[image] Hi everybody! I'm Conrad, a stationery lover and quiet lurker of the Massdrop writing community. I'm sure most of you definitely do not know me! But I'm super happy to meet you, and I wanted to invite you to maybe sit down a little while with me while we talk about the things we love: writing instruments and the things we buy to keep them chugging. Thanks to Mike, I was generously sent a couple of bottles of ink and I've been playing around with them for a little while. I think I'm about ready to share my thoughts on these inks over the next week or so; I hope you enjoy the review! [image] I thought I would get us all started with an ink brand that I've actually never tried before: Faber-Castell! You probably know them for their other art products, like colored pencils and PITT artist brush pens. I certainly had no idea that they made inks. I have seen their fountain pens (I've heard they write particularly well right out of the box, although I've never personally tried...

[image] It will set you back $105,000, but it only takes short standard international cartridges. [video] Possibly the most advanced vanishing nib ever made. [video] MD x RM anyone? If you want to know more: https://www.ablogtowatch.com/richard-mille-rms05-pen/

[image] Lamy recently released what is basically a limited run of their Al-Star, called the Lamy Lx (for Luxe). It's available in four finishes; Gold, Rose Gold, Palladium and Ruthenium. Other than the color of the Aluminum the two ways it distinguishes itself from the regular Al-Star is the PVD-coated laser-etched nib and the matching precious metal-plated clip. [image] It also comes in a matching cylindrical Aluminum case. [image] For the privilege of owning the case, a PVD-coated nib and the plated clip you get to pay almost twice as much as for the regular Al-Star. Still, if I didn't already own an Al-Star I'd be all over the Ruthenium version. Would you get one? Which one would you get? Vote here : https://www.massdrop.com/vote/Lamy-Lx I have to note that they are carried by only a few online vendors and that there is absolutely no mention of them on lamyusa.com nor lamy.com.

[image] This is my review of The Book of Ra, a notebook by Sirius's Domain from Taiwan. A seriously small business, if you can call it that; as far as I can tell it's a single individual. Their Etsy store boasts a combined total of 7 sales. The seller/maker claims that their "wolf paper" is superior to all other fountain pen-friendly paper out there. The specs: Size: B5-ish (250x175mm) Count: 96 sheets, 192 pages Weight: 140gsm, yes 140! Ruling: 5mm grid (also available in 6mm lines and blank) Binding: Smyth-sewn, with cardboard covers The notebook is hand made, and it shows. Not entirely in a good way, though. The cardboard covers (a rather ugly affair) are somewhat warped and the spine is duct tape. The design, I guess, aims to be simple and plain like the Midori MD. The Midori, however, comes out looking refined and elegant. tBoR comes out looking cheap. [image] That being said, the binding is strong, the notebook opens completely flat, almost too flat (courtesy of...

I just discovered these incredible CDs that I love to listen to while I write--so peaceful and inspiring--and would love to know what your thoughts are toward this topic. I always love to discover music that doesn't distract while you're writing or reading, and if you need a moment, you can enjoy it tremendously and inspires you. I actually discovered this particular artist through another author friend; check it out for yourself. The first link is particularly applicable if you are religious, but if not, the second link will work great for all others too. I immensely enjoy all his albums. www.amazon.com/dp/product/B00FEFQSYS [image] www.amazon.com/Piano-Dreamer-Jan-Mulder/dp/B005S6WDS8 [image]