14 June 2025

I should never be let loose in an airport which has a great fountain pen shop in it

… or for that matter, any fountain pen shop!!

I remember making friends with Karan Dhir in the William Penn store in Terminal 1 in Mumbai airport a few years back. The gentleman clearly was one of the rare people in today’s world who understand fountain pens. I remember buying one that day and then he presented me another!

Today, while in Terminal 2, I saw another William Penn store. I was hoping to see Karan there. Unfortunately, he is still in Terminal 1 (and in Mumbai, there is no easy way to go from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1). I did make friends with Kiran here and landed up picking three fountain pens.

Loved the coffee color pen. Goes with my fondness for everything coffee lately. Also, got my first Sailor pen. I was a bit worried about the Medium tip nib till Karan pointed out that it is a Japanese company. Japanese pens tend to be half to a full point thinner in nib edge for the same classification (of nib edges) and I love the tactile feedback of fine tips.

Can’t wait to go home, put some ink and start writing with these!

Category: Fountain Pens, Vacations | 3 Comments on I should never be let loose in an airport which has a great fountain pen shop in it
4 May 2025

The best notebook I have ever had. Bar none.

Got this as a gift from Akshay. This has all the elements of stuff I like – math, writing with fountain pen and something completely quirky.

As you see, the name of the notebook is “Nonstandard Notebook” – Mathematically Ruled Pages for Unruly Thoughts!!

Check out the Contents page. I have also included two sample pages – “herringbone” and “rupture” curves and the mathematical equations that give rise to those lines!!

Love writing on it!

Category: Fountain Pens | LEAVE A COMMENT
5 April 2025

I hit pay dirt within the first hour

In Salamanca market, I came upon this stall that makes all sorts of stuff from local wood. Interestingly, amongst all the wooden kitchenware, were quite a few pens. Out of curiosity and far less hope, I asked the gentleman “Are any of these fountain pens?”. What do you know? He said yes – and there was a whole section of them.

The girls went off on their own shopping spree as I sat down with Graeme and Saritthip to hear their story. Saritthip is the one who makes the fountain pens. They get their iridium point nibs brought in from Germany. Told me the story of each of the local wood they use.

Finally, bought two pens – one from golden sassafras wood and one from huon pine – both very local trees in Tasmania!

Category: Fountain Pens, Vacations | LEAVE A COMMENT
5 November 2024

A very special addition to my collection

This fountain pen is a generous gift from Dipanjan and Parijat which they picked up during their recent tour of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The body of the pen is made from the wood of Wagon Tree. This particular type of Protea tree (Protea Nitida) is the only one that grows into trees with wood hardy enough to be shaped into fountain pen barrels. They are usually found on the side of the mountains at all elevations.

When they mentioned about the Protea wood, I remembered something – that the cricket team from South Africa is often referred to as the Proteans. (like the New Zealanders are called Kiwis). Got curious about the connection. Upon research, I learnt that Protea is the national flower of South Africa. Did not know about that.

Coming back to the pen, the nib is made in Germany. Composed of iridium, it is the classic style with exposed feed.

I think brown ink will go best with this. I have a Macassar ink from Diamine in mind.

Category: Fountain Pens | LEAVE A COMMENT