What Was Your Last Impulsive Pen Acquisition?

[Penguincollector]

On 2/1/2026 at 6:55 PM, inkstainedruth said:

@PithyProlix I keep looking at Pilot Elites but haven't ever gotten around to springing for one yet....  I don't think I've ever seen one that color before (most of the ones I've seen for sale at pen shows have either had burgundy barrels or black ones).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

   I have a few vintage Elites that are varied in color. In the 1980s, there was a line of pocket pens called Elite Lady that were both metal capped like today’s burgundy model or all plastic like the black one. Some have a big cursive “L” (like Laverne’s sweaters) inlaid on the cap. They’re not very expensive unless they’re NOS with a rare nib type. If you’re at a show where Nik Pang has a table, he often has some nice examples of Pilot pocket pens for a good price. Platinum and Sailor also made these, I really like the Platinum ones.

[inkstainedruth]

A couple of years ago, when I was in NYC over the holidays, went to the Lamy SoHo store (sadly, since closed) with the express purpose of trying and maybe buying a Studio (I'd been drooling over the blue one for while at that point).  But it turned out to be a bit too heavy for me to use, and that got crossed off my wish list.  Ended up buying the Harry Potter "Ravenclaw" al-Star (the original version with the engraved barrel) instead....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedrruth

[Penguincollector]

15 minutes ago, InkyProf said:

Yes, the Studio I gave up on was the Piano Black, which I think is (maybe?) a little heavier than my all-black Studio (which I'm keeping). It wasn't so much the weight per se that bothered me; I found that I didn't like the polished section and that the pen just felt awkward to handle, more when capping and uncapping than anything else.

 

  Awkward is an excellent descriptor for the Studio, it’s a great looking pen that’s not quite right. For some people it’s the weight, others the slippery section (or disintegrating rubber coated ones), and the un/capping can definitely make or break the use of a pen. 

[JonSzanto]

14 hours ago, Misfit said:

@JonSzanto that pen body is gorgeous. I bet it’s so much more so in person. And that nib, wow, it’s quite different. Sounds like it’s a very well thought out design. 

 

Yes, the fellow behind Eureka FP really is an engineer, first and foremost, and his designs work very well. Not everything they do floats my boat but this little nib is pretty remarkable - just a couple of tweaks to an old concept, aided by modern design and tools. It's funny about the old pen body: it's one I got years ago from Peyton Street, might have been to host an old Sheaffer inlaid nib, but unfortunately the cap isn't a great sealing cap, so pens would dry out. Using it this way it is a non-issue, so I can use something that I had relegated to the non-use drawer. Win-win.

[AmandaW]

5 hours ago, JonSzanto said:

 

Yes, the fellow behind Eureka FP really is an engineer, first and foremost, and his designs work very well. Not everything they do floats my boat but this little nib is pretty remarkable - just a couple of tweaks to an old concept, aided by modern design and tools. It's funny about the old pen body: it's one I got years ago from Peyton Street, might have been to host an old Sheaffer inlaid nib, but unfortunately the cap isn't a great sealing cap, so pens would dry out. Using it this way it is a non-issue, so I can use something that I had relegated to the non-use drawer. Win-win.

My EurekaFP nib is already on its way and automatically appeared in my AusPost app. That doesn't often happen with international post. So I have tracking to watch, even though I chose the basic postage option. I'm impressed with the service.

 

And thinking one of my PenBBS pens might become the handle. They're nice but I don't use them much because they dry out too fast.

[Misfit]

6 hours ago, Scribs said:

 

Tehehe, I'm likewise battling making a purchase many months in advance for my 60th... so far I'm resisting the urge, after all it needs to be one very special pen, a memorable pen, for that kind of birthday. Let us know what you end up doing Misfit!

I sent a message via the website. It’s my local pen store. The reply today was it is indeed in stock, but the pen club discount must be done by shopping in the store. It’s a forty to forty five minute drive there, etc. I decided the $11 of the discount wasn’t worth the effort. I ordered it, and got the last one with a B nib. They have one left with M nib. 
 

6 hours ago, Penguincollector said:

 

  I think making a deliberate purchase and setting it aside for a special occasion gift is an excellent idea. With certain pens it’s best to buy them when you see them, otherwise you end up missing out. 

You are right on both counts. I’ve done this before. I admit I do open the box to check to see if it’s the right pen and nib. And the last of the production of a pen you’re chasing can be missed if you wait too long. 

[Scribs]

37 minutes ago, Misfit said:

I sent a message via the website. It’s my local pen store. The reply today was it is indeed in stock, but the pen club discount must be done by shopping in the store. It’s a forty to forty five minute drive there, etc. I decided the $11 of the discount wasn’t worth the effort. I ordered it, and got the last one with a B nib. They have one left with M nib. 
 

 

 

Glad you were able to get what you wanted. 🙂

[JonSzanto]

3 hours ago, AmandaW said:

And thinking one of my PenBBS pens might become the handle. They're nice but I don't use them much because they dry out too fast.

 

Great news on your purchase, I was also amazed at the speed of fulfillment and delivery. You may not believe this, but... the first pen I tried to put this into was a PenBBS that didn't seal too well. I rushed the job, didn't make the nib-unit-insert thin enough, and when pushing it in place (like a friction-fit nib/feed) I cracked the section. Because they take a threaded nib unit, I think they can get away with thin machined acrylic. Use caution.

[Misfit]

9 hours ago, Scribs said:

 

Glad you were able to get what you wanted. 🙂

Thank you very much. I hope it has the distressed look as the image on the website. 

[PithyProlix]

On 2/2/2026 at 9:55 AM, inkstainedruth said:

I keep looking at Pilot Elites but haven't ever gotten around to springing for one yet....  I don't think I've ever seen one that color before (most of the ones I've seen for sale at pen shows have either had burgundy barrels or black ones).

