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Back to the year of 2022, it was the year of Tiger. This pen was therefore purchased before the new year holiday. I was quite concerned with wood cracking. After 2 years in storage, wood is still intact. 10/10 body work. It is not a small pen, almost same feeling as gripping the MB149. 9/10 ergonomy. Regular filling cartridge of 1 ml, within expectation. Not until the Dadao 9019 2ml monster filling was launched, cartridge is just the least thing to talk about from a fountain pen. After Dadao 9019 (Jul, 2023), I expect all cartridge to be as good as the Dadao one. Otherwise, low score. As this pen was launched before Dadao, it is still 10/10 for filling system. The nib is typical Jinhao style, rigid and smooth. 10/10 nib. It was paid less than 10 dollars, super bargain. 10/10 value. Overall impression, this is a decent pen with natural material. Handle with care.

I might be retiring from teaching at the end of this year, and I am thinking that I might get myself an all-wood pen (section is wooden, also) to celebrate. I might even do a special order. I won't be able to spend more than 500USD. Any recommendations for a maker or brand? I really know nothing about this kind of thing, but I am very intrigued. I've already looked at Ryan Krusac's website.... Thanks.

Hello there, this is my first post here. Currently I'm using the decimo and pro gear slim the most and I enjoyed both metal and resin pens. But I wonder are there any good wooden pens? I would like to have one as I like the touch of wood. I have seen pilot custom maple and sailor precious wood, but are there any more choices? I know wooden pens are not a common choice, but there should be some more. I don't have much budget, so 300usd is maximum and I would like a gold nib. Thank you so much!

I do not know if SYAHI pens is still operating but they make beautiful wooden pens. There is also Lotus Shikhar in Sandalwood and I know Lotus also makes sandalwood pens in other models. It will be great if there is someone like Ryan Krusac in India, who makes pens in different types of woods.

This is my first review, so if you can think of any part of the pen I did not cover then please ask questions below. This is the beautiful Magnifica Amalfi from Delta. The pen has a 14k extra-fine nib and comes with a gorgeous olive wood barrel with prominent grain. The rest of the pen is constructed from a variety of resins: two shades of blue, white, and red. 18k plating trims the pen. The filling mechanism is a captured converter - one which is highly efficient and takes ink all the way up to the seal. Fond, as Delta are, of basing their pens on locations and features of landscapes, this pen is made in honour of the coastal city of Amalfi: the olive wood barrel representing land; the resins representing the sparkling sea, sky, and mountains near the city. This is a numbered edition pen. The nib itself is a true EF. I mention this because the last time I used a Delta EF it was a steel nib and wrote as a medium. I purchased this pen expecteing a very 'liberal' EF nib and was pleasantly surprised to discover that it wrote as finely as my Faber-Castell EF (more on that in the writing sample). Initial inspection under a loupe showed the tines to be strongly misaligned, however I also noticed the feed was fractionally misaligned as well. After giving the feed a slight nudge it audibly 'clicked' into its correct setting and this had the effect of aligning the tines as close to perfect as-makes-no-difference. After looking at all angles through my loupe the tipping material makes a smooth sphere at the contact point, no tinkering needed. Although not visible in the photograph there is a healthy slit of light between the tines. The resins are simply beautiful. Let me get the obligatory "no camera can capture the beauty of... " sentiment out of the way, and tell you that I firmly believed the blue sections of the pen to be celluloid. I found it difficult to believe that resin could have such subtlety in its chatoyance and interaction with light - even my Dolcevita cannot match the glimmer and sheen of these resins. Although the following images do not do the effect justice, compare these two: now imagine the highlights in the second image emerging from the deep blue, curving into visibility like a shoal of fish. Here is a deliberately underexposed shot of the cap to show that even the white resin band has some subtle marbling effect, albeit barely discernible And here is a view of the red band, again some texture is visible. Another comparison of the way the resin reacts to light can be seen by comparing the light blue resin of the blind cap in the above photograph with the full length horizontal shot at the beginning of the review: the latter appearing very subdued, the former catching light from a new angle. A closer view of the section. The threads are not sharp. The seal of Amalfi and a maritime compass form the ends of the pen. Hopefully my appreciation of this pen is evident, so I will now deal with a couple of niggles. The gold ring separating the section and barrel is loose enough to create a slight rattle if you tap the area (handing the pen to someone, placing the pen down uncapped etc.) and though it does not slide forward or come off, this bothers me. Not a big deal, but I'd rather it wasn't there. Another small detail is that the word "Amalfi" beneath the number on the cap is not centred with the exact rear of the cap (the number is). It is however centred between the word "MAGNIFICA". This means that the gold band was not centred when it was affixed to the cap. Again, it's a tiny detail, but worth mentioning. Those of you who find the rattle of converter tips inside tapering pens annoying are, unfortunately, going to notice an issue with this pen. To make sure that the gold plated captured converter does not scratch after inserting though the barrel there is some leeway in the fit. This means that the user operated twist section has a fraction of a millimetre of space around it, causing the occasional rattle when tapped. I fixed this in mine with an accurately measured shim of paper. This will only fall out when the entire barrel is removed, not when filling up each time.It is an invisible and quick fix for those of us who are pernickety enough to care. As for the feel of the pen - it is very light by my standards. The uncapped body with a full load of ink is 22g, the cap 18g. This is however an EF and so I can accept a pen this light. The section has a very pleasant concave taper, comfortable and natural. The transition between the different materials is also very good. The three resins on the cap are all flush, as is the wood -> red resin -> metal -> blue resin combination at the rear of the pen. However the fortifications detailed on the gold band are raised slightly, and this does occasionally catch on my hand. Not too egregious, but enough to remind you that the pen is there. Posting the cap doesn't change anything either as the "MAGNIFICA" gold band falls in the same place. It also has raised detail. Speaking of posting - the pen certaily feels more substantial and not too back-heavy, but I have a dislike of posting pens and doing so always makes the pen I am using feel wrong, so I am not the best to judge this. The pens writes very smoothly. I'm used to EF nibs so my hand is accustomed to the gentle touch required to creat smooth contact with EF nibs. YMMV. The blue ink below is from the bottle in the first image. It is not named so for all I know it clould just be normal Delta Blue. I refer to it as "Amalfi Blue". The Amalfi Blue ink lays down vibrantly, yet significantly fades on drying. The green ink is from my Faber-Castell E-Motion EF. That was previously the finest nib I had, much finer than other EF nibs by various companies. And here is a medium nib with the same blue ink, the Amalfi pen writing underneath. Thank you for reading. This review was written in one continuous stream without editing or revision, so if you have any questions about something I missed, please ask.

Hey guys! During my recent travels to Japan, i found a unique wooden fountain pen case from Storio. I'd never heard of the brand before but the moment i saw the case i fell in love with the way it looked and felt, so I just had to get one! I thought I'd just shed some light on this relatively unknown brand, as i think this case is beautiful and worth every penny. It looks professional and sleek/ stealthy, yet is interesting enough to get anyone who lays eyes on it to start a conversation about it! If you guys are interested, i made a video review about it! Theres also a link to where to get one if youre interested! Let me know if you guys have any questions or comments about it! Edit; There seems to be an issue with the audio. I will update the post when i reupload a new one! Edit 2; Audio issue has been resolved!

