Pen Thoughts: Benu Ambrosia in Brown Orchid

[@technoraptor7778]

One thing I do actually love about benu pens...is the fact that somebody had a vision of magical looking pens, and made it happen! And for that I respect them...not my taste..but definitely beautiful and unique..and still some of the only glow in the dark pens out there.

[@archivist17]

I love the 'rambling'. Our relationships with our fountain pens are intimate and important, and cultivating an awareness of those emotions is how we can maximise our writing experience.

[@technoraptor7778]

Very well said 👏....I get strange looks when I take out my favorite pens and it's probably because I'm just always in awe with them. People always ask what's wrong with me or if I'm high...haha or when they say "its just a pen" it's sooo much more than that.

[@adventuredenali]

Absolutely!

[@OdE-ObjectosdeEscrita]

I enjoyed this video so much. Nice, relaxing and very well made as usual. And you were able to show very well all the crazy properties of the resin. And thank you so much for mentioning my channel!

[@davidanderson3425]

The Benu Brown Orchid is a gorgeous pen. I wasn't sure about Benu pens but now I love them. My conversion to Benuism happened at a pen show last year. Being able to examine them more closely at the show made me realise they really are amazing designs.

[@georgemitchell9244]

It all started with thinset! That is classic for anyone in the know. Love to you from a working man. Our hands are a story.

[@edwardstaats4935]

Your hands are beautiful, you working hard with them, never be ashamed of hard work.

[@adventuredenali]

Thank you!

[@lord_haven1114]

I enjoy rambling videos. This is more like hanging out than an operating room procedure video. Keep up the awesome content and I’ll keep coming to hang with ya.

[@jennieeveleighlamond]

As someone who does woodworking and also has dry hand problems, I can strongly recommend Badger Balm and sleeping with well greased up hands covered by cotton gloves. It's helped me a lot. I really like my Benu pen as well, thank you for your review.

[@MPFConservation]

Kate here. I also feel that way about Benu, which is why they are the only pens I am now "collecting"! My favorite is Talisman, but I recent bought a Briolette, and found I liked the way it felt in my hand as well. I reach for them the most because besides being gorgeous, they are the best writers in my collection. Love your rambling video, and can relate to "dirty" hands. I restore furniture and have thought of dong a video but my hands often have paint or finish under the nails, impossible to remove! Following!

[@fbulbul]

What a fantastic review on the the Benu Ambosi in Brown Orchid. It is indeed a beautiful pen made in Armenia by the Russian husband & wife partners and designers and their studio of great artisans. Bravo! I definitely plan to buy my 3th Benu pen.

[@lemonsherbertxx]

You have lovely hands- good, strong, writing, grafting hands. Your videos are always such a delight. Personally I can’t relate to pen boredom, largely because I think you inspired me towards my calling of vintage pens and they all have their own, ever changing, cheeky, joyful personalities. Enjoy your new pen!

[@1boscolucas]

One of the things I like the most about your videos is because you use that pen because you really like it, not just do a review and the next week another one. You spend time using and enjoying the pen. And this makes your reviews special, so much fun to watch this is one of the many reasons why your channel is my favorite. Your way of telling stories is so inspiring and makes me want write my story in my journals. So I want to thank you for every video you post. I'm not going to lie that I like to watch pen reviws, but not so much laytely because the reviews have made me think that fountain pens are more of a hobby of buying than enjoying the pens and that goes against something I just feel about these pens. In my opinion these pens have a unique soul and deserve to be used and love. So lately I've been thinking about enjoying the pens I have more than just seeing a review and go to buying a new one, because it ends up becoming an addiction and in the end a pen that was made to be used ends up being kept in the drawer waiting a new one arrives to be kept in the drawer along with the others pens. So keep your good work is this inspiring videos. I apologize for my bad english, as it is not my main language I may have written something wrong!!!😅😂

[@brightonbabe2139]

I love my two Benu pens and now have ordered a third. They are pieces of art that have been created by passion. They look great, feel wonderful and writes beautifully.

