Lamy Imporium - A Sophisticated Heritage of Writing Instruments from Lamy

Lamy Imporium

Lamy - a German pen company famous for their vivid craftsmanship and out worldly innovations. With their large assortment of writing instruments, they have quickly reached top of the charts and modified the prospect writing culture. Evocative designs, premium functionality and moderate price tag, has made this German brand a prominent choice for every pen aficionados.  

Lamy Imporium

The Lamy Imporium is a gorgeous series of writing instruments. The lucrative design of the Lamy Imporium series clearly manifests Lamy's urge to stand as a premium manufacturer in the industry. The design, the style and the functionality, this unique writer has it all. With all the irresistible qualities, I couldn't stop myself from talking more about this wonderful collection of writing instruments. 

Before plunging into the details let's take an overall overview of the pen. This charismatic series boasts an electrifying amalgamation of fine materials, functional design and sturdy construction. The series is offered in two distinct finishes: gold or platinum/titanium. The pen is sleek and can be easily accommodated inside your organizers, backpack and even in the tightest pocket of your jeans. For carrying convenience, the pen features a spring loaded clip with a curved end which allows you to tuck the pen easily in your pocket without the fear of tearing the fabric. Designed by Marco Bellini, the Lamy Imporium is available in matching fountain pen, ballpoint pen, rollerball pen and mechanical pencils. 

1. Lamy Imporium Writing Modes

Lamy Imporium Series is available in two different colors - Black and Titanium. Both of these colors are equally elegant and are available in the following writing modes. 

Fountain Pens

Lamy Imporium Fountain Pens are exclusively designed to offer a distinct writing experience. At first look, the Lamy Imporium is a standard sized pen and features a full metal profile. Lamy Imporium Fountain Pens come with a bi-colored 14kt gold nib which is spectacularly smooth. The Lamy Imporium Fountain Pen is available in three different versions. 

• Lamy Imporium Black/Gold Fountain Pen
• Lamy Imporium Black Fountain Pen
• Lamy Imporium Titanium/Platinum Fountain Pen

Rollerball Pens

Extending the Imporium line-up is the Lamy Imporium Rollerball Pens. The rollerball tip glides across the paper allowing your creativity to flow.. 

• Lamy Imporium Black Rollerball Pen
• Lamy Imporium Titanium/Platinum Rollerball Pen
• Lamy Imporium Black/Gold Rollerball Pen

Ballpoint Pens

Lamy Imporium Ballpoint Pens offer the same exquisite feel as the fountain and rollerball versions. The ballpoint is best for the on-the go traveler and work enthusiasts who have to jot down daily notes.

• Lamy Imporium Black Ballpoint Pen
• Lamy Imporium Titanium/Platinum Rollerball Ballpoint Pen
• Lamy Imporium Black/Gold Ballpoint Pen

Mechanical Pencils

Lamy Imporium Mechanical Pencil completes the extraordinary series. The pencil shares similar design with its family members and includes a sturdy 0.7 mm lead sleeve. Upon writing, the pencil lays down unparallel impression on paper and exhilarates your joy of writing. 

• Lamy Imporium Black Mechanical Pencil
• Lamy Imporium Titanium/Platinum Mechanical Pencil.
• Lamy Imporium Black/Gold Mechanical Pencil 

2. Appearance, Design and Feel: 

Lamy Imporium series is a gorgeous range of writing instruments. The pen lends its opulence to the guilloche patterns ascending throughout the barrel.  All Lamy Imporium pens are beautifully finished with top quality PVD coatings and galvanization in a range of designs. Each pen features a ridged grip section scientifically tested for optimum grip. The unique combination provides the series an unmistakable look and quality.

Though the pen looks sleek, it is a heavy pen in hand. The hefty construction of the pen offers a sense of balance while imprinting your thoughts on a piece of paper and its ridged grip section adds extra delight to your writing. 

3. Construction and Quality: 

Lamy Imporium is a heavily built series of writing instruments. In hand, the pen feels comfortable and offers a balanced feel. The PVD coating on the body of the pen can wear down over the course of time, but the hefty construction makes the Lamy Imporium a product that will last for a lifetime. The only flaw that I noticed was the cap, when closed the cap doesn't fit tightly, it feels a little loose. But, it is the last thing that will hold me from bagging this fine pen. 

