{"id":14493,"date":"2024-12-18T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-18T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/?p=14493"},"modified":"2025-12-19T12:39:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T17:39:22","slug":"2024-top-tens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/2024-top-tens\/","title":{"rendered":"My 2024 Top Tens"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div>\n<p>As I do each year, I&#8217;m sharing my current top tens. I&#8217;m continuing my approach from <a href=\"\/blog\/2022-top-pens\/\">2022<\/a> and <a href=\"\/blog\/2023-top-pens\">2023<\/a>, with my top ten pens by appearance and top ten nibs. Since I&#8217;m keeping to the same format, I&#8217;ll compare my lists. This year, though, I&#8217;m also adding my top ten inks by usage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But without further preamble, enjoy my top tens of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>Jump to a Section: Pens | <a href=\"#nibs\">\u21e3 Nibs<\/a> | <a href=\"#inks\">\u21e3 Inks<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pens\">Top 10 Pens by Appearance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>These are my favorite pens based on appearance. It doesn&#8217;t necessarily mean they are the prettiest in my collection, as craftsmanship and skill required may place one pen over another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once again, I had to drop several pens from the list because of this year&#8217;s acquisitions. Some may come back in future years, but the &#8220;new shiny&#8221; effect gives pens some extra points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/artus-earth\/\">ARTUS Four Elements Earth<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/artus-fire\/\">ARTUS Four Elements Fire<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/pen-porn-sketched-fashion\/\">Stanford Pen Studio x Val Myburgh Sketched Fashion<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/pen-porn-mayan\/\">Iron Feather Creative Mayan Hummingbird<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/pen-porn-ardently\/\">Stanford Pen Studio x Hanna Farmer Ardently<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve said it before, and I&#8217;ll say it again, these pens bring a smile to my face whenever I pick them up. It&#8217;s not uncommon for me to spend time just admiring their beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10: Country Made Pens 3D Scrollwork Sleeve<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/countryMade-3dScrollwork-cutout.png?resize=1280%2C167&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Country Made Pens 3D Scrollwork Sleeve\" class=\"wp-image-12815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/countryMade-3dScrollwork-cutout.png?resize=1280%2C167&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/countryMade-3dScrollwork-cutout.png?resize=300%2C39&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/countryMade-3dScrollwork-cutout.png?resize=150%2C20&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/countryMade-3dScrollwork-cutout.png?resize=768%2C100&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/countryMade-3dScrollwork-cutout.png?w=1440&amp;ssl=1 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"\/blog\/pen-porn-cmp-3d-scrollwork\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"12883\">3D Scrollwork Sleeve<\/a> isn&#8217;t as classically beautiful as the other pens on this list. But, the skill and work that went into making it deserve acknowledgment and add to its beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8: ARTUS Four Elements Air and ARTUS Four Elements Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1099\" height=\"187\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/artusAir.png?resize=1099%2C187&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"ARTUS Air\" class=\"wp-image-6476\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/artusAir.png?w=1099&amp;ssl=1 1099w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/artusAir.png?resize=300%2C51&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/artusAir.png?resize=150%2C26&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/artusAir.png?resize=768%2C131&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1095\" height=\"183\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/artusWater.png?resize=1095%2C183&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"ARTUS Water\" class=\"wp-image-6479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/artusWater.png?w=1095&amp;ssl=1 1095w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/artusWater.png?resize=300%2C50&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/artusWater.png?resize=150%2C25&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/artusWater.png?resize=768%2C128&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"\/blog\/artus-water\/\">Water<\/a> drops one position this year to tie with the <a href=\"\/blog\/artus-air\/\">Air<\/a>. They&#8217;re both gorgeous, and I really couldn&#8217;t decide which to rank higher this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7: Stanford Pen Studio x Yulia Glas Journey in Space<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"170\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SPS-journeyInSpace-cutout.png?resize=1280%2C170&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Stanford Pen Studio Journey in Space\" class=\"wp-image-13624\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SPS-journeyInSpace-cutout.png?resize=1280%2C170&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SPS-journeyInSpace-cutout.png?resize=300%2C40&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SPS-journeyInSpace-cutout.png?resize=150%2C20&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SPS-journeyInSpace-cutout.png?resize=768%2C102&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SPS-journeyInSpace-cutout.png?w=1440&amp;ssl=1 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A new addition this year, <a href=\"\/blog\/pen-porn-space\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"13258\">Journey in Space<\/a> is stunning. It&#8217;s slightly lower on this list <em>only<\/em> because of the subject matter. I<em> have<\/em> to rank these beauties for this post, so nitpicky details matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6: Permies.World English Garden<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"149\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/englishGarden.png?resize=1080%2C149&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Full view of English Garden\" class=\"wp-image-7117\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/englishGarden.png?