I’m proud of myself for coming in under my fountain pen purchase limit this year! Even if I count my two reserved pens — a Nahvalur and my in-progress Stanford Pen Studio commission — I only acquired 27 pens this year, 9 less than my limit. Go me!
Like last year, I’ve included photos so you can see the pretties. Where possible, I’ve also linked to my dedicated blog posts. Now, enough chit-chat, onto the ranking!
The Regrets
Caran D’Ache 849 Dragon
I didn’t actually buy this pen in 2024, but it arrived in 2024. I shared my issues with Caran d’Ache earlier this year, and this pen has, unfortunately, borne the brunt of my displeasure. As a result, I regret having purchased it.
The Dragon is the third colorway I own in the 849.
25: OPUS 88 x Goldspot Pens Mini Blizzard
I waited forever to get an OPUS 88 Mini, wanting the “right” one. I found it in the winter-themed Blizzard exclusive. But, once I had it, I didn’t like the feel of the Mini. To me, it feels cheap, and I didn’t like that. So, it’s for sale if you want one. Only been used once.
As is likely already obvious, the Blizzard is my first OPUS 88 Mini purchase.
The OK
24: Leonardo Officina Italiana x Endless Pens x Nibs and Flourishes Momento Zero Fioritura Viola Rose Gold
I mentioned in my brand “discoveries” post that I’d previously written off Leonardo as a brand. I gave it another chance because Nibs and Flourishes designed this colorway. But, the model still just doesn’t do it for me. I don’t regret getting it, because it was designed by someone I admire, but I can’t rank it better than “OK.”
The Fioritura Viola is my second purchase of the Momento Zero model, but I sold the previous one.
The Good
23: Sheaffer VFM Ballpoint Coffee
As far as ballpoint pens go, this one is great. It has a good weight, I like the colors and how the rose gold complements them, and I adore the little coffee mug near the… is it called a clicker? Ooh, apparently it’s called a cam; thank you Google. That said, it is just a ballpoint pen, so it can’t rank too high.
The Coffee is my first VFM ballpoint purchase.
22: Franklin-Christoph x Goulet Pen Co 31 Ascension Wing
The Ascension Wing is very pretty, it’s the only pen I broke my “pretty ink stick” rule for. But, with everything that’s gone on recently — if you know, you know — I have some awkward feels attached to it, so it’s ranking lower than it generally would.
The Ascension Wing is the third colorway I’ve purchased in the Model 31, but I’ve sold one of them.
21: Benu x Goulet Pen Co Euphoria Matcha Latte
The same awkward feels apply to the Matcha Latte. I was so excited to get this pen when it restocked, because I have a matcha latte — matcha powder mixed into milk — every morning as my breakfast. I’m sure that, with time, I’ll be perfectly happy to appreciate this just for what it is, rather than its associations.
The Matcha Latte is my fourth colorway in the Euphoria model.
20: Kaweco Collection Sport Apricot Pearl
I held off on the Apricot Pearl until I saw it in person. I still love my Iridescent Pearl, and this one is a beautiful complement to it. The lime green color shift is phenomenal. That said, as a standard model without a special nib from a large manufacturer, I can’t justify rating this any higher.
The Apricot Pearl is my second colorway in the Collection Sport.
19: Mayfair Pens Eowyn in Hijinks
This is ranked so low because the material in person didn’t look like the pictures of the blank online. And, I know, that’s absolutely a risk you take when you commission a pen from a multicolor material. It’s still pretty, but there’s a good chance I’ll see if I can get a different Eowyn from Ben in person at one of the local shows and then sell this one.
This is my first Eowyn model purchase.
18: Skogsy Pens Baby Saguaro in Sedona Spa
The Baby Saguaro model is so small and cute! It doesn’t violate my “pretty ink sticks” rule because it’s a unique shape to my collection. It’s not the most interesting material in my collection, and I wouldn’t mind getting a different one later with an even prettier material and selling this one.
This is my first Baby Saguaro purchase.
17: London Pen Co Christopher 14 in Warm Primary Manipulation
I’ve wanted a pen made from Brooks Warm Primary Manipulation material for a few years now. Unfortunately, the timing was never right when one was available. For this year’s Baltimore show, I decided I would finally get one, only for none of the makers to have it. Luckily, a fellow DC Pen Crew member had one for sale second-hand that I grabbed. It’s really pretty, but, it is also a “pretty ink stick.”
This is my second colorway of the Christopher 14, but I sold the first one.
16: Pilot グランダム (Gurandamu)
I got this second-hand for the factory oblique nib at a steal. The nib is fabulous; the body… well… it holds the nib.
This is my first Gurandamu.
The Great
15: Retro 51 Tornado Literary Collection Pride and Prejudice
I love Pride and Prejudice and I love Pride and Prejudice variations. I didn’t even stop to think when I saw this pen announced. I reserved one and snapped it up ASAP. And it’s so pretty. There will be a pen porn post in the future.