4. Filling System and Accessories:

The nib: Lamy Imporium fountain pens are fitted with two-toned bicolor 14kt gold nibs. Lamy Imporium Black/Gold Fountain Pen features a black exterior nib with a golden inlay, whereas the Platinum/ titanium version includes a silver exterior nib with a golden inlay. The Lamy Imporium Fountain Pen is available in four different nib sizes extra fine, fine, medium and broad.

Cartridge/ Converter:  Like other normal fountain pens from Lamy, the Imporium series also uses cartridge/ convertor as ink reservoir. Each fountain pen comes with a cartridge/converter. Specifically, the Lamy Imporium fountain pens work best with Lamy T 10 ink cartridges or the Z 26 converters.

Refills: 

• Lamy Imporium Rollerball pens are equipped with Lamy M 66 Rollerball refills. 

• Lamy Imporium Ballpoint pens use Lamy Giant M 16 refills.

• Lamy Imporium Mechanical pencil takes Lamy M 41 Lead - 0.7 mm (HB).

5. Performance: 

The innovative functionality of the pen lurks beneath the mesmerizing profile of the pen. Don't get fooled by the mesmerizing exterior of the pen, when it comes to performance the Lamy Imporium series is a monster. Each pen is hefty, and is opted to deliver a balanced feel when caged between your fingertips. 

The 14kt gold nib on the fountain pen is exceptionally smooth; it glides perfectly on the surface of the paper and leaves no sign of skips and scratches. The nib slowly adjusts to your style of writing and the consistent ink flow offers a hassle free writing experience. In the context of rollerball and ballpoint pens, both are fitted with genuine Lamy refills and when it comes to performance we all know how Lamy refills are. 

6. Cost: 

Here is the bitter part; Lamy Imporium is not a cheap pen. Lamy Imporium fountain pens are labeled with a price tag higher than $500 where as the rollerball and ballpoint pens cost more than $300.

7. Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Imporium pens are durable, and will serve for generations if kept safely.

• Heavily built, offers a sense of balance while writing.

• The 14kt nib is smooth as melting butter and glide precisely on paper surfaces. 

• No skips or hard starting. 

• Includes large cartridges that can hold decent amount of ink for everyday use. 

• Features really eye-catching and stylish design. 

Cons:

• Expensive, but actually it is good deal!!!

• Some pens do have issues related to caps, doesn't fit tightly with the barrel.

Summing Up

So, we wrapped the important details of the series in this small article. If you have further queries about the Lamy Imporium series please contact us at Pen Boutique. You can also contact us through Facebook, just leave your message in our inbox and we will reply as soon as possible. 

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Ink Trivia

Question: How long will the average ballpoint pen refill last?

Answer: 2 miles worth of writing

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Monteverde Jewelria fountian pen and the Ballpoint set.

For sometime the Monteverde Jewelria fountain pen has fascinated me.  The design is beautiful but the name Jewelria always threw me off thinking that it is a pen for the women. But recently I had a chance to take a second look at the pen and especially at a bargain.   The fountain pen was perfect size and had a good length.  The pen is not so large and is light.  The pen can post but thought that due to design the top might be heavy.  But that does not bother me as I usually write without posting the cap.  The pen which was picked up here is the green swirl as green is my favorite color!  I used the converter and filled up the Pelikan Adventurine Edelstein green ink and started to write on my meeting book from Rhodia ( yeah those notes!).

The nib is smooth and does write nicely.  I wrote a page in Rhodia and was ready to write even more.   I will be using this for the week and more until I guess I will find another pen which will raise interest ( should not be long).

I have the picture below and I think it is a gorgeous looking pen.  The ballpoint version which fits the  capless rollerball refill will make a good set to use it when you are on the road or need it for other purposes where you don't want to use your fountain pens.


PEN : Monteverde Jewelria Fountain pen

INK: Pelikan Edelstein Adventurine ink

Paper: Rhodia Meeting Book.

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Featured Story

One of the premiere museums in the world is New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Founded in 1870, the museum houses over 2 million works of art. Being the largest museum in the Western Hemisphere, it is one of the most visited destinations in a city known for its destinations. To highlight some of the museum’s treasured artists’ works, a collection of fine writing instruments was created based on the style of these artists. These pens afford a surprisingly great value for both the discriminating fine writing instrument collector and art connoisseur.

At such attractive prices you can purchase more than one of these keep sake pens!

