Sunday Reads: Books, Pens, Kids, And Dogs

It was a hectic and eclectic week so my links have no common thread. However, I did come across a video about keeping a commonplace journal that rekindled my interest in that genre. If regular journaling lacks appeal, a commonplace book might be just the right rhythm for you…

• The Well-Appointed Desk: Leonardo Momento Zero Positano (Rhodium Trim/ Broad Nib)
• Little Kids and Their Big Dogs
• The Well-Appointed Desk: What the heck is White Lightning?
• Fountain Pen Finder (Find your perfect fountain pen with the perfect search engine.)
• UK Indie Book Sellers Bounce Back
• What Causes “Old Book Smell”?
• Fountain Pen Blog: Taking stock: a few thoughts on the pen collecting journey.
• NASA: Send Your Name to Mars
• Skillshare blew it
• Back to basics: five old-school pleasures that are enjoying a revival
• The 9 Safest Free Software Download Sites for Windows
• You Should Keep A Commonplace Book

A Paperblanks journal that has been languishing in my collection for years and would make a beautiful home for a commonplace book.

Available at Amazon through my affiliate link.

 

Esterbrook Nibs Find A New Home

As I became unenamoured with lever fillers, Esterbrooks took a backseat to piston fillers and converters in my rotation. However, I missed their vintage nibs that were produced in great variety including italic and flexible models. Quite a few can still be found on eBay though from reading descriptions, many of those pens will need professional maintenance to regain the capacity to write well. Look for a pen with a new sac if you decide to grab one and it should provide years of good use.

The Esterbrook brand was resurrected a few years ago to the delight of many FP aficionados. I haven’t used one of the new pens so I cannot speak from experience. However, they do offer a Modern to Vintage nib adapter for combining a vintage Estie nib and feed with the modern pen body.

Think about that. A vintage Estie nib can be fitted to a newly manufactured pen body. My old nibs are begging to try out a posh, new home. One of these days…

 

Pelikan’s European Price Increase

The Pelikan’s Perch has a comprehensive post about the price hike and a theory behind the increase. The comments to the article add to understanding how Pelikan aficionados view the situation.

At its peak, there were a dozen Pelikans in my collection. That number has been cut by half so I remain an enthusiast. My modern M400 has been a solid worker for many years though it needed adjustment before it truly suited my hand. It has a fine nib with no drag and significant flow. There are days when it is the perfect pen though it is never inspiring since I like lines with at least a modicum of character. The fine has none. Round nibs aren’t expected to so that isn’t a fault. Just something that is.

The current offering of just five nib sizes does not appeal to me and I would not spend the going rate for any of them. In the past, Pelikan offered a huge variety of nibs but that has long since ceased to be. That deficiency in addition to the escalating prices makes older and vintage Pels more appealing. Not that you can’t spend a goodly sum on a vintage pen, but why buy new when there are gems on offer that are far more exciting to use.

Platinum and Pelikan Pens

Binder Modified Pelikan Stub

Pelikan M400 with Waterman Florida Blue Ink

Pelikan 400 Tortoiseshell Brown (1951-1954) Quick Fountain Pen Review

Pelikan M400 (Old Style, 1982-1997) Tortoiseshell Brown Quick Fountain Pen Review

A Fountain Pen In “Bad Taste”

The Kaweco Perkeo is an entry-level fountain pen that comes in four color combinations. The “Bad Taste” model is black and a warm pink, the color of Rohrer & Klinger Fernambuk or J. Herbin Rouge Caroubier. I couldn’t resist the name. It’s kind of cool and raunchy at the same time. And an good wake-up call on a gloomy winter’s day.

“Come play with me! I’ve got trouble written all over my sleek body and colorful cap.”

Renowned for quality craftsmanship, Kaweco has been in business since 1883 so they know a thing or two about pens. The lightweight, matte plastic Perkeo is solidly made and comfortable in the hand. It is long enough to use without the cap and well-balanced enough to be used with it. The faceted snap cap is designed to rest solidly on a flat surface so it won’t roll away. All and all, it’s a well-thought-out model that should prove a sturdy companion for years to come.

The stainless steel, iridium tipped nib is stiff, but will give slightly with pressure. It puts down a consistent line thanks to its steady flow. The fine glides well with a little feedback on Rhodia paper. On junk paper, it is a little less smooth. My Lamy Safari nibs might glide a little more easily, but I prefer the grip on the Perkeo. The Pilot Kakuno is comparable in most ways except flow. The Perkeo might be a bit more controlled, but that could just be slight differences in the nibs that only someone who is incredibly picky would notice.

With a light touch, I found the Perkeo pleasant to use on any paper whether for sketching or writing. It scores bonus points for an instant start following a month of no use. That’s a significant advantage for casual writers.

The black and pink model seemed to fight with many colors of ink. However, a stroke of luck paired it with my favorite non-black drawing ink, Noodler’s Lexington Gray, and that settled its future. Not that Lex Gray hasn’t had many suitors, but the Perkeo makes an especially attractive mate and offers a very enjoyable nib for the ink.

The Perkeo uses Kaweco cartridges and converters though International carts should work as well.

Who knew a pen in “Bad Taste” would be such a find?

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Kaweco Perkeo “Bad Taste” fine nib

Cartridges in grey and black

Kaweco Converter

Noodler’s Lexington Gray

The Well-Appointed Desk has a review, too.

 

Sunday Reads: Pens, Hummingbirds, and Elephants

Elephants and hummingbirds fascinate me so this past week offered some special treats. A watercolor demonstration has inspired me to try painting elephants. It’s way outside my skill level, but fun nevertheless…

• Draw Tip Tuesday: Fountain pen and ink (illustrated filling of an FP)
• Brotherly Love
• Hummingbird Pool Party
• Fountain pen manufacturing a forgotten empire of Akron
• Elephants demonstrate courage, compassion and intelligence
• Wired: Ink Different With These 7 Sensibly Priced Fountain Pens
• Search engines that aren’t Google
• Love at first sight!
• Elephants in three colors

Anyone else a sucker for demos?

My Fountain Pen Day Was Colored By Noodler’s

Today was Fountain Pen Day and I opted for Noodler’s with a Neponset and Civilization’s Blue, a limited edition ink. You might not have heard of Civ Blue, but it is a terrific ink that shades, sheens and works beautifully on any grade of paper. Like a lot of saturated inks, it can dry slowly on paper like Clairefontaine but it’s worth the wait. Here is what Carol at Luxury Brands wrote about the ink when she offered me a bottle.

John and I are donating 100% of the proceeds to the ATO, (Assist the Officer Foundation). The foundation gives the money to injured law enforcement or to the families of officers killed in the line of duty. This is a very special ink. The brilliant coloration is representative of the thin blue line across the black ribbon that fellow officers wear after they have lost one of their own. The “thin blue line” is symbolic of the line between a civilized society with law enforcement or total anarchy without them. I wanted you to have a bottle. It will not be made again and it is almost gone. The ink is fraud proof, bulletproof, and eternal. I just noticed the other symbolic terms in reference to the ink properties and the law enforcement. Not intended but ironic.

As of a few days ago, Carol had a handful of bottles left. So if you want one, contact her directly at carol@luxurybrandsusa.com.

For One Day Only FPH Has A Good Deal On A Sheaffer FP

For one day only, Fountain Pen Hospital has a terrific price on a Sheaffer 300 White Dot fountain pen. This is a smart-looking, well-constructed pen. The neutral gray makes it suitable for business and compatible with any color ink if you like a little dazzle in your personal arsenal. Orange would do it for me. How about you?