I used to collect fountain pens and still have a couple. 2 Omas, 1 montblanc and 3 Pelikans. (one M800 and two M1000.) The Pelikan M800 is the one I use all the time.
Thank you Ash for brightening my day with the addition “Chap Nirvana” to my mental lexicon. Not many would understand this, but for those that do, here’s to you.
I love Pelikan pens. I have one of every size except the M1000 (saving the pennies to get one of those) plus some “Originals of their time” re issues of 1930s classics , all of them except the beautiful but hard-to-get Toledo. The M800 is the best fit for my great clunking highlander’s fist. I have a few Italian pens too but I really love the Pelikans.
The Pelikan is the best pen in Germany above Lamy, Diplomat, Kaweco and Faber-Castell. The Pelikan Souveran is a beauty in look, feel and usability (tried it sadly never owned). And a heritage it is. The Pelikan Pelikano is one of the 5 oldest pens still being produced since 1960,
Have you heard of a little German pen company called Montblanc? Or this other company called Graf von Faber-Castell? Both from the 19th century (GvF-C even from the 18th)? Pelikan great but the competition for „best German fountain pen“ is pretty big.
@@viclucyziaMontblanc is a German company, based and producing in Hamburg. Graf von Faber-Castell makes the best fountain pens in Germany (IMHO), do not mistake them for their budget line Faber-Castell. CdA is indeed Swiss and a premium art supply company, their fountain pens are good, but nothing very special.
@@viclucyzia Just to clear this up. August Eberstein, from Berlin, Claus-Johannes Voss and Alfred Nehemias, both from Hamburg, founded the the Simplo Filler Pen company in 1906. The name Montblanc (after the mountain, hence the white snow-capped tip on the emblem, came later. The company is now owned by a South African family. Their pens are all still made in Hamburg, whilst the firm’s leather products are made in Florence, and the watches are the only products made in Switzerland.
We’re in sync today, Ash. An M205 is my EDC. Writes great, holds a fair amount of ink, and strikes a good balance between being light enough for the pocket, yet big enough to write with when posted. My work calendar/journal is a dot grid Rhodiarama.
What a surprise when I saw the title: an intersecting of two of my TH-cam interests. I’ve been following men’s style instructional channels for a few months and your channel specifically for just a couple weeks. I have been a fountain pen enthusiast for much longer and own several. I’ve not tried a Pelikan yet but it’s a brand that interests me very much. I love the look of their pens-I’m not fond of the traditional torpedo-shaped pens like Mont Blancs etc.
I love my M200! My 11y daughter use a 150 in school. I have been writing with a fountain pen all my life and my daughter knows nothing else. She swapped her Lamy cartridge fountain pen for a piston filler when she was in primary school. My wife also uses a 150 for her practice. However, we swear by Mont Blanc inks. We think they are better than Pelikan's.
May I suggest looking at the TWSBI line of pens. I have a few and like them. The Diamond 580 ALR is a beautiful pen and works very well. The Vac 700R is also a nice pen and holds a great amount of ink. Enjoy all your presentations and take your recommendations as valuable. Just received a Kaweco ruby red collectable, it is a good looking and handy pen. Cheers!
We would second this - Ash referred to me in the video and I have a collection of pens (as you may expect!) including a selection of the TWSBI 'Eco' pens which are great value and quite unique in their design when compared to the usual pen companies. A relatively new start-up, Nahvalur, is also a good alternative for piston-fillers with striking designs :) - Ross
Have to disagree......the TWISBI pens are beautiful, and functional.....but they absolutely lack in that most important quality....they are devoid of all Chappiness!!
As the benefactor of so many great lessons by you, if I may, I’d like to share one from me to you. You mentioned that you “hoped” to create a new relationship. My comment after many years of successful investing in people and companies is that “hope” is not a strategy. A well thought out plan and execution of that plan is in order and always productive. Thanks again for all of your energies expended on our behalf.