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/englishGarden.png?resize=300%2C41&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/englishGarden.png?resize=150%2C21&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/englishGarden.png?resize=768%2C106&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"\/blog\/english-garden-2\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"7114\">English Garden<\/a> dropped two positions this year, also because of subject matter. But, if I&#8217;m honest, the &#8220;new shiny&#8221; effect definitely factored in as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5: Stanford Pen Studio x Marian Binder Hummingbirds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"172\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cutout-hummingbirdSPS.png?resize=1080%2C172&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Stanford Pen Studio Hummingbirds\" class=\"wp-image-10660\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cutout-hummingbirdSPS.png?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cutout-hummingbirdSPS.png?resize=300%2C48&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cutout-hummingbirdSPS.png?resize=150%2C24&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cutout-hummingbirdSPS.png?resize=768%2C122&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the few pens to hold its position on this list, I <em>adore<\/em> the color scheme on this <a href=\"\/blog\/pen-porn-sps-hummingbirds\/\">hummingbird pen<\/a>. With the focus on the hummingbirds and the inclusion of a hibiscus, it has the edge over the English Garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4: Stanford Pen Studio x Yulia Glas Delft Cats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SPS-delftCats-cutout.png?resize=1280%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Stanford Pen Studio Delft Cats\" class=\"wp-image-14001\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SPS-delftCats-cutout.png?resize=1280%2C140&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SPS-delftCats-cutout.png?resize=300%2C33&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SPS-delftCats-cutout.png?resize=150%2C16&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SPS-delftCats-cutout.png?resize=768%2C84&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SPS-delftCats-cutout.png?w=1440&amp;ssl=1 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Another new addition kicks off the cat section of this post. If you don&#8217;t know I love cats, then you must be new here, so, welcome. The detail on <a href=\"\/blog\/pen-porn-delft\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"13943\">Delft Cats<\/a> is amazing, and I had a <em>very<\/em> difficult time deciding if this should rank at #4 or #3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3: Stanford Pen Studio x Kseniia Nel Imperious Egyptian Cats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"176\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/SPS-egyptianCats-cutout.png?resize=1280%2C176&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Stanford Pen Studio Imperious Egyptian Cats\" class=\"wp-image-13924\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/SPS-egyptianCats-cutout.png?resize=1280%2C176&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/SPS-egyptianCats-cutout.png?resize=300%2C41&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/SPS-egyptianCats-cutout.png?resize=150%2C21&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/SPS-egyptianCats-cutout.png?resize=768%2C106&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/SPS-egyptianCats-cutout.png?w=1440&amp;ssl=1 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Another new addition, I decided that <a href=\"\/blog\/pen-porn-egyptian-cats\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"13971\">Imperious Egyptian Cats<\/a> <em>just<\/em> outranks Delft Cats because of the extra precision required to paint all of the patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1: Stanford Pen Studio x Marian Binder The Right Royal Pen AND Stanford Pen Studio x Yulia Glas Cats and Books<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"124\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/bumblePen-cutout.png?resize=1080%2C124&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"The Right Royal Pen\" class=\"wp-image-8986\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/bumblePen-cutout.png?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/bumblePen-cutout.png?resize=300%2C34&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/bumblePen-cutout.png?resize=150%2C17&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/bumblePen-cutout.png?resize=768%2C88&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"156\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SPS-CatsAndBooks-cutout.png?resize=1280%2C156&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Stanford Pen Studio Cats and Books\" class=\"wp-image-13793\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SPS-CatsAndBooks-cutout.png?resize=1280%2C156&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SPS-CatsAndBooks-cutout.png?resize=300%2C36&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SPS-CatsAndBooks-cutout.png?resize=150%2C18&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SPS-CatsAndBooks-cutout.png?resize=768%2C93&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/SPS-CatsAndBooks-cutout.png?w=1440&amp;ssl=1 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Is anyone surprised this is a tie again? I <em>know<\/em> no one is surprised to see <a href=\"\/blog\/pen-porn-right-royal-pen\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"8496\">The Right Royal Pen<\/a> top the list again. My Bumbledore pen maintains its hold on me like my fluffy boy does. <a href=\"\/blog\/pen-porn-cats-books\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"13657\">Books and Cats<\/a> is a new addition that marries three of my favorite things: cats, books, and fountain pens. Not to mention the precision on all of the book titles and pages is impressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jump to a Section: <a href=\"#pens\">\u21e1 Pens<\/a> | Nibs | <a href=\"#inks\">\u21e3 Inks<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"nibs\">Top 10 Nibs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>These are my favorite nibs to write with. Some are &#8220;stock&#8221; nibs (I make note of the pen(s) I have with them) and others are nib modifications. Surprisingly, choosing a nib to remove from this list to accommodate the new number 5 was even harder than choosing my top ten pens. In case you&#8217;re wondering, the nib I grudgingly dropped to number 11 is the vintage Esterbrook 9128.