Pens in Use: November 6-12 2023
Well, this is new. To this blog, anyway.
In April 2023, I gave up on using the Hobonichi Weeks Mega for planning, and in May I started using it to record my pens and inks in use each day. It’s actually quite perfect for that.
I write the name of the pen and its nib size, the name of the ink, and I score each along with a brief note. At some point, this became redundant since I tend to use the same pen and ink combos for long periods. So if a combo has been scored in a previous week, and there has been no change in performance, then I just have some fun with the ink. I make a rectangle and fill it in, then I draw these snail-looking things because they’re fun… and super cute.
And here are some additional notes on these combos:
- November 6 – I originally gave the Koloro with a broad nib a 9, and Cool Gray a 10. The pen makes me realize my negative experience with the Opus 88 Halo does not mean all Opus 88 pens are bad. And Montblanc’s ink has me questioning if Kaweco Smokey Grey has been knocked out of the top spot as my favorite grey ink.
- November 7 – The H3 is a slim pen, but it’s not slim on fun with the fude nib. And Wrought Iron is a new ink for me, but doesn’t even come close to meeting my “darker is better” philosophy on black inks.
- November 8 – Kaigelu stands alone in making me think, if only for a brief moment, that extra fine nibs aren’t so bad. It was a mistake choosing this ink for an extra fine nib.
- November 9 – I dug the Perkeo out of the “get rid of me” pile, as I have since grown to love Kaweco, but this pen is still bad. Cross Green is… green. Meh.
- November 10 – This pen and ink pairing is a moment of (near) perfection! The nib is SO close to perfect, and the ink is one of my go-to blues.
- November 11 – I wouldn’t want anyone to judge the modern-day Sheaffer pens based on this particular one, as they’re usually very smooth, wet, and consistent. Meanwhile, the ink is another go-to, and I’ll choose this one if I need a little more pop on the page.
- November 12 – Another pen—and brand—I had given up on, but this seemed smoother than I remember it, after some work I did on the nib way back when. The ink is good, with a touch of sheen, but I prefer my blue inks more saturated.
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