Excellent review Ash, I love my M200 and am a big Rhodia fan. If you get the Rhodia Goalbook in hard cover you get numbered pages, contents pages, some calendar pages, 3 page marker ribbons and a pen loop! Best of all worlds
Love this video! Have been a fountain pen user since my school days, collection has grown to about 45 pens now and I use them daily for notes at work as well as journalling, shopping lists and any other excuse! Love that this channel touches on so many topics that I am passionate about. And I have had wonderful experiences purchasing from PurePens myself, fantastic customer service. I’m looking for a Pelikan M200 myself currently - I own an M1000, M800 and M600 - just need the last 2 to complete the set!
Very nice work on this video. I have a few Pelikan pens and agree with your assessment. Well done, and makes me want to buy a brown marbled M200.Thank you for sharing! Frank in Colorado
I use Leuchtturm as well since years and you may love to hear that they have a 120g edition as well in their portfolio - absolutely wonderful for fountain pen writers 👌
There are times i prefer my note books are not numbered. The only time it really mattered to me was during my career as a correctional peace officer. My main hobby is amateur radio. When making contacts we keep logs detailing basically the 4 out of 5 W's. ("Why" generally not required) I keep a cheaper note pad by my transceiver for writing the info down fast then will transfer the info latter to my designated log book. My cheap note pad i just write in page numbers and note that number in my log book for cross referencing later if need be. Thank you for the awesome videos!!! Ill be looking into that pen.
Usually, Pelikan fountain pens are very good. My M400 of the 1980s is perfect (it is a present from my father, which makes it rather special). I also like my M600 of 2022.
I use a Montblanc ballpoint pen when writing script. A mechanical 9MM pencil when taking notes and drawing graphics woven into those notes, as I choose, to enhance the intention of my note taking. Both in concert support my life’s philosophy of excellence.
Very nice review. Lovely pen to write with. Personally at the moment I'm using my usual Leuchtturm notebook and currently, my everyday carry pen is (besides the Gravitas pocket pen which lives in the tiny pocket in my jeans) the Waterman Carene in Amber Marine. Absolutely beautiful pen to write with. Filled with Diamine Honey Burst Ink.
Hello Ash, excellent video, thanks. How does the Pelikan compare with the Kaweco Dia2 that you showed us recently? would a medium kaweco be a bit less 'wet'? Best Regards, Peter
They perform really similarly, perhaps that is why I am so taken by both. The medium nib on the Pelikan is much broader than a typical medium. The Dia2 feels more chunky and expensive, but to be fair, it writes like a dream also. The piston filler on the Pelikan takes some getting used to, but it holds a lot more ink and makes daily use a lot easier. Both make excellent pens in almost every way.
There's a US firm called Jetpens that sells a lose paper that is 53 gsm that is STILL better than Moleskin's paper. However, the problem with that paper is that it doesn't allow ink to soak in very well. Journaling is a bit of a chore as the ink of a fountain pen on that paper. Rhodia is the best of all worlds (in my opinion) as it allows ink to dry faster, but you still get some of the properties visable with an ink like Diamine Blue Velvet (which has a red shimmer on the edges that are allowed to dry with a bit of a pool on the page). I am fortunate to be in driving distance of Atlas Stationers in Chicago. They have a book that shows the different ink swatches they've done. Computer screens do not do the pen hobby justice.
Rhodia is decent paper, but that's not so much to do with the weight of the paper, more to do with the coating. Papers like Rhodia are designed for ink in mind, but to put this into perspective. Tomoe river can be as low as 60gsm, but is still considered one of the best photos around. If you are enjoying your inks and pens, i'd strongly recommend checking out Midori paper, again it's affordable, and has decent coating. The other aspect you did not mention is the ease of changing nibs on the m200, in which you can easily swap for other nib grades. Also by this ease, you can easily clean the pen out, which is so important if you should choose to use more challenging inks like shimmer or pigment inks. Oh and if you wish to upgrade to a gold nib, the m400 nib can be fitted to the m200 annnnd you can use vintage nibs from pelikan too! I have all these papers, as well as the m200 and I can also tesify the m200 is one of the best steel nib pens going.
