Everyday Writing with a Modern Flex Pen

I’ve always been a “firm nib” person for the majority of my everyday writing. While I enjoy flexible nib fountain pens, my experience has been limited to the occasional review and playing around with vintage flex after-hours at pen shows. I use a combination of italic-style script and cursive for my everyday writing, so firmer nibs typically work better for my handwriting, particularly cursive italics and stubs.

But I’m still intrigued by the new “flex” nibs pen companies have been releasing over the past few years. I use the term “flex” loosely - in my opinion, there is no such thing as a modern equivalent of true “vintage flex” like you would find in a vintage Waterman pen from the first half of the 20th century. What you have today, rather, are softer nibs that can provide a fair bit of line variation if pushed, but you need to be careful and manage your expectations.

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Both of these nibs are No. 6 JoWo. The one on the left is a 14k fine nib custom engraved for Montegrappa, with carve-outs on the side to increase flexibility. The one on the right is a Franklin-Christoph stainless steel nib with an elongated nib slit, which also increases the ability to flex the tines.

For today’s post, I’m not so much interested in further discussion of “whether these nibs are truly flex nibs.” Each person tends to have their own opinion on that issue, influenced mainly by how much line variation they like in their writing and whether they have experience in the vintage market. I’m more curious about the practicality of these softer nibs and whether or not I can actually use one as a daily driver. Will I spring the nib? Will the pen write too wet, creating a feathering, bleeding mess? Given that I don’t write in pure cursive, will I even be able to notice a difference?

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Review Pen No. 1: A Montegrappa Miya 450 with a 14k Fine Flex.

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Review Pen No. 2: A Newton Shinobi with a Franklin-Christoph HPSteel Flex Extra-fine nib unit.

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For this experiment I chose two pens that sit on the firmer end of the flexibility scale: a Montegrappa Miya 450 with Montegrappa’s 14k “fine flex,” and my Newton Shinobi with Franklin-Christoph’s HP Steel Flex nib. I picked both up at pen shows earlier this year before everything shut down. As it turns out, I’ve enjoyed using these pens, including as daily writers, though I would advise anyone interested in these pens to take a few things into consideration:

• Use a lighter hand. Not only will this create more noticeable line variation, but you’ll avoid springing the tines. Less writing pressure will also result in less ink being poured onto the page - a key consideration if you need to take notes or do a lot of other writing where you need the ink to dry quickly. If, like me, you tend to use a fair bit of pressure when you write, consider a drier steel flex nib. I’m still getting the hang of writing with the Montegrappa 14k flex, and the Franklin-Christoph steel nib offered a more seamless transition for my writing style.

• Pay attention to your paper. Because softer nibs tend to lay more ink on the page (especially gold nibs), you will likely experience feathering and bleedthrough on cheaper and/or more absorbent paper. The writing samples for this review were done in a Write Notepads Dot Grid Spiral, which performed beautifully. Other paper options include Tomoe River and Clairefontaine. I’ve had mixed results on Rhodia with super-wet pens, and sometimes get spots of bleeding.

• Pay attention to your ink. While you might be tempted to use more flexible nibs to show off your highly saturated “super sheeners” and “super shaders,” be aware that these inks might not be the best choice for everyday writing in a super wet pen. If you plan on using the pen for notetaking or office work, consider an ink that dries relatively quickly and is known to behave well. Sailor and Montblanc make excellent inks, and the two used for this post (Montblanc Irish Green and Sailor Ink Studio 140) worked quite well, without complications.

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Takeaways and Final Thoughts

So could I see myself using either of these nibs as a regular everyday writer over the long haul? Yes and no. Since it takes more pressure to flex the nib, the Franklin-Christoph HP Steel Flex nib writes like a slightly softer, standard extra-fine JoWo steel nib that has the option to add line variation if you so desire. I could easily use this particular nib all day, every day, and it may have found a permanent home in my Newton Shinobi. While I enjoy the 14k “fine flex” nib in the Miya, it’s still slightly too wet for me to use as an everyday work pen. I typically have to take notes quickly which doesn’t allow enough time for the ink to dry before I need to turn the page. For me, the Miya will mainly be used for personal writing in my journal.