Here are the best sellers from the series:

Louis Tiffany: The famed lamps and stain glass innovator generated many vases using his peacock feather designs.

William Morris: This British designer produced captivating wallpaper spotlighting flowers, leaves and fruit.

Vincent Van Gogh: The artist’s vivid treatment of colors and form is highlighted in this memorable depiction of floral brilliance.
http://www.penboutique.com/metropolitan-museum-of-art-accessory-van-gogh-irises-ballpoint-pen.html

Claude Monet:  Details from Monet’s beloved Vetheuil garden grace the contours of this beautiful pen.

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Writer Quotes

“My two fingers on a typewriter have never connected with my brain. My hand on a pen does, a fountain pen, of course. Ball-point pens are only good for filling out forms on a plane.” -
Graham Greene, English playwright and novelist

“The pen is the tongue of the mind.” -  Horace, leading Roman lyric poet during the time of Augustus

“Steadily my pen filled the sheet and those long-thought-out words came nearer and nearer.” -
C. S. Forester, British historical novelist

“In a mood of faith and hope my work goes on. A ream of fresh paper lies on my desk waiting for the next book. I am a writer and I take up my pen to write.” -  Pearl S. Buck, Pulitzer Prize winning American author

"Every writing career starts as a personal quest for sainthood, for self-betterment. Sooner or later, and as a rule quite soon, a man discovers that his pen accomplishes a lot more than his soul." - Joseph Brodsky, Russian born American poet

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Lamy Wild Rubin (ruby) Studio Pens

Lamy Wild Rubin Studio Pens

The Lamy Wild Rubin (ruby) Studio pens have finally arrived!  The pictures I first saw of the Wild Rubin reminded me of the Lamy Royal Red color.  Boy, was I wrong.  The true color of the Wild Rubin does not come through in the pictures.  The Ruby color is shimmery and bright, not a matte color at all.
The Wild Rubin has a stainless steel barrel and polished chrome accents.  It has the iconic propeller clip.  The fountain pen and rollerball are the same style as previous colors, but the ballpoint is now tapered and has a longer front section.  The finish is smooth and lacquered, not the usual satin metal finish.
The fountain pen is available with a stainless steel nib or a 14k nib, both pens come with a converter and ink cartridge to start writing right away.  The 14k fountain pen arrives in a gift box with a bottle of blue ink.
All in all - these are beautiful pens and a great addition to any pen lovers collection.

- Joy (Pen Boutique LTD, Suite 115, Columbia, MD 21044)

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Caran d"Ache 849 Ballpoint Pen

I have had a Caran d"Ache 849 Ballpoint pen for over a year and it has never let me down. The hexagonal shape, the unique click forwarding device, the finely engineered push button mechanism and its compact, but not too small, pen size makes this one of my favorite pens that is always ready to go. In fact, I liked it so much that when my nephew started college I gave him one as a gift. I enjoy color options with my ink refills. Monterverde Parker Style gel refills fit snuggly in this pen. This allows me some of my favorite options with Turquoise, Blue/Black and Purple readily available.

The Caran d'Ache 849 Ballpoint pen now comes in a Goldbar design. It is coated in a gold-toned satin finish barrel and its fittings are plated with sparkling gold that easily pick-up the light. The outer box is almost as impressive, being made of the very same materials and resembling a gold bar. The box also sports a handy magnetic closing, so you can be assured that your writing instrument is secure. This beauty also has a gold plated clip which adds to its overall effect. No I do not NEED a new Caran d'Ache pen, but the ownership of this one is so inviting. I already know of the brand's reliability, so there is no trepidation in purchasing another. The time maybe now to treat myself to a gift!

 - Vicki (Pen Boutique, Ltd, 5560 Sterrett Place, Suite 101, Columbia, Maryland 21044)

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Monterverde Inspired by Regatta

A regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas. A regatta often includes social and promotional activities which surround the racing event, and except in the case of boat type (or "class") championships, is usually named for the town or venue where the event takes place.

Although regattas are typically amateur competitions, they are usually formally structured events, with comprehensive rules describing the schedule and procedures of the event. Regattas may be organized as championships for a particular area or type of boat, but are often held just for the joy of competition, camaraderie, and general promotion of the sport.

North America’s oldest regatta is the Royal St. John’s Regatta in St. John’s, Newfoundland every year since 1826.

