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Category: Stationery

Ink Battle: Vinta and VintaInk Battle
May 17, 2024
Rachel
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Ink Battle: Vinta and Vinta

Posted in Ink

This ink battle is between Vinta Inks Ibid (Sailfin Green) and Vinta Inks Sirena. Both inks are in a pen fitted with a #6 Jowo M nib. The paper is Muji plain loose leaf refill.

This is another battle of bottle versus sample. I didn’t realize that these two are so similar. For those unfamiliar with these inks, Ibid has shimmer, but I let it settle since Vinta shimmer settles almost completely.

You can assume I have no problems with any ink that appears in an ink battle. The point of the battle is to choose a winner of the two colors. I use a pair of similar inks in pens with the same nib, then test them out to see which I like better. Generally, I’m trying to decide which ink to keep, but sometimes I’m trying to decide which to buy, or if I should buy one ink when I already have a similar one.

I may find out that, when used with the same nib, they’re sufficiently different to own them both. Depending on how these battles turn out, I may tag some of the posts as ink dupes as well. You can find all of the ink battles posts on the tag page.

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Ink Battle: Troublemaker and DiamineInk Battle
May 3, 2024
Rachel
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Ink Battle: Troublemaker and Diamine

Posted in Ink

This ink battle is between Troublemaker Butterfly Dream and Diamine Classic Green. Both inks are in a pen fitted with a #6 Jowo EF nib. The paper is Muji plain loose leaf refill.

This is another battle where I own a bottle of one color (Butterfly Dream) and a sample of the other. I like Classic Green, but wasn’t sure it made sense to buy a bottle.

You can assume I have no problems with any ink that appears in an ink battle. The point of the battle is to choose a winner of the two colors. I use a pair of similar inks in pens with the same nib, then test them out to see which I like better. Generally, I’m trying to decide which ink to keep, but sometimes I’m trying to decide which to buy, or if I should buy one ink when I already have a similar one.

I may find out that, when used with the same nib, they’re sufficiently different to own them both. Depending on how these battles turn out, I may tag some of the posts as ink dupes as well. You can find all of the ink battles posts on the tag page.

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Binder Paper ChaseBinder paper chase
April 30, 2024
Rachel
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Binder Paper Chase

Posted in Paper

As I mentioned a few posts back, in purchasing paper for my A5 binder, I found some surprising duds. Jim and I have both used Kokuyo notebooks without encountering any issues. Apparently, however, their loose leaf paper is not the same quality.

I don’t feel the need to babble on about each type of paper I’ve tested so far. Instead, I’ll let my ratings — I’ve included scales this time — and the papers themselves do the speaking for me.

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Pen Porn: Cypress Eggshell E06Pen Porn: Cypress Eggshell E06
April 26, 2024
Rachel
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Pen Porn: Cypress Eggshell E06

Posted in Fountain Pens

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉

I’ve wanted Cypress’ E06 pen model for quite a while now. Between the swirled design and combination of nacre and eggshell, I’ve been drawn to it since the first time I saw it.

But, it’s a pricey pen, and I never quite saved up the money for it. Other, limited edition or custom, pens kept getting in the way. And then, earlier this year, it went on sale, and my awesome husband bought it for me as a birthday/anniversary gift. So, this beauty is part of my collection and gets a pen porn post.

Cypress E06
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Paper System ChangesPaper System Changes
April 19, 2024
Rachel
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Paper System Changes

Posted in Paper

Last year, I wrote about how I was changing how I manage my pen rotation and my notebook/paper system. While the former is going very well, the latter, well, it’s a work in progress. It’s been about five and a half months since I switch to binders from my previous notebook system. And, unfortunately, it’s been rather rocky.

The short version is that I still don’t have a definitive system figured out. The long version is significantly more complicated. I don’t want to bore anyone, but I do want to share the issues I’ve faced so that anyone trying this switch can plan ahead. I’m tackling this by issue.

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You Can Only Keep OneYou can only keep one
April 12, 2024
Rachel
9 Comments

You Can Only Keep One

Posted in Fountain Pens

I’ve seen this tag come and go in the makeup world multiple times. I have no idea, at this point, what the first video was that I saw for it, or who started it, but I thought I’d try it for fountain pens. I might try it for ink, too, but that will likely be even harder.