Has anyone tried one of these Vindolanda pens made from 2000 year old oak dug up at the archaeological site in northeast England? I think its a cartridge converter pen. https://www.vindolanda.com/shop/vindolanda-wood-ink-pen From a Reddit post I found it looks like a F/M-ish nib. https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/csjvti/my_first_fountain_pen_made_by_david_wayper_out_of/

Hello Friends and Pen Enthusiasts, I plan to manufacture "Luxury HandMade Fountain Pens". I want your suggestions with reference to the following:- 1. Which Material would you suggest I should use? a.) ebonite b.) teak wood c.) resin d.) any other then please suggest. 2. Which NIB is the best in the world. ? a.) Schmidt b.) Bock c.) Jowo d.) any other then please suggest. 3. Which material nib is the best? a.) Steel b.) Gold c.) any other then please suggest. 4. Which is the best ink feeding system in the world? 5. What kind of material should be used for the Clip ? -- a.) Brass b.) any other then please suggest. I sincerely await your inputs or suggestions of any or all of the above points. Incase you believe that I may have missed something crucial or I need to be aware of then please feel free to let me know. In the event you want to suggest something which is different then my thought process mentioned above then too please feel free to share your thoughts. Though I am at an advanced level of conceptualisation, my intent is to create a "TRUE LUXURY PEN" which can be handed down from generations to generations and is extremely high on quality. All Suggestions are welcome. Thanks, Vikas

I finally took the plunge finally and bought an Izumo (Tagayasan) after going through some lovely reviews from my fellow fpners. I could not find a review of the matte version at fpn before buying this. Here is also a link to my blog with some more pics: Platinum Izumo Tagayasan - Matte Review The Izumo series was launched in 2010 to celebrate the birthplace of Platinum’s founder Shunichi Nakata. The Nakata surname of course reflects in all Nakaya nibs. Coming to Izumo, the Izumo province is located in the eastern coast of Japan and is famous for its political history as well as making traditional Japanese paper out of vegetable fibres (a sample of which is also included in a paper roll). The two variants of Izumo pens are Urushi-on-ebonite and Wooden versions. I am reviewing one of the wooden versions here. Some of the other versions have been rather marvellously reviewed by Hari1(had got mine on his recommendation), Hari2, & atomic_doug at FPN. This Izumo is called Tagayasan which literally translates into Iron Sword Wood (鉄:Iron 刀:Sword 木: Wood). More on this later. PRESENTATION The pen comes in a wooden box (IZU4000061) made of up Paulownia wood encased inside a handmade paper box. The box will itself feel very light which is characteristic of this wood along with high resistance to deformation, and it’s also used to make chests and boxes in Japan. This box also used for Nakayas and a few other premium pens of Platinum (Urushi Maki-e) with an RRP of JPY 50000 or greater. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B7KYVFMlZuk/VdGlYG3u0fI/AAAAAAAAFIw/bfiUzb6WrBk/s1600/aPack.jpg Once you open the satin lined top cover, you will find a green kimono encasing your Izumo, resting along with a standard platinum converter, a cartridge (though a complementary box was included by the seller), a paper roll made of traditional Japanese paper (Kiku) and a few other cards for maintenance & use. The one important out of them warns you against posting the cap. You will see later that there is a metallic insert for threading the cap and it might chip off the barrel wood, if posted. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8y7BZXL4Goc/VdGlbpicYvI/AAAAAAAAFI4/ZSBvDhdR7zk/s1600/apack2.jpg DESIGN - THE WOODEN CIGAR (6/6) The Izumo Tagayasan comes in two finishes : Matte (PIZ-50000T #20) and Gloss (PIZ-50000T #21). The word Tagayasan in Japanese refers to a wood which is as hard as iron, and to my delight, I found that it was produced in India. The scientific name is Dalbergia latifolia and it’s more commonly known in India is Shisham or Bombay Black Wood. As the wood is hard, durable and resistant to termites, it’s used in India to make premium furniture. The build is remarkably sturdy and for a wooden pen it’s heavy and quite comfortably so. You will find this to be a large pen and initially I was concerned about its dimensions. The wood has a dark brown appearance with still deeper streaks running horizontally across the length of the pen. The golden gleam coming solely from the clip supplies the pen with a simply amazing contrast. Doesn’t the pen look like a marvellous piece of art? I salute the Japanese craftsmanship behind this handmade pen. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CbnpPdS3trg/VdGlCk3-zwI/AAAAAAAAFHQ/8qv7eCnqUPQ/s1600/DSC_5213.jpg The cap feels substantial and unscrews with one and a half turns, revealing a stunning two-tone nib. The threads of golden glitter mark start of the grip section. The tapering of the section in someway ensures that your grip remains least affected by the metallic threads. Towards the nib a golden trim ensures the aesthetics remain singularly complete from top to bottom. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iay_4sCJZyk/VdGlIEzHmRI/AAAAAAAAFHg/YIbcLvU1wTs/s1600/DSC_5237.jpg The finial is in the shape of an elliptical dome and quite deftly conceals the clip-joint. The dazzling tension-fit clip is plated with gold and has some resemblance with a traditional Japanese double edged sword called Tsurgi or Ken. It sports the brand name of PLATINUM within a dome of etched squares. There is a smaller sculpted impression below mirroring the sword in the green kimono. The metallic thread insert inside the cap render the pen unsuitable for posting. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUo-EoodEso/VdGk-oEKD9I/AAAAAAAAFHA/AUqTHBzvq78/s1600/Cap.jpg FILLING SYSTEM (5/6) As a cartridge converter filler, the supplied convertor is limited by a volume of 0.6 mL although platinum cartridges have an advantage with capacity of 1 mL or more. The Izumo also takes in proprietary converters and like other Platinum pens and there is an adapter available for international cartridges/converters, whose production is currently stopped. The proprietary converter does look good with its golden trims, but again you can see it only when you are filling up ink. The barrel unscrews from the grip section with four turns revealing the gold accented metallic thread section. The wooden barrel carries the opposite threads with a similar metallic insert, eliminating any chance of internal chipping of wood. The feed does draw ink even when the nib is not fully immersed inside ink. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dcHnwGYCYs0/VdGlIK5ZYBI/AAAAAAAAFHk/h9ApMJDh1gc/s1600/DSC_5286.jpg NIB - ALL THAT MATTERS (5/6) The nib/feed section is friction-fit and comes in a 18k two-tone design across three stock widths of F, M & B. I like the design of these nibs. Above the tail lies the brand imprint of PLATINUM specified with nib type i.e PRESIDENT (or 3776) along with nib-composition (18 K) and width (B). A hearty breather hole lies above the imprint. Three bands of rhodium decor run amidst the body and shoulders as an enhancement. These bands are limited to the tines. The nib lays a moderately wet and smooth line with a characteristic stiffness. I would have personally preferred a bigger nib given the price point of this pen. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mgtpCTtzEdU/VdGlLj4bZcI/AAAAAAAAFHw/5vZCFh5ytsc/s1600/DSC_5297.jpg The black plastic feed for the President nib has closely spaced fins and even with the cap open for a while, it does not take any effort to lay a nice and wet line. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UIHq32QBusE/VdGlNmM-P8I/AAAAAAAAFIA/O461HSTuDOc/s1600/DSC_5304.jpg PHYSICS OF IT (6/6) – RELATIVELY SPEAKING A comfortable length and weight ensures that the cap doesn't need to be posted while writing. With a cosy girth of around 1 cm, it poses absolutely no problems with extended writing times. Capped Length ~ 16.5 Uncapped Length ~ 14 cm Nib Leverage ~ 2.4 cm Overall Weight ~ 38 g Capped and uncapped comparisons with a pelikan m805 run below for your reference. You might be already noticing the giant cap with an elliptical dome finial, which contributes rather lavishly to the length of the pen. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jAKoO_FBARE/VdGlSWvVgyI/AAAAAAAAFII/_pPe2OhEaYE/s1600/DSC_5317.jpg Uncapped the Tagayasan is about 1 cm longer than a m8xx, making it a comfortable wooden companion. The threads at the section are located necessarily at an upper region of the section, which does not interfere with my grip, given the section taper. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ig9nj0XF1M/VdGlXHtQicI/AAAAAAAAFIg/r0pKXytek58/s1600/DSC_5338.jpg ECONOMIC VALUE (3/6) The Izumo wooden versions - Tagayasan retail around US$ 600, though they are available at much lower prices around US$ 400 with known Japanese shops like Engeika or Rakuten. I expected a bigger nib at this price point and I do have a sinking feeling that the usual President nib does not do complete justice either to this pen or its price point. OVERALL (5/6) This stunning 18k nib is smooth but not buttery, with kind of a controlled glide. It’s blessed with a moderately wet ink flow. There is a subtle bit of line variation, the horizontals being a tad thinner than the verticals. The nib is as stiff as a nail. Though, there is a hint of softness with this nib. Even being a wet writer out of the box, this Broad nib puts a line which takes around 30 seconds to dry on MD Paper. Ink used was Platinum Blue Black cartridge. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AK8OBMu_L9E/VdGlWmqbz3I/AAAAAAAAFIc/fZWtb49MDOk/s1600/DSC_5343.jpg REFERENCES Platinum Izumos Hari’s Review of the Gloss Version Bombay Black Wood Thank you for going through the review. You can find some more pen and paraphernalia reviews here.

