Pen Trivia: Rollerball Pens

Of course, choosing your pen is a personal preference, a subjective experience. Although rollerballs are the newest entry into the world of fine writing, with fountain pens and ballpoints paving the way, they gain more in popularity each year.

Rollerball pens were introduced in 1963 by Ohto Japan who were at the time known as Auto Japan. There are two main types of roller ball pens: liquid ink pens and gel ink pens. The first type uses an ink and ink supply system similar to a fountain pen and they are designed to combine the convenience of a ballpoint pen with the smooth "wet ink" effect of a fountain pen.

• Less pressure needs to be applied to the pen to have it write cleanly. This permits holding the pen with less stress on the hand, saving energy and improving comfort. This can also translate to quicker writing speeds. This is especially true of liquid ink pens.

• The inks usually have a greater range of colors due to the wider choice of suitable water-soluble dyes and/or to the use of pigments.

• They tend to write more clearly than ballpoint pens do.

Question: What fine writing pen brands has the best selling rollerballs?




























Answer: Lamy’s Al-Star, Safari and their 2000 lines are the top selling rollerballs.

http://www.penboutique.com/c-8-rollerball-pens.aspx?manufacturerid=18

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Noodler’s Pens and Ink - May be this is all you need.

 
Many of you have probably already heard of Noodler’s; whether it was the inks that attracted you, their new line of pens or their occasionally, infamous reputation; this company has been a constant presence in every pen enthusiast’s mind. The rest of you, however, have no idea who they are, so prepare to be amazed! The Noodler’s company is named after a sport played down South in the United States known as “noodling.” Those of you with southern roots know what I’m talking about, but if you are a cultural turtle on southern traditions, allow me to enlighten you.

 
Noodling is a sport where the objective is to capture a live catfish. (Which is, as expected, Noodler’s logo.) What makes this sport different from fishing, you ask? Well, when noodling, you have to use your bare hands! Noodling enthusiasts feel this gives the catfish a fighting chance. This idea is what The Noodler’s Company is all about: giving you a chance to get a quality product at a fair price.
If there was ever a controversial company in the world of luxury stationary, Noodler’s Ink would be that company. From its genesis, the American-born company had a lot of competition from its oversea cousins Namiki, Faber-Castell and Lamy and even its homegrown siblings Cross and Waterman. All of these companies have a steady fan base, and their own individually cultivated reputation and image.

Those who have experienced Noodler’s Ink’s…ink, however, have always been in conflict about whether they actually like it or not. The company has a tendency to be inconsistent in the quality of its pens and this unreliability has turned many enthusiasts away from the brand. Now, before you get out your torches, let us evaluate Noodler’s Ink fairly.
While the Pen Boutique has carried Noodler’s Ink’s ink, carrying their pens always seemed like it would bring about a Schrödinger’s Cat scenario (And frankly, whether the cat – or pen, in this case – is “alive” or “dead,” it will always be a stressful situation for everyone involved). For a long time Pen Boutique never carried Noodler’s Ink’s pens, and it ultimately seemed like a good idea. However, ever thoughtful of our public, it was decided that going out of our way to listen to the requests of the more than 40% of customers who genuinely like Noodler’s Ink’s pens, regardless of their indiscriminate effectiveness. Though they are a minority, Pen Boutique listens to each and every request sent our way. Even if uttered by a single voice, we pay attention to our customers and try to give them the best experience imaginable.
The Noodler’s company has a past decorated with extravagant inks of different shades and qualities. The list of products is so extensive that a classification system had to be developed. The “Freeze Resistant” class resists freezing temperatures far below zero; the “Eternal” class resists the hardships time such as moisture humidity and UV light; the “Bullet Proof” class is capable of resisting all known tools of forgery such as, carpet or oven cleaner, bleach, UV light wands, solvents, petrochemicals, and even water!
Interestingly enough, these classes are not set in stone. Inks can be grouped in multiple classes, such as being Freeze Resistant and Bullet Proof. (Very useful if you ever become a top secret agent and have to fight Russian spies. Or if you’re just a careful person and live somewhere cold, but the former reason is much more exciting.) All of the inks are made from a special cellulose reactive substance developed in Rochester, New York. They are all also, for the most part, waterproof, so their properties remain even when dried. The ink can be reconstituted with simple tap water! How’s that for convenient?
That’s enough about Noodler’s already well-known inks. Let’s move on to their pens. Their newest line includes treasures such as the Piston Fill Resin fountain pen, the Noodlers Ebonite fountain pen, and their roller ball counterparts. The Piston Fill Resin has an extremely classical and traditional look. It possesses a bow windowed ink chamber design that is similar to pens of the 1960’s. The piston seal is made of a unique type of nylon, which is the same material used in high-end piston fill pens. The Noodler’s Piston Filled Resin fountain pen is made from a celluloid derivative, like the inks, and boasts a variety of colors including: black, red, orange, turquoise, burgundy, and navy blue.
The Ebonite is slightly different: it has a metal cap clutch with an internal seat to prevent the more forceful writers from destroying the cap. This is a blessing for those of us who post our caps for balance, or otherwise. It also has an ebonite double fissure wide channel feed (and this is where the ebonite comes in). The pens both have a stainless steel “flexible” nib, which basically means that depending on the pressure you put on the pen, you can get a medium font, or a broad font! (Awesome, right? I was so excited when I heard about this.)

