Pen and Stationery Websites You Should Be Reading

Like any hobby, the online community surrounding stationery and pens can become a bit of an echo chamber at times. The buzz about the latest and greatest "must-have" products is largely driven by a handful of high-traffic sites and blogs that everybody knows about and reads. But sometimes good advice can be found in lesser-known places, whether it's a niche site looking at a specific product or brand in exacting detail, or a site written by someone living in a different part of the world who has access to products unavailable elsewhere. I try to read as broadly as I can, and I've found that it helps me identify potential purchases that will actually work for me, as opposed to those that have become popular or trendy. Here's a list of pen and stationery websites that you should be reading regularly (if you're not already). 

1. Pens!Paper!Pencils! Ian writes an excellent blog that focuses on product reviews from the perspective of the artist, as well as the writer. His drawings are amazing - be sure to check them out.   
2. All Things Stationery. Tessa focuses on much more than just pens. While All Things Stationery is a UK-focused site that brings a unique perspective, Tessa maintains the Stationery Shops Map, which can help you locate a nearby stationery shop wherever you are in the world. 
3. The Finer Point. Another UK-based blog with excellent product reviews.   
4. Fountain Pen Economics. A blog written by Dr. Jonathon Deans, an Australian Economist who writes about pens and, more frequently, the pen industry from his unique professional perspective. If you've ever wondered why certain brands take off and others fail, give this blog a read.
5. Gorgeous.ink. A relative newcomer, Paul Joynes's blog has excellent photographs and an even better name. 
6. Inkdependence. Mike Matteson reviews ink. Lots of ink. He also has the occasional pen review as well. 
7. The Pelikan's Perch. One of the excellent brand-specific sites that I mentioned, devoted entirely to Pelikan fountain pens, including news on upcoming releases and product reviews. Pelikan's Perch also contains a lot of resources on the history of the brand, various models, etc. 
8. Three Staples. Jinnie devotes her entire blog to reviews of her Field Notes collection. The photography on this blog is something we all aspire to. 
9. On Fountain Pens. Maybelline writes her blog from Singapore, does a lot of reviews, and also has a lot of information about local pen clubs and meetups. Apparently Singapore has a very active pen community! 
10. Too Many Inks. David has over 350 (!) bottles of ink and an exceptional collection of Pelikans, and publishes his notes on various pen/ink combinations as he rotates pens in and out of daily use.  

I also follow a relatively large number of other excellent websites that aren't exclusively stationery-focused or updated as often, but contain delightful writing and I look forward to reading them whenever a new post comes out. 

1. Penucopia
2. Leigh Reyes, My Life as a Verb
3. Cronicas Estilographicas
4. From the Pen Cup
5. Reverenced Writing
6. Pete Denison
7. My Pen Needs Ink

Pennaquod.  While it's not a stationery website, per se, Ian from Pens!Paper!Pencils! has created a search engine that will comb through an extensive list of pen-related blogs and sites. If you're considering a purchase of a specific pen, and are looking for an easy way to sort reviews, give Pennaquod a try.   

Submit and Share!

This list contains links to sites that I read on a regular basis. It is NOT intended to be an exhaustive list, and I've not been compensated by anyone for listing a site here.  If you think readers should know about another site that you read regularly, feel free to leave a link in the comments, as long as the site is pen and stationery related, and isn't primarily a store. (Extraneous or irrelevant links will be deleted.)  Just to be clear, I'm aware that I haven't included The Pen Addict, Well-Appointed Desk, SBRE Brown, The Clicky Post, Ed Jelley, Gourmet Pens, FP Quest etc. The purpose of this post is to increase exposure for new or different pen and stationery websites that readers may not know about. To that end, please share with anyone who you think may be interested! 

Pen Review: Namisu Nova (Titanium with Titanium Nib)

The Nova is Namisu's follow up to their first successful Kickstarter fountain pen, the Namisu Nexus. The Nova launched on Kickstarter in September 2015 and shipped in early 2016. Namisu is an interesting company. Based in the UK, they've run five successful Kickstarter projects, three of which are pens (The Nexus, the Nova, and the Nova Rollerball). 