GvFC Platino intuition has 3 colour option, sure Ebony and Grendilla are both great, but I really like the Pernambuco wood. By the time I spend on trying to buy it from internet, I realize its not an easy task. And my friend tells me that Pernambuco product has been stopped. So here comes some question: 1. Is Pernambuco really out of the production line? 2. If its true, is it because shortage of material or quality control issue? 3. 😂😂Last but not least, whats the fair price of Pernambuco now?😍😍

Hello FPN! This is only me second FPN post, so I am going to reintroduce myself- My name is Sanay Shah, and I am a 21 year old mechanical engineer and the co founder of a brand called Syahi, that handcrafts wooden fountain pens(from scratch-these are NOT kit pens. The brass parts, section, rings etc are all made in house). We are only a year old, and have released a few models in this year, taking feedback from customers each time and implementing the same. We have now arrived at a few models that we are very excited about.. there are no pictures anywhere though-they will be shown at the DC and SF pen shows this year! You can have a look at our website (www.syahiindia.com) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/syahiindia/?hl=en ) to look at some of our older models and get a basic idea of our pens. This is my first time to a pen show, and I am slightly disappointed about the fact that a lot of you are not too keen on the DC Supershow.. Anyhow, I will be at both DC and SF, with a full range of pens. Do keep an eye out for me and pay a visit

Hello! My name is Sanay Shah, and I am the co founder of a brand called Syahi(urdu for 'ink') based out of Bombay, India. We handcraft pens using exotic hardwoods that have been seasoned for years at end. We haven't really launched yet-the past year, we made a bunch of pens, got feedback from our customers, and are trying to incorporate it in our new models. We will (hopefully) be launching at the DC Pen Supershow this year! We have been asked to make pens in acrylic etc but in the near future, we only see ourselves making wooden pens. Being a natural material, there are so many nuances to the wood- which part of the tree the wood comes from(we only use heartwood!), how it's cut(that affects the grain), how long it has been aged for, whether it is kiln/air dried.. The pens come with German nibs(available in F/M/B) and a Schmidt K5 converter. Along with each pen, you get a genuine leather case embossed with the Syahi logo, so you can safely keep the pen. All nibs are checked, and pens tuned before being sent out. A lot of people are worried about wood staining-we coat our pens with a proprietary blend of natural oils that makes it water resistant, and small ink stains can be wiped off! No lacquer has been used; all our pens have a matte finish. We believe this best brings out the grain of the wood. I have attached a few pictures of our pens.. let me know what you think! Please note, none of our pens are kit pens. All parts, including the brass threads we use(since wood cannot be threaded directly) are made in house.

My first italian fountain pen - the SEC Magia (magic), that wood artist Stefano Costatini has made for me: It is made of rosewood that has been specially treated so that ink and sweat cannot harm it . The metal parts of the pen are from sterling silver and goldplated. They are also made at Stefano`s workshop. The Magia sports a well-tuned, flexible 18 Karat gold nib from Bock in Heidelberg, Germany. It is mounted on a Bock #6 inkfeed that is screwed-in, so that the nib unit can be exchanged easily. The Magia works with a standard converter. You can also use cartridges. The metal housing that covers the front end of the converter is a clever solution. It prevents the wood of the grip section from coming into direct contact with the ink. Because the grip section is wooden it is recommended to take the empty converter out of the pen and fill the converter instead of dipping the nib and grip section into ink. I also wouldn`t use Baystate blue ink or the like with this pen. Here`s for a comparison the Magia with a few other pens. From left to right: Pelikan M250, Lamy 2000 and Kaweco Fireblue. I always wanted to have a wooden fountain pen and have been searching for years. I have found many fake wooden pens that were completely lined with metal inside, had metal grip sections and were very heavy. This SEC Magia is the first fountain pen with no metal linings and a wooden grip section. Plus it has no brass parts but silver. It has a modern design and is a very good writer that feels warm in the hand. When I got the pen it came in its´ own wooden box with the SEC logo made as wood inlays on the lid. What I also like about the Magia is that you can exchange the nib unit. There are some online shops for wood turners that offer the #6 Bock nibs in steel, gold or titanium. And the converter is another plus. When it ceases working after years of use you can get a new converter for a few dollars and replace the old one. This makes the pen a product that lasts. It feels, writes and looks great.

