Pen of the Day: Pelikan M700 Toledo

Laura2 Comments

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Pelikan M700 Toledo with extra-fine nib. This is the smaller of Pelikan’s two modern Toledos. It is based on the M400 body. The sleeve is sterling silver, with the decorative parts engraved by hand. It is then treated to darken the base and cover with gold the part of the design that stand in relief.

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I bought the pen used and added the extra-fine nib later. Richard Binder ground the nib himself from a stock medium nib when he realized that he had run out of extra-fines. I know I got the better end of that deal; this is one great nib.

The ink is Pelikan Brilliant Black. It’s not a dark black, but a more gray black, and it’s a dry ink, so it keeps the line nicely narrow.

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Ink Review: Diamine Wagner

Laura1 Comment

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Diamine Wagner.  This ink is part of Diamine’s outstanding Music Set.   Wagner is an unusual color, but I think it’s gorgeous.  I have used it with a Lamy Safari with medium nib and here with an inexpensive Jetpens Chibi with a fine nib. It is better suited to pens with wetter nibs, like the Chibi.

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Pen of the Day: Pelikan M600 Ruby Red

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Pelikan M600 Ruby Red with fine nib.  The M600 is the perfect size for me, and red is a favorite color, so this special edition Pelikan from a few years ago sees frequent use.  The cap is the most translucently beautiful part of the pen.

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The ink is Pelikan Edelstein Turmaline, ink of the year for 2012, a very cheery pink.  It will be the perfect match for Pelikan’s forthcoming pink-striped M600.  Pink-o-phobes, I apologize.

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One Minute Ink Review: Pelikan Edelstein Ruby

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Pelikan Edelstein Ruby. A red ink that’s on the quiet side, Pelikan Edelstein Ruby has unusual qualities for a red.  It may not appeal to those who want brightness and high saturation, but it’s that rare red that could be described as pretty.  Definitely not the “You Got an F” traditional red ink of student nightmares.  It’s also easier to clean out of a pen than most reds.

An everyday ink?  If I used red ink every day, Pelikan Edelstein Ruby would be one of my choices.

Pen Case Review: MY63 Single-Pen Cases

Laura2 Comments

Through Fountain Pen Geeks Forum, I have gotten to know a fellow member MY63 — Michael — who does leather work including custom handmade pen cases.  He very kindly surprised me with a single-pen case as a gift, and I liked that so much I bought a second in a different style.

The first case is tubular in shape. It consists of two halves held together by a leather cord that closes with a leather toggle.  Mine has a mahogany exterior with yellow stitching, and a tan suede interior.

The second case has a more familiar holster design, with a leather flap that slips into a leather band.  Mine is black with red stitching and a silver suede interior.  I call it the Blackhawks case because I chose the colors for the 2015 Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks hockey team.

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Pen of the Day: Parker 51 Plum

Laura1 Comment

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Parker 51 Plum with fine nib.  This particular Parker 51 is the color Plum, which was produced only for about a year or so.  No, you can’t tell by looking at the photograph, which is how I chanced upon mine.  The color is so dark it tends to look black, brown or burgundy in photographs.  It was entirely by accident, then, that I bought this on eBay.  Even in real life, however, the Plum color isn’t particularly noticeable.  However, I’ve always liked writing with the 51’s straight-forward, business-like fine nib, no matter the pen’s color.

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I’m using Pelikan Edelstein Amethyst, Pelikan’s 2015 ink of the year.  It’s a red-leaning purple with a soft, friendly look and beautiful shading.  It seems to clean up easily for a purple ink.  I’m smitten.  Because it’s a limited edition ink, it won’t be around forever, and I’m sorely tempted to buy a bottle.

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