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Picked up another triple mini set of Iroshizuku Ink.  For the price of one 50mL bottle, I got 3 smaller 15 mL bottles to sample different colors of ink.  This brings my growing collection to about 8 different Iroshizuku inks; I think there are at least 26 standard colors, with several seasonal and special editions.

I received as a gift the 3-pack sampler of Pilot brand Iroshizuku ink.  This set contains 15 mL samples of: Syo-Ro Ama-Iro Fuyu-Gaki I'm elated to receive this as I slowly build up my collection of fountain pen inks and now have 5 different Iroshizuku colors (Kon-Peki, Murusaki Shikibu). I inked one of my Pilot Metropolitan pens with Ama-Iro and was quite surprised at how much a lighter shade of blue and initially looks a lot like Kon-Peki; after it's dried.  Kon-Peki in comparison initially is much darker, but lightens up to what Ama-Iro looks freshly inked. Looking forward to trying the other colors and perhaps considering getting the other 3-pack samplers of (Asa-Gao, Shin-Kai, Yama-Budo) and (Tsuki-Yo, Take-Sumi, Kon-Peki) to establish a decent collection of 10 colors. Eventually, I may try to own all 24 standard colors and also the 3 special edition colors (Edo-Murusaki, Fukugawa-Nezu, and Shimbashi-Iro).  Based on some online research they released the special

I purchased a Pilot Custom 74 w/ Soft Fine Nib for about $70 on Amazon.  I also ordered a Con-70 Ink Converter, but for now am using a standard Blue Ink Cartridge. Initial Thoughts The pen is quite nice and naturally better than the Pilot Metropolitans that I've relied on for several months.  But it was somewhat of a let down in how the barrel of the pen curves inward a bit before connecting with the cap.  I would have preferred a nicer fit & finish comparable to the Platinum Century 3776. The Nib is also much more subdued and almost the exact same size as the Pilot Metropolitan.  Visually, it is more appealing with it's added engraving, but unless you write with it, it looks almost the same as a Metropolitan Nib. In short, I was hoping for a pen that was both an excellent writer & a bit more ostentatious; like the Platinum 3776.  I probably will have to order a replacement 3776 in Chartres Bleu and likely do so near August of this year (I really miss the 3776). I'

My current interest is in my nascent Fountain Pen Collection and I've been planning how best to proceed over the next 12 Months increasing my Collection to a total of Six (6) Pens.  Presently, I own only three (3) Pens; all Metropolitan's and feel it necessary to add some variety & quality. Current Inventory Pilot Metropolitan Classic (Black) Retro Pop (Turquoise) Retro Pop (Purple) Iroshizuku Ink Kon-Peki Murusaki-Shikibu Future Desired: Pens Pilot Custom 74 Black -- $75 -- Mar 2018 Platinum 3776 Blue -- $75 -- Aug 2018 Platinum 3776 Red -- $ 75 -- Dec 2018 Accessories Pen Case (3 Pack) -- $25 -- Aug 2018 Estimated Outlay -- $250 Update 12/31/17 I've delayed my planned purchases and will make them contingent on successfully passing my Certification Exams for Python and R respectively.  The dates can vary, but more or less I want to 'win' these pens by passing the examinations. The Metropolitans have held up well and are being reinked every few days due to my s

I ordered two (2) Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pens from the Retro Pop Collection in Turquoise & Purple.  Both are Fine Point Nibs and with exception of the Color & Design patterns on the cross section they are identical to the Metropolitan Classic Collection. I'm Glad I purchased additional Metropolitan Fountain Pens as it does make life easier having several pens to choose from rather than rely on a single pen. Contents The pens come in the same standard packaging as other Pilot Metropolitan's and includes both a single Black Cartridge & Con-20 Style Ink Converter.  It makes the Metropolitan's probably the best starter pen as it has everything you need to begin writing.   Nib Both pens were a bit scratchy after their first inking of Iroshizuku Ink.  I grabbed my Metropolitan Classic and confirmed it writes smoother and I'm guessing these just need to be used a while to adjust & align the Nib's.  I vaguely recall the Classic was very scratch

My notes as I research and learn about the various models of Entry Level Pilot Fountain Pens. Criteria for 'Entry Level' Price Range $ 10 ~ $60 MSRP Normal Refillable (Converter / Cartridge, etc) List 78G Cavalier Cocoon Ecrino Kakuno Knight Lucina Metropolitan Classic Retro Pop Animal Print Minuet Penmanship Petit1 Plumix Prera

It appears I've misplaced and possibly lost my beloved Platinum Century 3776 Fountain Pen.  This is a bummer as it cost me quite a bit of money; estimating $75 ($65 Pen + $10 Converter). While I have my Pilot Metropolitan, it's not the same as having a Gold Nib Pen.  I'm not ready yet to invest in another expensive Fountain Pen and will have to think about how to better ensure I avoid misplacing and losing such an expensive item. A real bummer....