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum1.jpg Staedtler - a German brand synonymous with pencils and technical instruments in Europe - had launched its new "Staedtler Premium" range of fountain pens. Interestingly, the Staedtler Foundation owns all shares of the Staedtler Group since 1997. The Staedtler Foundation is "dedicated above all to the promotion of innovative ideas and the perpetuation of knowledge." and "promotes scientific research at national universities and polytechnics. It also supports cultural projects closely concerned with the subject of education." "Lumograph" pencils were standard issue way back in school, and one may still vividly remember the "Triplus" office set which contained a fineliner, ballpoint pen, mechanical pencil and highlighter. The all-in-one office set is still on sale today with the same ingenious packaging that functions both as a case and stand for the ergonomically designed triangular writing instruments. In the same light, Staedtler Premium's high quality writing implements and accessories are backed by the brand's technical expertise and inspired by the values that led to the founding of the Nuernberg based company by J.S. Staedtler in 1835. The Initium and J.S. Staedtler collections differ in that the former has an understated appearance while the latter offers sophisticated workmanship, exclusivity and design with a price to match. Make no mistake - the Staedtler Premium Initium collection is no compromise, as the following review will illustrate. INTRODUCTION: The Staedtler Initium Lignum is my first fountain pen from the German brand. It comes in a few editions named in Latin - Resina (resin) Lignum (wood) and Corium (leather). I opted for the wood version because I liked its earthy appearance, natural feel and admired the contrast between its natural wooden grain and matte chrome accents. Those who have read my previous reviews on The Fountain Pen Network would already know that I have a weakness for wooden pens and own quite a number of Japanese ones. The Initium Lignum comes in a cardboard box with an elastic closure. The box contains the pen wrapped in plastic and beneath it lies a small catalogue of the different models as well as care instructions and a guarantee booklet. Appearance & Design (8/10) – The Staedtler Initium Lignum, like most of the Initium collection, comes with minimalist German design. An exception would be the Corium Urbes line which is something like the Corium Simplex line, featuring metropolitan city skylines imprinted onto the pen's leather surface. There is even a Singapore themed pen that features a sketch of the Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay Sands. Like its name suggests, the Initium Lignum is constructed with a high quality wooden finish. Two colours are available - brownish Plum wood and beige Maple wood. Like any natural material, each piece has its own distinctive grain and no two are alike. As a personal preference, I finally chose the Plum wood over Maple. The Plum wood does have a wooden scent though the scent is not very apparent until to put your nose to it. The wood has a tactile surface and feels great to hold. It does indeed appear like a natural material. The Staedtler Mars logo appears on the top of the cap while the brand "STAEDTLER" is proudly engraved on the back. At the bottom of the cap, "MADE IN GERMANY" reminds us that the pen is constructed to the most exacting standards we have come to expect of German brands. Construction & Quality (10/10) – The Staedtler Premium Initium Lignum deserves top marks for construction and quality. The moment I picked up the pen, I could feel that there was no compromise in quality and construction, and the execution of minute details was not neglected. It didn't take more than one and a half twists to remove the cap, so making short notes will be manageable. Giving the pen barrel a light squeeze, the wood felt firmly attached to the barrel without any creaking sounds and was seamlessly integrated with the matte chrome metal parts - a testament to the technical superiority of the Staedtler brand. Everything was executed flawlessly - while removing the nib section, I could hear no screeching sounds and did not see rough edges on the inside. The nib is also well executed with an unassuming Staedtler logo and the nib size etched on it. I am thoroughly impressed by the construction quality of the Initium Lignum, given the price point. The pen is truly a tank, and will last for generations if used the way it was intended. Weight & Dimensions (8/10) – The Staedtler Initium Lignum is an extremely hefty pen, and understandably so because it is constructed of metal. It isn't extremely large or long so it would suit anyone. The cap on the Initium Lignum is particularly heavy so I feel that it does better left on the table. That being said, it is still possible to post the cap and write. I would not recommend posting it for fear of damaging the wood and due to the fact that the pen could become significantly more top heavy. The weight of a pen is often a matter of personal preference - some find heavier pens more effortless to write with while others say it causes fatigue. In my opinion, the weight and dimensions of the Initium Lignum make for pretty effortless writing. I find that with heavier pens one doesn't have to exert too much downward pressure when writing, and can glide the nib over paper. The considerable weight of the Initium Lignum does truly make a statement about Staedtler's dedication to creating serious value. Here are some technical specifications for those who’d like to know: Weight: 50 grams Length with cap closed: 10.37 cm Diameter: 1.25 cm Nib & Performance (7/10) – The Staedtler Initium Lignum is a pen that delivers in almost every department. However, it is my honest opinion that the steel nib has great potential for its out of the box performance to be further improved. In writing, I can feel slight feedback throughout the strokes, especially on lower quality copier paper. It is definitely pleasant on the smoother pages of my Japanese made Life Noble notebooks. I have observed that some fountain pen users actually do like this feedback and I am curious if the 18K gold nib on the J.S. Staedtler line is similar in feel. Visually, the Initium Lignum's steel nib is definitely well made - polished nicely and engraved with a Staedtler Mars logo. Examining it under a loupe, I can tell that there is no serious flaw or misaligned tines. I opted for the F nib because I like finer lines and have small handwriting. Ink flow is well controlled, so that compensates slightly for the feedback. The Initium Lignum steel nib is stiff, and like most of the other Steel nibs in this price range that is unsurprising. The nib isn't overly stiff though, and is still pleasant to write with. There is nothing stunning about the steel nib from Staedtler, and it would be unfair to demand a gold nib in this price range. I must say that my experiences with other German and Swiss made pens with steel nibs of similar size have been better, though some believe that steel nibs do improve after consistent use. Hopefully it will smoothen out over time. Filling System & Maintenance (8/10) – The filling system of a pen is one of the important aspects - akin to the fuel tank of a car. Fortunately, the Staedtler Initium Lignum utilises the standard European converter. One issue with some fountain pens is the tendency of the converter to rattle inside the barrel of the pen. Staedtler has ensured that the converter is firmly fitted and would not pose that issue. There isn't much else for me to say here except that it does a commendable job and has great capacity. The fact that a standard converter was used also means that maintenance is a breeze and replacements can be obtained easily and affordably. To reassure us of their commitment to quality, the Staedtler company guarantees that any defects or failure within a two year period will be repaired or replaced at no cost. Cost & Value (9/10) – The Staedtler Initium Lignum isn't a stunner but delivers compelling performance and great value for its price point. The weight of the pen together with its quality wooden finish and overall appearance do justify the cost. Being a fairly new product range, it is natural for people to make comparisons with competing brands. We should however judge each product for its own merits and give the brand a chance to show us what they have to offer. With a long history and great technical know how, I am sure that there is much more to come in the near future, and the exclusive J.S. Staedtler collection is definitely worth a look. The Staedtler Initium Lignum is priced at S$210 including tax, here in Singapore. That is approximately US$167, €130, or £102. Conclusion (Final score, 8/10) – It was pleasantly surprising to hear that Staedtler had launched a premium range of pens last year, because I never associated the brand with fountain pens but rather,pencils and technical instruments. Until Staedtler, there was from my knowledge probably only a singular German brand (which needs no mention) nearly unchallenged in its manufacture of premium range wood fountain pens. Staedtler is a welcome addition to the mix and I will be closely watching what they have to offer. The harmonious combination of wood and high quality matte chrome exudes both warmth and modernity, fitting my collection perfectly. I admire clean-cut designs with a sobering appearance. Staedtler's design is sensible and elegant - not too pretty to carry around, to be used. With timeless qualities that would never grow out of fashion, one would enjoy the pen tremendously in daily use, and for a long time to come. Background Information: You may be interested in the kinds of pens I like - I've long been an advocate of Japanese pens. I started out with my first pen, a Lamy Vista, many years ago. Eventually I progressed to the Lamy 2000 and a Sailor Professional Gear which I still write with daily today. I like wooden pens and demonstrator pens, and recently I started to appreciate Omas pens for their great nibs and construction quality. I acquired the Arte Italiana Art Deco and 360 in Vintage Turquoise, both of which are wonderful pens I am glad to have in my collection. I later also got myself the Omas 360 Lucens as it is a wonderful celluloid piece. This is my tenth review on FPN. You may have read my reviews of the Sailor Professional Gear here, Pilot Custom Heritage 92 here, Namiki Origami Crane here, Sailor Chizusugi Cedar Wood Sapporo here, Omas 360 Vintage Turquoise LE here, Pelikan Souveran M800 Tortoiseshell Brown here, Sailor 1911 Profit Hakone Yosegi-Zaiku here, Sailor Precious Wood of the World Sapporo pens here, Stipula Etruria Rainbow Yellow LE here, Omas Ogiva Vision Turquoise LE here. If you'd like to know more about my pens and collection you can find out more about me here at my profile. This review contains high-resolution photographs which you can view below the post. Till my next review, here are some photographs of this exceptional pen for your viewing pleasure! I’ve also included links to my previous reviews in the above paragraph for your convenience. http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum2.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum3.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum4.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum5.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum6.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum7.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum8.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum9.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum10.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum11.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum12.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum13.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum14.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum15.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum16.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum17.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum18.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum19.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum20.jpghttp://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/StaedtlerInitiumLignum22.jpg

