{{ Stuff that just works }}

[TPA]

I have to give praise to the Kirkland Signature luggage. I usually travel with my carry-on and backpack and that's it. 250-300 nights per year on the road. I don't remember how old my current one is but it's at least 10 years old and looking surprisingly decent, which I attribute to it being very rarely checked.

Sadly, it's not made anymore.

 

[raggie33]

Sony

 

[orbital]

+

Candles

I always have a candle burning in the colder months, it just adds a small bit light & warmth for the soul.

 

[russprechtl]

If you're into fountain pens and have to write on really crappy paper (like Amazon Basics), I found one of the best pens around. This is the Jinhao 80 with an extra fine nib. It's also seriously affordable at around $10 USD. Highly recommended.

 

[Monocrom]

Keyboard-plastic bodied LAMY Safari is a good choice for an EDC fountain pen that works well on cheap paper too.

 

[TPA]

The Lamy Vista was my first fountain pen...and turned me off to fountain pens for many years. Perhaps I have a bad one? No matter which ink I've tried in it, writing is inconsistent. I tried replacing the nib on it, but it doesn't make it any better.

About 5 years later I picked up a multi-pack of Pilot Petit1 pens and they grew on me.

These days I'm usually using Asvine V126 pens, although I also have a P80 which I enjoy due to its heft.

 

[Monocrom]

More than likely you ended up with a bad one, and a bad replacement nib.

But the absolute best EDC fountain pen I've ever used is the Prefounte model from Platinum. For an office setting, I'd say the Crimson Red would look most appropriate out of all the available colors of the pen bodies and caps. $11.oo, no converter. Ironically the converter itself is the same price.... one of the absolute best in the Fountain Pen world. Worth getting. For $22.oo you have a fantastic EDC fountain pen. Writing is butter smooth. In that regard it outperforms some pens I've owned that are over $100.oo in price.

Another issue is ink. Some are definitely better on cheap paper than others. So far the best ones I've found are Sheaffer, Waterman, and Noodler's Heart of Darkness. (Ironically the last one being appropriately titled if you know the background of it. Which has a lot more to do than just having the same name as a book worth reading.)

 

[dc38]

Noodler's Heart of Darkness

Good stuff, if not a bit stINKy...

 

[Monocrom]

Stinky?? I know my nose is a bit disabled but personally never smelled anything all this time I've been using Heart of Darkness.

 

[dc38]

Stinky?? I know my nose is a bit disabled but personally never smelled anything all this time I've been using Heart of Darkness.

Maybe I got some bootleg stuff, but while the standard alcohol scent is there, there's also a weird oily chemical scent. It's hard to describe, like sardines but not fishy

 

[russprechtl]

Keyboard-plastic bodied LAMY Safari is a good choice for an EDC fountain pen that works well on cheap paper too.

It sure does! I also recommend the Majohn P136, Hongdian C1, and Hongdian C2 (on the more affordable side) and the Parker Sonnet and Pilot Custom 743 (on the more investment-centered side). For inks, the Pilot 4001 series have worked well on crappy paper, as has Monteverde Horizon Blue and Midnight Black.

 

[Monocrom]

Maybe I got some bootleg stuff, but while the standard alcohol scent is there, there's also a weird oily chemical scent. It's hard to describe, like sardines but not fishy

Yeah, where did you get that bottle of ink from? Sounds like it was stored away for years. Inks in bottles are usually good for around 3 or 4 years, max!

 

[dc38]

Yeah, where did you get that bottle of ink from? Sounds like it was stored away for years. Inks in bottles are usually good for around 3 or 4 years, max!

Amazorn!

I did not know that...my Iroshizuku pilot inks are still good lol

 

[Monocrom]

Amazorn!

That explains it.

I did not know that...my Iroshizuku pilot inks are still good lol

Considering the price, it better be. Have one bottle of their red ink, myself.
Too expensive for me to ever buy another one. Mine is still good too.
Nice to see there's something in the formula that keeps the ink fresher, longer than usual.

 

[dc38]

That explains it.

Considering the price, it better be. Have one bottle of their red ink, myself.
Too expensive for me to ever buy another one. Mine is still good too.
Nice to see there's something in the formula that keeps the ink fresher, longer than usual.

They still smell normal too. My favorite ones are the kosumos and the bamboo green one. I also have the teal turquoise one, the grey one, and the emerald green one. Maybe they're lasting because I keep them in the dark in a utility sink, away from direct sunlight. They're about 7 or 8 years old I think

 

[TPA]

Noodler's Baystate Blue is my favourite ink in terms of color and writing...but wow, what a royal pain it is to use otherwise!

I've tried a bunch of other blue inks, but can't find anything which is as bold as that ink.

 

[Chauncey Gardener]

4:30 am, but I can't get back to sleep. Oh well, I'll read some CPF .....

On and on and on about writing pens and ink! What fresh hell is this, and where's the door?!

 

[russprechtl]

What fresh hell is this, and where's the door?!

It just works.

 

[Monocrom]

Noodler's Baystate Blue is my favourite ink in terms of color and writing...but wow, what a royal pain it is to use otherwise!

I've tried a bunch of other blue inks, but can't find anything which is as bold as that ink.

Dedicate a single fountain pen to it. Trust me, much less of a headache when you want to clean it out, and use a different ink. Just clean the pen out as best you can, but never switch inks.

 

[Monocrom]

4:30 am, but I can't get back to sleep. Oh well, I'll read some CPF .....

On and on and on about writing pens and ink! What fresh hell is this, and where's the door?!

No fountain pen? You're missing out.