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I've just been reading a very interesting thread about famous people's pens. It got me thinking about what other people have used. SO: What pens appear in your family history, and are they still in the family? (By this, I mean any member of your extended family who is higher up the family tree, whether they are still alive or not - parents and aunts/uncles are fine, siblings don't count.) Bonus question. Future history: If you could choose only one fountain pen that you currently own to hand down to the next generation, which would it be? I'll start. My maternal grandmother used a Parker Vaccumatic every day. I imagine that she acquired it not too long before the outbreak of World War II. It was lost after her death, but from my mother's description, it was likely the larger version, with the golden pearl finish. Which pen to hand down? To answer, I have to know why I'm handing it down - mainly as an object to be used, or as something to remember me by. As an item to be used, I'd probably pass on my Sailor Pro Gear: it's top quality in every respect, is sober enough to be used in any situation, is sized to fit both larger and smaller hands, I like it very much, and with its cartridge/converter system it's simple enough for no-fuss use. For an heirloom item, I'd probably go for my Pelikan M800: it not only writes beautifully, but I've tinkered with it myself, and is just the right size for me, as well as being a better reflection of contemporary society than a more vintage pen. (edited for spelling)

Hello to everyone. I want to share with you all, something where I spent long time researching and writing about all the montblanc pieces, most of them limited editions. Many of the photographies were taken by myself, other ones were ceded by some friends, but hope you can enjoy it. (The website is on spanish im sorry if its an inconvenient for someone) http://www.cruzaltpens.com/historico/ In some days I will have the Montegrappa Historical uploaded too, and im working at now in some other brands. Best regards!

the fountain pen arrived yesterday, prompting this mini-review... to recap, i received the rollerball version of this pen as a gift from a friend maybe three years ago, and had always hankered since for the FP version, attracted by the retro styling (they called this the "historical" as opposed to the starwalker 100 years). i saw one at the auction at the chicago pen show this year and made too feeble a bid on it, and regretted when it went to someone else. then it came up in the FPN classifieds at a good price, and this time i didn't let go. side by side in a case, it's hard to tell the difference between the RB and the FP: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/9584982449_7425eea239_z.jpg taken out, the FP (on top) is just a tad longer than the RB (and no, the caps don't switch): http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/9587774794_d75d6b11ce_z.jpg and here they are uncapped: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2860/9587776560_6ab4f8fc00_z.jpg the nib comes out and retracts through a push-pull slider on the barrel. (you can't screw on the cap with the nib out.) perplexing for the absolute newbie ("where the heck's the nib?!") and it took me a bit to figure out as i kept trying to turn the butt of the pen as i would with a safety, but pretty easy and simple once you get the hang of it. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/9584986293_af4de527a0_z.jpg in the closed position, you can unscrew the rear of the pen to expose a carrier for the cartridge. (yes, it's a bit of a surprise if not a disappointment to realize that such a top-of-the-line pen uses cartridges and nothing but.) http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/9584987979_5c02103d80_z.jpg i'll post a writing sample soon, but suffice it for now to say that its medium nib writes smoothly; mine was firm with no hint of flex or springiness, which i suppose makes it ideal for notetaking.

Well, I can't not review what is my currently favorite blue. (though I'm digging Bleu Ocean a lot right now.) Sherlock is the only fictional person in the De Atramentis historical persons series of ink. I like dark blues. Though sometimes bright blues. Just never boring blues. I think this one is a good deep and dark blue. It's got more color to it than my Noodler's Blue Black (which sometimes just looks black). This one flows well. I've never had any real problems with it. It's also got some water resistance. And some pretty shading. Dry time is a little longer than most of my inks. And come on, it's Sherlock. It's actually a decently appropriate color for his character. Night blue. Anyway, yes it's a cool character. But it's a good color too, and a good ink.