2021 has been a difficult year, as my mum had terminal lung cancer, finally passing in mid September. She was a strong, independent lady (only 74) with failing eyesight and a disease that was determined to stay despite two years of treatment and a momentary reprieve. Throughout that time she very rarely lost her indomitable […]
I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing John Sanderson’s pens for a United Inkdom meta review, (http://unitedinkdom.uk/), and since then I’ve been pondering what I’d like John to make for me – a decision not to be rushed, as there are many factors to consider, such as clip design, material, rings, size, well, the list could […]
Being a contributor to United Inkdom is a real pleasure, as I get to use and review some incredible pens and this is no exception. The talanted UK pen maker behind this copper and urushi enamelled fountain pen is Ruth Bolton, who has yet to have her website set up but you can see her […]
Ben Walsh is the serious mind behind Gravitas, but as you can see he has a sense of fun designing his Gravitas Skittles fountain pen. I mean, just look at it, it’s rainbow coloured and if that doesn’t inspire a smile and a feeling of joy, I genuinely don’t know what would. Based in Dublin, […]
Another review for the United Inkdom and this time I was lent six pens to try, all hand made by John Sanderson of Silverburl Pens – https://silverburlpens.com/ – and what a beautiful selection of pens they are too. These pens immediately caught my attention, not only because some of them are sparkly, but because the […]
I’ve taken an interest in British makers of fountain pens, mainly because they bring something new to the design of fountain pens that, naturally, differ from the readily available to buy online brands, not that I’m knocking those, but having something handcrafted, whether that be clothes, jewellery or chocolate, brings that bit extra to ones […]
Once more I have been given the opportunity to review something for United Inkdom and this time we’re looking at budget hand lettering and calligraphy fountain pens from Manuscript. I was curious about the Hand Lettering pen, if only because, truth be told, my handwriting is atrocious and there’s always a hope that ones writing […]
Finally 2021 arrives and we’re still stuck at home, though there are good things on the horizon in the form of the vaccine. Happy days! Naturally one tries to find things to occupy ones time (when not working I hasten to add) and I had been umming and ahhing about getting a new fountain pen. […]
As well as the Back Pocket A6 notebook that Scribble Monboddo sent for me to review, he also offered one of made for ink’s special edition neon A6 notebooks. First off, the cover didn’t come to me smudged and scruffy, that was entirely down to me handling it after ink swatching. The next thing to […]
I and others have once more been invited by Scribble Monboddo to contribute to a meta review of notebooks, all of which will appear on United Inkdom’s page. There was a nice selection of brands to choose from but rather than pick one I asked Scribble to surprise me. So, landing on my doormat came […]
Random musings from the Downs 