[@naturallyherb]

I'm just totally obsessed with the Benu designs. They're SO beautiful they look like artworks themselves that come from the most renowned art galleries.

[@wpickle]

Never feel the need to apologize. Hands that tell a story of an interesting life are just as valid as the smooth hands of a baby.

[@filminginc405]

Love the ramble... And what a badass you are plumbing the house!

[@lexbrunov]

I had only 12 pens when I got hit by a plateau. Not that I've experienced many and got bored, but I totally get your situation - there seems to be no point in "yet another one". I ended up selling three and saying to myself, okay, I have a chance to re-experience a 10th pen, I can actually put some thought into a purchase. What happened was very similar to how you saw the Ambrosia and fell in love. I was on Peyton Street Pens and explored their Ranga section. And there she was, a Ranga Abhimanyu in Iced Mocha, a mesmerizing cracked-ice-ish acrylic. Very different to what the rest of my collection is but who cares :) Speaking of steel nibs, the nibmeister at PSP grinds some JoWo units and that's what I got instead of the stock nib for my Ranga. Excited to write again and even more excited you've found your little amber spark!

[@kateriewing]

Beautiful pen. Even more beautiful hands. Well-used hands are always the most beautiful hands. And I tried to buy that pen a couple of weeks ago and my bank wouldn’t allow it and PayPal would allow it. I’ll have to try again :)

[@itsmeLori]

I have been so pleasantly surprised with how smoothly Benu pens write. Yours is beautiful!

[@70Harper]

Ooh I’ve been eyeing them for a bit as well. Some of the newer collections are a bit more subtle than previous ones. May have to give them a gander lol!! Thanks for sharing!! ❤️

[@dashsunil]

The outdoor setting is beautiful. Thanks for the video. 😊

[@dianewalker9154]

Benu pens are a favorite of mine. I have their special edition Mistletoe from December and their Wild Roses, from this month, is in transit. They are stunning! They feel very comfortable and write wonderfully!!

[@barbarawest1205]

You and Kerry have me totally rethinking Benu pens. This one is lovely, especially that floral cap band.

[@TooLooseLeTrek]

I left a comment on your earlier video today about sharing any journaling technique and you did address that point at the start of this video. What I mean is if you have a special approach to any of your writing. For instance, I obsess photography and like to pick a photo and get into a meditative state and then write stream of consciousness about any aspect of that photo. Or I'm exploring this technique from a book called "Weaving Fate" by Aidan Wachter - the Black Book. It's a journal of writing 'as if' things were different. Very interesting idea. That's the sort of thing I mean, not showing us your written words. Thanks and keep up the fun journals (and much more!)

[@dannydontgoin237]

Beautiful pen! Always a pleasure to hear your rambling thoughts. Thanks for putting this brand on my radar. You've got worker's hands. No need to apologize for that.

[@Davidfromsaskatoon]

I see enough reviews, I enjoy the fresh take on a “review” I also love the word smitten

[@konradyearwood5845]

Do not apologise. There is nothing more genuine than the hands of an artisan.

[@skylerwesendunk269]

Every time I learn something new about you, the cooler I think you are. I wanna be you when I grow up 😂

[@inkyfingers1045]

I am obsessed with Benu and have many. I think my favorite is bourbon.

[@ericaycock8728]

I ran into this same "boredom" last year. I have been doing fountain pen reviews for the past 7 years or so as Pengeek13 and I hit a wall where I felt like I was saying the same thing over and over. So I took a break from reviews for almost 6 months and recently just got back into it and this is sitting on my desk for a future review. I stumbled across your video today, and I really like and appreciate the honesty and approach you bring to the community. Awesome review! Can't wait to see more of your posts. :) Have a great week!

[@kswaminathan5439]

I am really amazed how you write such small letters so clearly. Awesome handwriting.

