Toluu

Good Pens

A collection and daily insight into the pens I use and love and a few of the dead ones as they pass their last drops of ink to paper from a pen addict.

Esterbrook #2Today

There are 2 physical things in this world that I trust. They both are pictures above. Good old duct tape and my green Esterbrook. I know, if asked, they will always perform reasonable duties. Sure, I wish the nib was a little bit more flexible and that I didn't "have" to use duct tape so much (it usually means something is broken) but they both do their job very well when needed.
This perfect little gem was a very low cost Ebay item that I could easily double my money on, but I just do not feel the need. I have other Esties...it has friends here.

The nib is a 1551 and I usually keep the sac filled with a nice matching green ink for just when I ne

Guest Pen Cup #1November 28

I am at my parents for Thanksgiving and wanted to try a new thing called "Guest Pen Cup" I decided a long time ago that I can tell all I need to know about people by taking a quick look into their pen cups. It's like a window to the soul.

In this case it's strictly utilitarian along with a comb just to increase the odd factor a bit. I am pretty sure I had that Sanford King Size marker 15 years ago. I am not sure how the American Pencil Co. Brown 1212 drawing pencil crept in there, it's at least 50 years old.  There are some Sharpies and a few run of the mill crappy ballpoints (I thought I taught them better.) But if push came to shove, the contents would cover just about any situation Macgyver would come across. (including wind blown hair.)

Platinum Preppy Fountain penNovember 26

I thought I already reviewed this pen simply because I use it so much, but looking back, I don't think I did. I really love this pen, possible the best modern, low cost disposable I have ever used. (In a heads up battle, I probably would give the nod to an old school Sheaffer School though.) The great part is, I have no fear of losing this pen. It's very easy to replace and it writes like a dream on most paper. I am not sure why they named it "preppy" but it works for me.


There are currently 1.1 million students who are home-schooled, or 2 percent of all school-age students ages 5 to 17. Those are the lucky bastards... I wonder how many of those are preppy?

In High School I had a slight preppy period, which I think lasted about a week and consisted of popping the collar on my knock off Lacoste shirts.

Capless Pilot Fountain PenNovember 25

Or the vanishing point as it is known here in the US. One click and the nib draws in and is protected, another click and it pops out ready for action. I still mostly just use this at my desk. I know it's meant to be carried around, but I like it safe and secure right here. Fine point and a perfect pen. Good pen.

Pilot is the 3rd largest pen manufacturer in the US. *If* I were to categorize all of my pens by age, color, tip size, roller, felt, fountain and ink color, I bet that I would have mostly Pilots in my collection. (by 17%) (I am kidding...or am I?)


When we were renovating our kitchen my wife ordered custom tiles that would "pull all the colors together" being a man, I nodded and went back to sports t

Zebra Jimnie Gel RollerballNovember 24

Every now and then I feel the need for a semi-fat writing, traditional rollerball  and this Zebra usually fits the bill. Yes, it skips a bit, but if I am using cheap notebook paper for something, it seems to be a good bet for a quick drying, smudge proof pen. Plus it's acid free so I don't have to worry about my pen tripping out.

I re-watched Office Space again over the weekend. 2 in the morning, can't sleep and a perfect movie. It's so hard to believe that the movie only made 10.8 million in box office revenue. Mike Judge is a genius.