It was a rainy weekend lacking any charm until a long ignored Pilot Kaküno crept onto my desk where it joined a collage in a Traveler’s Notebook. Someday I will find an ink to match the cap and give it the attention it is due. Honestly, who can resist a nib like this?
A discussion following my original post, Pantone Color of the Year for 2023, prompted a search through my inventory for an ink that would be similar to Pantone’s magenta. Diamine Merlot is close enough to suit me. With an almost full bottle and a matching pen, the burgundy Delike New Moon 2, this was an easy pairing.
What do you think of Merlot as a match for Pantone’s magenta? Which ink would you choose?
Tada! This is the Magna Carta Sapphire Grand Fountain Pen and it is on sale at Pen Chalet. Isn’t it a beauty?
Organizing for the new year is a great opportunity to search out the best tools in your collection and put together a satisfying setup that makes you happy every time you look at it. It should also encourage you to pursue your goals whatever they may be.
Note that most of the product links are to Amazon where the items were purchased. If you buy from these links, Inkophile might earn a tiny commission that helps keep this blog going.
Five fountain pens, one mechanical pencil, and one gel pen are more than enough for me.
Blue Marble Delike New Moon 2 Fude with Diamine Eau de Nil
Green Marble Delike New Moon 2 Fude with Diamine Dark Brown
Burgundy Marble Delike New Moon 2 Extra-Fine with Diamine Earl Grey
Platinum #3776 Century Medium with J Herbin Poussiere de Lune
Lamy Studio Fine with Noodler’s Black Swan in English Roses
Uni Alpha-Gel Shaker Mechanical Pencil – Black/Soft Grip 0.5mm
Faber-Castel Fast Gel Z 0.5 Black
Seven notebooks might seem like a lot, but that number allows subjects to be separated. An undated Traveler’s planner has been my choice for years. A Traveler’s Notebook Refill 013, Lightweight Blank Paper, 128 Page is all I need for a journal. Blank Traveler’s notebooks suit collages though I have found an economical substitute that has slightly heavier paper and is perfect with fountain pen ink. The A6 and A5 notebooks are for work and project notes. Attractive dividers and good paper make these a perfect fit. The two cuties are the bottom hold 6 x 8 cm paper that is surprisingly good with fountain pen ink though they are primarily used for collages. The covers are ones I made that can easily be swapped for extra variety at my desk.
A few other tools are consistently on my desk including scissors, tweezers, clips and a stylus. All except the stylus were new in 2022 and have proven to be indispensable, especially the tweezers for delicate tasks.
Also on my desk are a craft knife, a six inch metal ruler or a very small tin of six watercolor pans. Not in the tool category but ever-present is a mood-setting Wick candle with a wooden wick that crackles as it burns.
Still to acquire is an A5 clipboard for times when an open notebook would take up too much space. This one caught my eye but Santa might have a different idea.
Ta-da. That’s my plan for 2023. We shall see how long it lasts. What will be on your desk to start the new year?
Recently, Elena asked me about Traveler’s Notebooks and I realized to what extent they have taken over my journal writing. I am on my sixth undated planner (#019), third personal journal (#013) and third collage journal (#003). Also used, if a bit less often, are notebooks for lists and swatches. On occasion, a passport sized notebook hitches a ride in my handbag for notes at events and appointments.
I made the move to Traveler’s when it was Midori and after Moleskine paper failed to meet my standards. I like the customizable format and the variety of handcrafted soft covers that can be found at eBay and Etsy.
I am not in a rut, but am very content to use these with the fude fountain pens, mechanical pencil and gel pen that are always at hand.
None of my current covers are from Traveler’s though I might elect to add one in leather next year. Most of my writing is at my desk so a lightweight cover or even none at all is very workable.
My A5 and A6 notebooks are very jealous of the attention the Traveler’s Notebooks receive though they do get the call to action when removeable paper is needed. At least there is that for the poor things.
What is your favorite notebook? Hobonichi is the one for many writers. Is it yours?
Eli on Instagram used a combination of pen and ink that looked very appealing to me so I decided to try the same duo, a Moonman (Majohn) Wancai Mini Eyedropper with Diamine Aurora Borealis It would be my first eyedropper filler and was destined for use in my journal. For $20, it was worth a gamble. Note that the color and swirls called Daydream give the pen a happy vibe that encourages use so that is another plus in its favor.
The body is a little odd in that even posted it is short but the body circumference is greater than the pens I usually use. Finding a balanced, comfortable position for it has been tricky especially since the nib is not the smoothest. It isn’t bad but it isn’t as smooth as the Delike New Moon 2 EF used for comparison. Surprisingly, the Wancai Mini F writes finer than the Delike EF. The latter has slightly more flow so that might account for the line difference. Maybe.
In terms of appearance, the New Moon is colorful if traditional. The Wancai Mini is an eye-catching cutie. From the swirls to the size, it looks like a pen that was meant for fun.
Note that the Mini has no clip so it does tend to wander around the desk but a pen rest will keep it anchored.
Moonman Wancai Mini Transparent Pocket-Size Eyedropper Fountain Pen with Fine Steel Nib 0.5mm
Dimensions: Length closed is 87mm and posted is 122mm. The diameter is 14mm. Net weight is 11.9g.
Cap screws on. Eye dropper filler or ink cartridges.
Material : Acrylic Resin.
Delike New Moon 2 with Extra-Fine 0.38mm (Rose Red)
Dimensions: Length closed is 132mm and posted is 155 mm. The diameter is 12mm. Net weight is 23g.
Cap screws on. Cartridge or converter filled.
Material: Acrylic Resin.
What I learned from experimenting with the Wancai is that eyedropper fillers are easy to use and hold a ton of ink which is perfect for journal writing in my favorite Traveler’s Notebook.
A pen with a cap that needs to be screwed on to give it adequate length for writing is frustrating and awkward. My pattern is to write a few sentences, pause, then write a few more. Unscrewing the cap from the back then screwing it on the front then screwing it on the back again just to write another sentence or two was too disruptive. A standard twist cap is interruptive enough. However, an eyedropper would be useful. Attractive as it is, the Mini is headed for the pen drawer though on occasion it might get a peak at daylight just for fun.
Diamine Aurora Borealis is good just like all Diamine inks are though it will have to find another mate. Perhaps one of my Platinum #3776 pens with a clear barrel would be happy to show off an aqua mate. Except when testing ink, I do not fill multiple pens with the same color so the Plat will have to wait until the Wancai Mini is empty. That is taking forever thanks to the bottomless eyedropper. I think the pen fairy must be refilling it when I am not looking. Sigh.
An Inkophile's Blog 