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10: Visconti 18K EF &#8211; Il Magnifico Lapislazzuli<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This nib puts down a line similar in width to a western M, but it&#8217;s buttery smooth in the way I love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9: Platinum President F &#8211; Izumo Kurikara-ken<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Down one position from last year, I love the crisp, fine lines this nib produces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8: Pilot #5 14K F &#8211; Custom 74<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Also down one position, this is another nib with crisp, fine lines, but it has a hint less feedback than the President nib.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7: TWSBI 580 Series F<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Another nib down one position, I love that the TWSBI nibs are wet enough to see ink shading even with F or EF nibs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6: My Cut Oblique Nib Modification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Another nib downgraded one position, I love my cut oblique nibs, especially the one I created for The Right Royal Pen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5: Sailor 21K Large M &#8211; Pro Gear King of Pen Sunlight from the Ocean Floor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I don&#8217;t know if this nib is special, or if all KOP nibs are this smooth, but it&#8217;s got the buttery smooth feel I love, rather than the typical Sailor feedback. It&#8217;s only below the Namiki nib (see #3) because it writes like a western M instead of the eastern M I would expect from a Sailor pen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4: StyloSuite XXXF X-Wing Harpoon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I separated my #3 tie because this nib isn&#8217;t an all-writing nib like the Namiki is; it&#8217;s a specialty nib. The <a href=\"\/blog\/stylosuite-harpoon\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"11155\">XXXF X-Wing Harpoon<\/a> is fabulous but doesn&#8217;t have quite the line width variation that the Spencerian does. That said, I heartily recommend it to anyone, especially if you don&#8217;t like the sharpness of the Spencerian, because this one is a bit more smooth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I need to add a caveat here that Gena&#8217;s (Custom Nib Studio) Spencerian Mod is smoother and a bit bouncier, but it lost out to the Harpoon because it can&#8217;t flex as much. I&#8217;m assuming that&#8217;s because Gena starts with a Pilot FA nib rather than a steel nib like Les does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3: Namiki 18K #10 M &#8211; Yukari Rock Garden<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Namiki is my top standard (non-modified) nib. It&#8217;s so smooth that it almost doesn&#8217;t feel like the nib is touching paper. It has the typical, finer, nib you expect on eastern pens, which is more to my preference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2: StyloSuite Spencerian Mod<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I also separated out my tie for first position because <a href=\"\/blog\/nib-mini-reviews\/#spencerian\">the Spencerian<\/a>, like the Harpoon, isn&#8217;t an everyday nib. It has a specific purpose, which I adore, but I don&#8217;t just pick it up and use it for standard writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, the Spencerian is still my favorite for specialty writing. The line variation is exquisite, ranging from hairline to at least BB. I keep my Spencerian in my long-fill pens so it&#8217;s <em>never<\/em> not in use, and I got a second one to use as desired in my weekly rotation pens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1: TWSBI 1.1 Stub Ground to Oblique by Damien (All in the Nib)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/blog\/comparing-grinds\/#oblique\">The oblique<\/a> is my favorite for everyday writing because of the character it adds to my writing-. The TWSBI oblique, specifically, is really special. The wetness of the TWSBI feed makes the oblique that much more awesome because it adds shading to the unique character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jump to a Section: <a href=\"#pens\">\u21e1 Pens<\/a> | <a href=\"#nibs\">\u21e1 Nibs<\/a> | Inks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"inks\">Top 10 Inks by Usage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I decided to add an inks list this year. These are my top ten inks by usage \u2014 specifically, the number of times I filled a pen with them. The below inks were used for three and four fills during the course of the year. The rest of my inks were used twice (48), once (142), or not at all (95). I need to get rid of more inks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can click image on any image below to see the original Instagram post, sales listing, or blog post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Three Uses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10: Ink Institute x Gourmet Pens Okanagan Grape<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gourmetpensshop.com\/products\/gourmet-pens-x-ink-institute-08-okanagan-grape-ink\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/GourmetPensxInkInstitute-08OkanaganGrape5.jpg?resize=1280%2C1280&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Ink Institute Okanagan Grape swatch\" class=\"wp-image-14523\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/GourmetPensxInkInstitute-08OkanaganGrape5.jpg?resize=1280%2C1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/GourmetPensxInkInstitute-08OkanaganGrape5.