I acquired the pens featured in this review directly from Kenro (the U.S. Montegrappa distributor), and from Franklin-Christoph. Kenro provided me with the Miya as part of their generous sponsorship of The Gentleman Stationer; the Franklin-Christoph was acquired with my own funds for my own collection. This post contains links to paid sponsors and affliates.

Ten Classic Stationery Items Everyone Should Own

I’ve thought a lot recently about stationery items that should form the “core” of any stationery collection. If I had to liquidate everything and start from scratch, what pieces would I purchase again? I’ve bought and sold thousands of pens, pencils, notebooks, and desk accessories over the years, and have a good idea of what I like and don’t like, what I need and don’t need. While I could play the “top ten” game forever, and come up with hundreds of different combinations depending on my constantly evolving preferences, what follows is a “top ten” list for this particular season of my life and career. Of course, what works for me doesn’t necessarily work for you - it’s merely intended as food for thought. Enjoy!

The TGS Patreon Program and sales through The Curated Shop are how I fund The Gentleman Stationer. Your support is greatly appreciated! Any third-party links are unpaid and NOT affiliate links, just stores I enjoy visiting.

1. Lamy 2000 (via Goldspot Pens). The Lamy 2000 will always serve as my “Desert Island Pen,” given its supreme functionality, durability, and minimalist industrial aesthetic. Plus, I love how the hooded 14k nib writes. You can read my review of the Lamy 2000 here.

2. Fisher Space Pen (via Vanness Pens). I keep a Fisher Space Pen AG7 or “Shuttle Pen” on my desk at all times, and if you’ve ever received a note from me on your packing slips, chances are it was likely signed with one of my Space Pens. The Fisher Space Pen isn’t just a great ballpoint, it’s an iconic piece of American history. Read my review here.

3. Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoint (via T.G.S. Curated Shop). When I’m in the mood for some color, and want a pen with some personality that isn’t a rollerball (which as time goes on I dislike more and more), I reach for the iconic Caran d’Ache 849. With faceted sides that taper to a point like a woodcase pencil, I find the 849 supremely comfortable to write with, and the included refill is quite smooth. Check out my retail offerings for a selection of special and limited editions.

4. Rotring 600 or Rotring 800 Mechanical Pencils (via Goldspot Pens). My mechanical pencil of choice? Easily the Rotring 600 or 800, depending on whether you prefer a fixed or retractable pipe mechanical pencil. If you carry your pencil in a pocket, go with the 800. Read my write-up comparing these two here.

5. Caran d’Ache Fixpencil (via T.G.S. Curated Shop). Some people might not consider a 2mm leadholder a stationery “essential,” but if so, there’s no better option than the Caran d’Ache Fixpencil. A leadholder built for writing as well as drawing and drafting, the Fixpencil incorporates a sharpener inside the button cap so you can get the woodcase pencil experience with out having to worry about carrying a separate sharpener. Now available in color versions (pictured above) as well as the classic matte black.

6. Blackwing Natural Pencils (via Vanness Pens). Choosing just one brand of woodcase pencil would be difficult, but if I had to choose, it would probably be a Blackwing, and of their four standard versions, I would go for the “Natural” model with the extra-firm graphite. I’m a sucker for natural wood pencils, and the extra firm graphite lets you go a bit longer without sharpening.

7. M+R Brass Bullet Pencil Sharpener (via T.G.S. Curated Shop). If I was forced to pick one handheld pencil sharpener to pick, I’d probably choose this one, even over my more expensive long-points. Why? A combination of durability, quality, and overall value. Plus you can easily purchase replacement blades to keep your brass sharpener in action for the long haul.

8. Baron Fig Confidant Notebook (via Baron Fig). The Baron Fig Confidant is one of the best all-around notebooks I’ve used over the years, featuring a strong combination of design, size, and versatile paper. Baron Fig periodically releases special edition collaborations and designs that many people love to collect.

9. One Star Leather Goods Notebook Cover (via One Star/Etsy). Looking for a nice leather cover for your favorite notebook? Keegan at One Star leather can custom make a leather cover for your preferred brand. Check out my review here.

10. Pocket Notebooks or Spiral Notebooks (via T.G.S. Curated Shop). In addition to a “formal” notebook, I like to keep different paper formats on hand for sketching out my thoughts. Currently, I have in rotation a Write Notepads Spiral Dot Grid Notebook, as well as an endlessly rotating series of Pocket Notebooks from either Field Notes or Write Notepads. While the Write Notepads paper works great with fountain pens, it’s not something I tend to worry about with my pocket notebooks.

