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Tag: Cypress (Mr. Cypress)

My 2022 Top TensInstagram 12-30-22. My 2022 Top Tens
December 30, 2022
Rachel
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My 2022 Top Tens

Posted in Fountain Pens

Once again, I’m sharing my current top pens. I took a somewhat different approach this year, so that I actually choose a top 10. I’m judging my pens based on appearance and the way they write. So I have two different top ten lists. Because of this, I won’t be comparing to last year’s top pens, which ended up being a top 28.

This was so much just as hard as I expected it to be. I’m fortunate enough to have an absolutely fabulous pen collection, so narrowing it down to my favorites grows increasingly difficult each year.

But without further preamble, enjoy my top 10 pens of 2022 by appearance and by nibs.

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Year in Review – 2022 PensInstagram 12-29-22
December 29, 2022
Rachel
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Year in Review – 2022 Pens

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While it was difficult to do last year, ranking my pen purchases was a useful exercise. So, I decided to do it again. I have to say, I’m embarrassed by the long list of pens I purchased this year. I was hoping to buy less pens this year, not more. But I’ll discuss that in another post.

I realize that this is a long block of text. But, if I added a photo of each pen, it would take absolutely forever to get through. So, for pens that I’ve already discussed in a dedicated post, I’ve linked to that post (and the photos contained therein). For the rest, where possible, I linked to an Instagram photo from the pen maker or store they collaborated with. When that wasn’t possible, I linked to a good photo on Instagram (consider following those fine folks) or one of my own Instagram posts.

Keep ReadingYear in Review – 2022 Pens
Pens Unique to a BrandInstagram 11-25-22
November 25, 2022
Rachel
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Pens Unique to a Brand

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Part of what I like about indie-made pens is finding models, materials, etc. that are unique to a maker. Obviously, I don’t know every maker. Nor do I even come close to purchasing from every maker I know of. However, I want to dedicate this post to pens I know of that are unique to their respective makers. I’m listing these alphabetically by maker.

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Cypress Dandelion ConstructionInstagram 10-12-22
October 12, 2022
Rachel
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Cypress Dandelion Construction

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No, this isn’t a duplicate post. I find the construction of the Dandelion pen so unique and interesting that I want to give it its own post.

Previous pens I’ve purchased from Cypress (formerly Mr. Cypress) have had a standard cartridge-converter construction (cap, section, and barrel). This Dandelion pen, however, is very different.

Cypress Eggshell Series Dandelion
Keep ReadingCypress Dandelion Construction
Pen Porn: Cypress Eggshell Series DandelionInstagram 10-11-22
October 11, 2022
Rachel
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Pen Porn: Cypress Eggshell Series Dandelion

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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 the best pen porn. 😉

As I mentioned in my unboxing reel on Instagram, I’ve wanted this pen since I saw the concept art on April 24. I did my best to wait patiently, but I checked in with Cypress — formerly Mr. Cypress — a couple of times to get status updates.

It only took me a couple of minutes to place my order when I saw the post announcing it on Monday (10/2). And it showed up early on Thursday!

Now, enough story, I know you’re here for the photos.

Cypress Eggshell Series Dandelion
Keep ReadingPen Porn: Cypress Eggshell Series Dandelion
My Pen Collection Part 4Instagram 4-29-22
April 29, 2022
Rachel
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My Pen Collection Part 4

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“Always Inked” Pens

Alright, we’ve made it to the fourth, and final, part in this series, my “always inked” pens! Hold onto your hats, because the really expensive pens are in this grouping. Just keep in mind that I purchased several at steep discounts and received some in exchange for work.

Once again, please use the form at the end of this post to vote for pens you want to see “pen porn” posts about.

I store this group differently than the rest of my pens. These have a display case away from direct light. That way, I can see them when they aren’t in use, and there’s no worry of damage.

