There is something about Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist" that makes me want to read the novel again and again. The book has become a source of inspiration for many. Every strong word mentioned in the novel lets us see the world with optimism and tell us everything is possible until we really want it to happen.
The purpose of the new Montegrappa Alchemist edition is somewhat the same!!! The pen is designed with a keen appreciation for the artist's thoughts and is inherited with vivid symbols and meanings illustrated in the renowned novel. In short, we can say Montegrappa Alchemist series is a beautiful interpretation of Paulo Coelho's famous novel 'The Alchemist'. Montegrappa Artisans have carefully embedded the motifs of the story on the pen to create a lucrative appearance, while keeping the functional side on their mind. Like all other pens from Montegrappa, this fine series also carries the legacy of the brand and reflects a finesse design marked with perfection. Made of special metals and embedded with precious gemstone, this fine pen exhibits the creativity of Montegrappa artisans. Like the name suggests, Montegrappa have converted their master craftsmanship and fine elements into a graceful product which even surpasses expectation, and named it - "Montegrappa Alchemist Series".
The series is available in two different writing modes (fountain pen and ballpoint pen) and four different designs - air, water, fire and earth. At Pen Boutique, we are selling the sterling silver edition which is limited to 1000 pieces. Each enamel coated sterling silver pen represents one of the four elements. Only 125 fountain pens and 125 rollerball pens are made in each color. The evocative design of each Montegrappa Alchemist series makes it a wonderful collectible for pen aficionados, while inspiring others to follow their dreams.
Montegrappa Alchemist Sterling Silver writing instruments sit at the epitome of novelty and perfection!!! These fine writing instruments are conceived in the purest form and are coated with several layers of enamel to preserve their timeless elegance. These fine writers are handcrafted in the historic town of Bassano Del Grappa, Italy. Each writing instrument is finely inspected until they acquire the highest level of precision. The pen features a hefty and evenly balanced profile designed to offer a robust grip while writing. Its ergonomic grip section sits perfectly between your fingertips, while allowing you to rejoice every bit of your writing. As splendid as the pen looks on the outside, the functional side of this fine writer is also synonymous to its appearance.
Montegrappa Alchemist Sterling Silver fountain pens are fitted with a sturdy 18kt gold nib with an etched designed of a peacock fanning its tail. Gliding over the paper, the nib is flawless and doesn’t scratch nor has inconsistent ink flow. The nib is a pleasure to work with and sums up a joyous experience. The body of the pen is embellished with small details to project Paulo Coelho's words inscribed in the famous novel - 'The Alchemist'. The overall appearance of the pen illuminates Coelho's message, and its finesse design inspires the users to follow their dreams. Each pen comes in a beautiful wooden case which prevents the pen from receiving any external casualties.
The stupendous design of the Montegrappa Alchemist Sterling Silver Collection definitely lives up to its name. The eye-catching appearance and minute detailing makes it a perfect writing instrument for both pen enthusiasts and collectors. The only downside of this series is its limited quantity. Then again, if this writing instrument were available in abundance, it wouldn't be so precious.
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 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 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 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.
•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.
•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.
If we analyze the current scenario, most pen aficionados prefer ballpoint/rollerball pens over fountain pens. With the increasing popularity of ballpoint and rollerball pens, fountain pens have been labeled as a retro nostalgia that's unable to serve the real purpose. It’s true, ballpoint pens have paved an easy path for writers. With ballpoint pens, you don’t have to worry much about stains, refills and maintenance. Just tuck the writing instrument into your pocket as long as it runs, and dispose it after it stops. Quite easy isn’t it!!!!
But, when it comes to fountain pens things are different. Writing with a fountain pen is an art which constantly evolves with every stroke. To operate this writing tool one needs skill, attention and dedication. Fountain pens are exclusively designed to offer vivid line variations based on the direction and speed of your stroke - delivering a human touch to whatever you write. And it’s one of the best things you can expect in this age of computers.
So, if you really want to plunge into the world of fountain pens this article will provide you a brief insight to get started.
History of Fountain Pens
History of Fountain Pens
The history of fountain pen goes way back to 10th century, but the fountain pen we know today were not introduced till 18th century.
In 1884, Lewis Waterman introduced the first fountain pen with an ink reservoir which filled from an external source. There were various other models before Waterman’s version but all of them had issues related to airflow and ink spills. As we all know, fountain pens operate via gravitational mechanism. To efficiently use a fountain pen you have to hold the pen vertically so the ink from the reservoir streams towards the nib. Upon writing, the used ink from the reservoir has to be replaced with air to stop the unnecessary spilling. And, this was one of the mammoth issues that most fountain pen manufacturers failed to deal with before Waterman pens were introduced.
