Thirsty Nib Needs a Good, Stiff Drink

There are a lot of Levenger True Writer fountain pens on my desk but this is the first time I’ve had a nib in the Kyoto that makes writing even more interesting than looking at the many-hued barrel. Note that this gorgeous model is on sale today so, if you like the look, don’t hesitate with the price this low. I took my time about ordering the Starry Night when the price dropped and wound up never getting my hands on one.

Anyway, I’m still trying to figure out how a free-flowing broad nib can skip. None of my six True Writer fine and medium nibs do. This is only Day 2 for the big guy so we are just getting acquainted. There are no glaring nib flaws under 30x magnification so I am suspicious it is the piston converter rather than the nib. It just doesn’t want to suck up ink and needs frequent “burping” to release air that is trapped between the nib and the ink. My very free-flowing Levenger Verona is similarly impaired as are a couple of Lamy Safaris that really ought to know better.

There are other possible causes for the skipping and, strange as it may seem, some nibs just need breaking in to reach peak performance. The nib may need some tweaking, too. It will work out eventually and I have a second ‘B’ on its way for a comparison test. My bet’s on the converter as the culprit but we shall see…

A Broad Meets J. Herbin Bleu Nuit

Finally got my hands on a broad nib for that promised test with J. Herbin Bleu Nuit. What a difference a wet ‘B’ nib can make! Not sure yet if it’s true love or a sweet fling but it’s going to be fun figuring it out.

J. Herbin Bleu Nuit

More about this subject at Fountain Pen Network.

Iroshizuku’s New Autumn Inks

If you haven’t seen the latest Pilot Iroshizuku colors, it’s likely at least one of them will suit your ink wardrobe for the coming change of season. Fellow pen and ink addict Phthalo was kind enough to send samples recently and it has been a pleasure to slowly work through them.

Yama-guri is a deep neutral brown conservative enough for business and dark enough to be a replacement for black. Tsukushi is a medium brown with a hint of red and a little shading even from a fine nib. It looks promising for flex writing or even a spin with a chunky broad nib. Think dark chocolate versus milk chocolate to grasp the difference between the two browns.

Fuyu-gaki is an eye-popping red-orange/vermilion. It reminds me of Halloween jelly beans and could be a tasty substitute for red if you are an inkophile who likes to change things up a bit.

The new autumn colors are already on the market and can be purchased from Jet Pens amongst other outlets. So grab one or two and be properly dressed for the new season which I have on good authority will arrive in due course. Promise!

Iroshizuku Autumn Inks on Rhodia Paper

Time for a Purple Fix

Do you have days when color rules your choices? Even if it’s black ink in a black pen, a harmonious duo can be just the thing to set the right tone for your day. Not that a vibrant contrast doesn’t have its place. Think vivid orange in a black pen or true green in a yellow pen. These combinations are lively and make writing fun. However, there are days when I just want my tools to be an extension of thought rather than a statement of fashion. This week I needed purple.

Why purple? It combines the stability of blue with the vigor of red and is associated with creativity and magic, all good stuff for a writer. Since I only own two purple pens, one of which could pass for silver and has never been inked, the choice was easy.

Levenger True Writer in Periwinkle

Levenger discontinued the periwinkle version of its True Writer some time ago so I was fortunate to acquire one from a private seller. Because it has so many shades of purple in its marbled barrel, including at its darkest what passes for a blue-black, this TW works with a variety of inks. The smooth medium nib may not add anything to my penmanship but it is very easy on my hand so I can write longer at a session.

Pen in hand I browsed though my swatches for an ink with just the right color and characteristics. The two most likely candidates were J. Herbin Violette Pensée and Diamine Violet. For a change of pace, I opted for the Diamine though the colors are nearly identical.

Diamine Violet

So for days I’ve been enjoying my purple fix especially on Rhodia grid paper and in an Apica 6A10 journal. How about you? What inky duo made you happy this past week?

Another New True Writer

Levenger has released another new color in the True Writer line. Here’s the Lev description.

The finish on this True Writer fountain pen is a galaxy of blues, shot through with pearl and rosy dawn. Just like van Gogh, you might find inspiration in this Starry Night to write all day.

Listed at $70 the Starry Night represents a significant price increase over comparable TWs. The Fiery Amber, Kyoto, and Carnaval are listed for $60. Only the Sea Glass is close at $68 but that one seems to have a different look with larger chunks of color.

Would van Gogh be impressed? Hmmm. I think Lev missed the boat since the the pen lacks the yellow and mineral green so prominent in the original painting. However, it is a nice color and likely to do well for the folks at Levenger.

True Writer Starry Night Fountain Pen

The Yellow True Writer Arrived

The yellow marble Levenger True Writer arrived this afternoon though the color is quite different from what I expected. Not a yellow but rather an amber tone very similar to J. Herbin Encre Ambre ink. It will look wonderful with yellow-brown ink like Noodler’s Golden Brown or purples like Diamine Violet and Damson. Yellow-green like Stipula Moss Green or black-green like MB Racing Green will work nicely, too.

What is a little less exciting is the width of the nib. There is an inconsistency in True Writer fine nibs that makes them unpredictable. Though labeled “F” for fine, the range is from a true fine to a near medium split about 50-50 in my collection. The nib on the yellow TW is more accurately a medium-fine. So a dry ink will produce a line closer to my preference while a free-flowing ink will not.

That might sound limiting but with few exceptions, pens are a bit finicky. What works well in one may not in the next. Unfortunately the ink colors that would be the most interesting in this TW are not the inks best suited to the nib with the exception of the two greens. Both are good and useful inks so there is that. Or the nib could get customized to make something really special. Either would be fine with me.

Another True Writer

In the last several months, winning bids for True Writers in retired colors have been climbing so I was lucky to buy a yellow one from a private seller. It should arrive by the end of the week and I’m looking forward to finding the perfect ink for it.

Photo courtesy of Antonios Z.

Levenger adds an ivory True Writer

Levenger has add a True Writer in ivory, a color that has a particular fascination for many fountain pen collectors. Made of resin and appointed in 24K gold-plate, this pen has a sophisticated charm that gives it great appeal and versatility.

Ivory Levenger True Writer

Carnaval, The Newest True Writer

Feast your eyes on this latest fountain pen from Levenger, True Writer Carnaval! Pass the Crayolas, kids.

Levenger True Writer Carnaval

Levenger True Writer Timeline

Levenger has been producing the True Writer since 1999 but has retired most of the colors in favor of a handful of the more common ones like red, black and blue. Boring to be sure compared to the more exotic Tangerine, Mink and Abalone that have been discontinued.

At least they’ve been nice enough to post a timeline with images so we can see what we missed. The two I would most like to get my hands on are the Yellow and the Tangerine although Sunflower and Coral might have been more interesting names. Both are vivid, standout colors that suit spring and summer perfectly. Any pen in orange seems to get a lot of admiration based on message board chatter. On my black desk the Tangerine would be impossible to miss and that would make it a perfect addition especially loaded with Diamine Coral.