It’s time to demystify the fountain pen. A lot of people think of fountain pens as archaic, inconvenient, or downright intimidating. But as soon as you first use a fountain pen, you realize that they’re really not that different from any other pen. Just touch tip to paper and write.
There is a bit of a learning curve, though, so in this guide we’ll share some instructions and advice that we’ve found helpful for people getting started or who need a refresher. Don’t worry if you aren’t familiar with all the ins and outs of fountain pens—we’ll explain any technical stuff as we go. And please feel free to ask us if you have any questions about using your pen.
(If you’d like to learn more about the parts that make up a fountain pen and how they work, check out our guide to How Fountain Pens Work.)
Picking the right pen for your hand is incredibly personal. A pen that fits perfectly in someone else’s hand might feel uncomfortable in yours. In this article, we’ll recommend our favorite pens for different grip styles, including the tripod grasp, quadrupod grasp, lateral grasp, and more. Keep reading or watch the video to see our picks for large and small hands, too! read more
There's no better place to keep your memories than the TRAVELER'S COMPANY TRAVELER'S notebook. This high-quality notebook features smooth, creamy paper and is encased in a luxurious leather cover that ages beautifully with use and time. With a variety of refill options and accessories, you can personalize and build your own custom notebook that fits your lifestyle. It's a keepsake you'll look back on for years... read more
We're taking a look at another new - to me - brand today: Taccia! Despite only having been around for about 20 years, the history of Taccia is rather convoluted. The TL;DR is that they started as a US-based company, but they're now part of a larger Japanese stationery conglomerate (Nakabayashi). Taccia's earlier products - mostly in the sub-200$ range - never really managed to captivate me. Though things certainly became a... read more
A new model from Hardy Penwrights! Check it out on their website and peruse the other materials available while you're at it!If you enjoy and/or appreciate and you want to lend your continued support, please do check me out on Patreon. You can pledge your support and/or undying love for as little as $1. You are in no way obligated to do so. I appreciate your readership, viewership, and your... read more
No one has time to waste on a bad pen. That’s especially true for teachers, who often spend over an hour a day grading assignments. The right read more
I was really happy to see Japanese stationery brand Kunisawa recently re-introducing themselves with a completely revised product lineup (read the re-review HERE!). Their confidence in the updated paper quality turned out to be absolutely justified, finally combining the stunning business-chic notebook designs with fantastic - consistent - quality Japanese paper on the inside. But alongside the updated Kunisawa products, they also sent a few other products that certainly... read more
No shop or store today can equal the stationery stock of the Army & Navy stores in 1907. They had pens, of course, and things like polished brass inkwells in the form of crabs and lobsters that still appear in auctions today. One expects folding writing slopes, but perhaps not in leather rather than in […] read more
Organize busy schedules and plan for the future with a 2022 planner. These indispensable tools come in different formats—such as daily, weekly, and monthly layouts—to best suit your planning style. Read on to see what planners we have available for 2022, including options from Hobonichi, Kokuyo, Leuchtturm1917, and more. 2022 April Start Hobonichi Techo & Kokuyo Jibun Techo ... read more
