The August pen “of the month” is the Conway Stewart “15” I repaired last month – after I broke it. This pen is 1/2 of a pen set, I will invariably swap my Esterbrook pencil for the CS Nippy “3” at some point during the month.
The pen has a Conway Stewart 14ct 1A nib. This is a fine point and flexible. I anticipate lots of line variation.
Can’t say the flex produced the line variation I expected. The gold nib did perform well considering I write incorrectly with a fountain pen – too much pressure.
This month, my cast of characters is smaller than usual. Making the rotation is an Esterbrook J pencil, an Esterbrook SJ, and a Parker “45.”
The September pen is the checkered Ambassador.
It has been years since this pen made the rotation. Really long-time readers may recall my 2021 blog highlighting it. The pen sports a “Super-Pen” Iridium-tipped nib (yeah, right).
Did you miss any of the prior month’s blog posts? Welp, here is your chance to catch up…
- It’s a new month, what’s in your pen cup? 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 the obligatory recap of the prior month’s posts.
- My Journal is Full, Now What? The amount of effort some people put into their journals is amazing to me and inspiring. I have to ask, what happens when the journal is full?
- Looking for your first Vintage Fountain pen? Interested in vintage fountain pens but don’t know which one. There are so many choices. Vintage Esterbrook pens are some of my favorite fountain pens. They are readily available in a variety of models, reasonably inexpensive, and easily configured. Making them a good vintage first pen.
- Diluting Fountain Pen Ink. Bottled fountain pen ink is ready to use, but is it right for you? Did you forget to put the cap on the bottle and it evaporated (that’s me)? Are you looking for an inflation-fighting solution to the high cost of ink?
- Parker 45 – The Workhorse. In 1960, Parker realized the benefits of hard-learned lessons. They released a pen with, plastic not prone to cracking, they released a pen with a simple design, they released a pen the owner could change, they released a pen in “Happy Colors”. This pen became the Parker workhorse of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.
- Parker 21 Pencil. If you limit your world to pens – though fascinating – it still becomes dull. I had lots of fun with my green Parker 21, so naturally I bought a matching pencil, in more ways than name.
In the News
Fun facts about the BIC ballpoint pen (video). “I hate scribbling back and forth on a piece of paper, trying to get a rollerball pen to start flowing after they’ve sat for a long time. The BIC, however, is pretty classic in its ability to fill the void when you really need any pen.
Rediscovering Art and Sustainability: A Journey Through Japanese Gardens and Innovative Pen Design. “In times when the fast pace of human life often blurs human perception, artist Brigid Collins and product designer Tom’s Studio are leading in a return to mindful creativity and sustainability. Their journeys differ, but they share a closeness with art and nature alike.
Why are BIC Pens Loved Worldwide? “Imagine holding a pen that’s been in more hands than any other writing tool in the world—one that’s so iconic that it’s practically synonymous with putting pen to paper. For years, the BIC pen has been a reliable companion to millions of people around the world, regardless of what they write, sign, or sketch.
Yoroku: The enduring appeal of the Japanese pen in the digital age. “With the move to a paperless society, one might expect sales of writing instruments to be on the decline, but in fact the ballpoint pen market remains strong. Over the past 10 years, domestic shipments have increased by nearly 20%, with exports jumping 24% in volume and 54% in value. The weak yen has been a factor in this, but high value-added products appear to be selling well.
Handwriting: The Way of the Brush vs. The Path of the Pen. Art vs. efficiency in handwriting. “The history of handwriting is a small subject on its surface, yet it rumbles deeply with psychological and cultural undercurrents. I return to the topic here, this time with an eye toward the way Western and Eastern cultures diverged in their approaches to the written word.
By the roll of the die, our fates lie!
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Stamps. “The US Postal Service celebrated 50 years of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS by releasing a sheet of 20 new stamps now available nationwide.”
Yes, when I was young back in 1980-1982, I was known to play (very badly). Yes, I ran (don’t walk) out and bought a sheet the first day they were available. I also learned that the Royal Mail is also offering its own commemorative D&D stamps.
Don’t forget when the Dungeon Master smiles, it’s already too late.
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–JTJ
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Gold nibs are on the back burner for myself Danny. The two brass and bronze Kaweco Sports have been in my bag for months now. Also the huge leaded Kaweco brass mechanical pencil. Loved your catch ups and other observations here as always. Cheers Danny.
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