The two fountain pens also possess a rim band that protects the ebonite from the damages of long term use. The Noodler’s brand Roller Ball pen is made with an ebonite feed system, much like the other two fountain pens. The design was inspired by an 1870 style with a fine ball tip. These pens and inks are cost effective, water proof, and revivable if dried. However, the inks cannot be mixed with other, more “conventional” inks. This will cause the special properties in the Noodler’s ink to become inactive, but with the things these inks do, who needs another kind of ink? The Noodler’s ink should not only be kept away from other inks, but you should also be wary of which types of pens you put the ink in as well. There have been a few instances where the pen was bleeding through, and a few cases of nib creep. To these problems, my advice is to clean out your pen, if you have not done so already, or try the ink in another pen. If that doesn’t work then you should definitely call in and talk to Noodler’s customer service division.
These pens and inks are mostly made for your hard core writer. If you take notes at school for hours on end, the Ebonite fountain pen is the one for you. Its durability allows you to write for ages without it suffering any damage. Also, don’t forget to use a Bullet Proof-Eternal ink so that you can have the notes for a long period of time without it smudging or being washed away by liquids. (Cause I know we’ve all had that happen to us at some point.)
As a fun side note, I would like to point out the delightful names of the inks. “Habanero” is a deep sauce red named after the famous pepper used in southern dishes. “Polar Blue/Black” are named for their tolerance to extremely cold temperatures. Each of the Noodler’s Ink’s inks have their own unique name that adds a refreshing touch of flavor and individuality.
The Noodler’s ink appears to pride itself on the life span of their pens and inks. This sense of pride is not misplaced, even though there may be a few hiccups. There is nothing perfect in this world, and with that in mind I’d say that for the most part these pens and inks are pretty fantastic. If you can get past the minor issues, which every pen goes through, no matter how high-end, then you will not regret it, and your enjoyment of the product will last as long as the ink does.

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Lamy Logo

A Review of the Lamy Logo

By Wesley James Young

I know, you know, everybody knows; when you place the words cheap and reliable in a statement about fountain pens, Lamy is bound to make itself known. Countless backpacks and satchels have a Safari or an Al-Star tucked away somewhere waiting to leave their mark. But some are not pleased by the bulk or the pedantic shape of that triangular grip section. If you count yourself among that lot, you may wish to consider the Lamy Logo pens!

Appearance & Design

The Lamy Logo is available in two finishes; a brushed stainless steel and what is called a matte steel finish (personally I think shiny is a more accurate descriptor).  Like many of Lamy’s best products, the design is very clean and simple. A cylindrical tube with evenly spaces ridges at the point where the fingers should rest gives a nice marriage of form and function.  The simple curve of the spring loaded clip is a perfect complement to the rest of the design. 

Construction & Quality

The cap is a simple friction fit involving a metal clutch-ring gripping onto the black band above the nib. The cap securely posts to the back of this pen with crimps on the back end, holding the cap secure.  The threading on the section is metal, as is the threading in the barrel. This will likely last much longer than some other pens would.  Overall, a well made piece.

