Goodies from Levenger

Just took a look at the Levenger site researching the items described below and turned up a neat surprise. The pen selection has been expanded to include some of the best names in pendom including Waterman, Pelikan, Pilot, and Sheaffer to name a few. Of course, all of the Levenger pens are still offered.

Earlier in a slow moment at my desk, I leafed through the latest Levenger catalogue and turned up a couple of items that might be useful for fountain pen lovers. The first is a Double Barrel Pen Clip that looks like it would easily attach two fountain pens to any notebook. I haven’t seen one myself but one review at the link says that it can scratch a pen barrel. So keep that in mind if you decide to take the plunge.

The second item is called a Book Traveler. The small 6 x 9 size would hold a pen along with any of the pocket-sized  journals including a Moleskine. The larger 8 x 11 size would suit many of the full-sized journals. Again, this is an item I haven’t seen but it does look like a great option for journaling on the go.

Levenger’s newest fountain pen, the Clipper

Levenger has moved in a new direction with its latest fountain pen, the Clipper. As the name implies, this one is all about the clip which is flexible and hinged. It looks like it would attach to most anything including rather thick items like a folio or notepad. Appointed in chrome with a lacquered finish, the Clipper has a very sleek, modern look that should fit any business setting.

Levenger Clipper in Toffee

Levenger Clipper in Licorice

Levenger Decathlon Fountain Pen

Not my cuppa but Levenger has just introduced the Decathlon, a faceted pen that resembles an Omas with a two-toned threaded Schmidt nib. The onyx resin body has an upscale look and moderate price tag of $138. Check out the first online review of the Decathlon courtesy of RRoossinck from Brassing Adds Character.

True Writer Demonstrators Bite the Dust

Brassing Adds Character posted the news first. Levenger is discontinuing the Slightly Wild inks as well as the matching True Writer Demonstrators. No one else offers such well-matched inks and pens so if that’s your preference, stock up while you can.

Levenger Nib Sampler Pack

Do you like variety? Levenger has a new item that allows one pen to wear many hats. The True Writer line now boasts a Four-Nib Sampler that contains one fine, one medium, one broad, and one stub. The TW uses a threaded nib so it just screws in and out. Not only does it make cleaning easy but now you can swap nibs.

The Four-Nib Sampler makes the True Writer a great choice for travel. Who needs a variety of pens when you can carry one pen with a variety of nibs?

On My Desk – 2008/5/25

Not sure this will be a daily thing but for at least the near future, a log of what I which pens, ink, and paper get used the most/longest would be a useful record to keep. The best format might be a page that gets posted daily but to get things rolling individual posts will do.

My Apica 6A10 journal is a fixture so I won’t list it except to note the date I start a new one. I keep a variety of Post-Its plus two small Rhodia blocs with grid paper for quick notes on my desk at all times.

• True Writer in green marble with F nib loaded with Diamine Kelly Green
• Lamy Al-star in periwinkle with EF nib loaded with Diamine Teal
• Sailor 1911 in black/rhodium with F nib loaded with J. Herbin Vert Empire
• Lamy Safari in charcoal with EF nib loaded with Platinum Black stashed in a leather pen case

Two ink samples + another True Writer

With a three day weekend I wasn’t expecting anything new until Tuesday. But when I heard the postie drop a load at the door with that slap-whoosh sound, there was reason to hope for more. Sure enough there were three parcels. One did not have my name on it so I knew at least one item won’t arrive until next week. That’s okay since the NOS marble Levenger True Writer in jade green arrived in the same post as two ostensibly green ink samples. Oh, yeah!

The TW has a slight mar on the medium nib but otherwise seems fine. So I loaded it with one of the samples, Diamine Kelly Green. The ink color was created by Ann Finley who sent me the sample and OMG is it GREEN! While suitable for Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day or even drawing plants, this ink jumps off the written page. I tried it in my journal and it has nice shading and even a little outlining. It is also a sort of chameleon changing its hue from pen to pen depending on nib width and flow. Want attention? This one will get it for you.

Ann sent a second sample from Diamine, the brand new Teal, so I loaded it in a periwinkle Lamy Al-star extra fine. The ink color is subtle and not highly saturated, at times looking more blue than teal. Paper quality seems to influence the precise shade more than other inks. Like Waterman Blue Black, Diamine Teal changes as it dries with green becoming more pronounced over time. Excellent flow and shading make it a pleasure to use. This is one ink that instantly earned a slot in my regular rotation. That’s the highest praise in my book.

Levenger True Writer Stub

Levenger has finally come out with a nib that sets them apart from a host of other pen companies. The new stub italic nib is smooth and substantial. No measurement is offered but it falls between a medium and a broad. So it is an acceptable size for daily use and correspondence but would make a wicked signature pen as well.

A friend loaned me his preproduction model on an Illuminator and it is impressive indeed. So far it is only offered on the obsidian True Writer but I hope they make it available on other pens in the future. It would look right nice on a Kyoto or even the black marble True Writer. Indeed!