Waterman did solve the issue, and introduced the first fountain pen which offered consistency and smooth penmanship experience. He created a layered feed which wrapped the spilling issue of fountain pens. The innovative idea of Waterman provided a distinct platform to fountain pens, and soon these fine writing instruments took their place as a favorite writing tool in every pen enthusiast’s pocket. Hence, the modern fountain pens were born.
Waterman’s innovative feed did sort out problems related to spilling and staining, but filling the pen still remained a grueling affair. To refill a fountain pen, one had to use an eyedropper and fill the reservoir drop by drop. But at the dawn of 19th century, many pen manufacturing company introduced fountain pens which enabled users to dip the nib into the ink bottle and fill the pen through a piston fill mechanism.
Fountain Pen Parts
A normal fountain pen usually comprises of three different sections.
•The Nib
•The Feed
•Reservoir or Filling Systems
The Nib
Nib
Nib is the part of the fountain pen that imprints your thoughts on a piece of paper. At the initial days, most of the nibs were crafted from gold due to the element’s flexible nature. But today, most of the modern nibs are composed of either stainless steel or gold alloys.
Stainless steel nibs are sturdy and durable. But when it comes to performance, stainless steel might be the last option for pen enthusiasts who love smooth and delicate writing. The tip of a steel nib is scratchy by nature and doesn’t offer fine line variations.
Another one on the list is gold alloy nibs. These nibs are preferred by most pen aficionados because they share similar flexibility as gold nibs. But due to the elements flexible nature, a sturdy tip (platinum or iridium) is featured on these nibs.
Every nib comprises of a central slit which helps the ink to reach all the way to the tip. And, at the end of the slit there is a breather hole to bring back air into the reservoir to replace the used ink. The breather hole also acts as a pivot which prevents the nib from damages caused by continuous flexing.
Based on the design, nibs are entitled with three different labels.
In the world of fountain pens Italic nibs are regarded widely put into action, while the stub and calligraphy nibs are commonly used for calligraphy.
Feed
Feed
This may sound quite awkward but the feed is considered as the most important part of a fountain pen. The feed is located at the back of the nib, and it acts as a transit through which the ink from reservoir travels to the nib.
A good feed with a higher ink flow will lubricate the nib very well resulting to a smooth and skip less writing. On the other hand side, a feed with a drier ink flow may result to scratchiness and can portray signs of skipping and skidding. However, with a drier feed you will have to rely totally on the quality of the nib.
Reservoir or Filling Systems
Reservoir or Filling Systems
Different pens come with different filling mechanism. Converter, cartridge, piston, lever, the list can go on and on. Each year pen manufacturing companies bring out innovative ideas regarding the filling mechanism, and it’s a good thing. With every new idea they avail us with a new option, and every filling mechanism offers a different flow.
Most of us believe the performance of a fountain pen is defined by its nib and feed. But, there are other factors that need to be overlooked before concluding the final results.
Gripping Style: Gripping Style is a key factor which influences your writing. Fountain pens are meant to be used in a special way. The tip should come in contact to the paper at an angle of 40 – 60 degrees, and shouldn’t be twisted left and right.
Here are three different gripping styles preferred by most fountain pen enthusiast.
Tripod Grip: This is a precise gripping style to use fountain pen. It offers a delicate balance and ensures the placement of nib at an angle of 45 – 60 degrees.
Forefinger-Up Grip: Like the Tripod grip, this style of gripping also ensures the placement of the nib at an angle of 45 – 60 degrees. Plus, the forefinger on the top of the pen allows a distinct control of pressure while writing.
Thumb Wrap Grip: Unlike the Tripod and Forefinger-Up grip, this style of gripping is not recommended for fountain pen users. In this method, the pen is vertically aligned with the surface which may distort the control and balance resulting to a nasty penmanship experience.
Paper Quality: Horrible paper is a major element which results to horrible writing experience. If the paper is thin and rough, even the finest pens will perform ineptly. Bleed through is also a common problem with cheap and thin papers. These kinds of papers soak maximum amount of ink and bloat your writing. If you are using a fountain pen, it’s best to use genuine papers from companies like Rhodia and Letts of London.