5 Reasons Why Parker Nailed the Parker 51 Reissue

Once the news broke that Parker has planned a reissue of the Parker 51 fountain pen for this fall [recently postponed until February 2021], there was no shortage of “hot takes,” and most, predictably, were negative. With a pen as iconic as the Parker 51, Parker’s move bears a lot of risk. In an era where the community of fountain pen users has shifted online - and where the opinions of those with the loudest voices tend to be both negative and magnified - an unsuccessful launch places Parker at risk of becoming the butt of jokes, potentially even before the pens ever make their way to consumers. (Just look at the initial attempt to revive the Esterbrook brand.) But Parker is an established, experienced pen company, and what they are doing here warrants more careful consideration than I have seen so far. I actually think their strategy just might work. Here are five things to consider:

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1. Parker is reissuing a modern version of a pen from its own archives, not simply using the Parker 51 name on a completely different pen. Sure, as I’ll discuss more in detail below, Parker implemented some (predictable) design changes to modernize a pen first designed in the late 1930s, but they avoided what doomed the first attempt to resurrect Esterbrook: releasing a “modern” pen that bore no resemblance to the much-loved original. Here, Parker embraced its heritage and made an attempt to keep the classic form while adding features designed to appeal to the modern fountain pen user, which is akin to Aurora’s re-release of the Duo-Cart and other Aurora “Archivi Storici” reissues over the years.

2. Parker chose a reasonable price point lower than what I expected. Too expensive? Seriously? The new 51 arrives in two different versions: one with a steel nib and one with gold, priced at approximately $100 and $250, respectively. With so much discussion about how major pen companies are trying to drive the price of steel nib pens to the $250 price point, I actually expected these pens to cost twice as much. Unless the construction turns out to be shoddy, price/value should be the least of anyone’s concern. Yes, you might be able to get a less expensive vintage pen or knocked-off clone, but as I discuss below, there are many people (myself included) who simply don’t want to deal with the vagaries of either and would prefer to purchase from Parker directly.

3. Certain updates to the original design are necessary to appeal to modern users. The criticism that Parker should have released this pen with a vintage aerometric or vacumatic filling system puzzles me the most. Why? To appeal to vintage pen collectors and internet blowhards, the very people determined to hate this pen no matter what, and who would never buy it in the first place? While Parker admittedly hasn’t done much to promote its brand to the latest generation of fountain pen enthusiasts, at least not in the form of community engagement and limited editions, the company has stayed true to form in that it designs and markets its pens for actual writing. I would venture that most modern pen users prefer a cartridge/converter filling system that is less likely to leak ink, and a threaded cap with a secure closure. One of the criticisms of Aurora’s Duo-Cart re-release was that the slip cap tended to come loose in bags and pen cases.

4. The availability of vintage pens and cheap clones will not affect the market for this pen. As I addressed briefly above, part of the criticism of Parker’s chosen price point revolves around the idea that “vintage pens are available for less money,” and “you can buy a Parker 51 clone (knock-off) from companies like Wing Sung or Hero.” While those pens certainly are available, and sometimes for less money, I doubt they would appeal to the target market for the new Parker 51. The majority of people (1) don’t want to fiddle with a vintage pen, especially a pen that will be 70-80 years old soon; and (2) want a quality writing instrument from a company that will stand behind the warranty. As to the latter point, sure, Parker 51 clones can be fun to play around with, but these pens won’t last very long, and when it breaks, you’re just going to throw it away if you can’t fix it yourself. Finally, many people aren’t comfortable shopping for vintage pens on the internet and don’t trust random eBay or Amazon merchants - they want a reliable modern pen from an established company, which is perfectly fine, especially since the pen show scene isn’t coming back anytime soon. [Update: Many people also don’t feel comfortable shopping within the vintage pen community online because the tone can be, frankly, unwelcoming and kind of nasty. Just see the tone of some of the comments on this post from those who think I’m somehow violating the sanctity of the vintage Parker 51 by merely acknowledging that some might prefer to buy a modern version.]