I have a Pelikan m200 in brown marble, it is my best writer and the one pen I don't take outside for fear of ruining it, the only issue it has, which is the same issue for all Pelikan pens really, is that the nibs are all quite broad and wet making them a bad choice if you are useing cheap office paper and whatnot.
Good video, Ash. I owned a Pelikan M215, which had a metal barrel with lacquer finish. Even with its steel nib I favoured it over my gold nib Sailor 1911M. Sadly that pen was lost. I do have some Rhodia paper and find it has a texture that is smoother than other papers I have used. I believe other papers may have a bit of a rougher texture which some people say gives them better control over the pen. From what I can tell, one is not better than the other; it's a matter of personal preference. I have never tried the Lechtturm paper. Did you find a difference in the texture between the Rhodia and the Lechtturm paper, and which did you prefer?
I have a Cross fountain pen that I bought at my local office supply store (Office Max in the US). It's about 4 years old and I've done my best to take care of it. I also use the ink made by Cross, but it still clogs where it will write then stop despite having ink still in the converter. I've cleaned and flushed it. Any suggestions what to do?
@@TheChapsGuide Thank you for the recommendation! I've heard some of their inks can corrode/clog certain pens, do you know of inks that Diamite makes that won't do that?
I have various fountain pens I use for journaling and everyday writing. I get my journals from a young lady in Girona Spain who hand makes them binding and all with Tomoe River paper (my preference paper or others that she has. I'm never going to understand people who have gone full digital
Hi. I’m really in doubt between a Pelikan M200 or a Lamy 2000. Have you had the opportunity to try them both? I really can’t decide, and I’m willing to spend more for the Lamy if it’s worth it. Thanks 😊
I've written pens of LAMY ever since I learned writing as a pupil. I am currently considering upgrading to a Pelikan or a Montblanc, allthough I didn't like the feel of the classic Meisterstück pens and the prices are through the roof. Sorry for my English, I am not a native speaker
We have been selling fountain pens (starting with Pelikan) for nearly 20 years and have seen a growth year-on-year in that time, with may more youngsters getting into the 'hobby' with the new options of glittery and sheening writing inks and more striking and innovative fountain pens being released each year
Both really fulfil different functions, as the Kaweco is more of an EDC tool and the Pelican is a desk pen. I have both in daily use and they fit together very well indeed.
Welcome to the world of high level piston fillers - Once there you won't warnt to go back to anything beyond converter filled fountain pens... Okay I'm just extrapolaiting from myself here 😉. Best regards Raoul G. Kunz
I'm a purely electronic note taker and use Apple Notes & Calendar to order and organize my hours and days. That being said, I know that there are innumerable small paper products that can be used to bring organization to a non-paginated journal. There is an entire universe devoted to the "bullet journal" life. As to pens, I have had many fountain pens over the years but I recognize that I don't have the patience to give them the TLC they deserve, and now use Japanese fine-tip gel pens exclusively. I will cosset my grandchildren and my dogs; mechanical doodads are expected to work interminably and require no effort on my part. Sorry, Namiki!
There are many new Chinese pens that are much cheaper, and are still really good writers.....2 that I recommend are Jin Hao 9016..... And for a piston filler the Hongdian N12 ( which looks like a Pelican m 1000)
To drop a hand written note to someone is the height of consideration and class. Period. Thanks for the info. Great subject Ash. Pelikan is a very good choice.
Definitely a dying art and activity. I only wish my handwriting was better - I have always been impressed with those who write neatly and stylishly. Writing comes from the wrist as opposed to the fingers I believe. I’m not sure how easy it is to improve one’s handwriting as we get older. Very informative post, Ash. Thank you.