Bottom tray of pens
Top Tray of pens
Keep ReadingMy Pen Collection Part 4
Pen Porn: Mr. Cypress Modern Raden Colorful GeometryInstagram 4-27-22
April 27, 2022
Rachel
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Pen Porn: Mr. Cypress Modern Raden Colorful Geometry

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There isn’t a long backstory to this one, so pretty much this whole post will be pen porn.

I fell in love with this pen when I saw it on Instagram. It looks so… posh. When Jim suggested I get it as an anniversary present, I jumped on it. This pen looks like a wedding/anniversary pen.

full view of the modern raden pen
Keep ReadingPen Porn: Mr. Cypress Modern Raden Colorful Geometry
My Pen Collection Part 3Instagram 4-21-22
April 22, 2022
Rachel
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My Pen Collection Part 3

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Indie Pens

I’m back with Part 3! I meant to include my “always inked” pens in this post, but it’s already so long, I don’t want to make it longer. So, I guess there will be a part 4.

As with my other pens, I keep my indie pens in rainbow order. The exceptions being my two urushi pens and my Permies.World pens. Those three live in the pen display box, as I don’t want to run the risk of ruining them with the elastic bands.

all of my indie pens

Once again, please use the form at the end of this post to vote for pens you want to see “pen porn” posts about.

Keep ReadingMy Pen Collection Part 3
My Current Pen Wish List — Jan. 2022Instagram 1-3-23. My Current Pen Wish List
January 21, 2022
Rachel
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My Current Pen Wish List — Jan. 2022

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Well, it’s time to revisit my wish list. I’ve bought some pens, decided against others, and found new pens I want. My wish list still isn’t the longest it’s ever been, so I suppose that’s a good thing.

I’ve split my list into two: the “Tier One” that I’m actively looking to acquire, and “Tier Two” that I’d pick up if there’s a good deal, or if the stars align perfectly.

Keep ReadingMy Current Pen Wish List — Jan. 2022
Year in Review – 2021 PensInstagram 1-7-22
January 7, 2022
Rachel
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Year in Review – 2021 Pens

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DISCLAIMER UPDATE (6/24/22): TWSBI and Narwhal have released a joint statement which I cover in my most recent TWSBIgate post. While not completely satisfied with TWSBI’s response to the situation, I no longer feel the need to dissuade people from purchasing their products.

DISCLAIMER (5/1/22): Since writing this post, TWSBI has been involved in some unsavory actions, and I am currently boycotting them. For more information, refer to the #twsbigate tag page.

Both last year and in 2019 I wrote about my biggest pen wins and regrets. It was fun to look back on my pens, so I decided to do the same thing this year. However, with my 2021 Top Pens post, I basically already did that. So, I decided to do something I’ve seen in the YouTube makeup world — surprise, surprise — and rank all of my pen purchases.

Note: Some of the pens have already been discussed in recent posts. If a description looks familiar, that’s likely why. Also, where possible, I linked to an Instagram photo from the pen maker or store they collaborated with. When that wasn’t possible, I linked to a good photo on Instagram (consider following those fine folks). And, when all else failed, I linked to my own photos on Instagram.

Keep ReadingYear in Review – 2021 Pens
Mr. Cypress – Pushing BoundariesInstagram 1-3-22
January 4, 2022
Rachel
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Mr. Cypress – Pushing Boundaries

Posted in Fountain Pens, and Reviews

Welcome to 2022! Once again, my first post of the year is about pens. And there are several more this month.

Early in 2021, I commissioned a Día de Muertos pen from Mr. Cypress. I wrote a 3-part series about that experience (part 1 | part 2 | part 3). At the end of the year, I purchased a second pen from Mr. Cypress, which also has a skull-based design. This puts me in the unique position to compare the two.

Keep ReadingMr. Cypress – Pushing Boundaries
2021 New Pen Releases, The Tag
December 31, 2021
Rachel
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2021 New Pen Releases, The Tag

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DISCLAIMER UPDATE (6/24/22): TWSBI and Narwhal have released a joint statement which I cover in my most recent TWSBIgate post. While not completely satisfied with TWSBI’s response to the situation, I no longer feel the need to dissuade people from purchasing their products.