http://inks.pencyklopedia.pl/wp-content/uploads/De-Atramentis-Wood-Brown-nazwa.png Present test ink De Atramentis Wood (Brown) with a nice nutty color and very good properties, namely: the perfect flow, pen glides across the paper photocopier perfectly, good drying time and a nice saturation. If you like these shades, it will be very satisfied with my purchase. I would recommend! Producent: De Atramentis Series, colour: Wood (Brown) Pen: Waterman Hemisphere "F" Paper: Image Volume 80 g / cm2 Specifications: Flow rate: very good Lubrication: good Bleed through: possible point Shading: noticeable Feathering: unnoticeable Saturation: good Ink drying time: ~ 5 sec. A drop of ink smeared with a nib http://inks.pencyklopedia.pl/wp-content/uploads/De-Atramentis-Wood-Brown-kleks.jpg The ink smudged with a cotton pad http://inks.pencyklopedia.pl/wp-content/uploads/De-Atramentis-Wood-Brown-wacik.jpg Lines http://inks.pencyklopedia.pl/wp-content/uploads/De-Atramentis-Wood-Brown-kreski.jpg Water Resistance http://inks.pencyklopedia.pl/wp-content/uploads/De-Atramentis-Wood-Brown-woda.jpg Sample text http://inks.pencyklopedia.pl/wp-content/uploads/De-Atramentis-Wood-Brown-txt.jpg Other tests carried out: Sample text in an Oxford notebook http://inks.pencyklopedia.pl/wp-content/uploads/De-Atramentis-Wood-Brown-Oxford.jpg Sample letters in a Rhodia notebook http://inks.pencyklopedia.pl/wp-content/uploads/De-Atramentis-Wood-Brown-Rhodia.jpg Ink drops on a handkerchief http://inks.pencyklopedia.pl/wp-content/uploads/De-Atramentis-Wood-Brown-chromatografia1.jpg Chromatography http://inks.pencyklopedia.pl/wp-content/uploads/De-Atramentis-Wood-Brown-chromatografia2.jpg

I've recently added a Moonman M1 in brass and Tiger wood to my collection and am glad I did. The pen was was about $12 on Taobao. The pen is relatively long and slim. The section doesn't taper much at all. The cap takes about 3 turns to remove. The cap could post, I suppose, but the threads would likely tear up the wood and severely mess up the balance. Moonman M1 Dimensions 13.5cm / 13cm capped / uncapped 26.2g / 16.7g capped / uncapped 8mm section diameter 12mm barrel diameter It uses the same screw-in nib unit the Delike Alpha and New Moon 2 so if you have any of those pens, you can easily swap nib units. Like posting, eye-droppering this pen has got to be out of bounds. I don't plan to find out. The fude/art nib turns up only very slightly. It creates a sweetspot so that when the pen is at the correct angle the pen writes with a remarkably broad, wet line. The nib in my pen was smooth out of the box. The writing experience with the pen is excellent. The balance is toward the front making the pen feel lighter than it is. I'd definitely recommend the Moonman M1 for folks into fountain pens. Probably not as a first fountain pen, however. Two thumbs up for the fude/art nib! More photos and comments here

Greetings all, Do we have a "Japanese pen brag page" , like the "What Parker are you using this day?" page or the Pelikan "Whats the most recent addition to the flock?" page. A interesting brag page is the "Whats the most recent MB purchase?" These pages allow us to share our enthusiasm, joy and pride with a community that appreciates and supports and even encourages this compulsive behavior. Pens need not be exotic or expensive, pictures are whatever can be achieves with what at hand. And the reason I ask...... I just adopted this Sailor Denshiro and wanted to share this beautiful pen with all who love Sailor pens. The material used for the barrel is wild cherry tree bark, a traditional material used by the Samurai. This work is only done in one town in Japan, Kakunodate, located in Senboku District, Akita Prefecture. Few have the skill to preform this work but for 5 generations the Fujiki Denshiro company has been making items from the bark. They made the barrels for Sailor and so proudly, Denshiro is engraved next to Sailor on the cap-band and the pen become its namesake. What I love about Japanese pens it the harmonious blend between atheistic sensitivity and technical performance. Here we have the traditional craft of the Samurai, with Nobuyoshi Nagahara's masterful nib design, brought together to a balance of beauty and function. My thanks goes to all the craftsmen for their relentless pursuit of perfection. http://www.maryhatay.com/Mark/Fountain-Pens/Mixed-Pens/i-Vj6kKD4/0/X2/sailor%20denshiro-X2.jpg

