Simple Living

Expanding My Ink Collection: Iroshizuku Triple Mini Set I picked up another triple mini set of Iroshizuku Ink. For the price of one 50 mL bottle, I got three smaller 15 mL bottles to sample different colors of ink. This brings my growing collection to about eight different Iroshizuku inks. I believe there are at least 26 standard colors, along with several seasonal and special editions, making it an exciting addition to my writing arsenal.

Building My Fountain Pen Ink Collection I recently received a delightful gift: a 3-pack sampler of Pilot brand Iroshizuku ink . This set includes 15 mL samples of three beautiful colors: Syo-Ro Ama-Iro Fuyu-Gaki I'm thrilled to add these to my growing collection of fountain pen inks, which now includes five Iroshizuku colors : Kon-Peki and Murusaki Shikibu are already in my arsenal. First Impressions with Ama-Iro I inked one of my Pilot Metropolitan pens with Ama-Iro and was pleasantly surprised by its lighter shade of blue. Initially, it looked quite similar to Kon-Peki , but once dried, I noticed that: Ama-Iro is much lighter and fresher in appearance. In contrast, Kon-Peki starts darker but lightens up to resemble Ama-Iro after drying. Future Plans I'm looking forward to trying the other colors in the sampler. I’m also considering expanding my collection with the following 3-pack samplers: Asa-Gao, Shin-Kai, Yama-Budo Tsuki-Yo, Take-Sumi, Kon-Peki This would help me e...

Pilot Custom 74 Review I purchased a Pilot Custom 74 with a Soft Fine Nib for about $70 on Amazon. I also ordered a Con-70 Ink Converter, but for now, I'm using a standard blue ink cartridge. Initial Thoughts The pen is quite nice and naturally better than the Pilot Metropolitans that I have relied on for several months. However, I was somewhat disappointed by how the barrel of the pen curves inward before connecting with the cap. I would have preferred a nicer fit and finish comparable to the Platinum Century 3776. The nib is also much more subdued and almost the exact same size as the Pilot Metropolitan's nib. Visually, it is more appealing with its added engraving, but unless you write with it, it looks almost identical to a Metropolitan nib. In short, I was hoping for a pen that was both an excellent writer and a bit more ostentatious, similar to the Platinum 3776. I will likely have to order a replacement 3776 in Chartres Bleu, probably around August of this year, as I rea...

Expanding My Fountain Pen Collection My current focus is on my nascent fountain pen collection, and I have been planning how best to proceed over the next 12 months to increase my collection to a total of six pens. Presently, I own only three Metropolitan pens, and I feel it's necessary to add some variety and quality. Current Inventory Pilot Metropolitan Classic (Black) Retro Pop (Turquoise) Retro Pop (Purple) Iroshizuku Ink Kon-Peki Murasaki-Shikibu Future Desired Additions Pens Pilot Custom 74 Black — $75 — Mar 2018 Platinum 3776 Blue — $75 — Aug 2018 Platinum 3776 Red — $75 — Dec 2018 Accessories Pen Case (3 Pack) — $25 — Aug 2018 Estimated Outlay : $250 Update: 12/31/17 I've delayed my planned purchases and will make them contingent on successfully passing my certification exams for Python and R. While the dates may vary, I want to ‘win’ these pens by passing the examinations. The Metropolitans have held up well and are being reinked every few days due to my studies. U...

New Additions to My Fountain Pen Collection I recently ordered two Pilot Metropolitan fountain pens from the Retro Pop collection in Turquoise and Purple. Both pens feature fine point nibs and, aside from the color and design patterns on the cross section, they are identical to the Metropolitan Classic collection. The Benefits of Multiple Pens I’m glad I purchased additional Metropolitan fountain pens. Having several options to choose from makes life easier than relying on a single pen. Packaging Contents The pens come in the same standard packaging as other Pilot Metropolitan models, which includes a single black cartridge and a Con-20 style ink converter. This setup makes the Metropolitan one of the best starter pens, as it provides everything needed to begin writing. Nib Performance After their first inking with Iroshizuku ink, both pens felt a bit scratchy. I grabbed my Metropolitan Classic to compare and found it writes much smoother. I suspect the new pens just need some time to ...

Researching Entry-Level Pilot Fountain Pens As I delve into the various models of entry-level Pilot fountain pens, I’ve established some criteria for what qualifies as "entry level." Criteria for Entry Level Price Range : $10 to $60 MSRP Refillable Options : Normal refillable systems (converter/cartridge, etc.) List of Models Pilot 78G Pilot Cavalier Pilot Cocoon Pilot Ecrino Pilot Kakuno Pilot Knight Pilot Lucina Pilot Metropolitan Classic Retro Pop Animal Print Pilot Minuet Pilot Penmanship Pilot Petit1 Pilot Plumix Pilot Prera This list will help me compare and choose the best option as I continue my research.

Loss of My Platinum Century 3776 Fountain Pen It appears I've misplaced and possibly lost my beloved Platinum Century 3776 fountain pen. This is unfortunate, as it cost me quite a bit of money, estimating around $75 ($65 for the pen and $10 for the converter). Current Alternatives While I still have my Pilot Metropolitan, it simply isn't the same as having a gold nib pen. The writing experience with the Platinum is unmatched, and I truly miss it. Future Considerations I’m not ready yet to invest in another expensive fountain pen. Instead, I need to think about how to better ensure I avoid misplacing and losing such valuable items in the future. This situation has definitely been a disappointment.