The Monteverde Regatta Sport Fountain Pen - Supreme Writing Performance! Regatta Sport Design completely echoes hi tech spirit through the pen featuring stealthy matte black trim and genuine carbon fiber bands between segments of boldly handcrafted resin rings.

Magnetic enclosure makes it faster and efficient. Fountain Pens are available in four different sizes: fine, medium, broad and stub.

http://www.penboutique.com/monteverde-regatta-sport-fountain-pen.html
http://www.penboutique.com/monteverde-regatta-sport-red-fountain-pen.html
http://www.penboutique.com/monteverde-regatta-rose-gold-limited-edition-fountain-pen.html


The Monteverde Regatta Limited Edition Fountain Pen - Rose Gold. Celebrating 10 years of the popular Regatta Sport collection, the new Regatta Limited Edition features rich rose gold in an outstanding combination with the familiar Regatta Sport design of polished carbon fiber.

http://www.penboutique.com/monteverde-regatta-rose-gold-limited-edition-fountain-pen.html

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Music, Inspiration and Writing

Listening to music, while writing, has always provided an inspired backdrop. Writing with a musical related fine writing instrument will also motivate one to pen creative works.

Four young lads from Liverpool set the music world on its ear starting in the sixties. Their influence and collectability of all things Beatles related merchandise still stands strong to this day, over fifty years later. For the true Beatles fan Acme offers an array of wonderful choices of roller balls depicting the Fab Four from various periods of their esteemed career.

The Beatles

http://www.penboutique.com/p-13950-acme-the-beatles-1963-rollerball-pen.aspx
http://www.penboutique.com/p-14009-acme-the-beatles-1965-rollerball-pen.aspx
http://www.penboutique.com/p-14008-acme-the-beatles-1966-rollerball-pen.aspx
http://www.penboutique.com/p-14007-acme-the-beatles-1967-rollerball-pen.aspx
http://www.penboutique.com/p-14006-acme-the-beatles-1968-rollerball-pen.aspx
http://www.penboutique.com/p-14004-acme-the-beatles-1969-rollerball-pen.aspx
http://www.penboutique.com/p-8088-acme-rod-dyer-beatles-pen-with-interchangeable-rollerball-fountain-pen-set.aspx

Pink Floyd’s masterpiece “Dark Side of the Moon” had mammoth long-running sales, with its years charting success. The album showcased the talents of the group’s diversity and inventiveness.

Did you know that there is an actual Pink Floyd writing font? The font is based on the cover writing of the band’s famous groundbreaking work “The Wall.” What better way to test this alphabet than with the limited edition of the Acme Pink Floyd Rollerball.

How many artists have their own designed drum sticks and writing instruments? The answer is jazz great Lenny White. White is an American jazz fusion drummer best known for being the drummer of Chick Corea's Return to Forever. He has been described as "one of the founding fathers of jazz fusion".

You can own this hip writing pen by following the link here.

Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons the 20th century, he is often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll” or simply, "the King." Elvis is featured in these exquisite pens by Montegrappa. The royal treatment is given to these legacy collectible writing wonders.

http://www.penboutique.com/p-10757-montegrappa-elvis-aqua-ballpoint-pen.aspx
http://www.penboutique.com/p-10751-montegrappa-elvis-black-fountain-pen.aspx
http://www.penboutique.com/p-10756-montegrappa-elvis-white-rollerball-pen.aspx

A music nib is actually a stub. But it’s not just any stub, it’s a special stub designed for a particular kind of usage. To write music, you need a pen that can make thin vertical strokes for the stems and flags of the notes, and fat horizontal ones very fast. To make it write music, you need to hold it a little differently than you might hold a pen when you’re writing text. There is a high angle of elevation in the way the pen is rotated in the hand so that its narrow stroke is vertical relative to the paper. Music nibs also write very wetly so that they can support the hasty style many musicians often use.
You do not have to be a musician to write with the music nib. You can write anything you like, and you’ll find that a music nib gives you nice line variation and the very smooth line. Many prefer using a music nib as their favorite form of writing expression. Sailor and Platinum both offer a wide selection of various colors with music nibs.

http://www.penboutique.com/sailor-1911s-gold-accents-14kt-gold-red-fountain-pen.html
http://www.penboutique.com/p-11526-platinum-3776-black-music-fountain-pens.aspx
http://www.penboutique.com/platinum-3776-century-chartres-blue-music-nib-fountain-pen.html

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Pen Trivia : How many ball point pen are manufactured each year?

