Reviews – Page 2 – Chronicles of a Fountain Pen

It’s a new month, what’s in your pen cup?

Posted on December 1, 2022December 14, 2022 by Danny Watts

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.

Ink, Reviews

Welcome to a Fountain Pen’s Story

Posted on November 9, 2022March 25, 2023 by Danny Watts

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, some are waterproof, some shimmer with glitter, and some are fragrant. There are so many options, so many colors, and shades, the nuances are incredible and some are made from wine. Today, I am highlighting a couple inks made from wine by de Artamentis of Germany. I don’t usually review or comment on inks, don’t be critical.

So Why Wine

Wine has been used in the manufacturing of ink since the Middle Ages. Wine, and sometimes vinegar beer, were used in place of water to mitigate the impurities introduced by water-borne contaminants. Sure, they wouldn’t bathe but they worried about their inks. Wine ink is not particularly popular in these times. A couple of the retailers I’ve spoken once sold wine inks but no more. Be warned, many ink names lead one to believe the ink is from wine when in fact the manufacturer is referring to the color and no wine was included in the recipe.

The Company Line

Wine has been added to ink. In accordance with traditional manufacturing processes. These inks consist of concentrated wine and some other ingredients which, for example, bind residual alcohol and the wine acid, and which improve the writing characteristics. Writing with pure, concentrated wine, no additional water is added to the ink. Furthermore, wine ink has unique writing behavior. It flows in an unmistakable, wonderful Red out of the nib. This Red is dependent on each wine. On paper, a chemical reaction occurs and oxidization occurs. Something very remarkable about these inks is the scent of wine, which caresses the nose. These inks fulfill the greatest demands regarding ink techniques and are suitable for all fountain pens. Writing with wine inks is an extraordinary experience and a symbol of the fine writing culture.

The Inks

Chianti –A deep crimson ink when written that blends easily with water fading out with a hint of blue-grey along the edges.
Riesling –An ochre-colored ink when written that blends easily with water fading out with a hint of yellow along the edges.
Brandy –A yellow-brown colored ink when written that blends easily with water fading out with a hint of yellow and green along the edges.

In addition to eliminating water contamination, wine introduces alcohol which has two important properties; dries quickly and prevents fungus from growing in the ink.

Ink Blots

All three inks were fragrant, the most aromatic is the Riesling. I didn’t notice the aroma so much while using the ink as I did when I opened the bottle. The color of the written words look nearly the same to me, thus I introduced a little water, illustrating the color differentiation. As the ink dried the color stabilized to the shade you see.

I was a little biased towards the Chianti before the sampling. All three inks flowed well. Each feathered substantially on cheap paper so I switched to a 120 gsm paper used with watercolor.

If wine ink tickles your interest, in the US, sample size bottles are available from Vanness Pen Shop; in Europe, order directly from de Atramentis. I am not compensated for these recommendations.

Reference Material

De Atramentis: Wine Inks
Nick Stewart Inks: de Atramentis Wink Inks Test
FPN: Inks Made From Red W ine

Pens, Reviews, Stories

It’s a new month, what’s in your pen cup?

Posted on November 1, 2022March 28, 2023 by Danny Watts

Last month I reviewed the Kaweco Student Demonstrator. I really enjoyed the pen. I liked the feel, how it writes, and the pen aesthetics but the cap clip worries me. The cap is a screw-on and I’m probably a little overzealous when tightening the cap but each time I remove it the pen clip bends to the left or the right. How easy the cap clip blends worries me.

I’ve mixed up the usual suspects this month. The Pilot Prera and Parker Duofold are still inked. I have rotated out the Monteverde Black Tie. Replacing it with the Benu Skull pen.

For November, I have inked the Benu Skull pen. Look the skulls are smiling. I just published my review, and I’m enjoying it. BTW, this pen made my Wish List for 2022,

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 September with a review of August. 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.
Kaweco Student – School Days, Dear Old Golden Rule Days The Kaweco Student made my 2022 wish list. I stumbled across a Student demo model at a really good price. It did not disappoint.
Celluloid – Real, Fake & FIRE! In this last discussion of my favorite vintage pen materials, I am presenting celluloid. Celluloid comes in a variety of formulas, and all are flammable so why would I like it as a pen?
Stylograph Black Sometimes things look better in the picture than in person. SURPRISE! And what a surprise it was. Did I mention it also smelled?
Happy All Hallows Eve Not all pens are created equally. Some are inspired by our childhood dreams of piracy and adventure. Sound exciting matie?
#ThrowbackThursday From time to time when I’m feeling inspired (or lazy). Today it was lazy, so I will dig up and share an original post from yesteryear. This time I am going back 97 yesteryears and presenting a Waterman 52.