{"id":16754,"date":"2026-05-08T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/?p=16754"},"modified":"2026-05-07T21:37:35","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T01:37:35","slug":"buy-again-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/buy-again-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Would I Buy Them Again? Take 2"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

I first did this post almost exactly four years ago<\/a> \u2014 the timing is just a coincidence \u2014 and decided to give it another go. The idea behind this post is pretty straightforward: if the below pens were first announced\/released today, would I buy them? Suspend disbelief for the duration of this post. Imagine that none of these pens have existed in this world before today. And I’ll tell you if I would buy them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of Jim choosing the pens this time, I used a random number generator. Every pen in my Airtable database<\/a> has a unique number based on its purchase order. I’ve also included the year I purchased or received each pen, just for funsies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

1. Aurora Sun Moon Lake Moonlight \u2013 2020<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Aurora<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I was thrilled to have the Sun Moon Lake when I first got it. Looking back, though, while I still love the appearance<\/em> of it, I’ve matured past the point of being satisfied with pens that are merely pretty. I’ve learned that I don’t really care for Aurora nibs \u2014 I don’t feel that they’re anything special \u2014 so I wouldn’t buy this again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Pilot Custom 743 Black \u2013 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Pilot<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Sadly, even though my Custom 743 had the FA nib \u2014 hence why I bought it \u2014 it just wasn’t what I was looking for in a flexible nib. I’ve been spoiled by Gena’s<\/a> and Les’<\/a> Spencerian nibs. I would not buy this guy again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Stanford Pen Studio Jabulani The Royal Tribute \u2013 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Stanford<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

So… I don’t think The Royal Tribute<\/a> counts, since it was a commission rather than a pen available for anyone to buy. But, since it came up, I’ll give you an answer. By now, I’m sure you’ve seen my post about my fantastic Bumbledore tribute pen. Not only would I buy this pen again a thousand times over, but you literally could not pay me enough to give it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3a. Lamy Joy Black \u2013 2017<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Lamy<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Since the original<\/em> third pick doesn’t really count, I generated another random number and ended up with the Lamy Joy. When I got it, it was a good pen for me. I got to play with the stub nib, and that was useful. But, with my collection of modified nibs today, this pen has no place in my collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Tamenuri Studio Flat Top Kawari-Nuri and Nashiji Nuri \u2013 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Tamenuri<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I would absolutely buy this Tamenuri Studio pen<\/a> again. I was enchanted by the design and workmanship when I bought it, and I still am. I love the color combination and the gorgeous radiance that cameras just can’t capture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. 18111 Red and Gold Hearts \u2013 2020<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"18111<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I don’t know if I’d buy this pen again. I love 18111 pens, but this is still a “pretty ink stick,” and I’ve got an embargo on buying more of those. I’m happy to have it in my collection, but I don’t think I’d miss it if I didn’t have it, since I have three other pens by Mr. Nakama. For the purposes of this post, and to stay true to my current pen-purchasing rules, let’s say I wouldn’t buy it again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Den’s Pens Arawn \u2013 2023<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Den's<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I would absolutely buy the Arawn again. The cap is an amazing fidget with its various planes and indents, and Den is an awesome human who I’m happy to support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Gravitas Rose Gold Aluminum & Black Skulls \u2013 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Gravitas<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I was eager to buy this pen from a friend because the design is amazing. I thought I could deal with the horrible metal-on-metal scraping sound when I open and close it. Unfortunately, I quickly learned that I couldn’t. So it’s a hard no on buying this guy again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Lamy Lx Marron \u2013 2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Lamy<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I also wouldn’t buy this Lamy again. I’ve long since learned that I’m not particularly enamored of the Safari\/Al Star\/Lx\/Joy nibs. It’s a pretty pen, and I enjoyed the brown\/rose gold combo while I had it, but I wouldn’t choose to add it to my collection now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. TWSBI Diamond Mini White Rose Gold II \u2013 2020<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"TWSBI<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I would definitely purchase the Mini RGII if it were released today, mostly because I’m collecting the TWSBI Diamond Mini series. It doesn’t hurt that I thoroughly enjoy the writing experience with these pens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. TWSBI Go Sapphire Blue \u2013 2018<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"TWSBI<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

And we end on a negative note. I was excited to buy the TWSBI Go when it first came out, assuming that it would have a similar writing experience to the 580 series. Unfortunately, it turned out to have a serious issue with the nib drying out. I didn’t keep it very long, and I wouldn’t buy it again if given the chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Thanks for reading to the end, I hope you enjoyed this post. Do you agree with any of my decisions? Do you own any of these pens? If so, would you buy them again? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to subscribe to my blog<\/a> or follow me on Instagram<\/a> so you don’t miss any posts. I generally post at least once a week. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I’m revisiting the questions of whether I’d buy pens again if they were first announced\/released today. This time a random generator picked the pens.<\/p>\n

Keep ReadingWould I Buy Them Again? Take 2<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16756,"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":[54,420],"tags":[219,256,273,266,217,209,279,201,301,249],"class_list":["post-16754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fountain-pens","category-non-fp","tag-219","tag-aurora","tag-dens-pens","tag-gravitas-pens","tag-lamy","tag-pilot","tag-stanford-wood-studio","tag-tags-and-challenges","tag-tamenuri-studio","tag-twsbi","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/buyAgain2_featured.jpg?fit=288%2C288&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8Z77k-4me","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13023,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/a-fountain-pen-rainbow\/","url_meta":{"origin":16754,"position":0},"title":"A Fountain Pen Rainbow","author":"Rachel","date":"May 31, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Tomorrow starts Pride Month! 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