Pen Trivia

The principle of the ballpoint pen dates from the late 19th Century when patents were taken out by John Loud in 1888 for a product to mark leather and in 1916 by Van Vechten Riesberg. However neither of these patents was exploited commercially.  The modern version of ball point pen was invented by Josef (Lazlo) and Georg Biro.  In the summer of 1943 the first commercial models were made. The rights to Lazlo's patent were bought by the British Government. The ball point pen is more rugged than the fountain pen which may be why sales rocketed during World War II when the military needed robust writing implements to survive the battlefield environment.  The ballpoint pens was introduced to the U.S. market. The pen was sold for $9.75 each. Some 10,000 were sold at the launch at Gimbel's department store in New York on October 29th 1945. 

Ball points were originally conceived and developed as a cleaner and more reliable alternative to quill fountain pens and are now the world's most-used writing instrument.  Millions are manufactured and sold daily. As a result, it has influenced art and graphic design and spawned an artwork genre.

Q. How many ball point pen are manufactured each year?

Answer: Over three billion ball point pens are manufactured each year in a variety of styles, point sizes, materials and colors.

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Thoughtful Valentine’s Gifts List

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Less than ten days to go before the day of love arrives in shades of pink and red, and tiny hearts patched all over it. If you have already got the perfect gift for your significant other, kudos to you. But if you haven’t, chances are that so far you have no gift ideas and may be you never will. This is where we step in. We bring to you an assortment of gift ideas that might be your only saving grace, come 14 February.

1. Letts of London Verona Lilac Pocket Academic Diaries

Isn't it pretty?

The pocket sized academic calendar could be a way of saying “Every step you take, I will be with you”. It is unconventional but what is a Valentine’s gift if it is ordinary. The sturdy faux leather cover is a soft shade of pink with lilac imprints on them and comes with a ribbon bookmark. The white pages inside features holiday information, dates and weeks, notable dates and more handy information. It is a great gift for a girly soul who likes to keep organized. Plus it is easy on the wallet.

2. Napkin Forever Cuban Inkless Pen

Forever and ever

For the one that you wish to be with forever, what better gift than one that would last forever. Napkin Forever Cuban Inkless Pen is a stupendous pen crafted from recycled wood. Ergonomic in design (so that your loved one should never experience hand fatigue and cramps again), the pen features an alloy metal for a tip which scribbles just like the graphite tip of a pencil, but it is inerasable. And the metal alloy doesn’t wear down, making the Cuban Forever an everlasting gift.

3. Parker IM Premium Pink Pearl Ballpoint Pen

Pink Parker

The pen is a beauty. The metal body has cool blocks-like patterns engraved on it and is complemented by chrome trims. It is smooth and elegant, and while it looks delicate and soft, is pretty sturdy in built. It can easily be an everyday pen. You can also find it in fountain pen mode if you would prefer that. It is just gorgeous. Just not as gorgeous as your beloved.

4. Pilot Namiki Vanishing Point Red/Rhodium Fountain Pen

Ravishing Red

It is unique, just like your S.O. Stylish, classy, different and pure joy to be with could be the adjectives that define your beloved and they do the same for the Pilot Namiki VP fountain pen. And what is more Valentine-y than a splash of bright red.

5. Eccolo Murano Glass Precious Red Heart Square Paperweigh

I could just melt

Personally, I totally have dibs on this and so should you. It is a stunning example of imperfectly perfect things. Handmade in Italy, no one piece is the same and there lies its uniqueness. And doesn’t the little red heart totally scream love? It is a masterpiece that would have anyone over the moon upon receiving it.

6. Retro 51 4 EVER Tornado Popper Twist-top Rollerball Pen - Limited Edition

Retro way to ask her out

What better way to ask someone out on Valentine’s Day than to let a pen do all the talking. The “Be Mine, Hold me, Wink Wink” cover on the Retro 51 4 Ever Tornado Popper Rollerball Pen is really sweet and a limited edition. Pair the gift with some flowers and a box of chocolates and sweep your love off her feet.

7. Caran d' Ache Wenger Swiss Red Small BP Gift Set

Everything you need

The gift set is the coolest thing to gift your loved one, who is always up for outdoor activities and going around fixing things.

