Gift Ideas for Holidays

First things first

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!

The mystic wind of the holidays is in the air!

With holidays less than a week away, most of us are eagerly awaiting to stay beside our loved ones and cherish the joys of the festival. The soothing chill of the holidays brings along a blissful vibe that helps us to escape from the hassles of our hectic work schedule. And, the best part of holidays is showing our friends and families that extra bit of care with our thoughtful gifts. But, finding that perfect present can be a frantic task when the local gift shops are bombarded with regular gifts and you have no idea what to buy. We understand that most of you are tired of presenting the same gifts, again and again, every year, and want to add that extra bit of spice this holiday. Gone are the days when a box of candy or a greeting card used to do the trick. Today, if you want your gifts to stand out, it has to be meaningful, unique or cool. So set your worries aside, as we have compiled a list of meaningful gifts that will add a value this holiday. We have divided our gift ideas into three different sections (her, him and kids) so you can browse our collection with ease.

Gift Ideas for Him

Montblanc Heritage Cuff Links Stainless Steel: A symbol of beauty and grace, this new cufflink set from Montblanc exhibits the sophistication of the brand. This unique item will decorate the personality of your favorite man. Regardless of the occasion, Montblanc accessories are always admired for their fine finish and timeless charm.

Bosca 815 Flapover Brief Old Leather - Black: It doesn't matter who is on your gift list, a businessman who has to keep every document together or a student who is constantly on the move, this beautiful product will definitely make a legit choice.

Montegrappa NeroUno Lifestyle Rose Gold Chronograph Watch: Make your special man feel extra special with this beautiful watch. Designed with the promising quality of Montegrappa, this fine watch holds a timeless value. Gift this elegant timepiece to your favorite ones and they'll cherish it for a lifetime.

Giuliano Mazzuoli Officina Hinge Money Clip: If you are looking for a sophisticated gift that is both stylish and beautiful then you cannot go wrong with the Giuliano Mazzuoli Officina Hinge Money Clip. This elegant clip is designed to last, and its functional side will definitely impress the recipient.

Montblanc Meisterstück Classique Ultra Black Fountain Pen: From the day its inception, Montblanc Meisterstuck Ultra Black writing implements are classified as a Gentleman's choice. Everyman will adore its value and consider it as a statement of style and class. So, if you are searching for a sophisticated gift for this festival you have to look no further beyond this product.

Ducati Wallet: Ducati wallets are special; they exhibit style, simplicity and fine craftsmanship of Ducati artisans. Each piece is finely made by proficient experts who have learned their craft at the famous leather school of Florence. The elegant exterior is decorated by white stitches around the edges which gel neatly with the design. Undoubtedly, this beautiful wallet will make a fine gift for this holiday.

 Gift Ideas for Her

Parker Urban Vibrant Magenta with Chrome Trim Fountain Pen: Express your deepest feelings with the new Parker Urban Vibrant Magenta Fountain Pen. This beautiful writer presents the proud quality of Parker in a stylish form. The elegant chrome plated accents contrasts nicely with the body and creates an impeccable sheen. The perfect blend of style, comfort, and functionality makes this fine writer a special choice your special ones. Present this unique gift this holiday and it will surely create a timeless impression.

Filofax Patent Compact Fluoro Pink Organizer: Stylish, Classy, and Elegant, everything about the Filofax Patent Compact Fluoro Pink Organizer is beautiful like your special lady. This compact organizer is a perfect gift item for your mother, sister, wife and BFF. Its compact size makes it a perfect carry-on-the go companion and a perfect tool to keep everything organized.

Waterman Carene: Distinctly feminine, let the Waterman Carene impress your special lady this holiday. This fine series of writing instruments is available in a variety of finishes. The Carene series exhibits the finesse artistry of Waterman artisans and their urge to create finest writing implements.

Parker Sonnet Matte Black CT Ballpoint/Red Notebook Gift Set: A thoughtful gift for special occasion, this beautiful combination makes for an ideal gift. The set includes a Parker Sonnet Matte Black CT Ballpoint pen and a Red Notebook. This holiday let your favorite lady/girl pen down her ideas with this expressive gift set.

Fisher Space Bullet - Fuchsia Flurry Ballpoint Pen: Affordable yet functional, simple yet stylish, compact yet balanced, the Fisher Space Bullet - Fuchsia Flurry Ballpoint Pen is one of the most selling items amongst ladies. Its mesmerizing appearance will definitely make a statement and stand out amongst other gifts.