For this post, we travel to an alternate universe where, for some reason, I’m forced to give up all but one fountain pen per brand — “you can only keep one.” I’m giving myself leeway with my Stanford Pen Studios pens because there are from/by different artists, and that is the only company that does that. I could easily argue that individual artists are sub-brands under the Stanford Pen Studio umbrella. So, I’m letting myself keep one pen per artist for Stanford Pen Studios.

Let’s go through these in alphabetical order by brand.

UPDATE: A Gathering of Curiosities, Line Variation, Pen Addict, and Ana and Laura at The Well-Appointed Desk have all given this challenge a go, you should check them out. Please note, the Pen Addict post is exclusive to members.

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Ink Battle: Diamine and ColorverseInk Battle
April 5, 2024
Rachel
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Ink Battle: Diamine and Colorverse

Posted in Ink

I’ve expanded ink battles to include inks that I’m considering buying, and this is what you’ll find this time.

You can assume I have no problems with any ink that appears in an ink battle. The point of the battle is to choose a winner of the two colors. I use a pair of similar inks in pens with the same nib, then test them out to see which I like better. Generally, I’m trying to decide which ink to keep, but sometimes I’m trying to decide which to buy, or if I should buy one ink when I already have a similar one.

I may find out that, when used with the same nib, they’re sufficiently different to own them both. Depending on how these battles turn out, I may tag some of the posts as ink dupes as well. You can find all of the ink battles posts on the tag page.

Keep ReadingInk Battle: Diamine and Colorverse
Pen Porn: Stanford Pen Studio Little WomenPen Porn: Stanford Pen Studio Little Women
March 29, 2024
Rachel
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Pen Porn: Stanford Pen Studio Little Women

Posted in Fountain Pens

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉

Short Story Time

I had an incredibly difficult time putting this post together. I desperately wanted to do the pen, and the book, justice. If you’ve been following my blog for long enough, you may know how much Little Women means to me. But, if you haven’t, suffice to say that it was a favorite of both my mom and I, which has earned it a special place in my heart.

Part of why I requested this commission from Stanford Pen Studio was as a reminder of all the good times my mom and I had related to Little Women. I knew Hanna would do it justice since she did such an amazing job with my Pride and Prejudice pen.

Stanford Pen Studio x Hanna Farmer Little Women
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New Resource PageNew Resource Page
March 15, 2024
Rachel
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New Resource Page

Posted in Stationery

This post is a bit different for me. I’ve seen multiple other bloggers share fountain pen resources, and I’ve decided to do something similar. I’ve found it highly useful when there is a repository of good information somewhere.

To that end, I’ve created a new blog page: Stationery Resources with links to sources I’ve found useful in the past, that I read sporadically, or that I currently subscribe to. I’ve previously linked to many of the resources I’ve included.

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Even More Indie MakersInstagram 3-24-23. Even More Indie Makers
March 1, 2024
Rachel
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Even More Indie Makers

Posted in Fountain Pens

It’s time again to feature new-to-me indie pen makers. Approximately once a year, I post an update to my permanent reference post on Indie Pen Makers. I bookmark new makers on Instagram throughout the year and share them here. This is my third update so far. These update posts are meant to let new-to-me pen makers have their time in the spotlight, and allow you to know who is “new.”

Every time I publish a new post about indie makers, I update the reference page, adding new makers, and removing any who have left the field or no longer meet the qualifications listed below. Keep in mind, I have not purchased a pen from most of these makers, so consider this an informational list, not an endorsement.

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Ink Battle: Colorverse and ColorverseInk Battle
February 16, 2024
Rachel
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Ink Battle: Colorverse and Colorverse

Posted in Ink

This ink battle is between Colorverse Monkeyhead Nebula and Colorverse Mystic Mountain. In the first battle, both inks are in pens with a medium Jowo nib. In the second, they are in a TWSBI 580 with a fine nib. Both battles are fought on white Rhodia Goalbook paper.

For this particular Ink Battle, I’m comparing two ink samples, trying to decide which to purchase. Monkeyhead Nebula and Mystic Mountain are both desaturated blues with rose gold shimmer.

Unfortunately, because I’m working from samples for both inks, the shimmer distribution is lacking. It’s nearly impossible to see the shimmer in the first battle, and difficult in the second. But, looking for silver linings, it means I can truly compare the ink colors.

You can find all of the ink battles posts on the tag page.

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Stationery EcosystemStationery Ecosystem
February 2, 2024
Rachel
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Stationery Ecosystem

Posted in Stationery

A few days ago, I finally got caught up on the Gourmet Pens Club podcast. And can I just say, if you haven’t listened to it yet, what are you doing? I don’t even like podcasts and I love the Gourmet Pens Club.