5. Parker timed the reissue perfectly. The Parker 51 was first released in the early 1940s, approximately 80 years ago. Vintage Parker 51s aren’t going to last forever, no matter how well made they are, and those that remain serviceable will (1) likely command higher prices going forward and (2) require more maintenance to actually remain serviceable. I’ve already seen pen show prices for Parker 51s creep upward in recent years, and I don’t think the delta between the price of the new Parker 51 and a well-restored vintage pen is as favorable to vintage as some would have you believe. And still, while there remains demand for vintage pens, there is also strong demand for pens that look vintage while offering the advantages of modern manufacturing.

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Sure, vintage Parker Aerometric fillers work fine, but so do cartridge/converter systems, and why would Parker issue a new filling system just for this pen, especially where an aerometric system will eventually require replacement of the sac and/or breather tube? Sorry, but I’m backing the decision to go cartridge/converter here.

Of course, none of this matters if the pen ends up suffering from serious design flaws, or ends up being low quality. As always, the final verdict won’t come until we actually have these pens in-hand and can write with them. I’ve placed a pre-order with Appelboom for two Parker 51s, one “Deluxe” model with the gold nib, and one standard with stainless. Personally, I’m intrigued by what Parker is attempting and look forward to getting my hands on these as soon as possible. Judgment reserved.

[UPDATE: I just received notification, via the comments below as well as an e-mail from the retailer with whom I placed a preorder, that the Parker 51 reissue has been postponed until February 2021. Review has been updated accordingly.]

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Back to School and Back to Work: Finding a "Work From Home" Setup that Works for You

I think we can all agree that this is one of the strangest “back-to-school” seasons in recent memory, and I for one was convinced that we would all be “back to work” as well. Right now, I’m convinced I will be operating remotely for the remainder of 2020, and possibly beyond as my employer decides whether it makes sense to retain the type of office space they once did. In light of what looks like a fundamental shift, I’ve been re-evaluating my own home office setup and routines.

When I talk about setup, I’m not referring to technology like printer, computer, and scanner, or even office furniture. I’ve always maintained a home office, and the “infrastructure” is there. I personally needed to focus on how I managed tasks and structured my time and environment in a way that ensured (1) I wasn’t working around the clock because I’m now living “at the office”; and (2) I wasn’t perpetually distracted and could maintain focus long enough to accomplish meaningful work.

Step One: Actually Using My Planner

No pointless in-person meetings on the schedule? No draining business travel sapping away at your time at home? Sounds great, in theory, until you realize that having large blocks of unstructured time is a double-edged sword. Sure, it can provide the flexibility you need to get caught up on a backlog of neglected projects or tasks, but if you’re like me, you can also find yourself spinning in circles, uncertain where to focus your energy, or even where to get started.

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The Jibun Techo’s weekly layout packs a lot of information into a small format - perfect for commuting or travel but perhaps now an unnecessary compromise?

Lately, I’ve made more of an effort to add some structure to each day by planning out what I want to accomplish, sitting down each morning with my planner (currently a Kokuyo Jibun Techo) and loosely mapping out what I want to get done and how I want to allocate my time. I don’t plan down to the minute - in my line of work things tend to come up - but it’s helpful to pick two “key tasks” that will be the focus of my attention during the 9-12 and 1-6 time blocks, respectively. Of course, as I mentioned, myriad little things inevitably arise, such as phone calls, e-mail responses, and questions from colleagues, but as long as I complete or make meaningful progress on these two key items I consider the day a success.

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It may be time for me to upgrade into a more spacious landscape format.

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In light of how I’m working, I may shift to a different planner format. While I love the Jibun Techo, primarily because it packs a ton of information into a very compact format that’s helpful if you commute or travel a lot, in my current work situation I feel a bit constrained. Part of this is because I no longer track time on paper. My office moved to an app-based timekeeping and billing system, which is not only more convenient and efficient, but eliminated my need for a traditional dated, hours-based paper planner. Now that I use the Jibun Techo to plan tasks and projects, I find myself wishing that I had more space to make notes and break projects and tasks down into sub-parts. I’m strongly considering moving to a larger format such as the Write Notepads Weekly Planner Notebook, which actually has a somewhat similar layout to the Jibun Techo but is undated and offers a larger week-to-two-pages landscape format. Because I can’t bear to abandon a planner in the middle of the year, I’ll likely finish 2020 with the Jibun Techo and switch over for 2021.