Nib & Performance

The nib is stainless steel and attaches to the plastic feed by friction.  The pen evenly when ink is drawn into it and writes smoothly until the last drop. The full range of nibs from Extra Fine to Broad are available, as well as 1.1, 1.5, and 1.9 mm Italic nibs. Notice how well the fine performs with Sailor Ultramarine in the picture below:

Lamy Logo 

Filling Mechanism

The pen can use either Lamy cartridges or the z26 converter(not included with this pen). Personally, I recommend using a converter since there is a cornucopia of inks you can use with this pen. But Lamy does have a series of moderate looking ink colors (Black, Blue, Blue-Black, Red, Turquoise, and Violet), if you prefer cartridges.

Cost

The brushed steel finish retails for $50 and the matte finish retails for $44, a little more money for a lot more style.

Final Remarks

If you want to step up from the Safari or Al-Star and the Studio is not to your taste, this is definitely something worth a second look.

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Lamy Safari Special Edition Aquamarine: Fountain and Ballpoint Pens

With Father’s Day coming in  a few days , the New Color in Safari Collection ,the Lamy Aquamarine Special Edition ,is a great gift for those fathers who write often and like the comfort and consistency that Lamy can provide.They are available as Fountain Pen and the Ballpoint pen.  .Added to the father’s day celebrations ,summer is catching up on its heat everyday and this could be a great pen for use in the summer, as it will remind the writer of the ebb and flow of the ocean currents.

This solid pen is relatively lightweight and made of a strong ABS plastic with a chrome clip which is perfect to clip on to any shirt pocket or notebook cover. The Ballpoint does not dry out easily and is very smooth on any paper. This pen is perfect to take to the beach to enjoy a Sudoku puzzle while tanning in the beautiful summer weather.
The unique German design of the Lamy Safari Series is a reliable, economical pen which will be there when you need it most. Lamy, originally founded in 1930 Germany by one of Parker’s representatives, Josef Lamy. Lamy believed in using synthetic plastics (such as the ABS plastic used in the Safari Series) to make penmanship a more affordable experience for the masses. The first Lamy Safari pens were released in 1980 by the design of Bernt Speigelm intended for use with school children. Today, the Lamy Safari Series comes in a variety of colors, from the recently released Lamy Safari Pink Limited Edition to a Matt Charcoal with black clip, this pen spans all age groups and all purposes. The variety of colors available to the everyday pen user is refreshing; Lamy is unique in its color variety. The Lamy even comes in a demonstrator edition where you can see how each component of the pen comes together to give you the unique economical writing experience that Lamy can provide. A nice thing about the Safari Fountain Pen series is that one can purchase left handed nibs for those who find it difficult to write with extra fine nibs but like the look and feel of a finer line.

However, The Lamy Safari pens are not perfect for everyone. For those looking for a more flexible nib should look into the Pelikan M200 with italic gold nib. The Pelikan M200 holds an 18 Kt. Gold italic nib which is smooth from the first use to the last. The Lamy requires some time and lots of use to wear to your preferred writing style. The plastic is strong but is prone to scratching over time. The light weight of the pen is great for those interested in calligraphy, but for some, nothing beats the feel of a heavy pen weighing down on paper.
If you’re looking for a good starter pen to learn about calligraphy or want to learn how to write with a fountain pen without breaking the bank, the Lamy Safari Series Fountain pen is the best way to go. This Father’s day, buy your father the pen that you know he will use time and time again, without worrying too much about losing a timeless valuable writing instrument. Click here for more selection of Fathers Day Gift ideas.
Having said all good things about the Pen,we just came to know from the Lamy Vendor in USA that the pen is a absolute sold out and as it’s a limited edition,its nowhere in pipeline for future delivery. Pen Boutique currently has lots in stock so come in today or order online! We also have Lamy ink refills so the joy of writing never stops!
MoleSkines ,the legendary notebooks from France has introduced a new color that may go well with the aquamarine color. It’s the SKY BLUE Color Moleskine Volant X-Small Plain Notebook (Set of 2) (2.5 x 4 inches) . Also the Moleksine Address Book matches well with the pen.

I always write on my Rhodia Webnotebook.The paper is thick and gives me a crisp writing. Infact,it makes my handwriting readable..nothing more better than that for me.

This weekend I am enjoying the Father’s day with my new Lamy Aquamarine Pen in Rehobath Beach ,Delaware.What about you?

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International Women's Day 2014

International Women's Day

Woman, an epitome of beauty, affection, patience and selfless nurturing; she is something more than what words can describe. When we imagine womanhood, our mind summons up at the picture of our mother, grandmothers, daughter, wife, and friends and it brings out the varied emotions of love, respect and admiration. 