[@Findsherway]

I love hands that reflect work or art! You are such a bad ass! I am not a big pen collector and my taste is usually simple, (steel or brass kaweco). BUT I just ordered this pen, it is quite magical. As always I adore your videos and your many many talents. xo Kim Oh, your notebook you made me continues to be my favorite.

[@jamesaritchie1]

A matter of months ago I said "not my taste at all, but after seeing so many Benu pens, I certainly see why so many people love them, and I'm seriously considering buying one. It really surprises me how much my opinion has changed. Be careful about watching OdE's channel very often. I've found doing so has a serious impact on my wallet. The Kaweco Brass Sport and a gold nibs came into my collection because of OdE. That wasn't the end of it, either. I prefer soft gold nibs because without them I'd have carpal tunnel a hundred times over, but I love a good steel nib, as well. I just don't find many of them on cheap pens. I do like the TWSBI nibs, and, so far, the Opus nibs, and Pilot nibs are almost always good, but that's about it for cheap steel nibs. Soft gold nibs are just infinitely better for long writing sessions, if you know how to let the pen do the work. But those are work nibs for me. For just having fun, steel nibs can be great. Can't say I've ever grown bored of pens, or paper, or much of anything. This may be a flaw, I don't really know. But if I like something, and enjoy using it, the like and joy just grow stronger with age. Probably a very good thing when you've been married forty-two years. Maybe not so much with day to day life.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Beautiful pen!!! This may be my year to try a Benu fountain pen. I was disappointed to miss out on a LE one from them. But I shall persist in the quest to find one in a color I like that isn't sold the instant it releases!!! Thank you for talking about your experience and showing this gorgeous pen!!!

[@adventuredenali]

You’re so welcome! I would love to hear your thoughts on the Benu pen. It’s really beautiful! I look forward to eye-droppering it once I’ve settled in a color.

[@joymusterer]

Okay that Benu pen is stunning! 💜 Purple is my favorite color. Thank you for the detailed review. Also I enjoy the rambling so keep on going. 😁

[@adventuredenali]

It’s a stunning pen, maybe you’ll have to add it to your wish list. ;) Thank you and you’re welcome!

[@KR-tr9fl]

Such an interesting looking pen! I’d never heard of this brand before your post about it. Definitely unique. It’s a magical thing when you find a new pen to love. Enjoy it!

[@YvonneRaphaelWriter]

Super fun pen choice. I admit to not liking them when I’ve seen them on retailer websites. Until I looked at the manufacturer’s website via your link. They know how to show off these pens. I think I might love them now too. Very affordable too. Thanks very much for sharing.

[@travis2931]

For your hands, I’d recommend O’Keeffe’s Working Hands or Duke Cannon Bloody Knuckles.

[@archivist17]

Just to say: Working hands are beautiful. Please don't feel self-conscious about yours. Skilled and capable hands. Oh, and I would not have guessed your line of work

[@adventuredenali]

Thank you very much! That’s great to hear. :)

[@HeidiRaatz]

Thank you for your review. It was nice to see how well the pen fits in your (strong, working) hands and hear you describe the writing experience. I'm still on the fence about BENU pens in general -- they can be a bit much with the glitz and glam -- so it's good to know they're nice to write with as well as being striking desk accessories.

[@danorrell]

Oh my goodness, purple is my jammm! Gah, it’s a stunner out there in the sunshine. I’m worried that shape/size would get lost in my monster mitts, but I’m gonna fetch a cocktail and cruise the Benu site now 😁

[@RaabStephan]

Gorgeous pen! For these types of pens, I just keep some syringes in my pen accessory box. When the cartridge runs out, I just refill it with whatever ink I choose.

[@tuhkathri9126]

I do love a good inksploration video 👍🏻

[@debbypodgorski4144]

Gorgeous pen. Waiting for the Atlas Benu pen to come!

[@RoundSeal]

I'm super interested in Benu so I'm so happy to hear your thoughts on one! My next pen is very likely going to be one, I just cannot resist.

[@edreilly6674]

They are are a really fun pen. They remind me of your collages.