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/GourmetPensxInkInstitute-08OkanaganGrape5.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/GourmetPensxInkInstitute-08OkanaganGrape5.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/GourmetPensxInkInstitute-08OkanaganGrape5.jpg?w=1440&amp;ssl=1 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image from Gourmet Pens Shop<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Because I only <em>just<\/em> used Okanagan Grape a third time this week, I think that means it has to be #10. But it&#8217;s a lovely purple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I want to note that Stipula Sapphron also had a third use this week. But, I prefer Okanagan Grape, so it made the top 10. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9: Wearingeul Persephone<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/C0h3yU2sSbK\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-650787.jpg?resize=1280%2C1280&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Wearingeul Persephone swatch\" class=\"wp-image-14518\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-650787.jpg?resize=1280%2C1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-650787.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-650787.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-650787.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-650787.jpg?resize=1536%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-650787.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image from Wearingeul&#8217;s Instagram feed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I&#8217;m surprised I&#8217;ve used Persephone thrice this year. It&#8217;s darker than I typically like, and ends up almost black in wet nibs. I need to try this again, slightly watered down.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8: Troublemaker Inks Foxglove<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellappointeddesk.com\/2019\/12\/12-days-of-inkmas-day-11-troublemaker-foxglove\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/troublemakerFoxglove.jpg?resize=1280%2C960&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Troublemaker Inks Foxglove swatch\" class=\"wp-image-14524\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/troublemakerFoxglove.jpg?resize=1280%2C960&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/troublemakerFoxglove.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/troublemakerFoxglove.jpg?resize=150%2C113&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/troublemakerFoxglove.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/troublemakerFoxglove.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/troublemakerFoxglove.jpg?resize=2048%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image from The Well-Appointed Desk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Can you tell I like purple inks? Foxglove is a lovely ink, there are just other colors on this list that I like even more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7: Diamine Marigold<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CNv77MyDLx9\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2481761.jpg?resize=1080%2C1080&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Diamine Marigold swatch\" class=\"wp-image-14526\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2481761.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2481761.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2481761.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2481761.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image from @beginners.mind.pens Instagram feed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I find it interesting that although Marigold didn&#8217;t make it past round 3 in my <a href=\"\/blog\/inky-madness-diamine\/\">Diamine Inky Madness<\/a>, it&#8217;s my most-used Diamine ink.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6: Colorverse Walk the Dog<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/B580gCGDimF\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-6088737.jpg?resize=1280%2C1280&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Colorverse Walk the Dog swatch\" class=\"wp-image-14521\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-6088737.jpg?resize=1280%2C1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-6088737.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-6088737.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-6088737.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-6088737.jpg?w=1440&amp;ssl=1 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image from Colorverse&#8217;s Instagram feed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I&#8217;ve loved Walk the Dog since the day I saw it. It&#8217;s a beautiful green, dark enough to be easily legible, but light enough to show shading and remain far away from the dreaded &#8220;almost-black&#8221; when writing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5: Robert Oster Jewel in the Crown<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dkatiepowellart.me\/2023\/07\/02\/inky-thots-robert-oster-anniversary-inks\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1177\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/w23-6-26-ro-jewel-in-the-crown-anniversary-0745.jpg?resize=1177%2C1280&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Robert Oster Jewel in the Crown\" class=\"wp-image-14527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/w23-6-26-ro-jewel-in-the-crown-anniversary-0745.jpg?resize=1177%2C1280&amp;ssl=1 1177w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/w23-6-26-ro-jewel-in-the-crown-anniversary-0745.jpg?resize=276%2C300&amp;ssl=1 276w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/w23-6-26-ro-jewel-in-the-crown-anniversary-0745.jpg?resize=138%2C150&amp;ssl=1 138w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/w23-6-26-ro-jewel-in-the-crown-anniversary-0745.jpg?resize=768%2C835&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/w23-6-26-ro-jewel-in-the-crown-anniversary-0745.jpg?w=1400&amp;ssl=1 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image from D.Katie Powell Art&#8217;s blog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Jewel in the Crown is so much fun! I got a sample, maybe in an Ink Flight box, and ordered a bottle within a single use. The base color is a grungy brownish-green, and the old-gold shimmer complements it beautifully.