This is my first Tornado “Literary Collection,” but my 32nd Retro 51 (non-fountain pen) purchase, although I only still own 23 of those.
14: Hinze Pens x DC Metro Pen Crew Lincoln Memorial
As I mentioned previously, I got this second-hand from a DC Pen Crew member, mainly because of the shape. It’s unique to my collection and is the closest I’ll likely ever get to the Pelikan Temple of Artemis or the new Montegrappa Odyssey.
This is my first Hinze Pens purchase.
13: Pilot Metal Falcon in Brown
I finally got the metal Falcon I’ve been wanting. It’s a great weight and a nice color. And, while I wouldn’t really call the nib “flexible” given some of the other flex nibs I have, you can get enough line variation to be interesting.
This is my first purchase of the metal-bodied Falcon.
12: Pelikan M200 Classic Copper Rose Gold
I didn’t think I’d ever get another M200, but then the Copper Rose Gold was released. I’m a sucker for brown and rose gold. And the M200 nibs are rather nice.
This is my first M200 Classic, but I also have the M205 Moonstone, which is basically the same model.
11: Platinum #3776 Century Fuji Shunkei Kinshu
The Kinshu is prettier in person than I expected. Jim found it for me second-hand at a good price and with an EF nib. *grin* It’s pretty and it writes beautifully.
This is my second Fuji Shunkei purchase, although I sold the first one, but it was my fifth #3776.
10: Cypress Eggshell Series E06
Another pen I’ve wanted for a while; not necessarily this one, specifically, but an eggshell and raden pen from Cypress. It’s beautiful, and I was able to get one during their 5th anniversary special so it has a dragon nib.
This is my sixth Cypress purchase, though I sold one of them.
9: Pilot Custom 74 Brown
I adore the Custom 74. When Jim came across this shareholder gift exclusive for sale, I claimed it. Before this year, I didn’t have many brown pens in my collection, but now I do. This one is extra special with gold trim and brown cap and barrel finials instead of the usual navy blue.
This is my fifth colorway of the Custom 74.
8: Platinum #3776 Century Shape of a Heart in Chai Latte
I wasn’t going to get the Chai Latte, but then I felt the matte finish and fell in love. It’s the finish that just edges out the Custom 74. It’s really nice. And the colors are remarkably chic. And, of course, it has the fantastic nib of a typical #3776.
This is my second Shape of a Heart colorway, but it was my fourth #3776.
The Best
From this point on, I’ve already discussed all of these pens, either in my top tens post, dedicated pen porn posts, or both, so the explanations will be short.
7: Sailor Pro Gear King of Pen Sunlight from the Ocean Floor
This was such a wonderful unexpected surprise. The nib is divine, and the body is very pretty, too.
This is my first Sailor King of Pen, truly. The Sakura Nagare is Jim’s pen.
6: Country Made Pens 3D Scrollwork Sleeve
I’d been planning to get one of these for years, so I’m happy to finally have it in my collection to ogle and fondle.
This is my second Country Made Pens purchase.
5: Stanford Pen Studio x Hanna Designs March Sisters
I know I placed the Scrollwork Sleeve above this one in my top tens post, but that was only judging on appearance. When you throw in the emotional connection I have to the March Sisters pen, it ranks higher.
This is my second Hanna Farmer pen and my seventh Stanford Pen Studio purchase.
4: Stanford Pen Studio x Yulia Glas Journey in Space
So pretty and so much fun. I love Journey in Space.
This is my second Yulia Glas pen and my ninth Stanford Pen Studio purchase.
2: Stanford Pen Studio x Kseniia Nel Imperious Egyptian Cats and Stanford Pen Studio x Yulia Glas Delft Cats
I had to make this a tie. Imperious Egyptian Cats ranks slightly higher in appearance because of the detailed patterns. But, Delft Cats’ unintentional connection to my life ranks it higher in emotional connection.
These are my first Kseniia Nel pen and my third Yulia Glas pen. They are my tenth and eleventh Stanford Pen Studio purchases, respectively.
1: Stanford Pen Studio x Yulia Glas Cats and Books
If you know me at all, then you can’t possibly be surprised that this is my top pen of the year. Cats + books + fountain pen = winner. It’s that simple.
This is my first Yulia Glas pen and my eighth Stanford Pen Studio purchase.
TBD
Nahvalur Nautilus Xmas 2024
I ordered one of the Xmas 2024 pens, but I don’t have it yet, so I can’t rate it. I know I like the model, and the clip is super pretty, but as with most multicolor materials, they vary wildly from pen to pen.
Do you agree with my rankings? Do you own any of these pens? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks for reading to the end, I hope you enjoyed my post. Make sure to subscribe to my blog or follow me on Instagram so you don’t miss any posts. I generally post at least once a week.