[@thuntz29]

I definitely come to you for how you ‘feel’ and think and develop a relationship with your pens. :) Whether that’s considered a ramble… who cares? I love them. One of my favourite videos you have made is about the Pilot 823 and the Leuchtturm 1917. I haven’t seen a Benu that I like unfortunately, I do like the torpedo shape that this one has. They do look like little magic wands!

[@edwardstaats4935]

Love your rambles

[@adventuredenali]

Thanks!

[@stewartobrien7447]

Great video. Amazing to watch your cursive script take form on the page. Hemingway Jones (also on KZbin and Tiktok) also was agonizing over ink selection for a new, very fancy Platinum....he advised that he went with Diamine Royal Purple. Quite nice! BTW if you are not familiar with his content, he is another multi-threat talent/collector/journaler/guitarist of many stripes.....including a typewriter buff ala Tom Hanks! Had a bit of snow here in NM this morning...the world was mad over anew for a few hours, but now is melting away. P.S. Your hands look wonderful...full of purpose and accomplishment--reflections of your many talents.

[@rebeccac4751]

Lordy…that is absolutely beautiful! I like your choice, the colours are stunning. I’m not crazy about the bright colours, but that is a lovely colour mix 😁

[@beccacarrillo]

If the Sailor Shikiori is the Okuyama (there are lots of different Sailor Shikiori inks, I think)...I think you will LOVE it. It has become my new favorite ink (for the last several months) and I don't enjoy writing with anything else at the moment. It is wet and smooth and flows so nicely from my Kaweco Student Pen (I have it in the "30's - The Blues version). I'm glad you are loving your new pen. I don't own any Benu pens...yet.

[@astatosAeris]

Hi Alicia! I've been watching your videos for a while now and it's thanks to you that I started journaling again. Your penmanship has also inspired me to work on my cursive writing :) I am really thankful to have stumbled upon your lovely channel. You know, just last night I ended up having a dream about fountain pens and I wondered, have you ever had dreams about them? Hoping you are staying safe and healthy! Sending you my warmest regards from Tokyo. -Ines

[@julieholleran974]

That is a beautiful pen...love the amber flower...hugs, Julierose

[@adventuredenali]

Me too! Thanks for watching

[@marialuisagarabelli9235]

It’s really adorable!

[@adventuredenali]

Sure is!

[@KarynaLovesToPlan]

I love hearing your thoughts and feelings about the pen, and not just the specs. Because at the end of the day, a pen may meet all the requirements for weight, nib, etc., but if we don’t love the overall experience of writing with it (and that experience is a sum of the way we feel when we look at it, the way we feel when we hold it, etc.), then is the pen really worth it? BENU pens have been popping up in my feed and I am very very… very tempted to make this purchase very soon.

[@44musher]

The pen, the starship, paper it's universe. Go far and explore. Greetings from maine

[@adventuredenali]

Hello and thank you 😊

[@bhoola123]

For something new, maybe try a Franklin-Christoph Model 02 or Model 31. Try their Nagahara Fine Cursive Italic, or Fine or Extra-Fine S.I.G. (Stub Italic Gradient). Nice nibs for your style of writing.

[@glennkelley6096]

When I was small I was intrigued by my fathers hands and ever since It's one of the first things I notice about a person.Your hands have character they are lean and strong I assumed it was from playing your instruments because you made a comment about being a teacher in an earlier video.I'm sure you can master anything you turn your hand to.

[@BeccaBasilisk]

I love my Benu, I have a Briolette in Amber - it's still sparkly but because it's a warm amber brown & gold, it feels a tiny bit less gaudy if that makes sense! This was a lovely review/thoughts video and I liked seeing your opinion!

[@BeccaBasilisk]

I also use the same converter as my Kaweco Sports! That fits well!

[@shelbseroo]

My best recommendation for healing your hands is lots of jojoba oil and vitamin e 😁 on to the purpose of the video... What a gorgeous pen!