Ink: Low graded watery inks are another factor that results a nasty writing experience. So, to enhance your joy of writing it’s best to use lubricated inks from genuine companies like Diamine Ink and Noodler’s Ink. Lubricated inks will reduce nib friction, and offer you a better feel while jotting down your words on a piece of paper.
Fountain Pens for Starters:
I know there are lots of fancy pen on the market, but I would not recommend them for starters. For pen enthusiasts who are ready to plunge into the world of fountain, here are few options to start with.
Lamy Safari: After stalking through different pen forums and grabbing suggestion from pen enthusiasts, I came to know Lamy Safari resides on the top of the chart when it comes to fountain pens for beginners. The cost of the pen is below $30 and is definitely the best price for its value.
Pilot Namiki Retro Collection: Stylish, classy and trendy the Pilot Namiki Retro Collection offers a versatile array of fountain pens designed for beginners. The pen features classic cigar shaped profile accompanied by a sturdy steel nib that glides perfectly without any sign of skips. Easily available in the market below $20.
Noodler’s Konrad: From my personal perspective, Noodler’s Kornrad is a unique array of fountain pens for beginners. The pen costs less than $40 and offers a premium penmanship experience. Each Konrad pen includes a sturdy steel nib and a balanced profile which slips perfectly between your fingers.
How to Take Care of Your Fountain Pen
• Always cap your pen after you finish your writing. If left open, the nib might dry up and may cause scratchiness.
• I would probably recommend you guys to flush your fountain pens at least once a month. By doing so, you can get rid of the ink clots building up inside the cavities of nib and feed.
• Personalize the pen. The writing mechanism of a fountain pen is different than that of a ballpoint pen. With continuous writing, the nib will adapt your writing style. If you let someone borrow your fountain pen for a long period of time, they might wreck the nib and it may not perform as well as it used to.
Summing Up
There you have it!!! I have conveyed the basics required to dig into the world of fountain pens. A fountain pen is always an ideal companion to have; it serves as a long term friend and adjusts to your own style of writing. Besides, fountain pens are cost effective. Unlike ballpoint pens, they are not meant to be thrown away after the ink runs out. And, there is something amusing about fountain pens that compels us to take good care of it. So, if you have an immense desire to embark your fountain pen journey, then now would be the right time to start.
From an entry level writer to a fountain pen expert, the new
Visconti Rembrandt is a perfect writing instrument for all range of writers.
Distinctly designed, this fabulous Italian migrant features an appealing design
that resembles with the most expensive Visconti pens.
The name speaks for itself. Inspired from one of the most
influential artists of European art, the new Rembrandt series portrays a fabulous
design reflecting motifs of Rembrandt himself. The pen is composed of
variegated resin – a resin that has nice kinds of swirls into it. Its design
imitates Rembrandt’s most practiced painting style commonly known to many as
chiaroscuro painting technique. As other luxurious products from Visconti, this
pen also flaunts a distinct design and delivers the brand’s promising theme. For
daily writers, this fascinating pen can be a perfect companion. The sturdy
construction of the pen defines finesse artistry of Visconti, and delivers a premium
pen that reflects perfection from every ounce.
As per my personal opinion, Rembrandt pens are perfect for
people who are looking for a luxurious pen at an affordable price. Just imagine
how cool it would be to pull out a Visconti pen and jot down your words onto a
piece of paper. If you have friends who fall in the circle of pen aficionado,
they would be completely thrilled when they see this fabulous writing
instrument from Visconti.
So, let’s go deeper into the topic. Today I will break it
down for you guys, we will be talking about Rembrandt types, it’ construction,
materials used and various other aspects about this fascinating Italian writer.
Visconti Rembrandt
Types
The Visconti Rembrandt pens are available in six different
colors, each reflecting a sophisticated design that evokes Rembrandt’s legacy
and recalls one of his favorite style of painting.
Though we are talking about fountain pens, but this series
of pens is also available in Rollerball & Ballpoint pens.
Construction
Rembrandt series are precisely engineered for perfection.
Experts at Visconti have sophistically picked each material to craft a perfect
writing instrument. The body and cap of the pen is composed of variegated resin
– a high quality material that’s used to craft the most expensive luxurious
pen. Though these pens are classified according to their color, they
specifically follow Rembrandt’s chiaroscuro painting pattern and are
characterized by elegant swirls and lines.