 

Maybe those are the current version, though black is by far the most common color of vintage versions. There is no vintage version I am aware of that has a burgundy barrel and I think all the contemporary versions are black or burgundy, save a dark blue one that was for Pilot shareholders exclusively.

In my opinion, you can't go wrong with an Elite, though there's a sponge under the nib in the vintage versions that I've heard some have problems with. I have quite a few and I've never had a problem - they are workhorse pens for me.

 

On 2/3/2026 at 10:51 AM, inkstainedruth said:

@PithyProlix -- Urushi?  Oh rats.  I can't trust an urushi pen (or urushi ANYTHING, for that matter) to be sufficiently "cured" for it to be "safe" for me to use without getting a MAJOR allergic reaction.  

 

Your wallet thanks you for your allergy.

 

On 2/3/2026 at 10:01 AM, Misfit said:

Oh, I really like that color combination. Congratulations on getting it. What ink will you put in it?

 

You are referring to the light blue Elite, right? With strongly colored pens like this, I generally ink with a close color. Light blue is not a color I think about much when writing but I happen to have a few that might be a nice match. When I get around to inking it I think I will first try a light blue ink I have from the Ostrich Flower series and, if that doesn't work, maybe L'Artisan Pastellier Callifolio Bleu Atlantique or Bleu Mediteranee. PenBBS 408 Xiamen City might be possible also if this pen is a wet writer, otherwise that ink is very light.

 

I'm gonna try a dip test with the Pineider with Herbin Vert Empire, a favorite.

[inkstainedruth]

@AmandaW "Handle"?  I'm gonna have to remember that!

@PithyProlix LoL!  My wallet was quite amused by your comment! 

@Misfit My most expensive pen, the M405 Stresemann, is a good example of "special occasion" pens.  My husband was sort of freaking out over the price, but it was the one time in my life that I had a sizable "discretionary budget" for whatever I wanted.  And I pointed out to him that I was SAVING money by getting it from Rolf Thiel on eBay -- I didn't have to pay the US distributor markup, and he didn't have to charge me VAT because I'm in the US, and back then eBay didn't automatically collect sales tax.  And then ended up buying the M405 Blue Black at the same time BECAUSE I looked to see what other goodies he had listed.  Of course, an hour after hitting the "buy" button, I got that "Did you know..." phone call from PayPal....  

There's a reason that those two M405s are still my two most expensive pens EVER....  Even the Parker 41 that got appraised at something like close to three hundred TIMES what I'd paid for that wouldn't have been that expensive at it's "appraised value" price.... 

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Misfit]

Well, I sort of forgot that I already ordered a pen that I was saving for my birthday. That pen is a Retro 51 Black Nickel pen. And now I’ve recently ordered the Kaweco AL Stonewashed Black pen. The Retro 51 has my favorite nib, the 1.1mm stub nib. I got it at a better price, and an additional 10% off. The Stonewashed cost more, but has a B nib. Hasn’t shipped yet I guess, as there has been no notification. 

[JasonR]

4 hours ago, Misfit said:

Well, I sort of forgot that I already ordered a pen that I was saving for my birthday. That pen is a Retro 51 Black Nickel pen. And now I’ve recently ordered the Kaweco AL Stonewashed Black pen. The Retro 51 has my favorite nib, the 1.1mm stub nib. I got it at a better price, and an additional 10% off. The Stonewashed cost more, but has a B nib. Hasn’t shipped yet I guess, as there has been no notification. 

I kind of think you deserve both for your birthday.  No regrets!

[AmandaW]

4 hours ago, Misfit said:

Well, I sort of forgot that I already ordered a pen that I was saving for my birthday. That pen is a Retro 51 Black Nickel pen. And now I’ve recently ordered the Kaweco AL Stonewashed Black pen. The Retro 51 has my favorite nib, the 1.1mm stub nib. I got it at a better price, and an additional 10% off. The Stonewashed cost more, but has a B nib. Hasn’t shipped yet I guess, as there has been no notification. 

+1 (agree with camelsuspicious)

[Misfit]

Most kind of you both to say I deserve them both for the birthday. Otherwise I either save one for Christmas, or be impulsive and have it for now. 
 

Last year I was good, and saved 4 Kaweco Ice Sport pens for Christmas. That was for 5 months. 

[boilermaker1975]

27 minutes ago, Misfit said:

Most kind of you both to say I deserve them both for the birthday. Otherwise I either save one for Christmas, or be impulsive and have it for now. 
 

Last year I was good, and saved 4 Kaweco Ice Sport pens for Christmas. That was for 5 months. 

 

@Misfit That is willpower!

[Misfit]

25 minutes ago, boilermaker1975 said:

 

@Misfit That is willpower!

Except I know I got more pens in those months. I need a stop button. 

[JonSzanto]

14 hours ago, Misfit said:

Except I know I got more pens in those months. I need a stop button. 

 

 

[Ceilidh]

8 hours ago, JonSzanto said:

 

 

Be careful what you wish for! 😁

[JasonR]

Does it count as impulsive if I've been stalking a dozen pen sites, have an automated AI search and saved searches on eBay?  I'm so excited that I finally managed to snag a Vintage Onoto Magna Plunger Filler that I barely stopped to check condition before submitting an offer (which was accepted).  I still don't know if I'll be getting a working pen or if I'll need to do a plunger re-fit, but either way, I'm pretty happy.  It's a user grade specimen for sure, but given I plan to use it, not keep it as a showpiece, I'm pretty stoked.  Two weeks out from the CA Pen show and I'm just going to plan on a much smaller budget, some nib work and a class - unless of course I make some impulsive buys there!