[@adventuredenali]

Oh good call! I happen to have both those things!

[@neofliermike]

I have a Schmidt broad in a pen, ground by Pendleton pens 'bls' in my big huge guider zimbo. I like Schmidt nibs, softer than jowo

[@ImCFoxx]

I have a Talisman shooting star, and my sisters name is Starr so I bought it thinking of her. But what really surprised me was how beautifully and smoothly it writes. I was so impressed. It is a fine nib, and I am particularly in love with. Dark saturated blue ink of many many Fridays. I’d love to get the brown orchid but can’t decide what color ink to put in it. I like your Shikiori samples in the dark Amber colors, but you don’t have which color they are. There are so many Shikiori inks. Please help thank you.❤

[@WonderfulHayden]

Benu goes 110% in outfitting their pens with all sorts of colors, sparkles and glow in the dark effect. Benu and Retro 51 are like siblings in that regard, "Life's too short to carry an ugly pen!"

[@adventuredenali]

It really is a “life’s too short,” kind of pen! I love it!

[@SpringNotes]

Just wondering what your preference is - between the F and the EF - and the reason why. Thank you !

[@liamstrain]

Curious, based on your notes about the feel of the resin - Have you used an urushi pen? I feel like you may have a similar impression of the 'life' of the material.

[@TheNightowl001]

I've been looking at the BENU Talisman Dragon's Blood for a while, off and on. But I tend to be pretty conservative in my appearance and possessions, and the BENU line just seems a bit too ostentatious for my tastes. I'm afraid I'd get one but wouldn't use it at all because I'd be embarrassed to take it out of my pocket!

[@MarshaLove0723]

I'm pretty conservative too, but you have to make yourself happy first. 😀 My first BENU was the Euphoria Jazz. It is a dark pen and I felt the sparkle was (a bit) more subtle. I liked it so much, I ended up with several more with a lot more bling. Take a chance, as it can be a conversation starter. Heh. And if you really feel you wouldn't use it out in public, you can still enjoy the 'bling' at home.

[@mojavejoe190]

I don’t think I’ve seen a bad review of a Benu pen. They are often over the top in style, but it’s obvious Benu cares a lot about the quality of their pens.

[@adventuredenali]

I think so too!

[@thuntz29]

Alicia which is that Sailor Shikiori ink you mentioned here? It’s gorgeous.

[@adventuredenali]

That’s the Summer Night Bonfire :D

[@thuntz29]

@@adventuredenali I’m going to have to try that!

[@brittanyfreeman9101]

What a beautiful pen! Pocket size pens just have a certain charm to them. The flower detail is so unique too. Did you have any issues ordering from the Benu website? I’d love to add one of these to my collection but am a bit nervous given everything going on in Russia currently.

[@adventuredenali]

They were really easy to order from and very communicative. Of course, I don’t know how things are fairing for them right now, as you said, there’s a lot going on.

[@brittanyfreeman9101]

@@adventuredenali Thank you! 🙏 I appreciate the reply and enjoy watching your videos!

[@h4r4s4r4]

Okay, but does it glow in the dark? Lovely video, as always!

[@kathycarroll154]

Nope. This pen would really have to grow on me. Gaudy is a good description of the words you used for some users. Tks for giving an explanation about your hands. Lol

[@hkm424]

I would 100% prefer to see ink/paint stained fingers and hard working hands over seeing perfectly painted unblemished hands. Eye's and hands can tell you more about person than anything else. I've been on the fence about purchasing a Benu. I've watched a ton of review videos + unboxing videos. I just didn't know how it would FEEL. Thank you for not doing a "Review" and instead explaining your thoughts on what it feels like in your hands.

[@geslinam9703]

I want the ultra blingy tacky as hell knock your eyes out Benu Euphoria in Vodka on the Rocks….that pen just appeals to my inner stripper. My hands are bad right now….winter dryness, constant washing, and way too much hand sanitizer. Try Cerave Healing ointment, slather it on at night. If you have cotton gloves to sleep in, even better. I would prefer a cruelty free product, but haven’t found one yet that compares to the Cerave.