Every year on March 8^th, we celebrate International Women’s day as an opportunity to appreciate the vital contribution of women to our world. And admit it ladies, even we as a woman don’t give ourselves enough praise for all the efforts that we put in each day.

Let’s change that. Let the enthusiasm from around the world -whether it involves eating cupcakes, donning red shades of lipsticks or protests or awards or gifts; inspire how you reflect yourself.

March 8^th, 2014 marks the 103^rd anniversary of International Women’s Day, and I make the most of this day to acknowledge the unwavering spirit of women worldwide. My small pat on the back to women, including me through something that symbolizes them; I present to you a different initiative dedicated to femininity.

Montblanc Princess Grace

Let’s pay a tribute to an extraordinary woman and her impeccable glamor with PRINCESSE GRACE DE MONACO FOUNTAIN PEN. With a sensuously feminine neckline design, crafted from deep purple precious resin with champagne-tone gold-plating, it evolves into a majestic edition perfected with a lavish pink topaz on the clip. Be reminded, stones are simply a woman’s best friend. Both cap and barrel rings are intricately engraved with a rhombus pattern, inspired by the Principality of Monaco’s coat of arms. This edition underlies Montblanc’s commitment to step beyond functional beauty and acknowledge the inner charm of the woman in the walk of our lives.

Lamy Safari Pink

Now if you have always been pulled towards the bubbliest and vivacious side of a lady, then continue the perky celebration with a swing in pink. LAMY SAFARI PINK LIMITED EDITION is perfect as adoration to the young girls who I’m sure would like to have simply everything in their favorite color. LAMY has chosen trendy pink for this special model of the safari making this Lamy safari pink one of the ‘must-haves’ for every young girl, keeping in mind that all the women are always young. Age is just a number and in our case, a secret one.  The limited edition means it will be a sought-after collector’s item. The bright pink pen makes writing so much more fun – you might just get a neatly scribbled ‘Thank you’ note for choosing this as a gift for your princess.

Aurora Ipsilon

Last Women’s Day, I was simply flattered when a little neighbor of mine came to me with pretty yellow flowers. Though they were made of colored papers, nothing could have lured me more than his attempt to value a woman’s presence in this world. He supposedly learnt this in school and I learnt from him that it’s an Italian tradition to give mimosa flowers to women on International Women’s Day. Everyone is aware--Italy possesses the unmatched passion for beauty, style and glamour. So, giving Italian celebration a modern touch, AURORA IPSILONYELLOW RESIN ROLLERBALL PEN is Aurora’s own modern little yellow Mimosa created as souvenir for your everyday friend and a faithful companion. This mission is carried out with striking success by the Ipsilon, the pen that is eye-catching because of its innovative design, full of personality and characterized by the persona of a vibrant woman. A bit of an international knowledge of facts and details is always smart.

A new social initiative seeks to celebrate International Women’s Day using Red lipstick as the symbol of empowerment. Red, this bold color gushes femininity. Though beauty has no shade, it’s time you go around with the color of ‘Women Empowerment’ bright enough to make a long lasting impression.

Oberon Design Large Journals

My International Women’s Day pick would be Oberon Design Hummingbird Large Journal in Red. Her untamed bloom can also be garnished with Oberon Design Wild Rose Large Journal or the Oberon Design Cloud Dragon Large Journal will equally complement the fiery ablaze side of hers. Each of these elegant Oberon diary is handmade. Features include 208 pages with lined template sheet to facilitate writing. They are accompanied by a book insert and a Matching Britannia Pewter button.

All her wishes and dreams treasured underneath the sheath of red. Feels just right!

Cross Breast Cancer Awareness Leather Pouch

Sometimes, a little means a lot. While it’s not possible for you to control the genes, there are powerful steps you can take to protect your loved ones and help other protect theirs. CROSS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS ACCESSORY POUCH is small, but can make a big difference in supporting the cause. Defeat Breast Cancer. Its features include a zipped-top with outside pocket, a pink ribbon-patterned poly satin lining and Cross mini pen in the company of pink enamel awareness ribbon.

For every purchase, Cross will donate 10% of the retail sales to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Along with the women of your life, here’s a whole new way of thanking the women worldwide and paying them back for their unselfish acts of making this world a happier place to live.