8. Waterman Carene Glossy Red Ballpoint Pen

Red Hot

So what if you cannot gift them a yacht, the streamlined Waterman Carene Glossy Red Ballpoint Pen will do the magic. It is a beauty in its own right and will lighten your wallet a bit too. But it is worth every penny.

You are welcome!!

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My Top 10 Favorites

At Pen Boutique I have seen it all when it comes to pen. I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly, and while it is easy to pick out the rotten of the lot, it is never easy to pick out a favorite. Well, the list of good pens does run longer than the list of bad. But even if it were otherwise, the task of picking out the top 10 favorite pens would have been tough. At least it is for me, because I have always felt that my decision would hurt “the feelings” (of course, I know things don’t have emotions and NO, I am not crazy) of those which I don’t pick. So, whether it is a movie, a book, a shoe from my wardrobe or food, I can never decide my favorite. Yet, despite the agonies, just for you dear readers I have churned out a list of my top 10 favorite pens ever. So hold your breath and live this moment; I don’t do this very often.

In no particular order (for the fear of getting a stroke), here is my list of 10 favorite pens.

1. Namiki VP Carbon Fiber (M)

A fountain pen that is retractable – need I say more. And it is beautiful. Namiki Vanishing Point pen in carbon fiber finishing is a stunning example of art meeting architecture. I love the smart designing that has been put into the pen and it is a unique model that is worth investing in. And if design and structure wasn’t enough to get it scoring, the 18k gold nib fitted in the Vanishing Point is butter smooth. I have a medium nib in use and it is faultless. No wonder, it is in my list of favorite pens.

2. Visconti Demo Fountain Pen(F)

I have always had a great liking for transparent things, like the clear raincoat and umbrella. There is just something reassuring and comforting about being able to see what is going on behind the scenes. I have similar emotions for the Visconti Demonstrator. And while there are other transparent pens, what makes Visconti Demo stand out is that the clear barrel works double as an ink reservoir. A piston knob is at the end of the barrel for ink filling purpose. The pen is of a nice weight and the SmarTouch nib from Visconti gives a smooth performance on paper. It looks fantastic and writes well; what else does it take for a pen to be counted worthy for a “favorite list”.

3. Montegrappa Nero Uno Linea Rollerball Pen

Montegrappa Nero Uno Linea Rollerball pen stole my heart with its unpretentious style. While the traditional octagonal shape of the brand has been retained, it has been given a contemporary twist of conical alignment and grid patterns on the barrel and the cap. Made of deep, black resin, the pen feels great on hand, which encourages me to pick it up every time I write.

4. Waterman Carene Amber Shimmer Fountain Pen (M)

I share a fair amount of affinity for Waterman Carene Amber Shimmer fountain pen, because while it boasts a rather professional look, the lacquer work on it exudes of mischief and fun. There is something about it that is secretive and playful which is very appealing to me. I love the gold trims and the 18k gold nib which doesn’t fail when demanded of. And it has a comfortable weight when writing which is a bonus point to its already super fantastic performance.

5. Monteverde Artista Crystal Transparent Medium Demo

This just goes to show my aforementioned emotions towards transparent demo pens. And it comes in fun color options. Made of high quality acrylic resin, Monteverde Artista Crystal Transparent Medium Demo pen is light weight and writes decent with the iridium stainless steel nib. It easily fits the slot of an everyday pen and is super cool at being that.

6. Monteverde Impressa Fountain Pen (M)

I am fond of good pens, but I am fonder of good pens that come at surprisingly reasonable price. Speak of a pen that looks like $100 but costs $50 and you don’t have to look further than the Monteverde Impressa Fountain pen. With no engraving or embellishment of any kind on the entire body, the pen is the definition of “beauty in simplicity”. Coated in lacquer and highly polished, the fountain pen is presentable and writes very well too.

7. Monteverde Catalina Fountain Pen (M)

The resin body comes in three color choices and each one is reminiscent of the island the pen is named after. Just looking at the pen is enough to have you dreaming of warm, wet sand and cool, salty breeze of the sea. But what helps it make it to my favorite list is its deceptive size. The pen boasts a rich thickness but when held to write, it doesn’t have the heft you would expect. Pair this with a nice ink and you would add this to your everyday pen list.