I was in Shibuya and decided to check out Tokyu Hands Department Store.  They had a modest, but decent selection of Fountain Pens and Inks on the 5th Floor.  Prices are fantastic @ 1500 Yen and I picked up my 2nd Iroshizuku Ink - Murusaki Shikibu (Purple).  I always wanted this ink and its actually cheaper here than on Amazon. The name is a play on words as its both the name of a famous Japanese Author and a Japanese Berry.  The Author was fond of wearing Purple and the Berry is also a Purple Color, but then it could be that the Berry was named after the Author and they made this ink the same color, so who knows... It's not as vibrant as Kon-Peki, but that subdued characteristic is what I like.  It flows better, but then that could also be because I left a few drops of water in the Platinum Pen after rinsing it out before Inking.  I'm quite pleased with this color and happy I took a chance with it. Tokyu Hands was also fun and they let me try a variety of Pens and Colors.  They

Picked up the Con-50 Ink Converter for the Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen.  While the stock Ink Converter that comes with the Pen works fine, its a nuisance to gauge how much ink is left and I had it run out of ink in the middle of a Business Meeting.  The Con-50 works just like the Platinum Ink Converter and I was able to ink the pen quickly with little mess.  While the Con-50 holds less ink, at least I can tell when I'm near empty.  I can start estimating how many days or weeks it takes between refills. Update 1/12/17 What a piece of crap!  The CON-50 Converter CRACKED!  I had a total mess and had to disassemble and clean the pen.  Reverted back to the stock CON-20 Converter for now. This is my third (3) experience so far with Amazon sending stuff that either breaks, leaks or cracks.  Totally bummed.

I picked up my third Fountain Pen a Platinum Century 3776 (Fine Point) in Chartres Blue.  There are tons of Reviews on this pen so I'm not going to be doing one and just discussing why I picked the 3776 as my first 'nice' pen.  After enjoying the Pilot Varsity and Metropolitan, I wanted to invest in a good, quality pen to give me a better experience and understanding of what Fountain Pens are all about and the 3776 is an excellent choice for me.  At $67 from Amazon with another $8 for the Ink Converter this is not a cheap pen and I'll have to handle this one with greater care, but that price point is the 'sweet spot' in terms of getting something substantial without breaking the bank.  I was contemplating getting a $30-40 pen that is a step-up from the Metropolitan, but I couldn't justify it as an extra $20 above that would get me the 3776. First Impression I immediately filled it with Iroshizuku Kon-Peki Ink and the first few lines were scratchy and thin, b

I finally received my first bottle of Iroshizuku Ink in Cerulean Blue (Kon-Peki).  It's a popular color of ink that others online have been raving about and I can see why. Using my Pilot Metropolitan Fine Point, I was able to load it and try writing some lines and am very happy with Kon-Peki.  Although, its too early to tell if this is my 'Signature Ink' it's definitely shaping up to be one I'll be using quite regularly. Fractured Bottle Cap The only mishap was during shipping the flimsy plastic bottle cap fractured and some ink leaked all over the inside of the shipping package.  I was able to seal the fracture with tape and will likely have to move the remaining ink to another container.  It's a pity and I'm learning this is a common flaw with Iroshizuku Ink in that the plastic cap doesn't hold up very well.

Contents Pen Pen Display Case (Clear Plastic Top Cover) Con-20 Style Converter One (1) Blue/Black Ink Cartridge Nib Style - Fine (F) or Medium (M) Color / Model Numbers Classic Black MRFC1BLKFBLKP (F) MRFC1BLKMBLKP (M) Gold   MRFC1BLKFGLDP (F) MRFC1BLKMGLDP (M) Silver   MRFC1BLKFSLVP (F) MRFC1BLKMSLVP (M) Retro Pop Green / Marble Red / Wave Orange / Flower Purple / Ellipse Grey / Hound Tooth Turquoise / Polka Dots Animal Print Purple / Leopard  White / Tiger Black / Crocodile Gold / Lizard Silver / Python My Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen (Fine Point) arrived from Amazon and its a beautiful writing instrument.  The online reviews were largely accurate in describing this as an excellent starter pen and indeed the immediate sense of quality could be felt just by holding it. There is a certain weight and heft that exudes a sense of quality.  And the overall look and feel is best experienced by actually holding and wielding the pen; for $13 this is a phenomenal deal. It even comes

I've become interested in Fountain Pens and spent a few weeks researching online to develop a plan of how I want to approach this new found hobby. My plan is to invest in about a half-dozen pens over a period of sixteen (16) months and hopefully during that time acquire a decent level of knowledge and experience in using and maintaining a Fountain Pen.  I'd also like to develop some degree of penmanship. 1.  Practice Phase (Pilot Varsity , Pilot Metropolitan) - 2016 (1 Month) Having absolutely zero experience  using a Fountain Pen, I am going to start small with some Pilot Varsity and Metropolitan pens. Pilot Varsity - October 2016 Online there have been many rave reviews about the basic $3 Pilot Varsity or Platinum Preppy and I was okay getting either one.  My local office store had the Varsity in stock and I picked up a pair to begin writing. Selection was limited and they had only Medium Point and in Purple Ink (other choices were Red or Pink). Pilot Metropolitan - October