Currently Inked – March2017
Another month begins, and more importantly, winter is fading into the past. Snow isn’t unheard of this time of year, but the average for my home town is less than 2.5 days of snow with an average of under 6” for the month. In mid-February I wanted some new inks and fountain pens in the mix, rather than flushing any I simply added to the inked pens. As the writing sample picture betrays, I haven’t written any pens dry since mid-February. Too many fountain pens, too little writing. I won’t be doing the Six Pen Challenge.
On to the pens:
Currently Inked – New Fountain Pens & Inks
One February pen was written dry but immediately refilled with the same ink, while two other February pens remain in the rotation, but with different inks. Then there are four completely new pens.
The Montblanc Meisterstück Ultra Black LeGrand (OM) was immediately refilled with my favorite ink, Montblanc Bordeaux.
The Visconti Homo Sapien Bronze Age (EF) returns but with Monteverde Burgundy ink this time. This is the old formulation which appears to be slightly lighter (redder) than the new Napa Burgundy.
The Aurora Optima Nero Perla (M) stays in the rotation but with P.W. Akkerman Dutch Masters 09 Steenrood “Red Stone” van Vermeer. I really like the color of this ink. This is one of several new terra-cotta shades of ink to join my collection recently.
The Fisher of Pens Hermes (F) appears for the first time this year. I love the look of this pen but it’s always been a touch finicky with the inks I’ve used. That is until now. The Rohrer & Klingner Limited Edition Blau-Schwarz may be the best behaved ink I’ve ever used. It continues to impress me by making this pen a joy to use and problem free. It helps that I like the blue-black color. Too bad it’s a limited edition and I’m at the end of the bottle. Luckily I still have one more bottle.
The Pilot Custom 823 (F) returns after an extended absence. It gets Pilot Blue-Black ink which seems to be my go-to ink for this pen. Not my favorite looking pen but it’s a great size for me and a superb writer.
The Sheaffer Balance II Aspen SE (M) shows up for the first time this year. It’s filled with its “go to” ink, Montblanc Permanent Grey.
The Sheaffer Balance Lifetime Oversize (c.1935) (Broad Stub) is the one vintage pen I have inked up. It’s inked up with Diamine 150th Anniversary Terracotta, another Terra-cotta inspired ink (obviously). The broad stub isn’t my choice as a daily writer, it’s way too wide, but fun for occasional use.
Written Dry
I wrote the following pens dry last month. Links are to the Ink and Pen Notes post for the combination.
The Montblanc Meisterstück Ultra Black LeGrand (OM) with Montblanc Bordeaux was written dry but immediately refilled with the same ink.
Visconti Homo Sapien Bronze Age (EF) with Montblanc Lavender Purple – The pen returned, the ink did not.
Aurora Optima Nero Perla (M) with P.W. Akkerman #12 Mauritshuis Magenta – The pen returned, the ink did not.
Sheaffer PFM I with Montblanc Lucky Orange
Currently Inked – Holdovers
The Sailor Pro Gear King of Pen (M) remains in the rotation with Bookbinders Red-Belly Black ink. A nice dark black ink.
The Sailor Pro Gear Regency Stripe (EF) with its thin nib and Sailor’s Pigment Black ink continues to get frequent use, but for very short notes.
The Monteverde Napa Burgundy is doing well in the Pelikan M805 Stresemann (EF). It’s almost empty. I like the ink and may simply refill the pen with the same ink. Beats cleaning it out.
The Newton Pens Eastman kept its #2442 Esterbrook nib and Montblanc Irish Green ink. I like the combination and have been reluctant to swap the nib. It recently developed a burping problem which kept me from picking it in some cases. All the ink, and now a lot of air, is beginning to take it’s toll, especially when I stopped storing it nib up. But I love the nib, pen and ink so it’s worth it. Storing the pen nib up, and letting the pressure equalize before I use it helps a bit. But it’s a small speed-bump that keeps from from picking the pen at times. Plus, once my hand heats the pen I have to be careful.
The Montblanc Meisterstück Ultra Black LeGrand (OM) with Montblanc Bordeaux was written dry but immediately refilled with the same ink so it’s also a holdover.
SOURCE:https://fpquest.com/2017/03/01/currently-inked-march-2017/