Overall, the Namisu Nova is a very nice pen, but I no longer have it in my collection. Most metal pens (even Titanium ones) tend to be too heavy for me, and since I like to post my pens the added weight becomes a problem. Even though I decided to pass this pen along to a new owner, I went ahead and reviewed it here because if you like this style of writing implement, it's a good option!

Build

I've heard people compare the design of the Nova to the Nakaya Piccolo and the Edison Pearl, which isn't a bad comparison because all three pens generally use a variation of the classic "torpedo" shape. The pen is well-machined, and the one that I received did not have any visible flaws on the body or cap. There also weren't any issues with the threading on the cap, something that other machined pens have struggled with (like the Tactile Turn Gist).

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The Namisu Nova features a smooth grip section and short cap threads: the cap unscrews quickly and easily, giving it an advantage over the Tactile Turn Gist. 

Perhaps the biggest difference between the Namisu Nova and its predecessor, the Nexus, is the smooth grip section.  The Nexus, which I didn't back on Kickstarter, had a textured grip section, which many people found sharp and uncomfortable to use for long writing sessions.  I won't necessarily say that the Nova's grip section is an "improvement" - many people like knurled or textured grips - but the Nova generally has been much more popular. 

The Nova is a relatively heavy pen, but it's well-balanced. After carrying and writing with this pen for a bit, it's plainly intended to be used without posting the cap. You CAN post the Nova, and it actually works pretty well, but the threading from the inside of the metal cap will scratch the body of the pen. (It will also make some pretty nasty metal-on-metal scraping sounds, so if you're sensitive to that and it gives you that nails-on-a-chalkboard sensation, consider yourself warned.) 

Overall Writing Experience

The Namisu Nova offers a quality writing experience at a very attractive price. Kickstarter backers had the choice of steel, titanium, and gold nibs, all manufactured by Bock. I prefer titanium Bock nibs over steel, and they're the same nibs used on the Conid Bulkfiller and the Tactile Turn Gist. I have not tried the gold. For a writing sample and some more detailed thoughts on how these nibs write, check out my Conid Bulkfiller review.

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The Namisu Nova works best unposted, given it's heft and balance. 

The pen sits in the hand well and is comfortable to write with for long stretches. However, what ultimately made me realize that this pen wouldn't work for me long-term is the lack of a clip and the fact that heavy metal pens don't sit that well in a shirt-pocket. At least four days each week I'm in a dress shirt, if not a suit and tie, and if I'm going to carry a pen on a regular basis I'm going to need to clip it. Thus, this pen had to find a new home.     

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Where to Buy

If you're drawn to the design of pens like the $1000 Nakaya Titanium Piccolo, but can't or won't shell out that much, the Namisu Nova should be on your list. The Nova can only be purchased directly from Namisu. The titanium version starts at just under $100 US (depending on the pounds to dollars exchange rate), with the black or "comet grey" aluminum versions starting at around $70. Upgrading from the basic steel nib will increase the price.

Unfortunately, as of the time of writing all models of the Namisu Nova are out of stock. If you prefer the design of the Namisu Nexus (now called the "Orion"), it's currently available directly from Namisu for $50-70, depending on the exchange rate and whether you choose titanium or aluminum.   

For those of you interested in non-fountain pens, Namisu recently ran another successful Kickstarter to create a rollerball version of the Nova.  Look for the rollerball Nova to appear in the Namisu store soon.    

Further Reading

Check out these other reviews of the Namisu Nova if you're interested in reading other people's reactions to the pen: 

Ed Jelley reviews the comet grey aluminum version.

Ian at Pen!Paper!Pencils! reviews the black aluminum version.

Disclaimer: I purchased this pen with my own funds for my own use. I was not compensated in any way for this review by the manufacturer or any retailer. 