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4: Robert Oster Free Spirit<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CsL24fTLw_o\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2667528.jpg?resize=1280%2C1280&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Robert Oster Free Spirit swatch\" class=\"wp-image-14520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2667528.jpg?resize=1280%2C1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2667528.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2667528.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2667528.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2667528.jpg?w=1400&amp;ssl=1 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image from Vanness Pens&#8217; Instagram feed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I connected with Free Spirit when I heard the story behind it. But, more than that, it&#8217;s a gorgeous color, and the purple shimmer is unique in my ink collection.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Four Uses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Could there be a bigger sign of my <a href=\"\/blog\/im-sorry-shimmer-inks\/\">conversion to shimmer-ink-lover<\/a> than my top three? I&#8217;m only slightly surprised that my most-used inks of 2024 all have shimmer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3: Colorverse Butterfly Nebula<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/ClFlhR7PnpQ\/?img_index=5\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"833\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-8231630.jpg?resize=1000%2C833&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Butterfly Nebula swatc\" class=\"wp-image-14515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-8231630.jpg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-8231630.jpg?resize=300%2C250&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-8231630.jpg?resize=150%2C125&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-8231630.jpg?resize=768%2C640&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image from Luxury Brands of America&#8217;s Instagram feed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I have to be careful to put this in a wet pen, otherwise it can be difficult to read. But, the color is fantastic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2: Wearingeul Tinker Bell<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/C1si6DPtcMd\/?img_index=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2004606.jpg?resize=1280%2C1280&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Wearingeul Tinkerbell swatch\" class=\"wp-image-14517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2004606.jpg?resize=1280%2C1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2004606.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2004606.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2004606.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2004606.jpg?resize=1536%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2004606.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image from Wearingeul&#8217;s Instagram feed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Even if Tinkerbell didn&#8217;t have shimmer, it would need to be kept out of dry nibs, as it can be a bit light. But, in a wet nib, it&#8217;s a beautiful muted green, and I love the mix of gold and silver shimmer. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1: Vinta Inks Lakambini (The Maiden)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CZ9B7PjMNST\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-1649456.jpg?resize=1080%2C1080&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Vinta Lakambini swatch\" class=\"wp-image-14516\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-1649456.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-1649456.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-1649456.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-1649456.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image from Vinta Inks&#8217; Instagram feed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>On one hand, I can&#8217;t believe that my top ink of the year is pink. On the other, I <em>adore<\/em> Lakambini. It&#8217;s a pretty, dusty pink, and the shimmer is intense, without horribly clogging the pen&#8230; Except for those occasions when it does. Don&#8217;t leave this one sitting in your pen for a week or two and expect it to write immediately. But, It&#8217;s so pretty, it&#8217;s worth the extra effort.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Jump to a Section: <a href=\"#pens\">\u21e1 Pens<\/a> | <a href=\"#nibs\">\u21e1 Nibs<\/a> | <a href=\"#inks\">\u21e1 Inks<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks for reading to the end, I hope you enjoyed my post. What do you think of my lists? Is there anything you disagree with? Did anything surprise you? Let me know in the comments! I&#8217;d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure to <a href=\"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.us16.list-manage.com\/subscribe?u=d9c28d9c11226013eb8c0544e&amp;id=fb56c60d55\">subscribe to my blog<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/randomly_._rachel\/\">follow me on Instagram<\/a> so you don&#8217;t miss any posts. I generally post at least once a week. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Once again, I\u2019m sharing my current top tens. Although it gets hard every year, I stuck to lists of 10. This year, I also added inks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"more-link-wrapper\"><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/2024-top-tens\/\">Keep Reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">My 2024 Top Tens<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12188,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[54,407],"tags":[269,236,332,223,437,464,300,335,326,209,216,177,169,231,234,279,265,386,249,242,215,428],"class_list":["post-14493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fountain-pens","category-ink","tag-artus","tag-colorverse","tag-country-made-pens","tag-diamine","tag-end-of-year","tag-ink-institute","tag-namiki","tag-nibs","tag-permies-world","tag-pilot","tag-platinum","tag-rankings","tag-retrospective","tag-robert-oster","tag-sailor","tag-stanford-wood-studio","tag-stylo-suite","tag-troublemaker","tag-twsbi","tag-vinta-inks","tag-visconti","tag-wearingeul","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/2023-topTens_featured.jpg?fit=288%2C288&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8Z77k-3LL","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":16167,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/2025-favorites\/","url_meta":{"origin":14493,"position":0},"title":"My 2025 Favorites","author":"Rachel","date":"December 17, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Once again, I\u2019m sharing my current top tens. Or not. This year, I'm changing things up and sharing my favorites. It has nothing to do with my inability to limit myself to 10.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Fountain Pens&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Fountain Pens","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/fountain-pens\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Stanford Pen Studio Ardently","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cutout-spsArdently.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cutout-spsArdently.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cutout-spsArdently.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cutout-spsArdently.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cutout-spsArdently.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cutout-spsArdently.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12180,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/2023-top-pens\/","url_meta":{"origin":14493,"position":1},"title":"My 2023 Top Tens","author":"Rachel","date":"December 20, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Once again, I\u2019m sharing my current top pens. I was good and actually stuck to 10 again this year, hard as it was.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Fountain Pens&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Fountain Pens","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/fountain-pens\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Stanford Pen Studio Ardently","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cutout-spsArdently.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cutout-spsArdently.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cutout-spsArdently.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cutout-spsArdently.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cutout-spsArdently.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cutout-spsArdently.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9003,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/2022-top-pens\/","url_meta":{"origin":14493,"position":2},"title":"My 2022 Top Tens","author":"Rachel","date":"December 30, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Once again, I'm sharing my current top pens. I've done things a little different this year \u2014 including actually sticking to 10 pens on the list! Check out my best of the best of 2022.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Fountain Pens&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Fountain Pens","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/fountain-pens\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Benu Feather in the Wind","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/featherInTheWind-cutout.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/featherInTheWind-cutout.png?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/featherInTheWind-cutout.png?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/featherInTheWind-cutout.png?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8530,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/fp-myths\/","url_meta":{"origin":14493,"position":3},"title":"Fountain Pen Myths","author":"Rachel","date":"November 11, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Find out the truth behind some common, but infrequently discussed, fountain pen myths. Perhaps you'll learn something, perhaps you'll have a chuckle.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Fountain Pens&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Fountain Pens","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/fountain-pens\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/myths-IGSm.jpg?fit=288%2C288&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15307,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/instant-burst-happiness\/","url_meta":{"origin":14493,"position":4},"title":"An Instant Burst of Happiness","author":"Rachel","date":"May 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Pen Addict posed an interesting question in last week's member newsletter: Do you have any pens, pencils, or other stationery that gives you that instant burst of happiness, or a sneaky grin just for yourself? I decided to answer it.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Stationery&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Stationery","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/burstOfHappiness_featured.jpg?fit=288%2C288&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12565,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/stationery-ecosystem\/","url_meta":{"origin":14493,"position":5},"title":"Stationery Ecosystem","author":"Rachel","date":"February 2, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"A recent Gourmet Pens Club podcast episode got me thinking about a good descriptor for my stationery collection.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Stationery&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Stationery","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ecosystem-03.jpg?fit=288%2C288&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14493","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14493"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14493\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14545,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14493\/revisions\/14545"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14493"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14493"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14493"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}