With Fountain Pen Day rapidly approaching and several of my currently inked pens running dry (or just feeling a bit stale), I figured it was time for a refresh! I plan to do a fair bit of writing during the late fall/winter, since this is the time of year that (1) I tend to need more down time due to all of the holiday season craziness; and (2) I have a lot more projects that I’m currently working on, many of which will be announced in the coming weeks and months. The general theme of this set is “good comfortable writers” that I can use for extended sessions without having to take a break. I really like this current set of pens and inks, even if I inadvertently ended up with multiple burgundies and dark reds. (I guess that’s not really too much of a surprise given my preferences.)
Lamy 2000 Black Makrolon (Matthew Chen Kodachi). It’s been far too long since I’ve had a Lamy 2000 inked up, and since I’ve had customers in-store asking to try the pen I figured I would break out not one but two. (I dropped a hint in last week’s post on long-form writing.) This particular pen was ground by Matthew into a medium Kodachi nib several years back, and it’s a reliable writer with just a touch of line variation to keep things interesting. The ink I chose is Sailor x Tinterías Cilantro, one of my favorite mid-toned greens.
Lamy 2000 Black Makrolon (Fine Nib). I’ve always enjoyed the standard Lamy 2000 fine and extra-fine nibs because the tipping has a subtle architect shape to it that fits my handwriting style. For this one I used some of my last remaining bottle of Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock Limited Edition Ink. No I won’t sell it.
Pilot Custom 74 in Lavender Fog (Soft Medium Nib). Pilot’s most recent U.S. exclusive release comes with some of my favorite nibs: the “Soft” series. No, these aren’t flex nibs - they just add a subtle softness to your handwriting with a bit of additional spring. Pilot’s Fine-Medium nib is a great width for my handwriting, and I now own two. The ink in this one is Pilot Iroshizuku Syun-Gyo. (Note: I know these pens are sold out pretty much everywhere now but I understand that’s a temporary supply constraint and more will be coming.)
TWSBI ECO in Carrara + Onyx (Medium). I’ve been saying that I would pick up one of the Serpentine ECO fountain pens, but the Carrara + Onyx version drew me in first. I paired this one with a favorite classic red ink: vintage Montblanc Bordeaux, of which I have a lifetime supply.
Diplomat Viper Fountain Pen in Blue (F/M Nib). Diplomat’s hooded-nib fountain pen has been inked nonstop, and this one is filled with yet another burgundy ink, but one which I can’t identify as I forgot to write it down when I last inked the pen. (I think it might be Teranishi Classy Burgundy). The thing I love best about the Diplomat is the single available nib size: a fine-medium. You might be noticing a trend here.
Red Dragon Pen Co. Custom Eyedropper (Franklin-Christoph Medium S.I.G.). This year I’ve been trying to keep at least one pen inked from my relatively extensive collection of custom/bespoke pens, and this eyedropper from Red Dragon Pen Co. is a favorite that pairs dark blue cellulose acetate with a transparent smoke cap and a sculpted black section. The ink is Akkerman No. 7 Koninginne Nach-blauw (“Queen’s Night Blue”).
From left: Red Dragon Pen Co. Eyedropper; Diplomat Viper in Blue; TWSBI Carrara + Onxy; Pilot Custom 74 Lavender Fog; and 2 Lamy 2000s.
If you come by the shop I always have my currently inked pens on me (in addition to the regular shop testers) so that you can ask questions and try them out. We’re open this week normal hours (1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and from 10am-6pm Saturday.