It probably more depends on what you’re looking for in a nib. Gold nibs typically have some kind of bounce to them. The Viper is a hooded steel nib so it’ll probably be a much more stiff writing experience. But I’ve heard Diplomat nibs are pretty smooth writers. In my experience, Sailor nibs have some feedback and can “sing” on the page.
I think it’s well worth it for the price. But I’m easy to please lol. It’s a metal pen with metal threads for where the grip section and barrel meet. The finial and trim pieces are pressed in, not threaded or glued. It feels solid but not bulky or heavy. And it uses the same nib as the 82 which is great in my opinion.
I’d say the one drawback I have is the grip is narrower side. So if you’re not comfortable with a grip that’s probably closer to a pencil then it may not be worth it for you.
I’ve had hit or miss luck with Lamy converters. In my case the seal in the back was letting in air and drying out the ink. I’ve found using a blunt-tipped syringe and refilling old cartridges works better. There’s a bit more ink capacity as well.
Thinking through my own collection. The Jinhao 95 might be worth a try. It’s basically a metal version of the 82 but has a really nice capping feel. It’s kind of like the Pilot Explorer, where you press it on and you can feel that inner cap spring tensioning and then snaps closed. But the Jinhao is much more satisfying.
Ya it’s very much a PR statement to address the drama but not the core issues. Especially since they decided to downplay the facts.
They ones that come to my mind are:
Goldspot, Vaness, Pen Chalet, Jet Pens, Birmingham Pens, Amarillo Stationery, Pen Boutique, Anderson Pens, Cult Pens, Endless Pens, Enigma Stationery,
Lots of options.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-episode-pride-month/id1723599105?i=1000657476753
I figured I’d link directly to the podcast episode in question in case anyone wants to listen first-hand. The “Eric” in this episode seems to be introduced in a later episode as starting the church attended by the Goulet’s. I saw the transcriptions originally but the tone of the hosts really put me off.
I’m thoroughly disappointed at the situation and it’s completely soured my perception of the brand. Luckily, there are plenty of retailers to choose from in this hobby.
Do it! You won’t be disappointed.
Oh I think I mixed up the names. It’s Majohn/Moonman. There was some legal reason they had to rebrand a few years ago but you can sometimes still get pens with the old branding. They are on Aliexpress as well at around the $20 price point.
I started seeing this guy pop up. I wonder how it stacks up to the Moonman retractables.
Ya they are expensive for what you get. That’s why I went with something like this. It’s essentially the same thing but has slightly bigger rings so you can fit more. With some dividers and an elastic closure it’s very functional. I’d say the big drawbacks are that the soft leather can make it awkward to write in on any surface that isn’t a desk as well as the rings can get in the way of your hand when writing.
Last year I did the Hobonichi for my daily journaling. But I wasn’t a fan of being locked into a specific format and I was nervous carrying around months of journaling that could potentially get lost. It was a good notebook but not for me.
This year I went with a Plotter knock-off using different refills and it’s been working out really well. I can change the configuration when I feel like it, only keep the notes I need on hand, with a hole punch I can use whatever paper I want, and I can always have a bunch of blank sheets for whenever I need one.
Shredding beef
My favorite story about Charlie Watts:
“One anecdote relates that in the mid-1980s, an intoxicated Jagger phoned Watts’s hotel room in the middle of the night, asking, “Where’s my drummer?” Watts reportedly got up, shaved, dressed in a suit, put on a tie and freshly shined shoes, descended the stairs, and punched Jagger in the face, saying: “Never call me your drummer again. You’re my fucking singer!”[44][45] He expressed regret for the incident in 2003, attributing his behaviour to alcohol.[20]”
Oh there are so many! Just pick a color or shade and there will be dozens that people swear by. Just be careful with shimmer inks since they can clog up the feed. They’re fun and pretty but need a little attention.
I recommend checking out a few ink review blogs to find a handful to try. “Mountain in Ink” and “Fountain Pen Pharmacist” are two I follow. Places like Goulet Pens and Pen Chalet sell 4 mL samples for a few dollars which can last you a while on their own. Which is a great alternative to spending anywhere between $8-$60 for a bottle of ink.
As far as specifics: you can’t go wrong with the Pilot Iroshizuku line, Diamine inks is another good one, and I think Sailor makes a lot of really nice ones.
The Preppy is the best for first timers. Platinum nibs are conistent and the cartridge/converter system is the most veritile of all the filling systems. It’s a good baseline to gauge what you prefer.
I just can’t recommend springing for the converter though. Platinum converters cost more than the Preppy. Their cartridges are sturdy and can be reused if you clean them out. I recommend picking up a blunt tipped syringe and refilling them with ink samples or from bottles.
I’m hoping they prove me wrong on this one but I’m not holding my breath. Tron could be just the movie to speak to the implications of AI in the real world, especially these days. But if it’s helmed by the same guy that gave us the last Pirates movie I’m sure it’ll be way more spectacle than substance. I feel like Legacy was at least a balance between spectacle and putting the story in a larger direction. I’ll still watch it eventually but I’m not rushing out for it.
I’ll say a vacuum.
When I was a college kid in an apartment I bought the bottom-shelf, bagged Dirt Devil vacuums and dealt with it. All the clogging, hair in the brush, cheap quality/you get what you pay for, etc. Then I moved into a house I got a mid-range Bissell to help deal with all the pet hair. The thing was questionably designed, still got a bunch of the hair in the roll, and needed regular upkeep to make sure it functioned properly. When that one went out I wasn’t going to pickup the same thing even though it technically lasted for years.
I recently picked up a Shark Rotator and it sucks in the best way possible. Was it expensive? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely. I can vacuum my whole house knowing I’m getting as much dirt, dust, hair off the floor as possible. And I’m not going to have to deal with even half the problems the low-end vacuums have. It pivots and gets right up against walls. There is a clear window to see the brush roll from the top. It also uses fins that just don’t collect hair anyway. The whole canister comes off in one easy motion and I can dump it without spilling all over the now clean floor. There are two roll speeds for hard floors and carpet. The brush roll doesn’t spin when it’s locked upright so it’s not flinging stuff around or grinding into the carpet while I try to clean corners or the couch. And even though it’s one of their “heavier” models it’s still lighter than the Bissell I lugged around for years.
This is a case that better design and features comes with a price. And those design choices can directly make your life easier. So if you can afford it, go for it.
Yup! I’ve only been into fountain pens for a few years but I use them every day for journaling, work notes, and most other writing I do.