Best Non-Fountain Pens for Everyday Use, Part II: Non-Disposable Pens

A couple weeks ago I offered my "Top 5" List of disposable Non-Fountain Pens for Everyday Use, most of which are relatively inexpensive, are sold in packs, and sometimes can be found in your local big-box or art supply store.  Sometimes, however, you want something nicer than a plastic clic pen, so I always keep a handful of nicer ballpoints and multipens handy.  But before I get into the main list: 

Totally Unfair Runner-up Pen

You'll notice that this list is missing a pen that I've promoted in the past, and remains my favorite non-fountain pen: the Tactile Turn Mover.  Personally, I think the Tactile Turn Mover might be the best non-fountain pen in my arsenal, but unfortunately the pen looks like it's being discontinued. Stock has been low or nonexistent for ages. As of the time of writing, Tactile Turn only has the Mover and the Shaker (a shorter pen that accepts Parker-style refills) available in Polished Bronze.  So, other than the Mover, here are my Top 5: 

Top 5 Non-Fountain Pen (Non-Disposable)  

1. Lamy 2000 Ballpoint/Multipen.  Lamy's flagship offering doesn't just come as a fountain pen: they sell ballpoint and multipen versions as well.  I've found these pens to be essentially indestructible. (My pen is vintage and stamped with "W. Germany", and remains in perfect working order at the ripe old age of 25.) If you're into metal pens, Lamy offers the ballpoint in Stainless Steel (at a premium). The multipen uses standard D1 refills, so you're not stuck with the stock Lamy version (which people either lover or hate).  

2. Hi-Tec-C Coleto. My multipen of choice. I prefer the Hi-Tec-C to other ultra-fine gel pens, and the Coleto is my favorite multipen because it's reasonably priced and relatively streamlined (read: not fat and chunky, like some multipens). The refills also last a long time (at least for multipen refills). 

3. Parker Jotter. The Parker Jotter is one of those products that has stood the test of time for decades, and I have a vintage "Made-in-the-USA" model that sits on my desk at work next to my phone.  It's a bit too small for me to use for extended writing sessions, but it does get used on a daily basis for short notes, etc.  

4. Retro 51 Tornado. The only liquid ink rollerball pen that made my list. The Schmidt refill used by these pens is famous for how smooth it is, and comes in either a .7mm or a .6mm size. For an interesting alternative to the Retro 51 Tornado that uses the same refill, check out the recently released Baron Fig Squire.    

5. MaxMadCo Bolt Action Pen. If you like hefty, indestructible pens, and are a fan of the bolt-action mechanism, the MaxMadCo pen is the best that I've used. Personally, it's too heavy for me and the type of writing that I do, but if your use case is for quick notes out "in the field", and you want a pen that's absolutely indestructible, this pen is an excellent option. 

Granted, my experience testing non-fountain pens isn't as extensive as my fountain pen knowledge, but I still use ballpoints and gel pens (not so much rollerballs) on a regular basis. In addition to the pens listed above, which are my personal favorites, others have had good experiences with the machined pens manufactured by Karas Kustoms and Ti2 Design.

DISCLAIMER:  This post contains affiliate links.

Reasonably Priced Pen Carry: Lihit Lab Bags and Cases

In the market for versatile, low-cost pen and writing/art supply storage, Lihit Lab remains a popular option. I don't know much about the company - information is sparse but it's been around since 1938 and is based in Osaka, Japan. Their cases rarely top $15, come in a standard - if a bit uninspired - range of colors, and are good enough quality to hold up to the demands of most people's daily use. About a month ago, I acquired two Lihit Lab cases to plug some holes in my daily carry arsenal. One was a huge hit; the other a major fail. 

Lihit Lab Bag-in-Bag

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The Lihit Lab Bag-in-Bag portfolio/organizer has quickly made found its way into my daily work carry, and sometimes even on the weekend. 

I love portfolios. I consider them to be one of the most practical bags to carry on a daily basis. I've had several in the past, but I tend to wear them out so quickly I have a hard time spending money on nice cloth or leather options. Enter the Lihit Lab "Bag-in-Bag." The purpose of this case is twofold. The Bag-in-Bag can serve as a standalone portfolio, holding a computer and/or tablet, one or two writing pads (up to legal size), your phone, chargers, notepad, and a few pens. Basically, anything you need for an afternoon of business meetings or a morning working at the coffee shop. It can also serve as an easily swappable insert for a backpack or briefcase, which comes in handy if, like me, you're someone who regularly rotates between the two.

