26 Thursday Jan 2023
Posted in Pens
One of the joys of fountain pen shows is when something jumps out at you while passing and browsing tables, especially those belonging to the solo and small pen makers. Such a thing happened to me with this Rosetta at the 2022 October London Pen Show. Making their first appearance, Nine-Bespoke Pens were not unknown to me, however it was the first time I had been able to see their work in the flesh.
Continue reading31 Saturday Dec 2022
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I’ve been quiet for much of this festive period, but I would like to wish every one a Happy New Year for this evening (or if you are in Oceania, the evening just ending).
Continue reading21 Wednesday Dec 2022
Posted in Pens
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Only three months since I last posted about this set, comparatively short time when you consider the seven months gap with my daily use set.
Continue reading16 Friday Dec 2022
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I can’t believe it has been seven months since I last updated this list. I know I have been busy recently, then hit by a wave of apathy, but really I should have created this post around October time.
Continue reading18 Friday Nov 2022
Posted in Pens
July last year I reviewed an unusual urushi finish on a copper pen by a new UK based pen maker and finisher, Ruth Bolton. Since then she has moved on with new designs and finishes, as well as her own on-line store, and has now started to sell her wares at pen shows. Here we have one of her new designs, the Kitsune, an aluminium pen with some interesting elements and a geometric engraved pattern.
Continue reading16 Wednesday Nov 2022
Posted in Inks
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Brown Ink, ink, Ink Review, Monteverde, Monteverde Inks, Monteverde Pumpkin Pie, Monteverde Sweet Life, Pumpkin Pie
It was both coincidental and appropriate that, as I write this ink review, we are not far from Thanks Giving Day. Sure as a Brit I had to look the date up, but even this side of the Atlantic we know of the association between pumpkin pie and that US public holiday. In some respects it is a shame that when I shuffled the swatch cards it was not one place further on as that would have resulted in the review being published (if at the planned time) during the same week.
Continue reading09 Wednesday Nov 2022
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Blue Black Ink, Blue Ink, Blue Velvet, ink, Ink Review, Monteverde, Monteverde Blue Velvet, Monteverde Inks, Monteverde Sweet Life
I am not sure when I last had a piece of Blue Velvet cake. It is available in the UK, though not that common and it also may have come across from the US. I suspect, for many Brits of my generation, mention Blue Velvet and you think of the classic David Lynch movie. I think this is why I kept forgetting the ‘Cake’ in the name when testing this ink.
Continue reading04 Friday Nov 2022
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Once more it is the first Friday in November and an excuse, if ever we needed one, to buy more fountain pens. Now in its 12th year. Keep coming back during the day to see a growing list.
Continue reading21 Friday Oct 2022
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It’s been a busy week for me real life wise and next will be worse. There may be an ink post this Wednesday, however there will not be a proper post today or next Friday.
19 Wednesday Oct 2022
Posted in Inks
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Brown Ink, Chocolate Pudding, ink, Ink Review, Monteverde, Monteverde Chocolate Pudding, Monteverde Inks, Monteverde Sweet Life
For me ‘school puddings’ are memories of youth. Growing up, my father liked sponge and custard plus my school adhered to the tradition of suet puddings for lunch time deserts. Now if this range was by a certain British ink maker then perhaps we would have Jam Rolly Polly, Spotted Dick, and Sticky Toffee Pudding inks. Still, I’m never going to object to a decent chocolate pudding. Of course I am sure someone will point out to me that to those of you from across the great pond, from where this ink originates, chocolate pudding is a form of mousse. Still it is chocolate so all should be fine ….
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dapprman 