Why hello there! Things have been scarce around these parts, as I’ve been busy narrowly avoiding being crushed by a falling tree on my birthday, looking at Mt. Hood from new angles, and learning how to saddle stitch leather. This summer, I spent nearly every free weekend in the outdoors, sometimes motorcycling, sometimes camping, and oftentimes both in the same trip. Wilderness runs deep in my blood, and I needed this summer to get back into it after a few years without many wild travels. ANYWAY, a few days ago I was watching a wonderful documentary called “Alone in the Wilderness” when I spot ..read more

Am I the only one who can’t believe it’s almost May already? Anyway, here are some links to the like-minded… review: penbbs 309 (via winter sharks) I haven’t wanted a pen in a long time, but I want one of these. Pen Review: The TWSBI Diamond Mini (AL Gold Model) (via The Gentleman Stationer) The TWSBI Diamond Mini is one of the best deals in fountain pendom. Jinhao 992 (reprise) (via goodwriterspens) goodwriterspens posted a long-term update to her Jinhao 992 review. The Muji Fountain Pen (via The Pen Boffin) Someone send me one of these to review. Quick Look: Lamy Safari All Black & Al-S ..read more

Short post this week as I spent the weekend tasting some lovely Pinot Noir and riding my motorbike to the coast to GET MY CRAB ON. (Note that I didn’t taste any wine while riding my motorbike. I like to keep those vices separate.) A few folks have asked about the state of pendom in Bulgaria. Unfortunately, I haven’t found much in the way of obvious fountain pen culture. Bulgaria is one of the poorest countries in Europe, and the idea of paying more than a couple of leva for a pen will get you some side-eye from most folks there. This is a country where pensioners are scraping by on less than ..read more

Here are some links to the like-minded… Nothing wrong there is, in being small and green: The Pilot 78G Is there Anything New to Say About the Pilot Metropolitan? (via Writing for Pain and Pleasure) Could these two be considered titans of the economical pen world? The Moonman M2 (via The Indian Marmalade Company) I’ve been seeing this pen all over the pen blogosphere lately. Italix Deacon’s Doodle fountain pen review (via United Inkdom) A meta-review of the Italix Deacon’s Doodle, a pen with an odd name but a sweet price. The Parker Urban (via The Pen Boffin) Dangerous Pencils and Fountain Pe ..read more

I’m going to do something different with this post because the three trans-continental trips I’ve taken while carrying various fountain pens do not make me a subject matter expert in this area. Instead, I was hoping to hear from you, the jet-setting traveler. Let’s discuss airplane-friendly fountain pens. I’ve had excellent experiences flying with these two: On the left, a TWSBI Vac Mini and on the right, a Wing Sung 698. The Wing Sung 698 is a piston-filler with a locking cap that keeps the piston from moving when you don’t want it to. Because it’s a piston-filler, it’s easy to fill extra-su ..read more

I’m so far behind on my pen-related reading that I don’t have anything to link to today. Instead, I’m flipping the script: What’s got you the most excited right now? Pen-related or no. I’ll go first: I’m slightly obsessed with a game I picked up on a whim the other day. It’s called Dropmix, and it is awesome. I wouldn’t (and didn’t) pay MSRP, but if you find it on sale for around $55 it’s worth trying for the chance to make some sick mashups. I’m also looking forward to my annual Spring tradition of riding a motorbike to the coast just so I can eat a delicious crab at my favorite junky-looking ..read more

I’m back to blogging and back home. I gotta admit, it took a couple of weeks to get used to being back in the States. My partner’s surgery went perfectly and recovery is proceeding nicely. The both of us offer our utmost thanks for all the well wishes y’all sent our way. In pen-related news, this Nock Co case was waiting in my mailbox when I arrived home: My favorite colors are orange and blue and this case POPS. I love it unreasonably. Before I left for Bulgaria, I made sure to clean all my pens except for the ones I took with me — and this Kaweco Skyline Sport, which I left inked with a car ..read more

Howdy folks, Many of you are aware that I’ve been in Bulgaria for the past couple of months, but I’ve never been exactly forthcoming about the reason I made this trip. I’m here because my partner is Bulgarian and will be having surgery. Due to the vagaries of the body and other shenanigans, a procedure that should have happened at the end of January is now happening early next week. So I’m going to be taking a break from posting for a little while. See you soon! -ep ..read more

I haven’t been feeling well the past few days, so I’m behind in both my reading and my writing. Most of Europe turned into an icebox this week — snow fell in Rome! — and over two feet (61cm) of the white stuff fell in this part of Bulgaria. Fortunately, the Bulgarians administer rakia (aka homemade rocket fuel) as a cure-all and a restorative, so I’ve been staying very warm indeed! Anyway, here are some links to the like-minded… KACO SKY II FOUNTAIN PEN REVIEW (via Frank Underwater) Makrolon and a black Schmidt nib for $11. Faber-Castell WritINK Fountain Pen Review (via Gourmet Pens) Faber-Ca ..read more

Here are some links to the like-minded: Pilot Petits: Mini but Mighty (via Fountain Pen Follies) I found one of these in my Christmas stocking but haven’t had a chance to try it yet. PenBBS – a review of a beautiful and inexpensive acrylic fountain pen (via Write eXperience) I’m seeing more Chinese pens enter the market in the $30 price range — could this be a sign of an upwards price correction, or are these just “premium” offerings? My Old Faithful! Diamine Majestic Blue (via Fountain PenArchy) READ THE TASTING NOTES. (Also: pics or it didn’t happen!) Ink Price Evolution (Japan 2005-2018 ..read more