A penchant for pens and inks
Back in February, I purchased the Gravitas Skittles pen, in the brushed finish with a Fine nib, and was rather smitten. I’ll confess that now, so you are under no illusions as to how this review is going to go. You may want to read on to know more about the pen and its maker though.
As part of the United Inkdom review team, I received a Manuscript Dodec Calligraphy Set and also a Manuscript Hand Lettering pen to review. These are very much budget, entry level options and ideal as a sub-£10 toe-dipper into the world of decorative lettering.
Continue reading “Budget Calligraphy – Manuscript Dodec Review”
Alongside the big manufacturers, there are many bespoke pen makers creating custom and unique pieces. Today, I review six truly beautiful handmade pens from John Sanderson of Silverburl Pens. They include a variety of materials from wood burl, a resin embedded pine cone, diamond cast, kirinite and ebonite. Prepare to pick your jaw up off the ground and put your credit card on to chill. You have been warned!
Continue reading “Bespoke Pens Handmade (Silverburl Pens) Review”
The Schon DSGN Pocket 6 is named for the full-sized #6 nib it uses, rather than the smaller nibs found in most pocket pens. I’m a bit of a sucker for gadgets and, for me, pocket pens definitely fall into that category. This is a high quality turned metal pen. It may be small, but it is mighty. At approximately 90mm closed, this is one of the shortest pens I have used, though not the lightest. This solid brass model weighs in at 43g.
Continue reading “Small But Mighty – Schon DSGN Pocket 6 Review”
Today I bring you my Esterbrook Estie review for United Inkdom. This is my own pen, received as a gift from my DH earlier this year. I used it as my pen of the month back in May, so it has had a reasonable amount of “road testing”. Mind you, given that this was at the height of the lockdown, I probably didn’t have that much to write about.
Continue reading “Estimable Estie – Esterbrook Estie Review”
It’s been a surprisingly busy time here for the last few months, despite Covid. As usual, I am spreading myself thinner than a bungee rope at full stretch, albeit with considerably less bounce. Consequently, I have rather neglected this blog and the posts I had been planning to write. However, as part of the United Inkdom revival, I have found myself with a Kaweco Supra to play with and so here is my review.
It has been a tough couple of months under lockdown., though there are aspects I don’t mind at all. I’m generally quite happy pottering about at home and have more than enough to occupy me. At this time of year, however, I should be off trading at Historic Fairs virtually every weekend. Unfortunately, pretty much everything has now been cancelled for the rest of the season. I am not going to see my fellow traders and friends,. The loss of my main income stream has been a huge blow. I even miss camping out, particularly since the weather has been so wonderful. I do have a small amount of work coming in, but it isn’t enough to compensate. All this is enough to get even the most stoic soul down.
With the current confusion as to which day it is*, you might be forgiven for wondering if Christmas has come around again early with the release of Diamine’s Inkvent Blue Edition inks. These were first issued as limited edition 10ml bottles in Diamine’s 2019 Inkvent calendar and proved such a hit that all 25 inks have now been re-released in a very funky 50ml glass bottle. Continue reading “Advent Again?”
I was recently persuaded that I should sell some of my existing art works. I have succumbed to pressure and decided to print some A6 cards and mounted prints, which will be available for purchase at events and direct from myself. I have also set up a Redbubble shop to broaden the product range carrying the images. It’s all very exciting – seeing one’s work on everything from t-shirts and clocks to duvet covers and bath mats.
The Fountain Pen UK group (FPUK) recently commissioned a couple of purple inks from Diamine. After a number of rounds of polling on colour, then specific sample variant, it became apparent that just one of the purples would not be enough. Thus, once the final naming poll was complete, two purples went into production and Scribble Purple and Monboddo’s Hat were born. Continue reading “Too Many Purples?”