Like most things, you improve your handwriting by practicing. So if you really want to improve, take your time and work on forming letters. You can absolutely improve your handwriting at any age. Remember…the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Here’s a handy hint. To remove pen ink or ballpoint ink from a shirt .. easy … soak the whole garment (cover) in a bucket of full cream milk. Overnight. Then machine wash. Normal cycle to remove the milk smell. Gone 🥂
I’ve recently started using “starter” fountain pens (Lamy AL-Stars) on a daily basis. As part of that I switched from the legal pads at work - ruined the experience - and moved to finish up my stock of Moleskines, which were okay. I added Rhodia pads and Webnotebooks and from the first minute I started writing on the paper, it was a revelation. I couldn’t get over the difference in feel and look of the writing. I definitely recommend and think they are worth the price and even fewer pages for the cost.
I used to collect fountain pens and still have a couple. 2 Omas, 1 montblanc and 3 Pelikans. (one M800 and two M1000.) The Pelikan M800 is the one I use all the time.
Thank you Ash for brightening my day with the addition “Chap Nirvana” to my mental lexicon. Not many would understand this, but for those that do, here’s to you.
I love Pelikan pens. I have one of every size except the M1000 (saving the pennies to get one of those) plus some “Originals of their time” re issues of 1930s classics , all of them except the beautiful but hard-to-get Toledo. The M800 is the best fit for my great clunking highlander’s fist. I have a few Italian pens too but I really love the Pelikans.
The Pelikan is the best pen in Germany above Lamy, Diplomat, Kaweco and Faber-Castell. The Pelikan Souveran is a beauty in look, feel and usability (tried it sadly never owned). And a heritage it is. The Pelikan Pelikano is one of the 5 oldest pens still being produced since 1960,
Have you heard of a little German pen company called Montblanc? Or this other company called Graf von Faber-Castell? Both from the 19th century (GvF-C even from the 18th)? Pelikan great but the competition for „best German fountain pen“ is pretty big.
@@mrk131324 Mont Blanc is Swiss and not the best. Caran d'Ache is for Swiss pens. And Faber Castell is good but not better than Pelikan.
@@viclucyziaMontblanc is a German company, based and producing in Hamburg. Graf von Faber-Castell makes the best fountain pens in Germany (IMHO), do not mistake them for their budget line Faber-Castell. CdA is indeed Swiss and a premium art supply company, their fountain pens are good, but nothing very special.
@@viclucyzia Just to clear this up. August Eberstein, from Berlin, Claus-Johannes Voss and Alfred Nehemias, both from Hamburg, founded the the Simplo Filler Pen company in 1906. The name Montblanc (after the mountain, hence the white snow-capped tip on the emblem, came later. The company is now owned by a South African family. Their pens are all still made in Hamburg, whilst the firm’s leather products are made in Florence, and the watches are the only products made in Switzerland.
We’re in sync today, Ash.
An M205 is my EDC. Writes great, holds a fair amount of ink, and strikes a good balance between being light enough for the pocket, yet big enough to write with when posted.
My work calendar/journal is a dot grid Rhodiarama.
Great episode. Those pens serve as a bridge from your thoughts to the paper.
Thanks Ash! I really enjoy both of my Pelicans. I think I’ll use one tomorrow. I need to check out those notebooks next.
What a surprise when I saw the title: an intersecting of two of my TH-cam interests. I’ve been following men’s style instructional channels for a few months and your channel specifically for just a couple weeks. I have been a fountain pen enthusiast for much longer and own several. I’ve not tried a Pelikan yet but it’s a brand that interests me very much. I love the look of their pens-I’m not fond of the traditional torpedo-shaped pens like Mont Blancs etc.
I love my M200! My 11y daughter use a 150 in school. I have been writing with a fountain pen all my life and my daughter knows nothing else. She swapped her Lamy cartridge fountain pen for a piston filler when she was in primary school. My wife also uses a 150 for her practice. However, we swear by Mont Blanc inks. We think they are better than Pelikan's.
May I suggest looking at the TWSBI line of pens. I have a few and like them. The Diamond 580 ALR is a beautiful pen and works very well. The Vac 700R is also a nice pen and holds a great amount of ink. Enjoy all your presentations and take your recommendations as valuable. Just received a Kaweco ruby red collectable, it is a good looking and handy pen. Cheers!
Love the 580. Reliable writer and holds a ton of ink.