At the $13-15 price point (depending on the color you select), this is really a no-brainer if you're looking for a portfolio and don't mind canvas over leather. The material isn't as nice as the cordura used by companies like Nock Co., and this Lihit Lab bag probably won't hold up forever, but it's good enough for my needs right now. The one draw back is that it stains and shows dirt very easily. Whatever material they use isn't coated and is highly absorbent, so the case has picked up dust, dirt, etc. when I've worked at coffee shops and outside on my patio. With the brown version this probably won't be as much of an issue, but be warned if you're considering lighter colors such as the orange or light green. For those of you who like oversized fountain pens, take note that the pen slots on this case are fairly tight and shallow, so big pens don't fit.

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You can carry a lot in this case.  Here, I have a Nock Co. Sinclair stuck in the side pocket, as well as a Pelikan M205 Blue Demonstrator and a Rotring 600 mechanical pencil.  Both fit perfectly in the otherwise snug pen slots. 

I use the larger 10" x 13.8" (A4) version ($15 via Amazon), as opposed to the smaller 7.1" x 9.8" (A5) case ($11 via Amazon).  The larger bag-in-bag easily holds my 12" Macbook and/or my iPad Pro, which is a necessity for the kind of work I do. This case has become part of my daily carry. 

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The A4-size Lihit Lab Bag-in-Bag easily holds a 12-inch Macbook in a sleeve (which I'd recommend since it otherwise doesn't offer much in the way of protection.  The sleeve pictured here is the excellent (and inexpensive) Inateck Cover Bag.

Lihit Lab Double-Sided Pen Case

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The Lihit Lab double-sided pen case. Great, except for the fact that the smell clears a room. 

As much as I love the Lihit Lab Bag-in-Bag, I simply can't recommend the second case I reviewed, which is the double-sided "Teffa" pen case ($10-12 via Amazon). I can give you a quick overview regarding the build and setup, but I can't speak to durability, practicality, etc. because I couldn't use this product. Why? The smell.

This pen case emits a horrifically strong chemical odor.  I would compare it to oil or gasoline but I (and others, from reading the Amazon reviews) find it much more offensive. I assume that they used some sort of petroleum-based glue to hold parts of the case together. Within minutes of opening the packaging for this case I had a splitting headache.

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This pen case is a great idea, in principle, and should be one of those products I can wholeheartedly recommend because it looks nice and can be had for a bargain. For things like markers, gel pens, ballpoints, and any other pen you want to store in bulk and don't mind touching, this case should do the trick.  The back section has pockets to store pencil sharpeners, erasers, post-its, scissors, you name it. I just couldn't get past the smell. Fortunately, Amazon refunded me (and didn't even want the product returned to them). 

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Otherwise, this Lihit Lab pen case can carry a lot of pens.  In terms of storage space for gel pens, mechanical pencils, etc., it's got plenty of room. 

Where to Buy: 

You can buy Lihit Lab cases from either Amazon or Jetpens, which carries a wider range of products other than the cases. I purchased mine from Amazon because I have a warehouse near me in Tennessee and they qualified for free Prime "same day" shipping. I ordered them in the morning and they were at my front door by 4:00pm.  Pretty cool.  

One more thing:  I get a lot of e-mail about the pen cases I use, and what I consider the "best" pen case. While I'm working on putting together another "Top 5" list, it's been hard, in large part because everyone's needs are different. There are far more than five solid options out there right now, with more cases coming to market every day.   

DISCLAIMER:  I purchased the products featured in this review with my own funds, for my personal use. 

