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Imagine me talking, ahem writing, with an Australian accent. Picture 1: That's not a pen. Picture 2: That's a pen. Pen 1 is only for kids having fun. 😁 (Picture 3: Comparison.) Pen1: Sailor 1911 MF Pen2: Manupropria Bo Raden from my IG account: https://www.instagram.com/mkepens/

Manu Propria is the atelier of Martin Pauli of Berne, Switzerland. Martin is a serious student of Japanese urushi styles and techniques and a highly skilled artisan. His pens are all handmade by him alone, thus his brand name which translates to "my own hand." I received my first of Martin's pens just today, and I am delighted with the aesthetics, the quality of workmanship and the ergonomics of this gorgeous pen. I want to share a few photos, just because I think the pen is so exceptionally beautiful. I am aware that I am posting this in the Japan-Asia forum, and that Switzerland in in Europe. But the pen is more in the Japanese tradition, so ... If the moderators would dispute my judgement, they can move this posting as they feel appropriate. Nuff said. Here are some photos: Enjoy! David P.S. Typo in topic title noted. "Neoro" should obviously be "Negoro."

Dear members, visitors, ... Spring is in the air ! This week I'll receive some new Manupropria pens. On my request Martin will make all small version pens for the Sakura FP Gallery with #6 nibs in stead of #5. The pens are handmade by Martin Pauli in Japanese ebonite and crafted in urushi using kawari-nuri techniques. http://www.sakurafountainpengallery.com/en/boutique/manu-propria-schrijfwaren All welcome to visit the webstore or B&M shop in Diest ) Catherine

Since a long time I have been attracted to the mystery of urushi lacquers. Urushi looks deceiving simple but in my quest I found out that nothing with urushi is easy. I would like to share a small review about the new Manu Propria pens I received last week in my Gallery : The Bô Negoro Nuri pen. Bô means “stick” and that is what this pen looks like. A long and sturdy shape with a flattened top and bottom. Compared to my Delta Massaai they are big. But the balance is very nice and so is the weight. Even the medium one. Body : handturned ebonite Nib : 18kt goldtone JoWo nib in EF/F/M/B/BB Filling: cartridge, convertor, eyedropper (if you add silicon grease) Feed : resin for standard and medium version, ebonite for long version Sizes capped/uncapped : standard 150/135mm, medium 180/155mm, long 200/165mm Coating : urushi lacquered Negoro nuri style. The nibs write within European standards but in my opinion they can be marked with + meaning they are at the larger side of the F or M. With Rohrer & Klingner Köningsblau the F and M wrote rather wet and smooth. The red pen is lacquered in a Aka Negoro nuri, the black one in Kuro Negoro nuri. Negoro nuri is an old urushi technique that reveals its beauty over time. When the upper layer wears out it reveals partially the layer underneath. Actualy these these pens wear an interpretation of the negoro technique as the worn out spots already are shown. It takes skill to craft Negoro’s like this and Manu Propria did this in an exquisite way. If you would like to know more about the Negoro nuri technique and the making of the Manu Propria Negoro nuri pens, you can visit http://www.sakurafountainpengallery.com/en/faq/detail/the-making-of-manu-propria-negoro-pens I do not know if you were ever overwhelmed and moved by just seeing a pen? I had that feeling when I looked at the samples in Switzerland. I had the same feeling when I unpacked the pens this week. I keep them in the dark and sometimes I take a peak. Well …. perhaps I’m crazy … but a least in a nice way ) All pens are custom made … and they are worth to wait for. Thank you for reading my first review. Catherine