To compliment its fabulous design a smooth metal grip is
featured on the pen, the grip section fits snuggly between your fingertips and offers hours and hours of writing without any signs of hand
fatigue. The pen also includes a magnetic cap, which is ideal for people who
have to jot down quick notes on daily basis. With the magnetic cap closures,
you don’t have to worry much about twists and turns. You can instantly pop out
your pen whenever required and close it instantly after you are done.
Appearance/Price
This fine Italian writer exhibits a luxurious design
characterized by its high quality resin finish and stainless steel
appointments. The hard work and dedication of Visconti experts are visible
on Rembrandt series. The beautiful resin finish of the pen is highlighted by
beautiful swirls and lines that clearly mark perfection. The pen comprises of a
hefty cigar shaped profile that offers a balanced feel while jotting down your
words on a piece of paper. The design of the pen is further enhanced by
Visconti’s trademark clip and a subtle cap ring that gels pretty well with the
design.
The price range of the Rembrandt series is not what you would
expect from Visconti. Though the pen looks expensive, it has a reasonably fair
price and might fit into the budget of every fountain pen enthusiast.
Nib
The Rembrandt pens feature a sturdy stainless steel nib with
a plastic feed. Each nib is enhanced with an etched artwork of Visconti’s logo
and an engraved name of the brand. The nib offers steady ink flow and lays down
smooth and elegant lines whenever pressed against a piece of paper. The
Visconti Rembrandts are available with a variety of nib options; you can choose
between fine, medium and broad nibs. Choose the best one that suits your
writing style.
Filling Mechanism
Visconti Rembrandts are designed to work with medium size
standard cartridge and converters. Plus, the best part is that you’ll get a free
cartridge and a converter with the pen, Fascinating isn’t it. With the new
Visconti Rembrandt you can use any medium sized international cartridge.
Obviously, the long cartridges will work as well but while changing they might
get stuck inside the barrel. And you might have to waste your precious time
trying to pull the cartridge out from the pen. Hence, it’s best to stick with
medium size standard cartridges.
And talking about converter, Visconti has provided a standard
size converter with the pen. The design of the converter may differ from a
regular standard converter, but it’s not a big issue. The main point is that it
takes any kind of standard cartridge.
Performance
When it comes to performance, Visconti pens have always stood
a notch above its competitors. And the cool thing about this pen is that it
delivers the same quality performance that we expect from any Visconti pens,
but at a cheaper price. The sturdy steel nib featured on the pen delivers fine
writing experience without any signs of skips and scratches. Upon writing, the
nib offers a balanced feel and lays down consistent ink flow. And as writers,
it is one of the most crucial things that we expect from a good fountain pen.
Pros and Cons
Pros
·Affordable
·Stylish
design with top class finish
·Good
for people who have to take down quick notes.
·Lightweight
Cons
·Wet
nib, not good for writing on thin papers.
·Not
a good choice for people who tend stick with long standard cartridges.
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.
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.
Submit your handwriting and win a fantastic fountain pen
Do your friends tell you how beautiful handwriting you have or you secretly (or unabashedly) admire your own handwriting then this is a contest for YOU!! To celebrate the National Handwriting Day, January 23, 2015, Pen Boutique brings to you a contest, where you can flaunt your handwriting skills and win a fantastic prize while doing so – the prize is a Parker Urban Fountain Pen.
How to Participate
1.Scan or click a picture of your best handwriting
2.Send it to us via email at customerservice@penboutique.com.
Contest Starts: 1/23/2015 Contest Ends: 2/2/2015
The aim of this contest is to remember the purity and simplicity of picking up a writing instrument and jotting down words in swift strokes of your hand. It is also an attempt to resurrect the lost art of handwriting. The day also celebrates the birthday of John Hancock, an American founding father who was the first to sign the United States Declaration of Independence and whose handwritten signature is the most prominent and recognized of them all.
The Prize : Parker Urban Fountain Pen
Total Giveaway Quantity : One
Number of Winners : One
Winner Selection
Our staff here at Pen Boutique will choose the best handwriting of the lot and select the winner.
Shipping
Free shipping to Winners within USA. International participant shipping will be additional and you can also add it free to your any pending orders.
Eligibility
All USA citizens are encouraged to participate. International customers are welcome to participate but shipping will be additional and you can also add it free to your any pending orders.
More Legal Stuff
1.) This giveaway/contest is void where prohibited by law. The contestants assume the total responsibility of knowing their local laws in regard to "National Handwriting Day" Contest and are subject to any local, state, national or international laws. Friendship Circle accepts no responsibility for making these individual legal determinations.