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With this sitting on my desk, it gives new meaning to paralysis-by-choice.

Eliminating Distraction (As Much As I Can)

While working from home can be convenient, it can also be endlessly distracting. In addition to partners, kids, and pets all (mostly) wanting you to be available, you have to contend with being surrounded by your own unfinished books, video games, and home improvement projects, all of which are probably going to look a lot more interesting than whatever business you’re working on at the moment. Personally, I find myself trying to practice law while sitting in the middle of the world’s most disorganized stationery store, constantly tempted to switch pens or ink or paper or otherwise “just try something new.” This week I decided to challenge myself by picking one writing instrument in the morning- whether that be a fountain pen, ballpoint, or pencil - and committing to use that one thing for the entire workday. No changes. Honestly, this simple change has made a huge difference in my focus and productivity, which in turn ends up giving me more time with my hobbies after hours. If you don’t work on paper like me, you can substitute “writing instrument” for “writing app,” “keyboard,” or whatever tends to distract you during the day.

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Today’s choice: Lamy 2000 Bauhaus 100th Anniversary edition.

Though I’m far from a hardcore productivity geek, I love tinkering with analogue tools, note-taking setups, and, yes, even technology. Though this may be a dangerous question to ask, I’m interested in hearing from you, readers. What changes have you made if you’ve had to start working from home? What worked? What didn’t? Feel free to post in the comments or contact me directly (through the site or via joe@gentlemanstationer.com). I'm also planning on opening up a discussion via Instagram.

Disclaimer: I purchased all products featured in this review with my own funds. I am an authorized retailer of Write Notepads products via the T.G.S. Curated Shop.

When is a Fountain Pen Too Big? Considerations on "Oversized" Pens

Setting aside filling systems, if someone asked me to identify the key difference between vintage pens of 75-100 years ago and modern pens currently on the market, I would have to say size. Extremely popular vintage pens such as the Parker 51 and the standard Parker Vacumatic Maxima, not to mention something like the Sheaffer Snorkel, appear tiny when compared against the majority of modern fountain pens. Even looking at pens from just 20 years ago (still considered “modern” in most circles), size has steadily increased. I have a set of Waterman Man 100 Patricians from the early 1990s, which were considered large pens at the time. and while they’re still not small, they compare to a standard Esterbrook Estie or Diplomat Aero.

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Notwithstanding my concerns about what seems to be the ever-increasing size of modern fountain pens, I still found a way to add three Momento Zero Grandes to my collection over the past year. From left, the “Arlecchino,” “Primary Manipulation Vesuvio,” and “Primary Manipulation Stromboli”. All three are limited editions, though I would say that the Momento Zero Grande will remain one of my pens of the year.

I first noticed the oversized trend with the Edison Collier, which I considered huge when it was first announced several years ago but which today seems relatively modest. Pen companies haven’t slowed down. Before they went under, Delta and OMAS made oversized versions of their Dolcevita and Paragon fountain pens, respectively. Leonardo has released the Momento Zero Grande, a larger version of its already substantial Momento Zero. Esterbrook is killing it with the Estie “Oversized,” and apparently is selling so many that they have started to release special edition versions. These days, even the Montblanc 149 - once considered a “huge” pen - no longer seems that big at all.

What’s Driving the “Oversized” Trend?

I’ve heard a few different things in the course of years worth of conversations with both users and penmakers:

• The fountain pen community is aging. While more young people are coming into the hobby, those who grew up using fountain pens - still the core audience - are moving into their 60s and 70s, and larger pens are more comfortable for those with conditions such as RSI (repetitive stress injury) or arthritis. (A recommendation for “a large pen for arthritic hands” is actually one of the most frequently received requests here at T.G.S.)

• As fountain pens have become less utilitarian objects and more luxury accessories, the focus has shifted from the pen as a “daily writer” to the pen as a vehicle to showcase unique materials. Some companies have managed to navigate this shift remarkably well. For example, both Kanilea Pen Company and Leonardo Officina Italiana make fountain pens that are both gorgeous to look at and exceptionally comfortable to use. On the other hand, the past several years have seen an explosion of uber-expensive pens so large that they look like nightsticks, primarily made from rare celluloids. Personally, I have a hard time seeing how those pens can be used practically as everyday writers by anyone save those with extremely large hands.

