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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Ink Trivia

You have more choices than you think. Blue writing ink is the most popular color used for pens. To simply say you want to use blue ink does not narrow it down as to your choice. As with many colors, blue ink is available in many shades such as Sapphire, Regency, Blue Velvet, Royal, Midnight, Imperial, Cobalt, Cerulean, Electric, Blue Suede and Mediterranean. Pen Boutique also carries many brands that offer blue including Waterman, Parker, Noodler’s Ink, Pilot-Namiki, Cross, Lamy, Diamine, Faber-Castell, Sheaffer, Montblanc and Sailor.

Question: What color helps you to remember?



























Answer: You are more likely to remember something if you write it down in blue ink.

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Ink Trivia - Bottles vs. cartridges/Instructions for use

Ink Trivia

Ink Bottles: Bottles vs. cartridges/Instructions for use

Although it is a personal preference, there is a cost benefit factor in choosing ink bottles over ink cartridges for your fountain pen. According to research done by Noodler’s a 4.5 oz bottle of their ink has the amount of ink equal to $72.94 worth of the least costly retail ink cartridges in the world. In addition, Noodler’s Ink has a reputation for being good quality, is safe for all fountain pens and comes in a wide range of colors. Using bottled ink when you can makes sense – it is easier on the environment and it is by far a much better deal than ink cartridges.

Bottled fountain pen inks can be used in any fountain pen having a converter, piston-fill, or other reservoir system. Start by lowering your fountain pen nib into the ink bottle. Depending on the model you have, you can either draw up ink by screwing or pulling the converter. Remove the nib and don't forget to wipe it with a lint-free cloth.

Question: What are the advantages of using Noodler’s Polar Black and Polar Blue ink?

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Answer: “Freeze Resistant Inks” include Polar Blue and Polar Black, which will resist forming a solid mass of ice within a glass ink bottle during most cold weather conditions (though they will form some harmless ice “slush” when very cold). The first “Polar” ink was “freeze proof” to -114° F, but the reformulated Polar inks made from 2006 and later have a faster dry time, better flow rate, and are basic “freeze resisting” inks to avoid expansion. 

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Fun with Inkblots

Inkblots have been around as long as there has been ink.

The Rorschach test also known as the Rorschach inkblot test (or simply the inkblot test) is a psychological test in which subjects’ perceptions of inkblots are recorded and then analyzed using psychological interpretation. Some psychologists use this test to examine a person's personality characteristics and emotional functioning. The test is named after its creator, Swiss psychologist Hermann Rorschach. In the 1960s, the Rorschach was the most widely used projective test. In a national survey in the U.S., the Rorschach was ranked eighth among psychological tests used in outpatient mental health facilities

It is also fun to create inkblots by folding them together.

Start with the basics, as you scroll down, you will find more complex things to make and do with inkblots.

How to Make a Basic Inkblot

You will need:

Paper (light-medium weight art paper, or computer printer paper)

If you what to be really adventurous, try out some Rhodia smooth surface paper.

http://www.penboutique.com/rhodia-notepads-graph-orange-80s-3x4.html

http://www.penboutique.com/rhodia-notepads-black-lined-80s-3x4.html

Ink (in a bottle use a dropper)

Try these fun Noodlers colors:

http://www.penboutique.com/noodler-s-ink.html

Water in a squeeze bottle (or apply with a brush or cotton swab)

Fold a piece of paper in half. Apply a dot or two of water, and a dot or two of ink.

Fold the paper, and apply pressure with the palm of your hand. Unfold.

What do you see?

Things to Do With Inkblots

Inkblots can help anyone neatly sidestep their logical brain to access their creative right brain right away.  What one sees in an inkblot can be the impetus for a short story for creative writers, aid in character development for the budding playwright, provide a visual workout for a visual artist, or even the beginnings of a more developed painting.

Drawing into Inkblots

As soon as you make an inkblot, you will start seeing things in them–fantastic creatures, monsters, landscapes, flowers and plants. If you don’t see anything at first, give yourself time!

You will need:

A few inkblots

Colored pencils

 Black or colored gel pen

For fun you can customize your Parker Ballpoint pen with these gel refills:

http://www.penboutique.com/monteverde-capless-broad-2-pcs-pack-blister-card-gel-refill-to-fit-montblanc-pens-black.html

Simply draw around what you see and color it in!

Inkblot Butterflies

You can make inkblot butterflies, color into them with colored pencils, and collage them on a page or in a diorama.  Prefold you paper, as instructed above, and apply ink on one half in a simple butterfly shape–one wing, perhaps with two lobes, a dot on each wing lobe, a quick line of ink for the body. Fold and unfold–a butterfly! Some will be more butterfly-like than others.

Questions: When was the Rorschach test first used?

 

Answer: The first publication of Hermann Rorschach's 10 inkblots was in 1921 as a monograph, Psychodiagnostik. For the 1940s and 1950s, the Rorschach was the test of choice in clinical psychology.

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Fountain Pen Ink Trivia

Fountain pen ink is a water-based ink intended for use with fountain pens.

Because fountain pens operate on the principle of capillary action, ink for them is almost exclusively dye-based. Pigment inks (which contain solid pigment particles in a liquid suspension) tend to clog the narrow passages of the pens. Some pigmented inks do exist for fountain pens, but these are uncommon. The ideal fountain pen ink is free-flowing, free of sediment, and non-corrosive. These qualities may be compromised in the interests of permanence, manufacturability, and in order to use some widely available dyes.

Most fountain pen manufacturers also provide a brand of ink; for example Parker sells 'Quink', '. The recent resurgence of fountain pen use has also created a market for companies that specialize in ink, such as the British company Diamine and the American company, Noodler's Ink. These manufacture ink in dozens of different colors.

Trivia Question: What is the most popular selling bottled ink?











































Answer: Lamy Blue

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Penmanship for Holiday Season

Parker Red Sonnet Fountain Pen

In this fast paced world of new technology and busy days it is not often we get a reason to stop and reconnect to our traditions. Sending holiday cards allows us that excuse to connect. When carefully addressing aunt Betty's or cousin Bill's card we have the opportunity to not only use our best penmanship, it grants us permission to utilize our finest writing materials and ink. I enjoy getting into the spirit by using a red fountain pen and green ink. In the wonderful world of fountain pens there are many, many options of green ink to grace your cards and letters. Some of the most fitting green colored ink includes Diamine Evergreen, J.Herbin Vert Empire, Noodler's Polar Green, Montblanc Irish Green along with a multitude of others. One of my favorite descriptions of an appropriate green is the Pilot/Namiki Iroshizuku Forest Green: "It embodies the unchanging color of a dense evergreen forest in a long winter."

I have found my perfect pen & ink combo to script my holiday cards. The Parker Sonnet red lacquer gold trim fountain pen and Sailor Four Seasons Special Edition Tokiwa Matu Green bottled ink fit the task with bells ringing. The intensity if the green and the easy feel of the Sonnet complement each other in an exacting manner.

So take some time off from your baking and wrapping this year and choose the ideal fountain pen and bottled ink for you. If you realize that you enjoy the experience so much you decide to use it year long, for all your correspondence, your secret is safe with me. I won't tell Santa!

By Vicki M

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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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