[@kari.bullet.journal]

It is a gorgeous pen Alicia! I bought my fist Benu, thanks to Andrew PenFriendsUK. He thought it was right for me 💎💎💎 I think that having a fun pen with creative colours and designs makes our lives sparkle with joy and inspiration 🌸🍁💜🎉💝🖋

[@wittwittwer1043]

Perhaps the word you are looking for regarding your current pen disaffection is "jaded." I admire your vocabulary. You did not however, use "outrageous" to describe the kitschyness Benu pens exhibit. The design feature that put me off from buying a Benu is the sharp step between the barrel and the section. However, I found a Briolette design on Goulet that was so attractive to me that I had to have it, and once using it, found that the step was no problem; I didn't even notice it when I wrote with the pen. So, I wound up with two more Benus; a Septer, and an "Opal Dust" from different collections. Two pens have M nibs, the remaining one a F. I see another Benu that I want, a "Bourbon" from their Euphoria Collection. BTW, Benus are made in Moscow, Russia. Regarding your hands: Don't be ashamed or apologetic of them; be proud. I was a Caterpillar heavy-equipment mech for 10 years, and just before I quit the company, a female mech named Barbara began working there. She was capable and dependable, and got her hands dirty just like the rest of us. Valentine's Day is tomorrow, Feb the 14th. Have a heart-warming Valentine Day!

[@MysteryArts]

You may have sold me on another pen with this one. Does it post? I have a Benu Minima, which looks about the same size, and it does not post.

[@adventuredenali]

Oh I forgot to mention, it does post! I just really love the way it feels in my hands unposted, and am honestly a little worried about cracking the flowers on the cap band if I posted too deeply.

[@MysteryArts]

@@adventuredenali thanks!

[@algilmer3608]

Just a totally out of context and completely unrequested comment on your hands. Sometimes people just don’t know this but you very well may! You can use a chemical exfoliant (chemical in the sense of chemical reaction not it being toxic in any way, fruit enzymes can cause this reaction) once or twice a week on your hands anywhere that you don’t have open wounds and then rinse and moisture well to help. I say this NOT because anything looks wrong with your hands but because I grew up as a farm girl and I hate when my hands hurt, especially when it’s cold. 🙌

[@marjoriedybec3450]

😯

[@adventuredenali]

😀

[@arlenealennox3136]

It looks like something from Middle Earth.

[@Snick3927]

H'mm, but what’s next…

[@adventuredenali]

Hahah who knows! Anything goes!

[@wesdenham282]

Thank you for NOT: A. Giving specifications. (We see how big the pen is.) B. Writing “The quick brown fox…” (So overdone!)

[@adventuredenali]

Ahahah you’re very welcome 😉

[@Suiseisexy]

Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow!

[@jamesaritchie1]

I can't see how big it is. Without specs it's impossible. But I can look up the specs before I order one.

[@marvinjacobs7058]

pLEASE CLEAN YOU NAILS, JUST NOT BECOMING. pLEASE

[@rantg]

you seems to talk too much about the tool, rather than the work you do with it, which is weird, and probably means you search for a feeling of attachment, or maybe just a virtue signaling.

[@ליהואזיסברג]