Gift Ideas for Kids

Lamy ABC Fountain Pen: Instead of presenting a regular toy, this year present something meaningful to your kids that will add a value. The Lamy ABC Fountain Pen is a beginner's fountain pen that's perfect for your child. The pen was developed in cooperation with educational experts for the first steps in learning to write. It features a soft-touch grip section to take care of your child's delicate fingers and the cube at the back prevents the pen from rolling off the desk.

Faber-Castell Art Grip Color Pencil Tin - 12 pcs: Help your child to put forth his/her creative side with our Faber-Castell Art Grip Color Pencils. The set comprises of 12 different colored pencils great for doodling. These pencils come in a sturdy tin box that helps to protect the pen from external casualties.

Cross Click/Jot Zone Star Wars Stormtrooper Gift Set: If you have a Star Wars fanatic running around your house then you cannot go wrong with this set. The set is decorated with the motifs of brave storm troopers and will inspire your child to pen down his/her creative thoughts. Plus, it always feels good to see our kids holding a pen and paper instead of a Lightsaber.

Pelikan Pelikano Junior: Simple yet functional, the Pelikan Pelikano Junior fountain pen is precisely built for your child's hand. Teaching your kids to write with an adult's fountain pen can be a hectic task, so we are glad to introduce this unique collection of fountain pens. This product may not appear as flashier as the fancy toys but it would definitely make a thoughtful gift.

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Embark an Exciting Writing Voyage with New Lamy Pens

Lamy Pens

 Every time when we step back and think this is it, one brand steps in and introduces a fabulous writing tool that sweeps us off our feet. And amongst all Lamy has been a successful name in the industry which has introduced a show stealer time after time. Likewise, the year 2016 is no exception for Lamy; this year for the early fall they have put forth an array of gorgeous writing tools. Maybe some of you are new to the world of Lamy, but if you take some time to dig into the brand's history you'll find out that they have introduced a range of durable, cost-effective, stylish writing implements for everyday use. Needless-to-say, because of such top notch innovation and out-worldly ideas Lamy have established a distinct presence in the world of writing instruments. 

For your convenience, we have compiled a list of Lamy pens released in the end of summer. So before you invest your money on any of these writing instruments let's look into their features.  

Lamy LX

Lamy Lx

At first glimpse, the new Lamy LX bears a close resemblance to the all time favorite Lamy Al-Star model. The pen is made in anodized aluminum and is available in four subtle colors (ruthenium, rose-gold, gold and palladium). The elegant body of the pen is accompanied by a snap cap with an iconic Lamy clip and a translucent plastic grip section. To exhilarate the joy of writing, the pen includes a sturdy steel nib designed with absolute precision. Though made of steel, the nib glides smoothly as gold-alloy nibs and will stand up to every writer's expectation. 

The iconic design of the new Lamy LX makes it a perfect companion to carry on-the-go. The pen comes with a compact case designed to reflect the persona of this wonderful series. At Pen Boutique, we are offering twenty percent arrival discount on the Lamy LX series. The pen originally retails for $70 but we are selling them for $56 only. 

Lamy Scala Glacier Special Edition

Lamy Scala Glacier

Designed with grace, the new Scala Glacier is a new addition to Lamy's popular Scala line of writing instruments. Like other Scala pens, the new Glacier edition also radiated perfection through its simple yet graceful design. It's Lamy's top-notch expertise, use of fine materials and their willingness to create a sophisticated product which has made the production of such writing instrument possible. Needless-to-say, the glacier series is a fine work of art and portrays the finesse craftsmanship of Lamy artisans. 

The Scala Glacier series is available in three different writing modes - rollerball, ballpoint, and fountain. 

All Glacier writing instruments flaunt a shimmering Icy-blue finish with gleaming stainless steel appointment. The fountain pen version features a sturdy stainless steel nib and will be available in three different nib options - extra-fine, fine, and medium. 

The ballpoint version features a twist-action mechanism and operates with a swift movement of the wrist. 

Lamy Stola pens have earned their reputation in terms of both durability and style, making the Glacier series no different. I personally recommend this pen because of its reasonable price and sophisticated design. Like other trusted pens from Lamy, this Glacier pens will also make an ideal companion for everyday writers. 