We would second this - Ash referred to me in the video and I have a collection of pens (as you may expect!) including a selection of the TWSBI 'Eco' pens which are great value and quite unique in their design when compared to the usual pen companies. A relatively new start-up, Nahvalur, is also a good alternative for piston-fillers with striking designs :) - Ross
Have to disagree......the TWISBI pens are beautiful, and functional.....but they absolutely lack in that most important quality....they are devoid of all Chappiness!!
As the benefactor of so many great lessons by you, if I may, I’d like to share one from me to you. You mentioned that you “hoped” to create a new relationship. My comment after many years of successful investing in people and companies is that “hope” is not a strategy. A well thought out plan and execution of that plan is in order and always productive. Thanks again for all of your energies expended on our behalf.
Excellent review Ash, I love my M200 and am a big Rhodia fan. If you get the Rhodia Goalbook in hard cover you get numbered pages, contents pages, some calendar pages, 3 page marker ribbons and a pen loop! Best of all worlds
Thanks for the tip!
My Pelikan M200 in EF is my “what if you could only have one pen”
Love this video! Have been a fountain pen user since my school days, collection has grown to about 45 pens now and I use them daily for notes at work as well as journalling, shopping lists and any other excuse! Love that this channel touches on so many topics that I am passionate about. And I have had wonderful experiences purchasing from PurePens myself, fantastic customer service. I’m looking for a Pelikan M200 myself currently - I own an M1000, M800 and M600 - just need the last 2 to complete the set!
That is awesome!
That’s a lovely fountain pen - congratulations!
Very nice work on this video. I have a few Pelikan pens and agree with your assessment. Well done, and makes me want to buy a brown marbled M200.Thank you for sharing!
Frank in Colorado
Glad it was helpful!
Well done chap, very interesting and informative.
Glad you enjoyed it
Only pen that can contend with Pelikan’s range is the Pilot Custom 823
I use Leuchtturm as well since years and you may love to hear that they have a 120g edition as well in their portfolio - absolutely wonderful for fountain pen writers 👌
pretty much all i use is Leuchtturm journals and notebooks. They are extremely good books.
There are times i prefer my note books are not numbered. The only time it really mattered to me was during my career as a correctional peace officer.
My main hobby is amateur radio. When making contacts we keep logs detailing basically the 4 out of 5 W's.
("Why" generally not required)
I keep a cheaper note pad by my transceiver for writing the info down fast then will transfer the info latter to my designated log book.
My cheap note pad i just write in page numbers and note that number in my log book for cross referencing later if need be.
Thank you for the awesome videos!!! Ill be looking into that pen.
I guess that your pen and journal articles take the place of your watch articles for me!
First. Ash for President! 😊
Prime Minister please
Ash (with or without an E) is great! I love the idea of experiencing a Rhodia notebook. He has a lovely line in flannel.......
Usually, Pelikan fountain pens are very good. My M400 of the 1980s is perfect (it is a present from my father, which makes it rather special). I also like my M600 of 2022.
Nice tie and pocket square.
I use a Montblanc ballpoint pen when writing script. A mechanical 9MM pencil when taking notes and drawing graphics woven into those notes, as I choose, to enhance the intention of my note taking. Both in concert support my life’s philosophy of excellence.
Very nice review. Lovely pen to write with.
Personally at the moment I'm using my usual Leuchtturm notebook and currently, my everyday carry pen is (besides the Gravitas pocket pen which lives in the tiny pocket in my jeans) the Waterman Carene in Amber Marine. Absolutely beautiful pen to write with. Filled with Diamine Honey Burst Ink.
Ash, Pelikan is a great company. I picked up a Letts of London agenda for work.
Starlight
Hello Ash, excellent video, thanks. How does the Pelikan compare with the Kaweco Dia2 that you showed us recently? would a medium kaweco be a bit less 'wet'? Best Regards, Peter
They perform really similarly, perhaps that is why I am so taken by both. The medium nib on the Pelikan is much broader than a typical medium. The Dia2 feels more chunky and expensive, but to be fair, it writes like a dream also. The piston filler on the Pelikan takes some getting used to, but it holds a lot more ink and makes daily use a lot easier. Both make excellent pens in almost every way.
