Pen Geeks Unite!
OK, am I the only one who takes a great deal of satisfaction from using a fine writing instrument? I know I’m not or else the pen industry would not be as huge as it is. But we penphiles are sometimes ashamed to admit of our particular obsession. It’s ok. You can admit it here. Say it with me: "I love pens, and that’s ok." Well, my fellow pen geeks, I have been using now for a few months a relatively inexpensive pen called the Uniball Signo 207. I prefer it in "Micro" — they are fantastic. They are a roller ball pen and feel great and lay the ink down very nicely on paper. They are refillable, theoretically I guess. The red could be a bit darker for my tastes, but for some reason the red pens feel even more silky smooth than the black. I carry a black and red pen at all times, along with a fountain pen. [See, I told you I was a pen geek, and yes, perhaps a nerd too]. At any rate, if you love pens, and you don’t know about the Uniball Signo 207 series, check them out.
I think they used to call this being a “pocket-nerd” (for the pocket protector). Personally I find the Pilot G-2 .05mm Gel-Ink Rolling Ball to be quite satisfactory – and inexpensive.
Hmm… that looks nice, but it’s not a Sheaffer…
I, too, am a pen enthusiast.
Writing, when using a good pen to put great ink onto quality paper, is a sublime experience.
I prefer fountain pens (Rotring, Wality, & Pelikan), using Noodler’s Ink (Legal Lapis Blue, Red-Black, & Waterproof Black).
Rollerballs and/or Gel pens will do in a pinch (say, if I forget my trusty fountain pens), and they’re certainly better than el-cheapo ballpoints.
A fine writing instrument is certainly a sign of intelligence, taste, & class! ;^)
The proper term is “stylophile”, not “penphile”.
Philistine.
McCain: I’m duly chastened.
This blog has always addressed the important issues straight on!
Any genuine lover of pens and inks will delight to the smoothly flowing line of
a Pelikan rollerball pen. Admittedly it’s a little pricey and sometimes hard to find outside of specialty stores. Nevertheless, it remains my all time favorite piece of desk equipment.
McCain: Dr. Yahnke, yes, I thought it was high time on this blog site finally to talk about the truly important issues facing us today. I’ll have to give the Pelikan a trial run, if I can find one.
Your pen is recommended by bankers everywhere. Using state of the art technology, your pen actually prevents check fraud. So, not only does your pen write well, it keeps your money safe too.
I too am a pen freak/geek and prefer my Pelikan fountain pens to any other that I own. I have found a company, Swisher Pens, http://www.swisherpens.com/index.html, that has a great selection of Pelikan pens, including rollerball, and is reasonably priced,with refills being the exception. This is not an advertisment, I just happened to come across them on a web search for a Pelikan Junior Fountain Pen, tried them and was very pleased with their service and price. So thought I would pass along my experience with them to my fellow pen enthusiasts.
Bill Dieterichs
McCain: Thanks Bill, see you at church tomorrow maybe…we are supposed to get four inches of snow around here tonight and in Saint Louis that may, or may not, result in paralyzing road problems. But, if the weather guys are as they usually are, we will get maybe .5 inch.
Wrt anti-fraud, a good fountain pen ink, like Noodler’s Inks (found at Swisher Pens & Pendemonium.com, among other fine purveyors), is your best friend in the fight against check fraud & general ink-altering malfeasance.
Check out http://www.pendemonium.com/ink_noodler.htm for some good info about what makes Noodler’s Ink “bulletproof”…
My brother a pen nerd? Now I never saw that one coming when we were growing up. A Pastor, sure, an editor, absolutely, a bookworm, no doubt, but not a pen nerd! Personally, I prefer my Montblanc Meisterstuck Le Grand ball point. If they are expensive enough, you can consider yourself a pen elitist, which sounds much nicer than pen nerd or geek. Mine holds special value since I purchased it in … you guessed it, Beverly Hills. Now just to make sure no one gets the wrong idea, I “had” to spend some fun money on a company trip and rather than buy a $200 tie from Saks, I picked the Montblanc knowing I would appreciate it for years and years. Does anyone else find it ironic that we are typing comments to a “blog” page made instantly available to anyone in the world, talking about something as old as ink and paper? Happy writing!
McCain: My brother, the rich guy, what can I say?
I thought I was the only one. Hi, my name is Kelly and I am a stylophile.
no intereverntion needed.
k
The fountain pen is the only way to stylishly and securely write ‘scripts. The unique thumbprint invariably left behind, even if smudged, provides me with an easy sleep at night. That, and Luther’s Evening Prayer of course.
Yes, yes, I do cross myself as per catechismal instructions.
By the way, I am such a stylophile that I practice my Lutheran school penmanship in the little box thoughtfully provided by Rev. McCain, quite before typing in the words pouring forth from my brain.
Nota bene: For those wondering how I can possibly type and post anything legible, much less intelligible, given that severe environmental burden which I place on myself … the answer is that I make resort to that other antediluvian desk essential: liquid white-out.