Lamy 2000 Black Amber Limited Edition

Lamy 2000 Black Amber

The new Lamy 2000 Black Amber Limited Edition is one of the most anticipated series from Lamy. The series was originally designed to celebrate Lamy's 50 years mark in the pen industry. The Lamy 2000 Black Amber will be available in three different versions - ballpoint, rollerball, and fountain. 

Sleek, Stylish, Perfectly symmetrical the description about the new Lamy 2000 Black Amber Limited Edition can go on and on. The functionality of this unique writer lurks beneath its subtle appearance. The body of the pen is made from stainless steel with an astounding satin finish. All Lamy 2000 Black Amber pens are equipped with a sturdy spring-loaded clip that helps you to tuck the pen securely in your pocket. All these amazing features make the new Lamy 2000 Black Amber Limited Edition a great collectible for every pen enthusiast. 

Lamy 2000 Black Amber pens are presented in a beautiful gift box. 

The fountain pen version comes with a 50ml bottle of Lamy Blue-Black ink. The pen is fitted with a rhodium plated gold nib and is available in a variety of nib option i.e. extra-small, small, medium and broad. 

On the counter side, the ballpoint version features an easy push-click button to extract and retract the tip. 

Summary

Till date, Lamy have introduced a wide range of flagship products and built an undisputed reputation in the pen industry. And, with the introduction of such intrigue products, they will definitely cross the mark and reach new heights in the days to come. But while buying a Lamy pen be cautious and keep an eye on authorized dealers especially while shopping online.

 At Pen Boutique, we sell 100% genuine products from Lamy. For more details on new arrivals please visit our website www.penboutique.com.

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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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The Safari Dark Lilac-- First Impressions on a Long Awaited Pen

The Safari Dark Lilac-- First Impressions on a Long Awaited Pen

Hi folks! The release of the Dark Lilac Safari fountain pen is quickly approaching. Here's a bit of a teaser for those of you still wondering, "Do I really need another Safari in my life?"

The Safari Dark Lilac

This pen is great for:

-Purple lovers

-RAVENS FANS!!

-People with sweatier hands

-People who like tank-pens (pens that will take A LOT of effort to break)

-People who want a subtly fun pen for work (or life!)

-People interested to see the Safari with dark nib and clip

Pen Writing Fantasy: 

Early morning while walking the dogs I see the first Spring tree full of Purple Martins in Maryland. I take my beautiful Dark Lilac pen and sketch the crisp morning skyline dappled with deep purple birds.

Color:

This Dark Lilac color is absurdly captivating. With a side-eye glance the pen appears to be a normal, well-to-do pen. But when you take a good look at the Dark Lilac it's a deep, complex grape color. I've noticed this about many purple colors (i.e. my recent foray into the Caran D'Ache Ultra Violet). Due to the pebbled plastic finish the light disperses at the surface creating a silky sheen. 

The nib and clip are black-coated steel. I think this was a great choice on LAMY's part-- the color of the body is the star and the black clip and nib take back-seat. 

Lamy Safari Dark Lilac

This pen would look great inked up with:

- Caran D'Ache- Ultra Violet

- Diamine- Graphite

- Noodlers- Purple Martin
- Iroshizuku- Murasaki Shikibu (Beauty Berry)

Feel: 

The feel is precisely the same as the Charcoal Safari fountain pen. For those that have not used a Safari pen, I would describe it as a fairly light, ergonomic pen with a pebbled plastic feel. It feels and IS extremely sturdy. 

The feel in the hand is perfect for people (like me!) who may have slightly sweatier hands. Because of the pebbled finish the pen wont slip around when writing for long periods of time. I love how dirt and fingerprints wont show on the body of the Dark Lilac. 

It has a friction-fit cap, which is perfect for people who need to quickly jot notes. The cap will post beautifully on the back of the pen body. The clip is a black-coated, rounded, hefty wire that will slide easily onto any pant, shirt, or bag-pocket.

Writing: If you've used a Safari in the past then this is the same deal. It's a smooth writer with a large variety of nib choices. It's especially suitable for folks who like to lay down a larger line. 

It's super easy to switch out the nib if you would like to try another size. If you want to stick with the black-coated steel nib then that would limit you slightly to XF, F, M, B, and Left-y.  