hmmm - I usually like your reviews and so-called ramblings very much. you have a toned-down, yet honest air about what you say nd do and it is obvious that you love what you present and demonstrate. This time, though? Well... Within the last 2-4 weeks almost every pen reviewer online decided that they are falling in love with Benu pens. Is there something in the air? is it a COVID-19 bourne infliction? or just an effective marketing move from Benu? I can't tell. They also all use the same line "gaudy to cool" or something along these lines. Well -i own one of their less "loud" designs. They are definitely a bit different (although we have seen nicer designs from bigger names with diamond dust imbued materials, interesting metals and combinations etc. but nevermind - let's assume for a second here that really EVERYONE has gone boring and only Benu have dared to mix plastic with colorful glittery stuff...) but let's not get overboard with it: They are VERY plasticky, especially the sections and the toy-like cap bands, and the Schmidt nib, while nice is SUPER generic. I agree that it lays a somewhat semi-dry line which makes it a bit less desirable for me, bacause it allows for less dynamics in line variance and color shades compared with a more flowing nib. All in all I would of course not say these are bad pens - not at all - they are colorful (if you love this design venue) and their (dare I call them that?, well nevermind - ) designers definitely like a good glitter, but otherwise - they deliver a somewhat generic writing experience based on a very generic kit from one of the 3 big names in mass-production German nib suppliers. So - Nice? could be, relatively affordable - yup, a little different from the main bulk of traditional pen makers? at times, yes. But INSPIRING? or the new LOVE OF MY LIFE? ehhh not so much. Just saying. :-)

[@jamesaritchie1]

So you aren't in love with them, right? Doesn't mean others can't b e. No question that I prefer my Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age, my Scribo Feel, etc. But I can still fall in love with a be inspired by something like the Benu. Plasticky? So what. I don't see that as a downside. As for the Schmidt nib being "so generic", seriously? A generic writing experience based on a genetic kit? That doesn't even mean anything. It's one of the oddest, silliest statements I've ever read. I don't think you have a clue why most people use fountain pens, or why they fall in love with a given pen. I've been using fountain pens for sixty-one years. I've been repairing them, and grinding nibs, for nearly fifty years. I spent twenty years using a fountain pen a minimum of five hours per day, and average around seven to eight hours. A fair number of days stretched out to twelve hours, and every two or three months I'd have to write sixteen hours per day to meet deadlines. I couldn't have done this without soft gold nibs that I was taught how to use. If you know how to use one, and you have to be taught, a soft gold nib on a moderately heavy pen all but eliminates hand fatigue and cramping. But thinking there's something wrong with a Schmidt nib because it's "generic" is nonsense. It's pretentiousness at the highest order. My favorite daily carry, take everywhere, do most of my work with pens are the Bronze Age and the Feel, mentioned above. My most expensive pen by far is a Namiki Maki-e Emperor with a nib roughly the size of a ping pong paddle. I love these pens, and I love writing with them. But I absolutely love writing with my TWSBI pens, as well, be it the twenty-dollar GO, or an eighty-five-dollar Precision. I stopped buying Chinese pens a good while ago because I refuse to let my money support a regime that's guilty of everything from child labor, to forced organ donation, to outright murder, to genocide, but back in the day I bought several Jinhao pens. I had a Jinhao x750 with a buttery smooth nib that felt perfect in my hand, and there was nothing generic about the writing experience. I don't like faux-calligraphy nibs, whether cheapies or on a two-hundred-dollar nib. They're for those who want to make others think they know calligraphy when they really don't., and nearly all custom ground nibs are just faux-calligraphy. I'd rather use a plain old Jinhao nib because I actually do know how to write in Spenserian or Copperplate, etc. If you want non-generic writing, you might get it from a cheap fountain pen such as the Arab, with an FPR ultra flex nib on it. But that's about it. Better to do as I do and learn to use other types of writing instruments. I frequently use river reed pens on Papyrus, bamboo pens on several Japanese papers, feather quills on goat skin parchment. along with metal and glass dip pens. If it's a writing instrument, I use it. But you know what? A Schmidt nib gives me every bit as much writing pleasure as any of these other writing instruments, and every bit as much as my most expensive fountain pens. I've falleb deeping in love with quite a few cheap pens over the years. If I like the way a pen looks, and if I like the way it feels in my hand, and if it has a smooth nib, then I will love that pen, even if it has a "generic" nib on a very generic kit, and even if, in someone's mind, it feels "plasticky"..

[@ליהואזיסברג]

@@jamesaritchie1 Really, we are getting personal now? Shame on you. If you have something to say that is actually about fountain pens and writing - I am all ears....