8. Lamy AL-Star Fountain Pen (F,M,B,1.1)

Inspired by the Safari series of Lamy, the Al-Star fountain pen has inherited a lot of likeness to Safari, but has a sturdier aluminum body. It is the reason why the Al-Star is my preferred Lamy. Plus, while it is stocked with comfort, durability and rich color choices, it is not expensive. Add to that the interchangeable nib feature of Lamy and it scores another brownie point.

9. Fisher Space Pen Purple Passion Bullet Ballpoint Pen

First of all, I love the bright, succulent purple hue on the pen. It is just very attractive. Now, getting to why the Fisher Space Pen Purple Passion Bullet Ballpoint Pen is my top 10 favorite pen – it is a great pocket pen and it never fails to perform. It would top the list of an everyday pen for sure.

10. Fisher Space Infinium Titanium Nitride Ballpoint Pen

There was no way it was not going to be in this list for the simple reason that it will never run out of ink as long as I live. It seems to go on forever. And it has killer, tough looks and feels very comfortable when writing.

Let me know what would be on your “Top 10 Favorite Pens” list. Any thoughts on what should and should not have been on my list? Let me know.

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The Urgency of a Handwriting Comeback

Happy National Handwriting Day

A look at the open diary in front of me (which belongs to me) and the notebook that is carelessly tossed a meter away (which belongs to my colleague), and there is little doubt in my head about the dire need of a national handwriting day, every day of the year. We have that bad handwriting. The hypocrite that I am blames technology. With the advent of computers and mobile phones, we are habitual of typing instant text messages and send it in a jiffy.  What is the use of laboring over handwriting anyways when there are easier methods?

This National Handwriting Day, 23 January which is not only the birthday of the American founding father, John Hancock, whose signature on the Declaration of Independence is one of the most iconic piece of handwriting, but also a reminder of the fast disappearing act of handwriting, we want to evoke the need of handwriting, because it is beneficial for you.

Studies have proven time and again the importance of handwriting; neurologists and psychologist have found a significant interrelation between the art of handwriting and learning. An article in the NY Times summed up that neurologists have found that children learn to read more quickly when they learn to write by hand. The same article stated that writing improves idea generation and retaining of information. The article quoted Stanislas Dehaene, a psychologist at the College de France in Paris say, “When we write, a unique neural circuit is automatically activated. There is a core recognition of the gesture in the written word, a sort of recognition by mental simulation in your brain.”  She was quoted concluding, “And it seems that this circuit is contributing in unique ways we didn’t realize. Learning is made easier.”

Another study carried out by Virginia Berninger, a psychologist at the University of Washington demonstrated that children produced more words more quickly when writing by hand that on a keyboard. Also they expressed more ideas. But the benefits of handwriting aren’t limited to children only. Handwriting has proved to increase memory and ability to process new information in adults. So, while writing itself has been said to bring strong physical and mental health, which includes improvement in mood and happiness, why not accelerate the benefits by switching to handwriting.

As a writer, with a pretty bad handwriting I find fountain pens to help to some extent. The consistent flow of ink, and the richness it depicts as strokes form letter and then words, inspires any writer. It has been discussed that perhaps the reason why ideas form better when handwriting is due to the pressing of the nib on to the paper that keeps us focused. While typing, one is banging away on the keys and has his focus divided between what s/he is writing and the movement of the fingers. I personally find to be pouring more words and more ideas on the paper when writing by hand than when typing on the keyboard.

And yes, you could be writing with a ballpoint pen or a rollerball pen but there is something deeply satisfying about the flex of the nib on the fountain pen and the smoothness of the ink and the visual treat the profound, wet lines provide. The line variations that seem to bounce off from one extreme to another and the shades created by the fountain pen is special and nothing can compare to it. Also, with fountain pens there is a certain ownership which could be because of its comparatively expensive price or the fact that you intimately fill her up and cleanse her that motivates you to keep using it and writing with it. And then there is the ultimate fact that the best of calligraphy or handwriting is achieved with a fountain pen. Cursive handwriting, which studies has proven to improve patience and creativity in children and adults alike is the most beautiful when done with fountain pen.

So, this National Handwriting Day, take up a fountain pen, or any writing tool for that matter and write by hand. Scribble your deepest, darkest thoughts or your impromptu ideas. Create poems or fantasize stories and if not that just try and improve your handwriting. Write by hand; if not for the sake of reviving the art of handwriting and the creativity that follows it, then for your health sake, which has been proven to benefit when you handwrite.

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