• Vintage pens were manufactured in factories as objects for mass consumption, as opposed to turned by hand on a lathe, as many pens are today. My understanding is that it can be more difficult and labor-intensive to hand-turn a smaller or more slender fountain pen, and it results in more wasted materials (which can be expensive). I’m not a penmaker, so I have no experience in this regard, but I’ve had multiple individuals mention this at shows over the years.

• Sometimes it’s as simple as a shift in consumer preferences. Especially in the U.S., everything has upsized over time: cars, houses, watches, and, yes, pens. If larger pens sell, manufacturers will keep making them, especially if consumers equate “bigger” with “more expensive", and remain willing to pay top dollar for giant pens.

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The Leonardo Momento Zero Grande is incredibly well-designed for such a large pen. If you’re a poster like me, you’ll want to consider this model because the cap adds little to no weight to the pen.

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I haven’t held a vintage Parker Vacumatic in quite some time. Is the Sailor Pro Gear Slim the closest thing on the market right now? It’s somewhat astonishing how small this pen feels.

Considerations on Buying a Large Fountain Pen

If you’ve also noticed the shift towards larger pens, and are curious about trying one, keep a few things in mind. First, whether any pen will make a comfortable daily writer is less about pure length or diameter and more about shape and balance (i.e. weight distribution). For example, what makes the Leonardo Momento Zero Grande an extremely comfortable pen, despite its size, is the fact that the pen has a subtle hourglass shape with most of the girth towards the front. Slightly tapering the back end allows you to post the cap deeply, without throwing off the balance and back-weighting the pen too much. It helps that the cap is extremely light.

Second, while piston filling systems are seen by some as a sort of litmus test as to whether or not a pen is truly “high-end,” they can add weight. I would love to add a Pelikan M1000 to my collection, but the added weight from the filling system makes this a hard pen for me to use. On oversize pens, I tend to prefer cartridge-converter systems, though I will add that Leonardo’s has developed an extremely lightweight piston on the Momento Zero Grande.

Finally, if you’re thinking about purchasing an oversized fountain pen for the first time, consider visiting a pen shop in person or waiting until pen shows resume. (It’s currently hard to predict exactly when that will happen in light of current events, but I remain confident that this too shall pass.) If you can’t wait, be sure to purchase from a retailer who allows returns, and handle the pen to make sure you find the size comfortable before you ink it up.

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A comparison of five modern fountain pens against a vintage Parker Vacumatic Major (far right). Starting from the left, a Sailor Pro Gear Imperial Black, Momento Zero Grande Arlecchino, Delta Fusion 82 in Pompeii Celluloid, Kanilea Pen Company Mauna Kea, and Leonardo Momento Zero standard in Burkina Celluloid.

Final Thoughts

I started thinking about these issues while watching the pens in my collection gradually get larger. While I can appreciate an oversized fountain pen, especially one made by a craftsman who enjoys the act of writing and how a pen should fit the hand for maximum comfort over long sessions, I would love to see more pens made in the size and shape of the classic Parker Vacumatic. Delta made a run of celluloid Fusion 82s in conjunction with Bryant Greer of Chatterly Luxuries several years ago, and those ended up just about perfect (though as you can see from the pictures, the pens were still larger than a vintage Vac). Conway Stewart’s excellent Model 100 is another vintage-inspired option, though difficult to find in the U.S. Waterman, with its flagship Expert and Carene models, seems to be losing ground. Don’t even get me started on the disappearance of the Parker Sonnet. Currently, Japanese companies are holding out, with Pilot, Sailor, and Platinum still sizing their flagship collections for the everyday user, though you can see the “big pen” trend working its way into their lineups with pens such as Pilot’s massive “Custom Urushi” and Sailor’s “King of Pen.”

At the end of the day, I appreciate variety, but I have some concern based on the trends I’m seeing that reasonably sized, practical fountain pens are losing ground to larger “show ponies.” Personally, I would like to see more vintage-inspired design, not only in terms of shape and materials but also in terms of size. Taking things too far in any one direction can only restrict the appeal of the hobby, which is good for no one and risks jeopardizing the progress we’ve made towards a broader pen community.

Disclaimer: The pens featured in this review are from my own personal collection.