Although the status of women worldwide had leaped drastically till date since the early 1900s, now is the right time to acknowledge the great achievements that women have brought together with our everyday lives, and also have a glance at all the accomplishment that remains to be made with time.

She can be you, your mom, your best friend, adoring sister, your wife or a female colleague; Make her smile this Women’s day!

 

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Let the season begin….

If there is one thing Americans are relatively modest about, it’s our sports teams. The Olympics, for example, are always a popular, but never fanatical, success. We go, we cheer passionately, we make sure we come home with the most medals (or at the very least more than China), we produce a few athletic starlets, and then we come home, safe and secure in our international athletic dominance. This of course isn’t to say that we aren’t fiercely proud of our athletes and the years of hard work and dedication they put toward their sports. The Fab Five are certified angels, our women’s soccer have won hearts on and off the field, our basketball boys have continued resoundingly demolishing the international competition and at the end of the day none of us are complaining. It’s just that, on a whole, compared to our northern neighbor’s borderline terrifying pride in their hockey teams, our transatlantic friends’ unfathomable loyalty to their soccer teams, and our southern neighbors’ who have actually started wars over the aforementioned sport, Americans enjoy a successful, but comparatively subdued feeling towards our teams.
Football is the exception.
The Canadian riots that take place at the conclusion of every Stanley Cup and the Brit’s unfailing loyalty to their soccer teams that, well, aren’t that good, all utterly pale in comparison to violent and undying allegiance Americans have toward their football teams. The dedicators typically fall into one of three categories: the casual but loyal fan, the fan who has made football a certified study and knows the statistics and trade history of every NFL player of importance, and the ‘die-hard heaven forbid you ever utter a single derogatory statement about their favorite team lest you risk having your lights punched out’ fan. (No exaggeration, I’ve actually seen grown adults get into physical altercations inside their place of business over football teams.) It doesn’t even matter how good or bad the team is – they can be the absolute worst team in the entire league – but if you get on the wrong side of a die-hard fan, you should never expect anything less than getting the stuffing beaten out of you in the dead of night and your car getting totaled via sledgehammer. (You think I’m joking? I assure you, my metaphors are quite tame compared to what actually happen to some poor unfortunate souls.) Believe you me, the shenanigans that goes on during Eastern European soccer matches is child’s play to veteran football fans, and from what I’ve seen in the news recently, that’s saying something.
September 5^th officially started this year’s football season, and the whole shebang won’t be over until February 3, 2013 with Super Bowl XLVII (47). Since we’re in the very beginning of the regular season, that coveted cup is up for grabs and it’s literally anyone’s game at this point (depending on who you ask). With all these new hopefuls arriving on the field this season, it’s only reasonable that you add a whole new lineup to your writing repertoire. The first player on the green is the Lamy 2000 Brushed Stainless Steel Fountain Pen. A staggering amount of manufacturing skills and precision levels were required to create this timeless design using only one material: stainless steel. After extensive processing and designing, the Lamy 2000’s finished product possesses a high-end, velvet, matt brushed body. Its seamless, partially hand-finished surface is shaped to provide the optimum in form and function. For those of you who want a little more color, Sheaffer and Scuderia Ferrari are proud to present the Sheaffer Ferrari 100 Rollerball Pen. Its sleek, bold design features either a fire red or midnight black body with silver-colored rings and accents. At the highest level of quality, each pen proudly displays the Ferrari emblem upon the cap and the renowned “White Dot” of excellence on the clip. Each instrument reflects the same profound passion, extraordinary talent and incredible expertise that drives the Ferrari company. (I will refrain from making an awful pun.) The last, but most certainly not least, player up for grabs is the Monteverde Poquito Stylus XL Ballpoint Pen. This pen has been redesigned with a consideration for convenience, practicability and stylish new colors. The soft rubber stylus is as responsive as fingers on a touch screen, but offers better accuracy and leaves no fingerprints. The piece is compatible with smart phones, tables, GPS, E-readers as well as public ATMS and airport kiosks. With colors ranging from Graphie Grey to violet to turquoise, this is a universal gift that any techie would love to have.
Whether it’s the aforementioned gems or one of the many others who have just arrived from the factory, you need to make sure you’re looking sharp this season. Your favorite teams certainly are, and how would it look if you didn’t represent them accordingly? So get your pens, get your jersey, get your giant foam finger, and get yourself to a TV, ‘cause this thing only comes once a year and it’s something you certainly don’t want to miss.

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