Pre-orders are open on Pen Boutique. Please contact us  if you have any questions or want to talk pens!

Inked and ready, 

Rachel

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An Introduction to Fountain Pens

An Introduction to Fountain Pens

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.

• Italic Nibs

• Stub Nibs 

• Calligraphy Nibs

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. 

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LAMY pico -- Telescopic Minimalism

 

LAMY pico

Take away: If you're into pocket pens, minimalist design, or retractable pens-- the pico may be a great pen for you. With a few bright color options, this pen is perfect for tossing into a bag and fishing out with ease.

I have a problem with pocket-sized pens-- I can't get enough of them. I love being able to slip a pen into my jeans pocket and how this small object that fits in the palm of my hand can extend into a full-sized pen in two twists-- or one click (as I'll discuss in this post).

One of the most convenient and gratifying pocket-sized pens I have experienced is the LAMY pico. It's an awesome pen that extends from a palm-sized (3.75 inches) discrete metal tube to a 5 inch, dependable ballpoint. One word-- TELESCOPIC. Read on for more details on this cool little pen:

The expanding nature of the pen is a very gratifying to use. To extend the pen just push on the rounded back section. You'll feel it as the spring-action mechanism extends the body a couple of inches. To close it you just click on the rounded back section and it will magically shrink, and the ballpoint tip will retract. There's a small, raised, rectangular plastic piece on the side of the pen that prevents the cylindrical pen from rolling off when placed on a table.

The pico is similar in shape and size compared to the Fisher Space Bullet Pen and Kaweco Lilliput.

This is a great talking-point pen. Try showing this pen to a friend-- they probably won't know what it is at first. Once you have the pen fully extended most everyone goes, "Wow, that's really cool!" then they'll want to write with it.

Writing with this pen is smooth and steady. In the hand the pen feels cool to the touch and a bit slippery. When writing, it will probably rotate in your hand, but because it's uniform in shape on all sides of the pen, it won't be bothersome.

Due to the rounded shape of the pen and lightness, it's not suitable for long writing sessions. If you use it for jotting down notes or messages, you're golden.

These pictures were taken with the Laser Orange pico. I think it's a bold, fun color that will stand out in a dark bag, purse, or in between the couch cushions. In addition to Laser Orange, this pen is also available in Chrome, Chrome Matte, White, Red, Black, Imperial Blue, and Wild Rubin (a glossy red). The pico takes the L22 (compact ballpoint refill), which is easily available anywhere you can purchase a LAMY pen.

Give us a call or shoot us a message if you want to talk pens or if you have any questions about the pico!

- Rachel Snell

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7 Series of Fine Writing Instruments for Everyday Use

7 Series of Fine Writing Instruments for Everyday Use

From the beginning of time humans have an undeniable bond with pens. Though the ancient writing instrument appeared quite different than modern pens, they did serve the purpose and encrypted the history of ancient civilizations. Today, pens are considered as an important part of our everyday life. From a school kid to a business owner, everyone needs an ideal pen to efficiently handle their daily responsibilities. But, finding a perfect writing companion is a mammoth task. You might prefer pens that are found in local stationary shops, but most of these pens will leave you hanging in the middle of your journey. So, to ease your burden we have selected an array of writing instrument preferred by most pen enthusiasts for everyday writing.

Fisher Space Bullet Ballpoint Pens

When it comes to ballpoint pens Fisher Pens have always maintained their position on top of the chart. Fisher Pens were specially designed deliver smooth writing experience in space. But, today Fisher pens are considered as close companions by most of the busy professionals who have to keep up with the speed of time. Fisher Bullet Ballpoint Pens are loaded with high quality pressurized ink that never lets you down. The tip of the pen glides perfectly underwater, on greasy surfaces and in extreme weather conditions.

Fisher Space Pen Matte Black Bullet Pen

Fisher Space Bullet pens are available in variety of colors. I have listed some of my favorites below but if you are unsatisfied with our choices there are various other colors to choose from.

• Fisher Space Pen Chrome Bullet Ballpoint Pen

• Fisher Space Pen Matte Black Bullet Pen

• Fisher Space Pen Blueberry Bullet Ballpoint Pen

Lamy Safari

Elegant, stylish and full of life, the Lamy Safari is a perfect choice of writing instruments for pen enthusiasts who are looking an ideal companion for everyday life. The Safari series features an elegant ABS plastic barrel with an ergonomic grip section that offers a balanced feel while jotting down your words into the paper.