KWZ Inks: A New Favorite

This year I made the decision to move most of my ink reviews over to my Tumblr blog, www.bottledup.ink, and to start writing ink reviews in a much more abbreviated format. I did this for a couple reasons. First, there are a number of people out there who do far more comprehensive ink reviews than I was ever able to put together, so in terms of this blog, it seemed like a better use of my time to produce other kinds of content. Second, I honestly was getting a bit bored with the lineup of available fountain pen inks and wasn't having as much fun writing the reviews. Sure, there were still some unique colors out there, but it was getting increasingly expensive to chase "uniqueness" in the form of limited editions that were starting to run upwards of $35 per bottle.  

Enter KWZ. KWZ is manufactured in Warsaw, Poland by Konrad Zurawski, a PhD student in Chemistry. KWZ inks originally attracted attention for their lineup of modern iron gall inks in a wide range of unique colors, such as Mandarin Orange and Turquoise. I'm not aware of another company that offers ink like this: previously, with iron galls you were limited to blue blacks and the occasional "dusty pink/purple", such as Rohrer and Klingner Scabiosa. While I don't personally own any of the KWZ iron gall inks, I've tested them out at pen shows, and it seems as though KWZ has managed to create an iron gall ink that flows well.  (The one knock on iron gall is that traditionally, it can write very dry.)     

NOTE: If you are unfamiliar with Iron Gall ink and its properties, please read the ENTIRE disclaimer on the Vanness website. TLDR version: iron gall ink, while famous for its ability to change color as it dries, can be corrosive, and while the iron gall content in KWZ ink is probably not high enough to damage modern gold or stainless steel fountain pen nibs and parts, it's not a good idea to leave these inks in a pen for weeks at a time, or to mix these inks with non-iron gall inks. I'm not trying to be alarmist - I use a couple iron gall inks on a regular basis, including Platinum blue black and the old school Pelikan blue black - you just have to practice good fountain pen hygiene.  

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KWZ Green Gold, in a Lamy 2000 Stainless Steel medium cursive italic ground by Mark Bacas.

Personally, I'm enamored with KWZ's standard line of inks (i.e., the non-iron gall variety). I purchased my first bottle (Green Gold) at the 2016 Atlanta Pen Show, and soon after placed an order for two other inks that caught my eye: Brown-Pink (yes, that's a real color) and Honey (it looks exactly as you'd expect Honey-colored ink to look). 

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A macro shot of KWZ Brown Pink on Leuchtturm dot grid paper.

Behavior-wise, these inks tick all the boxes I look for: they flow well, they don't feather or bleed on relatively cheap paper, and they dry quickly with no smearing. Seriously, all three of these KWZ inks have near-instantaneous dry times, which I love when I'm taking quick notes at work and have to be able to flip the pages without worrying whether or not I'll end up with a smeary, unreadable mess at the end of the day.

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A macro shot of KWZ Honey on Leuchtturm dot grid paper.

But as it always is with inks, it really comes down to the color.  For work, I prefer muted, offbeat colors that don't scream off the page.  The Brown Pink could best be characterized as a burgundy with purple tones.  It's a nice color that I've used regularly. Honey resembles J. Herbin's Lie de The, only it's a slightly warmer color with less green. The Green Gold is how I expect my "moss green" or "racing green" ink to look. It's not watery like some other inks I've tried in this color (Stipula Verde Muschiato and Papier Plume Moss Green come to mind). Though I'm someone who rotates inks a lot in his pens, these three have seen a lot of repeat use lately.

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Where to Buy 

Vanness Pens is the only U.S.-based retailer I'm aware of that stocks KWZ inks, and they always maintain a wide selection in stock, though Honey and Brown Pink tend to sell out quickly. KWZ ink is also reasonably priced, at $12 for 60ml.   

Further Reading

Check out these links for some additional reviews of KWZ Inks.

Brad Dowdy of the Pen Addict reviews Iron Gall Gummiberry. 

Jeff Abbot, writing for the Pen Addict, reviews Iron Gall Gold. 

Azizah over at Gourmet Pens reviews KWZ Honey.

The Pen Habit reviews Iron Gall Turquoise.

DISCLAIMER:  I purchased the inks featured in this review with my own funds for my own collection.  While Vanness Pens is a sponsor of this site, I was not compensated in any way for this review.