What Was Your Last Impulsive Pen Acquisition?

[InkyProf]

7 minutes ago, JasonR said:

I thought my first Waterman would be a vintage, and though it isn't, it has that classy vintage look with the chasing reminiscent of hard rubber... 

 

I don't know whether your Opera is early or late, but either way, it's from the previous century -- and I do think "modern vintage" is a serious category all its own, well worth collecting in, if you like the style.

I have two on the way as well, although one was purchased in April (so it doesn't count, right?). And am slowly making my way through the collection preparing for some sales, too...

[JasonR]

@InkyProf What happens in April stays in April.  Did I see that you picked up an Onoto Minor?   Did it need new seals or did that one come restored?

[InkyProf]

36 minutes ago, JasonR said:

@InkyProf What happens in April stays in April.  Did I see that you picked up an Onoto Minor?   Did it need new seals or did that one come restored?

 

Restored! Still en route, but I'm looking forward to it.

 

Also, thanks for the reminder: the Minor and the accompanying Parker 61 Heirloom make four on the way, not two (argh! though one was a bargain-priced pen for restoration)... Five if you count the one that I probably won't receive until 2027. All I really need to do to break this cycle is take a sledgehammer to my laptop, which would be satisfying for other reasons too... 🙂 

[JasonR]

@InkyProf - I do feel I am 100% justified that the 5 being delivered today shall not be counted as new.  These are all pens that have been off at the nibmeister (were supposed to arrive on Saturday, but USPS....)

 

I do have a Swan arriving Wednesday and the aforementioned Waterman, which thanks to you I now know is not a recent production, but likely close to 40 years old.  It appears the advertising I saw was for the modern version which is the Waterman Expert Opera.  It is a beautiful pen, but I like the styling of mine better.  

 

And I guess I did order a Jinhao 100 from Amazon over the weekend, but that doesn't count because it's less than $25.  It'll go into the penablement bucket.  

 

What is the 2027?  A fun Urushi custom pen?

[InkyProf]

22 minutes ago, JasonR said:

A fun Urushi custom pen?

 

Not custom, but definitely urushi: my first Nakaya (dead-simple Aka-Tamenuri), which entered the realm of psychological plausibility thanks to their currency switch.

 

Swan is unknown territory to me, I look forward to hearing about yours!

[dms525]

The "CSI" grind on #8 steel nibs from Leonardo are among my current favorites for italic calligraphy. Whenever a pen with this nib appears, temptation strikes. The two such nibs I have are based on Broad nibs.The latest Corsini/Leonardo "Hybrid" pen offers a CSI Medium. I ordered one.

 

 

The barrel cap and section are in "LeoArco," an in-house celluloid with the colors of OMAS Arco Bronze. I have been resisting buying a pen totally in this material. I'm weakening slowly. (Does eroded resistance count as "implulsive?")

 

David

[JasonR]

20 minutes ago, InkyProf said:

 

Not custom, but definitely urushi: my first Nakaya (dead-simple Aka-Tamenuri), which entered the realm of psychological plausibility thanks to their currency switch.

 

Swan is unknown territory to me, I look forward to hearing about yours!

I had considered one myself, but ultimately decided against it.  That is one heck of a deal compared to previous pricing and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.  Very fine craftsmanship indeed. 
 

This will be my 4th Swan, excluding a few I fixed up and flipped to fund some pens in March.  
 

I need to be good the rest of the month and into June as the restoration of 2 Magnas will come due and June is incredibly expensive with Fathers Day and birthday/anniversary.  

[Ceilidh]

On 5/10/2026 at 6:21 AM, carola said:

 

I had been eyeing the sea-green version of this pen, but now I have impulsively decided, that this tortoise version is truly pretty as well and will stay with me. (Which of course doesn´t mean that I am not eyeing the sea-green anymore. 😅)

The tortoise is gorgeous. We look forward to the sea-green when it arrives. 😉

[carola]

2 hours ago, Ceilidh said:

The tortoise is gorgeous. We look forward to the sea-green when it arrives. 😉

 

Oh, it probably will. One day. When I find one in nice condition I am prepared to pay the price for. 😉

 

And thank you. 🙂

[JonSzanto]

On 5/10/2026 at 7:44 AM, InkyProf said:

@JonSzanto sounds fabulous: that was the same period and nib style (in a F/EF) that I eventually went for, though mine lacks the special Binder nib! I hope you enjoy it.