Anyway, the Paper Talk episode from 1/15/24 was especially entertaining with Azizah’s description of Candace’s collection as a solar system. The description sounds like it fits perfectly.

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Pen Porn: Ryan Krusac Ashbain the DragonRyan Krusac Ashbain the Dragon
January 26, 2024
Rachel
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Pen Porn: Ryan Krusac Ashbain the Dragon

Posted in Fountain Pens

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉

I’ve wanted one of Ryan Krusac’s dragon pens for years. But, I kept holding off because I didn’t really want one of the ones where a dragon is fighting a knight. Then, at the 2022 DC Pen Show, I saw this design. Unfortunately, I didn’t see it until I’d already spent my show budget. I’d planned to get it at the 2023 Baltimore Pen Show, but Ryan wasn’t able to attend. Thankfully, he was at the 2023 DC Pen Show, so I could finally get my dragon pen. And the wait was 100% worth it.

Ryan Krusac Ashbain the Dragon
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Ink Battle: Sailor and SailorInk Battle
January 19, 2024
Rachel
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Ink Battle: Sailor and Sailor

Posted in Ink

No matter how much I try to sample or test an ink before buying it, sometimes that isn’t possible. Because of this, I have some inks that are incredibly similar in color. That’s where “ink battles” come in.

You can assume I have no problems with any ink that appears in an ink battle. I may decide, when using the inks side-by-side, that one performs better, but the point of the battle is to choose a favorite color. I use a pair of similar inks in pens with the same nib, then test them out to see which I like better.

Or, I may find out that, when used with the same nib, they’re sufficiently different to keep them both. Depending on how these “battles” turn out, I may tag some of the posts as ink dupes as well. You can find all of the ink battles posts on the tag page.

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A Bock MysteryA Bock Mystery
January 17, 2024
Rachel
2 Comments

A Bock Mystery

Posted in Fountain Pens

Last week, I posted on Instagram, sharing an interesting situation. The Kawari-Nuri and Nashiji Nuri pen I own from Tamenuri Studio takes Bock #6 nibs. For this particular use of it, I decided to put the new cat-engraved nib from Shibui North into it.

Unfortunately, to my surprise, it didn’t fit! Both nibs are Bock #6, with no sign of damage to the housings. And there started the mystery I have found myself enmeshed in now. Why didn’t both nibs fit? And, when I tried a couple other nibs, why didn’t they fit?

Because I shared this on Instagram, I felt it was worth following up. And, the amount of feedback I received and the research I did means it needs more than an Instagram post to cover everything.

CAVEAT: I am not an expert on Bock nibs, nib housings, or even nibs in general. I’m only sharing information I gathered after posting about an issue I came across last week. I have done my best to not make any hard claims, as I really can’t say what’s going on here.

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I’m Sorry Shimmer InksI'm sorry shimmer inks
January 12, 2024
Rachel
8 Comments

I’m Sorry Shimmer Inks

Posted in Ink

“I don’t use shimmer ink… they really just don’t do anything for me.” Sound familiar? You’ve likely read that on my blog. Possibly more than once.

Over the years that I’ve been part of the fountain pen world, I’ve actively avoided shimmer ink. On the rare occasions where I actually bought a shimmer ink, I let the shimmer settle, using just the color, without the particulate.

My main reason for avoiding shimmer is the extra maintenance. I didn’t want to deal with clogging or the extra effort required to get the shimmer particles out of the feed and converter.

That all changed in February last year.

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Pen Resolutions Tag 2024Pen Resolutions Tag 2024
January 10, 2024
Rachel
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Pen Resolutions Tag 2024

Posted in Fountain Pens

I can’t believe this is my third year answering this tag. Per usual, I’m answering all of the questions this year and revisiting the resolutions I made last year to see how I did.

This idea was originally adapted from Theresa is Dead’s video: OH 2021… | BEAUTY RESOLUTIONS TAG video. The Beauty Resolutions Tag originated with Mel Thompson.

1. What is something you do regularly in your pen routine that you will try to stop?

Answer from 2023: Since remembering to add pen cleaning to my weekly to-do list would get me to clean my pens, I need to get better at doing that. When I remembered to write pen cleaning on my weekly task list, I did better. But, when I forgot, well… I forgot.

Answer for 2024: I’m pretty happy with my pen routine for now, especially after the changes I made in November. I think I need to come up with a new question for next year.

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