Discovering Fountain Pens at Tokyu Hands During my time in Shibuya, I decided to explore the Tokyu Hands Department Store. I was pleased to find a modest but decent selection of fountain pens and inks on the 5th floor, with prices that were fantastic at just 1,500 Yen. I couldn’t resist picking up my second Iroshizuku Ink—Murasaki Shikibu (Purple)—which I had always wanted. To my surprise, it was cheaper here than on Amazon! Iroshizuku Ink: Murasaki Shikibu The name Murasaki Shikibu is a clever play on words, referring both to a famous Japanese author and a purple berry. The author had a penchant for purple clothing, and the berry is also purple in color. It’s intriguing to think that the berry might have been named after the author, which could explain why the ink is colored after her! In terms of its appearance, Murasaki Shikibu is not as vibrant as Kon-Peki, but I appreciate its more subdued characteristic. The ink flows well, possibly because I left a few drops of water in my Plat...

Update on the Con-50 Ink Converter for the Pilot Metropolitan I recently picked up the Con-50 ink converter for my Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen. While the stock CON-20 ink converter that comes with the pen works fine, I found it a nuisance to gauge how much ink was left. It was especially frustrating when it ran out of ink in the middle of a business meeting. Initial Impressions The Con-50 converter functions similarly to the Platinum ink converter, allowing me to fill the pen quickly and with minimal mess. Although it holds less ink, I appreciate that I can easily see when it’s getting low. This will help me start estimating how many days or weeks I can go between refills. Update (1/12/17) Unfortunately, my experience with the Con-50 took a turn for the worse. It cracked! I ended up with a total mess and had to disassemble and clean the pen thoroughly. I’ve reverted back to using the stock CON-20 converter for now. This marks my third frustrating experience with Amazon, where I...

My New Fountain Pen: Platinum Century 3776 in Chartres Blue I recently picked up my third fountain pen: the Platinum Century 3776 in Chartres Blue (Fine Point). There are plenty of reviews available, so instead of a full review, I’d like to share why I chose the 3776 as my first “nice” pen. Why the Platinum Century 3776? After enjoying both the Pilot Varsity and Metropolitan, I felt ready to invest in a higher-quality pen for a better writing experience and deeper understanding of fountain pens. The 3776 stood out as an excellent choice for me. Priced at $67 from Amazon, with an additional $8 for the ink converter, it's a significant step up, but the cost is manageable. I had considered a pen in the $30–$40 range, but an extra $20 for the 3776 seemed worth it for the quality and craftsmanship. First Impressions Upon receiving the pen, I immediately filled it with Iroshizuku Kon-Peki Ink. The initial lines were a bit scratchy and thin, but after some time for the ink to saturate the...

First Impressions of Iroshizuku Ink: Cerulean Blue (Kon-Peki) I finally received my first bottle of Iroshizuku Ink in Cerulean Blue (Kon-Peki), a popular choice that many have raved about online. After loading it into my Pilot Metropolitan Fine Point, I was able to write some lines, and I can already see why this ink has garnered such acclaim. While it's still early to determine if this will become my "signature ink," it's definitely shaping up to be a color I'll use quite regularly. Mishap with the Bottle Cap Unfortunately, there was a mishap during shipping: the flimsy plastic bottle cap fractured, causing some ink to leak all over the inside of the shipping package. I managed to seal the fracture with tape, but I'll likely need to transfer the remaining ink to another container. It's a pity to encounter this issue, especially since I’m learning that the plastic cap is a common flaw with Iroshizuku Ink and doesn’t hold up very well.

Review of the Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen Contents Pen Pen Display Case (Clear Plastic Top Cover) Con-20 Style Converter One (1) Blue/Black Ink Cartridge Nib Style Options Fine (F) or Medium (M) Color / Model Numbers Classic Black MRFC1BLKFBLKP (F) MRFC1BLKMBLKP (M) Gold MRFC1BLKFGLDP (F) MRFC1BLKMGLDP (M) Silver MRFC1BLKFSLVP (F) MRFC1BLKMSLVP (M) Retro Pop Green / Marble Red / Wave Orange / Flower Purple / Ellipse Grey / Hound Tooth Turquoise / Polka Dots Animal Print Purple / Leopard White / Tiger Black / Crocodile Gold / Lizard Silver / Python Initial Impressions My Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen (Fine Point) arrived from Amazon, and it is a beautiful writing instrument. The online reviews accurately describe it as an excellent starter pen. The immediate sense of quality is apparent just by holding it. There is a certain weight and heft that exudes quality, making the overall look and feel best experienced through actual use. For $13, this is a phenomenal deal. It even comes w...

Exploring the World of Fountain Pens I've become interested in fountain pens and spent a few weeks researching online to develop a plan for approaching this newfound hobby. My goal is to invest in about half a dozen pens over a period of sixteen months and hopefully acquire a decent level of knowledge and experience in using and maintaining fountain pens. I also aim to develop some degree of penmanship. 1. Practice Phase (Pilot Varsity, Pilot Metropolitan) - 2016 (1 Month) Having absolutely zero experience using a fountain pen, I am starting small with some Pilot Varsity and Metropolitan pens. Pilot Varsity - October 2016 Online, there have been many rave reviews about the basic $3 Pilot Varsity or Platinum Preppy, and I was okay getting either one. My local office store had the Varsity in stock, and I picked up a pair to begin writing. The selection was limited; they had only Medium Point in Purple Ink (other choices were Red or Pink). Pilot Metropolitan - October 2016 I went ah...