 

Thank you. I know pens this big and of this heft, and I don't foresee long writing sessions with it. However, I am in the process of distilling down my collection, much like reducing a sauce, and as I let some pens leave, I have been acquiring a lesser number but of more importance to me. If I'm going to have only one Montblanc representative, this pen has earned it's place.

 

4 hours ago, dms525 said:

The "CSI" grind on #8 steel nibs from Leonardo are among my current favorites for italic calligraphy.

 

That pen is very handsome and I wholeheartedly endorse your minor financial ruin for a full pen in the material.  I've been wondering about their CSI and may end up getting one - I have a hopeful project of having a pen made and that might be the nib I select, unless I find someone local who has one that I can try. When your CSI M comes, I'd be curious to see a comparison of writing with that and your B versions. Above all, another handsome Leo for you.

[dms525]

59 minutes ago, JonSzanto said:

 

That pen is very handsome and I wholeheartedly endorse your minor financial ruin for a full pen in the material.  I've been wondering about their CSI and may end up getting one - I have a hopeful project of having a pen made and that might be the nib I select, unless I find someone local who has one that I can try. When your CSI M comes, I'd be curious to see a comparison of writing with that and your B versions. Above all, another handsome Leo for you.

 

I asked Stefano at Corsani about the CSI M. He thought it probably had less line differentiation than the CSI B, so I opted to go with the CSI B. That nib, which I have on two other pens, writes a line 0.8mm wide and has a thick/thin line differentiation of 2.5:1 which is quite satisfactory.

 

I'm hoping Salvatore brings a Steel #8 CSI M nib that can be tried out at the SF Pen Show.

 

Thanks for your "endorsement." Spending other peoples money is so much fun! 🤣

 

David

[JonSzanto]

1 hour ago, dms525 said:

I asked Stefano at Corsani about the CSI M. He thought it probably had less line differentiation than the CSI B, so I opted to go with the CSI B. That nib, which I have on two other pens, writes a line 0.8mm wide and has a thick/thin line differentiation of 2.5:1 which is quite satisfactory. I'm hoping Salvatore brings a Steel #8 CSI M nib that can be tried out at the SF Pen Show.

 

Thanks, that's great info. I've had quite a few M nibs, in both Western and Japanese makes, italicized by Mike and Matt and Gena, so 0.8mm isn't out of the ballpark for me. 1.1, though, are just too wide for my writing and I avoid those stock stubs.

[USG]

21 hours ago, dms525 said:

The "CSI" grind on #8 steel nibs from Leonardo are among my current favorites for italic calligraphy. Whenever a pen with this nib appears, temptation strikes. The two such nibs I have are based on Broad nibs.The latest Corsini/Leonardo "Hybrid" pen offers a CSI Medium. I ordered one.

 

 

The barrel cap and section are in "LeoArco," an in-house celluloid with the colors of OMAS Arco Bronze. I have been resisting buying a pen totally in this material. I'm weakening slowly. (Does eroded resistance count as "implulsive?")

 

David

 

That's one beautiful pen David....  Enjoy !!!  👍😀

 

[boilermaker1975]

Not a new pen, but why I can make impulsive pen purchases!

 

[inkstainedruth]

Wonder if they've done a study showing it when the wives are the pen collectors.... 

Of course, looking at the photo, it seems that the guy has a case full of BPs....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Scribs]

23 minutes ago, inkstainedruth said:

 

Of course, looking at the photo, it seems that the guy has a case full of BPs....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

Imagine how much happier his wife might be if the case were full of FPs!

[Karmachanic]

Was thinking about getting a nib ground, so I stopped by The Writing Desk.

And there it was.  Calling me.  Pelikan 405 Stresemann F.  So I asked it be ground to CI.  Because I was, after all, thinking  about getting a nib ground.  And the pen was lonely.

[JonSzanto]

Besides not being fountain pens, it's AI slop.

[inkstainedruth]

That doesn't surprise me one iota....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Penguincollector]

1 hour ago, Scribs said:

 

Imagine how much happier his wife might be if the case were full of FPs!

🤣
 

  This wife would definitely be (my husband collects guitars)!