I found this artist's case for paints, brushes and other materials in a Japanese surplus store, and decided to convert it into another case for pens. Some of you will recall that I turned a similar case (a larger one) into a case for pens five years ago: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8224/8443280687_ab69f77bb1_z.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8355/8443285285_663d0c565e_z.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8506094988_aebae6ea7e_z.jpg This was the case I used this time--older and narrower: Got some help from a handyman who varnished the case and installed the dividers (leftovers from a previous project, so they weren't tall enough to go all the way to the top, but they do the job). And here we go:

Hello Everyone, I don't announce this kind of thing very much, but I wanted to share it with you kind people because this is one of my favorite places to go on the internet, and the FPN community is what makes it so for me. I am coming out with my latest production pens since the Icarus. I am very pleased with how they both are coming out. Those of you who know me personally know that I am not very easily pleased. It's been a long time since I used a pen that felt as comfortable as these. 1: As some of you know, I love wood. I think it's beautiful, has an unsurpassed feel, and makes an excellent construction material for many things, but it poses unique challenges when used for a fountain pen. I've been struggling with that problem for years, but now, I've finally gotten good enough that I can work with tolerances tight enough to make the dream a reality. For years I've wanted an all-wooden pen, and now I have one. Wooden cap, wooden barrel, wooden grip. Hands down, this is the most comfortable pen I've ever made. Wood can stain, and that's been accounted for in the design. When you get your hands on this, I think the pen will disappear into the experience of writing with it. I want to use it all the time, but for the work I do, I often need a clip for my pens. This pen will come with the option to install a functional, designed steel clip. My first release of this pen is just about 8 units, but I'll be making more in the future. They all fill with a simple, reliable aerometric sac. The beauty of an aerometric sac is how easy it is to fill and clean, but the ink capacity (around 2.5ml) isn't as voluminous as you might get with an eyedropper filled pen, so to prevent you from getting caught with an empty pen, some of these will have an ink window. Three, to be exact. 2. The first run you'll have available are made from highly patterned fancypantz german ebonite. The material has a black base color and has green, red or blue ripples in it. The big problem with this material (besides it being very expensive) is that it's so dark that it really doesn't photograph well, and even in person, it's hard to get a clear fix on what's going on with the color pattern. Well, I've solved that problem through faceting. The way the light glints off the sides attracts the eye in a way that's hard to describe. The pen has 12 gently tapered, faceted, painstakingly-finished-by-hand sides on the cap and on the barrel. Ink windows are optional, as are clips with this model. So, I've been talking about how these pens feel while writing. What nibs can you use? Jowo F (more of a "Western fine"/medium; .4-.5mm)Pilot XF (a true extra fine .2mm)Zebra G flex nib units (with my usual, handmade, purpose-designed ebonite feeds)Nemosine .6mm italicAll these pens come with interchangeable nib units, so you can switch nibs within one and the same pen. Just unscrew (or, if you want, just use a simple hex/Allen wrench you probably have at home). These will come out this week. I think "Black Friday" is stupid, but if you want to be the first to know when these pens will be available for sale, please consider signing up for my mailing at the top of this FAQ page here. Price? I can't speak to that right now, but I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on that subject. Please email me at DesiderataPens <<<AT>>> JEE-MALE <<<DOT>>> com., or leave a comment.

I just picked up a new Montegrappa Fortuna Heartwood in teak the other day from an authorized dealer. I received the pen and it looked fine on the initial inspection but after looking at the body under mild magnification, I can see several cracks, about 3, in the pen body lengthwise starting at the metal insert where the cap threads too. These look to be all the way through the body. After seeing the cracks location under magnification, I can spot them easily without magnification now. Is this acceptable for a new pen? I have 2 Omas rosewood pens without cracks and also another Montegrappa Fortuna Heartwood in pear wood with absolutely no cracking. I've had the Omas pens for a year or so and they're perfect. The pear wood Montegrappa for a couple months. Am I being unreasonable in expecting there to be no cracks in the wood? Please see the pic attached of one of the cracks in the teak pen. The seller is telling me this is normal and called "checking" but this doesn't fit with my other experience. Thanks for your help FPN!

Hello, One of my acquaintances will be in Japan in the next couple of months and has very kindly offered to bring back a small package for me. As part of this package, I was looking to buy a Japanese FP that is challenging to get in India. We either have to buy it from online sources) from Japan (Engeika, Rakuten, direct seller, etc.) or ship it from US/UK or buy it at a premium in India. In all three cases, we end up paying customs duty and/or shipping costs which make the pens anywhere between 10%-30% more expensive. I thought this would be a good opportunity to buy a pen from Japan for myself. I've listed the criteria below and would appreciate any suggestions: Budget: USD 100 to USD 200 Nib: EF, UEF (or thinner) or one of the special nibs (Fude, etc.) as I do own other kinds of nibs. I draw occasionally (I've posted a few at https://www.instagram.com/flumm0x3d/) and would love the finer nibs to learn and practice the lithograph style better. Material: I have a preference for wood, ebonite and other forms of rubber and have only 2-3 pens (out of a little over 30) which are made from celluloid, acrylic, plastic or resin. I do understand that it might be a challenge to Filling system: Any! Maintenance: None to High. I use all my pens, being careful with them and have so far had no breakages, cracks or bent nibs. I have never bought one as a showpiece so far and am not judging anyone who does so.While there seem to be a lot of options in the budget range I have mentioned, I am unsure about them as the material does play a very important role for me to decide (As an example, though I have bought nibs from Franklin Christoph in the past, I am waiting for them to make a pen in these materials before I buy). However, I do understand that handmade (or otherwise) Japanese pens in these materials tend to cost much higher. The order of preference will be budget, nib and then material, as an example if there is a superior nib in the given budget range that you think is definitely worth a go, I am willing to buy only the nib unit and then get a custom body built around it in wood/ebonite in India. Any and all suggestions for pens or better ways to do this are welcome. Thank you!

