{"id":7208,"date":"2022-04-08T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-08T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/?p=7208"},"modified":"2024-02-24T15:45:34","modified_gmt":"2024-02-24T20:45:34","slug":"pens-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/pens-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"My Pen Collection Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

Expensive and Retro 51 Pens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I’m back with Part 2! Once again, please use the form at the end of this post to vote for pens you want to see “pen porn” posts about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like the “less expensive” pens, I keep these categories in rainbow order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"expensive<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"retro<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Aurora<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Auroras\"<\/a>
The 88 in Venere and the Sun Moon Lake Moonlight<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I adore the look of the Sun Moon Lake. However, the Venere (AKA Venus), now that the “new shiny” has worn off, is working its way further down my ranking. I can easily see myself selling it at some point. Aurora nibs aren’t my favorite, and I have so many beautiful pens that the Venere can’t really compare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Montegrappa<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"montegrappas\"<\/a>
The Fortuna in Crowned Skull and the Extra 1930 in Shiny Lines\/Dove<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Shiny Lines\/Dove is stunning and writes beautifully. The Crowned Skull is too cool to get rid of, despite the hard-start issues the Fortuna model has.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMAS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"omases\"<\/a>
The Paragon Arte Italiana in Titanium with Bronze PVD and a prototype for a Chatterley Luxuries exclusive in the Dama size<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Arte Italiana is beautiful in an understated way. And after having the nib narrowed, it’s even better. The Dama is uber cool since it’s a prototype, and it sports the T2 nib, which is pretty nice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pelikan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"expensive<\/a>
Top to bottom: The M640 in Indian Summer, Sahara, and Eternal Ice<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The M640 is a fabulous pen with a great shape. I love this series, and I’m happy I have the three I really wanted. I just wish I had the boxes for the Sahara and the Indian Summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pilot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"expensive<\/a>
The Elabo in Black and Silver with aftermarket decor and the Custom 745 in Pinstripe<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Custom 743, not pictured because it’s out for nib work, is just a standard black pen. But, it has the coveted Pilot FA nib. Damien (All in the Nib<\/a>) is softening it for me to make it flex easier. I look forward to that. The Custom 745, while somewhat on the plain side, has the same, smooth-as-silk, nib that my Rock Garden does. And, I’ve already written about the Elabo<\/a>. The nib is lovely; the body is… well, it is. Let’s just leave it there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Platinum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"platinums\"<\/a>
The #3776 Century Nice Lavande and Izumo Bamboo Torafu<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I’ve mentioned before that it’s proven impossible for me to sell my Nice Lavande. I love the color, and the nib is nice, too. The Izumo Bamboo is an odd case for me. I store it separately from my other pens because I don’t want to run the chance of ruining it with the elastic bands in my pen cases. As a result, I often forget I have it, and then think I should sell it. But then I write with it and, wow! The nib is silky smooth! I love it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sailor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"more<\/a>
Top to bottom: Hello Kitty 40th Anniversary and Pro Gear in Tequila Sunrise, Apr\u00e8s Ski, Mojito, Champagne, and Blue Lagoon<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Yeah, I have too many Pro Gears, but I can’t choose any to get rid of. The Hello Kitty will be pried out of my cold, dead fingers. The Tequila Sunrise is absolutely beautiful, totally my colors. The Apr\u00e8s Ski was a present. I put way too much effort into getting the Blue Lagoon to let it go anytime soon. The Mojito and Champagne are the most likely to be sold in the future, but for now they make me happy. And, finally, the black Pro Gear \u2014 not pictured \u2014 is out with District Urushi<\/a> for a fancy “new coat.” I’m sure it will be stunning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stipula<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"expensive<\/a>
The Etruria in Rainbow Prisma 88 and the Leonardo da Vinci Olive Wood in Bronze<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

These two are interesting. I’ve written about the Prisma 88<\/a> before, twice actually<\/a>, so I’ll only say it’s very special to me. The Leonardo da Vinci was a grail pen that miraculously found its way to me<\/a>. While neither makes it to the top of my list for writing experience, they are both right at the top on the sentimental value scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visconti<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"more<\/a>
Top to Bottom: Mazzi Red Symphony, Mazzi Blue Symphony, Medici Rose Sovrano, Homo Sapiens Bronze Age<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I remember a time when the Homo Sapiens seemed like the ultimate “cool pen.” That was several years ago. The only reason I keep mine is because the nib was tuned in a team-up we’ll never see again. But, to be honest, I don’t know how much longer that will keep it in my collection. The two Mazzis are really cool for their paint work. Blue Symphony, especially, reminds me of the Lowrider cars that were so popular near where I grew up. And the Medici is simply beautiful. The material has a depth worthy of a Brooks resin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Retro 51<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"retro<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Phew, my Retro 51 collection keeps growing. I don’t know the models (Tornado, Tornado Popper, etc.) for certain, so I’m leaving that out. Left to right we have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n