Ash, Thanks very much for the thoughtful response. Regards, Peter
Your nibs can be fixed to be drier
There's a US firm called Jetpens that sells a lose paper that is 53 gsm that is STILL better than Moleskin's paper. However, the problem with that paper is that it doesn't allow ink to soak in very well. Journaling is a bit of a chore as the ink of a fountain pen on that paper. Rhodia is the best of all worlds (in my opinion) as it allows ink to dry faster, but you still get some of the properties visable with an ink like Diamine Blue Velvet (which has a red shimmer on the edges that are allowed to dry with a bit of a pool on the page). I am fortunate to be in driving distance of Atlas Stationers in Chicago. They have a book that shows the different ink swatches they've done. Computer screens do not do the pen hobby justice.
Try Tomoe River paper. It's life changing.
Rhodia is decent paper, but that's not so much to do with the weight of the paper, more to do with the coating. Papers like Rhodia are designed for ink in mind, but to put this into perspective. Tomoe river can be as low as 60gsm, but is still considered one of the best photos around. If you are enjoying your inks and pens, i'd strongly recommend checking out Midori paper, again it's affordable, and has decent coating.
The other aspect you did not mention is the ease of changing nibs on the m200, in which you can easily swap for other nib grades. Also by this ease, you can easily clean the pen out, which is so important if you should choose to use more challenging inks like shimmer or pigment inks. Oh and if you wish to upgrade to a gold nib, the m400 nib can be fitted to the m200 annnnd you can use vintage nibs from pelikan too!
I have all these papers, as well as the m200 and I can also tesify the m200 is one of the best steel nib pens going.
As for what pens I used? I have a palethra of pens on my channel :)
I have a Pelikan m200 in brown marble, it is my best writer and the one pen I don't take outside for fear of ruining it, the only issue it has, which is the same issue for all Pelikan pens really, is that the nibs are all quite broad and wet making them a bad choice if you are useing cheap office paper and whatnot.
Good video, Ash. I owned a Pelikan M215, which had a metal barrel with lacquer finish. Even with its steel nib I favoured it over my gold nib Sailor 1911M. Sadly that pen was lost. I do have some Rhodia paper and find it has a texture that is smoother than other papers I have used. I believe other papers may have a bit of a rougher texture which some people say gives them better control over the pen. From what I can tell, one is not better than the other; it's a matter of personal preference. I have never tried the Lechtturm paper. Did you find a difference in the texture between the Rhodia and the Lechtturm paper, and which did you prefer?
Rhodia paper is smoother than the Leuchtturm , but I like that bit of friction when writing, so the Leuchtturm is my overall winner
I never noticed how the clip resembles the bill of a pelican🙄🫡. Something new everyday!
You can of course write page numbers in yourself, and create your own contents page. (And it's fewer pages, not less pages by the way.)
I like the m400 better. because it has a real gold feather.
Interesting, eldest daughter is currently doing her PGCE after her Eng lit degree. She writes rather a lot! Maybe a Christmas prize !!
I have a Cross fountain pen that I bought at my local office supply store (Office Max in the US). It's about 4 years old and I've done my best to take care of it. I also use the ink made by Cross, but it still clogs where it will write then stop despite having ink still in the converter. I've cleaned and flushed it. Any suggestions what to do?
Try another ink. It may just make the difference
@@TheChapsGuideWhat would you recommend for one that won't clog my fountain pen?
I find Diamine are pretty good and cheap too
@@TheChapsGuide Thank you for the recommendation! I've heard some of their inks can corrode/clog certain pens, do you know of inks that Diamite makes that won't do that?
@@TheChapsGuide Agreed. Very well-behaved inks in some really nice colors.
I have various fountain pens I use for journaling and everyday writing. I get my journals from a young lady in Girona Spain who hand makes them binding and all with Tomoe River paper (my preference paper or others that she has. I'm never going to understand people who have gone full digital
Hi. I’m really in doubt between a Pelikan M200 or a Lamy 2000.