Hello, penfolks! This review will be of limited use, as a. the pen in question is brand-new to me at the time of this writing and therefore still suffused with new-purchase glow; b. I’m writing with it as regularly as I can, but I’m still only a couple of fills in, which means I haven’t had too much opportunity to get to know it; and c. my cellphone photography skills leave something to be desired, but I nonetheless took lots of pictures that are eating up your bandwidth as you read this. All caveats aside, I was itching for more reviews to read while I waited for my Pilot Custom Ichii to arrive, so I’m paying this forward for the next obsessive (bleep) who needs something to read and reassure them that the pen they just spent lots of money for is going to be lovely. (TLDR: I think this pen is lovely.) Box and Packaging: My Pilot Custom Ichii came in a large, leatherish black box, which is massive compared with all of the boxes my previous pens came in. It contained, in addition to the pen itself, Pilot’s generic Use and Care Guide (a folded sheet with basic information about operating their pens’ cartridges and converters), an insert in Japanese and English “About the ‘Ichii Tree,’” an English-language insert describing the Inden lacquered-deerskin pen pouch, some Japanese-Language pamphlets advertising said lacquered-deerskin pen pouch, and a black, lacquered-deerskin pen pouch, carefully rolled up and tied with an attached leather strip. A sealed black cartridge of Pilot ink was also included. The inside of the box is lined with black satinesque fabric, and a raised cardboard mold takes up the front half of the available space, with more satinesque fabric loosely attached to present a crushed, squishy (casually luxurious?) look. The Pilot Custom Ichii sits in a tailored indentation within this structure, held by two fabric-covered prongs so as to rest at a jaunty angle. A rectangle of black foam is placed between the pen and the inside of the lid to prevent jostling, but all of this was thoroughly deranged by customs inspectors by the time I received it. The entire box was contained in a white outer cardboard box with some sort of (bespoke artisanal) texture and an opening front flap that further foiled the customs inspectors and drove them to feats of rage and crumplement, alas. (No lasting harm was done.) Pouch: The included pouch is made of soft, matte, black leather taken directly from the still-weeping Bambi’s sainted mother; it uses another strip of black leather to wrap it. The inside of the pouch is a soft, black, felty material that might also be leather with a different finish. The outside features a tidy crosshatch of glossy black lacquer which is gorgeous to look at and completely scares me from using it for its intended purpose by taking it out of the house. It fits the Ichii snugly and securely, and will live safely in my desk for the foreseeable future. Appearance and Finish: The Custom Ichii’s design is based very closely on Pilot’s flagship Custom 845, which I’ve lusted after for years. I’m not a huge fan of black pens, though (and because I’m an uncultured rustic, etc., the appeal of urushi-lacquered ebonite has not sufficiently gripped me to justify the premium it commands), so when I discovered the Custom Ichii, and it transpired that I had some money saved away for an extravagant pen, the decision got made. I’m not a wood expert, and sources seem to vary, but I think the ichii is made from Japanese yew praised for its fine grain (so sayeth Pilot’s Japanese-language product page, despite the included insert which says it’s oak; “ichii” on its own seems to translate to “first rate”). So, whatever: it grew in the ground once and evidently takes an amazing polish, as even on the knots, the wooden surface of my pen feels almost flawlessly smooth (though rubbing it produces a subtly different whisper than do my lacquered and resin pens). The wood feels cooler in my hand than does the plastic grip section, and displays subtle chatoyancy as I turn it in my hand. Grooved, gold-plated rings mark the finials, which more or less continue the grain pattern on the barrel and cap. Both ends of the pen are flat with the slightest hint of convexity, and the edges created are flawlessly crisp and smooth in a way that makes me never want to risk taking the pen away from the safety of my desk. The mouth of the cap has a broader band than the Custom 845 and extends all the way to the lip, probably to preserve the thin, tapered wood against shock and stress. (It’s hard to tell if the cap has any exposed wood on the inside, or if it’s all plastic; the barrel absolutely does.) The clip on the cap appears to be Pilot’s standard Custom-series stepped triangle and ball affair, and is very stiff. The band reads, “*** PILOT JAPAN *** CUSTOM ART CRAFT” in engraved all-caps, over and over and over again until you get bored. The section appears identical to the black, injection-molded plastic used on the Custom 845, with a chiseled hourglass profile bulging at the nib and a 1mm flush gold ring separating it from the cap threads. The section unscrews to reveal metal threads (with an o-ring) and a metal housing for the included CON70 converter; the inside of the barrel is wood except for the counterparts of the threads and something shiny at the end, in the finial. The barrel tapers very subtly toward the finial ring and then continues afterward, a bit narrower. Where the barrel screws onto the section, perhaps to accommodate the substantial cap band, the wood takes a subtle, smooth step inward and looks awfully sexy to me. The large (Pilot #15, Bock #6+ish?), two-toned 18k nib fits the dimensions of the rest of the pen in a way that’s very attractive to me: I think it elongates and streamlines the overall appearance in tandem with the subtle taper, even though this is a large, broad-sectioned pen. The feed appears to be Pilot’s dark, slightly translucent plastic, and is perfectly centred on the nib slip when I look through it against the light. In the lower left corner of the nib is the date stamp: “616,” for June of last year, I’d assume. Still looks pretty fresh, though… Design, Size, and Weight: From what I’ve read, the design and size are identical to the Custom 845; some people think it weights slightly more, and some slightly less. (If anyone would like to donate an 845 to science, I’d be more than happy to update this section.) It feels lighter in my hand than any of my other pens (unposted Cross Townsend and Faber-Castell Pearwood Ambition being what I have the most experience with), and is plenty-long for writing unposted. The pen just borders on oversize, to my eye, but the graceful taper of the barrel and the elegant thrust of the nib prevent it from looking bulky (the way I found the Visconti Homo Sapiens did when I tried it in-store, for example). The length of the pen, the placement of the clip, and my preciousness with the finish of the wood discourage me from clipping the Ichii into my shirt pocket as I normally do with my pens. If this ever does leave my desk, I’ll probably carry it in the included leather pouch. Maybe. Nib and Writing Experience: Pretty darn great, I won’t lie. It’s worth pointing out, though, that this is my first nib anywhere close to this size, so some of my excitement with the sensation of writing with this pen may be explained that way. I’ve been writing with #5ish (Bock-reckoning) nibs exclusively since my first pen, a steel Sheaffer Prelude, about 16 years ago. I wrote my thesis with a juicy, but equally petite 18k Cross Townsend nib, and have put in some time with a broad, flexy 14k Falcon nib. I hold my pens fairly far back on the section, which I don’t do as much with the Custom Ichii because the section is shorter and the nib is (substantially) longer. The effect, with this background, has been the sensation that I’m flicking a wand or flourishing a rapier, more than directing a nib. This is an extremely satisfying sensation for me and has spurred me to feats of scrivened loquacity I haven’t enjoyed for years. Your mileage may vary, but I’d urge you at least not to wait as long as I did to try a properly honkin’ nib, based on this experience. The Ichii has not been adjusted in any since it left the factory, to my knowledge, and is almost too smooth. My Falcon is too smooth and is exhausting to write with as a result, becoming quickly sloppy and uncontrolled on the page; the nib on my Custom Ichii has a whisper of feedback and feels (on my preferred Rhodia paper) like a fine, polished dowel being drawn across a sheet of taut, suspended silk (as opposed to a cool stick of butter across the surface of a mirror). The Japanese medium writes a hair broader than my American fines, which is what I was hoping for and told to expect, and it lays down a manageable, wet line that sits at about 6 out of 10 on my arbitrary wetness scale. It’s given me pleasing shading with each of the inks I’ve tried. My first writing with this pen was Diamine Chocolate Brown, which has been my favourite ink colour for a few years. On Clairefontaine and Rhodia, even with a fresh, juicy fill, I had a bit of hard starting. More alarmingly, once the initial flood of the feed had been written out, I found the pen drying to a halt every paragraph or so; I haven’t washed anything out with soapy water yet, so it might be manufacturing oils or a disagreement with the ink, rather than catastrophic nib failure. Reassuringly, I tried Iroshizuku Asa-gao next and had a much more positive experience: no starvation, almost none of that initial skipping, and the pen felt more lubricated yet controlled on the page, somehow. It was a complete pleasure to use, and among other things, I wrote the first half of this review on that charge. The Ichii is now inked with Faber-Castell Moss Green, which flows about as well, though it doesn’t lubricate the same way. Still chuffed. The nib has a bit of flex – really just a touch of firm cushioning compared with my steel nibs, and in contrast to the squashy plushness of the Falcon. I can get a bit of variation with pressure, but the nib doesn’t invite it, and it doesn’t give me much pleasure to try. What is neat is that I can pull the nib across the page without any downward force, and the line remains as broad and wet as it appears with my usual pressure. None of my other pens do this, and along with the broader section and lighter build, this encourages the development of a lighter hand (as I’ve been meaning to do for a while now anyway). I naturally grip near the threads, which are smooth and comfy. The balance, unposted, is flawless for me – exactly like my Townsend. Filling-System: I don’t seem to mind the CON70 converter as much some people do, and I was happy for its inclusion. This one is not urushi-lacquered like the part that comes with the Custom 845 (a cosmos-sundering tragedy I’ll probably eventually learn to live with). The CON70 is a push-button converter, filling with about five or six firm pumps (though it foams up the ink a bit, making it hard to tell). The capacity is reported to be much larger than Pilot’s other twist and squeeze solutions, though probably smaller than most piston-filler pens. This is fine with me: I love switching inks and am fastidious about cleaning my pens between colours. Value for Money: I dunno. At the time of writing, the Custom Ichii only retails in Japan (50,000 JPY); eBay sellers are offering it for between $550 and $775 CAD plus substantial shipping for the large box, which would not have been a no-brainer for me, even though I’d been saving for a year for my first extravagant pen and could technically afford it. I saw this one on auction, picked a low ceiling, and (first time ever!) won it for around $400 CAD including shipping. That unexpected sweetness definitely makes the value proposition more palatable for me; I don’t know how useful it is to you, and as much as I’m loving it, I don’t know if I’d buy it again at full price. It would probably have more cache for a professional wood-fancier, but it may also turn me into one as I rotate it in my hands. I’m darn happy to have it, and most people I’ve read are positive about the value of the Custom 845, which goes for the same price. There’s also a version in the series called the Custom Enjyu, made from a coarser-grained, darker wood. So, pick your material and decide for yourself? Conclusion: I’m very happy with my unexpected, lucky, perfect pen. Yay!

