink colours? All the best. Cheers.
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The Expert I should have a 3-sided beveled nib. It is supposed to be very good but was not well received. Let me know your thoughts. All the best.
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Will do. It is three sided. Just after I bought it I looked at a couple of YouTube review videos. Good explanatory content and one described the nib as being like an Architects nib. Looked up the term and seems it can produce different strokes in both broad and narrow. He had different angle introduction to the paper though. Producing thin lines with an almost 90 degree and broad on a 45 degree. So will experiment. Let’s see how this one goes. Cheers Danny for the information.
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It’s funny with books…if I buy a book I put it in my Goodreads currently reading. Then I shame myself into starting it…fyi…just bought pink gel tips my pen of choice. Not only are they pretty and fun, my husband won’t steal them
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I use Goodreads to keep track of what I’ve read and to keep track of my books-to-read list. I use Library Thing to inventory the books (physical or on the Nook) we own. Pink, hmmm. That is hard on the eyes. I read a post just the other day about manually filling felt tip pens with the ink color of your choice. Pink… yeah, I’m with your husband there.
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It’s a happy color!! To me anyway.
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That is what’s important.
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Interesting how the Prera is one of your go-tos. I have travelled far in my fountain pen journey, and my first pen, the Pilot Metro, will always have a special place in my heart. It helps that I like snap caps for quick deployment, and that the M nib is somewhat stubbish by default.
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Hey Stuart. I really enjoy the Prera. I have 2, this one has the CM nib which is for calligraphy. The other has the M nib, which I also like; however, they write very differently. I have to agree with you, I am a big fan of the snap-on caps. Maybe I’m just lazy. Thanks for the visit.
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