Just six months since I last posted about what is on my desk and there has been a sudden growth. Part was a result of inking some pens to allow a newcomer to the fountain pen world to try a selection, and part as a result of the recent Southern England Pen Club meet.

The Permanent Resident

Pininfarina Segno PF2 with a medium steel nib, filled with Robert Oster Fire’n’Ice.

The Other Pens

Hakase NJ15A with a Fine-Medium Hakase branded 14k gold Pilot 15 nib and filled with Hakase Light Sepia ink. Almost certainly here for the long run, being custom made based on my measurements, plus photos and videos of me writing, it feels very natural in the hand.

Nakaya Heki-Tamenuri Portable Writer with a 14k gold broad nib and filled with Kyo-Iro Soft Snow of Ohara. A pen I will actually review one of these days and initially brought back out to lend to Penultimate Dave for his review and now kept out. This and the Hakase have actually been used out of the house as well on a number of occasions.

Namisu Nova Pocket in Ultem with a medium nib filled with Diamine Midnight. It might be using the cartridge the pen came with but I do like the colour so it has stayed. I am glad I got the sleeve at the same time as this pen is often thrown in to a pocket.

Pilot Custom 823 with a 14k gold medium nib and filled with Robert Oster Citrus. A solid work horse of a pen.

William Shakour Titan ‘Round 250’ with a double broad steel nib and filled with Pelikan Edelstein Golden Lapis. This is a slightly smaller version of William’s famous Titan pen, scaled down slightly for me to take a Bock size #6 (model 250) nib. Also it is rounded, no facets, and the barrel makes up part of the reservoir. I call this my Watermelon Man pen after the famous song by Herbie Hancock as the raw material is watermelon colour. In many respects this pen is just out to have fun with this ink so I suspect within 6 months will be back in the drawer.

Onoto Magna Classic with a 18k gold fine nib and filled with Diamine Cornflower. Brought out as a smart pen for signing and carrying in a jacket pocket but already competing with the next pen in this list.

S T Dupont D-Line Large filled with a 14k gold medium nib and filled with Diamine Midnight. I brought this pen out to allow a new comer to the fountain pen world to try a ‘stealth’ pen as that was the type he was considering (though at lower budget). To my surprise I find myself still using this pen, enjoying it much more than when first bought.

Lamy 2000 Pine limited edition with a 14k gold fine nib and filled with Lamy Turmaline. My big treat from the last pen show and a pen I am really enjoying at present.

Zebra disposable fountain pen with turquoise ink. I got this as part of a goody bag a while back (post my two pens for a fiver reviews) and it does write nicely. I occasionally carry this round with me to prove to others you can have a decent fountain pen writing experience for peanuts,

Platinum Curidas with a medium nib and filled with Platinum Mixables Kumpō recipe. This has started to be my ‘put in a jacket pocket’ pen when I am heading out. It still draws attention due to the click to open mechanism.

OMAS 360 Vintage with an 18k gold extra fine nib and filled with OMAS Green. I brought this pen back out for the last pen club meet and have kept it out for an upcoming comparison review. Will be interesting to see if it is still here next time as I do enjoy using this 360.

Garcia Deschacht Druga with a steel medium nib and filled with Lamy Bronze. While this pen was brought out for the last pen club it has now replaced my Nine Bespoke Pens Rosetta as my ‘red’ ink desk pen.

Tom’s Studio Pocket Pen with a steel medium nib and filled with Kaweco Midnight Blue. A purchase from the last pen show which will shortly be reviewed and is rivalling the above Namisu Nova for a throw in to a pocket pen.

In the Kitchen

Benu Euphoria Scent of Irises with a medium nib and now filled with Papier Plume Heart of Gold. The ink came as part of the controversial PIF Kick Starter project, where the main person behind it vanished with money missing leaving the others in the team to have to dig in to their own pockets to cover the bills from the suppliers. The ink itself is very dry but does work well in this pen.

Benu Euphoria Big Wave with a medium nib and filled with Diamine Polar Glow. I think I picked this pen up from Stonecott Fine Writing a couple of years back at a pen show (I would have to check my write ups).

Switched to the Daily Carry Set

Stipula Faceted Etruria in Alter Ego with a Fine18k gold nib, filled with Camlin Scarlet, a classical ink from India often used (or was used) at schools.

Back in to Storage

Nine Bespoke Pens Rosetta with a medium steel Franklin Christoph SIG nib. This has been part of my daily set since I first bought it back in October 2022. Being the ‘red ink’ pen it was never going to get heavy use however with inking the Garcia Deschacht Durga back up this pen has now been given a much deserved rest.

Yard-O-Led Astoria Grand with a gold 18k medium nib. I brought this pen out of storage as I like it but it is rarely used and due to the same situation it has now been retired once more.

Scriveiner EDC pocket pen with a fine nib. This was initially replaced as the pen attached to my pocket journal with my Pilot E95S, however the ink evaporation rate in that pen was just too great so it was also swapped out.

Attached to Journals

Lamy Scala in Dark Violet (2019 limited edition) with a fine 14k gold nib (which was swapped in at purchase for the stock steel nib) and filled with Faux Lamy Dark Lilac, attached to my Midori Traveller journal.

Pilot Short Pocket Pen with a 14k gold fine nib, filled with Lamy Black. This is proving to be a great pen when combined with my Midori Traveller Passport.