2.) Winner is solely responsible for any taxes on their respective prizes.
3.) No substitution of prize is offered.
4.) Prizes are non-transferable.
5.) Prizes should be claimed within 30 days of the announcement of winner. Any claims made after 30 days will be considered void. Pen Boutique, Limited, USA, is not responsible for any such claims after that time.
6.) If a prize, or any portion thereof, cannot be awarded for any reason, Pen Boutique, Limited, USA, reserves the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value. That determination will be made by Pen Boutique, Limited, USA.
7.) Winners must verify their email and shipping address when contacted.
8.) Winners name may be used on future Pen Boutique, Limited, USA, marketing media, including, but not limited to Facebook, website & blog.
The name Mark Twain means many things to many people – it may conjure images of the Mississippi river; jog memories of mandatory school reading; or just remind us of one of the greatest writers to have put pen to paper. While it would be very hard to find anyone who did not know who Mark Twain was and what he accomplished, it is likely that most give little to no thought of his most important tool – his writing instrument. During the later years of his life, it was the Crescent fountain pen manufactured by Conklin Pen Co which became Twain’s instrument of choice. He enjoyed it so much that he became Conklin’s official spokesman in 1903. Conklin has continued to manufacture the Crescent fountain pen, now dubbed the Mark Twain Crescent Filler collection in honor of his patronage, to the same specifications as when it was available in the early 1900’s. The Crescent pens derive their name from the crescent half ring which protrudes from the body – rotate a safety ring so that a gap is lined up directly under the crescent, press on the crescent to deflate the bladder located inside of the body, release the crescent and ink will fill the bladder via suction – the safety ring is then rotated to avoid any spill issues. Twain’s appreciation of this particular pen was due to the half-moon crescent – it kept the pen from rolling off of his desk when he set it down.
Conklin has created a Limited Edition transparent version to allow users to see the inner workings of the Crescent line. Available with either Rose Gold or Black Titanium coated metal accents, only 1898 pieces are available. This quantity was chosen as it was the year in which Conklin was founded. The limited edition number can be found on the metal ring at the bottom of the cap, right underneath the re-creation of Mark Twain’s signature which is present on all of the Crescent pens. The body and cap are constructed of a clear acrylic. The material from which the bladder is made is also transparent, which leads to a very clean appearance when empty. The nib on either version is stainless steel, with the Rose Gold in Conklin’s usual two tone and the Black Titanium coated to match the other metal pieces. It is available in Fine, Medium or Stub. The Medium nib is a smooth writer, with just a hint of wetness displayed with light to medium pressure. A little more pressure, like what you would find yourself using for a ballpoint, and the nib was wet enough to feather on cheap paper. The cap is light so it is not bothersome when posted. The safety ring located between the crescent and the body of the pen is graduated – it is slimmer at the gap and gets thicker as it goes around the body. This allows you to turn the ring so that it rests squarely between the two pieces and does not allow any movement of the crescent. My one caveat – if you are even the least bit OCD, you will find yourself continuously threading and unthreading the cap onto the pen until the clip lines up with the crescent, even more so with the transparent edition since you can see the nib!
The Conklin Mark Twain Crescent filler line gives us the ability to experience writing with the same instrument used by one of the most influential and celebrated writers of all time. The crescent alone is a conversation starter, not even taking into consideration Mark Twain’s use. The pen itself feels like a quality piece and the nib provided a smooth writing experience. I like the Limited Edition’s transparency, though any of the Crescent line pens would work just as admirably. This is definitely a piece to add to your collection whether you’re a history buff, a literary fan or just fond of unique writing instruments.
The newest Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen is here and ready for shipment. The latest choice is now an Ultra Fine, 0.2mm. It is available in Red, Black and Blue/Black. This is the perfect pen for sketches and taking notes. There was minimal scratchiness when writing with this pen. The price point is very reasonable for a re-fillable fountain pen. The variety of colors makes them great for drawing and the see-through barrels lets you know the exact ink level.
The Preppy is still available in the Fine, 0.3mm, and Medium, 0.5mm. There is also the highlighter and marker options. The pens will work with a Platinum converter or ink cartridges.
The ink cartridges are available in Black, Red, Pink, Purple, Blue/Black, Yellow, Green, Light Blue or Brown. The highlighter colors are Yellow, Blue, Pink, Orange or Green.
The Preppy makes a great Holiday gift for under $10.00.