DISCLAIMER (5/1/22): Since writing this post, TWSBI has been involved in some unsavory actions, and I am currently boycotting them. For more information, refer to the #twsbigate tag page.

This post is based on the “New Makeup Releases | THE TAG” video from Angelica Nyqvist. She’s done this tag for several years, and I thought it would be fun to adapt it to the fountain pen world.

This tag is about evaluating the releases — in this case pens & inks — from the past year.

Keep Reading2021 New Pen Releases, The Tag
My 2021 Top PensInstagram 12-24-21
December 24, 2021
Rachel
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My 2021 Top Pens

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DISCLAIMER UPDATE (6/24/22): TWSBI and Narwhal have released a joint statement which I cover in my most recent TWSBIgate post. While not completely satisfied with TWSBI’s response to the situation, I no longer feel the need to dissuade people from purchasing their products.

DISCLAIMER (5/1/22): Since writing this post, TWSBI has been involved in some unsavory actions, and I am currently boycotting them. For more information, refer to the #twsbigate tag page.

My planning from last year has paid off. This year, I’m revisiting my 2020 Top Pens and seeing what differences there are in comparison to my 2021 top pens.

As I said last year, I tend to sell or trade pens that don’t make me happy to own. I’m getting closer to all of my pens being favorites, but I made myself narrow them down to a top 10 and top 20. I kind of cheated with the Always Inked section, but don’t judge me too harshly.

This was so much harder than I expected it to be. I slightly adjusted my judging criteria this year. I did my best to put these pens in order of which ones I’m most disappointed to un-ink (clean out). And so, I give you my top pens as of the end of 2021.

Keep ReadingMy 2021 Top Pens
My 2021 Brand “Discoveries”Instagram 12-22-21
December 22, 2021
Rachel
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My 2021 Brand “Discoveries”

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When I sat down to start writing this post, I thought it would be rather short. Then, I looked through my Airtable database and found that I’d purchased pens from 15 new-to-me brands this year! Wow! Now, when I say new-to-me, I don’t mean I’d never heard of them, just that I’d never before purchased a pen made by that brand.

I bought from a decent mix of indie and mainstream brands, which makes me happy. I like supporting indie brands. And I’ve found, especially recently, that my interest is piqued by indie brands more than mainstream brands.

Anyway, let’s start with mainstream brands to get that out of the way, then jump into the indie brands. FYI: The lists are in alphabetical order.

Keep ReadingMy 2021 Brand “Discoveries”
Día de Muertos, Pen RealizedShowing a full skull on the old pen.
May 7, 2021
Rachel
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Día de Muertos, Pen Realized

Posted in Fountain Pens, and Reviews

I’m back with post three, so you know what that means. My pen arrived! If you have read my previous posts (1, 2), I suggest you do so to know how this pen came to be. Be forewarned, there is A LOT of pen porn in this post. And you can click/tap any image to view it larger. I take no responsibility for pen envy, pen lust, or pen purchases resulting from the content in this post.

Keep ReadingDía de Muertos, Pen Realized
Día de Muertos, Making of the PenInstagram 3/26/21
March 26, 2021
Rachel
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Día de Muertos, Making of the Pen

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I’m back with the second entry in the chronicle of my Día de Muertos pen. If you read my first entry then you know that this means I received permission to share the mock-up images for my custom pen.

Be forewarned, it will likely be a while before my next update. I’ll explain why I think so a bit later. For now, let’s pick up where I left off.

Keep ReadingDía de Muertos, Making of the Pen
February 23, 2021
Rachel
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Día de Muertos, But Make it Pen

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Watching Coco gave me a greater appreciation for my Mexican heritage. Since then, I’ve been trying to fill in cultural gaps leftover from childhood; like the appreciation and understanding of Mexican art.

One of those glorious art styles is centered on Día de Muertos. The riotous use of colors alone is enough to capture my attention, but combined with macabre imagery and joyous celebration, it’s definitely in my top 5 favorite art styles/themes.

Keep ReadingDía de Muertos, But Make it Pen