Paolo Cerulli Wood Fountain Pen This beautiful fountain pen is elegant and affordable. The body is walnut toned with pewter toned trim and comes equipped with a hooded steel nib. The filling system uses a standard International sized ink cartridge, which is universally available and easy to locate. The pen comes packaged in an attractive gift box, making this a great and easy gift for the daily writing enthusiast! https://www.airlineintl.com/product/paolo-cerulli-wood-fountain-pen

http://i.imgur.com/R9qfTpB.jpg *I apologize for the poor quality iPhone photos taken in my poorly-lit apartment -- I'll borrow a dSLR to get some decent ones before I do a full review. After 13 months my Hakase is finally here! Since I ordered it last December, I've been anxiously awaiting this little ebonite barrel with a cocobolo shell. My model is called CW15C, which stands for cocobolo wood, large size nib, flat-top and solid 14kt pyramid barrel stopper band (no plating here!) For those unfamiliar with Hakase, I'd highly recommend watching the Masters of Fountain Pen series video on Harumi Tanaka. The current craftsman of Hakase is Ryo Yamamoto but he builds pens using the same techniques as Harumi Tanaka, who retired 6 or 7 years ago. Since I ordered it last December, I've been anxiously awaiting this little ebonite barrel with a cocobolo shell. I was so excited to receive it when I checked the tracking to find it was out for delivery yesterday but I wasn't home to sign for it. Today, in between appointments, I rushed to the post office, where I almost had to leave before getting my package so I wouldn't be late to class. Not entirely relevant, but I think some FP-users might appreciate this: On Tuesdays, the novelist Salman Rushdie is my professor and I think he's an FP user! Today, he was holding on to what looked like a vintage vest pen. I didn't see him uncap it but I'm fairly certain it was a vintage FP. I'm going to have to ask him about it next week, if he brings the same pen. http://i.imgur.com/6fGCwto.jpg Arrived in the pretty wrapping paper. http://i.imgur.com/kcO9APs.jpg The nibs on the large size Hakase pens are #15 size Pilot nibs, with the Hakase double-nib logo embossed on it. Similar to the nib on the Custom 823, Custom 845 and several other pens. The smaller Hakase pens use either a #10 Pilot nib or a Sailor nib. http://i.imgur.com/U2we1XT.jpg Box is just like the pawlonia wood boxes used for Nakaya and Danitrio pens. The calligraphy on the box is supposedly done by Ryo's mother. http://i.imgur.com/iQPsQOL.jpg The pen came with a Con-70 converter and was wrapped in very delicate tissue paper. http://i.imgur.com/tj4Fzak.jpg Not sure how many leads the cap has but at least one of them causes the grain to line up when capped. I know Hakase does the same pattern matching on their clipped pens, so the finial of the wood or ebonite matches that of the main part of the cap. The wood has an oil/wax finish and feels wonderful to the touch. The cocobolo blank Ryo chose is incredibly beautiful with a gorgeous grain pattern. http://i.imgur.com/CneyRtV.jpg Nib is about equal to a #6 size nib. From top: Danitrio Mikado, Edison Pearl, Hakase CW15C, Hooligan kingwood/titanium pen. http://i.imgur.com/nXjS9Ei.jpg From top: Danitrio Mikado, Eboya Kyouka (medium-size), Hakase CW15C, Hooligan kingwood/titanium pen, Edison Pearl. Now to ink this up ....

A bunch of Omas that were offered at significantly (IMHO of course) reduced prices, have landed on my desk. I can afford to keep 3, so the rest would need to go back. The wish, of course is to keep all of them, but my banker vehemently disagrees. Do note that all of them were offered around the same price around 375 Euro equivalent, except for the c/c filler which is reduced further. All of them new/un-used/un-inked The question is : Which of these would you send back and why #1 Paragon - Art Deco Limited Edition - Piston fill - Gold Trim - Stub #2 Paragon - Art Deco Limited Edition - Piston fill -Gold Trim -Broad #3 Paragon - Art Deco Limited Edition - Piston fill -Gold Trim -Medium #4 Milord Dark Ebony Wood - Arte Italiana - Piston fill -Silver Trim - Stub #5 Paragon - Arte Italiana - Piston fill - HT trim - EF #6 Milord - Arte Italiana"mother of pearl maroon"/Bordeaux - C/C fill - Ruthenium Trim - Broad I've got a week to decide and I love ALL of em