Have you had the opportunity to try them both? I really can’t decide, and I’m willing to spend more for the Lamy if it’s worth it.
Thanks 😊
I have never owned a Lamy 2000, but they do have something of an unusual, hooded nib as I recall, whereas the Pelikan is more traditional.
I've written pens of LAMY ever since I learned writing as a pupil.
I am currently considering upgrading to a Pelikan or a Montblanc, allthough I didn't like the feel of the classic Meisterstück pens and the prices are through the roof.
Sorry for my English, I am not a native speaker
I have noticed a trend in more people using fountain pens 🖋️ and safety razors. 🧐. Cheers Ron
We have been selling fountain pens (starting with Pelikan) for nearly 20 years and have seen a growth year-on-year in that time, with may more youngsters getting into the 'hobby' with the new options of glittery and sheening writing inks and more striking and innovative fountain pens being released each year
Grettings , my father in law gave me my first pen , brand Sheaffer
I've a question for you, Ash. Since the Kaweco sport Iguana, and the Pelikan M200 are close in price. Which would you recommend?
Both really fulfil different functions, as the Kaweco is more of an EDC tool and the Pelican is a desk pen. I have both in daily use and they fit together very well indeed.
Welcome to the world of high level piston fillers -
Once there you won't warnt to go back to anything beyond converter filled fountain pens... Okay I'm just extrapolaiting from myself here 😉.
Best regards
Raoul G. Kunz
Oh no.... another addiction to manage uin my life!!
I'm a purely electronic note taker and use Apple Notes & Calendar to order and organize my hours and days. That being said, I know that there are innumerable small paper products that can be used to bring organization to a non-paginated journal. There is an entire universe devoted to the "bullet journal" life. As to pens, I have had many fountain pens over the years but I recognize that I don't have the patience to give them the TLC they deserve, and now use Japanese fine-tip gel pens exclusively. I will cosset my grandchildren and my dogs; mechanical doodads are expected to work interminably and require no effort on my part. Sorry, Namiki!
When I think of those pens dollars come to mind. Out of my price range.😊
There are many new Chinese pens that are much cheaper, and are still really good writers.....2 that I recommend are Jin Hao 9016..... And for a piston filler the Hongdian N12 ( which looks like a Pelican m 1000)
To drop a hand written note to someone is the height of consideration and class. Period. Thanks for the info. Great subject Ash. Pelikan is a very good choice.
Definitely a dying art and activity. I only wish my handwriting was better - I have always been impressed with those who write neatly and stylishly. Writing comes from the wrist as opposed to the fingers I believe. I’m not sure how easy it is to improve one’s handwriting as we get older. Very informative post, Ash. Thank you.
Like most things, you improve your handwriting by practicing. So if you really want to improve, take your time and work on forming letters. You can absolutely improve your handwriting at any age. Remember…the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Ah, yes. It is good to bespy a gentleman who also uses an M2oo.
Here’s a handy hint. To remove pen ink or ballpoint ink from a shirt .. easy … soak the whole garment (cover) in a bucket of full cream milk. Overnight. Then machine wash. Normal cycle to remove the milk smell. Gone 🥂
Cheaper to buy a new shirt
I’ve recently started using “starter” fountain pens (Lamy AL-Stars) on a daily basis. As part of that I switched from the legal pads at work - ruined the experience - and moved to finish up my stock of Moleskines, which were okay. I added Rhodia pads and Webnotebooks and from the first minute I started writing on the paper, it was a revelation. I couldn’t get over the difference in feel and look of the writing. I definitely recommend and think they are worth the price and even fewer pages for the cost.
Agreed. Although Leuchtturm also is a good compromise
I went to school for 4-6 grade in Scotland. I was taught to write with a fountain pen. I use one even now.
Go with Waterman or a vintage Parker. Stay away from the Hun. Waterman quality is superior.
I'm not a chap but I hope it's ok for me to watch and learn. 😇🩷🙏🙌
Nice outfit
Thanks!