Lamy Safari Neon Coral Limited Edition Fountain Pen

Lamy Safari is available in Fountain, Rollerball, Ballpoint and Mechanical Pencil, and there are varieties of colors available. Choose the one that suits you the best and embark a writing journey with this magnificent German migrant.

Pilot Namiki Metropolitan Retro Pop Collection

Pilot-Namiki has and always will be a pioneer in the world of pen manufacturers. Products from pilots are always opted with the best and are designed to deliver the best user experience. Recently, Pilot has introduced a new array of pens especially designed for pen enthusiasts who are searching for a premium writing instrument with a thin price tag.

Pilot Namiki MR Collection Retro Pop Green Rollerball Pen

The new MRcollection from Pilot exhibits a sophisticated amalgamation of style and functionality. These fine writing instruments feature a subtle design characterized by bright color patterns. Each writing instrument from these series features a slender streamline profile that is very pleasant to hold and comfortable to write with. This collection is available in fountain, ballpoint and rollerball, and there is a wide array of colors to choose from.

Noodler’s Konrad

Noodler’s Konrad is a perfect writing instrument for pen aficionados who are willing to plunge into the world of fountain pens. This unique pen will be a great addition in every pen enthusiast’s treasure trove. The Noodler’s Konrad is a giant pen that offers a robust grip while imprinting your thoughts on a piece of paper. This piston filler has a large ink reservoir and can hold decent amount of ink compared to normal fountain pens.

Noodler's Konrad Nantucket Chimney Afire Acrylic Fountain Pen

It includes a sturdy steel nib that flexes according to the pressure implied on the pen. The tip of the nib flexes simultaneously with the movement of your hand and offers beautiful line variations. Though composed of steel the nib offers a smooth and skip less writing experience and lays down even amount of ink whenever pressed against a piece of paper.

Faber-Castell Basic 

I don’t think products from Faber-Castell need much introduction. For most Pen aficionado’s its one of the favorite brands. And, for people who don’t want to invest much in a pen but are willing to enjoy the fame and quality of a luxurious brand then the new Faber-Castell Basic might be the right choice.

Faber-Castell BASIC Metal Shiny Ballpoint Pen

Elegantly designed, the new Faber-Castell Basic is a premium quality writing instrument with a thin price tag. The pen features a slim profile with matte finish. Each of the Faber-Castell Basic writing instruments include a sturdy snap on clip and an ergonomic grip section that offers hours and hours of joyful writing experience without any signs hand fatigue. The pen is available in variety of choices, just click on the link below to jump into our Faber-Castell Basic page.

• Faber-Castell Basic Collection

Rotring Tikky Ballpoint Pens

Sleek, Stylish and affordable, the new Tikky Ballpoint Pens from Rotring includes all the qualities of an everyday pen. The smart construction of the pen is designed to deliver premium penmanship experience. Its triangular profile prevents it from rolling on smooth surface while the rubber grip section offers a perfect hold of the pen and absorbs moisture from your hand while writing.

Rotring Tikky Ballpoint Pen - White Barrel

Tikky ballpoint pen is ideal for pen enthusiasts who have to jot down their words in a hurry. Just a slight click on the top and this beautiful writer extracts a sturdy tip that glides perfectly on paper and delivers a pleasant writing experience. Overall, Tikky Ballpoint pens are best choice for people who are seeking for a premium writing instrument in a budget.

Retro 51 Tornado

When it comes to modern writing instruments Retro 51 Tornado is one of the favorite choices. Hands down Retro 51 Tornado is the smoothest feeling, heavyweight and durable pen with a price marked less than $30. Overall it’s the best value for the price you pay. The selection of options  available in colors and finishes is astonishing.

Retro 51 Tornado Limited Edition Ceramic Brown Rollerball Pen

Here are few of my favorite choices of the Retro 51 Tornado. If you are not happy with my choices there are various other models to choose from. Navigate to our Pen Boutique site and go into Retro 51 page and you’ll notice an abundance of Retro 51 Tornado pens that are ideal for everyday use.

So, are you satisfied with our choices? If you think these series of pens are not for you, we have an abundance of writing instrument at our site. For more information please visit www.penboutique.com. 

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